Things to Do in Washington (2025)

This independent venue anchors DC’s music identity, hosting breakout bands to global names since 1980. Frequently praised by national critics and regularly covered by the Washington Post, it continues to book stacked lineups year-round. Come for a show; stay for the devoted local crowd.

A Georgetown supper club since 1965, Blues Alley remains an intimate home for jazz legends and rising stars. The Washington Post marked its 60th anniversary in 2025, and local critics regularly highlight its role in nurturing DC jazz. Order dinner, then sink into the music.

Capitol Hill’s neighborhood stage where Roberta Flack got her start still swings. The weekly Capitol Hill Jazz Jam draws a who’s-who of local players, and the room hosts vocalists and small ensembles most nights. Celebrated by local jazz writers and community organizations.

A two-story micro-cinema and bar in Mount Pleasant screening cult classics, world cinema, and themed series. Lauded by Washingtonian and profiled by the Washington Post for its living-room vibe and film-savvy cocktails, it’s the cinephile hangout locals actually use.

DC’s beloved independent bookstore anchors the city’s literary life with near-nightly author talks and signings. Regularly covered by local media and national outlets, it’s where big-name writers and community book clubs share the same stage.

A locally owned brewery pouring saisons, lagers, and beloved pale ales beside the tanks. Featured on the Washington Post’s Metropolitan Beer Trail and noted by Eater DC for continued growth, it’s an easy-going place to sample DC’s small-batch beer culture.

A Shaw favorite where injera-centered feasts showcase DC’s Ethiopian heritage. Recognized by the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand and highlighted by national food press, it’s a flavorful, communal way to understand one of the city’s most defining cuisines.

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s hearth-fired Mid-Atlantic cooking helped put Blagden Alley on the map. A Michelin-starred standard-bearer repeatedly praised by Washingtonian and other critics, it celebrates regional farms with smoke, seasonality, and a sense of place.

Chef Rob Rubba’s vegetable-focused tasting menu carries both a Michelin star and the Michelin Green Star for sustainability. Celebrated by the Washington Post and national food media, it’s inventive, satisfying, and uniquely DC in ethos and sourcing.

Opened in 2025 in Anacostia, this community-built space preserves DC’s official music with interactive exhibits, live sets, and a café celebrating the diaspora. Covered by the Washington Post and tourism editors, it’s a powerful, local-first cultural stop.

An independent arts space in Takoma hosting experimental music, film, workshops, and community gatherings. Noted by culture writers and sustained by a devoted local scene, its calendar is a window into DC’s grassroots creativity.