Though it incorporates everything from Latin lounges to punk rock and independent theatre, DC’s nightlife doesn’t centre around a single strip. Instead it simmers up from Georgetown to the eclectic Dupont Circle, to Adams Morgan, to the hip and revitalized U Street (the main entertainment drag in the days of Duke Ellington). Dream (1350 Okie Street NE, DC 20002-1732, +12026369030) was recently voted best dance club in a popular online poll (Fridays are especially good) and it competes with the retro Polly Esther’s (605 12th Street NW, DC 20005-3803, +12027371970) and the trendy, late-night Red (1802 Jefferson Place NW, +12024663475). The 18th Street Lounge (1212 18th Street NW, DC 20036-2536, +12024663922) remains the standard bearer for hip nightlife seekers, though Gazuza (1629 Connecticut Avenue NW, DC 20009-1032, +12026675500) and Chi-Cha Lounge (1624 U Street NW, DC 20009-6206, +12022348400) both have high coolness quotients. Chaos (1603 17th Street NW, DC 20036, +12022324141, www.chaosdc.com), besides being home of the city’s best drag-shows, are the reigning gay and lesbian nightspots.

Musically, DC’s history runs deep in jazz, bluegrass and punk rock, but it’s the city’s rock-oriented nightclubs 930 (815 V Street NW, DC 2000, +12022650930) and Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW, DC 20009, +12026677960) that dominate. Madam’s Organ (2461 18th Street NW, DC 20009, +12026675370) is a funky spot that percolates with blues and bluegrass. No jazz aficionado should miss a trip to the city’s venerable jazz club, Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW, DC 20007, +12023374141), while the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (2700 F Street NW, DC 2056, +12024674600) offers eclectic, free performances every day at 6pm.

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