DC suck?!

Is anyone else sick of people whining about how lame DC is for nightlife? I know it is not NYC, but I always have plenty to do. Especially since we have the fabulous venue, 930.

I figure that these types of people will always find something wrong to complain about.

Thank you, ad nauseam. I love this city. NYC is too obvious. Everything is right in front of you. At least in DC you have to dig in a little.

That said though, I would move to NYC in a second. But here's great for now.

I love D.C., and you know what – I kind of enjoy that I'm pretty cool and connected here. In NYC, I'd probably be a big loser. (I would not move to NYC, though I love visiting – my sister's there, along with college friends as I went to school in Po'town).

I think there's lots to do in D.C., though I will say, it's not always easy to find folks willing to do them with me (especially shows, as that's a niche activity for music fans, and based on particular tastes as well). But I think for me it's more a matter of hitting my mid-30s and having more friends home with kids. I still make it out for something about 3 - 5 nights a week, though – not bad for an old gal.

Great points.

Also, I think if you live in NYC and you aren't rich, you would probably have to work so much you wouldn't have time to do anything.

Bags, you are NOT old!!!! :eek: Don't ever let me hear (or read) you say that again.

Any of you who think DC sucks ought to try Baltimore. Now that sucks! It's only better in affordability and living space.

Generally, I don't hear people saying that DC sucks. I do hear them bitch about bands skipping DC, gripes about the people, the transportation, and other similiar complaints you'd have in most other cities, some of which are very valid.

It's been said many times before on this forum, if you can't find anyone to go with, just go it alone. I end up having to do that all the time. I've learned the hard way that it beats sitting home alone or, worse yet, missing out on something good. My main beef with DC is how very anti-social people are with others that they don't know. And don't tell me to take the intiative. I have and it often doesn't work in DC. I've heard many, many people with the same complaint about this town and some of them were out-of-towners living in other parts of the world.

NY's a breeze. The people may be blunt but they are often very friendly and easy to meet. It's the massive rat problem that turns me off about that city now.

I love DC dispite it's notorious infestation of politicians.

Originally posted by Jaguär:
Bags, you are NOT old!!!! :eek: Don't ever let me hear (or read) you say that again.

Sorry – I was out in the 'burbs with friends with toddlers and babies, and I felt old. But don't worry, after hitting Clem Snide tonight and possibly Super Furry Animals tomorrow, I'll be dancing about like a sprite again!

It's weird, I've never noticed the anti-social behavior you speak of, Jaguar. Maybe it's just because I'm unusually hot.

Originally posted by Jaguär:
It's been said many times before on this forum, if you can't find anyone to go with, just go it alone. I end up having to do that all the time. I've learned the hard way that it beats sitting home alone or, worse yet, missing out on something good. My main beef with DC is how very anti-social people are with others that they don't know. And don't tell me to take the intiative. I have and it often doesn't work in DC. I've heard many, many people with the same complaint about this town and some of them were out-of-towners living in other parts of the world.

I agree, Jag, and I go it alone when I need to. Will do so for Clem Snide, and probably will do so for The Sights, The Decemberists, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Hot Hot Heat and Guster. I think it's harder for women, though, to 'take the initiative' when you're out alone. I'm really extroverted (and some would even say loud and a wee bit over the top), but usually take along a CityPaper and sit quietly until the band starts if I'm flying solo. It's just weird to be out by yourself and say, "hey, I'm here, talk to me!"

Do you meet people when you go to a show on your own?

Actually, Bags is the biggest introvert in the world and really doesn't talk to anyone ;-)

And she's not old, b/c i'm older than her!

Yeah, it's true, that's why I hang out here in an "internet cafe"
;)

Originally posted by tooms:
Actually, Bags is the biggest introvert in the world and really doesn't talk to anyone ;-)

And she's not old, b/c i'm older than her!

you also hang around the Velvet Lounge…

Hello, I'm new here and just wanted to comment, hope you don't mind. :) I lived in Brooklyn for 2 years and loved NYC, but BlueEyedAndDangerous is right about it being expensive. It seems $20 dissappears the second you step out your door. I moved back here so I could actually save a little $$ to quench my desire to travel. Now I am currently planning on backpacking for a month in Australia next year. Granted it's some sacraficing of social life here and there, but something that would i have never been to save for had i stayed in NYC. DC is a great city, I think it just takes a little more initiative. Do some digging, get out, and some have fun!!

Originally posted by bags:

Originally posted by Jaguär:
Bags, you are NOT old!!!! :eek: Don't ever let me hear (or read) you say that again.

