Best Hip Hop Clubs in Washington D.C.
Today, we’re heading off to Washington DC. Home of acclaimed national monuments, museums, performing-arts venues and now political drama. In America, no place perhaps needs more of an outlet for relaxation then here. Partying and good times are need more than ever for those wrapped up in the political stress that weighs down on the U.S. capital. So today we’re going to check out the hottest Hip Hop clubs in Washington DC to help those looking to relieve some stress or enjoy a fun night out. FYI, this list is alphabetical and not in a ranking order.
Looking for the hottest clubs in Washington DC? See upcoming events sign up for guest list and book table service directly on the free Discotech Mobile App. Or reach out to our help line directly at 4157356716 – we can help you pick a spot for your next night out in Washington DC.
Abigail
Abigail recently completed a $1.5 million renovation to take advantage of their 5,000 square feet club. It re-opened for an official unveiling in late October and since then, weekend parties have already attracted Redskins and Wizards players who happily drop serious cash on bottle service.
The massive 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, elegant bottle service tables, wild electronic artwork across the club and a trippy, immersive light wall near the entrance. This is a hot spot in Washington DC. If you see neon letters spelling, “Abby if you’re dirty,” frame the DJ booth, you know you’ve arrived. But before arriving, make sure to check out who’s performing by clicking upcoming events so not to miss your favorite DJ/Hip Hop artist.
Heist
Welcome to Heist. When descending into the most pimped out nightlife prison you will ever see, you quickly notice a bar area ahead/to the right with a VIP alcove around the corner. Bow tie-laden bartenders serve a variety of beverages from the typical favorites to Heist DC mixology specials like The Bearcat (rum, fresh blackberries, lemon juice) and Robert the Bruce (12 year-old Scotch, yellow chartreuse, green tea). The golden, bullet hole-filled bar and crystal ceiling design are eye-catching and spectacular. Moving through the venue to the DJ area, you’ll find the booth to the right, next to the bar. The club is truly striking so check upcoming events at Heist and reserve your table!
But that’s not all. On the other side of the DJ booth is another slightly raised VIP alcove. Another VIP corner exists across from the booth. An intimate dance floor ties it all together. Long-time DC resident and Heist co-owner Charles “DJ Dirty Hands” Koch made sure to have a DJ booth he could be proud of. It features a 24-karat gold buffalo skull and is an invitation-only VIP booth in and of itself. To appreciate the intricacies of Heist’s interior design one must examine them up close and personal. They really did spare no expense. From the mirrored ceiling/floor designs in the bar area to the custom wall panels and barred, in-wall art. The place looks fantastic and feels very warm and inclusive.
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.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of The Living Room is that the small compact club is able to create an atmosphere that makes the venue seem much bigger. They do this with loud music, high quality bottle service, some of the craziest lazers we’ve seen, and blasts of theatrical smoke and fog. The venue is fun and does an excellent job of pulling you into the wild experience they have ready for you. Check out upcoming events to catch your favorite Hip Hop performer!
Opera Ultra Lounge
The vision for Opera is simple: To create a cutting-edge multi-faceted entertainment venue utilizing the latest in technology and providing an above industry standard in service, design, and experience. In other words, taking the lounge/nightclub concept in Washington, DC to a new level of excellence and sophistication. Opera Ultra Lounge shatters the 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. And all in the heart of downtown DC.
Opera provides guests with an unrivaled experience, incorporating the latest in custom-fabricated design elements, bottle service, and furniture in a unique venue that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. Additionally, advances in Customer Relations Management technology, currently only featured in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Miami, capture all aspects of an Opera guest’s experience and ensures that future visits are tailored precisely to his/her individual tastes and expectations. Topped off with the latest in sound and lighting technology and the result is an environment that stimulates and defies the senses. Make sure to click upcoming events to see your favorite artists at Opera!
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, fantastic bottle service and proficient staff that are ready to indulge your every whim, The Park at 14th aims to define a new standard in Washington, DC social diversion.
The venue is compact but warm, open yet inviting. The Park is the largest downtown lounge and nightlife destination. Tables are availible for reservation which includes bottle service from one of the largest and well put together menus we’ve seen. An award winning culinary excellence serving dinner on Thursday and Friday nights. You are not going to want to miss upcoming events at The Park at 14th.
Rosebar
At the Rosebar in DC, anythings possible. They have taken the liberty to create an exciting atmosphere, where the best drinks and an inspired decor create a feeling of unlimited possibility. Here, you’re night is what you make of it, where you’re free to live out the stories you’ll be telling the next week, meet a group of new people or even make that special connection.
Rosebar offers a sophisticated combination of fine dining with a sleek lounge atmosphere, equiped with lovely, glowing tables and bottle service. A staple for locals during happy hour and popular spot for after dark dancing and lounging, Rose Bar serves up both some of the city’s best sushi and nightlife vibes.
Rosebar isn’t a colossal venue but has plenty to offer. Entry is best recommended earlier in the night and after working up a sweat upstairs dancing, be sure to also check out the chill outdoor patio in back. Before all this can be done, its smart to see who’s performing at Rosebar before heading over, so make sure to see Rosebar’s upcoming events.
Soundcheck
Upon stepping inside the underground venue Soundcheck at 1420 K St. NW, it’s apparent there is little room for noise complaints. During Wednesday’s opening night, Soundcheck’s managing partner Antonis Karagounis explained the inspiration behind the venue is to mimic the acoustics of a recording studio in a nightclub setting. That called for installing 4,000 square feet of cork-hardwood floors and 4-inch-thick soundproof foam in the walls and ceiling.
