The Interns' Guide: Clubbing

At most Washington clubs, the cover charge starts around $5. It can go as high as $40 if you're a high roller who needs to skip the line at Dream on a Friday night. But you don't have to be famous or well connected to waltz into nightclubs without paying, occasionally enjoying an open bar and complimentary food. The key is having an e-mail account.

Every week, promoters send out thousands of invitations to their events at clubs like Dream, MCCXXIII, H2O, Platinum, Republic Gardens, Vida, Juste Lounge and the Clarendon Ballroom. If you're on their list, gaining free admission and other benefits is as easy as printing out an invitation or filling out a form on a Web site.

Here are a few of our favorites, which have proved reliable over time. Just watch the clock. When a promoter's site says "Guest list ends at 11," it means 11 -- even if you're next in line at the door.

eVIPlist.com and Madpowerunit.com: Primarily promoters of events for an African American clientele. Recent coupons have been good for open bar and free buffet at MCCXXIII on Wednesdays, and admission to Swank, a hip-hop night at Home, on Thursdays.

DCHotspot.com: Organizes VIP Fridays at Clarendon Ballroom. Print out the e-mails for VIP access and free admission.

H2Odc.com: Fill out a form on the club's Web site for guest-list spots at the club on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as shots at a free buffet and open bar.

Masouda.com: A longtime Washington promoter, Masoud A. handles Thursdays and Saturdays at Dream. Sign up to his e-mail list to get free passes for concerts and special DJ events. Arrive extra early on Saturday nights for a free buffet and open bar.

Panorama Productions: Another veteran promotions team, Panorama handles events at MCCXXIII, Home and Dream, which frequently include open-bar happy hours as well as DJs.

There are still more ways to beat the system.

"My friends and I go out right after work, and bring clothes to work with us so we can change and still beat the cover charges," says Mary Tabor, a 27-year-old human resources assistant. For example, one Thursday night, they hit Clarendon Ballroom for happy hour (which includes $1.50 Miller Lites and $2 Coronas until 8). At 8, the club began levying a $7 cover for the night's featured band, Love Seed Mama Jump. But because Mary and her friends were already inside, they were exempt from the extra charge.

Sound like too much trouble? There are dance nights with no cover. One of the most popular is the long-running salsa night at Lucky Bar on Mondays, which offers a free hour-long lesson at 8, followed by a night of dancing. (Ricardo and Elba, who lead the class, also teach for free at Lulu's on Tuesdays and Cafe Citron on Wednesdays.) Swing is offered on Wednesdays at Lulu's. Drum 'n' bass has a home at Red on Wednesdays.

If you want to hang out and catch up with friends, consider a DJ bar -- no dancing, but an expert picks the tunes. Marx Cafe offers DJs spinning Latin rock, reggae, Britpop and old rock-and-roll, depending on the night, without a cover. At Cafe Saint-Ex, the Gate 54 lounge has DJs every night of the week (soul, British, '70s funk, garage, electro) while vintage films play on a flat-screen television. No matter what's on, entry is free. On the hip-hop tip, Tuesday nights at the Reef (known as Moody Tuesdays) feature retro funk and underground beats; while Krunk, a Saturday night party in Bethesda, has the occasional MC battle as well as live acts and featured DJs. Hip-hop and Prince fans should check out DJ Dredd, who spins every Friday night at Aroma. Just arrive before 10 and you skip the cover.