Top 10 Best Clubs in Washington, DC [2024 GUIDE] (2024)

Echostage

Launched in 2012, Echostage is DC’s largest nightlife concert venue. The massive 30,000 square feet space comes with a cutting-edge, German-imported D&B Audiotechnik V series sound system, advanced LED visual displays, and interior design that ensures unobstructed sight lines from any seat in the house. The sensory experience of an Echostage event distinguishes the space from other DC entertainment players. Guests can grab a close-up glimpse of the stage from the photo pit or take a breather at two 60-foot long bars that line each side of the dance floor. Visitors looking to enjoy the show from up high can cozy up to seven of their closest friends in one of the 30 bottle service tables on the VIP Mezzanine. The unique and versatile space of Echostage has also had the pleasure of having famous artists like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Avicii, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell and Tiesto play at the venue. At Echostage you know that you are going to get the best 21+ concert experience in DC.

• 2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE Washington, DC 20018
• Langdon
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$$

RSVP at Echostage

Opera Ultra Lounge

Opera Ultra Lounge is a unique lounge providing a posh and elegant atmosphere, professional staff, and superior service. Designed by renowned nightlife designer Francois Frossard, the lounge aims at creating cutting-edge multi-faceted entertainment venue for their guests that utilizes the latest technology to provide their patrons with premier service, design, and experience. With their sights on industry leading talent, celebrities and guests, they have created a one of a kind venue with a state-of-the-art Funktion One sound system from BAHA Design Group and lighting by acclaimed designer Michael Meacham of iDesign. At Opera Ultra Lounge, they break the standard mold of DC nightclubs by offering a full entertainment schedule, including both club-driven DJ bookings and live entertainment from Jazz bands to acoustic performances.

• 1400 I St NW Washington, DC 20005
• Downtown
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at Opera Ultra Lounge

Decades

A retro-themed bar that celebrates popular music from different decades (starting from the 1980s to present day), Decades is located in the heart of DC. The 15,000 square feet space is massive with 6 different levels, 8 large bars, and a rooftop that can be retracted or fully enclosed. There are 5 DJs on deck at all times who are always hard at work livening up the place with music blaring from the Funktion One sound system. At Decades, guests will be able to enjoy the history of club culture as they take in the club’s vintage inspired décor which features graffiti, gadgets, gears and everything we love about the energy and excitement of nightlife, music of all genres, and the past. There are a variety of different VIP experiences available for those who wish to have a more exclusive experience.

• 1219 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
• DuPont Circle
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$

RSVP at Decades

The Living Room

Are you ready for a Washington hospitality upgrade? Get ready to change everything you think you know about the District’s nightlife industry. Step into The Living Room, a new club and event space in DC’s Logan Circle neighborhood that offers an upscale experience (without taking itself too seriously). So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride in style and comfort. But trust us: this isn’t your mother’s living room.

• 1008 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20005
• Downtown
• 10 PM – 3:30 AM Wed – Sat
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at The Living Room

St. Yves

Perhaps one of the most opulent and gorgeous clubs in DC, St. Yves spared no cost when it came to its stunning design and décor. Inside the 2 floored club, guests will be unable to draw their eyes away from all of the beautiful fixtures including a quartz topped main bar, a massive golden chandelier, and a stately dramatic grand staircase located at the center. At St. Yves, the design team has taken exceeding amounts of effort to ensure that the historical beauty of the building remained even after the remodel into a nightclub. Guests can enjoy themselves at the bar, the main dance floor, or within the plentiful VIP booths in this sleek and stylish dual room lounge. The open floor plan is great for mingling and meeting new people. With 18 VIP tables to offer, there is plenty of space to go around. The DJ selection at the club is always stellar and there is not only bottle service but caviar service as well. They also have USB charging stations and coat/bag storage under the table seating.

• 1220 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
• DuPont Circle
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at St. Yves

Ultrabar

Previously a bank during the early 1900s, 911 F St NW has been the home of Ultrabar since 2006, DC’s number 1 and longest running party venue. The place is one of the most unique and versatile nightclubs in DC and features 5 distinct levels that are rich in color, ambiance and musical styles which have separate event options that allow the guests to enjoy a variety of entertainment. The modern LED lighting, stainless steel, and glass accents create an upscale and inviting atmosphere for its guests. With its state-of-the-art light and sound, four DJ booths and connected dance floors, six full-service bars and amazing drink specials, Ultrabar is a go-to destination for those wishing to experience the ultimate DC clubbing and nightlife experience. At Ultrabar, guests will be able to enjoy bottle service at all of its tables if they desire.

