Five Club

Couldn’t believe it when I heard it was closed. It was already going into decline when I left DC two years ago, but even still. Everything about Five was legendary for me.
From how I found it – I met a dude named Jeff at a bar in Arlington who asked if I wanted to hit up a club in DC, and when we got there he turned out to be a former DJ for the club and we got in free and were handed free drinks — to all the adventures I had there: interesting people, beautiful women, great music. I love house music now because of Five; never spent a moment listening to it before here.
I had more crazy adventures at Five than I could begin to tell. Where else can you have guys in the bathroom telling you how lucky you are because they saw you sitting with five girls, only unbeknownst to them (and all the guys those girls kept brushing off), three of those girls were Thai transsexuals?
Even on the more normal nights, Five was amazing. A melting pot of fascinating individuals and people from across the globe — I met cute girls from every continent except Antarctica here. Heck, I met my girlfriend of three years my first night in Five, while my new pal Jeff was off being introduced to four Air Force girls by one of the bouncers.
Five is the gold standard of nightclubs for me now; every city I travel to now gets a search for the closest thing to Five. I’ve found a few places similar — SPIN in San Diego, Playhouse in LA — but never anything quite the same. Five, you will live on forever in my memory as the Greatest Club I Have Ever Been To.
Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine myself standing on the catwalk above the dance floor as the AC blasted and the music pounded and just smile. Five was my club.

This place used to host the best underground dj’s from all over the world. They had the cities best sound system and a very impressive intelligent lighting system that brought out the sexiest crowds on a regular basis — some in collared shirts, some in t’s, some with no shirts at all. People stayed well past last call because the music was so good. Now it seems the new owners have their ambitions set a little lower.

I give it 2 stars for the amount of fun we had here during Halloween bar crawl back in 2005 and the free champagne bottles that they gave away during NYE a few years back.
Other than that, I had no idea the place was closed b/​c I haven’t been back since 2005!

I think they lost their liquor license. they were lame anyway.

I use to frequent Five all the time. Our DC clique always went out to support our friends nights out opening for Kaskade and the likes. You knew that you could always find space on the dance floor and REALLY dance, ie no bumping and grinding. Five isn’t what it use to be, not even sure if it’s still open after it’s «incident» and I surely don’t care because my Five hay days are long gone. The crowd is very diverse and most everyone was there for the same reason, to dance!
Plus the rooftop patio adds for an extra space to hide away to, great on summer nights. Especially when they play old school hip hop classics.

I haven’t been there recently to hear any of these Top 40s, reggae, and what not being mentioned. I do remember that when I went about 3 – 4 months ago the place was whackkkk.
It was completely empty. We went to the bar and this creepy old guy starts flirting with us, NEGATIVE. On top of that the music was crap and the overall place in general was just not appealing. Wouldn’t go back!

I used to love this place. I wish I knew when it’s going to reopen. I don’t think the new owner’s know what they’re doing. This place used to be one of a kind and although it was going downhill, the new ownership totally screwed it up. I guess they wanted to turn it into a hip-​hop club. Hopefully by the time it reopens they’ll figure it out. They need to just go back to the original formula and improve on it. Maybe it’s not as profitable but at least there won’t be any more stabbings.
Also, all of these southern people who don’t like «techno»… Why don’t you go hang out at Sheetz?

The first time I went to Five there was a nice sized crowd, but not a whole lot of action on the dance floor. The 2^nd and 3^rd floors had a good number of people as well. It was a decent time, despite the drinks being a little too expensive.
The second time I went to Five it was Saturday night and after midnight — and there was no one there. So some drunk girl at the bar said «it’s early… it’ll pick up soon.» So my friends and I stayed there for a while, wondering up to the «3^rd floor» which is a roof covered by a tent. This place plays R&B and was just abysmal. Bad dancing, bad music, drunk people (and not the good kind), and a lot of drugs changing hands.
We were up there for a while, because that’s where the people were. Eventually we figured a crowd had to have built on the two lower floors, but we were wrong. We stood around on the second floor for a while, looking over the balcony to the dancfloor where about a dozen people were dancing. It was 1:30 and there was no sign of things picking up, so we left.
After reading the rest of the reviews, I understand that my first experience at Five is not the norm.
This place was so disappointing.
Update: I’m told it gets more crowed as other venues close (around 3 a.m.). But frankly, that only confirms to me that it’s not that great of a place since the only reason people go there is because everywhere else is closed.

Goodbye Five.
Its kind of sad that the one place in DC that I could always (ALWAYS) count on to spin electronic/​dance music no longer spins the good stuff. I walked up to Five last Friday after finding out that the place changed owners. I figured its probably safe to assume that Five would still be playing dance music since its one of DC’s dance music staples, but much to my surprise they were playing top 40’s, reggaeton, and all that other mash up crap that they’re playing across DC.
How sad. No more Five till 5.

