“Make Mixing Great Again” Mindset Thank you—see you next week!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sean Ross
Legendary.
Muhammad Azhar
[Update – Response to Owner’s Reply]:
Your response is dismissive, defamatory, and attempts to justify the physical harm I sustained inside your venue.
I came to Eighteenth Street Lounge for a fun night out. I left with a bruised throat, no voice, and trauma—disoriented from what I now know was a chokehold applied by your staff. Medical evaluations confirm the harm.
Rather than taking responsibility, you’ve chosen to publicly smear a patron and post unverified, reputationally damaging claims, which may constitute defamation.
I have already spoken with authorities. Further legal and regulatory steps will follow if this matter is not treated with the seriousness it warrants.
Let this serve as notice: When venues treat physical harm as a PR inconvenience, and attack the credibility of injured patrons, they reveal a deeper culture of irresponsibility and risk.
I will not let this go quietly.
UPDATE ON THE CHOKING INCIDENT:
It’s been nearly 3 weeks since I was put in a chokehold by staff at Eighteenth Street Lounge. I’m still recovering. Medical results show ongoing throat inflammation that's left me unable to fully speak—a deeply frustrating and painful experience.
ENT specialist peered into my throat and ruled out vocal cord damage and fracture (thankfully!), but confirmed significant inflammation likely caused by forceful compression. I’m now on medication in hopes of regaining my full voice.
This is what reckless physical force at licensed venues like Eighteenth Street Lounge can result in—lasting harm from being forcibly removed without warning.
A formal complaint is with the Alcohol and Beverage Review Administration, and legal action remains an option. No patron should ever be injured by the actions of a bar like Eighteenth Street Lounge.
Previous Update:
Formal Letter to ESL Demanding Accountability for Assault Incident
On August 27, I submitted a formal letter to Eighteenth Street Lounge requesting a full explanation for the assault I experienced at their establishment and asking what concrete steps they’ve taken since to address it.
This incident was not just personal—it raised broader concerns about accountability, safety, and how nightlife venues handle violence against patrons. I believe the public deserves to know whether establishments like ESL are willing to take responsibility, protect their community, and create a space of mutual respect.
I await their official response and will share any updates publicly. MPD and ABRA have shady been notified on the incident.
If you or someone you know has had a similar experience at ESL—or elsewhere—please feel free to reach out.
Safety and accountability matters.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Vibhu Yadav
I booked a free EDM event through the Shotgun app, but when we arrived at the venue, we were told there was actually a private wedding party happening instead. The advertised event did not exist. This caused us to waste time and money on transport for an event that was never happening.
Natasha
This is a favourite of mine in DC. I love a good dance here to some good music 🎶
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Anfinessen
One of the best bars of dc love the vibe
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
A. Azhar
I came to Eighteenth Street Lounge on Aug 18 for a drink and dance. I left with a bruised throat and no voice.
After ordering two drinks over the course of two hours, I had a confusing verbal interaction with a bar staff. Within seconds, without warning or explanation, I was grabbed from behind in a chokehold by security, dragged down the stairs, and left on the sidewalk—unable to speak or breathe.
I experienced throat trauma, loss of voice, and emotional distress, and reported the incident to both MPD and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA).
I have contacted the management of Eighteenth Street Lounge to request an explanation regarding the incident. So far, there has been no accountability or follow-up from the establishment.
This public update is part of my ongoing effort to seek a fair resolution and ensure that similar harm doesn’t befall others.
Cozy bar, Live music on select nights great ambiance.
seth long
Nice sound system, and decent DJs and crowd.
But the flow of the dancefloors can be a little awkward at times, given their placement.
Winter Harris (Simply Winter)
Nice place to chill.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Georgia Clark
It was a nice chill spot
Atmosphere: 5
Sharde
I was here on a Summer Friday at midnight and I appreciate that this place didn't get too crowded... just the right amount of people for me. Loved the lighting and the DJ! It's almost like the perfect spot for those of us who used to party at the old 18th st lounge in our 20s ? and want the music drinks and vibe without the overcrowding and sloppy drunk ppl. I'd go back for sure!
