Eighteenth Street Lounge in Washington, DC, DC

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Telephone:	+1 202-466-3922
Website:	www.eighteenthstreetlounge.com
Address:	1212 18th St N W, Washington, DC, DC, 20036 Dupont Circle
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	0.2 miFarragut North 0.3 miMTA Bus Stop 0.3 miDupont Circle
Categories:	Lounges Dance Clubs

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	Yes
Accepts Credit Cards	Yes
Accepts Apple Pay	No
Parking	Street
Bike Parking	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	No
Ages Allowed	21+
Good for Groups	Yes
Ambience	Trendy
Noise Level	Loud
Music	DJ, Live

Good For Dancing	Yes
Alcohol	Full Bar
Happy Hour	Yes
Best Nights	Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check	Yes
Smoking	Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating	Yes
Has TV	No
Dogs Allowed	No
Has Pool Table	No

Today

Today	5:30 pm – 3:00 am Open now
Local time (Washington, DC)	11:38 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday	–
Tuesday	5:30 pm – 2:00 am
Wednesday	5:30 pm – 2:00 am
Thursday	5:30 pm – 2:00 am
Friday	5:30 pm – 3:00 am
Saturday	9:30 pm – 3:00 am
Sunday	9:00 pm – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

The Eighteenth Street Lounge is dedicated to providing Washington D.C. with acclaimed DJ talent from the region and as well hosting special guest DJs from all over the world.

We also showcase live bands specializing in Reggae, Bossa Nova, Classic Jazz, and Funk — Tuesday through Saturday.

**Cover Charge Information**

Tuesday — no cover, Wednesday $ 10 after 11p.m., Thursday — no cover, Friday — no cover, Saturday — $ 10 after 12a.m., Sunday — no cover.

Note: Cover charge can vary during holidays and long weekends.

History

Established in 1995.

«Our model was a place where we would like to frequent ourselves. Enough energy for a party, but also a place where people are able to socialize in an intimate environment» is what co-owner and original operator Farid (Ali) Nouri felt Washington, DC needed. After almost two decades of première house parties, Farid’s dream has created a legacy unmatched by any other venue in the District.

Nestled between the established neighborhood of Dupont Circle and the power corridors of Connecticut Ave and K Street, 1212 Eighteenth Street NW is an unassuming entrance to one of DC’s cultural gems: The Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL). ESL opened its doors in April 1995 and unknowingly changed the face of DC’s dance culture forever. The Lounge has been independently operated since its inception and does not have any affiliations with any other business in DC or beyond. Farid has been at its helm from the beginning by guiding the direction of the establishment by curating all music bookings and events

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23 reviews of Eighteenth Street Lounge

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Jenna Madacy J.

Place rating: 5
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA

Loved loved loved this place! It was like walking into someone’s really cool home with ornate fireplaces and baroque furniture and an open air patio.
The longs has many rooms with different music to enjoy and in one room some people were having a dance off and they were very talented!
Super chill exciting environment with good drinks and a nice crowd! Loved it!

Christina L.

Place rating: 1
Washington, DC

I see why people like the place but it’s not it for me. Dirty old couches everywhere, people are dressed pretty low key the table areas don’t feel special. The rooftop gets way too jam packed sometimes, as well. I’ve gone a handful of times because some friends are huge fans but I told myself I won’t be going back again…

Carisa M.

Place rating: 3
Reston, VA

This is not a bad place to go but it is definitely just somewhere to hangout with your girls. I usually only go when my girlfriend flies into town to visit. I have never been there when hip hop was playing which kind of sucks but still not bad music. I think it does have to many dang rooms to get lost in. The out door patio was cool. All and all not a bad place to hangout but you are definitely not going to meet the man of your dreams here… so just go with the idea of having a good girls night.

Emile G.

