This past Friday a friend of mine mentioned she was visiting a members-only club in Georgetown for a birthday party. Naturally, I became very curious because there has been a recent trend in the DC nightlife towards more exclusive, upscale venues that place all sorts of social filters 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 nightlife in DC. At any rate, Dean and I decided to head over to L2 Lounge to see if it stacked up with some of the other members-only clubs in the area.
Cost - $$$
The drinks are fairly pricey. In fact, I recall looking at my tab the following morning and seeing that I had been charged $17 for one drink I had never even heard of nor remember ordering (although I am sure I ordered it). You pay for what you get however.
Service - B+
I will gloss over the borderline annoying once-over we received by the two doormen (who I believe may have even discussed our outfits) and instead focus on the terrific job the management has done in staffing the interior of the venue with professional, sharp personnel. The bartender was incredibly cool and friendly and we had no problems meeting and chatting with the very personable manager.
Food - ?
Decor - A
Simply put, the interior designer at L2 has done a spectacular job creating a space that mixes contemporary furnishings with bare-bone brick walls. Combined with a masterful lighting arrangement, L2 Lounge exudes sophisticated sexiness.
Feel - A
I had one of my more memorable evenings in a while at L2 Lounge. I ended up bumping into several friends at the venue and everyone who I met there just seemed friendly and open. Discussing the night later, Dean and I concluded that the a combination of the decor, exclusivity, and social pact that is somehow enacted between the club and its members, results in an ambiance where people can relax and not have to worry about drunken or sleazy idiots. It is the antithesis to every venue in Adams Morgan and has made it onto my short list of top venues in the DC area.
L2 Lounge is located at 3307 M Street, NW and can be reached at (202) 965-2001. For membership information visit their Web site.
What’s the Buzz:
March 22, 2008 - L2 Lounge, Georgetown (That Guy at the Bar) - I’m not going to be able to write this without gushing like a school girl. I LOVE L2 Lounge. That Guy at the Bar has been to L2 three times over the last couple of weeks with different groups of friends, and every time the experience has been fantastic. Full article…
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[...] 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 some great incentives (that I will detail [...]
[...] L2 Lounge - L2 Lounge is the perfect after-dinner venue to take a date if you are in the Georgetown area and are craving a night cap or two. The environment in L2 is always laid back and you can ensure a smooth, zen-like experience. Additionally, there are all sorts of places to hole up with your date and the entire venue is candlelit. [...]
[...] crowd. Despite my sharp lack of class and cash, I found myself attending a benefit at one such members only club called L2. I arrived a bit late (in fact missing the entirety of the open bar) and when I got there I found [...]
Salutations,
I haven’t yet been there, but regardless of the interior, I wonder about your criteria when it comes to late night venues, and in particular the notion of what brings “a certain sense of legitimacy to the nightlife in DC.” Legitimacy is quality and style, not exclusivity. The Nazi Party and Al Qaeda entail membership, but that doesn’t confer legitimacy on either. Great venues create extraordinary ambience through context and, to some degree, social engineering. They are exclusionary based upon a standard of behavior, not net worth. “Clubbing” in a number of large cities for over 2 decades, including NYC, Tokyo and Hong Kong, I’ve noticed a common thread through all of the truly great establishments: Admission was almost always a function of style and a spirit of inclusive fun. More often than not, these locations were filled with individuals who couldn’t remotely afford a private establishment, but were intriguing, interesting people. In other words, individuals with individuality. Imposing a high financial barrier to participation only ensures the attendance of a very narrow slice of society. Since we all know that money doesn’t buy class (rather, as A.Onassis once said, it only buys a tolerance of the lack of it), clubs that try to establish appeal by levying a high tarriff are only making it that much harder for themselves to establish a truly unique, first-class ambience. Only authenticity has any real staying power.
Steve, I think you make some valid points and thanks for your contribution. However I really can’t critique L2 for wanting to create a members-only establishment. What I would like to see is more of these types of venues crop up that cater to other sub-communities within DC.
I am pretty much a regular of L2 & have been since it opened. I find any day of the week L2 is the best place in town. The only minus was the music. I have noticed the dj’s there have a high turn over rate. I sacrificed that for the atmosphere. Within the last month or so Saturday nights there have been outstanding. All my friends agree. I went over to the extremely good looking dj to introduce myself & he gave me a cd. Last night we returned & Dimitris George wasn’t there. I don’t understand why? He is the best dj they’ve had. I hope he isn’t gone for good.
[...] 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. [...]