Hotspots and Hangouts: Alternative Nightlife Ideas in the D.C. Metro Area

We all know that all work and no play is never a good thing, especially for us hard working students at GMU. Five days a week we put our intellectual and creative juices to work and once the oh-so-wonderful weekend comes around, we’re all ready to destress. While there is usally a party happening on or around campus, there is so much more to do around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia). Here are four different places if you want to escape the party scene for a night.

Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar

This venue is more for your older collegiettes (21 and up). Not only is the name “Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar” super cute, but this nightclub is also decorated in dramatic baroque style decor with purple and pink lighting. Perfect place for a night on the town with girls, don’t you think? Get ready to feel like you’re in “Alice in Wonderland” as you travel down the quirky rabbit hole that is Little Miss Whiskey’s. Dress your best, take the metro down to 1104 H St NE in Washington D.C., and don’t be late! http://littlemisswhiskeys.com/ photocredit:washingtonpost.com

9:30 Club

Do you want to expand your musical horizons? If so, check out the 9:30 club. The 9:30 Club is one of many amazing music venues in Washington D.C. There is always good music rolling through the D.C area on weekends and 9:30 Club, among others like U Street Music Hall and The Black Cat, is where you want to be. Not only do they host a variety of bands and artists that have just hit the scene, but also some that have pretty strong followings like City and Colour, Empire of the Sun, Vampire Weekend, and Solange. http://www.930.com  Photo Credit:http://www.eslmusic.com/
 

Lucky Strike Bowling Alley

Do remember the days of going to the bowling alley when you were younger? How about wearing those super cute bowling shoes and pigging out on cheese fries? You can now relive those days in a much cooler way. Lucky Strike DC is a bowling experience like no other. The lanes are set in an artsy, lounge type atmosphere and the food is better than your average grilled cheese. Lucky Strike is also equipped with billiards and a bar and projection screens. Sorry to the under 21 folks but after 8pm, Lucky Strike DC is strictly for the 21 and over crowd. http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/ Photo Credit:http://www.bowlluckystrike.com

Busboys and Poets

Maybe you want listen to people express their emotions from their inner depths of being. Sounds deeps, doesn’t it? Well, that’s how it is at Busboys and Poet, but way more fun. This is a place you can get comfortable in a bookstore or cafe like setting. Sip some coffee, listen to music, or even share some of your own work at their open mic nights. There is an artistic feeling in the air, so don’t be surprised if you leave dressed in black with a beret and a need to snap instead of clapping at things that entertain you. There are three locations in the D.C/Virginia area:14th and V (U street), 5th and K (D.C.)/Shirlington (Arlington, Virginia). http://www.busboysandpoets.com/ Photo Credit:http://www.busboysandpoets.com

Grab a group of friends and get out there! These are just a few examples of the fun you can have out there; the possibilities are endless. Have fun exploring!