Black history in Washington, D.C. doesn’t sit behind glass. It lives in neighborhoods, music venues, coffee shops, and conversations woven into the rhythm of the city itself. Though Black History Month in February is a natural time to explore those layers more intentionally, the story continues year-round.
At Capitol Hill Hotel, staying close to the city’s civic core makes it easy to step into that living history. After hours of exploring, return to a quieter space to reflect, recharge, and plan what’s next. Here’s a local, walkable, playlist-worthy guide to D.C.’s living Black culture.
Shaw: Coffee, Books, and Community
Long before it became a destination for cafés and galleries, Shaw was one of Washington’s most important African American neighborhoods; a center of Black life, business, and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Shaped by formerly enslaved residents, educators, artists, and entrepreneurs, the neighborhood grew alongside nearby U Street, forming the backbone of what became known as Black Broadway. Today, Shaw still carries that legacy forward through everyday places where people gather, eat, talk, and create like these local favorites:
Sankofa Video Books & Cafe: A longtime cultural institution, Sankofa brings books, film, and café fare into a space dedicated to global Black history and storytelling. Get ready to browse here for hours.
Oohh’s & Aahh’s: Unpretentious, well-loved, and proudly rooted in comfort food traditions, this favorite is the kind of place locals send you when you ask, “Where should I really eat?”
Florida Avenue Grill: Often called the city’s oldest soul food restaurant, Florida Avenue Grill has been serving the Shaw neighborhood since the 1940s. Breakfast here feels like a rite of passage.
Long View Gallery: For a quick art break, Long View Gallery offers a relaxed way to take in contemporary art, often hosting rotating exhibitions and openings that fit nicely into an afternoon of frolicking around the city.
U Street: The Soundtrack
At the heart of the Shaw neighborhood is U Street. This is where Ella Fitzgerald made moves and where Duke Ellington grew up. Jazz, soul, go-go, and hip-hop still echo here. These are some standout spots every culture vulture has to pay their respects to:
Howard Theatre: Recently restored and still iconic, the Howard hosts everyone from legacy jazz artists to contemporary R&B and hip-hop acts. Even if you don’t catch a show, it’s worth seeing lit up at night.
Ben’s Chili Bowl: More than a late-night stop, Ben’s has fed musicians, activists, and locals for decades. It’s part of the rhythm of the street and a must for any night out.
9:30 Club: Just off U Street, the 9:30 Club has shaped the city’s sound for decades, drawing music lovers for its consistently strong lineup and laid-back atmosphere.
Black-Owned Stops to Know (And Actually Visit)
Black-owned businesses in D.C. span far beyond Shaw and U Street. These spots spread across the city and offer some of the best food, fashion, and culture in the country.
MahoganyBooks: A must-visit. Literature by Black authors across genres, plus frequent talks and signings that feel intimate and engaged.
Nubian Hueman: A longtime presence near U Street, Nubian Hueman offers fashion, art, and design with a distinctly global perspective. Browsing here feels like stepping into a gallery as much as a shop.
Lee’s Flower Shop: Open since 1945, this city mainstay is one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the city. Even a quick stop offers a reminder of how deeply Black entrepreneurship is woven into D.C.’s history.
The Village Cafe: A community-minded coffee shop and event space that doubles as a hub for local creatives and makers, perfect when you want a coffee break with intentional energy.
Looking Ahead: Black History on the National Stage in 2026
Washington, D.C.’s Black history will take on a new dimension in 2026 as the National Museum of African American History and Culture marks both America’s 250th anniversary and the museum’s own 10th year on the National Mall.
One of the most anticipated exhibitions, At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs (on view through July 2026), spotlights the cultural contributions of historically Black colleges and universities. Drawing from the archives of institutions like Tuskegee University, Howard University, and Florida A&M, the exhibition highlights how HBCUs (historically black colleges or universities) have preserved Black history, creativity, and scholarship across generations.
One City, Many Stories
Black history in D.C. isn’t a single stop. It’s a record playing in a shop. A book pulled from a shelf. A jazz riff drifting down U Street. February is a good place to start, but the story is always in motion. And Capitol Hill Hotel is here to help you experience it, one neighborhood at a time.