Cafe Citron
✨ Vibe
A vibrant, multi-level Latin oasis in the heart of Dupont Circle that seamlessly transforms from a colorful South American restaurant into a high-energy dance club with infectious rhythms and tropical flair.
🍸 Best For
Salsa and Bachata enthusiasts, lively birthday celebrations, group night outs, Spanish language practice, and late-night dancing to Latin hits.
🔥 Highlights
- Complimentary Dance Lessons: Master the Latin two-step with free, high-energy introductory salsa and bachata classes offered every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night.
- Multi-Level Sonic Experience: Explore three to four floors of music where dedicated DJs spin a diverse mix of reggaeton, Latin house, salsa, bachata, and EDM across different rooms.
- Themed Latin Fiestas: Enjoy signature weekly events like the "Drums of DC" on Saturdays and the "Macarena Fiesta Latina" on Wednesdays, paired with authentic South American bites like empanadas and ceviche.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- The venue transitions from dinner service to a full nightclub atmosphere around 10:00 PM; arrive early to take advantage of the late-night happy hour specials.
- Located directly across from the Dupont Circle Metro (South Exit), it is a premier destination for private events and large groups with no room fees for buyouts.
🔄 Weekly Events
🥘 Authentic Latin Saturday Dinner
Authentic Latin food served from 7 PM to 11 PM with music and dancing.
🎂 Birthday Celebrations
Free house tequila shots on your birthday and free bottle of house champagne with bottle purchase.
🎂 Birthday Tequila Shots
Celebrate your birthday with us and receive free house tequila shots!
🇧🇷 Brazil Samba & Latin Kitchen
Enjoy Brazilian Samba music and authentic South American dishes.
🇧🇷 Brazil Samba Thursday
Experience Brazilian rhythms and Samba music.
⚽ Copa Mundial Games
Showing world cup games live at the bar.
⚽ Copa Mundial Screenings
Catch the World Cup games live on our screens.
🌸 Free Lei Fridays
Join us downstairs every Friday for free leis.
🌺 Free Leis Night
Receive free leis while enjoying authentic Latin food and dancing.
🎤 Karaoke & Brazil Samba Thursday
Join us for karaoke and Brazil Samba. Free leis provided from 8 PM to 12 AM.
🎤 Karaoke & Latin Night
The best Latin vibes in the city with Karaoke. Kitchen open until 11 PM.
🎤 Karaoke & Latin Party
The best Latin karaoke in the city.
🎤 Karaoke Night & Free Leis
Sing your heart out and receive free leis from 8 PM to 12 AM.
🎤 Karaoke Thursday
Join us for karaoke and the best Latin vibes in the city with free leis from 8pm to midnight.
🎧 Latin Fridays
3 Floors and 3 DJs playing Latin and Caribbean music. Serving dinner 7 PM to 11 PM.
🥁 Latin Fridays: Live Bongo & Congas
Live percussionists, 3 floors, and 3 DJs playing the best Latin hits.
🔥 Latin Fridays & Saturdays
Three floors with three DJs, authentic South American dishes, and dancing until 3 AM.
🎤 Latin Karaoke Night
Join us for the best Latin karaoke in the city every Thursday.
🥁 Live Bongo & Conga Player
Live percussion performances during dinner and drinks.
💃 Salsa & Bachata Class
Weekly dance lessons to kick off the night.
🕺 Salsa & Bachata Social
Social dancing and Latin beats.
💃 Salsa Class
Professional salsa lessons followed by a night of dancing.
💃 Salsa Class & Dinner
Dinner and salsa experience from 8-11 PM with a formal salsa class starting at 9 PM.
💃 Salsa Class & Latin Dinner
Enjoy dinner and a salsa class. The salsa class starts at 9 PM. Featuring 3 floors and 3 DJs.
🕺 Salsa Class & Social
Salsa lessons followed by dancing. Friday features a live bongo and conga player.
