Why is Josephines’s trying to be like a New York/London/Paris/etc. club? I just don’t understand. So why do club owners try so hard.

I went to Josephine’s last sat night and talk about bunch of a-hole’s. The short middle eastern f**k’s (or what ever they are…) at the door had to be the biggest d**k’s I have ever encountered in DC.

It’s not like there is anything so special about the place. I went there 2 Sat night’s a go and they were d**k’s then as well. It was not till a friend contacted one of the workers of the club that we got in.

When we walked in I was amazed how lousy the place was after waiting outside for 15 mins in the freaking freezing cold weather. There were probably 40-50 peeps that night and this was at midnight.

The music was OK. The speakers crazy loud. The decor was partly cool, partly “cheese/cheap”. The bar service horrible, bunch of beembo’s with fake boob’s as bartenders which in itself is nothing wrong but these bimbo’s had no clue on making drinks. With only 40-50 peeps in the entire place, we still had to wait close to 10 mins for a drink. I’ve been to other places in DC, such as fly, which have bimbo’s w/ big fake boob’s as bartenders but let me tell you these women can make a mean drink and make it fast.

As a whole my experience with Josephine’s wasn’t that great based on the 2 times I went there; 1 time we got in and 1 time we didn’t. I guess I’ll give the place 1 more try b/f casting final judgment on the club.

talk about flavor of the month. i know this is supposed to be the trendy new club in DC in the trendy area but this isn’t NY or LA. the door people were a*holes (which must be a disease that runs rampant along the 14th and K st area)we tried getting in on a Saturday when the club was empty and we still didnt get in. my bet on a Saturday is eyebar, fly or play the door is friendly and the parties are always good with people actually dancing rather than looking around to see what everyone else is doing.

its for the club goers of d.c. who want a change from lotus and kstreet lounge. we who spend the most, expect the most. yes its a bitch to have to have connections to get in and have a carefree time, but in the end its worth it. D.C. nightlife has its charm, much like L.A. and NYC. you just have to know the ropes, look good, befriend the bouncers, and get in. why go to a debuting club if you don’t want to be a part of the charade? stop complaining, and give it a try.

all you guys that cant get into night clubs should think about going out to dinner and a movie because those places dont care about a bunch of crying loosers that cant get in because they are loosers that show up with a bunch of dudes and dont know any hot chicks.

I agree with all the comments above. We had 2 table reservations and still had to wait outside in the freezing cold for 45 minutes before they would let us in. To add more insult to injury, they wouldn’t let the person who reserved the tables in because he was wearing white diesel shoes which they said resembled tennis shoes. If these people had any fashion sense whatsoever they would have realized that diesel doesn’t make tennis shoes. Once we finally made it inside it was overly crowded and nothing to make it stand out from any other club in DC. It will be interesting to see how long this club lasts.

I agree with the majority of the comments above. We went to Josephines on Saturday night, had table reservations and still had an unpleasant experience. They made me wait 45 minutes in the “table line” to get in even though there was no line. They wouldn’t let the guy who reserved the tables in, because they said he was wearing “tennis shoes”. If these people had any fashion sense they would have known that diesel doesn’t make tennis shoes. Once we made it in, it was horribly crowded and no different than any other DC club. It will be interesting to see how long this clubs lasts.

I have to admit that we went back there this past weekend and were on the list. It was actually a pretty fun time!

Went to Josephines for the 1st time on the 29th… First and foremost, guys at the door where self-inflated jerks. They need to go to Park on 14th and learn how to do their job. Those guys are the face of the club and if I was the owner/manager I would not want my customers to make their first impressions from them. It wasn’t organized and they almost seemed overwhelmed with people trying to get in. If you cannot handle the pressures of being the hosts/door men at a DC club perhaps you should go work at a library! So doormen/hosts and anyone else trying to be special at the door of Josephines…BIG ZERO! Dorks. Inside the place was nothing special. Music was okay. Bouncers inside were pleasant (maybe they should be the door guys). Will I go back, maybe… will def. recommend Park on 14th over this place. Why? Simple… CLASS.

ESB- Are you seriously putting anything owned by Marc Barnes with class - please hunny..stick to what you know hun and the crowd and staff at the Park are horrible..and where is Dirk by the way????hmmm….think about it…

I haven’t been to Park yet so I can’t speak to its quality but I think the criticism of the doormen at Josephine’s is a bit harsh.

Josephine’s is a joke. All they did was stick a bunch of short [expletive] bags in the front and say no to every other person so people think the place is exclusive. Can’t they afford real bouncers instead of the owner’s unemployed loser cousins? Once you get inside the place is CRAP. I couldn’t believe I waited so long for that. Save yourself some dignity and time, go somewhere else.

