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Wednesday 11am - 3pm 5pm - 9pm Thursday 11am - 3pm 5pm - 9pm Friday 11am - 3pm 5pm - 10pm Saturday 5pm - 10pm

City Tavern Club

Established in 1796 at the heart of Georgetown, the City Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Wa
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The City Tavern was constructed in 1796 and first managed by Clement Sewall who served in the American Revolution alongside his friend George Washington Parke Custis, George Washington’s adopted son. Sewall had previously managed another significant inn known as the Fountain Inn (also known as Suter’s Tavern) on Fishing Lane (near the corner of today’s 31st and K Streets), where President Washingt

on negotiated with local land owners to create the new Federal City. At the time, Georgetown was a separate municipality and thriving port in the nascent District of Columbia and the new City Tavern was one of several inns built to meet the growing demand for lodging. Located in the heart of Georgetown, the City Tavern served not only as a traditional lodging house but also as the meeting place for Georgetown’s governing body, the Georgetown Corporation and the location for elections and meetings of the Mayor’s Court. It also served as the terminal stop of the Georgetown-Frederick stagecoach line. Of the several taverns that were constructed in Georgetown during the founding era, the City Tavern is the only one that remains today. Many of the country’s founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams frequented the City Tavern during this historic time. President Adams stayed at the City Tavern when he came from Philadelphia to inspect the buildings under construction for the new national capital. On June 6, 1800, Adams was honored at a banquet in the Long Room of the Tavern where “the utmost harmony and conviviality prevailed,” and he gave the toast, “Georgetown - May its prosperity equal the ardent enterprise of its inhabitants, and the felicity of their situation.” On January 17, 1981, at an occasion to celebrate his upcoming inauguration, President Ronald Regan alluded to that famous party in a toast he made at the Club. As he raised his glass, President Regan quipped there was no truth to the rumor that he was present at the banquet honoring President Adams. Today, a portrait of Adams’ wife, Abigail Adams, hangs above the functioning fireplace in the Long Room as a reminder of that momentous occasion over 200 years ago. Management of the City Tavern changed hands many times, and it was known variously as Semmes’ Tavern, The Indian King Tavern, the Columbian Inn, United States Hotel, Georgetown Hotel, and Morgan House, until 1898, when the building was converted to retail use. By 1960, the City Tavern had fallen into a dismal state of disrepair and housed a print shop on its street level. The building faced imminent demise and was scheduled to be razed and paved for a parking lot. A group of Georgetowners happened on the Tavern and, anxious to preserve the historic landmark they found hiding behind the façade of the ordinary print shop, formed the City Tavern Association. Through the Association’s determination and tireless work, the grand old tavern was restored to its original grandeur, while preserving its architectural authenticity, and it reopened as a private club in 1962. The clubhouse and its furnishings are fine examples of the American Federal period, which The Washington Post called, “one of the best examples of historic restoration in the city.”

The City Tavern tradition set by the founding fathers still exists today. Cabinet members, Supreme Court Justices, and ambassadors find their membership in the Club, which provides a beautiful venue to meet, celebrate, and quietly discuss ideas that will later become history. The clubhouse itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the City Tavern Club operates as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve one of the oldest Federal period buildings in Washington, DC. The Club is a unique, beautiful, and historic venue for events. From intimate dinners in the Governors’ Room and Library, private luncheons in the Long Room, or galas in the Great Hall, the City Tavern Club is a haven for those seeking the perfect place to dine and entertain in discreet elegance.

08/29/2024

Thank you to the for hosting a lively 1774 Intolerable Acts event.

08/08/2024

This weekend the City Tavern is honored to host the WIPAC piano competition this weekend. Some of the best non professional pianists from around the world will play for a panel of judges. Stay tuned for highlights!

07/24/2024

Literary cocktails on a summer night...

07/23/2024

There's still time to RsVP for the presentation on the American Revolution 7/24!

07/12/2024

Inviting all members to celebrate Bastille Day in the Taproom from 6:30-7:30pm! French wine tasting, frommage tasting and macaron samples. The featured macaron is the Marie Antoinette with its subtle combination of citrus and black tea. All are invited to stay for Chef Colin's weekend specials!

07/05/2024

Happy 4th of July from the City Tavern! Our featured cocktail is the American Sidecard - bourbon, cointreu and lemon. Come escape the heatwave with your fellow members, ice cream tasting to follow!

05/04/2024

It's a beautiful day for a member spring wedding at the City Tavern!

05/04/2024

2024 Kentucky Derby is the 150th renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports and will air in the Taproom tonight! Doors open at 5pm.

04/27/2024

It's a lovely spring day for wedding at the City Tavern. Congratulation Hannah and Drew!

04/26/2024

Cabaret night at the City Tavern! Members and guests will enjoy the American Songbook at tonight's Spring live music event!

04/17/2024

Remembering Alfred Clarke to commemorate this DC Emancipation Day. This is the only photo known of an actual person who resided at the City Tavern. A Clarke decendant will present on retelling stories of black Georgetown on April 26th. Register for free on the link below.

03/30/2024

We asta excited to welcome members and guests to the 2024 Mimosa Easter Brunch!

03/15/2024

Tonight's presentation covers early First Ladies like Sarah Polk. St Patrick's Day dinner and drinks to follow!

02/24/2024

Keepsake momento for members attending the annual President Reagan dinner.

02/14/2024

Ready to welcome members for another memorable Valentine's Day dinner. Our four course meal offering created by Chef Colin.

02/03/2024

Tonight's featured cocktail - the Moonshine Martini!

02/02/2024

Amazing presentation on America's First Ladies at the City Tavern. Join us March 15th when all three authors return to discuss the early First Ladies!

01/10/2024

Curious about events at the City Tavern? Join us for events and wedding industry night on Jan 17! DM for details!

12/31/2023

Thank you for sharing this festive style kit. Wishing you all a happy 2024!

12/29/2023

Our final member event for 2023! Join us in the taproom for an international bubbly tasting!

12/19/2023

5 star gingerbread house design at the annual CTC Santa Brunch! Thank you

12/16/2023

Thank you chief Colin for providing these tempting tasting plates to accompany the scotch tasting!

12/11/2023

Join us Dec 13th for a presentation on the Scottish American Revolution by Dr J. Ambuske. Jim Ambuske is a Historian and Senior Producer at R2 Studios. He is a historian of the American Revolution, Scotland, and the British Atlantic World. Ambuske serves as an executive producer of The Green Tunnel podcast. www.ciitytaverndc.org for more info

12/08/2023

All members are invited to attend our Christmas in the White House event this evening. Former White House curator, William Allman, will share over 41 years of stories surrounding America's most famous residence.

Available now! Message info@citytaverndc.org to reserve your ornament ahead of the City Tavern annual gala.

11/27/2023

Available now! Message [email protected] to reserve your ornament ahead of the City Tavern annual gala.

Address

3206 M Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20007

Opening Hours

Wednesday	11am - 3pm
	5pm - 9pm
Thursday	11am - 3pm
	5pm - 9pm
Friday	11am - 3pm
	5pm - 10pm
Saturday	5pm - 10pm

Website

http://www.citytavernclubdc.org/

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Videos

Sold out Spring Cabaret Night at the City Tavern!

Ready to welcome members for the 2024 Mimosa Easter brunch at the City Tavern. Wishing you all a Happy Easter! . #georgetown #dclife #mydccool

Tonight we welcome the @capclubdc for our largest private event of the year, the annual Santa Soirée! We wish you all the best in 2024! . . #georgetown #dclife #mydccool