Place rating: 4
New York, NY

18^th st lounge definitely has a unique quality to it, especially when compared to the other generic bars and clubs of DuPont. It feels like an old school hotel, with narrow staircases and velvet couches everywhere. The drinks are a little overpriced, but no worse than any club in the area.
There is a nice outdoor area, perfect for summer nights. They have a dance floor, in addition to areas with couches to sit, relax, and converse with your companions.
The only time I would strongly recommend coming here would be on Wednesday nights, aka Reggae night. They always have live music and there is a nice big crowd. Where else can you go to have some fun on a random Wednesday?

Eddie W.

Place rating: 5
Suitland, MD

Nice, elegant, and good music… Really enjoyed the jazz band on the top floor and the bartenders were the best… Would definitely recommend this spot to anyone

Cristina B.

Place rating: 5
Culver City, CA

Came here while visiting DC. We stopped by on a sunday. I would definitely return. The vibe is awesome great music good drinks. Great service and a good crowd. I hope to visit again.

Kirk S.

Place rating: 5
Washington, DC

The décor and ambiance here is great — while I can’t speak for the regular scene here, I’m hoping it’s just as good.
Eighteenth Street Lounge is a intimate lounge right near DuPont Circle. The interior has this sort of ornate feeling to it, but it’s also pretty rough around the edges — it feels like some sort of weird hybrid of SAX and some joint on U Street. The coolest thing about this place is the layout — think lots of little rooms, not one huge open floor plan. This is the kind of place that I’d love to come to on a regular basis, assuming the scene matched the décor.
I was here for a private music event, which is where this place seems to excel. Again, it’s intimate — the kind of place you’d want for a sort of relaxed, near-upscale lounge. ESL hosts a lot of jazz and tango nights, it seems, and I can see those being an absolute blast.

Alexis S.

Place rating: 4
Arlington, VA

My coworkers took me here to celebrate my birthday. Upon arrival I was a bit skeptical because you do not know that it exists. There are no signs to tell you where you are. Once you walk up the stairs and see the bar and super cute antique style chairs you’re like okay, how cute. Drinks are pricey, but that’s typical for DC. However they do have $ 7 Sangrias and they taste yummy! I had an amazing time! The DJ plays something for everyone and even the atmosphere consisted of EVERYONE. It was an awesome mixed crowd.
Check this place out to hang at the bar or grab drinks and chill on the sofas. Or party on the dance-floor if you want to sweat.

Amy Y.

Place rating: 2
Baltimore, MD

Unless you come on a Thursday, don’t expect good dancing music. Drinks are overpriced. Crowd is an interesting mix. The best thing about this place is there are several bars and rooms throughout.

Sean F.

Place rating: 4
Beltsville, MD

It is a cool venue, which separates 18^th Street Lounge from many of the other bars that are all over Dupont. It has a much more cozy feel with its décor. It’s a townhouse nestled between a bunch of very similar bars. This place can get packed on the weekends and hosts events throughout the week like the live reggae band on Weds. They also will have live music on the weekends. It’s also a little more expansive than you would imagine based on the outside appearance.
There is a patio out back with a bar and heater, there is also a main bar area right off the stairs as well as a more open area with sofas and couches. There is also another room where they put the reggae band and another bar. The third floor hosts the coat check, bathrooms and another bar area which I’ve never actually seen open except for the weekends.
The drinks I’ve had here are pretty good but also price as DC drinks (10 – 14 for cocktails). During the week I haven’t seen them charge a cover but on Friday & Saturday they usually charge $ 5. There’s definitely a decent crowd here on Wednesday night so if you enjoy live reggae it’s worth checking out.

Keiko M.

Place rating: 4
Washington, DC

Fun night spot! So many different kinds of people! Some different kinds of cool music!!!
I went there before 22:00 and did not wait in a line. When I left around 23:00, there was a long line. It was Sat.
Price: Free entrance.
Dress code: None.
Location: Awesome! Many cool bats and fun clubs around here:)
Parking lot: Not sure. I’m sure most people come here to enjoy chatting, dancing, drinking, etc… I took Ubar for safety issue.

Katina K.

