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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

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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Velvet Lounge

20s / 30s / Artists / Avant-Garde / DJ

Party Earth Review A quintessential dive bar with a knack for booking some of the best up-and-coming and niche bands DC has to offer, Velvet Lounge makes up in attitude whatever it lacks in décor. Once ... more

915 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20002

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The Gibson

20s / 30s / 40s / Blouses / Cocktails

Party Earth Review Bartenders in this unmarked lounge like a challenge, and the simple, one-page menu at The Gibson is better regarded as a place to start than the sum of what’s available. The intimate ... more

2009 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

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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

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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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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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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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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

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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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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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Town Danceboutique

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

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Fast Gourmet

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

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