Washington, D.C. Nightlife - Search for Cheap Airline Tickets to Washington, D.C.

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When the sun goes down in the capitol of the US, the nightlife heats up. Washington DC is a city with virtually limitless after-dark options. You can hear world-class blues or jazz, rub shoulders with the country’s decision makers or enjoy a pitcher of beer at a hole-in-the-wall college bar near one of the city’s many universities.

Here is an overview of DC’s vast nightlife scene.

Budget

Despite the prevalence of shirt and jacket nightspots, there are plenty of dive bars and neighborhood bars in DC. The Saloon (1207 U St NW) is once such place. They have a huge selection of imported and rare beers, but the laid back atmosphere steals the show. If you want to feel welcome and at ease, this is the place to come.

Washington DC has a great live music scene. The Black Cat (at 14th and T in the Shaw District) is the venue for local and regional hip-hop acts and indie rock bands. The nearby 9:30 Club has a similar selection of live tunes and notable regional and national underground acts take the stage regularly.

Value

The Eighteenth Street Lounge (1212 18th ST) is home to DC electronic superstars Thievery Corporation. They often make appearances there and the live music and atmospheric surroundings make it a good bet for those who want a night on the town but don’t want to deal with the dress codes and attitudes that can be found at a majority of the city’s nightclubs.

The past decade has seen a lot of gentrification in the Shaw District. Cork (1720 14th St NW) is a product of this. The small but cool wine bar has some classic bottles as well as plenty of less known and humorously named options. The food is light, but of very high quality. The menu was designed by a chef from the impossibly upscale Citronelle Restaurant.

Splurge

In the posh neighborhood of Adams Morgan, ultra-hip clubs and bars come and go often. One of the more interesting and successful venues in the area is Tryst (2459 18th Street NW). It is a bar and café where the cool come to chill and swill. It is definitely not cheap, but is one of the most glamorous scenes in town. Nearly next door is Chloe, a nightclub with a strict dress code and unparalleled high-end experience. On the same block sits the multi-level, aquatic-themed upscale fun emporium known as Reef.