I've been to Black Cat twice, both times were pretty good experiences. The first time I went to see a main stage show with a friend and that was a while back so I'm a little fuzzy on the sound but I recall it to be fine, I think the bands we saw that night were more acoustic/folk deals. I like the space, it's pretty open and there's some seating in the back and a bar (can't speak to this one as I was still underage at the time). The crowd upstairs is obviously going to vary slightly based on the music that night but I'm gonna go ahead and say this is one of the few places in DC I know of that draws a more hipster crowd. More recently I grabbed a few drinks with the same friend at the Red Room bar. We went with the intent of catching a free DJ set in the backstage room but it never got past the middle school dance phase so we hung out at the bar, which is cash only but there's an ATM inside. There are some booths and tables and a pool table in the corner. The bartender taking care of us is really friendly, guy with the looong hair. If you're from or a fan of Richmond you'll feel right at home here, aside from the DC drink prices. $4 PBR tall boys are laughable to me but not out of place up here. I'll be back both for shows and the bar for sure, I feel way more comfortable here than I do even walking by the lines for a lot of other U-Street establishments. read more

It's a small venue and I expect nothing more from it. I have been here to see Walk The Moon, and Good Old War, and I am coming back for the 1975. I've never had a drink here, but the bar always seems decently busy, but it doesn't seem to be too hard to get a drink (I haven't been here when it has been insanely crowded). There is always a wait for the bathroom, but I expect that when coming to a show. read more

Went on an off night in the middle of the week but this place still delivered. I like the space- friendly staff and good drinks. I'll be returning soon for a show hopefully. read more

The old red room will be sorely missed but black cat is still the coolest music venue in DC.

People come here more for the food/drinks/chatting than music, so as long as you know what you're getting yourself into, you should be fine. read more

Black Cat - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a memorable and fun place. I've seen a lot of bands here, most of them were metal/hardcore groups. The main bar seems to draw a pretty fun crowd, and I am particularly fond of the pool tables. Definitely a fun place to shoot pool and one of the last real punk venues in DC. read more

I wish I could write a worse review than one star. I used to pay these people's salary and now I'll never go there again, even if they somehow manage to book a really crappy band. Oh wait. That's all they can seem to book. You can count on these faux hipster bartenders to never know your name. It's an awesome marketing strategy in such a transient city of people who miss their hometown bar nostalgia. Oh wait. No, it's not. And they have the CRAPPIEST pool table I have EVER seen. It's only a dollar, which used to be their entire allure. DC, please. Get some personality. read more

Total shit-hole, but not in an authentic punk way. The staff is horrible, especially the rather bloated gentleman who looks like a less genial Dom DeLuise, and spend their time trying to pick fights and intimidate the clientele. Bad acoustics, price gauging and poor service add to the general misery. I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy. read more

Bottom line: concrete-floored, bar-sized pool table with Bell's Brown Ale on draft. If you're yearning to be a shark but you're almost a shark, then walk in here, order a beer, act like a shark, and you'll be a shark with the clientele that tries to shoot pool here. Did I mention sharks here? I did. Be one. read more

I used to really dig this place but the staff have really made me change my mind. Don't bug out at your customers if you're having a bad day, that's just terrible service. I know this is a dive bar with the whole hipster/indie cred, but chill out. No one wants to get treated like crap by the bouncers/staff/etc... If you're not a people person, don't work the door. Likewise, don't go around treating customers like crap because you have nothing better to do. Sheesh... how hard is it to incorporate basic customer service into a business? Go take some lessons from UHall or RnR Hotel. read more

I used to be a regular here - went to a bunch of shows, the New Year's celebrations, the bar countless times. No more. Last weekend, I went to the bar with some out-of-town friends. I bought a couple beers at the cash-only bar and, after receiving change back, I pushed some of the change back toward the bartender for his tip. The tall, bearded, white bartender immediately thought I was stealing $0.50 from him (why does this cash-only bar price beers in $0.50 increments anyway?). I've never stolen anything in my life and if I was going to, it certainly wouldn't be $0.50. Some of us work real adult jobs for a living. The bartender became immediately hostile and aggressive - telling me it was "his" money and not to touch "his" $0.50 or he would "kick my ass out." Needless to say, I don't enjoy going to venues where I'm cursed out by the bar staff, rudely accused of theft, and generally treated every hostilely. The staff was rude, aggressive, and offensive. I was very offended by the staff's behavior and this place doesn't deserve to be in business if it hires antisocial staff members. Also, the bathrooms are absolutely filthy. I was there on a Saturday (wasn't that crowded most likely due to staff hostility to customers) and the soap dispensers were empty. The men's bathroom door is kicked in at the bottom and other patrons can see into the bathroom. The staff treat the customers like they're troubling them for ordering drinks. Money is precious these days. Spend it somewhere you're appreciated. You've been warned. EDIT: In response to my critics, $0.50 wasn't my tip. I was including that amount with my tip, which was generous. The bartender mistakenly believed I was trying to pass off someone else's money as my own and immediately went ballistic at me after I asked him whether an amount on the bar was mine. I used to love this bar and appreciated its edge. However, I thought the bartender was extremely rude, offensive, and out of line. I don't mind some attitude and I'm not asking for a sterile atmosphere but I'd rather not be verbally attacked and threatened menacingly by a bartender to whom I'm handing money. I did nothing wrong. The bartender was irrational and offensive. read more

