Fun and Entertainment
There’s at least a few bars, music venues and theaters to be found in most of the main neighborhoods and districts in central DC, but one specific district that many people go for nightlife and entertainment is U Street. Originally a hub of African American culture, the neighborhood is now home to many restaurants, bars, nightclubs and live music venues of all varieties.
While we didn’t partake too much in the local nightlife scene (though the Science Club turned out to be a cool bar on 19th NW, just south of Dupont Circle), we did find a few theaters for films and entertainment. The Washington Improv Theater (on 14th Street NW near U Street) was in the middle of a multi-week improv competition, which yielded a few solid laughs, and the West End Cinema was a nicely kept art house movie theater, though the seats were a little too cramped for comfort.
Kramerbooks came recommended as a book store worth visiting, which also contains the hip happy-hour friendly Afterwards Cafe & Grill in the back, but we were left a bit disappointed after splitting a plate of two pork tacos for $17 ($8.50 per taco!) and washing them down with equally pricy mixed drinks.
We made it a point during one day on our trip to venture over to the Eastern Market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which is effectively the DC version of the North Market. It’s slightly smaller in size and lacking a second floor, but contained a nice mix of prepared and grocery food vendors. The Eastern Market only hosts one real restaurant within it (called Market Lunch), but many other shops and eateries line 7th Street SE right outside.
Speaking of shopping, there were several districts to be found for a wide variety of experiences. Georgetown offers a Short North style shopping atmosphere along M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW where the split between chain stores and local boutiques felt to be about 50/50. There’s also plenty of “big city shopping” to be done along F Street east of the White House. Multi-story clothing and home furnishing stores (large Zara, H&M and American Apparel stores can all be found here) line the street leading east toward Chinatown. As an aside, it’s worth noting that Chinatown in DC is nothing like Chinatown in New York or San Francisco. Much of the Chinese population moved out of this area long ago, and the gentrification that followed the building of the Verizon Center in 1997 has left it with few Chinese businesses as well. It’s a worthwhile area if you’re looking to shop or eat, but don’t expect much of a cultural experience there.
