Columbia Station Jazz Club / Restaurant

Adams Morgan, Washington, DC –

Crammed inside a bright purple building that looks more like a Harry Potter hangout than a jazz club, Columbia Station attracts a sophisticated but unpretentious crowd with its roster of live music – and no cover charge.

Softly lit by a wall display of brass instruments intertwined with twinkling lights, the cozy space features a scattering of tables, comfy suede chairs, and a handful of bar stools where cozy couples and low-key young professionals settle in to listen to the band.

On warm nights, passersby commandeer the tables and chairs on the sidewalk, parking themselves for a free show and a signature “Station-tini” martini.

Weekdays see an after-work crowd stopping in to enjoy a loud set list that runs until 2am, while weekend jam sessions allow neighborhood musicians to showcase their talents with the accompaniment of the Peter Edelman Trio, a well-known band in the jazz and blues world.

And, of course, the most dedicated band member at Columbia Station can be found sitting on the stool in front – namely “Phil,” the tip jar, always ready to accept contributions from appreciative patrons.