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Washington, DC
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U Street Corridor, Washington, DC

U Street Corridor, Washington, DC

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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.

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What to Do in the U Street Corridor

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

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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

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Black Cat

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

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Masa 14

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

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U Street Corridor NW

All Ages / Anything goes / Artsy

Party Earth Review Known as the heart of DC’s African American community and home to an eclectic mix of people who share a love of music, art, theater, and food, U Street – after decades of neglect ... more

Between 9th Street and 17th Street,
and Florida Avenue and S Street NW

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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

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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

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Chi-Cha Lounge

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

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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

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9:30 Club

All Ages / All Types / Balcony / DJ

Party Earth Review Often touted as the best place to catch a concert in the city, 9:30 Club consistently packs its 1,200-capacity hall by hosting shows ranging from big-name acts and DJs to up-and-comers ... more

815 V Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

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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

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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

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