It must be the cold air in DC that’s causing some of the city’s marquee names to be excommunicated from the public eye. Earlier this week Gilbert Arenas was suspended indefinitely for allegedly pulling his gun out on teammate Javaris Crittendon. Now Club LOVE, DC’s largest and arguably most popular nightclub, can be added to the list. The indefinite closure of the establishment, depending who you ask, follows a string of violent acts including a stabbing on New Year’s Day. I’m assuming the ABRA saw the initial 96-hour suspension as too light of a punishment.
Truthfully, I was never the person to be found there every week ad nauseum (only been there a total of three times actually). There are a few other spots I’d chose to frequent over LOVE, but that’s pointless. The club, formerly known as “Dream,” has been one of the go the go-to venues on the East Coast for rappers and R&B crooners alike for years. Before myth sets in and creates urban legend, here are a few YouTube clips that showcase the club’s storied history.
Jeezy And Jay-Z Usher In The Black President
Think back to January 2009, D.C. was the place to be. Around the time Barack was sworn in as the 44th executive leader of this country, two of Hip-Hop’s most notorious dope boys had crafted his own personal G-mix to ensure his term started off on the good foot. You guessed it. LOVE was the spot Jay debuted his inauguration speech on Jeezy’s political declaration.
Weezy, The Fan & The Water Bottle
Weezy was feelin’ Whitney, but someone in attendance obviously wasn’t feeling Weezy. No worries. Wayne kept the show moving with no disruptions and had the entire crowd beckoning at his every word. More importantly, the culprit who threw the water bottle on stage obviously had money to blow (no pun). You ever tried to buy a water bottle in the club? Good luck.
The Ladies Love Trey
Seeing as how Trey hails from central Virginia, it’s no surprise he’s no stranger to LOVE. That said, it still doesn’t diminish the type of attendance he draws whenever he’s in the area. This was shot late last year at his most recent birthday bash. If you ever wanted to pull a female meet your future wife at the club, go whenever Trey was there. She’d likely be there in attendance.
Keyshia Keeps The Ladies Movement Moving
Long before Boobie became the only man in her life, Keyshia had the anthem for every single, recently scorned and independent woman nationwide. Congrats to her and D-Gib for the engagement and future child, by the way. Score one for black love.
T.I.’s “State Of The Trap” Address
Around this time, it was still unknown as to what Tip’s future would be. However, Clifford saw fit to address the D.C. crowd that regardless of what happened, he forever appreciated the support of those who stood beside him.
Drake Has Choir Rehearsal
I actually recorded this footage when I was at LOVE in May 2009. The energy was beyond crazy in the building that night and when I say everyone was rapping/singing every word along with this guy, I bullshit you not. He wasn’t lying when he said he had a country wide tour with no album.
Obviously, this list could have continued on with names such as Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Nas and former Howard University student, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs. Regardless if this establishment has seen its last party/concert, they can at least concede they’ve had one hell of a run. Hopefully this means those messages that seem to appear every Wednesday in my Facebook inbox will disappear as well though.


Well damn!!!
Mark and Taz even had a reality show off of that bitch. At least Taz kept it movin.
I like to remember the days of Dream when the spot first opened. The club was amazing in terms of energy, music and most importantly women. Along with Republic Gardens and DC Live this is indeed an end of an era.
Yeah, they sure did didn’t they? You remember the name of it?
i agree with Fluff. you were guaranted to see some of Chocolate City’s absolute BEST up in that spot, good lawd. now i like going to Ibiza and Ozio’s (we renamed it Ozihoes, lol)
Layla Lounge pops off pretty nicely too with chicks…
Damn….what bout that lil fuss between go-go bands and Wale? DC fuckin up….
Never made it to Love. I was up in D.C. for inauguration and Love was charging $100 I believe. Ended up going to The Park which was pretty solid.
Not a nightclub cat myself. I’d much rather get liquored up in some dirty hole in the wall spot that’ll let me burn cigs & piff in the back with the empties.
Every time I go out to a club and have to chip in for bottle service I feel like I’m getting got lol.
Love BEEN wack. Good fucking riddance.
That place jumped the shark when they changed from Dream to Love.
Co-sign what Fluff said though.
Dream was so dope between ’02 – ’03
Couldn’t have put it better Teef. I was hoping some of the youtube clips would be from its golden era. Back when Republic Gardens first started dying… Back when Cam filmed the “Hey Ma” video with a young Juelz… Back when cats like Avant would swing through and get the ladies warmed up with random mini-concerts.
I haven’t been to LOVE in a looooooonnnnngggg time. I still mess with Republic & The Park (by Teef’s recommendation).
LMAO some of yall cats showing your age. I always HEARD about it when it was called “Dream.” All I know is LOVE, but hey, I’m showing my age now too I guess lol.
And damn…I totally forgot “Hey Ma” was shot there. Foul on my part.
Showing our age would be talking about Mirage, State of the Union, and Bar Nun…..
Club Five on Thursday nights (back in the years I mentioned) >>>
Back when Bill Clinton was still president…
Dream was the shit…Love was never as big. Hell, H20(before it shut down) was crazy!
The Park on Thursday and Sunday Nights gonna have the city on lock now.
its very evident that your from dc i remember when that joint open what people wouldnt have to gone in the joint when it was dream , as for club love its still cool even though them are some of the most booshay ass women i ever seen in a damn club maybe its they way the former owners were they caterd to them fool i be glad when somebody thats from dc have there own club , no this is not a shot at mark nor taz they are very business savy business men but its for them other niccas who work for them that dont know shit about dc is all im saying