Party until late at the best nightclubs in D.C. right now, from low-key spots to vibey lounges
Photograph: Shutterstock/Party People Studio
After tackling conversations about judicial procedures and the debt ceiling, it's time to unwind in D.C. Luckily, there are plenty of spots to choose from. We suggest starting your evening with a drink at one of the city's best bars and planning your next move with help from our list of D.C.'s best nightclubs. From there, you might end up on U Street (more than likely), but you don't have to: we've rounded up everything from brunch spots that double as nighttime hangs (trust us) to actual clubs that serve pho late into the night and cool venues playing your favorite tunes. Here, the coolest nightclubs in Washington, D.C. right now, offering a night out you won't forget.
This guide was updated by D.C.-based writer Omnia Saed. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
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You haven't truly partied until you've experienced a night at Park. This hybrid hotspot, or clubstaurant as the locals say, boasts a devoted fanbase, especially during their weekend brunch that features endless mimosas and killer beats (hip-hop, afrobeats, R&B). The party spills into the evening so grab a late-night bite, opt for some bottle service, and hit the dance floor.
This colorful venue serves an array of Latin American dishes throughout the day, but turns into a dance club starting at 10pm. DJs spin Latin house, pop, and reggaeton tunes, alongside salsa and bachata. Head here early for occasional salsa lessons, then unwind with bottle service.
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If you find yourself on U Street for a night out, you might as well check out U Street Music Hall, affectionately known as U Hall. It's a dynamic dance club and live music venue known for its wide range of electronic genres, from house and disco to techno, bass, and electro. They host diverse events like 90s dance parties, Broadway Raves, and R&B nights, all within the span of a single week.
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Decades sparks strong opinions. Love it or hate it, there's one thing everyone agrees on: this Dupont club is a city staple. True to its name, it's a time-travel experience with floors dedicated to the 90s, 2000s, and present-day. Get ready for a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and Top 40 hits, surrounded by various bars, cocktails, and hookah options. To fully savor the scene, go with a big group and take advantage of the ample space and the dual dance rooms.
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Alice on U has it all. This multi-floor club brings you an arcade with games, a bar, and a dance floor pumping a mix of Top 40, hip-hop and R&B hits. Wrap up your night by heading down to the ground floor's pho shop, where you can grab banh mi sandwiches and steaming bowls of pho to take home with you. Not much more you can ask for from your local club.
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Enter and walk up the stairs to find a bar, some tables, and a small dance floor. Head up another set of stairs to find a rooftop bar decked out with a DJ booth, a larger dance floor, and VIP tables (which need to be reserved ahead, of course). Regulars appreciate the strong drinks, the hookah, and pulsing hip-hop and R&B.
This lavish restaurant and lounge serves up a cabaret experience before transforming into a dance club with bottle service on weekends. Step inside the open space—featuring a 60-foot high ceiling—and take in Versailles-inspired crystal chandeliers and golden accents. While a mix of house and Top 40 music is sure to amuse, the standout here is the live entertainment from the 20-foot enclosed stage over the first-floor bar. Performances range from modern ballet to acrobatic pole dancing, and aerialists sometimes descend from above the lounge’s dance floor.
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At Flash, you've got three options: the club level, decked out with top-notch sound and mesmerizing lights; a dance floor; and a bar. The ground floor has its own dance space and special cocktails like a barrel-aged Negroni. For electronica fans, there's a rooftop dance floor. The atmosphere is always buzzing, with DJs flying in from all corners of the world to spin on weekends.
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This spot in Dupont Circle channels Alice's Wonderland with an upside-down room that sets the stage for quirky tales and unforgettable nights. Operating as a restaurant by day and a nightclub by night, this venue has been a D.C. staple for over 40 years. You can expect bustling crowds, often filled with college students and young locals, enjoying a mix of pop and Top 40 hits.
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Echostage is a music venue in Langdon that doubles as a nightclub and concert hall. When it first opened, it was considered the largest nightlife concert venue in D.C., which makes sense since the space can fit 3,000 people. On most nights, you'll catch touring acts or DJs playing predominantly EDM music, drawing epic crowds who are all about having a great time.
Renowned DJs like Martin Garrix and Zedd have hit this audiophile-friendly space (the club’s music technology includes a German-imported system complemented by 4-inch thick soundproof foam in the walls and ceiling). Choose between EDM parties featuring house, trance and more; hip-hop nights; and Avalon Saturdays, when LGBTQ Washingtonians take over the dance floor with glowsticks and body paint. The 85-plus lighting fixtures will capture your attention after the sound system pulls you in. While the club is 18+ Wednesday through Friday, it’s 21+ on Saturdays.
This cool weekend spot mixes Victorian-style decor with a live DJ set. The founder, a well-known breakdancer, sometimes brings a few b-boy talents to the dance floor. DJs perform from the upper level while the dance floor below gets heated. Go here for drink specials when you want to keep the party going until 3am.
A typical sports bar on most nights—when football games are shown on a big screen and $15 buckets of Bud are on offer—transforms into a very different scene on Friday and Saturday, when you'll find locals dancing under disco balls until 3am to what the bar describes as bubbly pop. Return to the longtime favorite the next morning for a Saturday or Sunday drag brunch that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet.
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