U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo
9:30 Club, on V Street
Considered by many to be one of the nation’s premier rock clubs, Washington’s 9:30 Club attracts a wide variety of popular, high-profile acts. The upper deck provides extra standing room in the 1,200-capacity venue, giving it a leg up on neighboring concert space Black Cat. If you get stuck out of a sold-out show, never fear – NPR’s All Songs Considered regularly broadcasts live and uncut from 9:30.
Ben’s Chili Bowl, on U Street
What better way to vanquish the pre-show munchies than a greasy chili half-smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl? Gentrification has brought plenty of fine dining to the U Street area, but few can top the good eats coming from Ben’s – a Washington staple since 1958. While in office, President Bill Clinton enjoyed the privilege of being Ben’s only delivery customer, but Bill Cosby stands alone as the famous patron who eats for free.
The Lincoln Theater, on U Street
In the 1950s, the Lincoln Theater saw the finest acts of the era – Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, to name a few. Ironically, desegregation largely put an end to the arts-centric neighborhood, referred to as the “Black Broadway,” but today, the refurbished Lincoln houses a wide variety of musical and theatrical talent.
