Life

Photo courtesy of Washington.org

#FrayLife Neighborhood Guide: H Street

December 19, 2017 @ 3:57pm |

D.C.’s art, entertainment, and food scenes have been on the rise for some time now. H Street is one of the reasons why. The neighborhood has been at the forefront of D.C.’s cultural evolution for years, but is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. If you haven’t made the trip over to the Northeast recently, you’re missing out on some of D.C.’s best experiences.

Here’s a closer look at the neighborhood.

LOCATION

The H Street corridor, which sits right around the corner from Union Station, spans about a mile-and-a-half in Northeast D.C. and is “best known for its nightlife, restaurants, pop-ups, festivals and communal atmosphere.” It’s close in proximity to North Capitol Street and is bordered by NoMa to the west and the Starburst Intersection to the east.

HISTORY

The H Street Northeast neighborhood was one of Washington’s earliest and busiest commercial districts, but it faced serious decline and gentrification after World War II, and did not recover until the 21st Century. The mid-2000’s marked the beginning of a revitalization effort as the Arts and Entertainment District grew and became known for its nightlife. The commitment to making the neighborhood a hub for arts, entertainment and foodie culture has not only helped create a widespread resurgence throughout the community, but it also resulted in H Street being voted the sixth most hipster place in America by Forbes magazine in September 2012.

THINGS TO DO

If you only have limited time to spend on H Street, make more. But if you can’t, you must absolutely do the following;

  • See a a show at Atlas Theatre. Built in the 1930s and revitalized in the early 2000s Atlas is a the “cultural anchor” of H Street and is home to some of the best theatre, dance, music, vocal and choral work and spoken word in the cityPhoto from atlasarts.org
  • Join tens of thousands at the H Street Festival. Part- art festival and part- block party, the H Street Festival brings dozens of performances and hundreds of vendors to the neighborhood each fall, making it one of D.C.’s most iconic- and can’t-miss annual gatherings.
  • Shop, eat, and mingle at Maketto, a 6,000 sq ft communal marketplace that spans two buildings and combines retail, restaurant, bar and cafe experiences.

EAT/DRINK

H Street is widely known for its arts and culture, but the the food scene also rivals any other neighborhood in the city. Whether it’s morning, noon, night or late night, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect place to eat or drink on H Street.

Breakfast/Coffeeshops

  • If bagels are your go-to breakfast, consider Bullfrog Bagels your go-to breakfast spot on H Street.
  • Sip classic or unconventional organic coffee and teas at Sidamo Coffee & Tea’s Ethiopian.
  • Just one taste of its locally sourced food crafted will make it clear why Tony’s Breakfast has been serving D.C.’s most important meal of the day for over 20 years.
  • The Wydown offers up an assortment of delicious coffee and pastries. It also serves up craft cocktails later in the day.

Lunch/Dinner

  • Ben’s Upstairs is the more sophisticated brother of D.C. icon Ben’s Chili Bowl. Enjoy southern food with a Caribbean twist along side one of the most spectacular rooftop views in the city.
  • Get the best possible price on lunch at The Big Board, an H Street eatery known for its changing menu prices that reflect the real-time market value of its dishes (think of it as a stock ticker for maximizing your lunch budget).
  • If you prefer sipping classic cocktails while indulging in Asian-inspired cuisine, make sure to make reservations at Copycat Co.

Photo by Thrillist

  • DC Harvest is family-owned and operated and is known for highlighting healthy takes on upscale dining and pairing seasonal ingredients with local beers, wines and spirits.
  • Drift over to Driftwood Kitchen for American-Mediterranean fusion cuisine that is guaranteed to be “fresh, flavorful, and delicious.”
  • Celebrate Ethiopian cuisine and culture at Ethiopic, an H Street joint focusing on authentic ingredients and traditional preparations that evoke the true tastes of Ethiopia.
  • Eat and drink well at Fare Well, a bakery, diner and bar that dishes up veggie-centric comfort food and daily happy hour.
  • Can a perfectly roasted chicken completely change the way you think about poultry? The founders of Farmbird think so, and they are on a mission to do just that.

