The scene: 11:30 on a Saturday night, and I’m waiting in line. I never wait in line, but I’m waiting to get into Patty Boom Boom. First: a friend is inside and she just found out she got into Yale. Second: I’m a bad blogger and still haven’t been to this hot spot 2 months after it opened. So I’m sucking it up and waiting in line.
First impressions were wow, how U street has changed. When I moved here 3 years ago, there were no places you waited in line to get into. Second, it’s not exactly people from U street that are going to Patty Boom Boom, or at least not the people I was waiting in line with. The girl behind me thought that the bar she was waiting to get into didn’t have a name, the girl in front of me had no idea where they were in the city. Bridge and tunnel-ers, hello!
Once we were inside, man is it HOT (as in temperature-wise), crowded, and loud. Good music is spinning, it’s eclectic, with a reggae-beat but with a lot of other styles mixed in. People are dancing, but not really. The crowd was as eclectic as the music, which was a nice but not exactly a surprise given the reggae influences of the bar. I wasn’t able to even get a drink because there were so many people by the bar, but I saw a lot of Red Stripes (go figure). A friend really enjoyed her Dark n’ Stormy (my personal favorite drink).
I had a bite of a friend’s beef patty. Not only does it smell good in there, the patties were good. I’m no expert on Jamaican food but the spices were complex, a little spicy but not overwhelming so. Another friend asked if I knew if the place was open during the day for food, and I honestly don’t but it would be a good place to grab a bite to eat.
Overall, liked Patty Boom Boom, I feel like it really epitomizes the change in the ‘hood in the past couple of years, for good and for bad. I’ll definitely be back for dancing and patties.
March 15, 2010 at 8:44 am
A couple things. First, probably not “optimizes” but “epitomizes.”
Second, try going a little earlier next time. I like the place a lot more when it’s not a raging crazyfest and it’s more laid back.
March 15, 2010 at 9:17 am
“how U street has changed. When I moved here 3 years ago, there were no places you waited in line to get into.”
strange you say that to me.
people used to wait in line at state of the union, republic gardens ( HUGE lines there), a few places on the other side of the street. and the reeves center club. then the sides streets, y2k, town, and other dance clubs.
to me whats striking about the change on u street is not the night life, which has been as jam packed and full of suburbanites for at least 10 years, but the day time! strolling on u street in the day time these days is a beautifully pleasant activity. it used to few desolate and a bit sketchy. and with a lot of leftovers from the partying before. the whole area seems tamer to me that it used to be. but dc’s party scene in general has gotten a bit less crazy, a hell of a lot safer, and possibly cooler, if chiller. i guess once dc finally got around to making ecstasy illegal, things calmed down. ( 1999-2000 or so.)
anyway, just one man’s perspective on what was. either way, u street gets better all the time.
March 15, 2010 at 9:20 am
You’re right – I was talking about how U street had changed since I moved here – not necessarily how it’s always been. Thanks for the perspective and sorry if I didn’t make that clear.
March 24, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Ive heard a lot of good reviews for Patty Boom Boom.
One Question… is it 18+ or 21+ ?
im not yet 21 and ive been loking for a nice reggae place to chill at
March 24, 2010 at 10:15 pm
HL_09 – they were checking IDs and when I got in, I wasn’t given a bracelet or anything to prove I was of age. So that makes me think it’s just 21+. Sorry to say, I guess you’ll have to wait a bit before you get in, unless anyone else knows otherwise.
July 1, 2010 at 9:36 am
[…] Boom Boom at 14/U – This Jamaican-themed bar opened in January. U Street Girl says the bridge and tunnel crowd lines up to get in during the weekend, but the vibe inside is chill and […]
August 14, 2010 at 10:54 pm
you have to be 21+ to enter patty boom boom