You can escape the khaki-wearing, self-important drones that fill DC and hear some good shows with your tattooed and pierced brethren who are probably just as self important, but don't think they're the next senator from the state of X. Not much on atmosphere (aside from the eye candy) and, like any other place in DC, you need to take out a mortgage to order a cocktail. read more

I would never go back to this place after the way I was treated. Actually, the bartenders in general at the upstairs venue were OK, but there was one short female bartender/bar back that was working with two male bartenders, and she was incredibly rude. I would never go back to this place as long as she works there - no respectable place should ever hire ANYONE that treats a patron like that. read more

great venue to see a band...its a icon for punk shows in dc....seems to have been around forever!!

This place is alright. My opinion of it could have been tainted by the snotty bartender who told someone within my group to "keep it down" They weren't loud and UM, isn't it a BAR?? Very strange request she asked. Honestly, that kind of ruined it for me. There was no music downstairs, I go out to socialize and listen to good music. Not just to get plastered and have drunken conversations with people while dealing with snotty bartenders. Perhaps I should explore more of this place but my experience on Wednesday was not as good as I would have liked. read more

Last night was a busy night on U Street. I'm not exactly sure what had happened to this bouncer before I had gotten in line, but apparently his day was darn bad. He was being pretty aggressive attempting to herd people into a straight line, and I commented that it was the second time it happened in the same night-to my friend next to me-not the bouncer. Please note, I'm not rude person, and wasn't being rude. This guy told me that I was a "little f*^&*** child." The bar might be a great place, but after that, I had no intention of meeting the rest of the staff. read more

Had my purse stolen. At first I thought management was being helpful-said they would look at their cameras, but then they came back and said it wasn't clear. I asked if I could look- answer was no. They told me to look in trash in ladies and men's room. I did. They told me to walk around the block and look in trash. I did. I asked if I should call police, they said if I wanted. I called. Staff didbt tell police where I was (upstairs). Called police again and asked them to come back. ...staff looked annoyed. Never in my life had I had my purse stolen and these people looked annoyed and weren't helpful. read more

Can't overemphasize how horrible the staff is. I have never been treated as badly as in this place. As others have mentioned, the door staff verges on sadistic. I won't recount my story here but suffice it to say, they "removed" my friend, by physically shoving her out of the door and making fun of her, for absolutely no reason other than she was defending someone else who'd been groundlessly removed. The bartenders, too, are abysmally inattentive. Absolutely nothing about this place -- the hipster crowd, the "ironic" music, the dingy atmosphere, the high prices -- overcomes the horrible staff problems. This was hands down the worst bar experience I've had in my many years in DC. I recommend to others never going there. read more

I was really disappointed in this venue. The place was incredibly hot, you couldn't see the stage (because there was a huge support column in the middle of the room), the bar is cash only, and the staff are rude. I went to a show here recently with my friend, my friend's brother and his girlfriend (both 18). I completely understand being vigilant about under age drinking in a place like this, but when you stamp minor's hands with ink that's not water proof, it's not acceptable to scream at them, call them a liar, and throw them out. It isn't even like this girl was trying to sneak beer from the bar. She was just sitting there with her boyfriend. My fiance's stamp also washed off when he went to the restroom and mine grew very faint. It's not rocket science, if you really want to guard against under age drinking, maybe invest in more water resistant ink. This behavior is unacceptable, but from what I'm seeing from other reviews, this is a regular occurrence. I won't be back here. There are plenty of other excellent venues in this area that don't treat their patrons like this. read more

