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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

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

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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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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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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

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Bar Pilar

Anything goes / Bar / Brunch / TVs

Party Earth Review A Hemingway-inspired haunt in the heart of the bustling U Street Corridor, Bar Pilar is a go-to neighborhood hotspot for its hipster-heavy regulars who come for small plates, strong ... more

1833 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

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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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El Centro D.F.

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

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Dodge City

Ambient / Bar / Beer / Beer Lovers

Party Earth Review Within spittin’ distance of a slew of popular concert venues on always-busy U Street, little Dodge City brings in a big regular crowd of music lovers and a diverse mix of sports ... more

917 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

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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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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

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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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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

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