Choose your location

usa

Europe

Venice

Sat / May 25

New York
Los Angeles
Boston
London
Paris
More Cities
Close

Washington, DC
Neighborhoods
U Street Corridor, Washington, DC

U Street Corridor, Washington, DC

Choose a neighborhood

Collapse map / See photo gallery

51 Photos of U Street Corridor

Expand map / See nearby venues and events

Expand Map
Collapse Map

Venues
Events

U Street Corridor is a roughly nine block stretch with some of the most popular music venues in the city, but there’s much more than just live bands to warrant the Corridor’s designation as a major nightlife area, including culturally diverse restaurants, bars, and landmark theaters.

Much like the Harlem Renaissance in New York, U Street was a central figure in Washington, DC’s early jazz scene, when Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and hometown hero Duke Ellington were just a few of the musical geniuses that designated the area as “Black Broadway.”

The Corridor fell into disrepair for decades following the civil rights riots that destroyed much of the city in the 1960s, but has since undergone a second revival, with rapid gentrification creating a diverse mix of multiethnic young professionals and older, working-class African-Americans.

Today, the hip bars, restaurants, and music halls that line the U Street Corridor attract diverse scenesters looking to grab a bite, catch the latest musical act, or dance the night away to trendy DJs, and the sidewalks are full almost as soon as the sun sets.

The daytime street scene tends to be more relaxed, with residents usually outnumbering tourists at the furniture stores, organic markets, and boutique fashion outlets, and on the third Thursday of each month, U Street shops stay open late to offer light refreshments and special deals.

Both Bill Cosby and President Barack Obama have been known to get a hot dog and a milkshake at the landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl restaurant, while more adventurous eaters enjoy the variety of ethnic establishments – including DC’s unofficial “Little Ethiopia” – as well as neighborhood diners that take their food as seriously as a chichi restaurant, minus the price tag.

Less

What to Do in the U Street Corridor

Patty Boom Boom

Bar / Live Music Venue / Lounge

Party Earth Review A vibrant bit of Jamaica in the heart of U Street – evident in its musical lineup and authentic snack menu – Patty Boom Boom attracts a diverse and boisterous crowd throughout the week ... more

1359 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

The Gibson

Cocktail Bar / Lounge

Party Earth Review Bartenders in this unmarked lounge like a challenge, and the simple, one-page menu at The Gibson is better regarded as a place to start than the sum of what’s available. The intimate ... more

2009 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Policy

Cocktail Bar / Lounge

Party Earth Review Policy is a bi-level venue that might also be called bipolar: offering patrons a laid-back restaurant and mixology spot downstairs and a loud, graffiti-laden lounge above. The Love ... more

1904 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Bar Pilar

Bar / Restaurant

Party Earth Review A Hemingway-inspired haunt in the heart of the bustling U Street Corridor, Bar Pilar is a go-to neighborhood hotspot for its hipster-heavy regulars who come for small plates, strong ... more

1833 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

9:30 Club

Bar / Club / Live Music Venue

Party Earth Review Often touted as the best place to catch a concert in the city, 9:30 Club consistently packs its 1,200-capacity hall by hosting shows ranging from big-name acts and DJs to up-and-comers ... more

815 V Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Liked By:

Café Saint-Ex

Bar / Club / Restaurant

Party Earth Review A popular neighborhood haunt for artsy post-grads and young professionals, Café Saint-Ex may fly high with its aviation-themed décor, but the vibe is considerably more bohemian – in ... more

1847 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

American Ice Company

Bar / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Concrete floors, old wooden booths, and exposed brick walls dotted with stuffed game highlight the no-frills approach at American Ice Company, where the focus is more on select microbrews ... more

917 V Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Liked By:

U Street Music Hall

Bar / Club / Live Music Venue

Party Earth Review Founded by DJs, U Street Music Hall is the kind of club where brilliant lighting and thunderous beats rattle the clientele, and where everyone eschews bottle service and Top 40 in favor ... more

1115A U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Stetson's Famous Bar & Grill

Bar / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Saddled on the edge of the always-hopping U Street party scene since the early 1980s, Stetson’s Famous Bar & Grill remains a chill watering hole for pre-game beers and cowboy-lazy evenings ... more

1610 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

U Street Corridor NW

Nightlife Area

Party Earth Review Known as the heart of DC’s African American community and home to an eclectic mix of people who share a love of music, art, theater, and food, U Street – after decades of neglect ... more

Between 9th Street and 17th Street,
and Florida Avenue and S Street NW

Liked By:

Solly's U Street Tavern

Dive Bar

Party Earth Review There’s no shortage of bars in DC where powerful politicos can drop mad cash on over-priced drinks, but Solly’s U Street Tavern takes a decidedly different approach, offering $3 PBRs ... more

1942 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Liked By:

Local 16

Lounge / Restaurant

Party Earth Review A large rooftop bar and an emphasis on locally-grown products have made Local 16 a popular hangout for a mix of foodies, preppies, and hipsters alike. A casual weeknight vibe quickly ... more

1602 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

More things to do in the U Street Corridor:

See all things to do in the U Street Corridor →

Top Upcoming Events in the U Street Corridor

May 2013

May 25 Sat	Classic Dayz Memorial Day Party Holiday Event / Party 3:00pm	Add to Calendar
May 25 Sat	Bliss Concert / Blues / Soul 10:00pm U Street Music Hall Bliss	Add to Calendar
May 29 Wed	The Dandy Warhols Concert / Alternative Rock 7:00pm 9:30 Club The Dandy Warhols	Add to Calendar
May 30 Thu	moe. Concert / Pop / Rock 7:00pm 9:30 Club moe.	Add to Calendar