Josephine is like a prickly pear. The outside has nasty thorns, unattracive and looks way over rated - most of the times not even worth it to deal with. .. But once you get to the inside, mmmmm- juicy, savory tasty fruit made possible by the sexy decor and sexier Dj Theresa (who is by far one of the best Djs I have ever heard period hands down)- I alwasy have an amazing time and forget my troubles from getting in since the DJ, and the nice bar tenders and cocktail waitresses, and INCREDIBLE dancers make it worth the struggle. Yay to sexy, talended ladies redeeming Josephine and making it rock

I have to agree with the aforementioned comment. I am from Miami, and have clubbed all over the world and know how doors can be. UNnecessary to be mean at the door! I agree! I love Dj Theresa too, as I have heard her in many Miami clubs. Best music you can get in the city–always fresh, always knew. The girl never sounds like a radio like most DJs. Cheers to a sexy new place with an incredible amazing staff.

My god people, finally there is a place worth a hassle at the door. DC has been starved for such a place for a while now. With all these new places popping up the scene has been diluted. The good crowd has been spread too thin, leaving the clubs having to let in OTB/BNT, sorry. I’m one of the lucky ones who has style and know how clubs work on the front and back end.

Of course you are going to whine about a place if you can’t get it, duh. But even my most skeptic friends have recanted once inside. The energy is a buzz and the ladies are attractive. I see this place lasting a while because you know on any given night that you will run into people or meet some new hotties, that’s what clubbing is all about and I’m all for this. Granted, I’m not going to be there every night, but it’s nice to know when I want some action in all senses of the word, it’s there at Josephine’s.

The music in the main room is pretty strong to boot, plus the crowd is nice and mixed, not too Persian mafia, not too brutha and definitely not pedestrian. My only problem is it’s where ALL the girls are so you can get busted pretty bad pretty quick, plus all the ex’s are there as well.

Yours truely,
That guy who you want to smack that smirk off his face

we went to jo’s for the first time this past friday and there was quite a line which was awful for those standing in it because it was drizzling out. as for us however, being on the list allowed us all to walk right in. we were greeted very nicely by everyone from the bouncers and door girl to the bartenders and managers. the crowd was great, music even better, and all in a gorgeous setting to top it off. granted the crowd isnt as good looking as park, but its getting there for sure. when we inquired about possibly getting a table if there was one available, the bartender was speedy in asking the manager and we have one within minutes without having to pay a dime, and it was including bottle service. the hip-hop room was also beautiful and had a great vibe. my first experience at josephines was an amazing one that definitely left a lasting impression and has now become one of my favorite lounges in dc among others such as park, fly, lima, eyebar, etc. those of you were write negatively about it and who were not able to get in should reconsider your options for when you are going out. obviously high end lounges and bars do not want just anyone walking in, there is an image that they would like to keep up. dc has a lot to offer so instead try going out and hunting for somewhere that better suits you instead of becoming overconfident in yourself then later writing biased reviews. josephines is an exceptional establishment that is following in the footsteps of other hot night spots in the capital in order to bring about more elite options for those of us who wouldnt dare step into places such as ‘love’ or ‘1223′. their plan is carrying out well, and some people just need to realize they are not who these bars and lounges are targeting when thinking ‘elite’. i personally throughly enjoyed my experience there and will continue to go, only expecting the best of course.

I’m so tired of hearing people complain about people not kissing there butts when they go out! The classic rhetoric is “this isn’t NY, London, Paris, Miami, etc”. Kill that noise! DC has arrived and it has it’s own flavor and isn’t trying to imitate any other place rather just setting the tone for certain venues. If u can’t handle that, don’t have connections, or can’t present well @ the door - PLEASE keep partying in North VA or outside of the Beltway - we don’t need u. No need to respond. Just make a conscientious decision one way or the other - no one forces anybody to come stand in line to pay to party. Stop complaining like some pussies……..its boring.

Anyone know if Josephines has a website? I wanted to get on the guestlist for this Saturday night with some friends. Please email me at tonyallen2008@yahoo.com if you know. Thanks.

I have been clubbing in DC since the days of Trax Night club, The Vault, Eleventh Hour, 5th Column, and other DC Classics. I have not paid for an entrance fee or waited in line for about 12 years. What have i learned in all of these places like Dream…VIP, THE BANK, Platinum, EYEbar, LIMA, K STREET Lounge, Adams Morgan Chloe, Park, Fly?!?!?!? They are all the same. Seriously, put a bar in your local wal-mart…invite a few friends…you will have an equally good time. As for those people who complain about rude bouncers and waiting in line…if it was not for you people, VIP’s like us would not feel special cutting in front of you for FREE with those pathetic looks on your faces. You stand there with your significant other and mumble phrases like “they think they are so cool”, “whatever”, “this is bullshit”…when we are all just glad not to be standing in line with you in the cold rain. As for all the people who get in for free and quick like i do because we know everyone. Stop acting so pretentious. Its just a club for gods sake! Nothing worse than being that guy! or that girl for that matter…we are not that special for wasting thousands of dollars a year on bottles of grey goose that retail for 49.99. I bought 2 bottles last week for 500.00. WTF…i could have sent that shit to the homeless. Oh yea…and josephines is not that tight. the music is though….ill give them that

Wow - that was quite a rant (by “are you serious?!)

