The Black Cat

In the early 1990s, DC lacked in good concert venues,

especially spaces that accommodated the underground music scene. In hopes to end the music slum, a group of investors (mostly musicicans, including Dance Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters) opened the BLACK CAT in 1993. The venue quickly established itself as a venue for independent music; therefore playing a role in the explosion of indie rock that marked the 90's. 

In 2001, the venue moved three doors south on 14th Street to its current location (1811 14th Street NW WDC 20009). Located in the heart of the U Street Corridor, like Black Cat has witnessed the remarkable transformation of the neighborhood around it, i.e. U Street becoming the alternative center of the city. Because of the 1968 riots, U Street, once the hub of DC's jazz scene, fell victim to urban neglect. Fortunately in the 1990s, the U Street Corridor resurrected as a popular nightspot with a diverse blend of DC culture. 

(The Black Cat's Vegetarian Cafe, Food For Thought) 

The Black Cat is interesting in that it has two stages, catering to the popularity of the performers. The Main Stage is located on the second floor, and can hold roughly 700 people. The "Backstage" is for lesser known acts, as it's a smaller area on the first floor that holds approximately 300 people. Before entering the "Backstage" there is  lounge known as "The Red Room". filled with old fashioned arcade games, pool tables and a bar. My favorite part of the lounge is the jukebox, i.e. the most amazing jukebox you will ever see. It includes oldies such as David Bowie and Talking Heads. There's a vegetarian cafe on the other side of the first floor, serving primarily vegan dishes (keeping with the alternative feel of the venue).

 

(April and May Concert Schedule written on a simple whiteboard in the window of the cafe) 

Some of my favorite performers who have graced the stages of The Black Cat have included:

The Arcade Fire, Atmosphere, Bad Religion, Beck, Belle & Sebastian, Andrew Bird, The Black Lips, Bloc Party, Blur, Blonde Redhead, Bright Eyes, Broken Social Scene, Jeff Buckley, Neko Case, Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, Dinosaur Jr., The Donnas, Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, Foo Fighters, Garbage, Girls Against Boys, The Gossip, The Hives, The Killers, Kings of Leon, KMFDM, Korn, Le Tigre, The Libertines, Magnetic Fields, Meat Puppets, Moby, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket, New Pornographers, New York Dolls, The Offspring, Kelly Osbourne, The Postal Service, Portishead, Radiohead, Rilo Kiley, The Roots, Scream, Pete Seeger, The Shins, The Slits, Elliott Smith, Social Distortion, Regina Spektor,  Sufjan Stevens, Stiff Little Fingers, The Strokes, Sum 41, Supergrass, Tegan & Sara, TV On The Radio, Veruca Salt, The White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yo La Tengo, and many many more. 

Directions to the venue: Take the green line to the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo stop on the Washington Metro. 

Everything you want to know about the Black Cat: 

Tickets:

• The cost of a ticket usually ranges from $5-20 depending on the popularity of the bands. 
  
• Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (here is a direct link the the Black Cat Ticketmaster site). You must bring your ID and credit card to pick up the tickets at Will Call. 
  
• Tickets are also available at the club's box office - open 7 days a week, 8pm-midnight (cash only). Keep in mind that on the night of the show, tickets can only be purchased for after doors have opened for that event.
• Advance tickets are not available for the Backstage weekend dance nights (Fridays, Saturdays)
• Tickets can be bought at the door for most shows, but a few popular bands sell out fast. So I recommend checking the website before you go to the venue to make sure it's not already sold out. 

Other Important Information:

• I haven't experience any long lines. I usually get there around 9:30 if the doors open at 8 depending on if I want to make sure to see the opening band's set. Most of the time the line is no longer then five minutes to get in if there is even a line at all. 
  
• There is no age requirement to attend the shows, but you must be 21 to drink. Those under the age of 18 may attend, but the Black Cat prefers them to have parental permission and be accompanied by an adult. (Keep in mind the DC has a Curfew Law which affects those 17 & under. Curfew hours go into effect at 11pm Sunday-Thursday and at 12:01am on Friday & Saturday nights. If you are under 17 you must be out of the club by the time stated, unless accompanied by a parent). 
  
• The Red Room Bar has no cover! It's open from 8pm-2am during the week, 7pm-3am on Fridays & Saturdays. Happy Hour is from 7pm-9pm on Fridays & Saturdays. The bar has an informal atmosphere, including pool tables, pinball machines, and an amazing jukebox. (You must have a valid ID to drink) 
• Food For Thought Cafe has no cover. It's open from 8pm-1am during the week and 7pm-2am on Fridays & Saturdays. Here's a link the the menu.