The Atlas District Guide: The New Destination for Washington DC Nightlife

There's a new hotspot in DC. It's in part of town that you didn't know could hold a nightlife scene. It collections of live music, dining and entertainment unlike any you've seen before. An area devastated by the 1968 riots has seen it get reinvented. Several blocks from Union Station, The Atlas District is becoming to new destinations for DC nightlife. Here are the hotspots on the H Street Corridor:

The Atlas Performing Arts Center: Located in a historic movie theatre complex, this venue is the only community-based performing arts center in Washington, was created as a not-for-profit Washington D.C. corporation in November 2001. When it opened in November 2006, it houses four theatres, three dance studios, offices, dressing rooms, lobbies, cafe, production and rehearsal space. The Atlas is home to a diverse group of outstanding resident arts organizations including theatre and dance companies, symphony orchestras, choral groups and arts education programs.

Atlas Performing Arts Center

1333 H Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-399-7993

The Palace of Wonders: Inspired by the Dime Museum in Baltimore, MD. And Coney Island, the Palace of Wonders is dedicated to vaudeville stage, museum-of-oddities & full bar of your favorite drinks. It has 2 floors over-flowing with an eye-popping array of oddities, specimens, artifacts and homages to the great dime museums of the past. It brings the best in circus acts, Burlesque shows, racy side shows and many more. Tuesday Night have female arm-wrestling, and Friday nights have Vinyl & Vixen night. Each week, there's a different show to capture your imagination.

The Palace Of Wonders

1210 H Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-398-7469

The Red & Black Bar: Founded by the creator of DC 9, The Red & Black is New Orleans themed tavern decorated with "New Orleans" style tin ceilings, walls covered in doors, and red velvet drapes. In addition, it has a Cajun themed menu with items like Jambalaya, Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice and more. It's also a live music spot. It has hosted the District Alive Music Festival, and it'll be one of the venues in the Six Points Music Festival this spring.

Red & Black Bar
1212 H Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

202-399-3201

The Pug: The Pug is a new bar in Washington, DC located on H Street Northeast, in the Atlas District. This venue is centered on 2 sports, boxing and soccer. This themed bar has nothing to it but booze, snacks, and local friends. Open seven days a week, from 6:00 pm until last call. Must be 21 and older with valid I.D. to hang in this joint

The Pug

1243 H Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002

H Street Martini Lounge: If you're looking someplace that's a little laid back, the H Street Martini Lounge is just the place. This H Street hotspot has 2 floors for an ultimate lounging experience. The first floor provides a cozy and intimate atmosphere, while the second level offers live entertainment that will guarantee a good time. They have a selection of over 50 Martinis on the Premium Martini menu. In addition, they have great nightly happy hours specials.

H Street Martini Lounge

1236 H Street N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20002

202-397-3333

Rock & Roll Hotel: becoming DC's hottest new music venue, the Rock & Roll hotel has 2 floors of entertainment. The 1^st floor is a concert that hosted many live music acts and dance nights. The grand opening weekend featured Andy Rourke of the Smiths spinning tunes on Friday, September 15, 2006. The next night, they had the last surviving member of the Ramones doing a dj set. The 2^nd floor features a bar, pool table, and hotel rooms inspired by the many great hotels around the world. You'll see many rock album covers, magazine covers, and flyers from many shows from the past spread all over the walls. This venue host the District Awake Music Festival last year, and it hosted many local and nationals acts in it opened last fall.

Rock & Roll Hotel

1353 H Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-388-Rock

The Argonaut Tavern: At the far end of the H Street Corridor, there's a neighborhood bar known as the Argonaut. It has a bar, daily food and drinks, pool tables and a jukebox. Their menu contains normal bar food, and it has entrees straight from casual dining spots. They also provide good service to their customers. It's a great to start or end your night on the H Street Corridor.

The Argonaut Tavern

1433 H Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-397-1416

Finally, one question people asked is how to get there? There's a metro bus that runs through that neighborhood. You can get the schedule at MetroOpensDoor.com (PDF file). Metro trains stops running at midnight weeks and 3:00 a.m. on weekends. A taxicab maybe your best bets on weekdays. On weekends, the Atlas Shuttle goes from Union Station to the H Street Corridor from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. It's best to call ahead of time. You can get the number from The Atlas District website.