An Area Listing of Mainstream Social

For Washington DC & Baltimore

 

Mainstream Social Venues are those clubs, groups, & organizations that DO NOT lie in the Underground or Alternative Culture. Such venues are of a mainstream nature & we simply list these as a way to get out & meet new acquaintances in & around the area.
 

All listings are of a mainstream nature & are therefore presented in White. Each is then segmented by Metro Region.
 

[Status for all listings has been confirmed as of Summer 2023]

Professional Organizations (for Social & Professional Networking):

Professionals in the City (prosinthecity.com): Once a great organization offering multiple events each year, they have now fallen to a group who only offers speed dating.  Previously they ran from wine tastings to embassy galas, as well as a broad range of lectures. But everything has its time, & for the leaders of this group its time had come. 


iCommunity (theicommunity.com): Formally a network & outreach arm of Intelligent Community, they hosted consistent network events, educational seminars, & small business forums designed to further growth & development. Currently their sole focus seems to be on independent office space.

Washington Network Group (washingtonnetworkgroup.com): “An organization of Washington’s next Insiders.” Its mission is to provide a forum that brings together professionals in business, finance, & government affairs. Ranked as one of the area’s 20 best network associations by Washingtonian Magazine - especially for business & entrepreneurs.

Community Business Partnership (cbponline.org): Sponsored by the SBA (& sometimes called the Woman's Business Center of N.Va), they offer training, counseling, & financial assistance to small businesses in the region. Incubators, opportunities for development & financial consultation, as well as training & networking are all available.

Toastmasters (toastmasters.org): They strive to help professionals work on their skills in public speaking & open communication.
Also one of the area's more prolific chapters, Capitol Toastmasters: CapitalToastMasters1.org

National Speakers Association (nsadc.org): Once ready for the stage, the DC chapter of the NSA is an incredible resource.

 

Social & Event-Based Organizations:

The International Club (InternationalClubDC.com): focused on more upscale & often embassy events, the organization offers a social, educational, & often beautiful events for the international-minded community. Truly a top group for the city.

Things To Do (ThingsToDoDC.com): DC organization for social networking. From black tie galas to embassy affairs, informational seminars to outdoor adventure, nightclub parties to exotic weekend getaways - something for everyone.

Meet-Up DC (MeetUp.com/cities/dc/washington/groups): A dedicated site for area events, outings, & various activities.

 

Woman's Groups:

Success in the City (successinthecity.org): Dedicated to women "who stand-out, lead & influence others." They offer events & programs which help to develop lasting peer based relationships. Mutual bonding, education, & networking are all central to its theme.

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO.com): Offering dynamic programming, professional development & influential alliances to facilitate & strengthen professional & business growth for women.

Women in Technology (womenintechnology.org): A non-profit offering women in all levels of the tech industry a wide range of opportunities for professional development & networking. Members are at all levels of career advancement & in all areas of technology.

 

Cultural Organizations:

Washington Performing Arts Society (wpas.org): Their motto reads: "Go Artsy, Be a Foodie, Meet People." This is essentially what the WPAS is all about. Culture Vultures represent a sub-group for the 20's & 30's crowd. Members are offered discount tickets to the society's most popular shows, & hosts an after-party with cocktails & appetizers ($10). Membership is free.

The Phillips Contemporaries (phillipscollection.org/support/join/index.aspx): Their Thursday "Artful Evening" is definitely a cool way to see the museum. Network & Social functions are held on a consistent basis. Tours, lectures, etc. are included in the program.

Smithsonian Associates (SmithsonianAssociates.org): In operation for over 45 years, they host programs almost every day for a variety of interests. Please note: The Young Benefactors are no longer a separate membership. However, Smithsonian Associates encourage interested parties to become full members of the host organization.

 

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Sports Organizations:

Washington Ski Club (scwdc.org): The organization sponsors over 40 ski trips each year but the club is not specific to just skiing. Events are held year round & range from hiking & biking to volleyball & sailing (sports however is a general focus). So first take care of your knee & then get some better money going.

Capital Hiking Club (capitalhikingclub.org): Hosts 1 or more hikes each week (& you don’t have to be a member to go). All Saturday hikes depart from 16th & I St. NW @ 8am. Fees are $18. They also have a monthly moonlight hike.

