RSS
Home
Neighborhoods 101: What are the best scenes for DC summer nightlife?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Upon first glance, DC culture might seem to be based mainly on sightseeing and learning about our nation's history. Go down to the Mall at night and you aren't likely to see a slew of partygoers, with many downtown restaurants and bars only open for early dinners and happy hours. However, if you peek inside the nooks and crannies of DC, I am certain that you can find exactly what you are looking for from your night out on the town.
For those who love the performing arts, DC is one of the best places to be. The Kennedy Center downtown and Wolf Trap right off the beltway constantly feature plays, musicals, dance performances and concerts that are fun and family-friendly. The newly renovated Shakespeare Theatre in Chinatown is also a great choice for anyone wishing to get in touch with their inner bard.
Fans of any music genre are sure to be satisfied with the variety of concerts and venues the DC area has to offer. Many artists stop here on their tours, and some even play more than one night. The Verizon Center, D.A.R. Constitution Hall, Merriweather Post Pavillion and Nissan Pavilion all attract big musical names, and the latter two have vast lawns that are always a great way to watch a show on a summer evening. Although, with these larger venues, you might not get as close a view of the stage as you would like. If you're hoping for a more intimate concert experience, the 9:30 Club, Black Cat and Nation are much smaller, but still very popular band destinations. The DC Improv is also the perfect setting to watch both well-known and local comedians while enjoying a few drinks or their California Tortilla menu.
While DC might not be known for having great sports teams, the games are always fun to go to and tickets are not too expensive. Namely, the Nationals ballpark is a hotspot during the summer, where you may be lucky enough to witness a glorious victory and share it with a very loyal crowd.
If bars and clubs are what you want, there is no shortage of those either. Hop on the Red Line to go to Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan, where you'll find plenty of twenty-somethings having a good time. Same with the Columbia Heights area off the Green Line. Be prepared with a few extra bucks, as many of these places have cover charges. If you go down to Georgetown, you'll have the added bonus of a waterfront boardwalk which is often packed with people during the summer. Georgetown attracts many bar and clubgoers with destinations like Smith Point, McFadden's and The Third Edition.
If you're in the mood for a low-key evening or unique take on tourist destinations, visit the monuments on the Mall at night. They are lit-up, beautiful, and much more peaceful afterhours, and state troopers are there to answer any logistical questions until 11:30 p.m.
So, no matter what your idea of a good night is, DC boasts a myriad of options to choose from. Remember to be safe and ride with a cab or Metro to avoid having to drive home with some drinks in your system--just ask yourself, WWTJD?