“Make Mixing Great Again” Mindset
Thank you—see you next week!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Legendary.
[Update – Response to Owner’s Reply]:
Your response is dismissive, defamatory, and attempts to justify the physical harm I sustained inside your venue.
I came to Eighteenth Street Lounge for a fun night out. I left with a bruised throat, no voice, and trauma—disoriented from what I now know was a chokehold applied by your staff. Medical evaluations confirm the harm.
Rather than taking responsibility, you’ve chosen to publicly smear a patron and post unverified, reputationally damaging claims, which may constitute defamation.
I have already spoken with authorities. Further legal and regulatory steps will follow if this matter is not treated with the seriousness it warrants.
Let this serve as notice: When venues treat physical harm as a PR inconvenience, and attack the credibility of injured patrons, they reveal a deeper culture of irresponsibility and risk.
I will not let this go quietly.
UPDATE ON THE CHOKING INCIDENT:
It’s been nearly 3 weeks since I was put in a chokehold by staff at Eighteenth Street Lounge. I’m still recovering. Medical results show ongoing throat inflammation that's left me unable to fully speak—a deeply frustrating and painful experience.
ENT specialist peered into my throat and ruled out vocal cord damage and fracture (thankfully!), but confirmed significant inflammation likely caused by forceful compression. I’m now on medication in hopes of regaining my full voice.
This is what reckless physical force at licensed venues like Eighteenth Street Lounge can result in—lasting harm from being forcibly removed without warning.
A formal complaint is with the Alcohol and Beverage Review Administration, and legal action remains an option.
No patron should ever be injured by the actions of a bar like Eighteenth Street Lounge.
Previous Update:
Formal Letter to ESL Demanding Accountability for Assault Incident
On August 27, I submitted a formal letter to Eighteenth Street Lounge requesting a full explanation for the assault I experienced at their establishment and asking what concrete steps they’ve taken since to address it.
This incident was not just personal—it raised broader concerns about accountability, safety, and how nightlife venues handle violence against patrons. I believe the public deserves to know whether establishments like ESL are willing to take responsibility, protect their community, and create a space of mutual respect.
I await their official response and will share any updates publicly. MPD and ABRA have shady been notified on the incident.
If you or someone you know has had a similar experience at ESL—or elsewhere—please feel free to reach out.
Safety and accountability matters.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
I booked a free EDM event through the Shotgun app, but when we arrived at the venue, we were told there was actually a private wedding party happening instead. The advertised event did not exist. This caused us to waste time and money on transport for an event that was never happening.
This is a favourite of mine in DC. I love a good dance here to some good music 🎶
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
One of the best bars of dc love the vibe
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I came to Eighteenth Street Lounge on Aug 18 for a drink and dance. I left with a bruised throat and no voice.
After ordering two drinks over the course of two hours, I had a confusing verbal interaction with a bar staff. Within seconds, without warning or explanation, I was grabbed from behind in a chokehold by security, dragged down the stairs, and left on the sidewalk—unable to speak or breathe.
I experienced throat trauma, loss of voice, and emotional distress, and reported the incident to both MPD and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA).
I have contacted the management of Eighteenth Street Lounge to request an explanation regarding the incident. So far, there has been no accountability or follow-up from the establishment.
This public update is part of my ongoing effort to seek a fair resolution and ensure that similar harm doesn’t befall others.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Not the same anymore
Forgot two of our orders! Extremely slow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Great live DJs and cool diverse crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Cozy bar, Live music on select nights great ambiance.
Nice sound system, and decent DJs and crowd.
But the flow of the dancefloors can be a little awkward at times, given their placement.
Nice place to chill.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
It was a nice chill spot
Atmosphere: 5
I was here on a Summer Friday at midnight and I appreciate that this place didn't get too crowded... just the right amount of people for me. Loved the lighting and the DJ! It's almost like the perfect spot for those of us who used to party at the old 18th st lounge in our 20s ? and want the music drinks and vibe without the overcrowding and sloppy drunk ppl. I'd go back for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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