Parties in Washington DC

The U Street Corridor is DC's most historic and lively nightlife district, packed with bars, live music venues and clubs between 9th and 16th Streets NW. Adams Morgan on 18th Street NW offers the most eclectic mix, from rooftop bars to basement dance clubs. Georgetown's M Street and Wisconsin Avenue cater to a slightly more upscale crowd, while the Navy Yard's new waterfront development has some of the city's best bars with Nationals Park views.

Flash on 9th Street NW is DC's premier underground electronic music club with a serious sound system and international DJs. Decades on U Street covers multiple eras of dance music across several floors. Echostage in Northeast DC is the city's biggest club, hosting major touring acts. For live music, the 9:30 Club on V Street NW is arguably the best mid-size concert venue in America.

DC bars and clubs close at 2 AM on weekdays and 3 AM on weekends (Friday and Saturday nights). This is strictly enforced — last call comes 30 minutes before closing. Plan your night accordingly, as the metro also stops running around 1 AM on weekdays and 3 AM on weekends, so budget for an Uber or plan your route ahead of time.

DC nightlife is moderately expensive. A craft beer or cocktail at a U Street bar runs $10–15, and club covers range from free to $25 depending on the night and DJ. Happy hours (5–8 pm) are a DC institution and can cut drink prices significantly. Budget around $60–100 for a full night out including covers and drinks. Georgetown and Navy Yard venues tend to be pricier than Adams Morgan or U Street.