When I first moved here, I was really surprise at the few places that have house music. Five is one of those few. The music is much like Velvet Underground in Singapore which I frequented. The rooftop was however, playing hip hop music. The house scotch tasted like ass, it was so awful I almost threw up and it was expensive to drink there. I thought they open late but they threw people out of the roof at 3 am.

The venue has three levels, a downstairs, middle ground, and when the weather is permitting, a rooftop. On a night where there is a full crowd, it gets a lil too hot for me downstairs. I’ve dj’d on the main floor and rooftop and that was a lot of fun. Usually though, I feel like the sound levels are a bit off, a lot of times, there is too much bass in the main room.
I’m usually not a fan of the Friday or Saturday night crowds. They book some really great djs from all around the world, but on the weekends, you can see that appreciation of who’s playing isn’t important for a lot of patrons. Usually there is a lot of bumping and very little room to go. Usually the only people I talk with, are people that I know. It’s very rare that I meet someone new there, which I think is a shame.
I was there on Saturday night for a special rooftop event, sunset sessions. They had free beer and food from 7 – 9. I thought it was a very nice thing. Where can you go in dc and find free beer, or anywhere for that matter.
Security always seems to be good. I’ve never seen them get crazy or see anything crazy happen.
Five is hit or miss for me. Some nights are a lot of fun, but a lot of nights it’s just the same old thing. I generally only go for specific performers, that’s the selling point for me.

All I can say that it is dead on a Wednesday… too many stairs to climb for what? 20 guys sitting around trying to look cool. The music is way too loud for that — stop trying too hard. I have been there less than FIVE times and I can say it sucks! If you are into over-​rated, cheesy, dance clubs then I say go for it!
And by the way I hate «techno» and yes, that’s what it’s called for those who don’t believe that electronic music is god’s gift to mankind.

Update ’08:
Methinks this place will be changing again… Buzz is now @ FUR on Fridays and the owner has cleaned house. Rumor is it will attempt to become a Rock N Roll Venue again (like it was when it was called GARAGE??)
Older review:
FIVE has definitely come a long way… the lighting has improved, the sound has improved, the crowd has improved (relatively) with many music lovers but you’ll still have your share of meatballs rubbing up on girls… its a club. The Roof took out the hammocks but allows you your smokign fix without being stuck in a stairwell or on the sidewalk… beggars (i.e. smokers) can’t be choosers.
Open later than the rest in the area (5−6am)…and often… thanks to great promoters… provide excellent DJ talent on a weekly basis.
This is not the massive open floor of NATION… so don’t expect glo-​sticks, twirlers, and huge dance circles. Though you may see them. No alcohol after 3am… so say hello to water & red bull… but you probably knew that already.
Variety is the spice of life and FIVE offers plenty… Summer rooftop party on Tuesday, DnB Nights on Wednesdays, Trance/​Progressive House/​Etc. on Fridays Saturdays.
Not as uptight as the other neighboring clubs… Five does tend to draw a more hardcore crowd as the night goes on but its the music and fun dancing peeps that draws and its a good thing. I usually won’t appear till like 1am depending on DJ Set times.
Drink prices are pretty reasonable and you usually can find some space for yourself (a far cry from FLY around the corner) and I love all the bartenders.
A hop skip and a jump from Dupont metro… with tons of fun bars nearby for you to peruse b4 the wee hours. Plenty of Taxis for that wearisome 6am trek home as well.

