Washington's watering holes, clubs, comedy venues, and intimate music halls cater to all types of customers. Georgetown has bars, nightclubs, and restaurants on M Street east and west of Wisconsin Avenue and on Wisconsin Avenue north of M Street. Along the 18th Street strip in Adams-Morgan, bordered by Columbia Road and Florida Avenue, are live-music clubs, ethnic restaurants, and bars.
The area west of Florida Avenue, along the U Street Corridor appeals to young people looking for music from hip-hop to alt-rock to reggae. Theatergoers seeking post-show entertainment once had to venture to nearby Dupont Circle, but no more. The 14th Street strip from U Street toward P Street is developing a thriving nightlife of its own. On a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue between 2nd and 4th streets, you'll find a half dozen Capitol Hill bars.
D.C. may be a two-party town, but Washington audiences tend not to draw party lines when it comes to music. This means that you can hear funk at a rock club, blues at a jazz club, and calypso at a reggae club. Live punk and go-go shows can get rowdy, and the best place for curious out-of-towners to experience these sounds is at an outdoor summer music event.
Most bars in D.C. have cover charges for live bands and DJs, generally on the weekends. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $15 for most dance clubs. Jazz and comedy clubs often have higher cover charges along with drink minimums.
Over the past 20 years or so, D.C. has gone from being a cultural desert to a thriving arts center. The Kennedy Center is a world-class venue, home of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and host to Broadway shows and ballet. The Washington Opera has infused both international flair and talent into the cultural mix. Washington even has its own "off-Broadway," a half dozen or so plucky theaters scattered around the city that present new works and new twists on old works.
To see what's coming up, consult Friday's "Weekend" section in the Washington Post and the free weekly Washington CityPaper. The free Metro Weekly and Women in the Life magazines offer insights on gay and lesbian nightlife. Also look in the Washington Post "Weekend" section. Its "Guide to the Lively Arts" is printed daily.
