A Raver’s Guide to Washington, DC

Read on for a fellow raver’s inside scoop on everything you need to know to make the most out of your trip to Washington, DC!

For many of us, the quality of a city’s rave scene is a deciding factor in planning their next travel destination. Cities such as New York City, Miami, Las Vegas, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Los Angeles attract ravers from around the world because of their reputations as must-visit dance music hotspots, consistently making “top cities for EDM” lists all over the Internet.

But one unassuming city that often eludes discussions relating to travel and dance music is Washington, DC. It’s known for being the center of US politics and a major cultural hub. But few people know that the nation’s capital is home to a bustling EDM scene that has something for every kind of raver.

With the city’s free museums, monuments, and activities as well as its plethora of music venues, nightlife spots, and wide-ranging culinary scene, there is an abundance of things to do in DC. From how to navigate the city, to its best restaurants and EDM spots, this guide covers everything you need to know to make the most out of your visit!

Your Guide to Washington, DC:

Photo credit: Anna Lowe

Transportation Tips

DC has three airports that all offer easy access to the city. The most central of them is Reagan National Airport (DCA). Fares for DCA tend to be the most expensive, but if flying into an airport with close proximity to DC is your priority, then it is your best option as it is just a quick metro ride or Uber into the center of the city. Pro tip: sit on the left side of the plane when coming into DCA, and the right side when leaving, for views of the White House and National Mall. They’re especially stunning at nighttime.

The next closest airport is Dulles International Airport (IAD). It is 25 miles from the city and around a 40 minute drive. Ubers to and from Dulles tend to cost around $40, but there is a metro stop right at Dulles’ baggage claim that takes you directly into the city via the rapid transit Silver Line.

Finally, there is Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), which is 34 miles from DC. Flights out of this airport tend to be the cheapest, but it is the furthest from the city. To get to DC from BWI via public transportation, you will need to take a train from BWI’s train station to Union Station in DC. BWI’s train station is one mile from the airport, but there are free shuttles driving passengers to and from the two locations every several minutes.

Few other cities benefit from such robust public transportation systems in the United States. Once you’re in the city, you will want to utilize DC’s incredibly convenient and easy-to-navigate metro and buses.

DC’s metro runs until midnight Sundays through Thursdays, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Metro rides are anywhere from $2.25 to $6.75 depending on distance traveled and time of week. Busrides are $2.25, but there are also several options for day passes which include unlimited rides.

Certain bus routes run 24 hours in DC — and while the buses are generally safe at night, it can be sketchy at times, especially for women. From 9pm to 5am, DC’s Metrobus offers “courtesy stops,” where riders can make a request for the bus drivers to make a stop along the bus route that is in between usual bus stops. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s website has more information on how to request a courtesy stop.

Take public transportation every chance you get. It’s safe, clean, cheap, and air conditioned. But if you aren’t keen on public transportation, Ubers are easy to get in DC. I’ve found them to be generally cheaper than most major cities in the country, albeit still a more expensive option for getting around the city. The most you can expect to pay returning from the club is around $60 if demand is really high, but scheduling it in advance makes the fares cheaper. Expect rides to cost around $1 a minute, with more expensive fares during peak hours.

Pro tip: Download the DC Bus and Metro app for route maps, as well as live updates regarding transit times. You can also download the SmarTrip app to pay for bus and metro fares directly from your phone, or buy physical cards from kiosks in the metro stations.

Photo credit: Sam Jotham Sutharson

Lodging Tips

Like any big city, DC has its mix of neighborhoods that are either popular for tourists or best to avoid. Foggy Bottom, Capitol Hill, Penn Quarter, and Dupont Circle are the best neighborhoods for easy access to the National Mall, museums, and other attractions via public transportation or walking. Georgetown is also a really desirable area to stay in with lots of options for dining and shopping, but it is out of the way of most sightseeing.

If you are on a tighter budget, staying in Alexandria or Arlington in Virginia is a more cost-effective option and just a short metro ride from DC proper.

Avoid staying in places east of the Anacostia River, as crime is more concentrated in these areas and there are fewer things for tourists to do there. Also, do not book a hotel in close proximity to the RFK Showgrounds or Echostage if you are visiting for a music festival or show. While it may seem convenient, it isn’t recommended to stay in these areas due to safety concerns, especially if you’re solo traveling.