• 911 F St NW Washington, DC 20004
• Downtown
• 10 pm - 2 am Thu, 9 pm - 3 am Fri - Sat
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$

RSVP at Ultrabar

Sax

SAX is a restaurant, lounge, and late night locale featuring art and live entertainment designed to amuse and please guests with opulent grandeur. A 20-foot-long enclosed infinity stage, visible from every corner, showcases cabaret performers each evening, from illusionists and mimes to dance to aerialist shows. The two-story cabaret reflects a modern French design, plush with gilded columns, hand-button tufted damask banquettes, and inlaid medallion tabletops. Authentic reclaimed church doors mark the entryway from the crystal-adorned vestibule into SAX, and red-corded curtains lead to the opera house, which is adorned with wall sconces and chandeliers surrounding the perimeter balconies.

• 734 11th St NW Washington, DC 20001
• Downtown
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at Sax

Abigail

Abigail recently completed a $1.5 million renovation to take advantage of all 5,000 square feet. It re-opened for an official unveiling in late October. Since then, Sunday night industry parties have already attracted Redskins and Wizards players happy to drop serious cash on bottle service. The glitzy overhaul, done by a local designer who is now with luxury conglomerate LVMH, included adding a new bar and DJ booth, updating bathrooms with shimmering graphic wallpaper, and splashing electronic artwork across the club — including a trippy, immersive light wall near the entrance. Neon letters spelling, “Abby if you’re dirty,” frame the DJ booth. This is a hot spot in Washington DC.

• 1730 M St NW Washington, DC 20036
• Downtown
• 11 pm - 2 am Fri - Sun
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$$

RSVP at Abigail

Soundcheck

• 1420 K Street NW Washington, DC 20005
• Downtown
• Dress Code: Moderate
• $$

RSVP at Soundcheck

Flash

Flash opened its doors in June of 2013 as a collaboration between long-time lovers of music, former DJ’s, and music industry vets. Their goal was to present an intimate space where artists can express themselves clearly and fans can hear their favorite artists in an ideal setting.TheClub Levelfeatures an acoustically treated studio-quality room showcasing a custom Funktion One sound system and a next-generation lighting rig designed to heighten the experience. It provides a balance between dance floor, fully stocked bar and wall-to-wall bench seating.The ground floor, appropriately namedFlash Bar, features a separate dance floor and DJ area, coat check, ATM, additional restrooms, and a fully stocked bar specializing in a wide selection of liquor and hand-crafted co*cktails.Flash is open every Friday and Saturday night with headlining national and international DJ talents covering a wide spectrum of house music, from deep to techno. Other styles of music are also presented numerous nights per week.

• 645 Florida Ave NW Washington, DC 20001
• U Street
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$

RSVP at Flash

9:30 Club

The 9:30 Club, originally named Nightclub 9:30, also known simply as the 9:30, is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C., which was originally housed in the ground floor rear room of the Atlantic Building at 930 F Street NW, in the city's downtown area, where it opened on May 31, 1980, with a legal standing capacity of only 199 patrons. In 1996, due to its increasing prominence, the club was moved to a roomier space, its current location at 815 V Street NW, where it anchors the eastern end of the U Street Corridor.As a special feature, the club, with capacity for up to 1,200 people, has a wheeled stage mounted on rails, which can be moved back and forth as needed. This way, the place can feel as packed with 500 people in attendance as it would during a sold-out, full capacity show.The 9:30 Club's name was derived from its original street address, as well as the original opening time of 9:30 p.m. Early advertising on D.C.'s WHFS radio featured the slogan "9:30 – a Place and Time!"

• 815 V St. NW Washington, DC 20001
• U Street
• Dress Code: Casual
• $

RSVP at 9:30 Club

Rosebar

Established in 2014, the opportunities are limitless at Rose Bar Lounge, located in Dupont Circle in DC. Rose Bar offers a sophisticated combination of fine dining with a sleek lounge atmosphere. The lounge is a popular destination for locals during happy hour and a trendy hotspot for after dark dancing and relaxing. The venue has taken the liberty to create an exciting atmosphere, where the best drinks and an inspired decor create a feeling of infinite possibilities. A fine restaurant and lounge during the evening that transforms into a nightclub on weekends, your night is what you make of it and you are free to live out the exhilarating and wild experiences that you are sure to be telling stories about for months. Feel free to enjoy some of the city’s best sushi and nightlife vibes at Rose Bar today.

• 1215 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
• DuPont Circle
• 10 pm - 2 am Mon, Tue, Thu, 10 pm - 3 am Fri - Sat
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$

RSVP at Rosebar

The Mayflower Club

Mediterranean cuisine served in a trendy, split-level restaurant with a glam, neon-lit bar.Prohibition in the United States was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. There were 3,000 speakeasies all over Washington, DC and 22,000 gallons of liquor were smuggled weekly to these establishments During the Prohibition, the building's fourth floor at 1223 Connecticut Avenue was home to one of DC's most prominent speakeasies, The Mayflower Club. The speakeasy was home to a 30-foot bar that served elegant co*cktails to high-society clients and, decorated with a mural of Mahatma Gandhi and other famous figures playing piano.

