When the sun sets over the District of Columbia, workers descend down to the street from their high-rise offices and make their way up 14th Street to the epicenter of nightlife in the city: Shaw. Sprawling outwards from the intersection of 14th and U, this upscale neighborhood containing an ocean of restaurants, bars, clubs and exclusive venues forms a scene unlike any other in Washington. As opposed to Georgetown, Shaw (also known as U Street Corridor) is not a weekend-only nightlife area. Instead, Shaw offers something for every day of the week.

By day, the coffee shops and espresso bars along 14th, such as Dolcezza and Peregrine Espresso, reign over other establishments with a heavy influx of caffeine connoisseurs. Residents in this area are generally young couples or professionals who dwell in the high-end condos and apartments nearby. The listing price for these abodes averages out to approximately $660,000, according to Trulia. Décor for these well-to-do living arrangements are made possible by the many establishments in the neighborhood that specialize in contemporary home furnishings such as Room & Board and Urban Essentials.

When nightfall finally comes around, the area swells as all of the eclectic eateries in Shaw open their doors for the dinner crowd. All types of nourishment can be found here ranging from Southeast Asian tapas at Doi Moi to traditional Italian food at Lupo Verde and southern comfort food at Eatonville. One doesn’t necessarily have to empty out their pockets for a meal in this crossroads; more affordable places like do-it-yourself falafel joint, Amsterdam Falafel, and jumbo slice pizzerias dot 14th street.

Entertainment is also not hard to find in this diverse cultural center. The independent music venue Black Cat has been serving the District since 1993 with a broad range of music and entertainment. One can also have a chance to laugh and cry at a showing at the Studio Theatre a little ways down 14th Street in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

A quick turn down U Street at the Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs, and the nighttime adventure continues. Home to many iconic landmarks such as Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Lincoln Theater, U Street delves deep into the culture of the city and its past. Jazz music legend Duke Ellington grew up in this area, and for many years U Street was a hub of African-American culture, much of which remains to this day.
The avant-garde neighborhood of Shaw is a recurrent cultural nerve center of our nation’s capital that is sure to entertain people from all walks of life.

The Bottom Line

Peregrine Espresso: Serves gourmet Counter Culture Coffee and delectable pastries, 1718 14th St NW Washington DC 20009

Doi Moi: Modern southeast Asian tapas restaurant, 1800 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

The Original Ben’s Chili Bowl: Famous DC landmark since 1958, 1213 U Street NW Washington, DC 20009