Photo by Eater DC

  • Hailed as “a cozy tavern with a healthy Belgian fetish,” Granville Moore’s is known for its award-winning beer list and authentic moules frites.
  • Beer, tacos and margaritas meet mini-golf, skeeball and shuffleboard at the H Street Country Club.
  • Known as “The French on H Street,” Le Grenier is famous for its bistro cuisine and intimate setting, and is an ideal date spot.
  • Scarf down authentic Louisiana po’ boys and other low-country cuisine at Po Boy Jim‘s Cajun restaurant.
  • Throw back a few pints, fill up on traditional British pub cuisine and partake in regularly scheduled competitions and silly events with your lads at The Queen Vic.
  • Get your brunch on at Sally’s Middle Name, widely regarded as one of D.C.’s best brunch experiences.
  • Smith Commons‘ internationally inspired bistro menu and wide array of craft beers, cocktails and wines offers something for every palette.
  • Stable is D.C.’s first ever Swiss-American restaurant and the menu creatively marries the cultures by fusing the unique lifestyles and flavors of each.

Photo by stabledc.com

  • Sticky Rice‘s Instagram describes it as “that American-Pan-Asian spot you love with charm and a bad attitude.” Don’t take their word for it, try the sushi for yourself.
  • Taiwanese and Japanese inspired dishes come to life in an intimate, artistic space at Toki Underground– D.C.’s first real Ramen house.

Adult Beverages/Nightlife

Photo from AnthologyDC.com

  • Celebrate Oktoberfest anytime of year at Biergarten Haus – Lederhosen not required.
  • Self-described as “a lousy bar for rotten people,” Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar has 100 plus beers, 50 plus whiskeys, DJs on the weekends and an outdoor patio for when the weather is warm.
  • Named the Best Wine Bar in D.C. for 3 years running (2015, 2016 and 2017), The Pursuit Wine Bar is known for its extensive wine list and contemporary American comfort food pairings.
  • Red Rocks H Street is the largest venue on H Street and features 3 floors, indoor and outdoor bars, D.C.’s hottest DJs, bottomless mimosa brunch and wood-fire pizzas.
  • You can’t book a room and spend the night at the Rock and Roll Hotel, but you can book tickets to spend an evening rocking out with the best local and regional music acts.

SHOP

We already mentioned Maketto, but here are a few other of our favorite markets, specialty shops, retail stores, and boutiques:

ACTIVITIES

The revitalization of the Atlas Theatre has been a tremendous boon for H Street’s arts and entertainment, but it’s far from the only cultural attraction in the neighborhood. Here are some other activities and attractions worth hitting up next time you’re on H Street:

  • 700 H Street is home to an open space that hosts limited-time pop-up art installations and theme bars. The most recent activation, the Future of Sports, wrapped up in November, but it’s only a matter of time until the next innovative creation takes its place.
  • Put your wits and patience to the test by trying to get out of The Escape Lounge (voted D.C.’s best escape room).
  • The Gallery O on H is a 3000 sq ft art gallery and courtyard that transports visitors out of D.C. and into a world of New Orleans-inspired beauty.

LIVE

H Street is well worth a visit, but what if you fall in love with the neighborhood so much you want to live there? Luckily for you, residency in H Street is booming, and the neighborhood is now home to some of the most impressive apartment buildings in the entire city. Here are the ones you need to know about:

With so much art and entertainment to take in and so many food, drink and nightlife options to explore, a trip to H Street belongs firmly atop your D.C. to-do list.

Did we miss anything? Let us know what other restaurants, attractions or destinations around H Street you would add to this guide by using #FrayLife.

Enjoy this piece? Consider becoming a member for access to our premium digital content and to get a monthly print edition delivered to your door. Support local journalism and start your membership today.

Share with friends