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H Street NE: Vibrant Arts & Nightlife Hub

This Northeast neighborhood is known for its nightlife, restaurants, pop-ups, festivals and communal atmosphere.

Art lovers flock to The Atlas Performing Arts Center, home to a variety of performances, events and initiatives spanning a range of artistic traditions. The Atlas bills itself as “where the arts, culture and connection happen on H Street.”

The neighborhood’s largest event is the annual H Street Festival, which spans 10 blocks and attracts roughly thousands of patrons. Highlights of the fall event include musical performances and multi-cultural entertainment, in addition to art exhibits, for-sale crafts and an array of offerings from local food trucks and restaurants.'

Another must-see: the seasonal H Street Farmers' Market, open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from mid-April to mid-December at 800 13th Street NE. Visitors will find the best of local, seasonal bounty, including handmade cow milk cheeses, fruits, vegetables, pastries and flowers. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a live chef demo and score some free samples.

As far as restaurants go, expect a multitude of delectable options. Local chef Erik Bruner-Yang first attracted foodies to H Street with Toki Underground, which serves up hearty bowls of ramen and dumplings. While no longer with Toki Underground, diners can find Bruner-Yang further down the street at Maketto, a dining-retail-coffeeshop triumvirate featuring Taiwanese fare, as well as Cambodian dishes. Nearby, Le Grenier serves up French fare in an industrial chic setting, Ben’s Chili Bowl delights visitors with its half-smokes and Thamee brings an elevated take on classic dishes from the Southeast Asian nation that combines Chinese, Thai and Indian influences.

Up early? Get in line for Bullfrog Bagels and satisfy your craving for traditional New York-style bagels. Staying up late? Locals love Copycat Co., a dumpling shop and cocktail bar that stays open until 2 a.m. during the week and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

While you’re here, support local businesses by shopping locally. Drop by The C.A.T.WALK Boutique or Maketto and you might just find your latest wardrobe addition.


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