Pure Lounge

I used to hear bad things about this place and after visiting once a while back, I promised myself I’d never return. I got a little tipsy one night recently, though and my friend convinced me to go to Pure.
I can now say that I love it here. Especially on Friday nights when the drinks are $ 1. The drinks are good, the hookah is decent, and the music is wonderful. I’ve also been here on a Thursday night and had just as great of a time. I love the fact that the crowd at Pure, overall, is not pretentious at all. Everyone comes to have a great time and actually dance! This is something that is not very common in DC clubs. There are usually lots of people just standing around staring… but here the vibe is different.
Everyone is having a great time without being all weird about it. The service is swift as well, which is always a plus. And, of course, location! Location means so much to me. It’s perfect.
I have to deduct a star, though, because they search bags at the door. That always makes me feel weird. One time I went to pure and I had knitting in my purse… knitting needles that were on a ball of yarn… like I had started making a scarf and it was a work in progress in my purse. The people at the door took my knitting. That was super annoying and it cost them a star. Lol

Female bouncer on 03÷06÷16 wouldn’t let us in. Said we were drinking. Well duh. While I type this literally at the door. If i can type a paragraph, I’m not drunk! After paying $ 20 and leaving for 10 minutes and her acting a fool, i won’t be coming back. She was extremely aggressive. Walked in my face, saying i couldnt get in. She wanted to feel like she was in charge. and i just laughed. LOL Asked her a question and got an attitude. NEVER AGAIN!!! Would never come back. Dj was great! Was my birthday he got me a drink. Drinks alright. Music was good r&b, hiphop, trap music, booty shaking music… but Do not go here. I had high hopes and it wasn’t what I expected. I do not recommend it.

Went there last night for happy hour from 9−10pm with my girls and we had an okay experience. The drinks were all watered down, the security was rude and uptight, and also, sometimes the DJ conflicted. What I did like were all the people there and the college environment Pure tends to have. I will say that Pure is a place that you go to when you want to «turn up» not just take a few drinks with Co-​Workers.

I’d give 0stars if possible. This lounge has changed a lot and is pretty dead now. Also, the employees openly pocket customer’s money and a drunk employee repeatedly put his hands on some girls who were ust trying to get their stolen money back. STAY AWY! Not worth the time and trouble especially when the employees are scum. Security cool though.

I’ve been to this place before but after what happened tonight, I will never come here again and will tell my friends and anyone who asks the same.
I came here to celebrate a friend’s birthday and to do some after-​dinner dancing. The bouncer searching the women was EXTREMELY rude to both me and another girl in my party. I’m only sorry I didn’t catch her name. She had short, black hair and glasses. When the girl in my party wasn’t moving fast enough to pull the stuff out of her coat pocket, she insulted her about not having her stuff ready. The line wasn’t long as it was only full of my friends, so it wasn’t necessary. It was most ridiculous and thorough pat-​down that I’ve ever experienced at a club. She must have worked for the TSA before and got let go for her funky attitude. It was seriously overkill for a club on U street.
Next, was my turn. This is what really got my blood boiling. As she checks my clutch, she pulls out a bottle of my medication and examines it. «Medication isn’t allowed in because there’s alcohol», she said. What kind of shit excuse was that? I explained to her that I needed to have this medication on me at all times and she was quickly dismissive. «You can’t bring it in but I can hold onto it for you.» So you can stash it for yourself? No thanks. At this point, I’m not sure if that was a real rule or she was trying to swipe my meds from me so she can sell it for herself. I pleaded to her again and she just said that I could put it somewhere or have a good night. Well thanks, asshole.
I guess people who have medical issues can’t party with their friends here, huh? She didn’t even blink at my inhaler, but the bottle of meds she was all over which makes me think that she might have had other intentions. Either way, I was left with no option but to hug my friends goodbye and go home. So thanks for ruining one of the few nights I can go out, Pure. I sure will be telling everyone I know to NEVER come here as they discriminate against people with medical disabilities.

