DC’s indie music scene. Does it have one? What’s wrong with the one it has? What needs to happen to make it better? Every few months an article or blog post will decry the state of DC music, offering little in the way of practical approaches to changing it, and those who are actually in the scene, the musicians that play here, keep doing what musicians in any city do – they make music, try to get noticed and support each other in their pursuits.
For this year’s focus on the scene, we turned to these musicians to tell us where the action is. After all, who knows better than they do where to catch a show? We asked them to focus on lesser-known locations, with all due respect to 9:30 Club, Black Cat, Jammin’ Java, State Theatre, IOTA and our other better known venues, for every local gracing your stages, there are many more out there that aren’t.
Following is an overview of twenty plus venues offering live music on a regular basis. None of them is a full-time music club, but all have made a commitment to offering quality entertainment and supporting original artists. Sure cover bands are a blast, but they don’t shape a city’s scene the way original music does. So next time you’re looking for something to do, here’s where those in the know think you should go.
Axum’s Level X Lounge
Jonny Grave
Saturdays and Sundays, some Mondays; No cover; Rock and Roll
An Ethiopian restaurant that hosts rock and roll shows? Sure, why not? This place is relatively new with shows. Only about a year ago, Frit and Ed started booking shows. These guys are old DC rock and rollers. They know a good bill when they see one, and they pull together a fantastic sound system, great promoters, and relatively cheap drink specials to make the show happen. The venue itself is on the smaller side (80 people, max) but the shows are fun as hell– intimate, close-up, and unforgettable.
Level X Lounge: 1934 9th St. NW, DC; www.levelxlounge.com
BlackFinn DC. Photo by Mark Van Bergh
BlackFinn DC
Brad Pugh of Practically Einstein
Wednesdays; No cover; Acoustic Rock and Pop
They usually run specials on Wednesday nights, and there are always big-screen TVs tuned to your favorite sporting event. It is a great meeting place in the heart of DC, with an atmosphere that always encourages some fun.
BlackFinnDC: 1620 I St. NW, DC; 202-429-4350; blackfinndc.com
Clyde’s Georgetown
Dave Smith is Rew Smith
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; No cover; Acoustic Top 40 and Pop
Other artists I’ve seen here include Timmie Metz and Fran Scuderi. They’ve got good food and a comfy atmosphere… and random celeb spottings. I’ve seen Ben Stein in there three times in the last year or so, along with the bass player from Midnight Oil. This was the original Clyde’s. “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band was inspired by a menu item there. Also, the Crab Tower is the bomb!
Clyde’s Georgetown: 3236 M St. NW, DC; 202-333-9180; www.clydes.com
Dogwood
Nathan Ihara of We Were Kings
Thursday to Saturday; No cover; Mix of covers and originals
I usually do the solo acoustic thing there when I play since the band is a little too big to fit on stage. I’ve had a few friends play there on a regular basis. Matt Waller and Jason Masi are two exceptional musicians that I’ve always enjoyed seeing there when I’m not playing out. The fare is classic American. Sundays feature 1/2 price burgers, Mondays the deal is 50 cent wings, and Tuesdays they do a raw bar. Being a self-taught chef and serious foodie myself I definitely have to say they do an excellent job on the menu. It’s relaxed and casually refined with some great dishes. The bar has a killer beer selection! I love the fact that they pour from some of the area’s micro breweries. The staff is amazing and very friendly. Tuesday night is my favorite as they have an awesome raw bar from 4p.m. to close. I’m usually there Thursday nights, once a month. They start music at 9:30 pm but I usually get there early to hang and get some dinner and have some drinks.
Dogwood: 132 W Broad St. Falls Church, VA; 703-237-8333; www.dogwoodtavern.com
The Dunes
Alex Vans
Select nights; Average $10; Various
The Dunes really covers the full spectrum of artists, and I haven’t noticed a primary genre emerge. For example, my show on Nov. 5th will feature Adrian Krygowski, a Nashville-influenced folk/americana songwriter, W Ellington Felton the prolific DC soul/jazz/ hip hop emcee, and my band, which of late has been moving into an indie-rock direction. My friend Rene Moffatt, a local acoustic singer/songwriter, just threw a big event there that showcased quite a few great local bands including Modern Man, and Deleted Scenes. Jonny Grave, a great local blues guitarist I know frequents there quite a bit as well. It’s also a fully-functioning art gallery and exhibition space. If you see a show here, you’ll be treated to a much more unique and inspiring atmosphere, than your average beer-soaked rock club. If you come out to my show on Nov. 5th you’ll get not only three great bands, but a glimpse into a truly one-of-a-kind space in DC. Oh yeah, and there’s a great bar as well.
