Red Room Bar
✨ Vibe
The Red Room Bar is a legendary, intimate neighborhood dive and music lounge that blends classic punk-rock roots with a modern, cozy atmosphere perfect for Washington D.C.’s independent music community.
🍸 Best For
Live indie and punk shows, pre-concert cocktails, late-night socializing, local band discovery, and casual drinks on 14th Street.
🔥 Highlights
- Iconic Musical Legacy: As a cornerstone of the Black Cat venue, the bar offers access to a premier lineup of touring and local acts within a space known for its high-energy "punk mayhem" and welcoming spirit.
- Top-Tier Service: Guests consistently praise the exceptionally professional staff and quick bartenders, creating a chill environment that is both friendly and efficient.
- Renovated Comfort: Recently reimagined into an intimate upstairs lounge, the space preserves its independent underground roots while providing a strategic, cozy layout for an excellent view of the stage.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- The venue is famously all-ages friendly, making it a premier choice for introducing the next generation of fans to D.C.'s legendary live music scene in a professional environment.
- While often integrated with the main hall shows, the bar maintains its status as a beloved neighborhood staple for social events along the vibrant 14th Street corridor.
📰 In the News
Stars and Bars: Welcome to the Black Cat | Parklife DC
Red Room Bar is a cozy lounge located within Washington D.C.’s legendary music venue, the Black Cat. Following a 2018 renovation that closed the original ground-floor space, the bar was reimagined as a partitioned area at the back of the main concert hall that can operate independently for specific events.
Fans feared the worst for the Black Cat’s old Red Room. They might like the renovated bar even better.
Red Room Bar at the Black Cat features a renovated space that maintains its status as a beloved neighborhood dive while updating its aesthetic. Known for its punk-rock roots and community-focused atmosphere, the bar remains a staple gathering spot for social events on 14th Street NW.
The Black Cat Is Closing Its Downstairs Space
Red Room Bar, a long-standing fixture of Washington D.C.’s underground scene at The Black Cat, transitioned from its original downstairs location to a more intimate upstairs space. This move integrated the bar with the main music venue to better accommodate changing neighborhood habits while preserving the establishment's independent spirit.
Big Changes in Store for the Black Cat’s Bar on 14th Street
Red Room Bar, located within the Black Cat concert hall in Logan Circle, underwent a significant relocation from the building's street-level floor to its second story. This move was part of a strategic consolidation of the venue's layout to adapt to the changing retail landscape and gentrification along 14th Street.
Recent Reviews from Google
Such a cool experience. As an old rocker from the west coast.... seeing a show at the famous Black Cat in DC was a bucket list. Also. DC people rock. I wish I could have seen every show that was...
Legendary venue hosting great live music. I had an excellent time watching one of my favorite bands Shudder to Think at their most recent DC gig. Excellent!
I took my 15 year old son here to see his first show. The staff were exceptionally professional and very good natured. Very chill without and of the too cool crap that one generally experiences and...
Always a great place to see a show. Large floor for standing and a long bar in one side with stools and some tables in a recessed area in the other side. There is a small room with another bar but...
Went to see a Wash DC local ska-punk band Kill Lincoln at the Black Cat a couple weeks ago and had the best time. My friend and I brought our high school sons with us and heaved them into the punk...
