Choose your location

usa

Europe

Venice

Sun / Aug 2

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:

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

Liked By:

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

Liked By:

Policy

20s / 30s / 90s Music / Beer Lovers

Party Earth Review Policy is a bi-level venue that might also be called bipolar: offering patrons a laid-back restaurant and mixology spot downstairs and a loud, graffiti-laden lounge above. The Love ... more

1904 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By:

Ben's Next Door

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

Liked By:

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

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:

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

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:

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:

Café Saint-Ex

20s / 20s and up / Artists / Artsy

Party Earth Review A popular neighborhood haunt for artsy post-grads and young professionals, Café Saint-Ex may fly high with its aviation-themed décor, but the vibe is considerably more bohemian – in ... more

1847 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Liked By: