Midtown's grand opening

(Credit: John Griffith, Special to Metromix)

Photos:

I know what you’re thinking. Does downtown D.C. really need another upscale dance lounge? Is there anything left for a newcomer nightclub to offer that can’t already be found on K Street or Connecticut Ave? Given the buildup and impressive turnout for Midtown Lounge’s grand opening party this weekend, the answer to both questions is a resounding “YES!”

Midtown has taken over the Dupont Circle space formerly inhabited by Play Lounge. Along with an entirely redesigned interior, Midtown boasts a revamped sound system, a state-of-the-art lighting scheme and a new, refreshingly unpretentious aura.  There’s no formal dress code, and management contends that anyone who “puts a little effort into their outfit” will get past the bouncer. Patrons are encouraged to cut loose and get lost in a groove wherever they please; whether that’s on the dance floor, atop a VIP table, on the upholstery of a vacant booth in the corner, or straddling one of the venue’s two stripper poles.

On Saturday night, the Metromix Street Team joined hundreds of cosmopolitan twenty-and-thirty-somethings to officially welcome Midtown to the neighborhood. Staying true to the club's laid-back vibe, the event steered clear of the usual cheesy frills and gimmicks to get people through the door, letting the music and the atmosphere set the stage for a high-engergy, stiletto-splitting dance party. The lounge is certainly intimate (ok, maybe even a little cramped at full capacity); but that just provides an added incentive for otherwise perfect strangers to get to know each other as the alcohol kicks in.

                                           See highlights of the grand opening party here!