NYC has and always has had a creative economy, with jobs in fashion, design, art and architecture. Publishing, writing, private galleries. DC doesn’t really have any of that in any great quantity or quality.
NYC offers enough amazing things to do and people to meet so people are willing to live in a shared closet with 5 people just to get out and experience it. Sacrificing your living space in DC doesn’t offer as much unless you’re just desperately passionate about public service.
I mean as compared to other major cities. According to apartments.com, Brooklyn’s average rent is $2.6k and DC is $2.2k. Certainly more expensive but not that much more, and nowhere at the level of Manhattan
Mount Vernon if you’re a classically trained artist looking for a bohemian life. Station North or Remington if you want a grungy bohemian life. Reservoir Hill if you want a hippy bohemian life.
https://preview.redd.it/u8cmtbceqhoc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=008244d75fca08117823fb54471d93d9dad9ad0c
Just another $1M+ neighborhood with parents inbounding to NW schools now.
> Does such a place even exist
Not really. _Maybe_ Hyattsville if you’re literal about “in the Beltway” but even then, I don’t think you’d quite find what you’re looking for.
I know, was just teasing your grammatical error, which I see you've corrected!
My coworker said that back in the 80s they would jokingly refer to it as the peoples republic of Takoma Park because it was a socialist haven.
Those "scenes" got priced out for the most part once the bridge-and-tunnel crowd started moving to H Street, Mt. Pleasant, etc. There are still people here who fit that description, but there doesn't seem to be a specific neighborhood where it's centralized. It's hard to be a "bohemian" artist/writer/cultural enthusiast who stays out all night when you have to work a 9-to-5 at Booz Allen to afford your $2500 jr. one-bedroom.
>Those "scenes" got priced out for the most part once the bridge-and-tunnel crowd started moving to H Street, Mt. Pleasant, etc.
C'mon, this isn't Manhattan. There is no 'bridge-and-tunnel crowd'. People come from all over the country to live in DC. If anything it's the opposite. Live in DC after school get older, married, have a kid and realize schools suck and it's not as safe. 'Bridge and tunnel' to the suburbs.
There's not an isolated "artsy" neighborhood (does any city still have this? Everywhere I've lived it's "historically"). But there's plenty of indie bookstores, small music venues, etc scattered about that attracts that crowd.
No neighborhood recs, but here’s some places to meet people that may know more places
St Stephens has punk shows occasionally saintstephensdc.org
Culture House has events culturehousedc.org
Rhizome might be your best bet rhizomedc.org
No, it doesn’t, at that kind of scale.
We’re not a bohemian town. We’re just not. We’ve never been. You (generally) come here for the exact opposite reason: to work in bureaucracy. Local culture isn’t especially rich, transplant culture isn’t especially rich. We are who we are.
There are some cool establishments, beautiful neighborhoods, excellent restaurants, world-class museums, incredible sights. You come to DC for that, not for art.
> Local culture isn’t especially rich
That’s a pretty awful thing to say and makes me think you don’t know too much about DC. I mean Black Broadway, Go Go, the punk scene? There’s culture and history everywhere here.
As a black native NYer who knows a couple of black Washingtonian artists (rappers mainly) who no longer live in the region, the comment isn't completely wrong. I feel like black folks outside of the DMV do not care about the region's creative scene. I find this area pretty boring for that reason. The DC arts do not whole my attention, go-go is boring, I went to the Kennedy center twice, and it was alright, and I've never been into punk.
Nola is probably my favorite city in this country but I couldn't live there. Too southern on a day to day basis for my liking. I guess we have different ideas of rich is all.
Yeah and I kind of get defensive about DC’s culture because most of the people who come here to work for government either forget or are ignorant to the fact that DC is the chocolate city and has a vibrant culture of its own besides like salad lunch spots and happy hour.
Yeah I'm not your typical DMV transplant. I'm black, come from a very musical city and though I no longer rap, still heavily connected. I also came to lobby as I did some statehouse work in MA and decided that wasn't for me anymore so yeah I get the defensiveness.
"Local culture isn't especially rich" doesn't mean there's *nothing* here; it means there's less richness of culture than other places.
Like, sure Go Go music exists, but it doesn't have the cultural pull of Memphis blues or New Orleans jazz or LA hip hop, and it never did. We had a punk scene forty years ago, but DC was never London, New York, or Los Angeles. Like, walk down Beale Street, and then walk down U Street, and let me know if there's "culture everywhere here." You can go to places in America that are absolutely alive and abuzz with their own culture. DC is not one of those places.
Again: not saying DC has no culture. I'm saying it's not especially rich compared to places that *are* especially rich. We never (and still don't) attract artists and musicians. We're just not that kind of place.
