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.