DC 9
While several of the District’s rock clubs attempt to capture the look and feel of a comfortable neighborhood dive bar, the U Street Corridor’s DC 9 actually is one. It just happens to stage live rock shows as well.
Locals know DC 9 for its eclectic jukebox and DJ-driven dance parties. Music junkies, on the other hand, know the upstairs stage as one of the premier spots to catch bands on their way to indie stardom. The medium-sized venue tends to attract relatively obscure bands (and subsequently the Washingtonians that love obscure bands), so you’ll have to be pretty well versed in the underground to recognize the names on the bill. If you’re lucky, perhaps you can witness a band’s full migration up the neighborhood’s musical hierarchy (DC 9 - Black Cat - 9:30 Club).
