Flowing with the Current

Sushi bar under the sun, nightclub under the moon, Current is a mainstream venue that I spend most of my time at. The great thing about Current is that there is always a wild party going on, so you're guaranteed to have a good time here so long as you bring the right attitude to the scene. The dress code is very 'lax, and the bottle service is some of the most lenient anywhere in DC. Say you don't want to dress up, but you want to look nice, you want to out and meet some classy girls, but you don't want to feel like you're around a bunch of stiffs. Current caters to that middle-ground.

When you walk in, you're going to be surprised. Current actually has a very nice feel to it. There are two levels; I'll be honest, I haven't spent any time on the first floor, but presumably this is where the restaurant is as there are dining tables lined up against the walls. There is also a very nice bar that takes up most of the space down here. However, upstairs is where the party is.

When you go upstairs, it's going to take you a long time and several visits to truly appreciate the decor of this venue. Current is generally very crowded, and the crowd limit isn't very well regulated. I get the feeling that the Fire Marshall wouldn't approve of the crowdedness in here. But if you ever get in here exceptionally early, say... like 11:30 PM, the venue is very empty and the decor comes out at you. The floor has a glass encasement running the length of the club with an odd display that I can only explain as a sea current; a series of waves. The bar has the same glass display running its length. Running opposite the bar along the length of the wall is where the private party tables are. Current has decent bottle service, certainly fun, but not the best.

Now, last summer 2009, though I'd been very familiar with Current, they opened up an outdoor rooftop patio without making any announcement of it. It was a fresh addition to an already great venue. DC is a city that is lacking of an outdoor element; aside from a few special spots in and near Georgetown, all the clubs and parties take place indoors. Well, DC is arguably the most powerful city in the world; certainly the most powerful city in the Western hemisphere. There are various indications of this power situated throughout the city. To this date, there has only been one venue that takes advantage of DC's unique democratic heritage: The POV Lounge at the W Hotel, but that is a story for the next review.