I went to Five for the first time last night, and I loved it! This place reminds me of my old stomping grounds back in Detroit; Five is just like it’s music and just as Leila S. describes it: dark and dirty! When I was there, I think Rich Webb was on the decks pounding out hard, driving house. I felt at home.
After talking to some of the club staff, I learned that there wasn’t a huge headlining event that night, so the people that were there were for the music. While chatting with the cover charge collector, I saw a lot of people put their nose up at the $ 10 cover and walk away. «Good,» I thought. «Keep the people who aren’t there for the love of the music out.» As far as the attitudes of the club staff went that night, they seemed very friendly and attentive.
I was on a mission to find Five, check the place out, and drop off my DJ demo CD, so I didn’t go there with the intent to drink and party, so I cannot comment on the beverages. The music and crowd were so good, though, that I did get sucked onto the dance floor to dance for a couple of hours.
Some cool features of the club are that they have the dance floor on the bottom most level, and then a catwalk on the second level that surrounds the dance floor. The second level features a large bar with its back to the dance floor and lounge/​table seating if you like to get those when you go out to party. I spotted bathrooms up there, too. The third level puts you on the roof. The roof-​top scene was that of the hip hop crowd. It looked like there was a tiki hut bar up there, too. Back down on the first floor, there was more lounge/​table seating that was a lot more secluded from all the rest of the club action, not like the second floor tables. First floor tables had off-​white plush leather or velour seating, I think. Black leather seating was on the second floor.
Five’s sound system is EQ’d to be heavy on the bass and high frequencies. One weird part of their setup is that the apparently loudest subwoofer sits elevated to the right of the bottom floor bar, and sounded heavier than when on the dance floor.
Doing most of the lighting duty were several LCD projectors pointed down at the dance floor, which I thought was pretty cool. You can achieve some cool lighting effects by using many repeated patterns on those, which is what Five did. They had a couple of moving yolk spotlights, but those weren’t used as frequently. all in all, I was satisfied with the sound and lighting.
For the DJs: The DJ booth was stocked with two of your standard Pioneer CDJ-​1000s, and it looked as if they were using a black Pioneer DJM-​600 mixer, as well. The Technics SL-​1200 turntables (which I’m going to assume they have, as any respectable club would), were tucked away that night. The monitors hover very close to your head while being only about a couple feet from the mixer console on either side.
In summary, this place felt like a cozy hole in the wall that pulls you in and and shakes you up like a six year old with fireflies in a jar who are all happy to be there. I loved this place, and I want to to DJ here. I’m going to keep coming back and dropping off demos until they let me spin here all the time. I want Five to be the home of my inner DJ.

This is the essence of the nitty-​gritty in Dupont… of the dark and dirty… and I absolutely wouldn’t have it any other way. ;)
When I walk into Five, all my cares in the world seem to slip away. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s 3:30 AM and my ridiculous mix of cocktails from the night continue to slowly seep through me, trying to get me down… but the music… it just won’t let me get there. The beats are like adrenaline, what can I say? I’m a complete house music lover, from drum ‘n bass to progressive… I just want more, more, more! And I always get it here at Five.
Here’s the downlow:
— DRINKS are good, always strong, sometimes too strong… but then again, if you’re here and having a drink, you’ve arrived much too early.
— CROWD is always relaxed and in the zone… always, always. Full of music enthusiasts and all-​night partiers who are always looking for the best after-​hours spot after Five closes at 5 AM.
— LOCATION is right next to Andalu and Sesto Senso… you can walk in and out of these and Five all night, just don’t try walking out with drink in hand, otherwise you’ll be chugging or wasting.
— DJs spin better music as the night goes on. Max Graham was here last month and it was absolutely fabulouso… now let’s work on getting Victor Calderone… or maybe one day, HERNAN CANTANNEO?!
Pretty please?

I saw Louis Vega here this weekend and the show was kick-​ass. The floor got a bit packed but the club has a lot of levels to wander through, including a not-​too-​bad roof deck which means when things get a bit heated on the dance floor you can find a diversion elsewhere.
My one complaint was that they allow a lot of people to congregate in the front, making it almost impossible to exit — I had to really shove my way through to get out. Other than that I’d say this place was pretty decent.

Come on friends, Five is really not that bad. Its actually a lot of fun, as long as you know what to expect. It is not 18^th Street Lounge so the vibe is a lot more raucous, and its not known for hip-​hop (unless there is a show going on). What it is is a great space to see and hear top DJs when they decide to grace the lowly DC music scene with their presence. The place is big enough that you can always find an empty spot to chill if you need it, the drinks are priced well and the bartenders are friendly. Most of the time I’m exempt from paying a cover, so I can see how that would bring some folks down, but for a show, Five is one of DCs better venues.

This place was just OK. My fave music is hip-​hop, but unfortunately they play hip-​hop on the terrace floor where all the smokers hang out. So after an hour or so of dancing, I decided to leave and take a nice warm shower b/​c I stunk of cigarette smoke. Not very appealing. Esp. since we had to pay a $ 10 cover.

I’ve found a new spot to dance to techno/​trance: Lima.
Dancing at Five just feels cheesy for some reason. Can’t seem to have fun doing it here.
Although– the outdoor patio on top would make for a cool hang out spot during warm weather.

We came here at the end of a long night, drawn to the sound and vibrations like lost moths to a light bulb. I was pretty worn out from a cutthroat darts game, and so the racuous atmosphere gave me a good uplift. But I had paid a painful $ 8 cover charge, so I expected nothing less than a good buzz.
In the end I was disappointed. It was too dark to even see the face of anyone on the dance floor, and the music was too loud to even shout at my friends. The blacklights were giving a weird and unattractive texture to everyone’s skin, and there was no good place to sit down and get my bearings. My friend Singh was having a good time, though, making out with much taller woman on the dance floor.
Maybe you’ll get lucky and have a good make-​out session with a stranger, but otherwise there is not much reason to come here instead of the classier 18^th street lounge.