If anyone knows the promoter’s website for Saturday guestlist at josephine’s, please let me know. Thanks.

Worst club ever…

If your going to the club make sure you don’t valet your car since you will be paying $20 and a parking ticket in which you get from Dc. I thought you pay for parking and you dent park your car on the street, but i was wrong the illegally parked my car and i got a $50 ticket. I approached the parking attendant about it and said at least I didnt rip up the ticket. I was so pissed and argued with the attendant and than some man fom the club cam and said its not his fault. That was some shit.. I asked for my money back . and he refused too. I paid for parking so I wont get a ticket, I ended up paying $70 for the worst night ever, This club really sucked and it should be shut down. So I recommend to you all never go there.

I have been to Josephine numerous times since they opened in February and many of those times I had a blast. I love the décor of the place and the idea of having two rooms which cater to hip hop and dance/trance music lovers. However my experience at the door has not been that great, even having a reserved table on numerous occasions my friends and I had to wait at least 20 minutes to talk to someone because all the bouncers are running around not knowing what they are doing. I have been at numerous clubs around dc area, such as 1223, Spank, Lima, Park Place and Kstreet and none of them have been as bad as getting into Josephine. Another bad thing about Josephine is that they charge $20 to get in if you do not have a reserved table. I honestly think its ridiculous. First you have to wait in a crazy line to get in, then you spend $20 per person and all this before you even get your first drink. I think after the hype of this new place dies down the crowd will go back to places such as Lima where they don’t charge at the door, the music and service is always awesome and the bouncers actually remember your name!

[…] a relatively new venue located (surprise) down on 14th between I and K across from Franklin Square. Josephine’s and the Park at Fourteenth popped about the same time and although they both want to be the new hot […]

RE: Anthony - There is no guestlist on Saturday night. And for John - Josephine and the Park at Fourteenth(formerly Park Place - copyright issues) did not pop at the same time The Park had its time late last year from Nov - Jan..after the companies tired of marc and holiday parties were over….the quality crowd left at the same time..

Julianna - just to note.. the door at Lima was the same way before all four lounges opened up on K street..

This place is a joke. What a cheap looking overated place.

[…] The first time I visited was just a few months ago after I had some problems at the door at Josephine’s. I was looking for a nice venue where I knew there wouldn’t be any door politics and Degrees […]

The worst Bar Ever might as well hit the slims of New York .. thats how rude they treat u… i would never go there ever again… hell i might even buy a place next door and call it josephine 2 just to fuck with them .. LOL.. oh yea and the owners should tell the staff how to treat people especiall when u are leaving $50 tips all night

Re: the girl you love to hate -

You are such a f—ing looser!!

You are talking about elite - To me you sound like classless chick who things she is someone special -Wake up and smell the coffee you looser!

We took a limo last Saturday night about 5 girls who were models at Elite in NYC and 2 Top Executives a CEO and a CIO. I wanted to go to the new club Josephine’s while in DC. When we got there I went to the door and requested bottled service and a table, I was told “Sorry if I wasn’t on the list we couldn’t get in.” I had left multiple messages for two days before Saturday and Not ONE person called me back. Our Executives had plenty of money to spend and came from NYC. We had just partied last week in NYC with them at the Pink Elephant! Who ARE truly the one of the hottest clubs in NYC did not even did not treat us this way! We tried next PARK-and they were the some way! A little frustrated at this point and VERY ready to go back to NYC we ended up going to this Club FUR-We were meant at the door by the manager who immediately sized up our limo and took us straight to the VIP with bottles ready and we partied like rock stars with the local 99.5 radio station! We had a blast! Again, nothing compares to NYC-But Fur was a ton of fun for being such a big club! The service and staff was great!

Dean and I returned to Josephine’s Friday night along with a few other friends and it wasn’t quite as packed as it has been in the past. However, it was still a great crowd and overall had a great time. I know there have been a lot of negative comments about their door policy but I can’t help but continue to find the place a great overall experience (once you are in).

the place is OK…

nothing special at all, Highly overrated, bouncers are dicks, and the bartenders suck!
i spent a $100 and I still drove myself home.
I bartended before and i know for a fact i got served less than 1.5, oz in a drink.

