7 Best Nightlife in Capitol Hill and Northeast, Washington, D.C.

Step off H Street and into a boisterous bit of Bavaria. There might be football on TV, but that's not enough to break the spell of a place so genuinely Germanic. With about a dozen German drafts on offer, along with other authentic specialties—Tito's Mule?—and five fully stocked bars (plus a full kitchen), there's something for everyone, including six different spaces. Get cozy inside, or head for the "pavilion," covered with heaters in winter and partially open in good weather; the tree-lined outdoor patio, sprinkled with fire pits and a heater in winter; four-seater cabins; an outdoor roof deck; and more.

A short walk from Union Station and Capitol Hill, this Washington institution in the Phoenix Park Hotel offers cozy paneled rooms, rich pints of Guinness, and other authentic fare. It's especially popular with locals and Hill staffers alike. While offering live Irish music seven nights a week, this charming spot never charges a cover, save for St. Patrick's Day.

This sprawling complex of more than 30,000 square feet effectively re-creates the vibe of an otherwise bygone era in D.C.—one of mega-nightclubs in retrofitted warehouses in derelict neighborhoods. With unobstructed sight lines to the stage and a German-imported sound system, it's the place for club kids to dance to the biggest names in E.D.M., from Calvin Harris to David Guetta to Tiesto. Catch your breath at one of the two 60-foot bars lining either side of the dance floor. With no Metro stops nearby, driving or taking a cab/rideshare is required.

Beer and mussels: the appeal is that simple, and they're that satisfying. But the narrow, rustic bars on two floors are as popular with drinkers as diners. The Belgian-themed gastropub has one of the largest selections of beer, from pilsners to Flemish reds, in D.C. If you are hungry, offerings in this cozy spot go beyond mussels, and include steak frites and Flemish dip. Happy hour takes place daily between 5 pm and 7 pm.

The only D.C. bar to offer indoor miniature golf, Skee-Ball, and giant Jenga has a friendly, laid-back vibe. Fish tacos and an impressive margarita list round out the fun mix at this popular nightspot. Big-screen sports line the walls downstairs, but you can usually catch a breath of fresh air on the roof deck.

A purple light at the door marks the spot of this eclectic, New Orleans–influenced watering hole–dance club at the center of H Street. The dark interior features old concert posters from cult favorites like Pantera and Iggy Pop. The bar downstairs offers an enormous list of bottled beers and a signature adult slushy—the "Awesomeness”—that packs a real punch. The upstairs bar hosts DJs every Friday and Saturday night, when the space heaves with dancers packed wall-to-wall. The bar’s cheeky slogan—“a lousy bar for rotten people”—isn’t quite right. The service here is great.

Capitol Hillers love this laid-back pub/restaurant, notably for its list of nightly specials including half-priced burgers on Mondays. But there’s more than meets the eye at this eclectic indoor-outdoor dinner space; Mr. Henry’s is also the last holdout of a once-thriving live-music scene on Capitol Hill. Probably the best known, local native Roberta Flack got her start in the upstairs performance space, where a dozen or so tables are scattered around the wood-paneled room.  Live music is offered at least four nights a week; tickets can be purchased on the website.