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Sun / Jan 17
20s / 30s / 40s / Artists / Bar / Blazers
Party Earth Review Little of Eighteenth Street Lounge’s façade would attract the attention of an uninitiated passerby, save for the bouncer who plants himself before its unmarked door or the lines that form beneath the neon glow of a “MATTRESS DISCOUNTS” sign on the adjacent building. Inside this three-story lounge, however, DC scenesters ... more
1212 18th Street NW
Washington DC, 20036
20s / 30s / 40s / Blouses / Cocktails
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 candlelit space is fitted out with a long bar running down the middle of the ground floor with enough room for a few dozen thirsty patrons ... more
2009 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
30s / Burgers / Casual / Couples / DJ
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 turns to a rowdy, overly-packed scene on weekends when swarms of college students take over the large tiki-styled rooftop deck to flirt with ... more
1602 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / 40s / Art Gallery / Bar / DJ
Party Earth Review An intimate venue in the heart of the normally chaotic Adams Morgan bar scene, Bossa Bistro and Lounge offers live world music and cozy, candlelit nooks to its international music-loving clientele. A hacienda motif featuring rustic yellow walls and a rotating display of exotic photographs marks the first floor performance ... more
2463 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / 40s / Anything goes / Bar
Party Earth Review Situated in a neighborhood known for its rowdy nightlife, Tryst invites Adams Morgan rabble-rousers to step back, have a latte served with animal crackers, and chill out. A wall of windows offers both mellow daytime views and safety from the nighttime chaos of 18th Street, while mismatched couches and simple wooden tables ... more
2459 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / 40s / Artists / Bar / Brunch
Party Earth Review Built as an homage to singer Marvin Gaye, who grew up nearby and took soul-searching trips to Belgium in the 1980s, Marvin combines the soulful elements of its namesake with some unique Belgian overtones. A wall-sized mural of the singer casts a watchful eye over the local bohemian types chowing down on fried chicken with ... more
2007 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
30s / 40s / After Work / Burgers / TVs
Party Earth Review A great alternative to the fast-paced vibe of many nearby bars and clubs, Black Fox Lounge is a dimly-lit den perfect for rounds of cocktails, live music, and relaxed conversation. The jazz-loving regulars seem to fit right in with the venue’s vintage hotel feel, accentuated by deep chocolate leather sofas and a massive ... more
1723 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / Cocktails / DJ / Expensive
Reviewed by Chantel H.
"Chi-Cha is on the rise as one of the hottest hookah spots in the city. The drinks are expensive, but the hookah prices are nominal and the atmosphere ..." more
1624 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Blazers / Bottle Service / EDM / DJ
Party Earth Review The flush of neon leaking from the entrance and the prominent sign featuring the silhouette of a provocatively posed lady in place of the “I” make Miami-styled lounge MIA hard to miss. Then there’s the six-foot rabbit. More on that later. Catering to a young crowd of clubbers dressed to impress ... more
1214 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Affluent / After Work / Bar / Jazz
Party Earth Review A cavernous upscale temple to its namesake drink, Dirty Martini is popular for everything from a midweek working lunch – liquid or otherwise – to a post-work pre-party, to a classy after-hours soiree. Exposed white brick, sleek hardwood, and modern Italian furniture provide a classy backdrop for the foreign policy bigwigs ... more
1223 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC 20036
20s / Blouses / Budget-friendly
Reviewed by Phillip C.
"Pure has a $1 happy hour. With that said you know the rest. Pure Drunken fun. It can get a bit sloppy but overall you will have a good time. There ..." more
1326 U Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009
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 menu’s themes – highlighting four different cities – change every four months, so sophisticated foodies can revel in a menu that might include ... more
919 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Whether lounges in Washington, DC are plentiful because its denizens love to chill out or because nobody in the capital actually works for a living is a matter of opinion, but the DC lounge scene is still a great one no matter the reason.
With a prevalence of swanky rooftop lounges full of international fashionistas, chic subterranean cigar lounges packed with political fat cats, and festive music blues and jazz lounges reminiscent of DC’s fantastic music history, there’s a lounge for everyone in DC – regardless of their political affiliation.
After all, the District basically doubles in size when its governmental workforce swoops in, and the end of the day means a lot of people out there need to cool off from running the world. Lobbyists and embassy heavyweights hit the upscale lounges along Dupont Circle or K Street before cutting loose at a swanky nightclub Downtown, while hip gay couples relax at the many gay and gay-friendly lounges along P Street and 17th Street.
Music lovers know the lounge scene doesn’t get any better than along the U Street Corridor, home to everything from smoky jazzy lounges to trance and electronica-filled DJ hotspots, and Georgetown socialites don’t have to travel far from their own cozy enclave to fork over mad cash for some exclusive R&R in a fancy lounge.
Even H Street, perhaps known best for its kitschy themed clubs, has new neighborhood lounges popping up almost every day. From dingy to divine, Washington, DC lounges bring the elephants and donkeys together.