Alibi Club

The Alibi Club is a three-story brick townhouse in downtown Washington, D.C., featuring Renaissance Revival architecture with ornamental details throughout its façade. Located in the Golden Triangle neighborhood, it occupies a central position near the White House on Eye Street.

The club was founded in 1884 by seven Washingtonians, including Marcellus Bailey, who sought to create a private gathering place for the city's social circles. In 1994, the building received recognition as a registered historic landmark.

The place takes its name from members' humorous habit of providing invented excuses when their families asked where they were going. This playful tradition reflects how members' clubs functioned in Washington as private retreats for the city's social circles.

The building sits in a very central part of the city and is easy to reach via the streets surrounding the White House area. Keep in mind the location is currently closed to visitors and has been vacant since 2018.

The first two floors once housed an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia documenting important moments from Washington's social history. These objects told stories about generations of members who passed through this place over the decades.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.90129,-77.04220

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57