DC Cycling (Meetup): DC loves to take a nice weekend, gather a group of fellow cyclists, & go for a ride. There are an enormous number of organizations throughout the city. So just choose a group that best suits your needs. Also see Top Pics from DCist.

Sailing Club of Washington (scow.org): Generally designed as a social organization for individuals who have little to no experience sailing but who want to learn. In addition to lessons, they also host a ‘social sail’ every Thursday in season from 6:30 to sunset & cocktail socials in the off season. Based on the Potomac.

 

Just a Bit Upscale:

University Club of Washington DC (universityclubdc.com): With 2,400 members, the club hosts a very active social calendar (w/ affairs such as rooftop happy hours). The historic location also maintains an array of amenities: exercise room, racquetball courts, billiards room, & several dinning / club rooms. Address: 1135 16th St. NW DC.

Capital Club (capital-club.com): A One of the area's foremost & respected social organizations, it acts as kind of a fraternity for professional adults. Annual events including the annual Santa, Shamrock, & Sinatra soirees, (plus the Swine on the Vine party). One of DC's better venues for upscale social networking. The club maintains regional membership of only 100 individuals that serve as leaders in trade, technology, government, & finance. Membership is offered annually at the invitation of the Board of Governors.

Cosmos Club (cosmos-club.org): In operation since 1878, it was formed for the "advancement of its members in science, literature, & art." Indeed, it is a hub of intellectual thought for the DC area offering members lectures, forums, concerts, & author dinners as well as socially based events. Annual dues range from $800-$1,800. Address: 2121 Mass. Ave. NW DC.

 

Other Misc. Organizations:

DC Authentic Singles (MeetUp.com/DC-Authentic-Singles): The DC Authentic Singles is a local Tri-State Meet-Up for the Authentic Singles Dating Program. It represents an alliance of coaches, sexual educators, & relationship facilitators to help individuals have more love, fun, passion & better sex in their lives, nd providing opportunities for people to meet & have the true connections that matter.

The Higher Achievement Program (higherachievement.org): Volunteers mentoring young men & women around the area.

 

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Regional Resources: Mainstream Only (more can be found under 'Resources')...

Washington, DC.


Maryland Renaissance Festival (RennFest.com): Coolest thing since Walt Disney built Disneyland. Runs from end of August to mid October. See website for theme based festivals on select weekends.

Washington City Paper (WashingtonCityPaper.com): Alternative City Guide to news, events, clubs, restaurants, & what's happening in & around town. Readily available throughout the city.

Washingtonian Magazine (Washingtonian.com): City Magazine offering the when, where, who, & what's going on. Available to keep you informed for general life & culture in Washington, DC. Available at most bookstores & magazine stands.

The Washington Post (WashingtonPost.com): Mainline newspaper serving the DC Area. Friday edition offers the weekend guide which lists all the events & affairs such as festivals, bands, cultural events, & mainstream activities happening around town.

DC Fray (districtfray.com): Play, Live, Eat, Drink, Music, Culure, & Events - washington's ultimate guide to the club, pub, restaurant, & event scene. Brought to you by the people who formally rean OnTao Magazine.

DC Clubbing (DCClubbing.com): Nightlife & event guide offering everything to do with the DC's active club scene.

DCist (DCist.com): Blog featuring area news & events, restaurants & nightlife, happenings, & regional observations from local residents.

MW / Metro Weekly (MetroWeekly.com): Washington's GBLT News Magazine. Readily available throughout the city.

The Washington Blade (WashingtonBlade.com): Primary news source & prolific scene guide serving the Gay Culture in Washington, DC. Readily available at gay hotspots throughout the city. Sister publication is also in Baltimore.

Baltimore, MD.

Baltimore Magazine (BaltimoreMagazine.net): City Magazine offering the when, where, who, & what's going on. Available to keep you informed for mainstream life & culture in & around the Baltimore area. Available at most bookstores & magazine stands.

Richmond, VA.

Richmond Online (Richmond.com): Your basic guide to all things Richmond, including listings & reviews for clubs, restaurants, news, & local events.

Philadelphia, PA.

Philadelphia Magazine (PhillyMag.com): City Magazine offering the when, where, who, & what's going on. Available to keep you informed for general life & culture in & around the Philadelphia region. Available at most bookstores & magazine stands.
 

 

Washington, DC.

Baltimore, MD.

Philadelphia, PA.

Richmond, VA.

 

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