Lima - Personally, Lima is my favorite club in DC. The venue attracts a culturally and ethnically diverse mix of folks who put some effort into their appearance (not always a guarantee in DC). It has a little bit of everything - a restaurant for pre-dinner drinks and dinner, an outdoor patio and indoor bar for socializing and relaxing and a downstairs club area with table service and a dance floor. The design is top-rate and for one of the top clubs in DC it boasts great service both inside and out.

Josephine’s - Josephine’s is relatively new to the K Street corridor and with it’s uber-exclusive door policy and emphasis on table service it has certainly drawn a mixture of opinions. It has also attracted a pretty consistent and loyal following and is typically packed on weekend evenings. Josephine’s also claims some of the more attractive and stylish partygoers (and staff) in the DC area.

Café Citron - Citron is a staple in the DC nightlife scene for several years. It is probably the least exclusive on this list but that doesn’t mean least entertaining - on the contrary, Citron consistently delivers a fun and unpretentious experience.

L2 Lounge - A members-only club that has recently sprung up in Georgetown, L2 Lounge offers a more upscale and mature feel than its K Street counterparts. With top-notch music (that isn’t overbearing) and a stellar design aesthetic, L2 Lounge offers a chic environment to socialize and mingle.

The Space - A lesser known venue, the Space has quickly ascended to the top of our list by offering a unique, eclectic elegance in an unassuming manner. It ranks as one of our favorite places to either start or end an evening in Washington, DC.

Tattoo Bar - Another relative newcomer to the K Street corridor, Tattoo Bar has quickly risen through the ranks by creating a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll (complete with videos streaming on high-def televisions throughout the venue), a slick decor, and a disproportionately high percentage of ladies.

Local 16 - The deck at Local 16 can get pretty packed on warm evenings. Once a popular destination for DC residents living in the U Street area, Local 16 has grown in popularity and now attracts people from all over the city.

The Space - A newcomer to the DC night life, The Space offers a great second-floor deck that is still a relatively unknown commodity in the DC scene. The Space has a more laid-back, intimate experience.

Lima - Lima’s popularity may have been waning during the cold months but it should experience a resurgence with people coming to take advantage of the patio (one of the only club venues on K Street that offers an outdoor lounge). The crowd is one of the most internationally diverse in the DC area and each section of the club offers a slightly unique, but fun time.

Eighteenth Street Lounge - The patio at Eighteenth Street Lounge has long been recognized as a favorite destination for DC residents and newcomers alike. It tends to offer a heterogeneous mix of people who all come to enjoy the great music and friendly experience.

Georgetown Waterfront - Nick’s Riverside Grill, Sequoia and Tony & Joe’s collectively offer the most popular outdoor nighttime destination in Washington, DC. It can definitely get a little congested at times but it is definitely worth the trip. The crowd here definitely skews a little bit younger here.

#10 - Café Saint-Ex

Café Saint-Ex has been at the forefront of the U Street revival that has taken place over the past five years or so. Most of the hipsters have long departed for greener pastures but it remains unpretentious and full of character.

#9 - Lucky Bar

A staple of the DC scene, Lucky Bar is a rite of passage for locals and newcomers alike looking for the quintessential dive bar.

#8 - Marvin

Just like the icon it pays homage to, Marvin has been a hit with the masses. With a highly competent ownership/management team that knows a thing or two about the DC nightlife it should prove to be a mainstay for years to come.

#7 - Zaytinya

The bar of choice for visitors and professionals alike in the Penn Quarter. In addition to great food and a well-designed interior, the bar at Zaytinya offers a popular spot to mingle with others.

#6 - Gazuza

Sushi, shisha and sophistication make Gazuza a sure bet in upper Dupont.

#5 - Lima

Like some of the other names on this list, Lima is more than just a bar – it also is a restaurant and a club. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Lima attracts one of the most diverse and international crowds in DC.

#4 – Local 16

The days of Local 16 being a low-key establishment frequented by U Street denizens are long gone. These days, Local 16 attracts people of all shapes and sizes who come from every corner of DC.

#3 - Maté

To say that Maté is not your standard Georgetown bar is an understatement. On weekend nights, it attracts a mix of young professionals from all over the DC-metropolitan area.

#2 - Science Club

Science Club represents a combination of style and a laid-back good time. There have been countless times I have walked out of a club in Dupont dissatisfied and simply headed straight to Science Club.

#1 - 18th Street Lounge

Not surprising to anyone who has been in DC for a while, 18^th Street Lounge ranks as the top bar in the area. It has built its reputation over the years through great music, ambiance, and by showing both new and old faces a good time.