• 1223 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
• $

RSVP at The Mayflower Club

The Park at 14th

All at once, novel in concept and character, The Park at 14th perfectly fits the mold for your next gathering when you are seeking something “a little different.” From the inviting warmth of the wood paneled walls and subtle glow of hand-blown chandeliers to the incomparable cuisine and proficient staff that are ready to indulge your every whim, The Park at 14th defines a new standard in Washington, DC social diversion.

• 920 14th St NW Washington, DC 20005
• Downtown
• 5 pm - 2 am Thu - Fri, 9 pm - 3 am Sat
• Dress Code: Casual
• $$

RSVP at The Park at 14th

Darna Lounge

Stylish eatery & bar serving Lebanese-inspired dishes, plus craft co*cktails & flavored tobacco.

• 946 N Jackson St Washington, DC 22201
• $

RSVP at Darna Lounge

Bravo Bravo

The Ultimate Nightclub Experience in the heart of DC, our nightclub in a basem*nt near the White House serves primarily the Latin community.

• 1001 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
• $

RSVP at Bravo Bravo

Heist

Located in the midst of DC’s Dupont Circle, Heist is a caper-theme champagne lounge and private event subterranean venue. The elegantly intimate nightclub is considered to be one of the city’s most glamorous venues. When guests walk through bullhorn doors and down the stairs, they’ll discover a darkened, intimate space featuring black and gold accents. It is quite evident that Heist spared no expense when it came to their decor which includes gold-plated fixtures in the restrooms, a Swarovski crystal ceiling piece above the bar, and a bullet hole lined installation that make up the back wall of the venue. The lounge is split up into a bar area and a dance floor section near the DJ booth. The venue offers both a variety of bottle service options as well as co*cktails crafted by Heist’s expert mixologists. Guests are able to get VIP booths as well with the most exclusive one of them being invitation only and located right next to the club’s co-owner Charles “DJ Dirty Hands” Koch’s crown jewel: the luxurious DJ booth which features a large 24-karat gold buffalo skull.

• 1802 Jefferson Pl NW Washington, DC 20036
• DuPont Circle
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at Heist

Ozio

Ozio first opened it’s doors to an intimate basem*nt located in downtown Washington DC. This downtown K Street location kicked off with a Metropolitan theme reminiscent of sophisticated Paris in the 1940’s. Since pouring one of our first signature co*cktails in 1995, we have been heralded as Washington’s premiere martini and cigar lounge. Our establishment quickly gained notoriety for it’s stylish and chic atmosphere wrapped in the essences of contemporary Art Deco decor. Come over and enjoy our six fully stocked bars, private events areas, weekly happy hour specials, cigar-service and full-service Mediterranean/American fusion dining experience available until midnight. These fine experiences are the reason Ozio has upheld it’s distinguished reputation as the top martini and cigar lounge, and restaurant for almost two decades. With a new millennium, came our new and present multi-level Dupont Circle location at 1813 M Street NW. The spacious multi-floor venue is contained within a large four story, historically preserved, colonial row house and is easily accessible from all areas of Maryland, DC and Virginia.

• 1813 M St NW Washington, DC 20036
• DuPont Circle
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at Ozio

Lost Society

Located on the corner of 14th and U, Lost Society stimulates your eyes, ears, and taste buds with menu brought to life by our Executive Chef Joseph Evens. Designed to evoke an underground, Victorian atmosphere, Lost Society consists of two levels. The first is our main dining room, which features décor vignettes that render each table’s dining experience unique. The second level is comprised of the lounge and roof deck. On this level you will find our DJ booth, an indoor and an outdoor bar, and a more laid back ambiance than in our downstairs dining room. Lost Society sits in the 2nd and 3rd level of an unassuming building on the corner of 14th and U Street. The ambiance inside is a far cry from the exterior. Ascending the staircase brings DC foodies into a dining room full of rich colors and plush fabrics. Intimate corners and low light create an intimate yet upbeat atmosphere.A circular bar and south facing windows provide a nice view of the action on U street. A view of 14th and U from the deck at Lost Society. We call it a deck, but it’s really like a room that happens to be outdoors.The top floor is where the real action is. Designed to contrast with the second level; the white walls, wood floor, wall candles and chandeliers bring a sleek, more modern contrast to the comfort below. With a DJ booth at the end of the room and large deck with its own bar (tented in winter), the top floor of Lost Society is a great choice for going out in DC. The crowd is upscale, diverse and always smiling.

• 2001 14th St NW Washington, DC 20009
• U Street
• Dress Code: Strict
• $$

RSVP at Lost Society