16 years ago...Washington D.C.
After years of DJ'ing and hosting parties at numerous D.C. nightclubs, two gifted and passionate young DJs found themselves increasingly disenchanted.
Discouraged by the rules and restrictions of working for venues where they didn’t have any creative control, the duo decided to pursue an unconventional route.
For Farid (Ali) Nouri and Eric Hilton, playing their music - where and when they wanted to - had become their top priority. This desire for independence could only be satisfied by opening their own club.
Saving their pennies, they searched the city for the perfect locale. Along with close friend and business associate, Yama Jewayni, Farid and Eric at last stumbled upon the enchanting 1212 18th Street Victorian mansion. It was then that their vision truly started to fall into place, and sparks began to fly...
They renovated the space and constructed a DJ booth with ample room for records and turntables, installed a sound system and built two large oak bars. The interior was adorned with vintage furniture, and the glorious mansion's walls were lined with framed records from their vast music collections.
The dream of owning a club, playing their choice of music and hosting parties, became reality. The legendary Eighteenth Street Lounge opened its doors for business in April of 1995. Word caught on and people rushed in. They danced all night while Farid and Eric spun records. They lounged in the comfortable and unique home-like venue.
Many of them kept coming and others followed their lead...