Choose your location
Fri / Apr 9
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.
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
20s / 80s Music / ATM / All Ages / Bar
Party Earth Review A U Street Corridor staple since 1993, Black Cat is a cornerstone of the DC music and nightlife scene, and continues to feature an incredibly diverse mix of nightly acts. Lesser-known ... more
1811 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
30s / 40s / After Work / Beer / Brunch
Party Earth Review Three distinct levels – from a classy, intimate basement to a rowdy open-air rooftop – make El Centro D.F. (Distrito Federal) a multi-faceted haunt for anyone in need of inventive Mexican ... more
1819 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
20s / 30s / All Types / Beer / Blouses
Reviewed by Brittany J.
"Ben's next door is both seductive AND charming; while the food and service are not bad, Ben's Next Door lacks the cult feel and and chaos of its histo ..." more
1211 U Street Northwest
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 ... more
2007 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Anything goes / Burgers / Dinner
Party Earth Review Just a couple blocks behind the glorious party madness that is the U Street Corridor, Fast Gourmet seeks to provide exactly what its name implies – quick food with an upscale twist ... more
1400 W Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
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
18 and over / 20s / 30s / ATM / DJ / EDM
Party Earth Review Slightly removed from the bustling U Street Corridor, the unassuming exterior of Town Danceboutique gives little indication of the fantastic flamboyance inside – that is, save for the ... more
2009 8th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
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
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
30s / 40s / Asian Food / Bar / Brunch
Party Earth Review Inside the sparsely-decorated and industrial-sized space that makes up Masa 14, flocks of trendy urbanites gather to enjoy small plates, late nights, and bottomless brunches. A brick ... more
1825 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 ... more
1602 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009