Soundcheck: NOW HIRING
Independence Weekend Beach Party at Ultrabar
DCClubbing Presents:
Independence Weekend Beach Party
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Ultrabar • 911 F Street NW • Washington, DC
It’s Independence Day Weekend and we’re bringing you the beach! No work or school on the 4th of July! Grab your shades and flip flops! We will provide the rest!
No dress code, beach attire is accepted!
Open Bar 10pm-11pm
DJ SAAM
Music: Top 40, House and International
$350 table special: Jack, Stoli, and House Champagne
Bottle service available at (202) 638-4663
Ages 18+ w/ valid ID
Dress Code: NONE
_________________________
911 F Street NW, Washington DC
Nearest Metro station: Gallery Place/Chinatown (Red and Yellow/Green lin
Summer Concerts in DC
Summer has finally arrived and DC! The best time of year for outdoor concerts, stadium-packed shows, and serious summer lineups. This summer is on pace to be one of the most epic so far: Foo Fighters, Nicki Minaj, the Moonrise Festival, and so much more. Better start budgeting your Summer cash now, because you are probably going to want to see all of these. And by probably, I mean definitely.
Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional
When: June 17, 2015
Where: Peir 6 Pavilion
Tickets: Ticketfly
Tell the angst-ridden teen in you that is freaking out over this to take a couple of deep breaths and then reassure them that yes: this is indeed real. The emo royals who once ruled your AIM profile (don’t lie) and sang about “screaming infidelities” is reuniting for the first time in 5 years with none other than Third Eye Blind. Need I say more?
Panda Funk
ft. Dirty Audio, Deorro, Zoo Funktion, and Iez
When: June 26, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets
“What good is art if no one gets to enjoy it?” Excellent question, Deorro. Panda Funk, lead by Deorro himself, is a west coast record label that prides itself on discovering new artists and letting them explore their capabilities. They aim to keep music as authentic and real as possible, and their show this summer at Echostage should prove to any skeptics just what they’re about.
Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Blowout
When: July 7, 2015
Where: RFK Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Saying that this is a concert of colossal proportions would still be putting it mildly. To celebrate their 20th anniversary as one of the greatest, most influential rock bands alive (not to mention the coolest – have you ever read an interview with Dave Grohl? What a guy), the band is bringing together many of the groundbreaking American acts featured in their HBO docuseries, Sonic Highways: Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, LL Cool J feat. DJ Z-Trip – the list just goes on.
In the words of Wayne and Garth: We’re not worthy!
Taylor Swift
When: July 13-14, 2015
Where: Nationals Park
Tickets: Tickets.com
Leave a blank space in your calendar open! It’s time to party like it’s 1989! If you can’t make it one day, shake it off because there’s a second show!
I’ll stop.
But in all seriousness, my girl T-Swift deserves some credit: Her last album shattered the sales of whatever it was Justin Beiber put out and that is something everyone can get on board with. She’s also broken a few Guinness records that haven’t been touched (or realized) since the pre-Napster and mp3 days when TRL was the deciding factor of who achieved platinum status (#throwback #missyouCarson #rememberwhenDiddyranonthattreadmill?). And she’s coming to DC’s beloved Nationals Park.
Adventure Club
When: July 17, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets
The Montreal duo started out as a pop-punk band, but after getting bored they switched to the high energy dubstep genre of EDM, generating their initial fan base with a remix of Brand New’s “Daisy”. Taking influence from Echostage veterans such as Tiesto, Skrillex, and Flux Pavillion, Adventure Club’s high energy Christian Srigley and Leighton James are no strangers to the festival circuit: appearing at both EDC Vegas and Ultra Miami in the past few years – their DC show will most definitely be worth checking out.
Nicki Minaj
When: July 22, 2015
Where: Jiffy Lube Live
Tickets: Live Nation
Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint Tour hits Jiffy Lube Live this July, bringing special guests Meek Mill, Rae Sremmurd, Tenashe, and Dej Loaf with her. If the trap/rap/pop mix on her December ’14 album is any indication of this tour’s direction, it’ll definitely be a rager on pace with the over-the-top style and attitude we’ve all come to know and love.