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

Top Nightlife Destinations

Three festivals take over RFK Showgrounds during back-to-back weekends in May and June. Kicking things off is DC’s premiere house and dubstep music festival Project GLOW, followed by the inaugural DC edition of World Pride Music Festival, and then the return of the legendary Vans Warped Tour for the bass heads that truly never left their emo phase.

Beyond the city’s music festival offerings, there is no shortage of nightlife options for EDM lovers in the nation’s capital. The most famous of DC’s nightclubs is Echostage, a world-renowned venue which has consistently ranked in the top ten of DJ Mag’s “Top 100 Clubs” list since 2017. Since its inception in 2012, the 3,000-capacity venue has hosted the biggest producers in the world. Tiësto, Excision, Illenium, Dom Dolla, Armin van Buuren, and Charlotte De Witte are just a few of the headliners to grace its stage.

Echostage bears the reputation of one of the premier nightlife spots in the world for a reason. Its production quality rivals that of festivals, boasting high-quality sound design, massive LED-visual displays, and an impressive, 360-degree lighting system that enhances the overall experience for attendees.

For fans of the hottest names in dance music and state-of-the-art production, a visit to Echostage alone is enough to justify a trip to Washington, DC. But fans of smaller venues and intimate live music experiences, as well as the underground, will have no trouble finding shows that cater to their preferences.

Echostage’s sister-club, Soundcheck, also owned and operated by promotional company Club GLOW, is a small basement venue that allows for fans to get up close to their favorite artists. Headliners in recent years have included drum and bass legend Wilkinson, deadmau5’s techno alias Testpilot, South African house superstar Black Coffee, and more.

Something unique to Soundcheck is its Bassrush Wednesdays. Almost every Wednesday of the year, Soundcheck puts on shows featuring both up-and-coming and well-established producers across the bass music spectrum, from drum and bass to dubstep to experimental bass and more. The energy and PLUR is often unmatched at these shows since the crowd is composed almost exclusively of ravers who love the music enough to hit the club in the middle of the week.

Other popular clubs for EDM in the city are Culture, Flash, Karma, and A.i Warehouse. Recently hosting artists like Sammy Virji and Hamdi, Culture is a relatively newer venue to DC that opened in May 2023, but it has quickly solidified itself as a favorite spot for ravers to frequent. This venue is really cool because of its intimate atmosphere and immersive warehouse feel, and it gives ravers the opportunity able get right up front of the DJ booth and dance along the sides of the stage. Also, at every show I’ve been to there, they were randomly giving out wristbands to experience the headliner’s set from behind the DJ booth.

Flash is acclaimed for frequently showcasing international talent in house and techno. There are three floors where you can catch sets, including a rooftop that opens up on warm nights. Don’t forget that cell phone use is strictly prohibited on the dancefloor and is grounds for getting kicked out by security. It kills the ambiance they’re working to curate, so step away if you really need to check your phone.

The aforementioned clubs frequently host raves thrown by local promoters. Aside from Club Glow, Nu Androids and Para Presents are the biggest promoters for EDM in the city. For drum and bass or riddim heads, DNB in the DMV and DMVRIDDIM regularly put on shows across the city supporting small, local talent.

An important thing to note: If you are driving into DC or renting a car, do not utilize free street parking if attending shows at Echostage, Karma, or Culture. There have been frequent reports of ravers returning to their cars after a show and finding their windows smashed in and their belongings stolen. Uber to the venue or make sure to bring $40 in cash to park at the official parking lots directly next to the venues.

Aside from EDM clubs, there are plenty of fun nightclubs, speakeasies, game bars, comedy clubs, live music venues, and karaoke options in the city. Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, 14th St, and U St are the best neighborhoods to explore for nightlife.

To get more bang for your buck, Shenanigans Irish Pub in Adams Morgan has a $10 open bar from 8-10pm. Shenanigans draws in a college-aged crowd, so if you are in your late twenties or older you may feel out of place, but you won’t find a better deal to get drunk quickly in the city.

For a chill night out, Georgetown Piano Bar is such a fun spot. The cocktail selection is named after musical legends, and there are two pianists who accept tips for requests off a large musical selection encompassing everything from current major pop hits to iconic oldies. Also, Board Room Bar is a laid-back sports bar where you can play boardgames and bring in outside food.

Other fun spots include: SPIN, a social bar with ping pong tables you can rent, Swingers, a bar and restaurant with an indoor minature golf course and carnival games (you need to book in advance), and Madams Organ, arguably the most popular bar for live music in the city.

