this place was tucked away right in Union market. Super cute space serve good drinks and amazing food. The staff was super nice and helpful and I love the space as it made the show feel intimate and fun. Parking is a little tricky, but there is options around union market from garage to street parking. I will definitely be back for more shows! read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - stage - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I have a friend who is starting to do music gigs, and he invited me to see him perform at this venue that I had never been to before. It's in Union Market just a few doors down from the new F1 Arcade... parking right nearby may be tricky, but there's always the Union Market parking lot and more options if you're willing to walk a bit. It may not be ideal on really cold days. They have a spacious outdoor seating area, and entry is easy -- just show your ID, ticket, and you're good to go. I'm not sure if it was because of the show, but there were just a few tables along the closest wall and near the stage. I would see there were five to six high tables total. Before ordering anything, I grabbed the only table left -- I had a feeling the others coming would appreciate that. I had already eaten, but I absolutely had to have the jerk chicken sandwich, it looked too good. I ordered it at the bar, was given a buzzer, and it was ready in about 10 minutes or so. It was indeed tasty! A bit pricey to just be the sandwich and nothing else, but it was good. The bar is fully stocked, and there are water cups at the far end to refill at your leisure. The show itself was really fun -- vocals and the sounds of the instruments were excellent. Certain vocals got drowned out by certain instruments, but that's just how sound works, you know? All in all I'd come back to this venue, it was a vibe with the disco ball overhead! I don't mind it, but for the less tech savvy, I could see the dependence on an app to retrieve the ticket for the concert being an inconvenience for some. There was no way to pull up the ticket without downloading Dice and activating the QR code on there. read more

I love this place. It's a small concert hall/café that has some pretty good alternative indie musicians. A few things I did not expect that were pleasant surprises. Free parking in a gated lot across the street from the venue. No weirdos hanging around after hours, well in all fairness this could be subjective. The french fries are the best, they tasted exactly like McDonald's fries in the 80's. My chicken quesadilla was on the spicy side and pretty good too. The sound system was decent and the bathrooms were newly renovated and clean. They have a full bar, the wine comes in a can, they had white and rose, but no red?? Who does'nt serve red wine?! Anyways, it's a cool spot that's been around for a while, but I wouldn't think to come here unless I actually knew who was playing. I love the intimate setting, met Vinyl Williams and the rest of the band after the show. What- A- Night! read more

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Everything about this place is great. Awesome atmosphere, food and drink. Came for shaolin jazz presents can i kick it. Which in itself is outstanding product. Between the regulars and the people thier for the production it was a great vibe and the dj was awesome. Definitely recommend commiing here. I had the jerk chicken sandwich which was delish. read more

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I attended for a concert and sadly their sound equipment was super faulty and didn't work during several numbers. Luckily, the artist had his music on his phone and they amplified it- but not good. Also only like 10 chairs for 100 people! I think people would have enjoyed more if seated not standing shoulder to shoulder. I wouldn't attend another concert here. read more

**pre-COVID review** (This review has been saved in my Drafts for forever and a day!) Me and a friend attended the New Music Friday: Meshell Ndegeocello "Ventriloquism" listening party here many moons ago. We ordered a few appetizers and drinks while we waiting for the show to start. Booze! Done just right. Food! Fried chicken sliders: Well-seasoned, served hot. No complaints. I've also purchased a few records from the music store side. (Will add pics soon.) Great selection, rare gems, fair pricing. __ IG: @f.hux I #yelp and I know things. Keep reading... https://linktr.ee/f.hux #foodieHUX #yelpelite #yelpeatsdc #yelpdc read more

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I went to a free show as part of the Taste of Iceland event but I wanted to leave a review bc I thought the sound was really good! The space was great for this concert, not too crowded. There was one large table with some stools so I got to sit for a while. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - a crowd of people outside - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Loved the sound and overall vibe of this space for smaller indie shows. Reasonably priced drinks and friendly staff.

