One of my favorite bars in DC. It's an awesome, laid back spot that's dog friendly and has a mix of cards and other random games. Sometimes there's a DC and a small floor to get your groove on. It's cash only so heads up there. read more

Headed to this place around 11:30 on a Friday night per a friend's recommendation. Loved the vibe. The place was crowded, but not too crowded. Enough room that you could still move around comfortably. The DJ was spot on, played great music the whole night. Overall a really pleasant experience. Will definitely be returning. read more

My favorite neighborhood dive bar. Good combos, weird wallpaper, strange regulars, lots of dogs, cult movies on mute, cash only. What's not to love? read more

Showtime is a great new neighborhood bar with reasonable prices and no kitchen (but you can bring your own snacks in!). Cash only. Great music, but really too loud because there are no surfaces to absorb the volume of the music. With a lower decibel I would give it 5 stars. read more

I was expecting to really dislike this bar. But I didn't. Neither the patrons nor the interior of the bar were as unattractive as I'd expected. The liquor & beer selection were above par. It's not really my scene, but it's a perfectly acceptable spot if you're looking for a low-key spot to chat with friends. However, it's cash-only, which is wack. I will never understand the concept of a business making it more difficult for patrons to spend their money. The bartender will always tell you, "oh, there's an ATM," where you can waste your money on a service fee. The bartender here did not know what the service fee was. And she should. read more

This place a drive and it wears that label like a badge of honor. Decorated like "your creepy uncle's basement" (according to my gf) with a fine selection of beers in cans, this place is truly a dive in the best since of the word. What sets Showtime apart however is the free jukebox stocked with a fantastic collection of old and obscure RnB, blues, & rock-a-billy. read more

Cute little spot, fun dance party. Decent beer selection and friendly crowd. :)

Loved spending Thursday nights here with Three Man Soul Machine! Great spot to kick back.

I'm so sad I have to even get on Yelp to leave this review, because I've worked in the service industry for years and I know how difficult the job can be. Showtime was my favorite bar in DC. My friends and I made it a point to go several times a month. I loved it because it was the kind of non- uppity, wonderfully weird neighborhood dive bar like the kind I used to frequent when I lived in New Orleans. A recent horrific experience has changed all this. The DJ, who I didn't recognize, was unusually bad last night, so a friend and I approached her and asked her politely if she could "put something on that we could dance to." Honestly, it was a Saturday night and she was playing tired as f*ck 60s garage psych rock like a college DJ who thinks she's edgy because she just learned to work a turntable. She rolled her eyes and pointed to a string of letters (which is difficult to see in the dark) that said "no requests." We answered "ok" and walked away. Several minutes later we watch the DJ walk over to the bouncer, point to us, and say "it was them." The bouncer walks over to our group and demanded we all leave the bar, even though one of my friends had not been involved in the exchange with the DJ. We were absolutely shocked. When we protested, he got even angrier. As my friend was leaving (she is a small female), he slaps the beer out of her hand and PUSHES her, hard from behind, out the door. I honestly felt like I was in some sort of totalitarian-hipster police state. Who the f*ck kicks someone out for politely asking if they could put something on to dance to? Is that really necessary? Besides the violent bouncer and insecure DJ, the blonde bartender is equally as abrasive and condescending. The feel of the bar has changed from chill to one where obnoxious hipster a**holes act like you don't deserve to be in their establishment. Honestly, I don't understand how the bouncer still has a job. He's got some serious temper issues and one day he's going to hurt someone, and management will be held liable. I hope y'all change your act and get some more people on staff (like the bartender Chad, who is awesome) who can at least pretend to tolerate other human beings. Until then, I'd strongly advise against going to this bar. read more

It really has a vibe like a small corner neighborhood bar that you don't see much of in DC. Expansive and incredibly well-curated jukebox (old R&B, soul, blues, Sun Record-style country). The tiny, L-shaped bar makes striking up a conversation with the bartender and other patrons inevitable. read more

Since moving to bloomingdale last december I've openly pined for a true neighborhood dive. My response to showtime's opening is concisely encapsulated in the title of the email I sent to my friends after my first visit. "ohgodholyf*ckyesshowtimelounge" cheap beer, great music and a chill atmosphere. I couldn't be happier. read more

I live down the street from Showtime and drop by often. I like it as a place to grab a couple of cheap drinks on weeknight evenings when it's not too crowded and there is no DJ. On weekends I'm not as big a fan, mostly because every time I've been there on Friday or Saturday night they are playing really old, bizarre music. I understand that this is a subjective matter and people must enjoy it for Showtime to keep playing it, whether ironically or not, but it's made Showtime a place to avoid on the weekends for me. read more

I had a really disappointing experience here this past Memorial Day wknd. That Sunday around 7pm, the bartender refused to serve me after making me show multiple forms of ID. Why?? Because as she ostentatiously scrutinized the second piece of ID that she demanded; I said to her: "This is ridiculous". I'm sure that sure that she had her reasons but the rub is that I was one of the few, if only black people in the joint. Minus the musicians who were singing in the front, the place was pretty much packed with white people, mostly dudes. It was unintentional racism at its best. Fuck this place. read more

