10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Washington DC

Through the Monuments by Moonlight tour, you can take in Washington DC’s famous memorials in a different light. Hop on an open-air trolley and ride around the nation’s capital to view beloved monuments after sunset. Guides entertain you with funny stories, historical information, and spooky ghost tales.

As you ride around DC, your trolley will pass the White House and Capitol Building. The tour makes pit stops at the MLK Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial. You’ll also see the FDR Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, and Korean War Veteran’s Memorial from a unique perspective.

A Washington DC sunset cruise offers you romantic riverside images of the nation’s capital. Sip on beer, wine, spirits, or soda while sailing past some of DC’s most historic landmarks. Cruises pass the Kennedy Center, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Memorial Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and more.

With multiple cruise options, you can select the vessel that’s right for your party. Impress your significant other by booking a couple’s dinner cruise. A Washington monument cruise is great for history buffs. You can also host an event on a private yacht. If you visit during cherry blossom season, DC sunset cruises offer breathtaking views of the beautiful flowers.

Ford’s Theater is a historic venue that’s also a great go-to for family-friendly performances. A tragic part of its history is that it’s where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The 16^th US president had a profound love for the performing arts. With the true theatrical spirit, the show goes to this day, despite this iconic historical interruption.

Ford’s Theater honours the spirit of an American icon with past productions including the likes of The Guard and A Christmas Carol. It’s hardly changed since 1865, and visitors can look inside the Presidential Box where Lincoln sat. If you're early for the show, check out exhibits of Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth at its museum.

POV Rooftop atop the W Hotel in Washington DC offers impressive panoramic views of the city and some of its major landmarks. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and The White House are all in view as you sip smooth cocktails.

The cocktail menu makes political references with items like Yes We Can and President’s Book of Secrets. While the opulent décor and stylish lighting present a socialite vibe, it’s a hip crowd that hangs out at the POV Rooftop. Find a comfy spot to lounge around, watch the sunset, and enjoy your drink with the rare view.

DC Improv Comedy Club has been featuring some of the country’s finest comedians since opening in 1992. Superstars such as Adam Sandler, Kevin Hart, and Dave Chapelle have all stepped on DC Improv’s stage. The lowkey atmosphere helps performers perfect their stand-up acts before taking them on the road.

Thanks to the club’s enormous success, DC Improv opened a comedy school to teach improv and stand-up. Check the calendar of events for glimpses of future stars before they become famous. The club can also help coordinate private events with comedic talents to entertain you and your party.

Board Room is a bar in Washington DC where you can ditch your smartphone and have fun by interacting with your neighbours through 30+ games. The game selection includes classics like Scrabble, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Connect 4, Backgammon, and Life. Even if you can’t find your favourite board games, the staff encourages guests to bring their own.

As the competition heats up, choose from 21 draft lines, seasonal wines, and handcrafted cocktails. If you want to catch the big game, Board Room has 9 big-screen TVs to watch the action. And the staff welcomes private parties for groups of over 200 fun-loving guests.

Nellie’s Sports Bar hosts an energetic vibe for sporting events just a 5-minute walk from Howard University in Washington DC. TVs and funky memorabilia adorn the walls of the 2-storey sports bar. In addition to watching your favourite sports, Nellie’s hosts theme nights to further entertain. Drag events are popular and create a fun atmosphere for large parties.

Other festive events include karaoke, ping-pong madness, trivia games, dance parties, and sports league nights. DJs encourage guests to get down on the dance floor, and bartenders serve beer, handcrafted cocktails, ice pops, and slushies. If you’re still hungry after dinner, Nellie’s offers delicious starters and a huge buffet.

The Blues Alley Club hosts intimate jazz and blues performances, tucked away in the charming streets of Georgetown in Washington DC. Tables sit close to the stage, from where you can get up-close with the passionate musicians. Touring artists and local performers showcase their talents in a cosy, laidback setting.

Blues Alley Club nurtures young musicians, and the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra features aspiring artists. The venue has multiple shows during the evenings, and top-tier talents usually make weekend appearances. Blues fans of all ages are welcome, but the ambience makes it a lovely spot for couples.

Cafe Citron in Dupont Circle is the place in Washington DC to bring your dance shoes and boogie to Latin music. Get ready to dance to reggaeton, bachata, and other energetic styles the moment you enter the building. The colourful décor mimics the Caribbean, and that island spirit permeates around the club.

The staff serves refreshing tropical drinks that quench your thirst after you've worked up a sweat. Cuban mojitos, Brazilian caipirinhas, house margaritas, and Spanish sangrias highlight their selection of smooth cocktails. And if you get hungry, their Bolivian, Mexican, and Peruvian-inspired plates will ease your appetite.

Madam’s Organ is a blues bar on 18^th Street in Washington DC that offers live music 7 nights a week. Boogie to blues and rock bands while sipping refreshing drinks from mason jars. Grab appetisers and pair them with beer, wine, or rail drinks. The 1st floor features local and regional blues acts, and the upper floors include bars, lounges, and pool tables.

Join the singing fun by warming up your vocal cords for open-mic nights with your rowdy friends. If you’d rather chill, head up to the Starlit Roof Deck and Tiki Bar to feel the evening breeze.