What a great concert venue! I've been here 4-5 times now and have always had a good time. They bring in great artists and I love that the space is on the smaller, more intimate side. The staff is always kind and they usually have pretty good drink specials. Also, the tickets are Very affordable - I've even been a couple of times for artists I didn't know just to check them out. I haven't had the food here, but the drinks I've tried are pretty good. I hope they eventually expand the wine options since I think they only had one red and one white last time I went. I will say that it can get pretty hot inside during the summer months, so you have to dress accordingly. They will open the large windows sometimes to let a little breeze in. Also, since this is near Union Market, parking is never really an issue since there's lots of free street parking. I look forward to going back for more concerts or to check out one of their dance parties. read more

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This review is just for Songbyrd as a concert venue, where I recently saw the NPR Tiny Desk tour. They're also a restaurant/cafe when they're not hosting shows, so that's something to check out in the future. It's a nice place to see a show! I'm not sure if it is just for COVID precautions, but it doesn't get too crowded or hard to order a drink. I think there were about 250 people the night I went. The stage is on the long side of the room rather than at the end, so even the farthest standing room is pretty close. The night I went, it was nice out and they had the garage door at the front open, which was nice for air circulation and to cut down on reverb. Even though you are fairly close to the speakers I didn't feel like they were blasting, though that may vary from show to show. I live in NoMa and never ventured over to their old location, but it's really nice having this in the Union Market neighborhood now. It's inexpensive, low-stress, very transit-accessible (NoMa-Gallaudet or bikeshare close by), and there's even free parking nearby if that's your jam. Definitely check it out! read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Stage - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped by with my vegan cousin for brunch this weekend because they offer bottomless mimosas and a few vegan food options. One complaint was that the menu online was not the menu that we were given, and the vegan biscuits and gravy was not offered that day which was very sad. Also brunch normally goes til 3, but on this particular day, brunch was ending at 2:30. I got the regular chilaquiles which were super flavorful and yummy, but the portion size was definitely small for the price. We ended up walking down to La Cosecha and getting some snacks afterward bc we were still hungry. My cousin got the vegan breakfast burrito and practically inhaled it. The one bite she let me try was very tasty. But again, very small portion size. The iced coffee was also very disappointing for the price. The service was very friendly and the bathrooms were nice and clean. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Vegan breakfast burrito - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Visited Songbyrd for a concert and record release--a great venue with a surprisingly tasty menu! I loved the fries--perfectly soft and seasoned. For perhaps the first time in years, I didn't feel like I needed any dipping sauce because the fries were just that good. A hidden gem just north of Union Market! read more

Another good place for drinks and food. It also of course has live music. Songbyrd Record Cafe is a local favorite you need to check out. Go for breakfast. They can help you start your day after partying there the last night. It opens early. It seems like it has several personalities. They're all utterly gloriously weird. In the morning they have breakfast. They have lots of classics and some vegan choices. In the evening business starts to pick up again. They have a good happy hour with $3 rails. It also has good food. The vegan hot dog is about $9 and comes with choices of toppings. Late at night they have live music in the basement. The shows usually are free so expect big crowds. Many good reasons to come. It can be the drinks, food, or music. The upper floors are much quieter comparatively speaking. read more

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I had so much fun last night. The place is quirky and fun which was just enough to match the event. The food was reasonably priced and actually good! They have mock tails and excellent service. It's a music venue which can be rented for events. And their sound definitely packs a punch Can't wait to be back next month at the next CIKI event March 1. read more

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Came here to get some work done on a cloudy Saturday. The other coffee shops in the neighborhood were overcrowded and very noisy. Songbyrd was quaint and quiet. I stayed for a few hours and got so much done. My food came out very fast and my sandwich was delicious delicious. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Chicken pesto sandwich with herbal tea - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a brunch review. Was quiet and pretty empty here but the server was attentive and helpful, the food all looked good and some of it was quite good. Downsides, even though it was empty, the kitchen took a long time to make things, and while the server was kind enough to give 6 different checks, some of them were mischarged which led to some confusion. Overall quiet spot with some good options (like the French toast). read more

My previous review was for the old location in Adams Morgan, NOT the new location in Union Market. The Union Market location is NOTHING like the old location and their bartenders will steal money from you. read more

Came here for the live performances -- the performers were great but the venue was a little small.

Nice vibe/ambience. Came here for brunch and bottomless mimosas. I had French toast and scrambled eggs and it was pretty good. Songbird house had musicians and motivational guest speakers which made it that more enjoyable. I am definitely coming back withstood homegirls/friends. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Kate singing at songbyrd during brunch - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Adorable spot for music lovers. The first floor is a cafe and record shop where you can listen to records of your pick. The coffee drinks are OK - I ordered an iced mocha that was on the bitter side, but the service was great. And it is a nice space to chill during the day time. For nightlife -- I had no idea until recently that they have a second floor basement area that includes a dance floor and a whole other bar, as well as a private room in the back!!! how cute. It really looks like an old school basement (gives me that same feel of the Black Cat red room. but less grimy! throwing it way back) with colored lights. They have hip hop and 80s pop nights -- so fun! people dress up and are really into it and there's also heavy metal nights. I haven't been to the latter yet, but am curious to go. Love the diversity. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