The upstairs music venue at the Black Cat deserves close to 5 stars and is probably the second-best music venue in DC now that the Red Palace (R.I.P) closed. Some of the best up-and-coming bands and great lesser-known staples pass through here, score tickets and you can be inches from the show. However, the pretension downstairs devours the greatness upstairs. People label this bar indie, but the sad truth is there is nothing independent about the clientele or the vibe here. This is hipster groupthink at its finest, coronation complete only by thick frames and thin jeans. Wear anything else and you're likely to be labeled an outsider, ostracized a second-class citizen because you're out of uniform. I'm sorry, kid, I thought it was cool. I'm just here for the music. Guess that's not good enough these days and guess you can't just love the artist or the song, it's more important that you look like you do. It's only fitting: attend an Irish Wake upstairs, then move downstairs for the funeral. Great music plays here, but the clientele exorcises its soul. Tip: Attend a show here, but don't talk to anyone because they'll make you dislike the act you thought you loved. read more

I've never seen a show here, always end up at the red room. I would consider the crowd eccrentric, same crowd as say velvet lounge and galaxy hut. I don't know if I like that fact that the music supplying the bar is from the jukebox which with one fanatic with endless quarters drive you crazy. Goldie...I'm still waiting to hear you. read more

One of the best (of few) good venues to see live, indy bands in DC. The downstairs bar is laid back, not quite great dive bar, but close enough to be enjoyable. read more

This is the back-room equivalent of, say, the 9:30 club. Less "I'm seeing a SHOW" and more "i'm gonna check out this cool band" feel to it. Their "Will-Call" is two employees behind a rickety old table :) The upstairs main music room is nothing but a large square space with a bar on either side and a stage up front. Plain, simple, efficient, beautiful. You can crowd up front to catch the sweat off your favorite guitarist's long hair, or chill out towards the back and sip your beer. Downstairs the bar is laid back, dark, and has a couple decent brews on tap. Ticket prices are decent, too, so you can go out and not be forced to eat ramen noodles for a month afterward. Drinks aren't cheap, but beer during my recent show was $4/pint, which ain't bad in this town for semi-microbrew stuff. I love simple places like this that don't even try to be hip, and succeed in being the soul of the city! read more

Went Friday night for an 80s dance party that I'd been looking forward to for a month. I was dragged to one of the 90s dance parties at 930 club and ended up having an awesome awesome time, and as much as I love 90s music, how awesome were the 80s? Journey, Bon jovi, MJ, Rick astley, etc etc. So much to choose from... And they played NOTHING I knew. We're not talking them not playing stuff on my iPod, I mean they didn't play ANYTHING recognizable... And I've heard alot of 80s music. There was one journey song and one MJ song. Are you kidding me? How do you have an 80s night and not give proper airtime to juggernauts of the decade? Because you're the black cat that's why. It's reputation preceded it, I heard terrible things about it and I ignored the warnings. Regardless of how much I disliked the particular event, its not the basis of my 1 star rating. What is, is the fact that the staff was unquestionably the rudest venue staff I have ever encountered. I had bartenders in front of me having conversations, for several minutes at a time before even glancing in my direction. The place was dingy and dirty. The show sucked, staff sucked, bar sucked. This place is a waste of time. If I could rate them with a zero I would read more

Definitely a good place to see live bands that are established or up and coming. I've seen a lot of good shows here ( Bloc Party, RPM) and gone to the back room on the first floor for My Girl Friday DJ sets. An acquaintance of mine DJs here and it's always fun to see her spin. I still haven't gone to a Depeche Mod or Brit Pop dance party but I am dying to go soon. read more

Maybe for live shows, but otherwise this is a definite no. The Black Cat is pretty much a hangout for 20-somethings who have money but dress like they're homeless. Most people just stick within their own groups and don't really interact with others. The bar is overpriced and drinks are weak. Every person that works at Black Cat is surly. I don't know why I keep giving this place another chance to try and change my mind, but I think it's about time to add Black Cat in with McFadden's and Front Page as places that I will avoid at all costs. read more

Black Cat is definitely the place to see shows. The get a variety of acts of varying celebrity. Cozy without being small. The bar can be fun, but if you're from DC you know the scene can be a bit nauseating. The dance nights are lots of fun, though Mouse Trap draws in a bit of the bridge and tunnel crowd. All in all definitely a great place to go to see a show and grab a beer, and even get down backstage if you're so inclined. read more

