A nightlife guide for washington dc

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Wouldnt it be great to go to a city for the first time and not seem like a tourist? The disposable camera aside, the fun doesnt have to end when the sun goes down and the Smithsonian starts closing up for the night. In this guide, even native Washingtonians will be privy to the best of what DC has to offer: from where to find the most delicious crabs in the country, the trendiest nightclubs for dancing, the best venues for concerts, and even the best places to sit back, relax, and have a cup of joe.

More Than Disco Balls

Category: Bars and Clubs

9:30 Club

(202) 265-0930

815 V St. NW, WDC

An institution in DC, the 9:30 Club is usually a stop on the touring track for big name artists, however during the week they showcase lesser known talent as well. Its deceptively small on the outside, so youll be surprised how many bodies can be crammed into one space, but it makes for an energetic crowd that youll only find in the nations capital.

Club Heaven and Hell

(202) 667-4355

2327 18th. St. NW, WDC

Two separate entrances lead you to different paths: upstairs, late night dancing salvation can be found in Heaven, or downstairs, you can dwell in Hell. Heaven is where the dance parties are held; every night is something different. Break out your best acid washed jeans and off-the-shoulder neon shirts, because Thursday night features Heavens very popular 80s Night. While the upstairs revels in the sanctuary of loud music and hard pumping bodies, Hell is where a decent conversation can be held while shooting some pool, not very hellish at all (except maybe the decorations).

Dream

(202) 347-5255

1350 Okie St. NE, WDC

The trendiest and most glamorous place in town, it also has one of the stiffest dress codes, which can be boiled down to, No sexy dresses, no nice dress shirts: No Service. If you can get in the door, then youll understand why it's call Dream. It has everything a good club-hopper could want: four lavish dance floors, four luxurious decks, numerous VIP rooms, a Penthouse Suite, as well as a delectable and decadent menu/catering service. Dream has consistently been voted Best Dance Club by Washington Post readers. If youre looking to start your weekend early, Dream always has something going on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Beyond Burgers & Fries

Category: Restaurants

Caf Asia

(202) 659-2696

1720 I Street NW, WDC

The dining is only half the fun in Caf Asia, as the architecture is something to marvel at itself, the restaurant is an exceptionally large, two-story dining area, complete with atrium, which makes for great people watching. There is a modern, industrial look to the dcor, but it is softened by the fabric-covered, curved-in tiles and large open spaces. The menu covers Asia from Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. The best dishes are the ones that fuse the essence of these countries together in modern twists. It is easy to experiment here, since the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is something youll remember off the beaten path of DC.

Jaleo

(202) 628-7949

Seventh St. NW, WDC

Good food and good prices, you cant go wrong bringing a group of friends and family to Jaleo. They specialize in Spanish dishes, however there are over 50 different choices for dining, and the menu is always being upgraded. No matter who you are chances are youll find something youll enjoy on the extensive menu.

Jimmy Cantlers Riverside Inn

(410) 757-1311

458 Forest Beach Rd.

Annapolis, MD

One thing you have to know about DC is that is sprawls. The Nations Capital, as well as the surrounding areas, are often clumped together and referred to as DC. A short jaunt across US-50 will bring you Annapolis, and the best crab in the country. If youre dining with a finicky eater who cant handle seafood, rest assured because Jimmy Cantlers menu features filet mignon as well as honey dipt or golden fried chicken. Come for the crabs, stay for the great shopping and architecture that Annapolis has to offer.