While staying in DC, a gentleman across the street recommended me to come here for brunch. It was literally walking distant from our stay in Adams Morgan. This is small cafe and the music and atmosphere is very vibrant. The hostess who was also our waitress was extremely nice to us and check on our table quite often. Our food came out fast and we had bottomless mimosa. I'm not really a drinker but if you are then this is the place for you. The mimosas were really strong but that's good because most places water them down with juice . The chicken and waffles were good, they were served with a side of mixed berry preservative and maple syrup. The only recommendation is somehow the chicken could use a little more seasoning. My chicken was dry but I was able to overlook it due to the excellent service we had. I will also make sure this place is on my list to visit whenever I am in DC again. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Chicken and Waffles - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

As a small concert venue, this place leaves a great deal to be desired. It doesn't advertise on its website as essentially standing room only. My wife is disabled and cannot stand for hours waiting and seeing a performance. There is no disabled reserved seating. The only chance you have is to get there hours before the event starts, stand even longer, with the hope of getting their limited stools. While it may me technically ADA compliant, it falls short of the intent of including those with disabilities at a concert. Regarding the food. I got a bacon cheeseburger that was alright. They refuse to allow you to customize their menu items and not allowing people to remove items from essentially a made to order operation is ridiculous. The prices are about what you'd expect for a similar venue. If you don't mind having no say in how your food is prepared and can stand for hours on end in a poorly designed space, I'd recommend going to Songbyrd. read more

My friend and I came here the day after Thanksgiving to catch up. The nook by the window is quite pleasant and a great spot for two people. Other seating in the area is a bit odd, with a few chairs pointed inward and a u-shaped arrangement around bitty tables. I got a medium coffee with free soy milk, which I served myself in a Wonder Woman cup. (Take your pick!) The coffee menu is pretty standard, and there were barely any pastries - I assume because it was the day after Thanksgiving - but the menu of freshly-made food looked enticing. While the vibe is definitely more retro, this Friday morning was a bit of folky and indie music - not really my style, but that's ok. If you're looking to support local businesses with a unique style, this spot is a great option. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Record tables - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really enjoyed the ambience of this place. Went during the day so it was very quiet. My meal was delicious. Fairly priced and fast service. Loved the records and the seating. Would definitely visit again. read more

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DC needs Songbyrd Record Cafe more than Songbyrd needs DC. In a city of suits and politics, Songbyrd pushes DC to tap into their creative side. Where Peregrine defines good coffee and Maketto defines cool, Songbyrd defines the arts. Located in eccentric Adams Morgan, Songbyrd Record Cafe is a record shop, music venue, and coffee shop all in one. The icing on the cake (or the froth on the latte) is their strong, free wifi, plenty of seating, good coffee (hot and iced) and a unique lunch menu. For lunch, I ordered the Kraftwerk sandwich, which I highly recommend, It was a sandwich with perfectly fried schnitzel with cranberry sauce, slaw, and brie cheese. You have an option of a side and always order the mashed potatoes. What they don't tell you, it's mashed potatoes with bacon and scallions....AMAZING! If you need a break from stiff DC, make the journey to Songbyrd Record Cafe! read more

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I've been to this place many times for coffee since it opened, but never really sat down for a real meal until today! We went for late brunch and it was a great time. This place has a welcoming vibe, so I always enjoy coming in! For my food I ordered the Joe's Plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, tater tots, and sour dough toast. The bread definitely didn't taste like sourdough so that was a bit disappointing, but everything else was really good. It was a basic breakfast plate but they didn't skimp on anything; plenty of bacon, eggs and tots! They also included some type of jam which was so tasty...I think it was blueberry but I'm not positive. To drink I got a maple pumpkin latte and it was delicious! The woman at the coffee counter told me they make the maple/pumpkin syrup in house, which is pretty cool. After brunch we checked out the records on the coffee shop side. They recently changed the seating to these comfy looking blue couches which look really nice. It would be nice to come back and sit down for coffee on that side! The closest metro is Woodley Park (red) and it's about a 10-15 minute walk from the station. read more

