The Arcade

Name: The Arcade
Address: 1100 15th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20005, US
Telephone: (202) 796-0033
Price range: $$$
Rating: 2.1

Arcade-style glam meets high-energy nightlife.

2.1(15 reviews)

bar

$$$

Directions Call Website

About

Located at 1100 15th St NW in Washington, The Arcade blends arcade-themed decor with an upscale nightclub vibe and high-energy DJs. The venue is praised by some for its bold atmosphere and LGBTQ+-centered crowd, while others call out premium pricing and uneven service. A lively, modern nightlife experience in DC with a distinctive, dance-floor focus.

Photos

1 / 1

Location

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA

Get directions

Information

1100 15th Street Northwest

Washington, DC, 20005

(202) 796-0033 www.instagram.com/thearcade.dc

Is this your business?

Claim The Arcade to manage your storefront, respond to reviews, and receive customer leads.

Services

Arcade-Themed Nightclub Experience

Enjoy a unique, upscale club environment with arcade-inspired decor and a vibrant dance floor.

Curated Music and DJ Performances

Dance to high-energy music from skilled DJs, featuring genres tailored to the gay community and nightlife scene.

Bottle and Table Service

Reserve tables with bottle service for a premium experience, including dedicated seating and faster drink access.

Community-Focused Events

Participate in exclusive events and nights designed to celebrate and prioritize the gay community in a safe space.

Cocktail and Beverage Service

Sip on crafted cocktails and premium drinks, though note pricing is on the higher end with added gratuity.

2.10 · 15 reviews

Overall rating

via Google

· 4 months ago

Michelle Cox

via Google

· 5 months ago

Okay I have to say this because it honestly made our whole night We’ve had some really bad experiences with security in the past, so we weren’t expecting much but MO completely changed that. From the moment things started getting weird, he stepped in immediately and handled it without hesitation. There were a couple of guys acting creepy around the women’s bathroom, and he shut that down fast and made sure they were completely gone. .What really stood out though was his integrity. We even jokingly offered him $200 to sneak a friend in, and he didn’t even entertain it just politely said no. That kind of professionalism is rare.You can tell he actually cares about people feeling safe, not just doing a job. He’s sharp, respectful, and honestly the kind of person you want around in situations like that.MO, if you ever see this you’re an absolute legend. You made our night 10x better and way more comfortable. We need more people like you out here we love you MO 💋.

Victoria

via Google

· 6 months ago

Michael Thompson

via Google

· 7 months ago

Complete waste of time. DO NOT BUY THE TICKETS OR TABLES. Not upscale at all, this is like a bar for trashed college kids. We paid for tickets during the week to check it out, but ended up in a chaotic crowd with a bunch of overly drunk 19 year olds and foreigners, and was never let in. NOBODY WAS BEING LET IN, INCLUDING GROUPS WHO PAID FOR TABLES — BUT the bouncer somehow found some space to let his friends in who rammed themselves through the disorganized crowd and added to the chaos. It was a complete mad house. There were not even that many people and the bouncers were still losing control of the area. Two people ended up falling over. Actually the worst experience Ive had at a bar.

Maia Isabella

via Google

· 7 months ago

Arcade used to be great last year — this year, it’s fallen off. First of all, the line is terribly managed, with both tables and guest list being forced to wait in the cold for over an hour (even girls). The new bouncers lack the class and respect that one would expect from a “high-end” club like Arcade. You would think if you are well-dressed, young, attractive, and a woman, that you wouldn’t be singled out and made to wait— which they did to us, even though we were on the guest list. We actually felt singled out because we were the last ones inside, but we waited respectfully unlike others, and they seemed almost happy to see us suffering there (power trip). Once we got in it was half empty, the dance floor is packed like tuna in a can and people aren’t dancing, just shoving and tripping over people. Words cannot describe how downhill this place has gone.

Lebron J

via Google

· 8 months ago

This place unapologetically centers gay people—and honestly, that’s the whole point. From the door to the dance floor, it feels like a space for us, not a watered-down “everyone welcome but really no one’s comfortable” kind of club. The crowd is actually gay, the music hits because it’s chosen with the community in mind, and there’s zero pressure to explain yourself or perform. You can dance, flirt, exist, and let your guard down. That sense of safety and shared culture is rare and valuable, and this club protects it. If you’re looking for a general nightlife spot, this isn’t it. If you want a genuine gay space that prioritizes its community without apology, this place absolutely delivers. Sometimes exclusivity isn’t about exclusion—it’s about preservation.