Roll & Roll Hotel
1353 H Street, NE
Washington, D.C.
Not far from the halls of the nation’s power, H Street—lined with handsome commercial buildings from another age—escapes towards Maryland. The Rock & Roll Hotel occupies one of these old commercial building, a building that is evidently still occupied by spirits from its previous incarnation: a funeral home. Some of the spirits may enjoy the loud, hard-driving rock music that has replaced the comforting organ music that is usually played throughout funeral homes, but other spirits apparently are disturbed by it.
According to a Halloween season article in the Washington City Paper, the nightclub’s staff (despite its name, the Rock & Roll Hotel is a live music venue and nightclub) has had numerous odd experiences throughout the building. One employee had his wife wait on him in the lobby while he locked up the building. When he returned, she was standing on the street.
“She’s like, ‘Weird, someone left the radio on.’ And it’s like some old talkie show, and they’re talking about her. And they’re describing her dress, and asking, ‘Who is she? Why is she here?’ So I come down five minutes later, and she’s literally standing in the middle of H street with her arms crossed like, ‘Nope, nope, nope.’”
Other members of the staff have heard the sounds of disembodied footsteps, voices, and have witnessed the occasional spectral figure within the building. Several staff members have been spooked in the building’s restrooms when they’ve heard stall doors slamming while in the restroom while they were alone. Candles that were distinguished by staff before locking up have been found burning the next day, even when they were doused with water.
Sources
- Rudig, Stephanie and Justin Weber. “Some believe that the Rock & Roll Hotel nightclub hosts more than just shows.” Washington City Paper. 27 October 2016.