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Songbyrd is a great addition to the main Adams Morgan strip and a great bar to relax and enjoy some good company. It is dark, dim, and mysterious in all the right ways. The decor is fantastic. The tap handles are shaped like old school mics, the lights are enclosed in birdcages, and the brightly colored walls make the space very welcoming. For the drinking, they have a decent amount of room at the bar on top of a long line of tables along the wall if you're with a group. The space is roomy and comfortable even when they are packed. They offer a changing and eclectic mix of beers on tap, as well. During my first visit they had a blonde ale brewed with espresso beans that was downright spactacular. My second visit I enjoyed a nice citrusy dogfish offering. Good stuff and decent prices at $7 a glass. On weekends they have a dj playing the good stuff. It has been a nice mix of top 40, house beats, with some michael jackson thrown in for good measure. There also are TVs above the bar, which I have seen playing college sports a number of times, but on my first visit they were playing Rambo long into the night. Nice. Bonus points for the small but fun list of games available behind the bar, including mini connect four! read more

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Great vibes, open floor plan and good drinks. Great spot in Union Market to dance and always has great upcoming acts.

I like the vibe of this coffee shop. You walk in and see records, and a sort of retro aesthetic in the furnishing - plush couches, gold tables, and fun record-industrial lighting (exposes brick and concrete floor). Records are on display for sale to the left, great music is playing. But when I sat down to enjoy my coffee and set it down on one of the gold, circular tables, and then placed my laptop on it, the table immediately teetered and almost spilled EVERYWHERE. Obviously my concern was about my laptop but the table is rather cheap and unbalanced (light and not heavy), which is bad choice for the uneven concrete; but the top of the table (the circle) is very unstable as well. I tested those near me and they were the same. I am sure other tables are more stable but serving food and drink on these would be annoying. I left my coffee on the floor for most of my drinking of it, because I didn't feel like constantly worrying about touching the table. As I sit, a couple next to me have also discovered how bad their table is and they are gingerly eating and drinking what they bought. ADDITIONALLy: the lovely green plush bench against the wall is pretty cheap as well. I don't care how much stuff costs however, cheap in construction is what I mean. When the couple next to me sat down, my side of the bench moved (like a see-saw). The girl next to me kept adjusting and shifting the way she sat: and every time she moved to grab her phone or something else, I got really annoyed because it was distracting. She was fine, I'm saying the bench is at fault here. A heavier wood or nailing down entire length properly would help. COFFEE: my nitro coffee tastes just fine. But overall experience doesn't make me want to come back much, despite the great atmosphere (this kind of coffee shop IS my vibe). If I am worrying more about spilling my coffee than enjoying the atmosphere and the coffee I am sipping, it completely defeats why I came here. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

So stoked to find Songbyrd! I spent ~5 days/12 nights (you do the math) in Adams Morgan recently and roamed the streets for breakfast, lunch, coffee, beers and dinner. Yup, I did it all - 'cept the $45 "feel good" full body massage. Sunday morning before heading out to the National Arboretum, I needed a quick bite to eat before I sneezed, wheezed, itched and coughed my way through springtime at the Nat Arb. Walking past McDonald's, I stumbled upon Songbyrd's Record Cafe. I love vinyl and hipster looking haunts...game on! I wasn't quite sure if the food was going to be "just okay" or "really good," but I liked the choices. The dude at the counter was funny, warm and engaging - I love that! So, I ordered a breakfast sandwich (probably had a name, don't amember). Anyhow, jumbo english muffin, egg, turkey cheese, bacon and AVOCADO (all things good start/end with avo IMHO!) The verdict: I loved SRC - every bit of it! Vibe, service, food... 5 stars and a slice of avocado to top it all off. read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - DELICIOUS breakfast sandwich!!! Egg, turkey, bacon, cheese and avocado (add-on for $0.50) - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We both love music and coffee, so this place naturally drew us in. For the superstar in you, they have a recording booth where you can get your vocals immortalized in vinyl. It's a bit hot and stuffy during the day and not exactly soundproof but for the sheer nostalgia, it seems like an interesting experience. Just a bit pricey for my liking at $15 for a few seconds recording. Aside from that, the coffee itself was pretty good and they even have a bar part for people who want to chill out rather than java up. They were a participant in the BannedBooksDC event, but I was disappointed to show up one morning and they had no clue they were even participating. I think that was bad communication between their staff. That morning my coffee was also pretty bad. I'm going to attribute that to a fluke since the other days I have visited their service and coffee were pretty good. If you're in the Adams Morgan area, have a coffee and stop in. read more

I ordered a PB whiskey milkshake and it was pretty much flavored water with whiskey in it, topped with whipped cream. In addition, you had to buy food if you purchased a shake and I purchased a donut....they must have had donuts left over from 1864 because it was harder than civil war hard tac. To top it off, the blonde lady was pretty rude. read more

