Important Update:The City Guide web experience will be sunsetting on April 28, 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more.Black Cat
Rock Club, Night Club, and Bar
U-Street, Washington
Has a stamp of approval from Men's Health Mag and AFAR Media
"Awesome Depeche Mode dance party!!!!"(3 Tips)
"vegan-friendly delights at the Food for Thought Café."(3 Tips)
"jukebox and pinball machine"(7 Tips)
"DJ Dredd spin Classic Old School Hip Hop!"(2 Tips)
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102 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- dancing
- concerts
- depeche mode
- happy hour
- jukebox
- (15 more)
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- BROADSApril 30, 2013The Red Room bar is one of our favorite Happy Hour spots, with an assortment of craft-brews, a pool table, jukebox and pinball machine hang out enough and it will feel like an episode of Cheers!
Upvote15Downvote - AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014Take a break from the loud music and dancing by relaxing in the Red Room with fully stocked bar, pool, and pinball or nosh on vegetarian and vegan-friendly delights at the Food for Thought Café. Read more
Upvote9Downvote 
Peter CharbonneauMay 6, 2013My musical go-to spot in DC for the Cure vs. Smiths, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran/New Order nights alone. Party Lights, usually in the back room downstairs, is also fantasticUpvote7DownvoteUpvoted Feb 15
My favorite D.C. venue. Sound is always good, easy to get a drink (w/o the price gouging of 930/Anthem), and even avoids getting claustrophobic on the sold out shows.Upvote1Downvote
If you ever see Punk Rock Karaoke on the schedule, ATTEND THAT EVENT! Not only is the event itself a blast, but all proceeds go toward progressive causes!Upvote5Downvote
Design*SpongeAugust 3, 2014Practically around the corner from the 9:30 Club this equally amazing music experience offers DC the best of local, national and international indie and alternative music. Read moreUpvoteDownvote
Nushy SCFebruary 12, 2015Great bar, first class concerts, dance back room, theme parties, live music and food. One of the best places in DC.
Upvote1Downvote
Yekaterina BelyayevaOctober 31, 2014Interesting selection of music on the jukeboxes. A lot of punk rock you can't find elsewhereUpvote2Downvote
Kathy SaundersNovember 24, 2012Best place to see your bands up close-- elevated floorboards near the right wall. Tho, Mr. chubby, diva, bartender there is a poop, bet on the left bar pre show for attentive service. 'laxin. B.C<3.Upvote1Downvote
James DemacekDecember 2, 2012White Rabbits put on an amazing show! But the sound mixing on the opening act "Guard" was completely hosed; the drummer overrode the rest of the band and the vocals were incomprehensible.Upvote1Downvote
Brandon NuckeltNovember 18, 2016Get here before the show for happy hour, and get a Jameson for 4 bucks!UpvoteDownvote
Dave HamelinkJanuary 23, 2015Make sure you bring the cash and don't show up late. But a ticket early and hang in the red room.Upvote1Downvote
Roc NationJune 8, 2011Jack-of-all-trades, Black Cat has something for everyone. When there isn’t a show, the jukebox plays timeless tracks. When there is a show, go downstairs for a close encounter with local bands.Upvote1Downvote
Al CarrollJuly 27, 2015Take the train if possible because parking can take 30-40 minutes to find. Downstairs men's room is better than waiting in long lines at the upstairs one.UpvoteDownvote
The Daily MealJune 19, 2011As one of the mainstays of the D.C. live music scene, the Black Cat is also known for its inventive themed dance nights, from vintage hip hop to a “queer night” of rock and pop. Read moreUpvote2Downvote
Men's Health MagNovember 8, 2011Forget the kids dancing in the boom boom room. Find a seat tucked back in the Red Room. The bar's well stocked, and they serve health food until 2 a.m. Better for that future hangover of yours.Upvote3Downvote
NightSceneDecember 6, 2010this cash only dive bar, has a great punk sub culture feel, and has a very friendly hipster atmosphere. chill in the 'red room' and go crazy in the concert room. hipster haters bewareUpvote3Downvote
Jim RolloOctober 22, 2012Food was very good, grab a table at the back on the riser for a great view of the evening.Upvote2Downvote
