Guidebook for Washington
Drinks & Nightlife
Cash only! Dive bar, don't ask for a cocktail, no bitters here. Dancing on the weekends. Sundays at 7pm Granny & the Boys house band (oldies mostly). Weird old movies always on. Funky music. Real neighborhood spot.
145 locals recommend
Showtime Lounge
113 Rhode Island Ave NWCash only! Dive bar, don't ask for a cocktail, no bitters here. Dancing on the weekends. Sundays at 7pm Granny & the Boys house band (oldies mostly). Weird old movies always on. Funky music. Real neighborhood spot.
930 Club has been called one of the best venues in the country. Check out the cellar bar "Back Bar".
455 locals recommend
9:30
815 V St NW930 Club has been called one of the best venues in the country. Check out the cellar bar "Back Bar".
Divey bar, great little venue. Punk, rock, indie bands, dance nights.
35 locals recommend
DC9 Nightclub
1940 9th St NWDivey bar, great little venue. Punk, rock, indie bands, dance nights.
Largest whiskey collection in the western hemisphere! 27,000+ different whiskeys. 4 bars in one: Saloon main level is classier dining & stunning wall of whiskeys access from ladders. Bar atmosphere on the rooftop level (open year round), they sell cigars, and the low key speakeasy bar called Dram & Grain in the basement for advanced cocktailing (reservation required Fri & Sat).
123 locals recommend
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NWLargest whiskey collection in the western hemisphere! 27,000+ different whiskeys. 4 bars in one: Saloon main level is classier dining & stunning wall of whiskeys access from ladders. Bar atmosphere on the rooftop level (open year round), they sell cigars, and the low key speakeasy bar called Dram & Grain in the basement for advanced cocktailing (reservation required Fri & Sat).
American Ice Company
917 V St NWLate night BBQ (all nighter sandwiches), good beers.
Flash
645 Florida Ave NWDJs, crazy sound system
Right across the street, great food & beer. Lots of sours and funky experimental brews.
124 locals recommend
Right Proper Brewing Company
920 Girard St NERight across the street, great food & beer. Lots of sours and funky experimental brews.
Great music venue in the Atlas District/H street Northeast area. 3 levels. Cheap tall boy beers, rooftop, big name artists and lesser known ones too.
188 locals recommend
Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H St NEGreat music venue in the Atlas District/H street Northeast area. 3 levels. Cheap tall boy beers, rooftop, big name artists and lesser known ones too.
Jazz baby, one of DC original spots for blues and jazz. U street was known as Black Broadway back in the day. Many treats got their start here.
23 locals recommend
Twins Jazz
1344 U St NWJazz baby, one of DC original spots for blues and jazz. U street was known as Black Broadway back in the day. Many treats got their start here.
Classic DC divey bar & venue. Main stage & back bar stage. Bands, DJs, burlesque.
136 locals recommend
Black Cat
1811 14th St NWClassic DC divey bar & venue. Main stage & back bar stage. Bands, DJs, burlesque.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th Street NorthwestGay bar, always lively
Nellie's Sports Bar
900 U St NWGay bar, always happening. Drag brunch (reserve early!)
Go see a jazz or blues show at this famous venue & heart of DC culture.
23 locals recommend
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th Street NorthwestGo see a jazz or blues show at this famous venue & heart of DC culture.
Ivy and Coney
1537 7th St NWChicago themed divey bar, hot dogs, peanuts, pool table, darts.
Columbia Room
124 Blagden Alley NWSerious part of DC's cocktail scene.
Cidery. Get your advil ready for the morning. Try some flights, the bartenders are great.
78 locals recommend
ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar
711 Kennedy Street NorthwestCidery. Get your advil ready for the morning. Try some flights, the bartenders are great.
Food Scene
Every type of food, farm to table, local, some shops open on weekends only
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEEvery type of food, farm to table, local, some shops open on weekends only
Aroi
1832 1st St NWThai, sushi
More upscale, excellent food. Find a seat at the bar or call ahead to make sure there's room.
359 locals recommend
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWMore upscale, excellent food. Find a seat at the bar or call ahead to make sure there's room.
Upscale mexican restaurant, wonderful tequila selection, cocktails, food. Also, real food (non pizza!) that's available late night.
66 locals recommend
Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
401 7th St NWUpscale mexican restaurant, wonderful tequila selection, cocktails, food. Also, real food (non pizza!) that's available late night.
Getting Around
Shaw-Howard Univ Station
1701 8th St NWTen-20 minutes to the main touristy sites.
Parks & Nature
Wonderful any time of year. 30 minute drive. Really with the to to get out of the city.
226 locals recommend
Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion DrWonderful any time of year. 30 minute drive. Really with the to to get out of the city.
On Sundays the weekend hippies come out in droves for the drum circle, acroyoga, slacklining, picnics.. Sledding in the winter, cool sculptures, good view of the city.
445 locals recommend
Meridian Hill Park
W Street NorthwestOn Sundays the weekend hippies come out in droves for the drum circle, acroyoga, slacklining, picnics.. Sledding in the winter, cool sculptures, good view of the city.
Entertainment & Activities
Landmark's Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
807 V Street NorthwestMovie theater, serves alcoholic beverages.
Arts & Culture
National Portrait Gallery
Almost all of DC's museums are free.
Modern art. Often has really cool interactive exhibits. Almost all of DC's museums are free.
230 locals recommend
Hirshhorn Museum
7th Street SouthwestModern art. Often has really cool interactive exhibits. Almost all of DC's museums are free.
Bring tissues. This is important to see. Don't hunt pokemon here folks, really.
192 locals recommend
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SWBring tissues. This is important to see. Don't hunt pokemon here folks, really.
Sightseeing
Washington Monument
2 15th St NWSee God's pencil.
The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWUnited States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWGreat during any weather! Free.
All the museums & sights! Go see the monuments at night all lit up!
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
All the museums & sights! Go see the monuments at night all lit up!
Cherry blossoms in spring! Paddleboats, picnics, classic DC postcard spots.
123 locals recommend
Tidal Basin
20245 National DrCherry blossoms in spring! Paddleboats, picnics, classic DC postcard spots.
The famous stairs that Karras fell down in the movie The Exorcist.
31 locals recommend
The Exorcist Steps
3600 Prospect St NWThe famous stairs that Karras fell down in the movie The Exorcist.