I am loath to admit that I am a sucker for vinyl and fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. As to not completely irritate others with my seemingly offensive 20-something interests, I usually indulge in these vices separately, but Songbyrd, a reprieve from the conventional sandwich shops in D.C., presented the perfect opportunity for me to shamelessly own up to being a BuzzFeed stereotype of a millennial. For how much people mock millennials for constantly taking pictures of their foods and owning an absurd number of mason jars and succulents, being a young person in America isn't all fun and games. We might never be able to afford a house of our own, but at least we have plenty of mason jars to clutter our tiny, oversized apartments, right? In the same vein, Songbyrd sounds great in theory, but struggles in reality. I stopped by on a fairly slow weekday for lunch -- there was no employee in sight on the cafe side of Songbyrd, which wasn't the most promising beginning to my meal. After a few minutes, the aloof hipster server returned and dropped off our menus. I went for the cheese press, which was the cheapest sandwich on the menu at $7. You can find the most basic of grilled cheese sandwiches for $7 in San Francisco, so I thought this was quite the deal, seeing as it also came with tomato bisque for dipping. However, I didn't realize that they were cutting corners with the portion size by making the cheese press on a grilled baguette. The cheddar in the sandwich was pretty forgettable (the flavorful tomato bisque in the tiny sauce dish was the highlight of the meal) and I left still hungry. read more

The $5 PBRs were satisfactory, but then my table and the one next to us got accosted and racially harassed by some wasted patrons around 1 a.m. on a Thursday, while the bar staff seemingly ignored the situation unfolding less than 4 meters away from them. Weird because it's usually a diverse crowd, but I'm not coming back here unless I somehow feel like getting called "undocumented" and a "n***er" again. read more

I appreciate that they host local or upcoming musicians or artists. Fairly reasonable prices considering it's in Adams Morgan area. I will be back with friends or alone. Thanks Songbyrd Record Cafe and thanks to it's team see you soon!!!!! read more

Such a cool space! I had the "It's Not You, It's Brie" burger and my friends got the garlic parmesan tots to share. The burger was good (not great) but the tots were SO GOOD. I'll be back to try other things on the menu, as well as see a show! read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Coffee is good, music is awesome, food could be improved. Great location and I highly recommend

Review is for the concert space in basement. Attended an enjoyable sold-out show (IDER). The space is surprisingly small. Think your friend's open-plan basement. Decorated much the same, twinkle-lights on the ceiling, etc. Probably not a place you want to see with all the lights on. There is very limited bench seating along one side and the back, but if you take those seats your view will be very limited. If you want to take a picture, you really have to be standing toward the front. The downstairs bar was competently and cheerfully run, although the selections are limited in terms of beer. You can take your drink upstairs, but I suspect you can't do the reverse if you order something in a glass. The show was all ages and doors opened at 7. The opening act came on around 8 and the main act around 9. Show ended around 10, and I think the basement stays open until 11 or so. The promptness was appreciated on a weeknight. Sound for the main act was quite good, although the opening act was somewhat muddy. There is an all-gender restroom upstairs. I suspect there must other restrooms accessible from the back of the basement, because one simply isn't enough, but I didn't get to see it. One (biggish) complaint: the upstairs wifi doesn't reach the basement, and cell service (at least AT&T) doesn't either. On one hand it's kind of nice to not see everyone on their phone. But if you need to connect with a friend who is coming, it's a BIG problem. I didn't want to leave my choice position leaning against a pole, but had to go upstairs to check my messages. There is a garage nearby at 2421 18th St NW and you can reserve using the usual apps. Spots are pretty damn narrow (and I drive a MINI), not sure if this is par for the course for DC. There are a couple of other lots, and I guess the Columbia Heights Metro station is the closest, a little less than a mile. I wasn't sure what time the show would end and what the walk would be like, so I drove. In summary, this is a very intimate setting where you can see some great bands and some attention seems to be paid to sound quality. read more

Brunch was good! Delicious. I got a breakfast burger. Have to say I m sufficiently impressed by their fries - their homemade fries are perfect combo of crispy and chewy. Burger was good too. The place opens at 11 am on weekends , but the coffee shop/record shop connected with it is open earlier. Cool place to check out read more

Songbyrd Record Cafe - Vinyl Records Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went a while back. Was handed a non-itemized receipt with a discreet 20 percent service fee that was not announced by the bartender. This is the sort of thing that ruins trust in the industry. Will avoid. read more