Our Ultimate List of 15 Venues In DC for Live Music

930 Club

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The crown jewel of the D.C. music scene, the 930 Club has been called the “greatest small room in America” by Rolling Stone. This venue hosts everything from DJ Will Eastman dance parties to sets from Snoop Lion to hard rockers like GWAR. The room still only holds 1,200 people so shows regularly sell out months in advance.

Black Cat

Photograph by Shervin Lainez.

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The Black Cat sits in the heart of the ever-hot 14th street corridor. The venue has a large second story hall that hosts major touring acts as well as the “backstage” – a room on the first floor that hold around 100 people for intimate mid-week performances. Keep an eye on the backstage calendar, many smaller touring acts sneak in D.C. sets. (Note – cash only bar)

The Hamilton

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Styled after the dining halls that hosted crooners like Sinatra and Crosby, The Hamilton aims to reestablish the idea of enjoying dinner and show all at once. Located in the basement of the hotel/restaurant, the Hamilton Live enjoys a pipeline of New Orleans jazz and soul artists. If you are ever in search for a last minute date idea, buying a seated ticket to a gig at the Hamilton is a great idea. (Protip – spring the extra $4-5 for the seated tickets. The standing area is further from the stage)

Rock and Roll Hotel

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H Street’s largest concert venue, the Rock and Roll Hotel boasts one of the best sound systems in town. Depending on who has booked the 930 Club, the Hotel is sometimes host to bands who are way beyond playing a 400 person venue. Get there early if you are seeing a Friday or Saturday night show as the line for the 2nd floor dance party can get quite long. (Protip – buy your tickets at the door to avoid to hefty online fee)

Velvet Lounge

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The Velvet Lounge harkens back to an earlier time in D.C.’s live scene. The room is lined with plywood boards and sits on top of a narrow staircase. Its grungy as shit. Even though you get the feeling that the room would be a great place for a mosh-pit, the Lounge brings in a variety of artists playing all types of music.

DC 9

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Sister venue of the Rock and Roll Hotel, DC9 is a room that can pack 200 music fans around a half circle stage. Bands on the rise often find their first touring gig in the District upstairs at DC9. Keep an eye on the calendar because every now and then you find a serious gem making their way into the mainstream. (Note – the sound guy’s name is Randy Lancelot – that’s an awesome name)

The Dunes

The Dunes – Photo Credit: JPZ Photography

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A full-time art gallery, part-time music venue, the Dunes is a great room to catch local acts in Columbia Heights. The intimate setting provides concert-goers with a chance to reach out and touch the musicians (not recommended… at least until after the show). You can even grab a fancy cocktail in a plastic cup from the gallery’s bar. Added bonus – Taqueria Distrito Federal is right next door so you can grub on amazing tacos between bands.

Solly’s

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Home to the still-cheap PBR, Solly’s on U Street hosts bands free of charge on Thursday and Sunday nights. If you are looking to hang out with some of the District’s coolest bartenders and enjoy a bluegrass or folky show, this is your spot. Solly’s also now has a full kitchen so you can enjoy some tasty Po’boys, a Tall PBR, and show all for around $15.

H.R. 57

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Formerly tucked away on 14th St, H.R. 57 now calls H Street home. The name stems from the resolution denoting jazz as the only unique American musical art form. The venue provides top notch jazz on the weekends lets musicians step onstage to jam on midweek nights. The cover charge is not pricey and you can pay a little extra to bring in your own wine. The new incarnation of H.R. 57 also has a lovely smokers patios facing out towards H Street for those who like to swill their jazz with a fine cigar.

Beats

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Formerly Beats at 9th, the venue holds almost 300 people and is essentially a part of the Convention Center complex. One of the newer additions to the local music scene, Beats has yet to establish the style of music they intend to invite onstage each night.

U St Music Hall

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Sister to the crown jewel, U-Hall is host to one of the loudest sound systems in town. Though known mostly for hosting electronic dance groups, U-Hall sometimes snags a touring rock act that isn’t quite ready to command full billing at 930. (Protip – beware the all ages shows. It’s never fun to have a band invite the crowd onstage, only for you to then realize the glare coming back at you is from all the braces onstage)

Wonderland Ballroom

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Wonderland is for local music. On nights when bands are booked, you can expect to see free music, an upstairs dance-hall that feels similar to Velvet Lounge, and a great beer selection.

The Howard Theatre

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Brilliantly renovated, the Howard is an elite music venue. The space is elegant, the sound is great, and service is unbelievably responsive. The problem thus far has been its inability to book bands to fill the room. That being said, seeing acts like Brian McKnight, Salt-N-Pepa, and Vintage Trouble in a half empty beautiful space is not the WORST thing you can do with your evening. (Protip – snag a table for you and your group. There is a minimum buy but the sheer convenience of having your drinks run to you is worth it when you are trying to get your dance on)

JoJo’s

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I have never had a bad night at JoJo’s on U Street. The restaurant-first, bar-second, jazz venue-third spot is home to some of the most soulful and dance filled evenings in D.C. There is something about the space that feels unique to the District. Roll there with a few of your friends who want to get down. You will start your night dancing with them near the bar but most certainly will finish your evening dancing alongside men or women well into their 50’s and 60’s enjoying a night on the town.

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