Meet My Neighborhood: Shaw, Washington D.C.
Confession: when I first moved to Washington, DC about four years ago, I was clueless about the city’s neighborhoods — I literally Googled "cheap apartments in DC" to find my first place! Luckily, my search results landed me an apartment in Shaw. I've lived here ever since.
Named after Civil War Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the neighborhood was historically a hub for DC’s social, cultural, and economic progress. The neighborhood went through some rough times in the late 1960s, but has recently been revitalized and restored to become a creative locale where new businesses flourish and some of DC’s hottest restaurants reside. While there are plenty of new developments in the neighborhood, the charm of the area’s Victorian-style rowhomes and quirky street art helps keep Shaw’s vibrancy alive and create awesome Instagrammable moments for my feed!
Live
I'm completely biased, but I think Shaw is one of the most conveniently located neighborhoods in the district. You can be dining in DuPont Circle in 20 minutes, cheering on the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center or shopping on the 14th Street Corridor in 15, and you are just a few Metro stops from Nationals Park. While proximity to these other DC neighborhoods is a huge perk, you don't even have to set foot outside the Shaw neighborhood to eat, drink, shop, and be entertained. I can hardly condense all of the amazing spots in my ‘hood to one blog post, but I've highlighted my top picks below.
Caffeinate
DC is home to some amazing independent coffee shops and I’m spoiled enough to have three within five minutes of my home. Take a stroll through historic Blagden Alley for a draft latte from La Colombe (they taste like a milkshake!) or set up your laptop at Compass Coffee, where all their roasts are made in the city. If you have a hankering for something sweet, Buttercream Bakeshop is your spot!
Shop
Let’s be real -- when you live in the city with no car, proximity to a grocery store is more important than your favorite fashion retailer. Shaw’s biggest grocery store is a Giant, where you can sip craft brews as you pick up essentials or prescriptions. If you’re in favor of supporting small, local businesses, Shaw residents can head to Union Kitchen Grocery or Glen’s Garden Market, both serving up delicious grab-and-go meals and a plethora of unique sundries.
Eat
I recently had to make a spreadsheet of restaurants outside of my neighborhood because the food options in Shaw are so good I rarely branch out! For lunch, a globally inspired sandwich from SUNdeVICH cannot be beat – I always go for the Capri! Some of the best meals I’ve had in DC have been at recent Michelin Star recipient, The Dabney, which focuses on locally sourced, Mid-Atlantic fare. The Asian/French fusion hotspot Kyirisan is another local favorite.
Drink
When it comes to libations, pick your poison and head to Shaw. Craft beer enthusiast? Soak up the sun and enjoy German brews out of a boot at Dacha Beer Garden or head to dive-y Lost & Found for the best draft selection in the neighborhood. If cocktails are your thing, you’re in the right area. Renowned cocktail bar Columbia Room is tucked away in Blagden Alley. Chaplin’s offers weeklong happy hours on their handcrafted highballs. There’s something for wine lovers too! La Jambe serves up an assortment of French wines accompanied by the most delicious cheese and charcuterie boards.
Do
Whether you’re looking for something low-key or a wild night out, there are plenty of options for entertainment in Shaw. For quiet nights, catch a flick at the stunning Atlantic Plumbing Cinema or check out a book from the Shaw Library. For a more energetic night out, seeing a show at the iconic 9:30 Club tops Washingtonian bucket lists or dance the night away at FLASH Nightclub.
Sarah Collie is a marketing professional who founded fashion and lifestyle blog District Damsel as a creative outlet to share her passion for dressing well without breaking the bank. Over the years, District Damsel has evolved to include topics ranging from roundups of the best DC spots for margaritas to tips for moving in with your significant other. When not working or blogging, you'll find Sarah consuming too much Mexican food and getting overexcited about dogs in her signature boho with an edgy twist attire. Make sure to check out her Instagram too!