Drafthouse Comedy, Washington

From the proprietors of the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse comes a different way to catch the nation's top headlining comedians. DC's Drafthouse Comedy isn't another comedy club with a brick wall, nor is it a combination comedy club/restaurant. Rather, it's a bona fide black box theater—the kind you'd expect to catch some deep and heady performance art in—dedicated to promoting the art of comedy. And it doesn't even have a two-drink minimum (libations and light fare are available, but not required).

The weekly lineup features weekend performances from nothing but ringers and familiar faces from film and TV. Outside of regular shows, the Drafthouse also offers improv and standup classes for aspiring joke slingers.