The owner of Soundcheck is also the owner of Echostage which in 2012, was bringing in A-list artists like Tiesto, Calvin Harris and Lorde to D.C. About $1 million went into Soundcheck. One big-ticket item was the sound system, which Karagounis says cost $200,000 alone. The 4,400-square-foot venue, which fits 300 comfortably, along with tables reserved for bottle service, is a nod to the clubs of the ’80s and ’90s, Karagounis said. To see upcoming Hip Hop artists and events, check the upcoming events found on the Discotech app. Come see what the mind of Antonis Karagounis has now created.
Ultrabar
Ultrabar quite fittingly ends our list. The venue features 6 bars, 5 levels, and 4 different DJ lineups where each floor of the club will feature its own unique twist for the night. 5 levels and 6 bars. You definitely do not see those kind of options from your local bar. Ultrabar attracts large, fun crowds, and has enough room to emcompass the largest of groups.
Ultrabar is the go-to venue for any nightlife enthusiast fusing the appeal of an ultra exclusive lounge and a high-energy nightclub in the Nation’s Capital. Ultrabar’s interior is unique in chic design, lavish décor and classic architecture that boast a modern look and feel while remaining both warm and inviting. To see who’s performing at Ultrabar this weekend, check upcoming events.
Ultrabar boasts five distinctive floors each with its own event options, state of the art lighting and sound systems, projection screens for large-scale video productions. The space is also home to twelve HD televisions, six full service bars, four DJ booths, and twenty-six exclusive tables in total that come with bottle service.
Honorable Mentions:
Although more dancehalls then clubs, these venues deserve special mention, as they’ve brought in the best of the best, and continue to do so. The shows are unforgettable, and we believe it’s only fair to throw them in here.
The Anthem
The Anthem is huge but still feels intimate. It somehow looks and feels like the 9:30 Club, which owner Hurwitz also co-owns, while giving off its own vibe. Thursday night, the sightlines on the two balcony levels — even the standing areas behind the boxes of premium-priced “Super Excellent Seats” — are remarkable for a venue of this size, and the floor is usually packed shoulder to shoulder.
The sound in this venue is excellent. Many say and believe The Anthem is going to change live music in D.C. for the better. We hope so. To catch your favorite artist doing his or her thing at this giant venue, make sure to see if they’re performing by clicking upcoming events.
Echostage
Echostage is DC’s newest and largest nightlife concert venue. Between a sprawling, 30,000 plus sq. ft. layout, top-tier sound design, and advanced LED visual displays, it’s no surprise that the versatile space – which opened in September, 2012 – has already attracted industry heavyweights such as David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Avicii, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell and Tiesto.
Though the bulk of Echostage events originate from owners Antonis Karagounis and Pete Kalamoutsos’ preexisting entertainment repertoire – which includes Club Glow and Panorama Productions – the site was renovated to accommodate live bands, emcees and a myriad of other large-scale productions. Since its inception, high production values have been paramount at Echostage.
From the cutting-edge, German-imported D&B Audiotechnik V series sound system (the first of its kind on the east coast) to 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. Concert-goers can grab a close-up glimpse of the stage from the photo pit, or take a breather at two 60-foot 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 Mezzanines. At the back of the room, an expert production team orchestrates each show from a raised front-of-house booth.
“The permanent stage, the LED wall, the outstanding sound – these are what attract A-list acts,” says Kalamoutsos. “We built Echostage as a concert venue for high-caliber artists. And as a result, those artists are always impressed with the site and the quality of our production here.” Though the venue’s technical and spatial attributes easily accommodate the kind of crowds that accompany a superstar lineup, Karagounis and Kalamoutsos have established Echostage as a breeding ground for innovative local performers, too – and an integral contributor to DC’s evolving cultural fabric. You absolutely do not want to miss a big show here, so click upcoming events to see your favorite artists at Echostage!
Washington DC Nightclubs FAQ
What time do DC Nightclubs typically open?
The nightclubs open around 9-10 PM.
What time do DC Nightclubs typically close?
Most close at 2 AM.
What is the dress code like at DC Nightclubs?
Guys can wear nice jeans and a form fitting plain t-shirt or a nice button down shirt. Girls can wear jeans or a comfortable but stylish dress if they prefer. Of course guys and girls can never go wrong with dressing up even more – there is no such thing as overdressing when it comes to nightclubs.
How can I book bottle service for DC Nightclubs?
You can book table service using our free mobile app. Or, if you’re on desktop you can use our webapp.
How much is bottle service at DC Nightclubs?
Table minimums can get pretty expensive, but every venue is different. The best way to find out is to use our app.
What are the hottest clubs in Washington DC?
The hottest clubs in DC are Opera Ultra Lounge, Echostage, Rosebar, Decades, and St Yves.
What part of Washington DC has the best nightlife?
Dupont Circle, U Street, H Street, and Capital Hill have the best nightlife – clubs & bars in Washington DC.
What time is last call in Washington DC?
Liquor can be served by a licensed business from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Monday – Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. on Sundays. The day before a federal holiday, alcohol may be served from 8 a.m. – 3 a.m. On January 1 (New Year’s Eve), liquor may be served from 8 a.m. – 4 a.m.
What are the best EDM clubs in Washington DC?
The best EDM clubs in Washington DC include Echostage, Flash, U Street Music Hall, and Sax.
What are the best hip hop clubs in Washington DC?
The best hip hop clubs in Washington DC include: Abigail, Heist, Opera Ultra Lounge, St Yves, The Park at 14th, Elevate, and Rosebar.