Flo Rida
When: July 24, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Southern rapper Flo Rida makes his Echostage debut this July following his October 2014 EP release My House. Having performed and worked with artists such as DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, and, of course, T-Pain (a collab which resulted in a Grammy win for “Low”), this show is sure to be a blowout. Tables and tickets are still available for now, but will more than likely sell out soon. If you want to be a part of this party, I’d get on it quick.
Milky Chance
When: July 27, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster
The German duo Milky Chance are quickly rising to fame with their laid-back blend of slinky dance beats, acoustic details, and soulful vocals. Their hit single “Stolen Dance” came out in 2013, but didn’t catch on stateside until late 2014. When it did, though, the song shot to #39 on the Billboard Top 100 in just a few short weeks. Still not sold? Give “Down by the River” and “Flashed Junk Mind” a listen, I dare you to not immediately purchase tickets.
Moonrise Festival
When: August 8-9, 2015
Where: Pimlico Race Course
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Oh. Shit.
It’s back: two days of the best music Glow DC has to offer – which, coming from the people who put the #2 club in the country on the map, is a whole lot. Think Coachella just for EDM, but Coachella in it’s pre-commercialized golden days when it was more about the music and less about who was in attendance wearing godknowswhat (although, to be honest, the fashion will probably still be pretty awesome). Not as awesome as the acts themselves, though: check ClubGlow.com for lineup announcements leading up to the big day.
J. Cole
with special guests Big Sean, Jeremih, and YG
When: August 9, 2015
Where: Jiffy Lube Live
Tickets: Ticketmonster
J. Cole brings his Forest Hills Drive tour to VA this Summer, accompanied by hiphop artist Big Sean, contemporary R&B singer Jeremih, and Compton rapper YG (you may recognize those last two from the radio-regular earworm “Don’t Tell ‘Em”). Approved and promoted by Jay-Z, J. Cole has been known to put on a energetic, diverse show: blending rap with jazz, R&B, funk, and neo soul with a love of storytelling. If anything, you should go to this purely for the “I heard it first” bragging rights – Billboard is predicting big things for guy’s future.
Twenty One Pilots
with special guest Echosmith
When: September 8-9, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Anyone who has lived in the DMV area knows that September still counts as Summer, so finish yours off with a show that has been selling so well and so fast they added a second night. Animated indie-rockers Twenty-One Pilots mix elements of hip hop, hard rock, and pop into performances that have consistently left fans wanting more. Bonus: Echosmith is their special guest. Be there and be like the cool kids (zing!).
For more shows, updates, and other DCClubbing events: visit our Event Calendar and our friends at Club Glow and Echostage!
Saturdays: Ladies Night at Ultrabar Nightclub
Bottle Specials:
- $300 table special: Absolut, Bacardi, and House Champagne
- $350 table special: Absolut, Jack, and House Champagne
Music:
- Main Floor: Dance & Top 40
- Bedroom (second floor): Latin & International
- Chroma: Hip Hop & Top 40
- Basement: Mashups
Discounted Admission: See Event Passes
Hours:
9:30pm-3am
Age Requirement and Dress Code:
Open to ages 18+, Proper ID and Attire is Required. Dress Smart: no Timberlands, no sneakers, no t-shirts, no grungy or athletic clothes, no camo. Keep it classy.
Learn more about Ultrabar Nightclub DC
Location, Info:
911 F St. NW Washington DC 20004. Nearest metro: Gallery Place. 202 638 4663
More details about Ultrabar
A staple of DC club events, Ladies Night at Ultrabar Nightclub DC features 6 Bars, 5 levels and 4 DJs.
Hardwood floors, marble bartops, stainless steel accents and pounding subs have made Ultrabar a DC nightlife destination for years. With VIP/private table seating available on all floors, its a place to go reckless on the floor and party in style with your friends.
