Bar
9:30 Club
A 1,200-capacity independent music club on V Street NW that opened in 1980 and moved to its current home, a former music hall, in 1996.
Black Cat
A 14th Street venue that has championed independent and alternative music since 1993, with a concert room and the Red Room bar.
At a glance
- Type
- Independent music venue and bar
- Area
- 14th Street, Washington DC, United States
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- blackcatdc.com
Good to know
- Concert room
- Red Room bar
- Independent and alternative music
Why we recommend it
The Black Cat has been a home for independent and alternative music in Washington since 1993. It sits on 14th Street NW, three blocks from the U Street/Cardozo Metro station, and its programme of local, national and international acts has made it a key part of the city's music scene for more than three decades.
The venue has a concert room for live shows and a separate bar, the Red Room, which is a place to have a drink before or after a gig. It is a very different night out from the hotel bars downtown, and the sort of place where you can discover a new band on a weeknight as easily as see a well-known name on tour.
The calendar is busy through the autumn and winter. Recent and upcoming listings include acts such as Heavens to Betsy, Chat Pile, Protomartyr and Emma Ruth Rundle, which gives a sense of the club's programme. Check the website for the full list, for ticket links and for any age restrictions on individual shows.
Popular shows can sell out, so buy in advance if you have your heart set on a particular band. The club's mailing list is the easiest way to hear about new shows.
The Black Cat suits music fans, solo travellers looking for a sociable night and anyone who prefers smaller venues to arenas. A show and a drink in the Red Room makes a full evening. Use the website for any questions. Because the club's calendar changes quickly, look at the listings a week or two before your trip and again on the day. Arriving early also gives you time for a drink in the Red Room before the first band, and staying on afterwards is a good way to meet local music fans.
The 14th Street corridor around the club is full of restaurants and bars, and the 9:30 Club and Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street are within easy walking distance, which makes it simple to plan a night that starts with dinner and ends with live music. Le Diplomate is a few blocks south on 14th Street if you want a later supper.
Black Cat FAQs
Where is the Black Cat?
At 1811 14th St NW, three blocks from U Street/Cardozo Metro station.
When did the Black Cat open?
It has presented independent and alternative music since 1993.
What kind of music does it host?
Local, national and international independent and alternative acts.
Is there a bar?
Yes. The Red Room is the venue's bar.
How do I buy tickets?
Ticket links are on the Black Cat's website for each show.
Are there age limits?
Check each show listing on the website for any restrictions.
What is nearby?
The 9:30 Club, Ben's Chili Bowl and the restaurants of 14th Street and U Street.
How can I hear about new shows?
Join the Black Cat's mailing list through its website.