Showtime Lounge
Category: Dive Bars, Neighborhood Bars, Live Music Venues
Neighborhood: NoMa
Price: $
Address: 506 V St NW, Washington, DC 20001
✨ Vibe
An intimate, quirky neighborhood dive with a soulful 1980s aesthetic, celebrated for its vinyl-driven soundtrack and inclusive, high-energy atmosphere.
🍸 Best For
Live funk and soul music, budget-friendly "combos," vinyl lovers, and authentic neighborhood socializing.
🔥 Highlights
- Iconic Sunday Residency: Experience the legendary Granny & The Boys, a beloved house band that has been bringing high-energy funk and soul to the lounge for over two decades.
- Award-Winning Reputation: Recently featured as one of the best hole-in-the-wall bars in the U.S. and previously recognized by Esquire as one of the top bars in America.
- Signature Value: Famous for its $5 "combos"—a perfectly paired beer and shot—served in a charming, converted barbershop setting with a curated soul and funk jukebox.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Showtime is a classic cash-only establishment, though an ATM is available inside for your convenience.
- Visit on Sundays and Mondays to enjoy delicious tacos alongside your drinks.
📰 In the News
Some Of The Best Hole-In-The-Wall Bars In Major US Cities
Showtime Lounge is a quirky, cash-only dive bar in Washington, D.C., known for its '80s aesthetic and vinyl-driven dance floors. This local landmark offers affordable beer-shot combos and is celebrated for its Sunday live music residency featuring the iconic band Granny & The Boys.
D.C.‘s Most Lovable Dive Bars
Showtime Lounge is a pint-sized Bloomingdale watering hole recognized by Esquire as one of the best bars in America. The dive bar is known for its $5 beer-and-shot combos, a CD jukebox, and popular Sunday night live performances by the band Granny and the Boys.
A Love Letter to D.C.’s Live Music Resurgence
Showtime Lounge is a cherished Bloomingdale dive bar recognized for its nostalgic community atmosphere and intimate bar area. The venue features regular sets from local DJs spinning '50s music, highlighted by Saturday night performances from standout DJ Baby Alcatraz.
First Look: Neptune Room, From The Showtime Lounge Team, Opens In Brightwood Park
Showtime Lounge's ownership team expanded their presence in Washington D.C. with the opening of Neptune Room, a sister bar in Brightwood Park featuring a retro-cinematic and nautical aesthetic. The venue mirrors Showtime's dive-bar charm with free jukebox music, inexpensive drinks, and a focus on vinyl records, while establishing its own unique identity through eclectic global soundtracks and local art.
Opposites attract over shared love of music, spend 21 years rockin’ and lovin’
Showtime Lounge serves as the longtime home for the funk band "Granny and the Boys," led by pianist Alice Donahue and drummer Richard Lynch. The venue hosts the group's energetic Sunday performances, showcasing a unique musical partnership that has spanned over two decades.
Recent Reviews from Google
Band is great, simple set up with a lot of unique art. Great vibe with a diverse audience of all ages too. Drinks were very simple and easygoing like the atmosphere. I would love to come back.
Cash bar for cheap drinks is where it is at. Friendly atmosphere. Here in DC they call it "a combo" but in Philly we call it a city wide where you get a side car of some booze with your beer. The...
A great neighborhood bar with great neighbors in a great neighborhood 👍 👌 😀 😄 😎 😁. Please remember it's a "CASH ONLY" bar.....and come thirsty. Let them know that Flaco sent you.
Nice little Latino boozer. Sells Tacos on Sundays and Mondays (I think they were the days, defo Sunday). Only takes cash but has an ATM inside.
Always love coming to this place. Great music. Great vibes
