Top 7 U Street Nightclubs and Bars: Washington, DC

Howard Theatre

The historic theater that launched the careers of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes, re-opened in April 2012 after a $29 million renovation. The remodeled theater features a state-of-the-art acoustic system and offers a wide range of live entertainment.

Cafe Saint-Ex

The downstairs area, 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 Restaurant and Bar

This small club features live jazz on the weekends and American cuisine in a cozy setting.

Lincoln Theatre

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.

Twins Jazz

Twins Jazz features live jazz and American, Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine. Live music on select days of the week and throughout the weekend.

Velvet Lounge

This small Washington, DC bar in the U Street neighborhood features a variety of live music ranging from punk rock to alternative-folk.

See also, A Guide to U Street Restaurants and Dining and 6 Things to Do in the U Street Corridor

U Street Music Hall

Opened in 2010, the live music and dance club is a nice addition to the U Street entertainment district. The nightclub features a state-of-the-art sound systems, a 1200 square foot dance floor, and two fully stocked bars.