Had many a good time here; however, the other night was a tremendous disaster. I stood at the bar for 20 mins without being served. Each time the bartender came down the bar she made eye contact with me and immediately skipped to the next person or the other end of the bar. This happened 4 times. Finally, I asked if she would be able to take my order when she had an opportunity. Instead of saying she'd come take my order she totally lost her cool and started shouting at me and telling me I was being rude to the other customer who had JUST walked up to the bar. Even though I had done nothing I apologized to both the patron and the bartender and explained that I had no intention of being rude. The bartender shouted at me that she had been there since 3pm and didn't need me "being an asshole". Having worked behind bars before I completely empathized with her, but who in their right mind calls a customer an asshole simply for asking to place an order? Even after the bartender continued to make my simple request into a total meltdown I tried to tip her as my way of saying sorry. Rather than dropping the matter she screamed at me and told me she didn't want any of my money. It's a small bar and working your way down the bar in a linear fashion isn't rocket science. I'm sure the lack of air conditioning and long hours cause fatigue but that is no reason to call someone an asshole. read more

The atmosphere, drinks, staff and many of the "regular" patrons here are amazing, but unfortunately some of the other "regulars" seem to think that Showtime is their personal gentrified hipster dive bar country club. No shade to the friendly bartenders and bouncers, but maybe check some of your regulars. Their condescending attitudes and intolerance of people who don't fit their mold of what's "cool" are a major turn off. Let's keep DC inclusive. read more

quiet when you want it to be, and unexpectedly fun when you need it to be. the well whiskey is uniquely terrible, but you cant beat the prices or the friendly service read more

Cheap drinks. Great people. Good music. Normally those would be more than enough to make this place the perfect local bar. Unfortunately those are all overshadowed by the major problems with this place. First of all, its is over 100 degrees in this place at all times. There are air conditioners on the walls but they seem to be broken. Even when the place isn't crowded, everyone is sweaty and you can smell it. Second, the service. Nobody behind the bar gives a sh*t. I'm sure they don't make much money, but you can't make money at all if you don't serve your customers. They come and go, usually on their phone. Even if they take your order, there's no guarantee that they'll actually get it for you. Finally, and this is the BIG one, is the door man. I was warned about this guy before (and I see other reviewers feel the same), but I thought "How bad could he be?". The answer is VERY BAD. I stepped outside to get some air (because it was so hot inside) and was immediately accosted by him saying that I needed to sit in a chair if I was going to drink outside. I politely obliged and went to sit down. I took a sip as I was sitting and he freaked the hell out about me not sitting. Everyone went silent as he started yelling and it was extremely awkward. One girl got up to go back inside because she felt uncomfortable around him and he literally PUSHED HER BACK INTO HER SEAT while he yelled at everyone. It was battery, plain and simple. I like this bar, but unless they fix the A/C and get a new door man, I won't be returning again. read more

Decent except for the some of the judgemental staff . Your experience should be augmented by the professionals behind the bar, not undermined by it. read more

This would be a great place if they turned the music volume down. It's literally impossible to have any sort of conversation over the blaring sound. read more

great place. decent prices & good tunes from the free juke box! ill be back

I like this place. The space is well designed for a lot of standing around, big groups, small groups, and a couple of friends catching up. Nothng fancy but they have good beers on tap and in cans, wine, champagne in a box, and good cider. I'll be back! read more

Great neighborhood bar. Was pretty empty when I went for happy hour, which was nice - able to have some good convo at the bar. Nice Natty Bo and a shot special. read more

Showtime is a wonderful bar because the beer is cheap and it is not full of silly people like many bars in the city are however one word of warning it does get very loud at night so only go there late at night if you can tolerate loud awesome music. read more

This is a cash-only dive bar and every neighborhood in the City would be better off if they had their own "Showtime". I come here on weeknights with my social-league soccer team after games and we always have a good time for cheap. The crowd is diverse and friendly, the place is dog friendly, and they don't serve food but you are free to bring in your own. read more

We walked into this establishment hoping for a few cheap drinks, we heard about their drink specials, but to our surprise this seemingly divey hipster bar became a life altering experience. The first thing i noticed was the amazing music selection in the juke box, on my way to the water closet I stumbled on a mural of a man playing a danelectro longhorn, my favorite guitar. The restroom was an homage to the local local footballers the redskins. The bartender was a beautiful curly haired women, i think her name was Amy. She was not only one of the most attentive and friendly bartenders i have ever seen, she was genuine and kind in her words. Our light bar banter was like a mirror reflecting a world within myself that i was unaware even existed. I left the bar with not only a sense of happiness and satisfaction, but with the sensation that not only was there a place in my neighborhood where i had new friends, but that the microcosm in which i had lived before had now bursted open into a great big bang of possibilities. Thanks Amy! read more

This is an excellent bar. I travel all the time for work. I live between San Francisco and New York and spend all my time in bars, for better or worse, and honestly, this is the best spot. The bar itself is very cozy, beautiful decor, and a perfect size. On top of that the music is amazing. The two times I have been there, there have been incredible DJs spinning from vinyl. I have been there on a Thursday and Saturday night and the bartender that helped me is the kindest and best bartender ever. He knows everything about DC. I don't know how he does it but he can strike up a conversation with anyone and always gives the best DC tips. He also always looks out for his customers. I left my wallet one time and he waited outside after the bar was closed for me to pick it up! I don't really have any friends besides coworkers in DC and I feel like I can go to Showtime and feel right at home. Also, great wall paper in the bathroom! read more