💃 Salsa Social & Class
Professional salsa class at 9pm followed by social dancing until 3am.
⚽ Soccer Match Screenings
Showing Copa Mundial games on the big screens.
🌺 Thursday Free Leis
Join the party and get free leis while enjoying drink specials.
🎤 Thursday Karaoke
Show off your singing skills every Thursday night.
🎤 Thursday Karaoke Night
Sing your heart out every Thursday.
💃 Wednesday Bachata & Salsa Class
Mid-week dance lessons for all levels.
🍾 Wednesday Bottle Specials
$100 birthday bottle special and house champagne specials.
🕺 Weekend Salsa Class
Professional salsa instruction at 9pm followed by dancing until 3am.
Bachata/Salsa Class 💃
Learn to dance with a professional bachata and salsa class followed by social dancing.
Birthday Celebrations @ Cafe Citron - Free House Tequila Shots
Free House Tequila Shots on your birthday
Brazil Samba Night 🇧🇷
Enjoy the rhythms of Brazil with a dedicated Samba night.
Dinner & Salsa Class
Dinner & Salsa Class
Free Leis Night 🌺
Join us for free leis and a tropical atmosphere.
Karaoke & Free Leis 🎤🌺
Join us for karaoke and pick up a free lei from 8 PM to 12 AM.
Karaoke Night 🎤
Show off your vocal skills during our weekly karaoke session.
Latin Fridays: 3 Floors & 3 DJs 🎧
Three floors of music with live DJs and a live bongo/conga player.
Happy Hour
$10 Rail mix drinks and $11 Pitorro de Coco Pineapple Mojitos.
📰 In the News
Dance in DC: Gatherings, Classes & Performances
Cafe Citron in Dupont Circle offers free salsa classes every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 p.m., followed by vibrant social dancing. This venue is a staple for Latin dance enthusiasts in Washington, D.C., providing a welcoming space for both beginners and experienced dancers.
Cafe Citron
Cafe Citron is a multi-level Latin venue in Dupont Circle that serves traditional dishes like empanadas and ceviche before transforming into a high-energy dance club after 10 p.m. Spanning three floors with vibrant lighting, the spot features DJs spinning a mix of Latin house, reggaeton, salsa, and bachata.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM | Nightlife in DC
Cafe Citron is a cozy Latin American restaurant and lounge in Washington D.C. featuring authentic Bolivian, Peruvian, and Mexican-inspired cuisine. The venue offers free salsa and bachata dance classes every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for those looking to learn new moves.
The Best Bars and Nightclubs in Dupont Circle
Cafe Citron is a two-level Latin lounge in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle that features salsa and international music. The venue hosts live flamenco dancers on Thursday nights and serves as a vibrant destination for dancing and nightlife.
Nightlife in Washington, D.C.: Best Bars, Clubs, and More
Cafe Citron offers a Latin-themed nightlife experience in Washington, D.C., featuring DJs who play salsa, bachata, and other regional music. The venue also hosts free dance lessons on select nights, allowing guests to learn the steps before the main crowds arrive.
Recent Reviews from Google
Our group was looking for a fun night with some good music and great vibes and we found it at Cafe Citron. Music was on point, vibe was lively and friendly. Drinks were a bit overpriced, but overall...
I used to LOVE this place. I recently took a friend to cheer her up because she was going thru a hard time. We got there and asked about the specials for the evening, we thought we missed the special...
Came here beginning of the year January for work, and I was reminded of the Afro Latina lady giving me and my friends and other customers dancing lessons, I believe she was the owner. Still remember...
Had a very nice time here dancing and celebrating with colleagues. Good atmosphere and nice staff. The drinks were well made, but nothing to write home about. It was about the atmosphere and music. If...
I’m honestly sad to write this. I don’t know if it’s due to new management, but the vibe just isn’t the same anymore. The music used to be a fun mix of Latin club hits, but now it feels like it’s only...
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