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DC After Dark

Your ultimate guide to Washington DC nightlife. Bars, clubs, rooftops, jazz, and hidden gems.

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U Street

Adams Morgan

Capitol Hill

Georgetown

Shaw

Logan Circle

H Street

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Best Bars in Downtown, DC

The 6 best bars in Downtown, Washington DC — ranked by locals and updated weekly.

6 venues · Updated weekly

1
Bar Deco

Bar Deco

Featured✓ Verified

Downtown · $$$ · Smart Casual

Sophisticated art deco lounge with handcrafted cocktails and live jazz on weekends.

★ 4.6

178 reviews

21+

2
Flight Club DC

Flight Club DC

Featured✓ Verified

Downtown · $$ · Casual

Social darts experience with cocktails, food, and competitive oche-style darts bays.

★ 4.3

211 reviews

21+

3

Serenata

Downtown · $$$ · Smart Casual

Latin-inspired cocktail bar inside La Cosecha Market; from the team behind Michelin-starred Bresca.

★ 4.6

310 reviews

21+

4

The Mirror DC

Downtown · $$$ · Smart Casual

Hidden behind a full-length mirror on K Street NW; top-5 DC speakeasy per USA Today.

★ 4.5

420 reviews

21+

5

THROW Social DC

Downtown · $$ · Casual

Axe throwing and cocktail bar; top pick for groups.

★ 4.4

760 reviews

21+

6

Howl at the Moon

Downtown · $$ · Casual

Dueling piano bar with high-energy performance and crowd participation. Great for birthdays and groups.

★ 4.2

870 reviews

21+

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do bars close in DC?

Most DC bars close at 2 AM on weekdays and 3 AM on Friday and Saturday nights. Some venues with special licenses serve until 4 AM on select holiday weekends.

Which neighborhood has the best bars in DC?

U Street and Adams Morgan have the highest concentration of bars. Georgetown is great for upscale cocktail bars. H Street NE has the best dive bars.

Are there any free entry bars in DC?

Most DC bars have no cover charge. Clubs typically charge $10–$30 cover, but bars are usually free.

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