Everyone complaining about the bouncers is a whiny brat and a cop. Whenever I've seen a bouncer take action it's because someone's been drinking their beer on the sidewalk, walking off with a roadie, or generally acting like a dingus. So sorry that you've heard the word "no" and experienced a consequence for the first time in your life; recommend that you stop tryna lie and snitch and take your hurt fee fees to some LED-lit monstrosity on 14th St. $5 combohs and Granny and the Boys forever! read more

Great local bar with lots of regulars. Great place to enjoy a combo ($5 beer + shot). You will only be disappointed if fufu mixed drinks or a large selections of wine is your thing. DO: Drink, dance and have fun socializing... Or watch B movie reruns. DON'T: Be stupid, get so wasted that you are offensive, get in a fight etc. Life time bans are taken serious by the bouncers. read more

For some weird reason, we don't keep booze in my house. Maybe it's because drinking at home is kind of depressing. I don't know. So, when it's 11pm on a Wednesday, and the crew is looking to share a beer (or 3), it's off to Showtime we go. It's kind of crazy to admit, but I'm there at least twice, and more often three times a week. I don't like to carry cash, but I am probably the #1 proponent of Showtime's cash-only policy, for the simple reasons that: a) it weeds out a good % of terrible people; b) it massively speeds up service; c) I laugh uncontrollably every single time I see a wannabe flashy 21-year-old CUA idiot try to buy shots for all his friends with a credit card (which, unfortunately, is all too often). Showtime's vibe is kind of a mash-up of the following: high school theatre department reunion/industry late night spot/local neighborhood hangout. Since Bloomingdale is far enough from the Metro, you don't get a lot of bridge and tunnel types, which is a godsend (see, 'Codmother, The' for how a cool spot can be ruined by Metro proximity). While the Comb'oh is definitely on point, the new Tecate/tequila combo (El Topo) is where it's at. I'm more than willing to pay an extra dollar for the upgrade. One pro tip for you amateurs out there: the move at Showtime on weekends is to go straight to the bar, order a combo, take the shot, chase it down, then immediately get in line--before you really even have to go. Otherwise, you're going to be hopping up and down for 20m while you wait for the bathroom line to clear. You're welcome. Also, Showtime deserves six stars for the hilarious and fantastic Showtime Theme Song by the Sunday night house band, Granny and the Boys. read more

This place is the perfect neighborhood bar. Call it a dive if you'd like, but there are few bars as cozy, unpretentious, and relaxed (not to mention cheap) in this town - I'm lucky to live so close but, even if I didn't, it'd be worth the trek across town. It being cash-only probably helps maintain this atmosphere, as there's none of the slap-down-a-card-and-demand-a-Tito's-and-soda crowd here. This is the perfect place to get a Natty Bo and chat with friends while an old episode of Star Trek or a Miyazaki movie plays on the TVs by the bar and someone's spinning Latin funk 78s by the door. Don't ever change, Showtime. Don't ever change. read more

Good luck. No matter how well you tip them or how nice you are they will slut shame you. Went on a 1st date here - but my 8/9 time coming and I was so disrespected. Dude in the glasses gotta go. He's rude af. I'm shocked and hurt by the place I usually call a safe haven. read more

Great selection of cheap drinks, with good live bands and great vinyl DJs. Space is a little small, but can feel nice and cozy with the right people. read more

Dive bars always get better with age, not like me! The drinks were cheap.. $5-6 beers. $6 top shelf vodka. A weird psychedelic old jack Nicholson movie was playing that our entire crew could not stop watching. And the DJ request playlist was the coolest thing I've ever seen in a long time. Lastly, the true testiment of five: cash only. read more

DC's coolest bar. Usually something weird and unexpected going on and the bartenders are always real deal.

Great neighborhood spot for cheap drinks and fun music. Always a fun time and welcoming crowd of Bloomingdale/Shaw locals who are happy to have another great option across the street from Boundary Stone. Small space with a few tables in the front that are moved away for a dance floor at later hours, tiny bar in the back for your shot and 'Boh. read more

The place is awful. Went last night. The beer was skunky and warm. We ended up going to two other local bars only to find that this place was also overpriced, which is incredible because it has literally nothing else going for it besides its supposed value. The bartender on call was incredibly rude. Got our order wrong--even after we gave it to him multiple times--and then tried to get us to accept the incorrect order because he had opened the bottles. Nope, we weren't doing that, just like we'll never go back to this place. No exaggeration: worst dive bar I've ever been too. read more

I hate leaving negative reviews because I understand how hard the service industry is, I've been working in it for ten years. But the way my friends were treated last night by the DJ and the doorman was abhorrent. They were kicked out for kindly asking the DJ if she could play more dance music. When they were turned down, they politely said ok and walked away. Then they were kicked out. I'm disappointed because showtime is a cool bar. It was also my friend's birthday, and no one was drunk. I cannot say enough how much empathy I have for people like me who work in the service industry. But this was absolutely ridiculous, and I won't be coming again. read more