Take an inside look at Ultrabar!
Panda Funk: 6.26.15 at Echostage
Glow Washington DC presents:
Panda Funk
Dirty Audio | Deorro | Zoo Funktion | Iez
June 26, 2015
2135 Queens Chapel Road NE • Washington, DC
Panda Funk comes to Echostage this Summer! With special guests Dirty Audio, Deorro, Zoo Funktion, and Iez! Tickets on sale now!
DC NIGHTLIFE ICONS INTERVIEW: David Karim
If a serious nightlife fanatic in the Washington, DC area, over the past three decades you’ve more than likely spent a night (or ten) in at least four (or more) restaurants or nightclubs which the Capital-based nightlife impresario David Karim has managed, curated or owned. With such a long and proud history, one may find that the George Mason University graduate with an Economics degree would be content with wanting to rest on his laurels. However, that’s far from the case.
“I was out every weekend anyway,” Karim says regarding his early days in DC nightlife in the late 80s and early 90s. “I was bartending to get through college, and somebody offered me a job at club called OPERA in Adams Morgan.” The hiring proved to be the catalyst for his future aspirations, as he continues, “[working in nightlife] was the same environment that I was in every weekend – but I was making money, which is better than spending money (laughs).”
As a fresh college graduate, the current nightlife standard bearer saw his friends making “good money for being just out of college” with their business and economics degrees, but he wanted more. “I loved music and meeting people. I got into promoting (at Zei Club in downtown DC), as I felt like I knew as many people as guys like Masoud [Aboughaddareh, current owner of Lima Nightclub] and Antonis [Karagounis, current owner of Echostage] and thought I would be successful.” Karim’s roots with Karagounis are strong. “Antonis was doing Spy Club across the street. When it closed, he moved the party to ZEI Club. A year later, the weekly event happening at ZEI, changed with the Grand opening of GLOW with Pete Kalamoutsos as the resident DJ. The promotion changed to cater to an EDM sound and crowd, mostly with Trance music.”
Karim’s tastes extend far past just music these days, as his pairing of quality dining options and premium nightclub experiences across the city has become a staple of his brand. Regarding his twin interests, he offers a unique and honest opinion. “[Nightlife and food] are apples and oranges. The restaurant business is so much more detail-oriented than the nightclub industry. Nightlife is more trend-based and all about having your finger on the pulse of the trends. If you make a great steak, a steakhouse can be around for 50 or 60 years. [Comparatively] music changes. In the food business, if you have the best quality and the best service, the people will come, no matter what. [Insofar] as nightlife, it’s all about what’s “in,” and that’s what people go after.”
Staying competitive in a revitalizing Washington, DC is clearly of importance to Karim, too. In regards to how he has remained vital, he offers this summation: “DC’s a little concerning. I’m 44 years old now and have been doing this for 26 years. The population is booming. You have areas like 14th Street and U Street. I have two locations there [14th Street’s Policy and U Street’s Lost Society] that are thriving, but downtown is not about bottle service anymore – it’s all about business lunches and happy hours.” With respect to serving this new demographic, he has a plan. “The late night is disappearing. People want to go to bars. The economy has boomed here, though, with defense contractors and IT companies locating here, and they want that hybrid experience of a restaurant and bar with a late-night aspect to it.”
David Karim’s plan has seen him open a series of nightclub/restaurants which he sees providing a sustainable solution for the evolving state of the DC party scene. “Lost Society and Gryphon [blend] a cool steakhouse with a DJ. I believe that’s a concept that was needed in DC. I love food – especially steaks – and enjoy having a party scene in the same venue, too. We do the same concept with a different menu at a second location with Gryphon. I want to grow the brand, do something on H Street in DC, or maybe something in Arlington. I thought of it, I executed it, and it’s doing well.”