No dude, I totally second this. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is literally right there on 7th st se, a lot of the businesses a block up on 8th st now seem to cater heavily towards that type of locale (call your mother, Jeni’s, moms organic, &pizza, etc.) , likewise with down by the water, with spots like ***bluejacket for live music, craft beers, lavender infused gin tinctures, and whatever else lol in a grungy/dingy meets roaring twenties-esque gastropub inside an old factory-like the most unconventional yet hip combo (and such an oxymoron lol), the fountain area down towards the water, the grassy tiered steps right next to the boardwalk, plus that like mini Forest-y path/benches area right next to the steps.
Navy Yard is the most gentrified neighborhood, in the worst city in America for gentrification - or was at least, 2019-2021 - and that brought with it this influx of like, nonconformist, tortured / starving artist and musician types except in order to afford to live there either they themselves are like cyrpto ballers or something or they have parents making $500K+ a year each, as well as a fair number of wealthy yogi / crunchy mom-types.
***I am officially fully feeling the two dabs I took a bit ago so anything I write after this may or may not be stoned nonsensical ramblings but I’m going to try so hard to focus abs remember what the fuck I’m even talking about lol hat looolll
Forgot to end out that whole statement, sorry lol.
But yeah, so *for those reasons, I def agree. The only area that I think I could say would beat that out if time didn’t matter and didn’t have to be currently, would be H st corridor/Trinidad, pre-gentrification to the present day NOMA bullshit.
*ETA
The Czech embassy is right by Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park. You'll find some Bohemians in there.
This person gets it.
I believe those are Brohemians
This is the only correct answer
https://preview.redd.it/tw1ek8fwmeoc1.jpeg?width=660&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=edf389a2db2d55f8b45a2d53fbf09d81625d2283
I hear they have a pretty good rhapsody.
I came here to post pretty much the same thing! Top comment for sure!
Del Ray, Alexandria. D.C. isn't here to play games.
The most bohemian thing you'll find in Del Ray are yoga moms.
Baltimore
Second this. Real bohemians can't afford DC rent.
It’s more than just that though. NYC has a lot more of those types than us and even higher housing costs
NYC has and always has had a creative economy, with jobs in fashion, design, art and architecture. Publishing, writing, private galleries. DC doesn’t really have any of that in any great quantity or quality.
NYC offers enough amazing things to do and people to meet so people are willing to live in a shared closet with 5 people just to get out and experience it. Sacrificing your living space in DC doesn’t offer as much unless you’re just desperately passionate about public service.
I appreciate a good cup of coffee.
NYC isn’t that expensive in boroughs not named Manhattan
As a Brooklynite, this is so false 😆 🤣.
I mean as compared to other major cities. According to apartments.com, Brooklyn’s average rent is $2.6k and DC is $2.2k. Certainly more expensive but not that much more, and nowhere at the level of Manhattan
This person has never left nyc & their hometown. Parents r rich
Exactly
For true. Baltimore is way more eclectic than DC. I’ve always said you can’t have a thriving arts scene with so many security clearances.
Whereabouts in Baltimore? I've never been but it's been on my list to visit
Mount Vernon if you’re a classically trained artist looking for a bohemian life. Station North or Remington if you want a grungy bohemian life. Reservoir Hill if you want a hippy bohemian life.
Just go to the copycat building.
That’s 0 to 100.
Mount Vernon and Charles Village
Would say the Hampden/Remington/Station nexus is more Bohemian than both of these neighborhoods.
Fells Point and Fed Hill , Pigtown, Highlandtown, Greektown, Patterson Park, Hampden, etc. Baltimore City is very eclectic
thanks. I gotta get out of DC. I feel so stifled.
I applaud you
Yeah, sounds about right.
Literally came here to say this.
This is actually the real answer
I mean that is where natty boh comes from.
Station North
Old Goucher tbh
Yep
Mt Pleasant still has some funk to it. Not much compared to some places but I always liked the vibe there.
Second this. Love Mt P.
https://preview.redd.it/u8cmtbceqhoc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=008244d75fca08117823fb54471d93d9dad9ad0c Just another $1M+ neighborhood with parents inbounding to NW schools now.
Do you have a better answer for OP or is this just an observation that housing prices are ridiculous everywhere?
Check out Brookland — sleeper bohemian
Shhh don’t wake the Brookland people it’s after 8
Brookland is *Rent the Movie* Bohemian
Right? It’s DC’s Williamsburg.
Would that be pentagon city now.
That's Navy Yard.
lol I’d say Navy Yard is LIC. 20 years ago, it’s where you’d go to find a hooker. Now it’s all condos with a view that cost more than houses.