The Dunes: 1402 Meridian Pl. NW, DC; 202-436-1918; www.facebook.com/thedunes
Fireflies
Fireflies
Tiffany Thompson
Three to four nights a week; No cover; Blues, Jazz, Easy listening and singer/songwriter
I’ve seen Bethany and the Guitar, Kurtis Parks, Steph Modder, Rene Moffatt, Justin Trawick, and Derek Evry there. They also have $5 burger night, movie nights, family nights, sports night. They have a wood fire grill and lots of amazing things that they bake in there. There is an upright piano on the stage, and you never know who will hop up to play.
Fireflies: 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA; 703-548-7200; www.firefliesdelray.com
Growlers
Phillip Kominski of Lloyd Dobler Effect
Music three to four nights a week; No cover; Rock, Alternative and Pop
Growler’s is located in a really cool area of Old Town Gaithersburg, right next to the railroad track. They have two floors of food and entertainment and they brew their own beer. The food is fantastic and there are great daily food specials. In addition to live music, they offer stand-up comedy on Sunday nights.
Growlers: 227 E Diamond Ave. Gaithersburg, MD; 301-519-9400; www.gowlersofgaithersburg.com
Hill Country. Photo Courtesy of Hill Country Barbeque Market
Hill Country
J.P. McDermott of Western Bop
Tuesday through Saturday; No cover most nights, national acts may have a ticket price; Country, Rockabilly, Blues and Zydeco
Great Texas-style dry rub BBQ, of course. The live-band-karaoke on Wednesday nights is a hoot. The street-level restaurant is big and noisy, but the music is downstairs in the basement in the much more intimate (and cooler) Boot Bar. You get a more interesting and diverse crowd underground. Acts range from local to well known, and the bar takes its booking cue from its namesake inspiration, Austin, TX.
Hill Country: 410 7th St. NW, DC; 202-556-2050; www.hillcountrywdc.com
Lion and Bull
Chris Collat of Chris Collat Band
Fridays, Saturdays, Tuesday Open Mic; No cover; Various and covers
They have Karaoke, poker, trivia, and open mic. They also have great food, good sound, cool local neighborhood vibe. This is the “Cheers” of Haymarket. Other artists that play here are Melidome, Lloyd Dobler Effect, Madrone and more!
Lion and Bull: 5351 Merchant View Sq. Haymarket, VA; 703-754-1166; www.lionandbull.com
The Looking Glass Lounge
M.C. Wolfe of Dance for the Dying
DJs Thursday to Saturday and Acoustic music on Wednesdays; No cover; Acoustic and pop-friendly
I have seen non-acoustic local music there, such as Lenorable in its earlier, more pop-friendly moments. The website isn’t great about listing events, so unfortunately you either have to know someone who is promoting something special or stumble upon it in your wanderings, but this is still a great little spot in the Petworth neighborhood with a better than average bar menu and outdoor patio. They also host a monthly comedy night and You, Me, Them, Everybody Live! when it’s in town.
The Looking Glass Lounge: 3634 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; 202-722-7669; www.thelookingglasslounge.com
Mango Mike’s
James Stevens of Rome In A Day
Wednesdays; No cover; Variety Acoustic
Mango Mike’s has Latin food, seafood (including raw bar), and specialty frozen drinks. The outside patio is a highlight. The palm trees, tiki torches, boat etc. create a fun, beach atmosphere. The inside bar is well-situated and ideal for watching sports events. If neither is of interest, the restaurant area is adequately separated from the bar. Music is run through the PA for indoor shows, so people in all areas can hear it.
Mango Mike’s: 4580 Duke St. Alexandria, VA; 703-823-1166; www.mangomikes.com
Modern Times
Jonny Grave
Friday Open Mic nights; No cover; Various
While there are the occasional 15-year-old first-time performers “playing a song I wrote about my girlfriend (*strum*),” this is also a great spot to check out the seasoned veterans of the DC songwriter scene. This is not so much a venue as it is a listening room. No TVs, no drunks yelling at bartenders… just a quiet, appreciative audience. The best part? It’s free! You’ll also get to hear fantastic original poetry from some of the regulars. Get a cup of coffee (their mochas are wonderful, as well), sit down, and enjoy some of the best gems in town.
Modern Times: 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; 202-362-2408; www.moderntimescoffeehouse.com
Nanny O’Brien’s
Jonny Grave
Multiple nights per week; No cover; Irish, Americana, Folk and Blues
This joint holds a special place in my heart. I play here about three times a month on Fridays and Saturdays. They have a good mix of Irish, Americana, folk, and blues. Monday nights play host to one of the best Irish Sessions (or Seisiun, if you like). What makes this place really special is the neighborhood vibe. This is a pub, through and through– most of the folks you’ll run into here are locals, and they’ve been drinking there for years. The bar has some history to it, too. Although it’s changed hands and owners several times over the past 40-some years, it’s always had live music. My dad played here years ago, when it was called Gallagher’s, and my mother tended bar.
Nanny O’Brien’s: 3319 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; 202-686-9189; www.nannyobriens.com
Quarry House Tavern
Quarry House Tavern
J.P. McDermott of Western Bop
Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons; Free Saturday, $5 Sunday; Rockabilly, Power-Pop, and Punk
Other artists I know of that play here include Jumpin’ Jupiter, The Spectacles, David Kitchen Band. Gentleman Jesse has played, as have Sorrows, and Paul Collins Beat, and The Bam Bams. They have 200+ beers including a great selection of Belgians. One hundred plus whiskeys. Great burgers, fried pickles, tater tots, and more! It’s a basement bar with a great vibe. Really cool and diverse crowd. It was a speakeasy during Prohibition, so it’s got a long history of people stumbling up the stairs at the end of the night!
Quarry House Tavern: 8401 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD; 301-587-8350; www.quarryhousetavern.com
Ramparts
Ramparts
Eddie Pasa of Juniper Lane
Wednesday through Saturday; No cover; Covers and singer/songwriters
Some other artists that I’ve seen there include Tommy Rothman, Oren Polak, Ted Hovis, Mike Leverone. The staff is great here – Chuck and Anthony will take great care of you behind the bar. Also, the food’s pretty great – I’m partial to the fried calamari. It is one of the few Northern VA bars that still allows indoor smoking (on the bar side, the restaurant is non-smoking). Smoking may not be your thing, but if you’re feeling adventurous, check it out!
Ramparts: 1700 Fern St. Alexandria, VA; 703-998-6616; www.rampartstavern.com
The Red Palace
M.C. Wolfe of Dance for the Dying
Most nights; $8-15 for live acts; Various as well as Variety and Burlesque shows
The Red Palace on H Street, NE is actually conjoined twins The Palace of Wonders and The Red & The Black. On the street level, the two bars have kept their unique identities with glass encased oddities at the one and pressed tin panels at the other, but upstairs the adjoining wall has been knocked down to create a great performance space. In addition to hosting touring bands in their not-quite-famous stages, the venue also attracts local bands that may have outgrown other spaces. Many of the bands that play this venue have a more indie feel, and we hosted our EP release party with Loose Lips and Hiding Places here. This is not just a music venue though, it is also home to a regular burlesque/variety show and DJ nights. It’s location puts you right in the middle of H Street action, so if you’re traveling into the neighborhood for a show you can make a night of it with great eats before and a lively bar scene after. Bonus to cat enthusiasts: if you spot the orange tabby who calls that block home he might let you scratch him behind the ears. Pitfall: catching a cab in this neighborhood can be a hassle, but it’s getting better.
The Red Palace: 1210 H St. NE, DC; 202-399-3201; www.redpalacedc.com
Solly's U Street Tavern
Solly’s U Street Tavern
Jonny Grave
Weeknights and Sundays; Average $5 cover; Rockabilly, Blues, Ska, Hip-Hop
Karaoke, and standup comedy also grace the tiny, cramped stage upstairs at Solly’s. The shows are cheap and sometimes free. It’s a great place to see out-of-towners on tour, or local heroes strut their stuff. It’s an informal, dive-bar atmosphere. PBR, whiskey, live music, and good times.