Reader's Digest: I had the exact same problem with the bouncer that several other users have had. Story below. On Friday, September 23rd, I decided to check out Showtime on the advice of a friend who spoke very highly of the bar. The atmosphere seemed decent enough, so I plunked down my cash and got a drink. My friend and I wanted to sit outside Someone was leaving, so my friend and I stood off to the side for a moment to let them gather up their stuff. At that moment, a somewhat husky individual with olive complexion and dark curly hair grabbed my arm and loudly said, "No drinking!" He positioned himself less than a foot in front of my friend, put his finger in her face and said "Go inside! You can't drink here." Initially I was more confused than offended. Who was this guy? He made no effort to identify himself if he was affiliated with the bar. He wasn't standing anywhere nearby when we walked in. Was this just an aggravated neighbor? I wondered if maybe he had us mixed up with someone else who had caused a scene at the bar before or if something serious had just happened to a friend or family member. There was absolutely nothing about our behavior or demeanor that warranted such an aggressive and inappropriate response. We did eventually get a table outside and I watched this person out of the corner of my eye. It soon became apparent that he was a bouncer. I asked some of the regulars what the problem was, and they mentioned that the area right outside the front door that isn't roped in is considered the sidewalk, and that the bar could get fined if people were drinking there. That actually makes perfect sense, and if I had been aware of that fact, I would have been more than happy to not take that sip of beer while I waited for the table if I had known that there were legal implications for the bar. But there weren't any signs that indicated this, and my friend and I weren't the only people confused by where the drink/no drink demarcation lay. In the 10 minutes we were at the table, I watched this bouncer accost FOUR different people for unknowingly stepping a foot or two outside the roped table area. Again, he was inappropriately physical, grabbing arms and physically moving people around. I sent an e-mail to the owner who, to his credit, actually responded and was very polite and professional. However, his response was less than encouraging; he indicated that the bouncer had been with the bar for two years, and that he doesn't remember any of happening the way I indicated. The long and the short of it is that the bar itself okay. It's not the best I've been to, and it's not the worst. If you're willing to shell out $7 cash for a can of beer, there are a lot better places for you to check out in the city. But the bouncer who gets physical with quiet, well-behaved patrons, and the owner who defends the actions of his violent employees despite there being several complaints is too much for me. If you still are determined to check this place out, make sure you do it when the above-mentioned bouncer is not working. Best of luck to you, reader. And I hope you have a nice day! read more

I never thought I would ever have to leave a negative review about a place I once felt welcomed in and loved, but I had a HORRIBLE experience with the bouncer this weekend. He's always rude and miserable and that's fine if that's his MO, but the last time I was there I was kicked out for being associated with friends who kindly tried to engage with the DJ (also just as much of a lousy human being as the bouncer). I guess verbal communication was offensive to her and she told the bouncer to remove us. When I asked why we were getting kicked out, the bouncer refused to explain and as I left, confused and without making a scene, he swatted my drink from my hand and pushed me out the door. I was not drunk, I was not rude and his actions were completely unwarranted. read more

DC already is lacking in Queer-friendly spaces, so Showtime has become a home away from home for my friends and I. We are regulars, so I don't get these negative reviews. read more

Dive bar, go on Sunday evening to see Granny and the boys play some home style tunes. They don't care about your yelp review. Hurdddd.

The "bouncer" grabbed my husband by the shirt when he tried to walk inside and said "no thanks, have a good night." He wouldn't explain himself. We won't be coming back. read more

It's loud, people are friendly, and the bartenders are cool. My only regret is that I didn't start going here regularly sooner.

This place is good. Small, divey, cheap enough drinks, you can get a can of local stuff and a well shot for a fiver. Good bar stuff, good customers, pleasant enough when I visited on a Friday, Saturday and Tuesday night. A good alternative to the fancy Boundary Stone over the road. A hipstery version of a dive bar, could do with old day drinkers and so one but otherwise it is a great place. If dive bars are your thing then this is your place in a city where good dive bars are few and far between. read more

Like drinking in your friend's basement that his mom let him "remodel," if your friend had a super great jukebox. Showtime is the few/no frills, neighborhood bar that Bloomingdale was missing. I love it. I almost don't want to yelp about it, and keep it to myself, but they deserve a shout out. The selection of beers is small, but solid. I usually go with a Bell's Oberon from the cool water tank turned tap. Wine is from a box, but they went with one of the better brands of boxed wines (I once had a wine box themed birthday party), so there's that. When I was here tonight, the power went out for about an hour. Everyone shrugged and kept hanging out. It was still light enough outside to see, someone put music on with their phone, and the beer stayed cold until the power came back. I suppose this might have been a bigger deal in a place that served food other than potato chips. read more

Best drink specials, DJ (spinning funk 45's), dancing until the moon disappears...just your average Saturday night here. Loved every part about this place. I will 100% be back again. Keep pouring those whiskey shots bartender!!! ;) read more

Cash only! They've got an ATM on site though. Other than that, this dive bar is a solid addition to the neighborhood. Cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, clean bathroom. Can get a little too hipster-y sometimes for my taste; I'd say 40% of patrons at any time have those huge, black rimmed glasses. read more

Decade old music, good beer selection, graffiti on the wall, cash only. That's Showtime in a sentence. One of my go-to weekend spots, I love this bar. The only reason it's not a full 5 stars is the "bouncer" can sometimes be a dick. They rotate door dudes, and most are cool. But every once in awhile you get that guy. But otherwise I love Showtime. read more

Great atmosphere. Some friends and I dropped in on our way down to the metro for a beer. They had a live band called grandma and the boys that was an awesome funk band. The only bad thing is the place is cash only. read more

Showtime thank you for corrupting my life in the best way possible. You bring rock n roll to Bloomingdale.

