Washington D.C. Live Music Clubs

Let's face it, when something's free these days, chances are, there's a catch. And with venues, a free show usually means the band will sound worse than your grade-school jazz ensemble. But at Columbia Station, you're likely to witness some great music for the whopping price of—you guessed it—free. A great place to catch a live jazz show at no cost and down a couple pints of your favorite brew, this Washington, D.C., bar and restaurant transmits a pleasantly jovial attitude through both its food and atmosphere. Friendly service and menu options like meatloaf, pasta and Cajun-inspired dishes will keep your wallet fat and your belly full. If you find yourself in the Washington, D.C., area with some spare time but without a dime, pop into Columbian Station. A word of caution: if you want to get a good seat, make sure to arrive early—you're not the only one looking for cheap entertainment

A suave Washington, D.C., bar with a modern European feel, the Spy Lounge is connected to Felix restaurant, both owned by Alan Popowsky. The chic nightclub hosts fittingly sophisticated live musical acts ranging from funk to Latin jazz and is thematically constructed after '60s Bond movies, which play continuously on the bar's TV screens. Furnished with metal stools and plush white couches, the Spy Lounge maintains a classy feel by enforcing a dress code and serving its dry martinis shaken, not stirred.

Do you Tango? Samba? Mamba? If you answered yes, or if you're curious to try any one of the numerous genres of Latin dance, head down to this hot little Washington, D.C., dance club. Only open Wednesday through Saturday, Jazz Alley hosts lessons several nights a week before the doors open at 11pm to the serious dancers. Sparse yet tastefully decorated rooms comprise this bar and restaurant, and if you need an excuse not to dance, fill up on the delicious Mexican fare served downstairs at El Migueleno Cafe. Wednesdays feature live Latin Jazz.

Widely popular and charmingly eccentric, this one-of-a-kind Washington, D.C., bar has become a landmark to the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Featuring live blues and rock acts seven nights a week, Madam's Organ is one of the best places to catch up-and-coming talent before it hits the main stage. The bar attracts an eclectic mix of bohemians, politicos and college students, truly living up to its moniker, "where beautiful people go to get ugly." The building's outside is decorated with an enormous mural of the bar's mascot, a sultry redhead with huge breasts. Inside, the décor is equally as puzzling—mounted animals, local artwork and old church lamps blend together to create a carnival-esque montage that seems to magnify one's alcohol intake. Rated in Playboy magazine as one of the top 25 bars in the country, Madam's Organ must be what Hendrix meant when he sang "strange and beautiful."

In true rock & roll fashion, this Washington, D.C., bar delivers an impressive dose of live music, via owner and house band front man "Sir" Walter Robinson. Armed with a Stratocaster and plenty of mojo, Robinson plays in a style reminiscent of his idol, Jimi Hendrix, right down to the flipped guitar and black bolero hat. Though his guitar wizardry is enough to attract a devoted following of fans, the bar itself is appealing and comfortable. Posters of rock legends like Jim Morrison and Jerry Garcia remind one of a college dorm room, though the spacious interior and flat-screen TVs suggest otherwise. No cover charge and a show that will satisfy the cravings of any classic rocker, Pharaoh's Rock N' Blues Bar & Grill is a Washington, D.C., hotspot worth rollin' into.