U Street ranks among Washington, DC’s nightlife hot spots and is home to some of the city’s best nightclubs and theaters. Known as the home to jazz legend Duke Ellington, the U Street neighborhood was once the nation’s "Black Broadway" and home to the largest concentration of African American social clubs, religious organizations, theaters, and jazz clubs. In the 1990s, the opening of the U Street Metro station provided better access to the area and the neighborhood has experienced an ongoing revitalization. Here’s an alphabetical guide to the nightclubs along the U Street Corridor.
Bohemian Caverns
2001 Eleventh St., NW Washington, DC (202) 299-0801.U Street's historical home of jazz and blues is also Washington, DC's largest jazz club. The list of musical legends who have played here includes Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, and Thelonious Monk. Tickets are available in advance.
Cafe Nema
1334 U Street, NW Washington, DC (202) 667-3215.The Middle Eastern restaurant features international music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Cafe Saint EX
1847 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC (202) 265-7839.Gate 54 is described as an art deco inspired hangar-lounge featuring a wide range of DJ music from classic jazz to British-pop, to 70s soul-funk.
JoJo's Restaurant and Bar
1518 U Street NW, Washington, DC (202) 319-9350.This small club features live jazz on the weekends and American cuisine in a cozy setting.
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street, NW Washington, DC.The historic theater opened in 1922 as a movie theater and ballroom catering to DC's black middle-class community who danced and were entertained by legends such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. The theatre closed after the 1968 race-related riots. In 1994, the Lincoln Theatre was refurbished and its reopening led the way to the revival of DC's U Street Corridor.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St., NW Washington, DC. (202) 234-TOWN.This new gay dance club features cabaret style performances in an upscale atmosphere. There are two levels and multiple dance floors.
Twins Jazz
1344 U Street NW, Washington, DC (202) 234-0072.Twins Jazz features live jazz and American, Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine. Live music: Tues.-Thurs. at 8 p.m.; Friday & Saturday from 9-11 p.m.; Jam Session Every Sunday with the Ron Gary Trio.
U-Topia
1418 U Street NW, Washington, DC. (202) 483-7669.The international restaurant offers live jazz and blues by local musicians. Entertainment offered Tuesday – Sunday nights.
Velvet Lounge
915 U Street, NW Washington, DC (202) 462-3213.This small Washington, DC bar in the U Street neighborhood features a variety of live music ranging from punk rock to alternative-folk.