With a seemingly ever-growing plethora of nightlife locales under his control and vision, David Karim blends a sharp awareness of history with an eye on his customer’s happiness and a curiosity about the future to create a blueprint for success. Regarding said success, Karim – as always it seems – keeps his ultimate motivations simple, possibly only to hide the complexities in execution. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do what we do in the nightlife business. There’s a balance between business savvy and partying. However (clearly in more ways than one), I’m always hungry.”
DC NIGHTLIFE ICONS INTERVIEW: Hooman Pedram
“I haven’t thought about this in forever!” exclaims Hooman Pedram, award winning club owner, entrepreneur and current owner of TripAdvisor’s top-five rated Tap and Still Restaurant of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. What he had not thought about in forever? The five years that he was a key member of the ownership group behind influential Northwest DC nightclub Club Five (now where Public Bar is located near Dupont Circle), and his role in the development of the current boom era for nightlife in the Nation’s Capital.
Fifteen years ago, North America’s love of dance music – similar to right now – experienced some of it’s most significant commercial growth in Washington, DC. When Pedram was based out of Washington, DC and the General Manager of now closed Northwest DC nightspot Club Five from 2003-2008, it was quite the amazing era.
“I started off going to clubs, then I got into passing out flyers, promoting, management, it was a chain of events and it really took off from there. Originally, I was just into the music. I’d go to Fifth Column [located at F Street NW, closed in 1996] on Monday nights, and it was a little more commercial. Then, I’d go to Tracks [then located on First Street SE] on Thursday night, which had a goth side of the room and an industrial side. At that time, rave DJs like Scott Henry and Charles Feelgood would play at Tracks. Those were my two places that I used to go to. Then I started going to Zei Club [near downtown’s McPherson Square], too.”
“Just before [me and my partners] got involved with Five, we were throwing parties where the [Washington Nationals] stadium is now, at a club called Edge (located in Southeast DC, closed in 2006).” Regarding his promotional strategy, he also offers advice for new promoters, too. “ I knew people in DC. It was an easy place for me to do something. I had roots there. People knew me, I had friends and connections, too. It’s all about building a database. It’s all about numbers and knowing a lot of people.”
“The club [we initially were using for parties] was near Capital Ballroom and Tracks, too. We got into a partnership with the owner at Five, as he didn’t want to run it anymore, so we came in as promoters, and then had the chance to buy into the club down the line. [Club Five] had a comfortable feel, it was non-pretentious and mostly about the music.”
In regards to the bridge between, say, Club Five to Fur Nightclub and Antonis Karagounis’ Echostage, Pedram tells a most entertaining tale about his involvement. “The DJs we were getting, nobody else was really getting at that time. We were more house, and the Buzz vibe was more techno. It’s intriguing, trace didn’t really come around until Antonis [Karagounis] and them started Panorama Productions. Actually, here’s a great story. Back then, I worked at a travel agency with my friend Jason Martin, and we used to fly DJs around the country. Right before I bought into Club Five, I was working with starting Red Bull. I lived in Colorado for a winter, and I took this energy drink that I saw out there, and I had it shipped across the country to my house. I used to go to Zei Club when Antonis and his crew had their Panorama parties there. I was the guy who was selling the Red Bull there. [Of course], in the daytime, I was still a travel agent for DJs for tours.”
He continues, “at that time [Buzz resident DJ] Scott Henry had the lockdown for DJs. You couldn’t get a DJ into DC that was worth a lick if you weren’t Scott Henry. Antonis [and Panorama] were doing great parties, but they had no big-name DJs. They did have a big crowd, though, and they wanted to take it to the next level. [Ultimately], I helped them book Christopher Lawrence, who was the first “big name” DJ that they booked. Once they booked him, they hit the ground running, and you see what it is now, right? (laughs)”
After leaving Club Five in 2008, Pedram relocated to the US Virgin Islands, where after a stutter-step, has truly found success and happiness with the Tap and Still Restaurant. Reflecting, he says “I opened a nightclub down here and it did good for two years, but this wasn’t the right market for it. I sold the club, regrouped and now I have a restaurant open in the marina.” Insofar as his restaurant’s success, he’s extremely positive. “It’s a great life down here. As a restaurateur with promotional experience in nightclubs and events, I’m more than able to compete. I can run the restaurant, have the party, and run a series of events, too. I’ve certainly used my Washington, DC pedigree to my advantage down here. We still do DJs [at the Tap and Still]. I’ve taken it back like 100 steps, though. There’s no DJ booth. We set it up every week. We pull up a table, have some speakers set up in the corner and we’re ready to party. It’s packed every weekend!”
