One of the best dive nightclubs in DC! For sure check it out just bring some toilet paper for yourself!
Sextus R.
Dirty, very wooden unstable structure. The bathrooms are disgusting and the alcohol is cheap
Dan Sugrue
It's the dive that started my concert photography career and for that I love it. Other than that its everything you would expect from a dive venue.
Melissa L.
i've never been here, but i'm 16 and I think it's absolute b******* that this venue is 18 and over because I don't wanna drink. I just wanted to see a band that I absolutely love. i'd understand if it were 21+ but it isn't, so I really don't understand why I couldn't see a concert here.
David Fimbres
Good music and pies! What could be better?
Donyiel C.
Didn't even know this place existed until I got invited to a hip hop show here. They charged a $10 cover - ugh! This place is old and small and in serious need of an upgrade (maybe that's why they had to charge a cover). The drinks were decent - not a huge selection. The event itself was fun and the artists were all good but I won't pay a lot of money to come here ever...
Miss B.
came to see a friend's open mic show. $10. Came upstairs. I guess its a good spot for a stage for local artists. Pretty small but fits for the purpose. On this night, drinks were only sold downtairs. The chairs at the bar upstairs were kind of rickety. I just stood up considering the chairs felt like they would tumble over lol.
Anil Kochukudy
Terrible! They charge a cover, but there's no entertainment and the place is empty. Don't pay. Walk away. Dodge City next door is way better.
YoMags
Didn't get in because it was so crowded but it looked like it was jumpin! Sought it out because of their extended service hours.
Stephen Randolph O'Sicky
On tour with my band from Dallas, TX. Canceled show for no reason, “forgot to tell us.â€
This is the diviest of dive bars. It even goes beyond that. If you love hip-hop you'll have a great time here but we warned, the place is filthy haha. It's small, it will likely be cramped, you will dance, and you will sweat. Don't bother using the bathrooms either. Just come here with a friend or two and enjoy the music and a crowd that just wants to have fun!
Miriam L.
This is my favorite dive bar in DC, and it's just that- a dive bar. I feel like the people that give it 1 star don't understand that this is a fabulously grungy place to go with your friends and dance the night away. DJs are always dope and I love the the space upstairs for live music. It's a treasure in DC's over saturated cookie cutter bar scene. If you're new to DC it's a must.
Armani Y.
Pretty decent music. However the actual lounge is very small and can get really crowded on weekends. It also becomes very hot as well. The rail drinks were made with extremely cheap liquor. The run tasted like rubbing alcohol! If you are looking for a place to go on U st I would suggest some of the other places near by before Velvet.
Colin B.
The Velvet Lounge is a proper dive bar. Drinks are cheap, the staff is surly yet efficient, and the place is convivial in that the guests can pursue their natural pleasures without interference. It attracts a diverse crowd whom might come to the VL to drink, listen to the DJ, dance, talk to friends, or simply sleep on the bench in back. The place next door seemed to attract a lot of douche bags, but few seem to enter here.
Tony J.
This is one of the greatest DC classic venues!! Great music, great place, always a fun time
One of the best dive nightclubs in DC! For sure check it out just bring some toilet paper for yourself!
Dirty, very wooden unstable structure. The bathrooms are disgusting and the alcohol is cheap
It's the dive that started my concert photography career and for that I love it. Other than that its everything you would expect from a dive venue.
i've never been here, but i'm 16 and I think it's absolute b******* that this venue is 18 and over because I don't wanna drink. I just wanted to see a band that I absolutely love. i'd understand if it were 21+ but it isn't, so I really don't understand why I couldn't see a concert here.
Good music and pies! What could be better?
Didn't even know this place existed until I got invited to a hip hop show here. They charged a $10 cover - ugh! This place is old and small and in serious need of an upgrade (maybe that's why they had to charge a cover). The drinks were decent - not a huge selection. The event itself was fun and the artists were all good but I won't pay a lot of money to come here ever...
came to see a friend's open mic show. $10. Came upstairs. I guess its a good spot for a stage for local artists. Pretty small but fits for the purpose. On this night, drinks were only sold downtairs. The chairs at the bar upstairs were kind of rickety. I just stood up considering the chairs felt like they would tumble over lol.
Terrible! They charge a cover, but there's no entertainment and the place is empty. Don't pay. Walk away. Dodge City next door is way better.
Didn't get in because it was so crowded but it looked like it was jumpin! Sought it out because of their extended service hours.
On tour with my band from Dallas, TX. Canceled show for no reason, “forgot to tell us.â€
Restaurantji Recommends
This is the diviest of dive bars. It even goes beyond that. If you love hip-hop you'll have a great time here but we warned, the place is filthy haha. It's small, it will likely be cramped, you will dance, and you will sweat. Don't bother using the bathrooms either. Just come here with a friend or two and enjoy the music and a crowd that just wants to have fun!
This is my favorite dive bar in DC, and it's just that- a dive bar. I feel like the people that give it 1 star don't understand that this is a fabulously grungy place to go with your friends and dance the night away. DJs are always dope and I love the the space upstairs for live music. It's a treasure in DC's over saturated cookie cutter bar scene. If you're new to DC it's a must.
Pretty decent music. However the actual lounge is very small and can get really crowded on weekends. It also becomes very hot as well. The rail drinks were made with extremely cheap liquor. The run tasted like rubbing alcohol! If you are looking for a place to go on U st I would suggest some of the other places near by before Velvet.
The Velvet Lounge is a proper dive bar. Drinks are cheap, the staff is surly yet efficient, and the place is convivial in that the guests can pursue their natural pleasures without interference. It attracts a diverse crowd whom might come to the VL to drink, listen to the DJ, dance, talk to friends, or simply sleep on the bench in back. The place next door seemed to attract a lot of douche bags, but few seem to enter here.
This is one of the greatest DC classic venues!! Great music, great place, always a fun time