To see a show... yes, the Black Cat is worth it.. To stick around and drink, forget it. This place is the lamest watering hole I've ever had the displeasure of knowing.. and boy, I've been to a lot of places in my time, but to say the staff sux is a total understatement.. The staff is downright LOUSY. And interestingly enuff, I didn't really come to this conclusion until a recent visit, but now that I've thought about it..every experience I've ever had the past ten years that was negative about the BC had to do with a staff person that was just being plain dickish. I was reading a review below and I swear to Gin that I was reliving my most recent experience..About one of the staff members saying: "If, YOU were this person's friend you'd take him or her home" I had some douchebag behind the bar say that to me the other night and I was downright like "WTF" first of all, the chic I was with was NOT my friend...douche...I only met her 2 hours before and actually had no idea how much she had been drinking or what.. all I know is that she and I and a third friend left crowded ass Saint Ex to come over and see about a place less crowded. That's when the crapster decided to start judging me and my "friend"...........Also, we are both 40 year old women and KNOW when we have had enuff.. for some douche behind the counter that is probably no older than a half of minute to make that "call" for me and my friend is just. plain. bad. business. It was the most bizarre experience in my life at a bar.. because as soon as douche behind the bar made the statement to me and my "friend".. suddenly one of the "bouncers" if that's what you want to call them.. what a joke.. I could have taken him...came up behind us and then ordered us to leave! I couldn't believe it.. BUT at that point we couldn't have been happier to leave..and then we were gone.. but i'm telling you, I soooooooo haven't forgotten and will NEVER, EVER go back there to have any kind of Dionysian fun because now the gods have spoken.. The black cat bar is shite. Now, you want a cool little hang out.. after we left that shite.. my "friend" took us around the corner down to the CodMother.. and OH MY GAWD, it was like the heavenly gates opened letting loose all the beautiful amber waves of whiskey.. now this is a joint I can frequent. Small, tough, and with two no nonsense "Ok, you ready to drink?" like veteran bar handlers... I have found an oasis!! The two guys behind the bar were so cool. Working the line with a real "I aint your mama" sensibility. man, I appreciate that shit. What I don't appreciate is being judged by a snot-nosed poseur who seems to think just because he's got a few tattoos and black rimmed glasses gives him the gdmn right to treat everyone else beneath him just because we've all been drinking...I"m sorry if your life's choices has YOU on the OTHER side of the counter on a beautiful saturday night forcing you to "babysit" a bunch of ADULTS who have the good luck of being able to have FUN!! that's your problem..maybe you should stop trying to just serve fun..and instead have some yourself.. and that goes for ALL THE STAFF. Lighten UP.. you're not that special. take my advice, any place that takes itself too seriously is exactly that.. too serious.. And like I said, if you want badass and REAL dionysian fun.. head around to the Cod..shit... head around to the frickin McDonalds any place is better than that place...seriously... OH except for Saint Ex... man, talk about over-rated.. ugh that's another one. LOL read more

I used to frequent this place a lot more often when I was in my "rocker" phase, but last night reminded me of what I have been missing. The Red Room bar is the perfect level of dive-y-ness. The 80's dance party--Prince vs. Madonna vs. Micheal Jackson--was the perfect way to round out the three day weekend--and remind me that I can still have a fun night out on the town. read more

This place has been around for a while and still remains to be one of my, and DCs favorite for great live music and a laid back vibe. It's definitely very indie, but that's what I love about it. It has a large loft like feel going for it, drinks are cheap and they always feature some very cool lesser known bands. Oh and it's cash ONLY...which kind of sucks, but has never stopped me from going back. read more

I love the black cat. I am, however, often confused by their musical pairings. A perfect example is the show I saw back in the fall. Rasputina opening for Gary Numan. For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, Rasputina is gothy, quirky cello music and Gary Numan is a new-wavy electronic music producer well known for his song "Cars" (you know this one, "here in my car, I feel safest of all, I can lock all my doors, it's the only way to live, in cars..."). The audience seemed highly confused by all of this. They all came to see Gary Numan and his keyboards and uber laser light show. I was jumping up and down and making happy noises at the warbling voice and distorted cello music of Rasputina. Oh well, nothing like being the only geeked-out fan girl among a bunch of confused 40 somethings. read more

I LOVE the vibe of this bar. It's dark and divey and it has the cool kid aesthetic you always wished you had in high school. This place is huge! But it has cheap drinks, lots of seats, and a fun line up of events (I saw a Weird Al Burlesque show there, tell me where else you would find that?) it's a fun place to hang out and get a drink with friends. read more

The Black Cat suffers from the Brightest Young Things affliction, which is that in DC if you do anything kind of hip or edgy you are automatically lauded as the coolest in town. In any other city this place would kind of suck. The beers are overpriced, the employees think they're too cool for school, the bands they get are usually predictable and overhyped. Unfortunately, being what DC is, it's the major player in town, and if you want to go to shows you'll have to go here at some point. It could be worse, I guess. But it's not a place that I seek out. read more

