Black Cat

Black Cat is a nice intimate venue that features more indie and local talent. I came here for a seated concert (seats were first come, first serve), but it's typically standing room only. The acoustics were great! IDs were checked at the door prior to entering. I had a small bag and it was allowed into the venue after a quick bag check. I bought a last minute ticket at the door and they stamped my hand for entry. The main stage is on the upper level. I took the stairs (not sure if there's a public elevator) and as I headed up, there were signs stating "no stage diving or crowdsurfing"... this ain't the Fillmore!

I didn't really explore the facilities or check out the restrooms, since I beelined to grab a good seat, but the checkered floor certainly gives the venue some character and makes it memorable. While a seated event isn't typical at this venue, the seats were basic folding chairs and tightly packed next to each other (I definitely rubbed shoulders with the people next to me). But overall, this is a great venue to see a show!

Pros:
- Intimate venue (no screens necessary)
- Not overcrowded
- Can buy tickets online in advance or at the box office in cash to avoid fees
- Metro accessible (walkable from U Street Metro Station)

Cons:
- Limited box office hours (only open when they have shows)
- Show start times aren't posted until a few hours before doors open (not good for planning purposes). Doors/show times are posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account

When I was eight years old, I had to attend a family wedding and my parents dressed me in a child's suit, complete with a clip-on tie and black leather lace up shoes. Even though I was supremely uncomfortable for the 2-3 hours, I remember feeling very adult since my mom kept telling me I was in my "grown up" clothes.

Decades later, through my wardrobe choices I was again attempting to revisit a different stage in my life, but in reverse. For this past weekend's show at the Black Cat where DC legends Tuscadero and Velocity Girl were the headliners, I dug out my old Nirvana T-shirt, the Carhartt flannel shirt which is usually reserved for yard work, faded Levi Jeans, and of course, the Doc Martens which have been gathering dust in the back of my closet. This was the standard "uniform" for the DC music scene in the late 90s and early 2000s.

I've been seeing shows at the Black Cat for over 25 years. And at the risk of sounding like every other "aging cool guy," when I tell people that U-Street used to be sketch, and the now trendy Garden District Beer Garden actually used to be A REAL garden and hardware store, I'm usually met with stares of incredulity as U-Street continues its never ending march down the road of gentrification with a bookstore, wine bar, and coffee shop now neighboring the Black Cat.

But I'm not going to be a hater, since The Black Cat has been beacon for local and national independent music since it was started in 1993 by former Gray Matter drummer Dante Ferrando, and a group of investors which included future Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl.

The "new" Black Cat (since the smaller Backstage and Red Room closed downstairs and only the second floor Mainstage exists now) is still an intimate space where fans can get up close and personal with the acts. There were three bands, but my group didn't arrive until 9:30, when Tuscadero went on. Even though they haven't played live since 2014, the melodic vocals and guitar riffs of lead singers Melissa Farris and Margaret McCartney still sounded amazing. They played a ridiculously tight set.

This is the second time I've seen Velocity Girl this year; with the first being at the Bowery Room in NYC back in October 2023. Once upon a time, the DC scene was fertile ground for creative edgy music; unlike nowadays where most of the venues are pumping out over sampled generic crap with overly autotuned vocals from heavily stylized bands.

20 years removed from their last performances, lead singer Sarah Shannon still sounds great; and Archie Moore and Kelly Young are still guitar maestros. At their peak, Velocity Girl was described as part "shoe gazer" with equal amounts of "clean" guitar harmonies. Both bands sounded amazing!!!

In another sign of the times, I counted no less than 30 kids (between 12-17) who accompanied their Gen-X parents to this show. I don't care if these kids listened to this music via CD or on a Spotify playlist, it was cool to see these youngster swaying to the music and doing the requisite 2000's "bounce" with their parents...dare I say there were having some quality "family bonding?"

I'm so glad the Black Cat survived the pandemic because it really is one of the more underappreciated music venues in DC. Good acoustics, decent prices for drinks (as of this review, draft beers are $10), and even seating if you get there early enough.

At the end of the night, we Uber-ed home since parking in DC on the weekends is a nightmare these days, and I recalled that famous book by American author Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again." While it was fun playing "dress up" in the clothes of my youth and listening the old familiar tunes, returning to places and times from your past may be enjoyable for brief stretches, but inherently, you realize the present is an entirely different reality.

