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Washington D.C.
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Welcome to NightGuide Washington, D.C., your Single Source for Nightlife Information. Use our guide to find the hottest places to go and have fun.

Music, dancing, drinking, and networking thrive in the nation’s capital. As a town with legendary musical history, where Duke Ellington first played in the U Street district known as “Black Broadway,” Washington D.C. boasts spectacular live music, especially jazz. Chuck Brown, godfather of go-go, fills clubs at late-night gigs. The U Street Corridor stays true to roots as the epicenter of jazz culture, with HR-57 and the Lincoln Theatre packing in crowds. After a 30-year closure, Bohemian Caverns -- once hosting Ellington, Cab Calloway and Ella Fitzgerald -- is an up-and-comer, where entrees are named for jazz luminaries and décor harkens to the 1920s. In Georgetown, Blues Alley draws crowds to the nation’s oldest jazz supper club. The Kennedy Center has the KC Jazz Club, while the Smithsonian and other museums often stage summer outdoor jazz sets. Bluegrass and country is found at Madam’s Organ in Adams Morgan, with free outdoor concerts at the Library of Congress. Electronica has emerged on the capital scene, thanks to the Thievery Corporation, known for eclectic DJ sessions at the 18th Street Lounge. Also into electronica are Chi Cha Lounge, Local 16 and Gazuza. While the MCI Center fills up for national headliners, Washington D.C. boasts several intimate concert venues: The 9:30 Club, Black Cat, and Warner Theatre book hip-hop, rock, reggae, indie, punk and more. Opera and classical music attract dignitaries, diplomats, and romantics, with the Washington Opera under artistic direction of Placido Domingo and the National Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin. Washington, D.C. is also the capital of choral music, with more than 70 groups including the Air Force Singing Sergeants.

Choice bars are often in hip hotels. Bar Rouge at the Hotel Rouge mixes sultry libations, while Helix Lounge at the Hotel Helix serves retro drinks in a room of white vinyl with rotating lighting. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, at the site of the old incinerator, touts Degrees, with a black granite bar and red velvet curtains. In upper Georgetown, Bourbon lives up to its name, serving more than 50 varieties, plus several whiskeys and a dozen wines on draft. Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan remain hot, with low-key bars and stylish dance clubs. The Reef has aquatic décor and Monday “Firkin Nights,” when ales are dispensed by gravity from a small cask called a firkin. Finn MacCool’s features live Irish musicians and drafts of Beamish instead of Guinness. Downtown is a destination to waltz, rumba, and salsa the night away at places like Dream. In Penn Quarter, upscale, high energy clubs like Home, once a bank building, play top 40, Bhangra and hip-hop. Another former bank is Platinum on downtown’s F Street, where a chandelier dominates for trance, hip-hop, and salsa. Adams Morgan possibilities include Habana Village serving Cuban drinks and music from merengue to flamenco, reggae, and tango. Also in Adams Morgan, Rumba Café has live Brazilian music and tasty caipirinhas. Nation ranks among the city’s largest, most popular clubs, well-attended by all ages, races, and sexual orientations, although best known for Velvet, a Saturday night gay circuit party. For mellow nightlife without dress codes, D.C. Sanctuary is the place.

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Said by Readers...

“Great Spot - If You Are Looking For A Relax, Chill Spot”"Chris", Burlington - “I think this is a wonderful spot. This is not a "dance" club, and it represents a wide range of ages. We we…”
Said about: Lace - DC's Premiere Women's Club

“So-Sp”Member, Meows, Washington - “I went on the Friday before DC Pride, and it was crowded as all hell. It got really hot really fast, and I was pr…”
Said about: Town Danceboutique

“For The Older Lesbian”"Denise", Washington - “This was the most boring club I've ever been to. We stayed all of 30 mins and tried to enjoy the older lesbians but th…”
Said about: Lace - DC's Premiere Women's Club

“OMFG Amazing!”Member, Bobby, Fairfax - “This place is awesome! We left Camelot after they couldn't fit 12 people for a bachelor party even though they were …”
Said about: Archibald's

“Sorry But This Was The Most Boring Club”Non-Member, Reader - “Now the interior of the place is very nice, even though it's small upstairs and even more downstairs where dancing is su…”
Said about: Lace - DC's Premiere Women's Club

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Said By Nightclubs...

Official descriptions are posted by an owner or a representative of the establishment.

“A Space For Women Of All Ages, Races And Ethnic Backgrounds”“Lace is a restaurant, bar and nightclub for lesbian women located in Washington, DC. Lace…”
Posted by: Lace - DC's Premiere Women's Club - 12/11/2009

“A Redefinition Of DC Nightlife”“24 is 30,000 square foot dark, glamorous, and mystical nightlife paradise venue. Featurin…”
Posted by: 24 - 12/10/2009

“Kstreet Lounge”“Looking for the best nightlife in the nation's capital? Come party, see and be seen at do…”
Posted by: Kstreet Lounge - 7/14/2009

“Adam's Morgan's Largest Dance Floor”“Club Heaven and Hell is located in the heart of Washington DC's nightlife district, Adam'…”
Posted by: Club Heaven and Hell - 6/12/2009

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Events At Washington D.C. Nightspots

Peter White Performing live… Arts - Concerts The Birchmere 202-549-7500	Thu 12/2/10
Merle Haggard Performing live… Arts - Concerts The Birchmere 202-549-7500	Mon 9/20/10
Katatonia Katatonia performs live… Arts - Concerts Jaxx Nite Club 703-569-5940	Thu 10/7/10
Kamelot Performing live… Arts - Concerts Jaxx Nite Club 703-569-5940	Sat 9/11/10
Richie Havens Performing live in concert… Arts - Concerts The Birchmere 703-549-7500	Fri 11/19/10
Black Crowes Performing live… Arts - Concerts 9:30 Club 202-393-9930	Sat 11/13/10 Sun 11/14/10
The Script Performing live… Arts - Concerts 9:30 Club 202-393-9930	Tue 11/2/10
The Young Dubliners Performing live… Arts - Concerts The Birchmere 703-549-7500	Thu 9/9/10

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