Don't go to the Red Room. Go to El Centro or Masa 14 instead. They're way better. I repeat: do not hang out in the Red Room with its awesome bartenders, couches and great jukebox.UpvoteDownvote- dancingqueen fAMedevoLv3xionOctober 9, 2013redroom = backbar, 80s, depeche mode vs cure vs smiths vs morrisey, blisspop former home, djs, bands, rock, death, metal, pop, emo, all of the above, seth my fave arnold! jukebox...dive! <3 pass outUpvoteDownvote
My favorite music venue and great place to meet bands after the show by the merch table or by the side of the mainstage!Upvote1Downvote
Wil WNovember 24, 2013DJ Rich Morel was burning the turntables tonight at The Backstaget. Mixture of club music genres. New fan!UpvoteDownvote
CozmikAugust 5, 2012I shoot some great bands here. Must make it a point to hang outside of work like I used to back in my 20s - and the food is way better now ;-)Upvote1Downvote
Bring enough five dollar bills and quarters to drink PBR tall boys, play the velvet underground on the jukebox and shoot pool all night long.Upvote1Downvote
Metro WeeklyDecember 17, 2011Great stuf coming up at the Black Cat, one of the hippest venues in town.Upvote2Downvote
GourmetLiveOctober 17, 2010In keeping with Ferrando’s longstanding philosophy of using minimally processed ingredients & top-quality meat, the menu includes flame-grilled mahi mahi, taco salad & a first rate 3-cheese lasagne.UpvoteDownvote
Trish TheDishAugust 24, 2014Show was great and drinks were good. Will be back soon and so should you!UpvoteDownvote
Jessica PlacenciaMarch 1, 2015Great for dancing. Very random in its events. Diverse nights.UpvoteDownvote
Enjoy an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer every Saturday at 7:30 pm. The drink special is the Bloody Mary, natch.Upvote2Downvote
The FeastJune 9, 2011The indie-rock temple features two stages, the larger main room (upstairs) and Backstage downstairs, where you can catch up-and-comers.Upvote2Downvote
Lisa JohnsonSeptember 5, 2011Go here to check out new bands, u might just find a new favorite. Ladies, check out the pink leopard bathroom stalls, rawr!Upvote1Downvote- Use the coat check for only $3, but the line is really long after the show to get the coats back. Be ready to wait for a little.Upvote1Downvote
Ellie MoondogApril 17, 2010Yummy VEGAN lasagna! A couple of comfy pleather couches and tables so, unlike most venues, you don't HAVE to stand the whole time the band plays (though you can).UpvoteDownvote
If you've been drinking, be careful climbing to the seating area in the back. The stairs are kind of steep.Upvote1Downvote
Kevin KolendaSeptember 3, 2018The music the split rooms one for the indie and one for the chilieUpvoteDownvote
Sophia HNovember 9, 201680's theme party was nothing impressive, but good dancing floor and music. Very gay-friendly.UpvoteDownvote
MazdaOctober 27, 2010Among the first bands to play were the Fall, Rancid, Morphine, Stereolab, Slant 6 and 9353.Upvote2Downvote
Food for Thought has great Vegan options! But if you like meat get the three cheese lasagna!Upvote1Downvote
Black Cat Black Cat. Little change for the hooooomelessUpvote5Downvote
👨 Gombz.April 26, 2011Drink $4 dollar PBR Tall Boys while sporting your deep-v and finely manicured mustache. People will believe you are the real thing.UpvoteDownvote
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Open until 3:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 5:30 PM–2:00 AM
- Fri
- 5:30 PM–3:00 AM
- Sat
- 7:00 PM–3:00 AM
- Sun
- 7:00 PM–2:00 AM
(202) 667-4490
Features
Credit Cards
No
Outdoor Seating
No
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- 8.5
"Good, cheap food - go for the half smoke for the best hotdog. Their homemade lemonade is also delicious."
Ashley Howe - 7.1
"Caramel apple dessert is insane. Not for vegans. Porky deliciousness! Gracious service to boot"
Gabriela Schneider - 7.9
"Opt for the baller brunch. The frittata & goi ga salad are fresh & clean, but get a biscuit on the side. When you need something a little more the fried chicken biscuit, pork hash, & BLT do the trick."
Zoe
Upcoming Events
- George Clanton with Neggy Gemmy
7:30 PM on May 1, 2025
- Tim Hecker
8:00 PM on May 3, 2025
- Allegra Krieger
8:00 PM on May 5, 2025
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