Photo Credit: Echostage

Restaurants You Should Check Out

DC has an incredibly diverse food scene representing so many different kinds of cuisines, and you can find many different types of restaurants from fast-casual to Michelin-rated fine dining experiences. You can’t visit DC without making a stop at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a historic restaurant and DC landmark famous for its signature American cuisine like burgers, half smokes (chili dogs), milkshakes, and more.

Another iconic DC restaurant is Old Ebbitt Grill right next to the White House, known for its American cuisine and oysters. Le Diplomate is also famous in DC for its French Cuisine in an atmospheric setting reminiscent of a French bistro.

Aside from these DC staples, the city is known for its array of restaurants serving international cuisine, particularly Ethiopian, El Salvadorian, and Peruvian. I recommend Crisp & Juicy in Tenleytown for casual Peruvian fare, and Abuare Bar and Restaurant on U St. is incredible for authentic Ethiopian food.

If you happen to love Italian food, Carusos Grocery and L’Ardente have the best Italian food I’ve ever had. These places book out weeks in advance so I recommend making a reservation as soon as you have your dates for DC booked!

For a quick meal or coffee, Tatte Bakery & Cafe is a DC staple that has several locations all over the city. Bottomless brunch is also massively popular in DC, and my personal favorite spot is Ambar because of its unlimited Balkan small plates plus bottomless beverages combo. They also have unlimited small plate packages for lunch and dinner as well.

If you’re visiting DC with a big group and you all can’t agree on where to eat, Union Market is a massive food hall with several restaurants serving everything from seafood, barbecue, salads, ramen, and more. There is something for everyone there.

Photo Courtesy of Pexels

Other Things to Do

While DC is an expensive city to visit, you can fill your time with hundreds of free things going on at any given moment. All 17 of the Smithsonian Museums plus the National Zoo are free, though you will need to secure a ticket with an allocated time slot to visit the Zoo, African American History Museum, and the Air and Space Museum. The Smithsonian website features a comprehensive list of the different museums, along with hours, addresses, and other important information.

Of the Smithsonians, 11 are clustered around the National Mall, making it extremely convenient to hop between multiple museums in one day. The National Mall is a two-mile-long, landscaped park stretching between the Lincoln Memorial on one end, and the US Capitol on the other. It is the home of many famous monuments and memorials, including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, and Vietnam War Memorial.

The best time to visit DC is in late March and early April for cherry blossom season, where the city is painted pink as its 18,000 cherry trees bloom. There are 3,800 on the National Mall alone, making for gorgeous strolls along the tidal basin and through the Mall. Fair warning: crowds during this time can be massive, especially with groups of middle schoolers on their class field trips to DC.

Another nice time to visit DC is in the summer since there are hundreds of events happening, but it can get disgustingly hot and humid deep into the months of June through August. That being said, it is easy to escape the heat and find entertainment indoors if need be.

Other awesome, free things to do in DC are to pay a visit to the National Archives, especially if you’re a fan of the 2004 film National Treasure, or go to the Library of Congress‘ weekly happy hour that takes place every Thursday from 5-8 pm. There are so many cool things happening in DC at any time, and Clockout DC is the best source for finding events updated every month.

For sports enthusiasts, Capitol One Arena is home to the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Capitals. Baseball fans can catch a game from Nationals Park in Navy Yard, and in the summer, Nats Stadium puts on a summer concert series where select games include a free concert after the final inning. Last year, I saw Flo Rida and Two Friends on separate occasions, and both times were a blast!

There is also no shortage of live music venues in the city. 9:30 Club and The Anthem are the most popular venues for touring artists to bring their live shows. For outdoor amphitheaters, Merriweather Post Pavilion and Jiffy Lube Live are both an hour’s drive from DC and a major vibe to catch an outdoor concert at when the weather is nice. But do not go to these venues unless you have a ride, because getting an Uber back into the city is a nightmare and the fares will be exorbitant.

Photo Courtesy of Pexels

Washington, DC Pro Tip

I’ll leave you with one last piece of advice: If you’re taking an escalator anywhere in the city, but especially at the metro, stand on the right and walk on the left. DC is a city that is constantly on the move. If you are taking up space on the left side of an escalator, that is the quickest way to piss off a local and get yelled at. Don’t do that, and you’ll have a grand time!