In each 24 in 24, I showcase one or two spots that have a bunch of action and are must visit areas of the city. In Boston, I had Fenway Park and Fanueil Hall. Fenway at 7:00 PM for the buzz of the stadium and the street food and Faneuil at 1:00 AM when all the bars release their drunks onto the cobblestone streets. In D.C., there were three spots I considered. Georgetown (a spot I frequented heavily and somehow always finished the night emerging from the Guard’s basement), The Mall (an obvious choice, but not for either food or nightlife), and Adams Morgan. I think I made the right choice.
To me, Adams Morgan is the preeminent nightlife spot in D.C. There’s no better place to start and finish your night than on 18th street between Columbia and Florida. Maybe I say this because I’ve never been a clubby type of guy (Dupont/Golden Triangle), and I wasn’t so much one for live music (U Street) when I lived here before, so it was always the place I ended up hanging out. Also, I have had some crazy times here. On my 21st birthday, my friends left me in the parking lot with a babysitter because I met a friend named Ralph before we got out of the car. Another night, when my brother was in town, we took our beers up to the roof of Madam’s Organ. I don’t quite remember how we got up there or how we got down, but that’s not even close to the most ridiculousness I’ve encountered there; some of my DC exploits belong in the Forum. In Adams Morgan, there’s something for everyone from hookah bars to loungy coffee houses to the best dive bar in DC. You can always find what you’re looking for and then some. My favorite place to party in DC by a mile.
Time to get down and funky at the Eighteenth Street Lounge.
| Adams Morgan Pretty much 18th & Kalorama NW |
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