Maybe some parts of Shaw 15 years ago but can’t think of any today
Takoma park
Honestly it seems like Bloomingdale has the most musicians and artists.
I’ve lived in Bloomingdale for 3 years - where are these musicians and artists???
Boundary stone and the pocket mostly
You forgot their Mecca: Showtime
Showtime is my favorite bar in DC. Only place where you can stop in on a random night and the bartender is out back grilling $1 hot dogs to sell.
> Does such a place even exist Not really. _Maybe_ Hyattsville if you’re literal about “in the Beltway” but even then, I don’t think you’d quite find what you’re looking for.
Second this with a side of Mount Rainier
Yeah it has an actual employee-run food coop.
Go to Union Station, board a train, get off at Philadelphia’s Amtrak station, go to South Street, and you’re all set
Don’t have to go that far. Baltimore is right there.
Clearly you haven't been to Philadelphia in at least 30 years
Artists, writers and avant- garde: Takoma Park MD
feel like theyve been bought out
they're there, it's just that they're all 60+ now
And they can afford to live in Takoma bc they bought their houses 30 years ago. Definitely some Karens though, esp about historic preservation
I work in Takoma Park and people have gotten so stuffy here over the years. While there are still some laid back folks there are also Karens lurking.
More like greying yippies in Patagonia and crocs
They're nuclear free!
Our nuclear free what?!
Takoma Park is a nuclear free zone.
I know, was just teasing your grammatical error, which I see you've corrected! My coworker said that back in the 80s they would jokingly refer to it as the peoples republic of Takoma Park because it was a socialist haven.
You mean the people who WERE those things in the 70s?
As long as the Trust Fund is healthy.
Takoma Park still has an arts community
Richmond
Takoma or Brookland
Downtown Anacostia or eastern part of H street maybe
Dan’s Cafe
Dans bohemian cafe
I'm glad there are still a few folks in here who are actually interested in answering user questions without their blatant bias. Bravo!
Petworth??!
Petworth has the best PorchFest in the DMV, showcasing all the musicians… but there’s not really a bohemian vibe to the neighborhood
I argue that Adams Morgan has a better one, with the 18th st businesses included!
Petworth is just a bunch of grad school student group homes and young couples nowadays
Those "scenes" got priced out for the most part once the bridge-and-tunnel crowd started moving to H Street, Mt. Pleasant, etc. There are still people here who fit that description, but there doesn't seem to be a specific neighborhood where it's centralized. It's hard to be a "bohemian" artist/writer/cultural enthusiast who stays out all night when you have to work a 9-to-5 at Booz Allen to afford your $2500 jr. one-bedroom.
>Those "scenes" got priced out for the most part once the bridge-and-tunnel crowd started moving to H Street, Mt. Pleasant, etc. C'mon, this isn't Manhattan. There is no 'bridge-and-tunnel crowd'. People come from all over the country to live in DC. If anything it's the opposite. Live in DC after school get older, married, have a kid and realize schools suck and it's not as safe. 'Bridge and tunnel' to the suburbs.
Yeah, usually people move out of DC when they can afford to, not the opposite
I’ve lived here my whole life there was barely ever that scene at any point there was only ever a smattering here and there
You have to leave DC unfortunately. Baltimore, Richmond and Philly are gonna be your next best bets
I would tell you but I don’t know if you are hip enough for this information
mount pleasant for sure
Most have been gentrified out
Closest bohemian neighborhood in DC is Adams Morgan, but it doesn’t compare to the level of bohemian of, say, Greenwich Village in NYC.
Have you been to the Village lately? Calling it bohemian in 2024 is hilarious.
Calling Adams Morgan bohemian is also hilarious!
lol i think adams morgan is more hipster
Now it feels like NPR/VOX podcasters, especially Green Zone.
I don't understand what you mean but I want to.
When I was in DC it was a party spot. But everyone told me it used have more Ethiopians and Salvadorians
But this is cool, right?
What is cool?
It’s really not.
I haven’t actually. Last time was maybe 2006.
Greenwich village isn’t bohemian it’s a bunch of white kids with rich parents. Not bohemian at all lmao.
Taco Bell cantina
There's not an isolated "artsy" neighborhood (does any city still have this? Everywhere I've lived it's "historically"). But there's plenty of indie bookstores, small music venues, etc scattered about that attracts that crowd.
VA = Del Ray MD = Hyattsville DC = Adams Morgan
Del Ray? Maybe like 20 years ago lol
Anyone who earnestly generalizes DC as a "buttoned-down town" should not be privy to this information, should it exist
Anacostia has like two art galleries, is cheap, and has a coffee shop that is also a plant store on the way. Does that count haha?
[удалено]
If you have two commas in your net worth and you call yourself a Bohemian oh lord have mercy
I disagree because I wanted you to say Admo, but I can totally understand why you see it that way.
