Songbyrd offers a combination of a coffee house, cafe, and music space. While some shows do sell out in advance, many are conducive to last-minute plans. In addition to the normal menu, there are weekly food and drink specials, including half-priced burgers on Sundays, “Tinder Tuesdays,” and wing Wednesdays.

Blues takes top billing at this Adams Morgan mainstay, which bills itself as the place “where the beautiful people go to get ugly.” Find cheese fries, Buffalo shrimp, jalapeno poppers, and other bar fare on the menu. There’s a fairly consistent pool of musicians, making it easy to return to see a favorite performer.

Columbia Station hosts live jazz music on Tuesday through Sunday with no cover charge. Hungry spectators can order from the Italian-leaning menu of pastas and pizzas or choose from American-style entree such as meatloaf or roasted chicken. There’s a lengthy list of martinis and specilaty cocktails, too.

This multi-level Shaw club is known for its high-quality musical acts and DJ-led parties. It’s also got a kitchen turning out items like burgers, sandwiches, and fried pickles until the late hours (especially on Fridays and Saturdays). The rooftop bar is a good location to grab a craft beer or mixed drink with views of U Street and the surrounding area.

This hidden gem in Georgetown radiates feel-good vibes with its slate of jam bands, folk-rock reformers, and regular Grateful Dead tribute bands. Its menu of dips, flatbreads, appetizers, and sandwiches rotates seasonally. The main concert area has great sightlines as well as table service. Or, opt to hang out for a beer or snack in the adjacent vinyl lounge before or after a show.

In addition to ticketed concerts at subterranean Hamilton Live, this multi-purpose restaurant brings in free late-night music in its loft on most Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen offers snacks ranging from charcuterie boards to chicken wings with mumbo sauce. There’s always the option to dine in the main restaurant before heading up for a cocktail and tunes.

The Texas-style barbecue remains the main draw at this Penn Quarter hangout. But the packed music calendar, which is often free (not to mention local), is an added bonus. Stop in for some brisket with a side of folk, blues or live band karaoke.

A new addition at the Wharf, Pearl Street Warehouse serves food all day long, including breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Find burgers, loaded tater tots, sandwiches, and more. Grab a musically-inspired specialty cocktail like the Hound Dog, Rebel Rebel, or Pimper’s Paradise at the bar.

Get into the Mardi Gras spirit any time of year at this New Orleans-themed bar. Live music goes on multiple nights of the week, including each Friday and Saturday night. Find shrimp po’boys, gumbo, and other Cajun favorites plus cold Abita beers.