Underground "dance club for grown-ups"
Tropicalia
Why locals love it
It's no wonder Tropacalia has international, underground flair, as it is named for the avant-garde cultural movement from Brazil in the 1960s. Though, in Brazil, Tropicalismo entailed theater and poetry along with music, Tropicalia, DC keeps the central figure--music--at the forefront with murals and interior design to match the vibe.
Why you should visit it
Primarily, Tropicalia features DJs and live music with a Rio Funk/AfroHouse sound. Besides amazing music and art installations in every corner of the design, Tropicalia has an eclectic cocktail menu with flavors from the southern hemisphere (spiced rums, cachaca, caipirinha...). This is an intimate, underground (physically and existentially) venue.
Special tip
Try the Rising Sun (but be careful not to drink too many too fast!).