Not-So-Dinner Theatre

Category: Performing Arts

Black Cat

(202) 667-7960

1811 14th St. NW, WDC

This retro club attracts a wide range of locals from trendy professionals to successful artists. The dcor is intimate cabaret meets fractured fairytale. In addition to the Black Cats two performing spaces (together the spaces amount to 7000 square feet), it houses the Red Room where smaller, unusual events take place. Often you can find independent film screenings or poetry readings taking place in the Red Room while the on the main stage a national act is in the midst of a show.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

1-800-444-1324

2700 F Street, NW, WDC

The American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Tchaikovsky Festival, and the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival are just some of the wide range of performances that one can enjoy at The Kennedy Center. Youll not only enjoy the performances, but youll enjoy the building that houses them as well. The Kennedy Center is home to The Millennium Stage, which is a perhaps the most beautiful performing space in the country. What makes The Kennedy Center such an elegant and sophisticated establishment, is not only its architecture and design, but its commitment to the arts community as a whole. The Kennedy Center hosts Performing Arts For Everyone initiatives which include free daily performances on The Millennium Stage, Ticketplace At the Old Post Office Pavilion, as well as Pay-What-You-Can Tickets. Youll be sure to not only find a performance that fits your budget, but with the spectrum of entertainment possibilities, theres sure to be something for everyone at The Kennedy Center.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

(703) 255-1900

1645 Trap Road

Vienna, Virginia 22182

Although technically a National Park, Wolf Trap goes beyond traditional venue boundaries and incorporates education and the community into its dynamic presence in DC. Throughout the year, Wolf Trap hosts numerous classes, lectures, and events in order to establish a firmer foundation for the creative arts community. However, if concerts are more your style, then youll never be disappointed at Wolf Trap. Most shows are held at the impressive Filene Center, which is a spectacular outdoor venue. There are 3,868 in-house seats, as well as 3,160 lawn seat, which are especially perfect during the summer months. Performance Season is May to September, although there is a Holiday Sing-A-Long held during the month of December as well. The Wolf Trap attracts a range of talent from Norah Jones and James Taylor to Riverdance and My Fair Lady. Once September rolls around, The Filene Center closes down, and The Barns open up in October. The Barns are a refreshing change of space from the magnitude of the Filene; here youll find a much smaller, intimate performing space, as well as a choice of seating between the floor and the balcony. For family friendly activities, specifically targeted for the kindergarten through sixth grade set, there is also Childrens Theatre-in-the-Woods. With 70 performances between June and August, children will never be bored on summer vacation again.

A Cup of Joe and A Side of Relaxation

Category: Coffee shops, bookstores

Kramerbooks and Afterwords Caf

(202) 387-1400

1517 Connecticut Ave, NW, WDC

So much more than a bookstore in the heart of DC, its a safe haven for those who seek good company, good conversation, and darn good coffee, although theres so much more than coffee as well. The hours are insane, so youll be glad you dont work there, but youll be so thankful that there are diligent souls who do: Kramers is open daily from 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM (yes, thats the actual time they close, not a typo), and open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The cozy environment is casual, yet intellectual, and thankfully not an ounce of pretension resides next to the literati who frequent what The New York Times calls a cultural landmark.

Politics & Prose Bookstore

(202) 364-1919

5015 Connecticut Ave, NW, WDC

Washington, DC, is large enough to be the political epicenter of the country, while small enough to be able to access everything easily via Metro. Politics & Prose could be considered a smaller scale version of DC, it's large enough to attract a breadth of authors to host readings and forums, yet small enough to make customer relationships important. Politics & Prose holds itself to a different kind of standard than your average bookstore/caf; it creates a vibrant community of progressive individuals who want to participate in a greater dialogue. If you want to experience small town DC, look no further than this rather large bookstore.

Tryst Coffeehouse and Bar

(202) 232-5500

2459 18th St., NW, WDC

If youre among those who are tired of the rushed feeling that big chain coffee stores often impose upon customers, then youll find want to find time for a Tryst. Employees are guaranteed to not shoot you dirty looks if you want to hang out with your magazines and a mocha latte. Youll quickly notice that the coffeehouses in DC have crazy hours, (it must be all the politics and intellectual stimuli in the air--it makes the body thirst for caffeine). If youre looking for a late night fix in the middle of the week, Tryst wont let you down: Monday to Thursday 6:30 AM to 2:00 AM, Friday and Saturday 6:30 AM to 3:00 AM, and Sunday 8:00 AM to 12:30 AM.