9 Best Nightlife in Downtown, Washington, D.C.

Take a break from the city and step down to Silver Lyan, the award-winning cocktail bar in the basement of the Riggs Hotel. The former bank vault kept many of the brass fixtures, creating a dark and mysterious setting. If you are a martini lover, order the martini that comes with a beautifully plated flight of olives, oysters, and pickled onions.

Allegory, an acclaimed Washington, D.C. speakeasy, is the first bar that blends art, literature, social justice, craft cocktails, and hospitality. You arrive at the bar through a secret passage of the Eaton DC's bar library. There you will find expertly concocted cocktails with a side of history centered on social justice. Usually, a DJ is spinning lively music.

Only a small plaque on a bland concrete wall in a nondescript block of Penn Quarter identifies one of Washington’s most sophisticated experiences. Step inside to see José Andrés’s cocktail lab for his acclaimed chain of restaurants that looks the part, with white-on-white furnishings and mixologists in lab attire often seen pouring smoking libations out of beakers. A metal notebook features a menu of more than 100 alcohol-centered liquid experiments grouped by spirit. Make it a show with drinks such as the tequila-based Cedar and Agave, in which a glass and block of ice are infused with the smell of burning wood, table-side, or the Floral Cloud, a fruity gin-based beverage delivered in a hibiscus haze. Soak up the chemical reactions with snacks such as savory mini waffles.

The city's main spot for comedy offers a steady menu of well-known and promising stand-up headliners—recent acts have included Judah Friedlander—and a bevy of funny amateurs. Tickets vary depending on the act. Typically, there's a two-item minimum from a full food and drink menu.

The drinks are stiff and complex at this sophisticated bar tucked inside the Jefferson Hotel, and the mood is a quiet celebration of all things civilized. The dimly lit, two-room, wood-paneled art deco space provides an intimate atmosphere made even more welcoming by the friendly and expert service of the bartenders. The drinks come with a price tag, but it's worth it, given the attention to detail and service.

With stunning 180-views of Washington, D.C., Summit Bar at the Conrad Hotel is the ideal place for a drink. On a warm summer night, have a frozé at the bar and chat with the lovely staff. If you're craving a snack, you can order bites from Estuary, the hotel's restaurant.

Inside the shell of an art deco--inspired edifice that once housed a labor union is one of the newest and most comfortably elegant bars in D.C., the corner spot of the Marriott Marquis. Deeper inside the hotel, you’ll find a bustling lobby bar and a large, noisy sports bar with 48 beers on tap. But The Dignitary attracts a more refined crowd with its focus on more than 50 types of bourbons and ryes poured by a crew of bartenders as experienced as they are friendly. This Dignitary also features an outdoor patio in the warmer months.

From the street, it looks like a swanky Downtown D.C. restaurant with a high-ceilinged power bar to match. The magic happens, however, with live shows in The Hamilton's cavernous basement space. Care in equal parts has focused on acoustics, comfort, and tiered seating, which makes it hard to find a bad seat. There is secondary space above the bar–restaurant where the venue regularly hosts more intimate acts and "Free Late Night Music in the Loft." Check their website for the concert schedule.

A high-end crowd includes visiting basketball players and R&B stars, who dance on four levels. The bouncers strictly enforce the fancy dress code. Splurge with VIP bottle service. You can arrange in advance to get a table or brave the long lines that develop later in the night. This is definitely a place to see and be seen. If you're not a night owl, check out their brunch service—it's just as festive.