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Downtown, Washington, DC

Downtown, Washington, DC

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24 Photos of Downtown

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Although Downtown Washington, DC is an area whose boundaries are hard to define, it’s generally regarded as the fifteen block stretch extending west of I-395 to The White House and sandwiched between The National Mall to the south and M Street to the north.

Unlike in most major cities, Downtown DC isn’t a jungle of high rises, the result of a long-standing federal law on height restrictions originally passed to ensure no building could be taller than the Capitol. Since few buildings exceed twelve stories, the area has an open skyline, as well as rents on par with those in New York’s Manhattan.

Due to the prevalence of federal offices, the neighborhood fosters a busy lunch and Happy Hour scene, with politicos and pundits wining and dining at fat cat steak houses, interns and staffers crowding the few cheap bars, and lobbyists from nearby K Street – the epicenter of DC’s lobbying headquarters – smoking cigars and strategizing at lounges that have served as watering holes for generations.

Stern-looking suits from the FBI angle for tables alongside lawyers and workers from the enormous Federal Triangle, a seventy-acre stretch of important federal institutions including the Federal Trade Commission, the IRS, and the historic Old Post Office Pavilion.

Besides the historic Ford’s and National Theaters that cater to theater lovers, K Street between 13th and 22nd Streets has seen an upscale nightlife scene spring up, where bottle service, bouncers, and a strong showing of international jet-setters are par for the course on Friday and Saturday nights.

The most bustling scene, however, happens inside the Downtown enclaves of Penn Quarter and Chinatown, where dozens of restaurants and bars that opened after the 1997 completion of the Verizon Center keep the streets alive with barhoppers, sports fans, foodies, and the drinking delegates of DC.

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What to Do in Downtown

ADC

20s / 30s / Asian Food / Cocktails

ADC - Rooftop Bar | Rooftop Lounge in Washington, DC.

Party Earth Review Located at the top of the Donovan Hotel, ADC (“Above DC”) is a happening rooftop pool and bar where sexy patrons seek out sophisticated drinks and sultry sunset vistas. Although reserved ... more

Donovan House
1155 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

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Tuscana Lounge

Bottle Service / Club / DJ / Dance

Party Earth Review A swanky Italian restaurant by day, Tuscana West transforms after 11pm on Saturdays into Tuscana Lounge, and the stains on the dining room floor-turned-dance space are much more likely ... more

1350 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

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19th

After Work / Brunch / Casual / DJ

Party Earth Review Although 19th has a subtle golf theme, this cozy neighborhood bar doesn’t discriminate when it comes to sports – and its décor suggests that drinking games are a better team activity ... more

1900 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

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Cities Restaurant & Lounge

Affluent / Bar / Bar Food / Couples

Party Earth Review A plane-free way to take a culinary trip, Cities Restaurant & Lounge brings in flavors from exotic locales and serves them up in a classy restaurant the size of small village. The ... more

919 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

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The Bottom Line

20s / Arcade Games / Bar Food / DJ

Party Earth Review A classic below-ground bar, The Bottom Line draws guests in with regular specials, sports on the TVs, and a vibe that’s as unpretentious as the Miller is cold. Past the ... more

1716 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

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Opera Ultra Lounge

Button-downs / Club Kids / EDM / DJ

1400 I Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20005

The DC Improv

18 and over / 20s / 30s / Bar / Casual

Party Earth Review Ever since DC native Dave Chappelle and budding comedienne Ellen DeGeneres took the stage at The DC Improv when it first opened in 1992, the comedy club has remained the city’s premier ... more

1140 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036

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Shelly's Back Room

20s / 30s / 40s / Blazers / Blouses / TVs

Party Earth Review Situated just two blocks from the White House and guarded by a saluting five-foot Native American statue, Shelly’s Back Room is one of only a handful of DC establishments where folks ... more

1331 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

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Tattoo Bar

20s / 30s / 80s Music / 90s Music / DJ

Party Earth Review A biker’s joint with an upscale twist, Tattoo Bar may sport the requisite dark interior, industrial décor, and body art implied by its name, but it’s by no means a dive. Girls in sexy ... more

1413 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

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Off the Record

30s / 40s / Ambient / Button-downs

Party Earth Review It’s a never-ending battle of donkeys vs. elephants in the District of Columbia, but Off the Record, a chic lounge in the basement of the historic Hay-Adams hotel, brings both parties ... more

Hay-Adams Hotel
800 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

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Fast Eddie's Sports & Billiards

Anything goes / Bar Food / Jeans

Party Earth Review Fast Eddie’s Sports & Billiards is a downtown sports bar best known for two-dollar beer specials and quick access to naked women. Purchased by the owners of adjoining Archibald's Gentlemen ... more

1520 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

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Josephine

20s / 30s / Bottle Service / Club / DJ

Party Earth Review Possibly the best-dressed nightspot on K Street, Josephine attracts big name DJs to the decks and a stylish clientele of urban cool cats and preppy scensters who show up each night ... more

1008 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005

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