Shaw

Shaw is one of DC's oldest neighborhoods turned buzzy dining-and-nightlife hub. Highlights: mural-covered Blagden Alley with its tucked-away restaurants and La Colombe cafe, Michelin-recognized spots like The Dabney, DC's Little Ethiopia, and historic music venues the Howard Theatre and 9:30 Club. It's walkable and sits on the Green/Yellow line.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where's the best coffee in Shaw?

La Colombe's Blagden Alley cafe is the signature stop, great before wandering the murals. You'll also find Compass Coffee, The Coffee Bar and Prim's Cafe nearby — Shaw has a strong independent coffee scene alongside its restaurants.

What is Blagden Alley?

It's Shaw's signature hidden micro-district — a mural-covered alley packed with a compact cluster of restaurants, bars and a La Colombe coffee shop. Part photo op, part dining destination, it's one of the more distinctive little corners in the whole city.

Where should I eat in Shaw?

The Dabney for a Michelin-recognized, wood-fire Mid-Atlantic tasting; All-Purpose for pizza; Unconventional Diner for brunch-for-dinner; and the Ethiopian restaurants of DC's Little Ethiopia. It's a genuine food-destination neighborhood across a wide price range.

What music venues are in Shaw?

The historic Howard Theatre, where Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye once played, was restored and hosts jazz, rock and blues. The legendary 9:30 Club, a two-level warehouse-style space, is also right at Shaw's edge and books major touring acts.

What Metro station is Shaw?

Shaw-Howard University station on the Green and Yellow lines is the main one, with Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center on the same lines serving the southern end. The neighborhood is compact and walkable, with frequent buses filling in the gaps.

Is Shaw walkable to U Street?

Yes. Shaw and the U Street Corridor blend into each other, sharing the U Street Metro at their border. You can easily walk between the two in a night, combining Shaw's restaurants with U Street's music venues and bars.

Is Shaw a good area to go out?

Yes — it's one of DC's hippest going-out neighborhoods, with pulsing nightlife, cocktail bars, and the retail-and-dining complexes at The Shay and Atlantic Plumbing. It blends historic character with a modern, energetic scene, and it's walkable to U Street too.

Why is Shaw called Little Ethiopia?

The area is home to one of the largest Ethiopian communities outside Ethiopia, and its concentration of Ethiopian restaurants and businesses — especially around 9th Street — has made it one of DC's most vibrant culinary subcultures. It's a must-try when you visit.

Nearby in Ask Washington DC

• Dacha Beer Garden (Shaw)Bar0.13 km · 2 min walk
• Ivy and ConeyBar0.22 km · 3 min walk
• The Wydown Coffee BarCafé0.56 km · 7 min walk
• U Street CorridorNeighborhood0.71 km · 9 min walk
• Unconventional DinerRestaurant0.74 km · 9 min walk