Live Music & Dancing
Even government-types need to cut loose and party sometimes. This guide provides a listing of popular venues, including DJ/dance clubs. See also Metro Weekly's Baltimore & D.C. Bar & Club Directory, billed as "Washington's only guide to gay and gay-friendly nightlife."
Check the Washington Post and the CityPaper for schedules of live music events.
Live Music Venues
9:30 Club (Rock, indie, eclectic)
815 V St. NW
202-265-0930
"Popular club packs in the crowds nightly for top-tier rock, punk, hip-hop and country shows. . . . [T]he best live music venue in town." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Ticket prices vary; buy online.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
Birchmere Music Hall (Blues, folk, country)
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305
703-549-7500
"Musicians and fans love the sound system and reverent atmosphere at this premier spot for blues, folk and country acts. Talking will get you shushed." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Ticket prices vary, but the venue adds a $3.50 service charge to all tickets it sells directly. Tickets are also available through TicketMaster.
Metro: Pentagon City (Blue, Yellow) - not Pentagon - is 5 miles from the Hall, but there are always plenty of cabs.
Black Cat (Rock, indie, dance)
1811 14th St. NW
202-667-7960
"The largest indie rock venue in D.C. is actually four venues in one, so you can check out bands, dance to a DJ or go to the Red Room to shoot pool." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: $8-$15; buy tickets online.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
Blues Alley (Jazz. Yes, jazz.)
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
202-337-4141 (reservations recommended)
"Don't be fooled by the name: this is a jazz club. All the big names play . . . this intimate Georgetown venue." Full
Washington Post review.
Admission: In addition to admission tickets (buy online), Blues Alley requires a minimum $10 purchase and $2.50 surcharge per person.
Metro: Take the D.C. Circulator bus from 7th St. NW & Massachusetts Ave. NW to M St. NW and Wisconsin Ave.
Bohemian Caverns (Jazz)
2003 11th St. NW
202-299-0800
"Legendary jazz spot is split between the cave-like basement . . . and Liv, an upstairs nightclub for hip-hop DJs." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Varies. Buy tickets online.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
DC9 (Indie rock, dance)
1940 Ninth St. NW
202-483-5000
"Filling the gap between large rock clubs and tiny bars, DC9 attracts crowds for indie rock bands, followed by late-night DJs." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: $6-$8.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz & Blues (Blues & jazz)
1610 14th St. NW
202-667-3700
"Dedicated to the preservation of jazz and blues, this small club hosts amateurs and professionals alike." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Wed-Thur - $8; Fri-Sat - $12.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
Iota Club & Cafe (Roots-rock, alt-country, indie)
2832 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
703-522-8340
"[T]his Arlington club has kept its rootsy vibe while expanding its musical palette." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: $8-$14.
Metro: Clarendon (Orange).
Madam's Organ (Blues & jazz)
2461 18th St. NW
202-667-5370
"Visit for down-and-dirty blues, a fun crowd and no annoying attitude." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: $4-$7; call for details.
Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red).
Twins Jazz (Jazz)
1344 U St. NW
202-234-0072
"Serious musicians play this tiny, well-worn jazz club that's a D.C. treasure." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Varies, but
generally requires a $10-30 cover and a two-drink minimum per person per show. Buy tickets online.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
U-Topia (Jazz & Latin)
1418 U St. NW
202-483-7669
"U-Topia brims with artistic and culinary flare. Live jazz and Latin music is offered nightly." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: No cover charge.
Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green).
Dance Clubs
Some clubs have dress codes; check their web sites for more information.
Apex
1415 22nd St. NW
202-296-0505
Serves a primarily GLBT (mostly male) clientele. In addition to dancing, also offers karaoke and drag performers. Washington Post review.
Admission: Typically $10.
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red).
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1212 18th St. NW
202-466-3922
"This ultra-hip club has no sign and a strict door policy. " Full Washington Post review.
Admission: $10-$20. Dress code.
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red).
Fur Nightclub
33 Patterson St. NE
202-842-3401
"Fur features an enormous dance floor, intimate lounges, . . . theme rooms -- even a late-night espresso bar and cafe." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: $20. Dress code.
Metro: New York Avenue (Red).
Habana Village
1834 Columbia Rd. NW
202-462-6310
"One of the best places to salsa in Washington." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Free, although some salsa lessons cost $10.
Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red).
Love
1350 Okie St. NE
202-636-9030
"A beautiful, four-level club . . . that attracts some of the biggest celebrities in hip-hop." Full Washington Post review.
Admission: Visit web site for "free pass" under "Calendar/Events." Dress code.
Metro: Red line to Rhode Island Station, then D8 bus to Mt. Olivet Rd. NE and Capitol Ave. NE.
Ultrabar
911 F St. NW
202-638-4663
"UltraBar provides an intimate escape to the mundane club scene in Washington DC. " Full Club Zone review.
Admission: Free pass on web site (admission before midnight for women, before 11 p.m for men). Dress code.
Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green and Yellow).
Zanzibar
700 Water St. SW
202-554-9100
"The musical bill -- varied and fairly conservative -- features a lot of old school and contemporary R&B, but also offers live jazz, blues, Latin and DJ-generated dance music. " Full City Guide review.
Admission: Free Friday & Saturday night passes (admission before 9:00 p.m., no special events) are available on the web site. Dress code.
Metro: Waterfront-SEU (Green).