From couch to the right place in three taps.
Barnola shows you what nightlife around you looks like right now, so you can decide before you leave the house.
Barnola
Tonight near you
Washington, D.C.
- Copper HallCocktail bar · 0.3 miPacked
- Velvet RoomLounge · 0.6 miQuiet
- Midnight SocialNightclub · 0.9 miBusy
- Neon TerraceRooftop bar · 1.2 miBusy
For guests
Getting started takes a minute.
- 01
Create your free account
Sign up with email, Google or Apple. Barnola is for adults 18+.
- 02
Allow location (optional)
Barnola centers the map on you and sorts venues by distance. You can turn this off at any time.
- 03
Browse the live map
Every pin shows the venue’s current crowd level: quiet, busy or packed.
- 04
Open a venue
See photos, hours, entry age, dress code, events and promotions, all kept up to date by the venue.
- 05
Save your favorites
Tap the heart to keep your go-to spots one tap away.
- 06
Get directions
Open the route in Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze and head out.
A night with Barnola
What it looks like in practice.
An example evening (the venues are made up, the flow is real).
- 8:30 PMMake a planOn the couch, open Barnola and check tonight’s events. A jazz trio at Velvet Room catches your eye.
- 9:45 PMCheck the vibeVelvet Room shows Quiet, good for a drink and a chat. Midnight Social shows Busy: the party is starting.
- 10:15 PMHead outShare the venue with your friends, tap Directions and open the route in your maps app.
- 11:30 PMMove onMidnight Social is now Packed. You check the map, find a busy rooftop nearby and keep the night going.
- Next weekCome backYou saved both venues to Favorites, so next time they’re one tap away.
Live crowd levels
Know the vibe before you go.
Every venue shows one of three levels, updated by the venue itself throughout the night.
- Quiet0–40% full
Easy to walk in and easy to talk. Good for a first drink or catching up with friends.
- Busy41–75% full
Filling up with a good buzz. Expect a short wait at the bar.
- Packed76%+ full
At or near capacity. The energy is high, and there may be a line at the door.
Crowd levels are set by each venue from the Barnola business app.
For venues
On the map in a few steps.
Venue owners list their bar or club from the same app, and our team reviews every listing.
- 01
Apply in the app
Choose “List Your Venue” and add your details, photos and hours.
- 02
Choose a plan
Pick monthly or yearly. Your free trial starts only after approval.
- 03
Go live and update
Once approved, update your crowd level, events and promotions from your phone.
Good to know
Common questions
01How do I find a place to go?
Open the map or the “Tonight near you” list. Sort by Nearby, Busiest or Open Now, or search by venue name or music genre. Tap any venue to see its full profile.
02Do I have to share my location?
No. Location is optional. With it, Barnola centers the map on you and sorts venues by distance. Without it, you can still browse every venue.
03How accurate are crowd levels?
They are as current as the venue’s latest update, and venues update them throughout the night. Treat them as a guide: things can change quickly on a busy night.
04Can I get directions to a venue?
Yes. Tap Directions on any venue to open the route in Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze.
05Will Barnola send me notifications?
Only if you allow them. You can turn push, email and in-app notifications on or off separately in Settings.
Ready for a better night out?
Questions about the app, listing your venue or working with us? Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within one business day.