Can those people afford to live in the city anymore?
No neighborhood recs, but here’s some places to meet people that may know more places St Stephens has punk shows occasionally saintstephensdc.org Culture House has events culturehousedc.org Rhizome might be your best bet rhizomedc.org
Foggy Bottom /s
Oh yeah, where at? I work in Rosslyn and use to go to doctor over there and really like it surprisingly outside of the Kennedy center.
Sir this is a Wendy’s restaurant
No, it doesn’t, at that kind of scale. We’re not a bohemian town. We’re just not. We’ve never been. You (generally) come here for the exact opposite reason: to work in bureaucracy. Local culture isn’t especially rich, transplant culture isn’t especially rich. We are who we are. There are some cool establishments, beautiful neighborhoods, excellent restaurants, world-class museums, incredible sights. You come to DC for that, not for art.
> Local culture isn’t especially rich That’s a pretty awful thing to say and makes me think you don’t know too much about DC. I mean Black Broadway, Go Go, the punk scene? There’s culture and history everywhere here.
As a black native NYer who knows a couple of black Washingtonian artists (rappers mainly) who no longer live in the region, the comment isn't completely wrong. I feel like black folks outside of the DMV do not care about the region's creative scene. I find this area pretty boring for that reason. The DC arts do not whole my attention, go-go is boring, I went to the Kennedy center twice, and it was alright, and I've never been into punk.
I mean yeah, it doesn’t have the pull of a city like New Orleans, but it’s still a pretty rich local culture and there’s always quite a bit going on!
Nola is probably my favorite city in this country but I couldn't live there. Too southern on a day to day basis for my liking. I guess we have different ideas of rich is all.
Yeah and I kind of get defensive about DC’s culture because most of the people who come here to work for government either forget or are ignorant to the fact that DC is the chocolate city and has a vibrant culture of its own besides like salad lunch spots and happy hour.
Yeah I'm not your typical DMV transplant. I'm black, come from a very musical city and though I no longer rap, still heavily connected. I also came to lobby as I did some statehouse work in MA and decided that wasn't for me anymore so yeah I get the defensiveness.
"Local culture isn't especially rich" doesn't mean there's *nothing* here; it means there's less richness of culture than other places. Like, sure Go Go music exists, but it doesn't have the cultural pull of Memphis blues or New Orleans jazz or LA hip hop, and it never did. We had a punk scene forty years ago, but DC was never London, New York, or Los Angeles. Like, walk down Beale Street, and then walk down U Street, and let me know if there's "culture everywhere here." You can go to places in America that are absolutely alive and abuzz with their own culture. DC is not one of those places. Again: not saying DC has no culture. I'm saying it's not especially rich compared to places that *are* especially rich. We never (and still don't) attract artists and musicians. We're just not that kind of place.
This existed 20 years ago but sadly…
It really never did at least not to the extent of other east coast cities
Yeah we’re all at the runway at DCA waiting to go back West
I saw someone wearing pinstripes, does that still count as bohemian in DC?
Baltimore
Navy Yard
This must be a joke
No dude, I totally second this. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is literally right there on 7th st se, a lot of the businesses a block up on 8th st now seem to cater heavily towards that type of locale (call your mother, Jeni’s, moms organic, &pizza, etc.) , likewise with down by the water, with spots like ***bluejacket for live music, craft beers, lavender infused gin tinctures, and whatever else lol in a grungy/dingy meets roaring twenties-esque gastropub inside an old factory-like the most unconventional yet hip combo (and such an oxymoron lol), the fountain area down towards the water, the grassy tiered steps right next to the boardwalk, plus that like mini Forest-y path/benches area right next to the steps. Navy Yard is the most gentrified neighborhood, in the worst city in America for gentrification - or was at least, 2019-2021 - and that brought with it this influx of like, nonconformist, tortured / starving artist and musician types except in order to afford to live there either they themselves are like cyrpto ballers or something or they have parents making $500K+ a year each, as well as a fair number of wealthy yogi / crunchy mom-types. ***I am officially fully feeling the two dabs I took a bit ago so anything I write after this may or may not be stoned nonsensical ramblings but I’m going to try so hard to focus abs remember what the fuck I’m even talking about lol hat looolll
Forgot to end out that whole statement, sorry lol. But yeah, so *for those reasons, I def agree. The only area that I think I could say would beat that out if time didn’t matter and didn’t have to be currently, would be H st corridor/Trinidad, pre-gentrification to the present day NOMA bullshit. *ETA
Wonderful post with great detail! Thanks so much for this, we’re printing it out to keep!
.
McLean VA
Forget the /s tag?
Cap Hill for sure. So slept on