Place rating: 5
Washington, DC

18^th street lounge has been on my list of go to spots for quite some time now. Finally, this last Saturday I made it with a group of friends. First, I’ll start off by saying that 18^th street lounge has a little something for everyone in your group! From the outside looking in this spot doesn’t look like much but once you step inside you’ll be pleasantly surprised! This place is like Pandora’s box! When my friends and I first got there only two rooms were open. Then as the place started to get more and more packed another room opened and another! This place is definitely an adults playground. I like how each room has a different vibe with different genres of music playing, it makes for a fun and interesting night. Unfortunately the night I was there the rooftop wasn’t open but I’ve heard it’s awesome. In regards to the drinks don’t come here thinking you’re going to have the most amazing drinks on the planet, but they are decent.
I highly suggest getting here on the earlier side or planning to have this place be one of the bars/clubs you start at because when my friends and I left around 11:30 ish the line outside was ginormous and they were charging a cover!

Janet Kee-Eun L.

Place rating: 5
Arlington, VA

Skip tacky nightclubs that’ll probably close in the next few years. Their branding is just a regurgitation of the current «live» trend. ESL does a lot of things different… smarter.
I’ll start with the clientele. There is always the exception, but the overall crowd is impressively mature. What I mean is, rarely sighted is the moron strolling in like they’re in a music video. The idiots who can’t behave while drinking tend to stick to Clarendon Ballroom or Capitale — this place is a bit classier.
THE MUSIC! They appreciate quality here, without the snobbiness. Where else can you have ATCQ, Disclosure, and Herbie Hancock all in one venue? There’s only so much top 40 I can take without my brain shrinking. Here, the music is stimulating and vibe proper. Happy hour 4:30−9pm Mon-Fri. Live reggae on Wednesdays (See-I from Thievery Corporation have been playing here every week for the last several years), live salsa on Thursdays, live jazz quintet on Fridays and Saturdays, and the best house music in DC on Sundays. From what I’ve seen, they maintain a solid base of regulars, and they’re always live and packed on weekends as it’s still Dupont. Dance circles get cray cray, especially Sundays. And hey, if you don’t dance (or like myself, can’t), have a seat in one of their lounge chairs or plush sofas. It’s really not that difficult to feel like yourself here.
Bringing me to my next point… the interior. Think intimate house party in someone’s mansion! Five bars/rooms with different themes and music. Couches and lounges, dimmed fixtures with burning candles that make anyone look sexy. The sultry décor makes this place a winner for your next date night — but only if you REALLY like ‘em, cuz this place is magical.
And not really surprising, but I recently discovered it’s the same owner as The Gibson and Marvin… What else can I say to persuade yall? See for yourself why this unpretentious and eclectic lounge has stood for 20 years despite the ever-changing scape of DC.

Phil G.

Place rating: 3
Manhattan, NY

DISCLAIMER: I don’t normally go to this kind of place. It’s a young person’s game. Not mine.
The CONCEPT here is very cool. It’s a multi-layer, multi-music experience. Different style of music on each floor.
As a place to DRINK, it is truly «Just OK» and not really a place where you will find something special to drink.
The ATMOSPHERE is much more in the 4 star zone but, for the most part it is populated by young narcissists: the women are flaunting black sequins (high hem lines and low necklines) and the young men are doing their best to appear like they hitch-hiked into DC from Appalachia (lots of team jerseys, hoodies, plaid).
The MUSIC is top-notch although I am not really the Techno-DJ type (at all) I must give them credit for quality SOUNDS.
Further disclaimer is that this lounge is not age appropriate for me. I can hang here but, it’s boring after (a really short period of time).
I came to appreciate Thievery Corporation! The band of our time.

Jackson S.

Place rating: 3
Williamsburg, NY

Every time I visit DC I visit this venue. Every type of music and reasonable prices.
On my most recent visit however, the waitress at the bar poured me a half shot. I asked for a full one and she called the bouncer over to escort me out. Customer service is not key at this venue.
Amazing jazz band and selection of music. Service could use a revision. I recommend but other spots would be better value.
Will visit again but they need to come off their high horse and pour adequately. Management should chat with waitress on second floor bar to teach her about customer service.
Notes on service should always be investigated.

