Choose your location

usa

Europe

Venice

Sun / Oct 25

New York
Los Angeles
Florence
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

78 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

American Ice Company

20s / 30s / Bar / Barbeque / Beer / Lunch

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:

Patty Boom Boom

30s / Bar / Casual / Cover charge / DJ

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:

Bohemian Caverns

30s / 40s / Bar / Blues / Brunch / DJ / Jazz

Party Earth Review It’s easy to see where this intimate music venue gets its name – the performance area quite literally looks like a cave – and while the three-story complex is also home to a separate ... more

2003 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Liked By:

U Street Music Hall

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

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:

The Codmother

Anything goes / Bar / Bar Food

Party Earth Review Owned by the same guys behind Tabaq Bistro – U Street’s trendy rooftop tapas joint – The Codmother takes patrons in an entirely different direction, down into a basement haunt that ... more

1334 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Liked By:

Busboys and Poets

20s / 30s / 40s / Art / Artsy / Bar / Brunch

Party Earth Review Just north of the main party hub of U Street, progressive-minded locals can be found at Busboys and Poets, a celebrated restaurant, bar, bookstore, and art gallery where creative thought ... more

2021 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Local 16

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 ... more

1602 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Ben's Chili Bowl

20s / 30s / 40s / All Ages / All Types

Reviewed by Lunar A.

"I really like the old school diner feel of Ben's but its a cool mix because restaurants with that type of ambiance don't usually have lot's of veggie ..." more

1213 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Tabaq Bistro

20s and up / All Types / Beer

Reviewed by Mandana Y.

"I really want to like Tabaq. I keep trying to make it happen. But like 'Fetch' it's just not gonna happen. I'm always planning group dinners there, g ..." more

1336 U Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Pure Lounge

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

Liked By:

Solly's U Street Tavern

20s / After Work / Artists / Casual

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:

Marvin

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 ... more

2007 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By: