You’ve probably seen the sleek photos of the old warehouse space in Ivy City. It's got that high-end aesthetic that makes you want to straighten your blazer just looking at it. But honestly, if you walk into The Gathering Spot DC expecting just another "coworking space" or a fancy place to grab a cocktail, you’re kind of missing the point. It’s deeper than that.
The DC location, which officially opened its doors in 2021 after a lot of anticipation, isn't just a northern branch of the Atlanta original. It’s a specific response to how Washington D.C. functions—or, more accurately, how it sometimes fails to function for creators of color.
What The Gathering Spot DC actually is
Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen started this whole thing back in 2016 in Atlanta. They weren't looking to build a better WeWork. They were looking to build a community. When they expanded to Washington D.C., they chose a 20,000-square-foot footprint in the Ivy City neighborhood. It’s a deliberate choice. You’re not in the middle of the K Street lobbyist hustle. You’re in a space that feels like it belongs to the people who are actually building the "new" DC.
The club operates on a membership model. But unlike the old-school elite clubs of the District—the ones with wood-paneled walls and portraits of dead politicians—The Gathering Spot is curated for diversity. Not just racial diversity, though that’s the primary heartbeat of the space, but professional diversity. You might be sitting next to a venture capitalist, a documentary filmmaker, a non-profit founder, or a tech developer.
It works because of the "Black Wall Street" ethos. It's about keeping resources, conversations, and deals within a community that has historically been locked out of the backroom deals at the Metropolitan Club or the Cosmos Club.
The Ivy City factor
Location matters. Ivy City is a vibe. It's gritty and industrial but rapidly transforming. By putting The Gathering Spot DC here, the founders signaled that they weren't interested in being part of the federal government’s shadow. They wanted to be where the culture is.
The interior is stunning. We’re talking full-service restaurant, private offices, conference rooms that actually have working tech, and a bar that serves as the "town square" of the club. But the physical space is just the container. The real magic—and the reason people pay the membership dues—is the programming.
Beyond the "Work" in Coworking
Let’s be real: you can get Wi-Fi anywhere. You can sit in a Starbucks for four hours for the price of a cold brew. You join a place like this for the access.
The DC club hosts everything from high-level policy discussions to intimate fireside chats with celebrities and business moguls. I’ve seen events featuring everyone from local council members to national figures like Drake or Kamala Harris (who has engaged with the community there).
- The Restaurant: It’s not a cafeteria. It’s a high-end dining experience where the menu reflects the heritage of the members.
- The Lounge: This is where the "accidental" networking happens. You’re grabbing a coffee and end up talking to someone who knows the exact person you need for your next project.
- The Quiet Zones: Because sometimes you just need to grind out a 40-page proposal without hearing someone’s Zoom call.
It’s about the "three pillars" that Wilson and Petersen always talk about: Community, Culture, and Commerce. If you only have one, you have a social club. If you have all three, you have an ecosystem.
The cost of entry (and what people get wrong)
There is a common misconception that The Gathering Spot DC is only for the wealthy elite. While there is a membership fee—and it’s not "cheap"—the application process is more about what you contribute to the community than just what’s in your bank account.
They look for people who are "doing something."
The application requires a bit of soul-searching. You have to explain your "why." If your "why" is just "I want a cool place to take selfies," you’re probably going to get a rejection letter. They want builders.
Why the "Gathering" matters in 2026
We spent years behind screens. We thought Zoom was the future. We were wrong.
Human connection is the most valuable currency in DC. In a city built on "who you know," The Gathering Spot provides a shortcut to "knowing the right people" without having to change who you are to fit into a stuffy, traditional environment. You don't have to code-switch here. That’s the value proposition.
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The club has also survived the "post-pandemic" shift better than most. While commercial real estate in downtown DC struggled with high vacancy rates, community-focused spaces like TGS thrived. Why? Because people don't go there because they have to work. They go because they want to be seen and heard.
Breaking down the membership types
They don't make it overly complicated, but you should know what you're looking at:
- Individual Membership: For the person who just needs the space and the community.
- Under 30: A slightly more accessible rate for the younger "hustle" crowd who are just starting their ascent.
- Corporate: For teams that want to breathe some fresh air into their company culture.
Honestly, the "Under 30" demographic is what keeps the energy high. It prevents the club from becoming a museum for the established. It keeps it feeling like a laboratory.
The Greenwood Acquisition
A major turning point for The Gathering Spot DC was the acquisition by Greenwood, the digital banking platform founded by Andrew Young, Killer Mike, and Ryan Glover. This move essentially merged the "physical" community of TGS with a "financial" community.
There was some drama during the transition—lawsuits were filed, then settled—but the dust has settled. The result is a more robust platform. Members now have better access to financial tools, which reinforces that "Commerce" pillar I mentioned earlier. It turned a local club into part of a national financial movement.
Comparing TGS to the "Other" Clubs
If you're looking at TGS, you're probably also looking at Soho House or The Line.
Soho House is great if you’re in media or fashion and want to hang out by a pool with a Picante. It’s very "international chic." But Soho House can feel anonymous. You can be a member for a year and never actually meet anyone.
The Gathering Spot is the opposite. It’s designed to be intrusive in a good way. The staff knows your name. The members are encouraged to introduce themselves. If you’re an introvert, it might actually be a little intimidating at first, but it’s the only way to get your money’s worth.
How to actually get in
If you're thinking about applying, don't just copy-paste your LinkedIn bio.
The admissions committee is looking for a "vibe check." They want to know how you’ll participate. Will you host a talk? Will you mentor a younger member? Will you frequent the bar and share insights?
Actionable Steps for Success:
- Audit your "Value Add": Before you fill out the application, list three things you can offer the community. Maybe it’s your expertise in IP law, or your connection to local grassroots artists.
- Visit as a Guest: Find a current member and get them to take you for lunch. You need to feel the energy of the room during a Tuesday afternoon "work block" versus a Friday night event.
- Be Specific in the Interview: If you get to the interview stage, talk about the specific problems you’re trying to solve in DC. They love "problem solvers."
- Attend Public Events: Sometimes TGS hosts events open to the public or "friends of the house." Go to those. Get your face known.
The Gathering Spot DC is effectively a 20,000-square-foot manifestation of the "Old DC" meeting the "New DC." It’s a place where the history of Black excellence in the District finds a modern, high-tech home. Whether you're there for the networking, the food, or just a place to feel like you belong, it’s a vital piece of the city's current business landscape.
If you're looking to scale your business or find your "tribe" in the city, this is the place to start. Forget the stuffy lobbies of the past; the future of DC power is happening in an old warehouse in Ivy City.