For as influential as Hooman Pedram was to the current massive success of DC as a nightlife destination city, his thoughts about where DC is headed in the future certainly can’t be surprising at all: “I’m still close to the East coast! Keep an eye out for me [in DC] in 2016!”
Follow Hooman to get all the latest updates on his nightlife ventures: facebook.com/kingofclub
Alesso: 4.3.15 at Echostage
Tickets on sale now!
Doors 9PM | No dress code | Ages 18+
Bottle Service: Tables@echostage.com | 202.503.2331
The young Swede responsible for Years, If I Lose Myself, City of Dreams and Calling (Lose My Mind) returns to Echostage this spring! Rated by DJ Mag as the part of the elite top 20 DJs in the world in 2014, he makes a stop in Washington, DC for another round of of massive synths and churning bass lines.
El Centro D. F.
- Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge/Tequila Bar
- Amenities: Full Lunch/Dinner menu, tequila bar, happy hour, rooftop bar, Saturday and Sunday brunch
- Hours
- Lunch: Monday – Friday: 11:00am – 4:00pm
- Dinner: Monday – Friday: 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 5:00pm – 11:00pm - Late Night: Thursday: 11:00pm – 2:00 am
Friday – Saturday: 11:00pm – 3:00am - Rooftop: Monday – Friday: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 4:00pm – 9:00pm - Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
- Happy Hour: 4-7pm Daily (only available at the bar)
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Location: U Street
- Address: 1819 14th Street Northwest
- Contact: 202.328.3131
- Website: www.richardsandoval.com/elcentrodf/
Overview
Enjoy quality Mexican cuisine? Love a lively atmosphere? Do you like tequila? Featured recently in The Washingtonian, Washington City Paper, on ABC 7, and Food Network, this Zagat top-rated bar is a must see. With over 200 different tequilas and mezcals at the ready, El Centro is sure to be the new home of your favorite hang out.
“Chef Richard Sandoval invites you to gather, dine and raise a glass at El Centro, D.F. Authentic Mexican comfort food and fine Tequilas are served in three vibrant spaces.” (from richardsandoval.com/elcentrodf) And let me tell you: Rich knows what he’s doing. Big portions of delicious and perfectly prepared food, paired expertly with a variety of mixed drinks and cocktails.
Photos
All images courtesy of richardsandoval.com/elcentrodf.
The Gryphon
- Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge, more specifically: a Meat & Raw Bar Social House
- Amenities: Full menu, full bar, private events, Sunday brunch
- Hours
- Tuesday -Friday : 4:00PM to 1:30am
- Saturday-Sunday: 11:30AM to 1:30am
- Dress Code: Dressy Casual
- Location: Dupont Circle
- Address: 1337 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
- Contact: 202.827.8980
- Website: www.thegryphondc.com
Overview
Created by the founders of Lost Society, a swanky steakhouse on 14th and U, The Gryphon promises a new take on socializing and eating. “Just as Lost Society changed the traditional perception of a steakhouse, the Gryphon is designed to change the perception of dining with friends, family and neighbors. ” (from thegryphondc.com)
A self-proclaimed “Social House”, it offers a menu specializing in finely cooked meats and one of DC’s best raw bars. And, as far as nightlife goes, they also offer a wide variety of specialy cocktails and wines in addition to a full bar.
If you want a night to sit back, relax, and enjoy a few high quality drinks with the company of good friends in a comfortable yet modernly stylish atmosphere, The Gryphon is definitely the place for you.
Photos
Images courtesy of thegryphondc.com and yelp.com.