Victoria W.

Place rating: 4
Rockville, MD

On wednesday nights they have live reggae performances! thats what bought me out this summer. can’t get enough of the décor its like an extension of a living room with comfy couches and chairs, outdoor and indoor bar areas and dim candle lighting. there are multiple floors and rooms so check em out and explore.
the bar tenders were very friendly, there seems to always be a daily bar special so make sure to ask. I got a $ 5 sangria.
also, the entrance is easy to miss if you can find the nandos on 18^th street it is right next to that.

Jessica N.

Place rating: 4
Bellaire, TX

Came here with some friends for a going away party and it was pretty neat. The entrance is hard to find so we had to ask around, but once you walk in, you feel like you are walking up the stairs of an old Victorian house. This place has two floor and we went to the top level.
Very low mood lighting with candles on the tables and places to lounge. They also had a dance floor and a small area where you could have a DJ or live music. It was a great place to have an intimate party and you could get a nice street view from the window. Definitely a great place to hang out with friends and have a few drinks!

Christopher S.

Place rating: 4
Minneapolis, MN

This is a drinking establishment with many different rooms, on many different floors.
There’s always something musical going on in these different rooms, and the vibe can be completely different from the other rooms. You can have jazz in one room, and rap and hip hop in another room. It is very different from room to room.
My only complaint about this place is that it is somewhat hard to find the first time. But the crowd is very good, and the music is decidedly different from room to room. Fun place, not pretentious at all!

Jeong L.

Place rating: 2
Rockville, MD

We came here for a weekday happy hour. We didn’t have live band, so my review is purely based on their happy hour food, general atmosphere and drinks.
18^th street lounge is located right in between Shake Shack and Nando’s peri peri. It probably helps to know this to find this place because they don’t have a sign.
We arrived at around 6:30pm, and we were told that they served food in the back room and we were excited that the happy hour drinks were cheap ($ 5 martini, sangria).
The food was very mediocre at best… they had some hummus, samosa and some salads, but they were cold and tasted like nothing special, so we just nibbled on them and then later went to Duke’s grocery to have a real meal. (I understand that this is free food, but again there’s nothing spectacular about this free snacks to make you come all the way here.)
What I greatly disliked about this place was its dated décor and horrible drinks. Their furniture was so old and dirty that literally you could see the dust marks on their chairs and tables. It looked so dusty and messy and I just wanted to get out of the place asap.
Drink wise, their sangria smelled funny and martini had too much syrup. We both stopped drinking after tasting the drinks, and we even tasted each other’s drinks to make sure if they both tasted bad.
This lounge might be fun for awesome live music, but I would never come back here for its drinks.

Olukemi A.

Place rating: 4
Arlington, VA

I love the international feel of ESL. It’s a great place to go right after lunch for happy hour or all night to party with your girlfriends. Or for you guys with your guy friends. I love all the couches and nooks and crannies where you can meet new people and spark up interesting conversations or by your neighbor a shot. I always have a great time when I’m here, which isn’t enough.
It’s DC so the drink prices are OK. and they’re pretty decent. I just love all the different places where I can dance because of course I love to dance.
Whether you’re visiting from out of town or a DMV resident this is definitely the place to go Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Samili

Place rating: 4
Hamburg

Super Location! Die Leute sind super drauf und können auch feiern! Absolutes muss wenn man in DC was erleben will !!!

Qypona

Place rating: 5
Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg

Echter Geheimtipp. Achtung: Je nach Wochentag sehr unterchiedliche Musikstile. Live Musik.

Hans D.

Place rating: 5
Salem, Baden-Württemberg

Mittlerweile ein alter Geheimtipp. Mehrstöckige Bar & Lounge, die von außen nur durch die Schlange vor der Tür erkennbar ist — ein Schild fehlt. Chillige Musik, freundliche Gäste, eine tolle Dachterasse, nicht ganz günstige Drinks. Wer in D.C. ist sollte die Eighteenth Stree Lounge nicht verpassen

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Washington, DC, United States