Historic Black-DC corridor anchored by Ben's Chili Bowl since 1958, Lincoln Theatre and Howard Theatre. Half-smokes, Ethiopian rooms, late-night bars from 14th to 9th Street.
Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC is the 1958 U Street counter from Ben and Virginia Ali, the city's defining half-smoke, served at 1213 U Street NW.
Signature: Chili half-smoke, Chili cheese fries
Order: The chili half-smoke with mustard, onions and chili; the dish that built the room.
Tip: Cash and card both accepted; line moves fastest at the take-away counter on the right.
Ben's Next Door in Washington DC is the sit-down sister of Ben's Chili Bowl at 1211 U Street, a soul-American kitchen with a cocktail list and the half-smoke.
Signature: Buttermilk fried chicken, Half-smoke platter
Order: The buttermilk fried chicken with mac and collards; the room's most-ordered single dish.
Tip: The bar runs late on weekends and is the better seat for a single diner; brunch fills up by 11:30.
Crush on 14th Street is the LGBTQ-owned dance club opened April 2024 by the team behind the legendary Cobalt, with Studio A downstairs and a Studio B patio with a retractable roof upstairs.
Tip: Thursdays draw the biggest crowd; Friday and Saturday push to 03:00. Studio B's upstairs patio opens year-round when the retractable roof is closed.
9:30 Club on V Street is the 1,200-capacity I.M.P. venue that anchors the U Street corridor since 1996, with a wheeled stage on rails and 13 Pollstar Nightclub of the Year wins.
Tip: Doors usually 19:00 with show at 20:00. The mezzanine has a clear sight line and a bar; the floor is general admission.
Black Cat on 14th Street is Dante Ferrando's 1993 indie rock room, with a Mainstage that holds 800 and a back-stage Red Room bar that runs free DJ nights without a cover.
Tip: Mainstage is ticketed; the Red Room bar in back is free with no cover most nights. The downstairs lounge has the pinball machines and the cheaper beer.
The Atlantis opened May 30, 2023 around the corner from 9:30 Club, a 450-capacity I.M.P. room that recreates the original Atlantis F Street layout for intimate touring bookings.
Tip: Tickets distributed through Ticketmaster lottery for the high-demand shows; sign up early. Standing room only, no reserved seats.
The Dirty Goose on U Street brings the New York energy and the Atlanta pace, a queer cocktail bar that runs RuPaul's Drag Race viewing parties Friday nights with Tatianna and Crystal Edge.
Tip: Happy hour Tuesday to Friday 17:00-20:00, all drinks half off. Drag show Friday at 21:00 brings the biggest crowd; arrive before 20:30.
Service Bar on U Street pairs a cocktail program from Glendon Hartley and Chad Spangler with a patio and a back room, with vinyl sets running through long happy hours.
Tip: Happy hour Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00-19:00, half off most drinks. Patio guests under 21 must come with a parent; indoor bar is 21+.
Lulu's on 11th Street just off U is Paul and Brittany Carlson's communal wine garden, with three patios, vinyl programming most nights and a 50-bottle list under $80 a bottle.
Tip: Walk in for the bar, Tock for the patio tables on weekends. The chef Cable Smith southwest-leaning menu runs through to last seating.
Solly's on the corner of 11th and U is the three-floor U Street dive with karaoke upstairs, a beer garden out back and the cheapest happy hour pour on the strip Tuesday to Friday.
Tip: Karaoke runs Tuesday and Thursday upstairs from 21:00. Trivia Wednesday is the easier walk-in night; weekends fill at 22:00.