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City Guide - Washington, DC - Nightlife | ||
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Nightlife The nightlife in the centre of Washington, DC is not so developed as in other cities because few people live in the centre of the city, so bars tend to be busy in the early evening but quiet later on and at weekends. Most entertainment is to be found in the surrounding neighbourhoods, such as Capitol Hill, Georgetown and Adams Morgan, and slowly the number of bars and clubs is expanding. Opening hours are generally from lunchtime to around 0200 and even later at the weekends, although many only get going at around midnight. Most bars have happy hours in the early evening where drinks can be as little as half price. There is generally a charge to enter most clubs, around US$5-15. Most venues expect smart dress with definitely no jeans or trainers. There are often age restrictions, generally 21 years (the legal drinking age) and most clubs will require ID. Many clubs only open from Thursday to Saturday so check in the listings paper, the Washington City Paper, for details of what's on when and where. Bars: Capitol City Brewing Co is a micro-brewery with a good selection of beers and some food at 1100 New York Avenue, NW, and 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. There seems to be an Irish bar in every city now and Washington, DC is no exception with the Dubliner Pub in the Phoenix Park Hotel at 520 North Capitol Street, NW. Live music and Guinness on tap. Great rooftop views can be enjoyed from the bustling Sky Terrace at the Washington Hotel at 515 15th Street, NW. Casinos: Casinos are illegal in Washington, DC. Clubs: The Spot at 932 F Street, NW, is a major nightclub with 20 bars and seven rooms, each with a different type of music, such as house, latin and retro. One of the newest dance clubs in town is 5, at 1214 18th Street, NW, with two rooms offering progressive house and trance music or down tempo and hip-hop. Grunge, techno, indie, retro and dance music are all on offer at Heaven and Hell, 2327 18th Street, NW, which has regular live music and happy hours. Club Zei, 1415 Zei Alley, NW, has state-of-the-art sound and video system, house dancers and music from right across the spectrum. Comedy: The Improv, 1140 Connecticut Avene, NW, has performances by local and national comics, many of whom have appeared on network shows and cable comedy series. From time to time, there are stand-up comedy nights at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, NW. Live music: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, is the nation's oldest surviving jazz supper club. Well-known names have appeared here and you don't have to order dinner to enjoy the show. The long established 9.30 Club, 815 V Street, NW, attracts an impressive name list of live bands, many international. A rather offbeat venue to hear folk music is at Kramerbooks and Afterwards, 1517 Connecticut Avenue, NW, which is a bookshop and café with live music Thursday to Saturday nights. Rhythm and blues can be heard over the weekends at Mr Smith's, 3104 M Street, NW, in Georgetown. There are regular sing-along sessions at the Irish Times at 14 F Street, NW, popular with lovers of the Emerald Isle. |