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Velvet Lounge

Velvet Lounge Washington, DC United States 38.917144 -77.024674
4 4

Dive Bar / Live Music Venue

Review

Ratings:

Lucas

Adriana

Jonah

Emma

Party Earth Review: A quintessential dive bar with a knack for booking some of the best up-and-coming and niche bands DC has to offer, Velvet Lounge makes up in attitude whatever it lacks in décor. Once past the flashing neon martini glass outside, patrons will find themselves in a cramped and narrow space, rubbing shoulders with the rotating cast of colorful local artists, musicians, and hip college students who show up to chat over $3 Natty Bohs. While a few dilapidated, low-lit booths provide space to hang out in the back room, most of the action takes place either in the bar, where local DJs spin an array of musical styles for packed crowds of sweaty revelers, or in the sparse upstairs space where local bands take to the tiny stage to entertain a loyal following of music lovers. A small cover charge wins concertgoers an eclectic lineup of everything from avant-garde noise troupes and soundscape composers to bands playing jazz, post-punk, and Americana, not to mention the occasional bigger-name act. The place may not be much to look at, but the Velvet Lounge knows how to deliver when it comes to hot music in an up-close-and-personal setting.

... read full review

Neighborhood:

U Street Corridor

Address:

915 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20002
Get Directions

Metro:

Green, Yellow Lines: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo

Phone:

202-462-3213

Links:

Official Website

Hours:

Su–Th 7:30pm–2am, F–Sa 9pm–3am

Recommended as:

 Night Spot
See Address and Hours See Ratings and Summary

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Velvet Lounge Review

Tip from Jonah:

“The bathrooms are so completely covered in band stickers that they serve as a musical time capsule as much as a washroom. Reading the walls will give you a good history of all the acts that have passed through.”

The Scene

A quintessential dive bar with a knack for booking some of the best up-and-coming and niche bands DC has to offer, Velvet Lounge makes up in attitude whatever it lacks in décor.

U Street Corridor, Washington, DC – A quintessential dive bar with a knack for booking some of the best up-and-coming and niche bands DC has to offer, Velvet Lounge makes up in attitude whatever it lacks in décor.

Once past the flashing neon martini glass outside, patrons will find themselves in a cramped and narrow space, rubbing shoulders with the rotating cast of colorful local artists, musicians, and hip college students who show up to chat over $3 Natty Bohs.

While a few dilapidated, low-lit booths provide space to hang out in the back room, most of the action takes place either in the bar, where local DJs spin an array of musical styles... read more →

Crowd

Local artists, hipsters and music lovers, 20s to 30s.

Entertainment/Music

Live shows upstairs most nights. DJ Wednesday through Saturday.

Food/Miscellaneous

None.

Prices

Cover charge $5–$10. Beer $3–$6, shots $5–$10, mixed drinks $6–$11.

Dress

Hip casual, including a lot of plaid.

Hot Nights/When to Go

Fridays and Saturdays for a busy scene, or any DJ night at the downstairs bar.

Close By

Just next door is Dodge City (917 U Street NW), Velvet Lounge’s sister bar featuring a wider drink selection and more sitting room.

Tags:

20s30sArtistsAvant-GardeCasualConversationalCover chargeDJFlannel ShirtsHipsterJam PackedJazzLive BandLive MusicMusic LoversMusiciansPost-PunkStudents

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