5 reviewed party hostels · from €25.23/night · Hostelworld rated
Washington DC’s nightlife doesn’t just revolve around politics. Head to **18th Street NW** in Adams Morgan on a Friday night, and you’ll find backpackers spilling out of hostels like **HighRoad Hostel DC** onto pavements packed with bars. The street hums with reggaeton from one venue and indie rock from the next, all within a five-minute walk. Happy hours here start at 4 PM and run until 8 PM, with $5 cocktails and $3 beers at spots like The Royal. The hostel scene is small but smart: most places cluster in Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, and Logan Circle, putting you right where the action is without needing a taxi.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Amazing social hostel located in the vibrant street with lots of bars and restaurants nearby. Enjoy Free Ice Cream in the lobby while meeting other travellers. Bar crawls and the night out in the local bar are regularly on the menu, with special discounts for guests. Free tasty breakfast with homemade pancakes is served every morning.
Duo Nomad is a great social hostel, with a nice atmosphere and cool vibes. Designed to encourage interaction among guests, the hostel is perfect for students and solo travellers. There are daily activities like free pizza and movie nights. Free breakfast includes, as well as tea and coffee.
Hostel with friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Surrounded by cafes, stores, and nightlife, just a couple of minutes from Chinatown. The rooftop lounge is a beautiful and great spot to chill with other guests. The huge kitchen is a nice common area for group dinners. Free breakfast included, along with a homemade fresh pancakes.
Stay in the vibrant and historic U Street district, with tons of great pubs and bars. The hostel has a modern and futuristic interior, with amazing pod sleeping unites. Great common areas where regular events are organised to ensure a friendly and fun atmosphere. Guests are welcomed to join happy hours, walking tours, movie nights, bar crawls, etc.
The Washington International Student Center is a friendly hostel located in a popular area and surrounded by different restaurants and nightclubs. By using the Metro, bus or walk you'll be access to touristic locations to the White House. The hostel has a kitchen so you can cook. There is internet access, access to kitchen, a common room, no curfew, and you will have your own key to come & go.
Organised nights out with a local guide
This crawl visits four iconic bars in the city centre while a guide shares stories you won’t hear in history class. Each stop includes one free drink, and the tour runs for about three hours. It’s a mix of history and nightlife, with a crowd of backpackers and travellers.
A more casual crawl that hits four bars on **18th Street NW**, including The Royal and Dan’s Café. Each stop includes a drink special, and the crawl runs for about three hours. It’s a great way to meet other backpackers and explore the city’s best nightlife area.
How Washington Dc's nightlife zones break down
The heart of DC’s nightlife, Adams Morgan is packed with bars, clubs, and late-night eats. **18th Street NW** is the main drag, lined with venues like The Royal and Dan’s Café. It’s a 10-minute walk from **HighRoad Hostel DC**, and the area stays lively until 3 AM. Weekends get rowdy, so expect queues at popular spots.
A slightly more polished vibe than Adams Morgan, but still packed with nightlife. **14th Street NW** is the place to be, with bars like **Number Nine** and live music at **Songbyrd Record Café**. It’s a 15-minute walk from Dupont Circle and attracts a mix of locals and travellers. Happy hours here are some of the best in the city.
A historic neighbourhood with a mix of upscale bars and divey hangouts. **Connecticut Avenue NW** is the main strip, home to **The Big Hunt** and **Dan’s Café**. It’s a 20-minute walk from the National Mall, making it easy to combine sightseeing with nightlife. The area is also home to some of the city’s best bookshops and cafés.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A two-floor bar on 18th Street NW with a rooftop that fills up by 9 PM. Expect $5 cocktails during happy hour and a crowd of backpackers and locals. The music leans toward hip-hop and dance, and it’s open until 2 AM on weekends. Get there early if you want a seat.
A dive bar that’s been around since the 1960s. It’s cash-only, serves $2 PBRs, and has a jukebox that’s been fought over for decades. The crowd is a mix of students, backpackers, and regulars who’ve been coming for years. Open until 3 AM on weekends.
A basement club with a sound system that rattles your ribs. House and techno DJs play here most weekends, and the cover charge is usually $10–$20. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and it gets packed by midnight. Doors close at 3 AM.
A two-level bar in Dupont Circle with a happy hour that runs from 5 PM to 7 PM. $4 beers and $6 cocktails draw a post-work crowd, but it stays busy with backpackers until closing at 2 AM. The upstairs is quieter, with board games and pool tables.
A café by day, live music venue by night. Local bands play most evenings, and the cover charge is usually under $10. The crowd is a mix of music lovers and backpackers from nearby hostels. Happy hour runs from 4 PM to 7 PM with $5 beers.
A small club in U Street with a dance floor that gets packed by 11 PM. The music ranges from indie rock to electronic, and the cover charge is usually $5–$10. It’s open until 3 AM on weekends, and the crowd is mostly in their 20s and 30s.
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