Solly’s U Street Tavern: 1942 11th St. NW, DC; 202-232-6590; www.sollystavern.com
Tortoise & Hare. Photo by Mark Van Bergh
Tortoise & Hare
James Stevens of Rome In A Day
Weekends; No cover; Variety and cover bands
The staff (owners included) is among my favorite- very laid back, friendly folks. Other bands that play here include Flow In The Dark and Cheap Date. The bar offers a fun atmosphere and dancing often ensues.
Tortoise & Hare: 567 23rd St. S, Arlington, VA; 703- 979-1872; www.tortoiseandharebar.com
Twisted Vines
Brad Pugh of Practically Einstein
Thursday nights; No cover; Acoustic Rock, Folk and Jazz
Jon Kaplan, David Condon, Right-Handed Lefties and Tom Lagana are some of the other artists that play here. They offer food, beer, and of course wine, and have an off-premise license so you can take wine with you. It is a great, intimate neighborhood location, family run, and provides for a cozy atmosphere, with local art displayed on the walls.
Twisted Vines: 2803 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA; 571-482-8581; www.twisted-vines.com
Velocity 5
James Stevens of Rome In A Day
Fridays; No cover; Variety Acoustic
V5 has an upscale element without feeling formal or restrained. The back bar is intimate and I’ve found that interaction between the patrons and musicians is easy/natural in this particular space.
Velocity 5: 2300 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-243-4900; www.velocityfiverestaurant.com/arlington
Velvet Lounge
M.C. Wolfe of Dance for the Dying
Every night except Wednesday; $5-10 cover; Rock and various
The music is upstairs in a standing room only space with nothing but the audience, the stage and the sound guy, and the sound is surprisingly good. If you take a break downstairs there is a bar and lounge area as well as a patio out back to hang out, but if you’re looking for more than a quick drink between sets I’d recommend heading over to the bar next door to take care of your needs. Looking at the calendar for Velvet Lounge reminds you how big the DC music scene really is with several local names filling the bill.
Velvet Lounge: 915 U St. NW, DC; 202- 462-3213; www.velevtloungedc.com
Wonderland Ballroom
Tom O’Connor
Tuesdays and select Thursdays; $5-10; Singer/Songwriters, Rockabilly, Indie
Other artists I’ve seen there include Brian Franke, Alex The Red aka El Rojo, Star FK Radium and Free Lobster Buffet. They are one of the only places in the metro area that has live band karaoke. It’s one of my favorite neighborhood bars in all of DC. On top of that they have got a decent selection of draft beers.
Wonderland Ballroom: 1101 Kenyon St. NW, DC; 202-232-5263; www.thewonderlandballroom.com
Our Local Experts
Thanks very much to our contributors, there literally would not be a music scene without them! Here’s how you can find out more about these artists and their upcoming shows.
Next Show: Brad hosts Open Mic at Front Page Arlington on November 1st
www.chriscollatband.com
Next Show: November 11th, catch CCB at Auld Shebeen at 10 p.m., $5.Lloyd Dobler Effect
www.ldeband.com
Next Show: LDE will be at Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown on December 9th. www.blackrockcenter.org
Rome In A Day
www.facebook.com/RomeInADay
www.YouTube.com/RomeInADayMusic
Exit Clov
www.exitclov.com
Alex Vans
www.alexvansmusic.com
Next Show: See Alex at The Dunes on November 5th
Western Bop
westernbop.com
Next Show: Western Bop is Quarry House Tavern’s House band. Catch them a couple of Saturdays each month!
Tiffany Thompson
www.tiffanythompsonmusic.com
Next Show: Tiffany’s next DC-area show is December 18th at IOTA.
Juniper Lane
www.juniperlane.com; www.eddiepasa.com
Next Show: Juniper Lane will play at McGinty’s on November 4th
Dance for the Dying
www.danceforthedying.com
Jonny Grave
www.jonnygrave.com
Rew Smith
www.rewsmith.com
We Were Kings
www.wewerekings.net
Next Show: Nathan will be at Dogwood on November 3rd and at Jammin Java on November 11th.
Tom O’Connor
www.tomoconnormusic.com
Next Show: Tom’s next show in the area will be December 20th at DC’s Downtown Holiday Market.
