WASHINGTON -- The Black Cat is one of our favorite clubs in D.C. Whether we're going to check out a national touring act on the large stage upstairs or an up-and-coming local band Backstage, there's a good reason to visit 1811 14th St. NW. A quick glance at some of the acts that have played the club looks like a who's who of modern rock, hip-hop and college radio programming.
In addition to the quality programming, the music club's Red Room offers reasonable drinks in a part of town where drinks are unreasonably priced. The jukebox is what you'd expect from a club partially owned by Dave Grohl. A pool table and pinball machine keep idle hands busy. The Food for Thought Cafe is a good option for quieter conversation. It's vegan friendly as well.
While a trip to the Black Cat can be a one-stop shopping experience, there are plenty of local businesses who deserve your spending cash. Whether you want to caffeine up, stock up on vinyl, fill your belly or converse over cocktails, there's no need to take a cab to places farther afield.
Click through the slideshow for our picks on what to do before, during and after a show at the Black Cat
Black Cat
Before - Som Records(01 of11)
Walk a few doors to a record store that's cozy and friendly. Som Records will not judge your purchase because they only stock good records. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="28" data-vars-position-in-unit="32">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95413346@N00/337338772" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Elvert Barnes" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95413346@N00/337338772" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="29" data-vars-position-in-unit="33">Elvert Barnes</a>)
Before - Cafe Saint-Ex(02 of11)
After buying some vinyl try to grab a drink or dinner at Saint-Ex. This isn't always very easy on weekends. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="25" data-vars-position-in-unit="29">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61404403@N00/5112686091" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="katmeresin" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61404403@N00/5112686091" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="26" data-vars-position-in-unit="30">katmeresin</a>)
Before - Matchbox(03 of11)
No seat at Saint Ex? Visit the newest Matchbox location, located conveniently across the street from Saint Ex. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="22" data-vars-position-in-unit="26">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46742370@N00/1860757914" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="enviziondotnet" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46742370@N00/1860757914" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="23" data-vars-position-in-unit="27">enviziondotnet</a>)
Before - Taylor Gourmet(04 of11)
If it's good enough for President Obama, it's good enough for a concert-goer. Taylor has quick turnover so if you can't get a seat at Saint Ex or Matchbox, cross the street and enjoy a sandwich that is worlds better than a $5 foot-long. (credit:Getty Images)
Before - Peregrine Espresso(05 of11)
Caffeine. Drink some caffeine before the show. Whether you're going to dance Backstage, head-bang upstairs or consume some ale in the Red Room, caffeine will help. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="18" data-vars-position-in-unit="22">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8127753@N06/4777628047" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="y2bk" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8127753@N06/4777628047" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="19" data-vars-position-in-unit="23">y2bk</a>)
During - The Black Cat(06 of11)
You made it! The club that always looks closed because of a black set of doors, black panels over the windows and black curtains is not closed! (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28242329@N00/3574455349" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Alex Barth" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28242329@N00/3574455349" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="16" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">Alex Barth</a>)
During - Red Room(07 of11)
Whether you're enjoying an adult beverage or hankering to play some pinball, the Red Room makes band set-up and tear-down fly by. Unless you really, really care about being in the front row for a show upstairs, why wait and mill around when you could be playing a game? (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="12" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13102974@N00/2793006409" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="tvol" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13102974@N00/2793006409" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="13" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">tvol</a>)
After - Manny & Olga's(08 of11)
Regret not eating at Matchbox before the show? There's a reason the pizza by the slice place is open late. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34017702@N00/52890471" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="dcJohn" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34017702@N00/52890471" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">dcJohn</a>)
After - Uber(09 of11)
Do not drive to Black Cat, especially on a weekend. Parking is impossible. Hailing a cab can be a sport post show. Biking can get a little hairy. You might as well use the legal in D.C. car service to get home safe. Take advantage of the complimentary bottled water. You'll be thankful you did in the morning. (credit:<a target="_blank" href="http://instagr.am/p/TJ4EP6Fi38/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="glow07 via Instagram" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://instagr.am/p/TJ4EP6Fi38/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">glow07 via Instagram</a>)
After - Fast Gourmet(10 of11)
If you don't have Uber and need to hail a cab you might as well walk a few blocks to the nearest gas station. The nearest gas station also happens to have some of the best Cuban sandwiches in D.C. Really. (credit:<a target="_blank" href="http://instagr.am/p/R5U8tmDQko/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="hsnaveed via Instagram" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://instagr.am/p/R5U8tmDQko/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">hsnaveed via Instagram</a>)
After - Masa 14(11 of11)
If you end up on 14th Street NW the Saturday or Sunday morning following a show, you might as well take advantage of an excellent bottomless brunch special. Fill up on small-plate Latin-Asian fusion, tequila cocktails and enough coffee to get you home for a nap. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46742370@N00/4220015054" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="enviziondotnet" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46735e4b0564518c3690b" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46742370@N00/4220015054" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">enviziondotnet</a>)
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