Spectrum Lounge

Decided to stop in randomly one day for lunch. When I used to go to Jody's before they closed (RIP), I would see this place across the street and I always wondered about it. I always assumed it was just a club/lounge experience, but when I drove by I always saw their signs about having the best suya in the area. I randomly decided to drop by while in the area making my PetCo run (while they were still around). Spectrum is deceptively large. In the middle of the day, it was also quite empty -- some fans were running (it was summer) but the music was still cranking! As a first timer, I honestly didn't know where to go, so I just wandered a bit. I made my way to the back area where it definitely had the party vibes -- lights, couches, bars, all of it.

I went up to the register to order food... that was a seamless process. Despite the sign about suya, I got the Passion Chicken... sorry, I wasn't in a suya mood XD. It took about 15-20 minutes to prepare, so I just hung out in one of the fancy lounge seats waiting. My chicken was ready, with plantain and jollof rice... and I sat there, in a lounge, eating it. Not gonna lie, that felt kinda weird LOL! Especially given that I was all by myself in a party room. But you know what? It was a nice vibe! I finished my meal satisfied. There was no low to the meal -- though jollof is never spicy enough for me XD.

I hear there have been renovations since I was there, so I need to return some time! Looking forward to it.

Hung out with a friend on a Thursday night and I have randomly seen this place on Instagram, so we decided to check it out.

Seems to be two sides to this place. One is the restaurant area and the other you have to go outside at least from the restaurant to go upstairs to the club/ lounge area

We arrived here around 6:30 p.m. on a Thursday to the restaurant. There was one potentially bartender/ waitress. I arrived later than my guest, but it took almost 15 minutes before the waitress came over to see if I even needed or wanted water. As the night went on, we were able to get the Roku remote to change the YouTube channel because the waitress put on some 1950s music as a playlist for some reason. through the evening, the waitress switched out and our other waitress who came in was pretty friendly, funny, and seem like she was very sociable and helped us out with things that we needed it.

Around 11:00 we decided to check out the upstairs part since it was finally open. The up stairs lounge you get stopped and checked by security for your ID and any big purses. That was completely fine, and the space as downstairs were very clean. A lot of space too to let you Enjoy personal space and the music, however was really loud. There was also a live DJ. We did up for a hookah, which was $50. And with that you get your own space/ cubby area which was nice. There's no smoking allowed at the bar. Just know there is a bar area upstairs but there is not one downstairs. However, downstairs is split in the two parts. where it's the restaurant side and then you have a side for hookah.

Also, there is advertised happy hour on the menu. But downstairs they did not have happy hour because the waitress said that all of the mixing drinks for the cocktails on the happy hour menu were upstairs. And at the time of happy hour the upstairs was closed. So the cocktail drinks themselves will run you about 15 to 19$

The music upstairs was generally afro beats, but the DJ did change it up and played some current music of today which was all really nice

The entire restaurant/bar was really spacious, I would like to check this place out for brunch with friends one day

Don't waste your time. The staff is rude af .. go spend your money somewhere else...........................................

It taste good. But it's not Jolof
Service was to be expected at such an hour. Drinks ok. Fake bodies. Good music.

The vibe is great once the sun goes down. It's close to another location called Swahili Village which does not serve suya. So Spectrum has ten beat wit the food and the vibes

This place has Rats!!!!!!!. Visited on march 2nd 2024, for my aunt's going away party everything was going good until we saw a rat moving behind the plants downstairs while we ever eating. The rat came back 5 minutes later and jumped on the table on top of the food. 0-10 disgusting!!!

The best suya, the best hookah and the best bottle girls! Like seriously I use to come here as a customer now I work here and I love it. The owners Nj and Val are great and their main goal is to make sure everyone gets the best experience of the nightlife in the DMV. Everything is newly renovated so it gives off luxurious with Afro beats playing all night it's giving nollywood. Definitely come and visit us we gets lit for sure!

Good suya a bit overpriced for the quantity, service was quick and the drinks were okay. I wish the bartenders were a bit more engaging and just didn't sit there and wait for orders. Customer service would be better if they could hold conversations and show enthusiasm

The food was really good and worth it for the price !

We couldn't even finish it all and took some home as well !

The place does have some parking space upon arrival but looked like it was limited cause it's close by the roadside

The only problem we encountered was that our server gave us the old menu and prices were cheaper .. ‍

So, make sure you ask for the new & updated menu to avoid the confusion

But overall nice place ! Bomb Suya !

Will be back

FIRST TIME THERE HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE

We stopped by to get some food because Swahili Restaurant was packed. We should have waited the 30 minutes to be seated instead of coming to spectrum club. Because restaurant needs to be removed from the name. As soon as we came in the waitress / bartender said oh the table is for bottle service and did we want to pay for a table. I told her "we came to eat it's a restaurant right" Mind you it's not packed yet. While we are eating she came back and said someone payed $500 for the table we were at and did we mind moving. Omg. Prior she said the table was $250. At the end if it all I told the waitress I wanted my bill. Plus cancel the additional order for food I made. Told my wife and friends to head out we are leaving due to me feeling harassed at this establishment. Buying a table would be understandable if the place was packed, but it was around 10pm it wasn't that busy yet.
Now let get that suya is grilled not fried. So I don't know what kind of suya they are selling. The fish Is the only thing I will ever eat there.
Also cleaning the floor and wiping the tables would be nice. The so called section I was told was bottled service smelled like a kitchen that wasn't cleaned.

NEVER GOING BACK.