I went here for for Friday happy hour…$ 1 rail drinks until 9pm… can’t beat it! Security was awesome too… Jake and Steve were their names I believe! Bartenders were cool– Daisha, Alana, Tanika, and china. Thank u so much for a great time. Will be back!

It’s ok, definitely not worth $ 20 cover charge. However, bringing in a hipster white guy and seeing the look on face is PRICELESS.

I like this place. 3 stars because it’s not the classiest but it’s decent. I enjoyed the music and the crowd was though I bit rowdy very relaxed. I will go back there.

If you’re into clubs that play the top 100 for hip hop and r&b with a few throw back jams from the 00’s and the 90’s here is your spot.
Went here late on a Friday. The Cover was $ 20 per person male or female. Downstairs was dark and crowded. People seemed to be enjoying themselves. Definitely an ethnic crowd. Not easy to move through. the music wasn’t really what we were looking for. It was hard to flag down a bar attender but it was Friday night on U st. What do you expect. At one point we actually got ignored while she made her friend a drink. Again, Friday night on U st. The Bar attenders were very moody and really only attended to their friends with good attitudes.
We ordered a hookah and took it upstairs where there was different music and more air and space to move. We got a table. The hookah was harsh but that is club hookah for you. They aren’t really good at it they just do it to bring in more money.
I went with friends from out of town who wanted to go but this isn’t y crowd so I wouldn’t return but doesn’t mean the place sucks. It’s not Love or The Park but it suffices on the U street corridor.

A waste of time and money. This is a mess. I can’t even explain this atriousness I walked into. The pictures on the website are totally fallacious… and they don’t even have VSOP… really!!! Seriously!!! Anyway… I’m done and done. I also asked to go upstairs to escape the nonsense downstairs. The hostess, if you want to call her that, said I wouldn’t like it up there… uhmmm…ok!!! Whatever.
Nope, never again. Please don’t be as gullible as I was.

Last Friday, I met a friend and some coworkers here. It was at the end of happy hour so there was a $ 10 cover. I was reluctant to pay for a cover at 7:30pm until I bought a mixed drink for myself and another mixed drink for my friend for $ 3 (not sure if this was a one-​off thing or a reoccurring trend)!! And thus began a trend for the duration of the evening. I’m sure that balances out the damage after all, right?
Oh yea, the music was tight, but that probably had more to do with $ 1.50 mixed drinks. Also, watch for the ceiling if your taller than 6’4″.

Pure never lets me down (I normally do Fridays but Saturdays are pretty much the same) not too much and not too little. Drinks can be weak depending on the mood of the bartenders lol same goes for the DJ’s.

prime location pretty decent drinks nice setup with this s***** sound system. Once they fix the south system it will be a major of great being that this is a common hang out spot for drinks in music. Its only makes sense to have a good sound system… if you are 6’5 or taller be careful the ceiling is kind if low and you will bump your head!

I’m sorry. DC is one of THE international cities in the US. If you only take state-​issued IDs and passports, you are losing in my books as a nightlife establishment in this city. Extremely disappointed when my friends were turned back when we were trying to attend a friend’s birthday party.

Came on a Saturday night for a friend’s birthday party and was very disappointed. I was extremely bored and it wasn’t even the people that came because it was like 75 people. I overdressed thinking it was an actual «club» but people were wearing jeans, sneakers, hats and baggy shirts, even the girls. If I would have known, I would have came with my sneakers on too. Its funny because the website says «If you think you’re underdressed, you probably are». Uhh… theres no dress code here. It should say if your overdressed or even look decent go home and change into something comfy. Music was okay and yes I do like hip hop and rap so I’m definitely not complaining that it wasn’t club or dance music. Also drinks are overpriced and not that good. Just an overall boring time and hope to never go back.