Sorry – I was out in the 'burbs with friends with toddlers and babies, and I felt old. But don't worry, after hitting Clem Snide tonight and possibly Super Furry Animals tomorrow, I'll be dancing about like a sprite again!

That's the spirit! But I know how you feel. I've been there and have learned to go on with my life instead of waiting for others to include me in their changing (no diaper pun intended) lives.

Doomie, either you are a natural people magnet or you have so many friends in DC that you always run into someone that you know. Everyone is usually fine once you meet them, it's getting to meet them that is so difficult. You would think it's easier for a woman but it's not between all the competitive women and the guys who are either gay or already taken or too busy to bother. I find that the DC people just stick with their own and aren't interested in meeting anyone who doesn't have the sacred "our crowd" seal of approval. This isn't just a flirting thing I'm talking about either. I mean it in it's purest social sense.

Honestly, I have found it much more difficult to meet people when I'm out anywhere alone than when I'm with another person. Not really sure why. I've even had some people say some really stupidly rude things to me about it before too, which made me feel even worse. I use to think that it was just me until so many others confided in me that they've had the very same problems, especially in DC moreso than anywhere else.

Bags, I may be at one or two of those shows. We'll have to look for each other.

Originally posted by lioness:
Hello, I'm new here and just wanted to comment, hope you don't mind. :)

That's what we're here for lioness! Chime in, by all means.

Australia is mesmerizing, by the way. Spend multiple days in, near or around the Great Barrier Reef.

hey now, I have every right to complain. in fact, I'm a teenager, it's expected of me. I'm just fulfilling my duty.

and going out alone isn't an option for me, I have parents.

Jaguar, I'm a long time go-out-aloner too. I'll tell you this – when you're by yourself, *some* people do attach a certain stigma to that: he/she must be desperate, a freak, etc.

The key is to hang out where peeps don't think that way, and that means locals rather than people from the hinterlands who may just drive into town once in a while for a show and then leave immediately afterward.

Your best bets are non-theme bars with a certain regular contingent. Hang out more than a couple of times at a good bar and people will start to remember you. Weeknights are better than weekends because a smaller crowd means less insularity. Chit chat with the bartender. Smile at people. Offer a light. The Velvet Lounge bar is good for this, Polly's, Townhouse Tavern, Fox & Hounds. Sometimes too, the downstairs bar at the 9:30, on the right night.

Good suggestions, though I'm only interested in going alone to shows. I have no desire to go to a bar myself. But I should work harder at becomeing a regular at a bar at a club, huh. Velvet, Back Bar, Red Room – I hear you calling!

They're my favorite bars anyway… ;)

Originally posted by Doctor Doom:
Your best bets are non-theme bars with a certain regular contingent. Hang out more than a couple of times at a good bar and people will start to remember you. Weeknights are better than weekends because a smaller crowd means less insularity. Chit chat with the bartender. Smile at people. Offer a light. The Velvet Lounge bar is good for this, Polly's, Townhouse Tavern, Fox & Hounds. Sometimes too, the downstairs bar at the 9:30, on the right night.

Originally posted by Doctor Doom:


The key is to hang out where peeps don't think that way, and that means locals rather than people from the hinterlands who may just drive into town once in a while for a show and then leave immediately afterward.

Hey,I thnk thats a bit stereotypical.I'm from the so called hinterlands and I've met many people in DC,some local,some from out of town.i do agree with you regarding hitting the smaller bars during the week though.When it's not crowded,people tend to strike up conversation,out of boredom if nothing else.

Doomie, thanks but I know all of that stuff. It just doesn't work as easily in DC as other places. Besides, it's a freaking 122 mile roundtrip for me so I can't do it too much. My loss, I know. My favorite places are the same ones that Bags named and I've been to them many times among a few others not mentioned. For the most part, I've found that if I'm alone in them, no one what's to have a damned thing to do with me. If I'm with even as little as 1 other person, it's a whole different story.

I can attest to the fact that Baltimore sucks–I live here. I hardly can find anything to do on weekends. Not a good variety of places for singles to hang out and meet.. unless you count major obnoxious bar/clubs like Bohager's as a 'good' place to socialize. There's a strong 'artsy' scene but it's rather small. There's still room for many scenes to develop here in Baltimore.

Lately, I've wanted to hang out in DC more often. Obviously, the 9:30 club is down there.. but there's just more going on DC. The problem is that tiring 45 mins to an hour drive back from DC at the wee hours in the morning after a good night of carousing. Unless I have a friend or two with me.. I'm not too keen in making that drive. :cool: