Black Cat

1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Address:	1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Phone:	+1 202-667-4490
Site:	blackcatdc.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	5:30PM–2AM 5:30PM–2AM 5:30PM–2AM 5:30PM–2AM 5:30PM–3AM 7PM–3AM 7PM–2AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

A Private User

I cant tell you what this place was like because I wasnt there more than 15 minutes to say. I actually just took the time to e-mail the place because I was so upset about the way I was treated. First, before the door was even shut behind me, I was prompted for my ID. Not a big deal.. its a bar so its expected, and started to take my ID out. While opening my wallet, I asked if there was an ATM. Instead of answering my question, the doorman said "I need your ID before you can use the ATM". It was pretty clear I had my wallet wide open and was taking out my ID. The rudeness was not necessary. A little thrown off, but whatever no big deal. After stamping my boyfriend, he proceeds to do the routine.. X my hand and whatnot. That is expected because I am 19 so I openly let that happen. He then says he needs to check my purse. I must say it was completely absurd to hear and I had to ask him what he said a second time because I wasnt sure if that was what he said, but that was. Still, a bit surprised but have no problem opening my purse when I have nothing to hide. After all, I attend a large SEC school so our stadium checks our bags for every game. Checking my bag does not bother me at all. This is where what was okay became not okay .. the doorman stuck both of his hands INTO my purse and started taking things OUT of it and digging in it. That is NOT OKAY. I may not live up north and I have heard that people are a bit ruder here than where I am from (though everyone has been so sweet here), but there is no place on this earth where it is acceptable for a man (and a stranger at that) to stick his hands in a womans purse. You do not dig in a womans purse. Ask me to move anything in it, and I gladly will. I had nothing to hide and therefore have no problem whatsoever moving things around and letting the guy look. But there is absolutely no excuse to dig in someones purse. He was rude the entire time, and I accepted it as no big deal, but sticking your hands in someones purse is unacceptable everywhere. I was inside for a very short period of time because it was empty and I was so upset that I had to leave. I am disappointed because being from Baton Rouge, I wanted to go somewhere that wasnt so pricey and upscale, but Id rather drop $100 going somewhere else than going here again.

John Singleton Paul

Black Cat is a great venue for the music, its a DC institution that books fantastic bands. However, I had a horrible experience there. After seeing a show I left the venue, then I realized my keys were not in my pocket anymore. I absolutely had to get them back and came back to the Black Cat because I thought I most probably dropped them there. The front staff was rude and unhelpful. They wouldnt let me look for my keys, and two minutes later categorically let me know my keys were not in the room since the cleaning staff hadnt seen anything. In good faith I took them at their word and left to look for my keys in the street. Not finding them, in desperation I came back to the Black Cat, and the rude front staff told me the same thing. I just stood there and a minute later some other staffers mentioned casually that there were keys upstairs. Finally a bartender went and looked and brought me my keys. They had been there the whole time, even though the front staff swore the whole time they werent and tried to turn me away! I thanked and tipped the bartender, but the front staff were horrible, and this may be the last time I ever attend a show there. There are many other venues in DC with great music.

Chris Connelly

The Black Cat is one of the best rock clubs in Washington, D.C. Rock clubs are supposed to be a bit gritty, and the Black Cat delivers - it is dark, the bars are cash only, and it has an edge to it. But if youre like me, that can be what you want when youre seeing a smaller show. The bartenders pour a solid drink, and youll find decent beer available at decent prices. It is a rock club, so it gets busy, and youre going to have to wait since there are always people looking to drink - just be prepared. Ive generally found the bartenders get the job done and are cordial, even if not the warmest folks out there. They have a small back stage where locals and smaller touring acts play - word to the wise, it can get crowded back there, and the sound can be pretty variable. Ive seen some shows back there that are fantastic, and some...not so much. But the star of the show is the stage upstairs. They book top quality acts, and with a recently updated sound system (as well as a great sound engineer behind the board), youre going to get a show that sounds great. It is all general admission, so if you want to be up front, plan on arriving early.

A Private User

I adore the Black Cat because they have great bands and okay prices but the staff is by far the rudest Ive ever dealt with. I once went there and asked the bartender (portly fellow with black rimmed glasses) for a pineapple vodka. he said the pineapple juice was elsewhere and made it clear he wasnt planning on fetching it to make my drink. after ordering two bottle beers instead (one for me, one for a friend) I went back for another and this creep informed me he was cutting me off because I didnt tip enough (I tipped 1.50, which is a little low for two drinks, but all he did was take off two lids and refused to get the drink I initially asked for.) I apologized and gave him two more dollars, hoping to smooth things over, and he took the money, put it in his pocket and THEN had the nerve to tell me he STILL wasnt serving me and that I could go to the upstairs bar if I wanted something. How "punk rock."

Tim McAndrew

I have been coming to the Black Cat for years. This is a great place to have a beer or take in a show. There are two rooms to see shows, the main room and the back room. I prefer the back room just because of how intimate it is, great for small rock shows or experimental musicians. The main room is the large room, of course: I have seen countless bands here and every time its a good time. The bars are cash only, but there are ATMs all over the place. Now if you are looking to just chill out and have a drink, the red room is where you want to head, great line up of beers and a good selection of whiskey. The jukebox has some killer tunes on it so, order a Red Strip and put "Do You Compute" by Drive Like Jehu on from juke box and just hang out.

A Private User

Horrible sound and rude staff. The band playing gave me a poster and some jerk working there accused me of stealing it so he took it out of my hand. Sound was filled with feedback, no vocals and way too quiet drums. No one there has a clue what they are doing. They book decent bands but just skip them at the black cat knowing the band you like will have such a bad time they are certain to come back to DC and play a better venue just to redeem their horrible show here.