Because not that many people actually live in the centre of the city - unlike New York for example, many of the bars are quiet later in the evening during the week, although at the weekends, there is more of a party atmosphere, and you will often find queues getting into the more popular spots. As far as bars go, the Dubliner is a popular Irish themed choice, and the famous Round Robin Bar at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel attracts many political, and can be a lively place for discussions.
Washington boasts some large nightclubs, which tend to be open from Thursday to Saturday, and many of these offer a wide variety of music to suit all tastes. Heaven and Hell and The Spot are both popular choices.