LOTUS is 100X better!

most people who “know” club people know them and get in because they are or were bartenders and waitresses or bouncers etc. Or, they have spent all of their adult lives in clubs. its not that impressive, its funnu how “girl you love to hate” and other people liek her actually exists . .i was asked to go to josephines but i prefer laid back cool people not people who are self centered and more worried about how they look then having a good time. lame. anyone could get on the list eventually i am sure . .get off your high horse. you probably just had your boobs hanging out. again not impressive. i know that game, i can do it too. woop di doo.

Wowwww!! These comments are extreme….I don’t know what to think….I’m from D.C. and I’m still trying to figure out when this city became so self-absorbed, but anyway…I love to party and I look very good and I’m very stylish. Even though I always get in clubs when I go, I still feel overwhelmed and like everyone around me is so up tight. That sucks when you go out and you feel as though you can’t have fun. I like to go to nice clubs, but I like to have fun too. One thing I noticed is we are in D.C., but a lot of these clubs show no love to D.C. natives. I always feel like I’m out of town somewhere….Anyway coming from a D.C. native…born and raised…Who is accomplished…who has traveled…who is very fashionable…these clubs are not great representations of what D.C. is…..It’s a shame, and for that reason….that is why I’m disappointed with the club and others alike.

Screw Josephine, they are very rude at the door and bunch of idiots including the stupid valets who will crash ur hot vehicle and dont know how to drive for nuffin. whoever the owner of this club is, should really talk to his employees bout their conduct at the door because they are disrespectful and ignorants. I visited this club for my first time on a wed night and those idiots told me I couldn’t get in with my prada shoes on and let some other people in with some dirty new balances. Totally ridiculous. Didnt even waist my time there n went to K street lounge which was fun. FUK da josephine bullshit!

Re: William - Go back to school and learn how to write proper English..pathetic. Perhaps you should be at home brushing up on basic grammar skills instead of going out to clubs.

Well,everyone is so interested who these owners are of Josephine’s..!
There are thre of them, one is called Davoud but calls himself Dave just to assimilate his name seeing he’s in the U.S.A. and hiding his roots..The second one is called Yama and didn’t change his name, the third one is called Alain and all of them are Middle Easterners.”Dave” and Yama are from Afghanistan and the other one from Lebanon.The bouncers are family of the Afghans hence, also Afghans. Now you people understand the low quality of treatment and behaviour at the door since you understand now where they’re from !!

Well isn’t 007 Shaken not stired full of valuable information - too bad it isn’t accurate. Not sure who your source is but you really should go back and do your research before posting an ignorant comment.

Two of the owners are of east asian decent, they also own another club in DC. Get your facts straight.

007 is totally right regarding the origin of the owners.
The guy called dave is an ex bouncer from the old day club called Z and indeed from Afghanistan.

East Asian!? Haha lol…I didn’t know Afghanistan is in east Asia…

[…] at the door. The trend has spawned a great deal of positive and negative opinions (just read the discussion on the Josephine’s review). My personal perspective on the matter is that it is bringing a certain sense of legitimacy to the […]

[…] create exclusivity by instituting tougher door policies and emphasizing table-only service (i.e. Josephine’s) or membership programs (i.e. L2 Lounge).  Shadow Room falls into the latter category but offers […]

[…] 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. […]

Went to Josephine’s last night and had a blast!!! The music was great, crowd was better than expected (especially for a Wednesday nite), and the drinks were on point. I never had a problem with the people who work there, and the female bartenders were better than other clubs (usually, if you’re a female, the female bartenders treat you like second class citizens). Overall, my friends and I enjoyed ourselves.

I’m not one to frequent clubs, despite having lived in London, New York, and elsewhere in Europe. Spent the summer in Washington, and had a friend introduce me to Josephine. I cannot say I have had a bad night out there. Was always on a list, fast tracked into the club by pleasant staff at the door. The bartenders were polite, attractive to say the least, and bloody quick with the drinks. Music was excellent, never a bad song played. Decor is nice, eclectic. And the crowd is nothing but gorgeous women.

If you’re car gets a ding or a ticket with valet, it is a gamble that you are always going to take. Complaining about waiting at the door unless you have a table is a moot point: find a promoter’s website and sign up for the guest list. If you are a guy with a bunch of guys waiting at the door, be savvy and round up some girls waiting in line; there are always loads of beautiful girls waiting to get in.

I stumbled upon Josephine’s on a night out with some girlfriends and we were actually attracted by the crowd at he door. We had no idea what the place was and had really no trouble getting in - all we did was ask the bouncer if we could get past all the people. Inside it was really pretty and expensive looking so that was good, but the music was really not my taste neither was the company. The DJ played mostly techno and house music and it reminded me of my clubbing experiences in London (not really my flavor). However, we did get free drinks from some generous men and, although the bartender was not the friendliest, we enjoyed the drinks. If you know of a night when the music selection is not house/techno I would love to go back…although maybe I’ll get turned down at the door this time since it’s supposedly a really exclusive place.