THE END OF AN ERA

18th Street Lounge was my second home growing up in D.C. and it was really the place that developed my interest and passion for music. It was also the place some of the best University memories were made, not just for myself but for many of the people I spoke to who wanted to share their memories in this tribute. I haven't been back for a while, but over the years, it certainly became a legendary venue recognized by nightlife lovers, musicians and dj’s all over the world.

Its only been a few days since Farid Nouri, officially announced its closure after 25 incredible years. Another tragic consequence of businesses affected by the pandemic.   ESL opened in 1995 and thanks to the people who worked there and ran it, it immediately became a strong pillar in the city's nightlife.  Everyone I know loved walking up that famous narrow set of stairs ( 19 in fact)  lit by a tiny candle at the top entrance, you knew going up that coming down at the end of the night was going to be a different story.

I remember like it was yesterday the first time we went, we were a small group of friends and we thought it was so cool to find a New York city style place situated on the top of a mattress shop. We hadn't experienced or seen anything like that in D.C. before. It was here that  Eric Hilton and Rob Garza met and began Thievery Corporation, in my opinion the most influential duo in electronica music, that became recognized for their mixing of bossa -nova, trip-hop, groovy beats and reggae into a new sound, even genre.

I’ve got in touch and have compiled some memories and quotes from various ESL “ friends and fam” of the mid to late 90’s who are like me, really saddened by the news.

• “So many good memories there, for me it was the best downtempo, funk & acid jazz music school” Gadi a dj in Istanbul

• A friend who used to work there in 2000 said “ the music was truly incredible and it was by far the best scene”.

• “My favorite night was Reggae Night. Literally something we always looked forward to.”

• “We had so many interesting nights there and it was so much a part of my youth”.

• “You can never be too old to still love the people of 18th and DC.”

• “If ESL didn’t exist I would have moved to another city.”

• The 18th Street Lounge is my favorite place in the world. The people that worked there really knew how to treat you like family, cause were never seen as customers.

• Best times of my life happened at 18th.

• “Didn’t your father go in there looking for you once or twice Leila ?” :)

• “Its like losing a friend. The lounge will live in our memories forever. “

• Here’s Eric Hilton’s touching statement: “Yesterday, many of us lost a second home. Instead of mourning the closure of Eighteenth Street Lounge, I want celebrate what inspired the creation of The Lounge - optimism, creativity, courage, love and friendship. It took all of these things for Farid, Yama, Aman and me to make ESL a reality. And it took a tremendous amount of sweat and determination. The Lounge is now history, but the spirit inspired ESL is still with in us. I’ll forever cherish my memories of The Lounge. I met my wife Marcia there. I met Rob Garza there. We recorded our first Thievery Corporation LP in the liquor room at ESL. We made great friendships there, and it was a magical place that meant so much to so many. My heart goes out to all of the people who will miss climbing those 19 stairs to feel at home. We’re blessed that we got to experience it. But all things pass. Eighteenth Street Lounge is now a mystical part of the Infinite Everywhere.”

  -Eric Hilton

Photography Eighteenth Street Lounge