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Thu / Jan 21
Packing more bars into a short stretch than anywhere else in DC – which makes the area both a surefire nighttime hotspot and a carmageddon parking nightmare – Adams Morgan has such a reputation for late-night rowdiness that residents call the main drag of 18th Street “The Liquoridor,” a moniker kept alive by the throngs of Friday-happy college kids who parade up and down the sidewalk looking for cheap drinks and raucous fun.
Diverse drinking dens and eclectic neighborhood haunts ensure patrons long past college age keep pace with the fracas, while music lovers can catch nightly live blues, jazz, and indie rock bands at several locations and more relaxed types can escape to neighborhood diners, late-night bookstores, independent coffee houses, and the handful of bars that keep the vibe lower key.
Culinary evidence of Adams Morgan’s South American and African heritage is also plentiful, attracting Washington foodies to many popular ethnic restaurants.
Even though the high-end scene isn’t as prevalent as in other parts of town, ongoing gentrification has brought in transplants with money to burn, followed by a handful of chic eateries, lounges, and clubs.
By day, Adams Morgan displays more of a bohemian side in the form of eccentric boutiques, outdoor markets, and vintage shops that open whenever the owners feel like it, as well as eclectic studios that offer classes in belly dancing, sewing, and pottery.
In September, the annual Adams Morgan Day 18th Street Festival attracts more than 20,000 attendees for live music, dancing, art shows, and cultural celebrations, while Crafty Bastards in the fall attracts similar numbers to the city’s largest craft fair.
Affluent / After Work / All Ages
Reviewed by Denisha L.
"You are eager to walk into the atmosphere of Homemade tortillas, chatting and Hispanics. It is every African American woman's dream to be served by La ..." more
1835 18th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20050
20s / After Work / Anything goes
Party Earth Review Patrons looking for an escape from the typical turbulence of Adams Morgan will find it at Bourbon, a homey bar and club that brings a bit of Kentucky charm to this college-heavy strip ... more
2321 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
After Work / All Ages / Brunch
Party Earth Review Late-night breakfast is a must for many Adams Morganites, and the only place to find sausage-stuffed pancakes and towering eggs Benedict at 4am in this rowdy neighborhood is at The ... more
2453 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s and up / After Work / Blues
Party Earth Review 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 ... more
2325 18th Street NW
Washington DC, 20009
20s / 70s Music / 80s Music / Jeans
Party Earth Review Built into a flat, square building with no exterior windows or lights, the most prominent evidence of the dive hiding behind the boarded-up façade of Dan’s Café is the string of rowdy ... more
2315 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Bar / Button-downs / Club / Couples
Party Earth Review A popular destination for salsa experts and merengue beginners alike, Habana Village is a high-energy hotspot for those in the mood for Cuban cuisine, Latin music, and a slew of signature ... more
1834 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / All Types / Bar Food / TVs
Reviewed by Kimberly K.
"I loved the decor of that place. It's kitschy yet fun to look to look at. (One example is the Day of the Dead-inspired wall mural.) Chief Ike's food m ..." more
1725 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
All Ages / Alternative / Art / Deck
Reviewed by Allie M.
"Anytime I'm in the vicinity of Adams Morgan (which is basically anytime I'm in D.C. proper), I make it a goal to make it to Amsterdam Falafelshop for ..." more
2425 18th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009
30s / 40s / Bar / Bar Food / Baseball
Party Earth Review A cavernous cornerstone of the Adams Morgan barhopping scene, GrandCentral welcomes a rowdy crowd of sports fans, booty shakers, and cover charge haters. The barrel-vaulted ceilings ... more
2447 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Bar / Button-downs / Casual / Dance
Party Earth Review A lively bar and restaurant that exudes all things Latin-American – from its delectable tapas to its weekly Latin nights – Rumba Cafe offers plenty of opportunity to ... more
2443 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / Bar / Blouses / Couples / DJ
Party Earth Review A collective of five separately-named venues under one owner, and all joined by connecting stairways, The Brass Monkey is a labyrinth of entertainment where the amount of alcohol consumed ... more
2317 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / 40s / After Work / Brunch
Party Earth Review Though the owner hails from Philadelphia – and makes no secret of his affinity for the City of Brotherly Love – Ventnor Sports Café welcomes fans of every ilk and creed with a no-fuss ... more
2411 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009