Privilege DC Nightclub & Lounge

"We went on a Saturday night. When you first get to the door, there is a metal detector and someone there collecting cover fees. It is heavily congested, we couldn’t even walk into the door because 2 guys were having a conversation. I pushed past them and went downstairs. Online they charge 50-100 for VIP, I have seen more expensive fees in other reviews. They have more VIP than dance floor. Literally everyone is crowded in one area unless you pay for a couch, rope and table. We were able to find RSVP tickets online and I glad we didn’t have to pay to get in there, as we were not there for very long. But the person at the door was charging $20. As out of towners there is a different ambiance to DC as a whole, but when I got into privilege I just felt like it was a competition. Everyone staring at you up and down and no one really dancing, just chiefing it up. You could smell it from the street before walking in too. Maybe a good scene for some people, but way too much going on for it to be a lounge. We tried to get a hookah, I asked the smaller bar at the front for the price, she said she thought it was $65 but I would have to go to the back bar, which was VERY crowded. For the prices they charge, the energy of the club does not meet expectations. They need to change the name from lounge, to a smoke out bottle service venue because that’s what it is. Our clothes smelled heavily of ganja when we left, and none of us smoke."

""BIG New Year's Eve Disappointment" We went online and bought VIP tickets which included an open bar and buffet from 9:00pm until 11:00pm. We got there around 9:30pm and had to walk down a long narrow and steep staircase. When we made it to the actual club, the buffet that was supposed to have started 30 minutes before we got there was not even set up. They were also still putting up the New Year's Eve balloons and backdrop when we arrived. There was only cheap rail liquor available at the open bar and we had to purchase any other alcohol including name brands. At 10:00pm, I asked one of the staff members when they were going to open the buffet. They informed me that it would be opening in about 10 minutes. I then asked them if they would be leaving the buffet open for an extra hour since they were 1 hour late opening it.The staffer told me that they didn't tell him anything and he didn't know if it would stay open longer, and that it would be up to management. The buffet did open at 10:10pm, and at that point there was a huge line of people who had been waiting over an hour to go to the buffet.The food on the buffet wasn't bad, but the presentation made some of the items look not appetizing. At 10:25pm, the DJ made an announcement that the open bar was now closed, which was 35 minutes earlier than what we all had paid for. I immediately went to the bar and asked the bartender why they were closing the open bar early, because we had paid for an open bar until 11:00pm. I also showed the bartender my internet receipt, as well as the wristbands that we were given at the front door that stated open bar and buffet from 9:00pm until 11:00pm, to prove that point. The bartender said that she understood my complaint, but management made that call and there wasn't anything she could do about it, and that I would have to talk to a manager. I asked to speak to the manager and waited 18 minutes, but no one ever came over to speak with me. There was no place to sit down in the entire club unless you had paid for a VIP section, which started at around $1500 for a section. This meant it was standing room only. They also did not have a coat check available. We asked several employees where was their coat check room, and they kept saying that someone would be coming to open one, but it wasn't ready yet. I think they finally opened a coat check but it was sometime after midnight. The club had a DJ but No Dance Floor at all. So, people had to dance wherever they were standing, which was even more difficult to do while holding your coat and your drinks. This was the worst New Year Eve celebration that we ever spent at a nightclub. The Privilege management team is only concerned about making money by overcharging their guests for VIP seating, bar drinks and making promises that they never plan on keeping. They should be more concerned with making great experiences for their guests and the money would come. Unless you like standing around wasting time, spending money and holding your coat and drinks all night, find yourself a better night club in DC that appreciate its customers. We will never return to Privilege night club as long as it is under that management team."

"First and last time! Our group spent New Year’s Eve here. Collectively we paid approximately $3500 for a section. Which was 1 loveseat and 1 table and approximately 6 bottles of varying alcohol. Our section was located on a stage with 2 other groups. There was no security or staff to monitor people who did not pay to be there. Random people will be mixed in your section. We got an arm band upon entry. I think this was for the section….Bottle girls and guys came through with oversized marquee’s and bottle holders damn near knocking you over when it’s no place to go. Not a place for people over 35."

"Loved this place and the vibe. The drinks were relatively cheap considering it is in DC. Overall the music was good and it had a nice crowd as well. Good place to have fun if you want to try something new"

"I've never been to such a ratchet nightclub in my life, trust me, I'm from South Philly. First of all, it's located in a basement, and it was so hot that it felt like walking into the gates of hell! We asked our server if the AC was broken or something. She told us it's normal for this time of year. Seriously? Anyway, the server was nice and attentive, but they messed up my order twice!!! I asked to speak to the manager, but I regretted it instantly. The so-called manager was really confrontational and rude. He had a thick accent, and I could barely understand what he was saying. We decided to let it go even though we were overcharged. I'm never going back to this place of hell."