My favorite venue in DC. Awesome dance parties, good local acts, great bar, red room, etc.. What's not to love about this place? Does that guy still stand outside shouting Black Caat! Black Caat!? hmmm...i liked him. read more

i was definitely not a fan of this place last night (saturday night). We came out looking to dance and have a good time and instead we found that the dancefloor in here had hardly anyone on it and it really wasn't crowded enough for a Saturday night after midnight! The reviews for this place seem to paint a very different picture though, so I'll probably be back another time to give it another try. read more

I agree with everyone below - checked it out this past saturday and had a great time. Loved the DJs (at which point i cannot recall the names for the life of me) who was playing brit dance pop in the smaller room on the 1st floor. Its a cash only bar - so make sure to hit up the atm b4 you get there - although there's an atm conveniently located there too ($2.00 fee -not too bad). Didnt' get a chance to go upstairs, but Mousetrap was playing and i would have loved to gone up. Will definitely go again read more

I saw a great band there on Saturday. In short the Black Cat simply kills it! An awesome space upstairs in which to enjoy some funk-driven, tight-beat oriented music. The floor is flanked on either side by two big bars and in the way back is an area with several couches. Cool bar downstairs too with pool tables, couches, etc... The beers availble on tap leave something to be desired as does the rude hyper-ironic-judgmental-hipster-diva working downstairs who can't seem to answer my question while looking at me because I'm lame for being there for the first time. All of those things considered it would not deter me from coming here again and again and again...... read more

The Red Room bar is cool. It's cash only but they have an ATM inside the bar. The shots we ordered were more like double-shots, so that was also cool. Dancing in the back room is $6 cover which sorta sucks but it was an 80's dance party so why not. Some of the stuff the DJ played was minimally danceable but when you can get generous shots, every song is danceable. The ventilation in the back room isn't the best so it can get pretty sweaty, so I'd recommend dancing in front of the big fans they have in there. Just watch out if you have long hair. Overall, good times. read more

Meow. Purr. There's nothing quite like being a groupie for an evening what with the unabashed flirtation and shameless eye-batting. I feel a little guilty about giving a four when I had such a good time tonight, but I'm doing it because I don't think Black Cat had that much to do with how AMAZING the bands were aside from choosing to let them play. Margot and the Nuclear So-and-Sos were the opening act, and I decided right then that I would be a devoted disciple of theirs from here on out. Mostly, I fell in love with the crazy bongo percussionist (they have two guys on drums, but I'm talking about the one on the bongos and tambourine), the Korean guy with the electric violin and electric guitar and gayageum, the guitar guy wearing funky retro glasses, and the cute singer-keyboard girl with the shaggy hair. Le Loup was the headlining act and they were cool, too, but I was too busy being a Margot groupie at the merch table to pay full attention. The vast expanse of checkered floor was pretty full, and I was shocked because it is fricking MONDAY night! Doesn't anybody have to work in this town!?!?!? I took a full star away bc it's cash only here, despite having an ATM available, bc who pays for an entire bar tab in cash these days? Not anyone I know! Thankfully, drinks are reasonably priced at around five bucks, give or take a couple dollars depending on what you drink. *Air guitar!* read more

I've been coming here for a few years since they were in their old location a little ways away. They book a lot of great acts here. The layout of the upstairs concert space is pretty decent offering a choice of locations to stand or sit as well as two bars. The beer selection is pretty standard - would like to see a little more variety. The Red Room Bar in the back room is also a nice place to see a smaller show, although the sightlines are pretty bad. The main bar is comfortable, at least in the pre-show hours before it tends to get ubercrowded. My biggest complaint with this venue is that I seem to encounter a lot of people, at least in the main concert hall, who are more interested in getting drunk and acting like dickheads than in watching the band. It's a big club. If you want to do drunken dancing or jumping or athletic making out with your date or loud drunk conversation during the music, then get the hell out of the crowd and go play in the back, there's probably space there for you there and you won't be bugging other people who are trying to watch the show. I also wish the bouncers were as interested in policing obviously inebriated people who are pushing and shoving around in the crowd as they seem to be in trolling for underage drinkers. A 20 year old friend of mine who hadn't drank anything all night, nor did anything else, once got thrown out because she danced too enthusiastically and the staff apparently decided she must be wasted. Finding parking in this area is a pain in the butt, and the Metro might not run as late as the shows do. Fortunately, I've never had any trouble getting a cab. Just walk up to the corner and flag one. The neighborhood used to be scary about 6 or 7 years ago (gunshots, etc.) but seems to have improved considerably, although it's still a little wonky at times. read more