Black Cat, Washington D.C.

The Black Cat is a well-known nightclub situated in Washington, D.C., specifically on 14th Street Northwest in the Shaw/U Street neighborhood. It was established back in 1993 by Dante Ferrando, a former member of the band Gray Matter. Over time, it gained a reputation as a hub for independent music. Although the Black Cat is most famous for supporting indie rock, it also hosts a variety of musical genres, including metal, punk, and electronic music, as well as DJ and dance nights.

The club's primary performance area, known as the "Mainstage," is located on the second floor and can accommodate up to 800 people, but it can be adjusted for smaller audiences with a capacity of 550.

Prior to 2019, the Black Cat used to feature lesser-known acts in a smaller space on the first floor called the "Backstage." The first floor also included a no-cover bar/lounge known as the "Red Room" and a cafe called "Food For Thought." The cafe served predominantly vegetarian dishes, although it offered some meat and vegan options.

In 2001, the venue relocated just three doors south, moving from 1831 to 1811 14th Street. The building that houses the Black Cat today used to function as a dance club called The Cage and, even earlier, as Mattos Paints.

Over the years, the Black Cat has had the privilege of hosting numerous successful musical artists, including Jeff Buckley, Bikini Kill, Death Cab for Cutie, The Cramps, The Killers, The Strokes, Elliott Smith, Molchat Doma, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.