Black Cat

Black Cat began operating in Washington, DC, in September 1993, when Dante Ferrando and a group of mostly musician investors established the venue to support independent music. Its focus was local bands and touring performers rooted in their own scenes, rather than arena acts. Dave Grohl, Mike Hampton and Syd Butler invested, and Ian MacKaye provided a loan toward the opening. Dante Ferrando and Catherine Ferrando have owned and run Black Cat since its launch. The original performance room held around 400 people and included a built-in sound system.

The club moved in 2001 to a larger site three doors along 14th Street, now 1811 14th Street NW in Washington’s U Street Corridor. Its upstairs Mainstage covers 7,000 square feet, features professional sound and has a capacity of 750. The room hosts independent touring performers, local bands and monthly DJ dance events. The downstairs Backstage room holds about 200 and has presented indie, punk and garage rock groups, solo performers, DJ nights and independent film screenings. In 2018, the downstairs bar and concert space closed, with both functions shifted upstairs and the lower level converted for retail.

Since opening, Black Cat has hosted independent and alternative performers from local, national and international scenes. Early acts included Fugazi, Foo Fighters, Bikini Kill and The Fall.