The soul of Eighteenth Street Lounge

October 8, 2:44 AMDC Nightclub ExaminerWilliam Hetzel

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     Eighteenth Street Lounge is located at 1212 18th st. in N.W. Washington D.C.  There is no sign over the door, and often the people looking for E.S.L. ask for directions, in front of neighboring clubs such as Sesto Senso, Five, or Andalu.  They prefer things this way. Rather than intense promotion or a Las-Vegas-style neon sign out front, there's word-of-mouth, honest reputation, trust of the international clientele, and eclectic lounge-music at it's best.   E.S.L. owners since 1995, Thievery Corporation's Eric Hilton and Rob Garza have become legendary musicians, world renowned, prophets to some, and all-the-while residing in the District of Columbia. It's not uncommon to run into them at E.S.L., which is a true honor on any terms, and hopeful encounter of a weekday visit.  They take pride in this "turn-of-the-century mansion" located in the heart of Washington D.C., with an uncanny respect for music and atmosphere. After climbing a long and somewhat mysterious stairway at the entrance, you find yourself surrounded by framed vintage records, multiple fireplaces, beautiful chandeliers, and antique furniture that feels right at home.  It's brilliant.   With the lights dimmed-down-low and a cold martini, this place is the ideal choice of a hard-working, intellectual-mind that needs to relax. 
   

     To give you a run-down of the music that embodies the E.S.L. ethos, would take some serious and educated research to explain properly.  Down-tempo, Latin, reggae, funk, soul, and jazz to name a few, would be a general description, reflective of the style that artists such as Thievery Corporation, Frederick Aubele, and Boozoo Bajou have encompassed over the years.  Musically, the lounge serves as somewhat of a benchmark or stamp of approval, for current and classic lounge-oriented releases, that include the interpretations/remixes we hear today.  It's quite simply the purest of music.  Some weekly highlights include live reggae by See-I on Wednesdays, Sunday night performances by Sam "The Man" Burns, and Saturday night DJs that range from local to international talent.