So the flannel goes back to its "day job" of cutting grass and raking leaves, the Docs got wiped down and placed back into the closet. My 12 year old nephew has ironically been listening to lots of 90's grunge (he went to see the Smashing Pumpkins with his parents this summer) and asking if he can have my old Nirvana T-shirt, so might as well give it to someone who'll wear it more often than I.

80s Halloween Dance Party

This was my first time ever attending this event as well as visiting this club, so for those considering going to one of their Eighties Mayhem nights, I'm going to give a quick assessment of my experience.

Don't bother trying to find street parking in one of the surrounding neighborhoods on a Saturday night (especially Halloween weekend). Totally packed and a lot of signs seem to indicate a parking permit is required, so unless you want to take a chance of finding somewhere to park several blocks away, either take an Uber or there's a parking lot across the street ($30 for three hours, and $10 per each additional hour. Woof!).

The club's staff was very friendly, there are bathrooms upstairs and downstairs, pinball machines and quite a few benches and tables with tall chairs if you need to sit down somewhere. The bar accepts credit cards, but there's also a couple of ATMs. Bring cash if you can (and small bills); I'm sure the bartenders would appreciate that.

For the Halloween event, lots of great 80s music (a mix of top 40 hits and alternative artists), the crowd was eating up one song right after the other and everybody was cool and friendly. About 95% of people there were wearing costumes which made it all the more fun.

So my first time was a fun experience and I definitely would attend another one of these events in the future; though next time, I'd prefer to be in a more comfortable and casual outfit.

I've been here many times and always have a pleasant experience. Bathrooms always clean, drinks are ok and the staff very nice.

I love Black Cat. I drive up from RVA to visit whenever they have a show I wanna see, and never regret the trip. I most recently saw Softcult and had an amazing time. Their drinks are strong and good, tickets are reasonably priced, their restrooms are always clean, and staff are chill. They have some barstools and high top tables if you need seating, sound is great, and it's walking distance from a TON of restaurants/bars. Highly recommend the venue, they get some really cool acts!

We went to see Yumi Zouma last night and it was our first time at the Black Cat. LOVED IT! This is a great venue with really great staff and a nice space to see a show.

We brought our teenage daughters and felt like the space was 100% safe and fun for them.

God drinks at the bar for a fair price, solid service and engaged staff that constantly made the rounds, picking up empties and making sure everything was in order.

I didn't use the bathroom and can't speak to that but noticed the coat check was open on a chilly night.

We will be back!

First visit to Black Cat and it was a memorable one. Mortified live brought us to the city and what a great venue for the show. The Black Cat staff made the entire night a smooth and enjoyable one by the professionalism and attention to detail throughout.

The Black Cat is my favorite venue in DC!

Punk rock will always have my heart. It was the music that I first saw live when I was growing up, and so these types of venues will always have my heart.

Black Cat does exceptionally well by hitting a few key points: water available, AC blasting, good sound, and low capacity.

I love the crowds that come to shows here. Both of the shows I've been to have had crowds with tons of energy, who don't feel awkward dancing. That's a bit of a rarity nowadays! The bartenders are fast and pretty nice. They have a great selection of beers on tap.

This venue also has pinball machines!! How cool is that? They're located towards the back. From what I understand, when a show is sold out, they open up the certain to the back bar so you can watch the show from a bit of an elevated perspective. Otherwise, it's just a door you open to go to another part of the club. This is such a nice touch and really gives the space character.

The legendary bands that have played here, the years it's been in business, the character of the space, and the friendliness of the scene - you really have to experience it for yourself.

Love this place. Never had a bad time here. So glad they made it through the pandemic. It feels so personal because of the design of the place - the audience is very close to the band. Every time I go to some new slick corporate venue in town, I start thinking about how I'd rather be at the Black Cat. And such cool & kind people are in the audience and among the staff. There is a reason this is a beloved Washington institution. Especially loved the Messthetics show, they get some of the best bands out there.

Went once to see Del Water Gap and its an incredibly intimate, small venue. I loved it! The people at the show were clearly big fans and he really vibed w the small venue. It did get extremely hot, but there's a bar and more space on the far end from the stage!