Nightlife & the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. Nightlife

From buttoned-down political appointees who've just arrived to laid-back folks who've lived here their whole lives, Washingtonians are always looking for a place to relax. And they have plenty of options when they head out for a night on the town. Most places are clustered in several key neighborhoods, making a night of barhopping relatively easy.

Georgetown's dozens of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants radiate from the intersection of Wisconsin and M streets. The crowds include older adults and college students. Georgetown is one of the safest neighborhoods in D.C., with a large police presence on weekends. Parking, however, is a scarce commodity, and there is no nearby Metro station. Taxis are often the best choice.

Georgetown may seem a little reserved to some. Those seeking a more diverse and less inhibited nightlife may prefer the 18th Street strip in Adams Morgan between Columbia Road and Kalorama Avenue, which offers a wide variety of places that feature hip-hop DJs, Latin music, and everything in between. If you're looking for offbeat spots that don't take themselves too seriously, you're in the right place. Getting there is easy, with three nearby Metro stops: Woodley Park/Adams Morgan (Red Line), Columbia Heights (Green and Yellow lines), and U Street/Cardozo (Green and Yellow lines). Taxis also are easy to find.

For serious dance action, head to the Northeast. Huge crowds and loud music ranging from hip-hop and Latin to techno and trance await you at the ever-popular warehouse-turned-mega clubs like Love and Ibiza. This is a rougher part of town, so be cautious. Make use of the premium parking—for about $20—that will put you close to the entrance. Even parking a few blocks away on neighborhood streets is risky at night. Taxis are another good option, as there is no nearby Metro. The U Street Corridor (U Street NW between 12th and 16th streets), once D.C.'s hippest neighborhood and a regular stop for jazz greats, is now undergoing a revival, with bars that appeal to all types. The U Street Corridor is accessible from two Metro stops: Columbia Heights and U St./Cardozo, both on the Green and Yellow lines. Taxis also are easy to find.

The stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue between 2nd and 4th streets has a half-dozen Capitol Hill bars. And thanks to massive recent development, Penn Quarter is burgeoning with squeaky-clean new bars. You can take the Metro, exiting at the Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station (Green and Yellow lines).

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