Soul brothers and sisters: your venue has arrived. Showtime Lounge in Bloomingdale hosts some of the best funk and soul DJs in all of DC (Soul Call Paul, Mad Squirrel, yea you get the idea). Feel free to get on up and dance, there's a small area towards the front, prime for watusi'ing. Or if you're in a wallflower mood, there are a few booths to kick back and hang. If want a drink, trust they are plentiful and easy on your wallet (Genesee, Natty Bohs and beer/ shot specials- be still my heart). read more

I came to the bar a few nights ago and had a good time. The male bartender, didn't catch his name, gave good service. However, the female bartender (had short bleach blonde wavy hair and was skinny with tattoos,) basically ignored me. I was waiting patiently by the bar and no one else was waiting to be served at the moment. I got her attention, she leaned in and I asked for one shot, she acknowledged my request and acted like she was going to serve me, but instead ignored me and proceeded to serve and take shots with her friends. It's one thing to be ignored, but it's another for someone to act like they're going to help you, then not. The male bartender ended up serving me my shot and I went on my merry way. Was not pleased with the female bartender. read more

Cheap drinks. Chill vibes. Good music. Come on down to Showtime Lounge to chill after a long day. Make sure to come on Sunday evenings to see Granny and the Boys play live. read more

All and all Showtime is good. It's a manufactured dive bar. I.e., it's only been in business for 2 years but tries to create the scene of a bar that was always there and deteriorated through years of neglect. I live near by but don't go there much cause it's cash only; which is a hassle in 2015 for those of us who don't carry cash and I'm not making a special trip to the ATM just to go there. read more

Great little dive bar in my favorite neighborhood in DC. The beer list is good, the drinks are cheap, and the crowd is always fun. No food, but there are chips if you want a snack. Make sure to bring cash! read more

Very cool laid back neighborhood bar. I've always gotten a good pour. Friendly staff. Interesting conversations what's not to like.

Showtime is a great bar without the pretentious air put on by many others in the DC area. I love going there for a chill late afternoon or early evening drink, before it gets very crowded. The staff is great, and the other patrons are friendly. It's a great place to get to know your neighbors since most people there are from the neighborhood or nearby. The music is also fantastic -- guaranteed to put you in a good mood! read more

Fantastic divey bar in Bloomingdale. It is one of the "newer" bars in the area. I say that because it has opened for awhile but it is newer. Cash only. Full bar. Good basics on what you need at any bar. Good prices. Fun quaint place to hang out. read more

Cozy small bar. Great vibe, great music and a killer beverage menu! Good selection of beers but while you are there just get cocktail!

It's where non hipsters can be hipsters and where hipsters can be preppy. The world is upside down in one of the coolest bars in dc. Be sure to bring some cash since thy don't take credit. And if you're there on the right night you may hear live music as well. read more

Came back to visit when I was in town from Austin this weekend. I still love ya 4 ever showtime. The best bar on the fucking planet.

This is one of those places that I do not really want to review because I do not really want you guys going there. It is our Bloomingdale dive bar and it is beautiful and amazing and special and by that I mean it is dark, and takes cash, and the bar has an exclusive number of stools. It has a velvet rope, so that pretty much speaks for itself. Ok fine. Come to the bar, but preferably after 11pm because that is after I leave because I am too old for crowds. read more

Why do the bathrooms smells like incense and Giselle bundchens perfume line? Maybe tom ford had a couple of babies in their bathrooms, either way, I cannot detract from the all consuming aroma of hope that wafts from my freshly cracked natty bo's. Courtesy of every fucking fresh to death bartender who serves up swell times and rock and rock perfection. Are the walls made of marble and meteorite crumbs? Fresh out the kitchen, hot as dragons breathe? Don't ask me because I'm drunk on love, intoxicated out of my fucking mind on swag, bell-rung on dopeness - why? Because I'm at fucking showtime. The only question you have to ask yourself if, do ya feel lucky punk? If not come here - because it will literally triple infinity multiply your odds of being a decent person. read more

Fun bar but the bouncers seem to have a bone to pick with everyone. I don't always feel welcome and I don't always have fun, but the drinks are cheap. Pick your own priorities. read more

What a great dive bar! I was walking back from dinner at Big Bear and saw this place from afar. If you are looking for a unpretentious environment, definitely make your way here! read more

Seriously my favorite bar in DC. $5 for a boh and shot, you can't beat that. They always play sweet movies, you can bring your dog, and the crowd is always super chill. It's cash only, but that's what let's them keep prices so damn cheap. Best dive bar ever. read more