U Street
Neighborhood Guide
U Street is located in the area to the east of Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan between Logan Circle and Columbia Heights. Once known as the “Black Broadway” for its historic jazz venues, U Street has recently experienced a revitalization of economic and residential development. It has emerged a hotspot for national and local music acts at venues such as the 9:30 Club and the Black Cat as well as restaurants and hipster bars and nightclubs while remaining true to its historic roots as the heart of the city’s African-American community. Other area highlights include catching a show at the newly-renovated Lincoln Theater, taking a stroll through “Little Ethiopia,” bumping into a celebrity eating a half-smoke and chili fries at historic Ben’s Chili Bowl, or sampling some of the famous cupcakes from GW Law alum Warren Brown’s CakeLove.
Housing in the U Street area remains moderately affordable, though the rash of recent development is changing the landscape of the neighborhood. Many of the turn-of-the-century row houses have been renovated to match the high-end luxury apartment and condo buildings erected in the last few years.
Commute: Street is situated on several Metrobus routes and is served by the U Street/Cardozo Metro stop on the Green Line.