I can’t believe I actually paid to get into this place. I mean it was practically empty and it was a sausage fest! I mean I totally reminded myself why I don’t go out anymore. The dj was average but I think if you recycle the same music you get the same outcome. I guess this is a spot for hookah and receding hairlines both men and women

Went to Pure with a guy friend to have a drink for his b-​day. It was a Tuesday night and deserted. There were a few people at tables enjoying hookah and drinks. Don’t know how much the drinks were because he paid.
The atmosphere was nice enough. DJ was good but would frequently leave his post and go outside leaving the air silent for a few seconds in between songs. Seemed like a pretty chill spot.
Small space upstairs. There was construction going on downstairs? Not sure. But I did notice panes of glass missing from the color changing lights, etc that needs to be attended to. I would go back on a Friday to see if the atmosphere is different.

5 Reason for my 5 Stars…
1. Its the ONLY African America lounge on U Street «not» trying to be overly exclusive. INDULJ used to be the spot, when it was FREE then it was $ 10… then $ 20 to get in. Still a good Happy Hour spot…
PURE Lounge depending when you go can be high energy club-​like on Fri/​Sat after 10pm, or this laid back chill spot 6−9pm with $ 1 Happy Hour Drinks 6−9pm «Where they do that at???» Pure… its rail drinks, but there are some really good «cheap» vodkas and whiskeys for Whiskey Sour, and I think some wine $ 1 Buck! THEN 9−11pm 2 – 1’s…two of their Long Island can put you on «lean».
2. Oh did I mention good hookah! Its $$$ on Fri/​Sat $ 32.00, other nights just $ 16 bucks.
3. Ladies I can say the men are diverse real cool dudes «professional» fashionable, #Swag, I say that as a man who respects women, not too many «Thristy» immature acting dudes trying to «Ballers on a budget» and thugs.
4. Fellas the ladies dance here, yes they dance, smoke hookah, and look classy and sexy as hell… Ethiopian, Cuban, Latina’, and «Redbone Mangos» lol, Chokolates!, and White Chokolate not scared to dance… no «rachetness» lol…
5. NEVER SEEN A FIGHT since the two or so years I’ve been…
BONUS**** Can’t beat Thursday nights «Live Reggae Band», 2 for 1ones 6−9pm, and hookah…

Friday evening/​night update
I really like pure but the crowd has been extra corny. It’s saturated with Howard students/​Non-​Washingtonians and girls in flats, sandals, or some low top casual shoe. Maybe this is a spot for the, I just turned 21. This is more of a personal problem though, I still enjoy myself everytime. lol
I don’t like that they refuse to play go-​go, I take great offense! I can understand not putting it in rotation, as to not draw a «certain crowd» but I requested some and the DJ said the owner doesn’t want it played. How can you have an establishment in Pre-​gentrification Chocolate City and not even have a one song? Not even EU, Trendy a$$ sexy lady? smh I feel some kind of way but w.e.

This review is based solely on Friday nights at Pure.
There is nothing grand or fantastic about Pure itself, it’s your standard U street establishment. Small area upstairs and down that is very narrow.
Music is basic R and B, Hip Hop or Reggae, nothing particular special about their mix or the DJs. Two different DJs, one upstairs and one for downstairs, nothing great about either.
All and all a rather unimpressing place, I probably would have given it a 2 or maybe a 3 star if it was based just on it being a spot I enjoyed. But I give a 4 star based solely on their Friday night Happy Hour specials.
From 6 to 9, 1 dollar drinks can not be beat, even more so if you’re a woman. If you’re a woman you get in for free if you can get a text from the promoter and from what I understand getting that text isn’t hard at all to do. Guys can’t get in for free but for a 5 or 10 dollar cover is no big deal considering the benefit of the drink special.
I can go in on a Friday and get a nice buzz going for 5 or 6 dollars, considering how most places drinks cost 8 to 12 dollars for one, how can you not love this deal.
Can’t speak on it for another other night of the week but dollar drinks from 6 to 9 and buy one get one free from 9 to 11 can’t be beat and are worth at least one visit and any price of admission.