Students looking for an alternative to the typical "dinner and a movie" date don't have to scour the city looking for a cheap, yet entertaining alternative.
In fact, they don't have to go any further than U Street to find a quiet setting complete with good food and good music. D.C. offers a variety of jazz lounges, where couples can eat a delicious meal and listen to a live jazz band.
Twins Jazz and Twins Lounge are two establishments that provide a unique and special occasion for a not-so-typical date.
"Jazz music is something I don't listen to everyday, so going to a jazz club would be a romantic date," said Nia Barge, a sophomore legal communications major.
"When I think of a jazz lounge maturity comes to mind, so I would only go to a jazz club with someone I truly liked," Barge said.
In the close setting, the musicians are able to connect to the audience, which creates a better performance for live music. The lounges have made a mark in the district's jazz scene.
Twins Jazz is located in the historical Harlem Renaissance area at 1344 U Street NW and Twins Lounge is located at 5516 Colorado Street NW. Both are close to campus.
In a day and age where hip-hop and pop music rule the airwaves, traditional jazz is a breath of fresh air. These clubs have up and coming jazz groups perform every week in the intimate settings.
Avant-garde artists like Andrew Adain Trio and the Alto Saxophone Summit has played at Twins Jazz. Twins Lounge has had performances from Smokey Jazz Uptown featuring Michael Canty. The AOL City Guide for D.C. rated Twins as a runner up in the "City's Best 2005 Live Music."
The clubs also serve American, Caribbean and Ethiopian fine cuisine at affordable prices. A signature crab cake sandwich goes for $11.25, and a traditional goat and lamb curry costs $15.00. Sweethearts can fill up without putting a hole in the wallet. The tailored menu goes hand and hand with the diverse crowd that visits the jazz clubs.
"A jazz lounge is something different to do on a date," said Malik Saunders, senior international business major. "Since it is something out of the ordinary, I would probably only take someone special," Saunders said.
Twins Jazz features live jazz Tuesday through Saturday; however on Friday and Saturday tickets must be purchased. Twins Lounge presents live jazz nightly.
College students are given a break on Fridays by receiving a half price discount on the cover fee. Both businesses accept reservations, but the majority of seating is first come first serve.
"Even though I am not that into jazz, going to a jazz lounge would be a nice outing. Sometimes you get tired of doing the same old thing, so I'm open to diverse experiences," said Stephanie Short, a sophomore chemistry major.
For more information, please visit www.twinsjazz.com.
