Georgetown is OK, if you like yuppies and pretentious women
Adams Morgan is a lot of fun, especially if you like getting hammered and then eating slices of pizza the size of a child
H Street is fun. Check out Palace of Wonders (side show/freak show bar).
RFD is a really nice bar, if you just want a place to have some beers and OK bar food. They have a bajillion beers to choose from. Take the metro to Chinatown. It's right near 7th & H.
U Street Music Hall is very nice, if you enjoy dance music without dress codes and velvet rope bullshit. Ibiza (Glow on Thursdays) is nice, if you do want dress codes and all that bullshit.
I don't eat out in the city much but...
As far as someplace nice to eat that won't cost an arm and a leg...
- Ben's Chili Bowl in DC
- Ben's Next Door in DC
- Mandalay in Silver Spring, MD
- 8407 in Silver Spring, MD
- Kam Fong in Chinatown (DC)
If you don't mind spending a good bit of change...
- Equinox
- Charlie Palmer Steakhouse
- Komi
- Citronelle