First of all, there isn't shit by the stadium. So you won't find anything there except the stadium, and some office buildings which are completely empty thanks to the recession.
If you're looking for the party areas in DC, you have several choices.
Adams Morgan - this is party central, tends to be a younger crowd. You can take the Woodley Park metro and then walk across the Duke Ellington bridge, follow Columbia road from there. Most of the bars/clubs are in a strip along 18th street. My favorite bar in DC, The Reef, is there. The roof bar at Reef is awesome. My favorite drink there is the Belgian Sunrise. I also like Black Squirrel which is new and on the other side of the street. Right next door to Black Squirrel is my favorite late night food place, Amsterdam Felafel. There's also a nice coffeehouse, Tryst.
If you want a little bit older crowd go to the U Street corridor. The U Street Cardozo station will drop you right there. I like Marvin's which is a meat market but it's lots of fun. Lots of good Belgian beer and food there.
Gallery Place/Chinatown - some of my friends like this neighborhood a lot. Good bars include Fado's and Rocket Bar.
Dupont Circle - I like Buffalo Billiards (huge place), and Front Page here.
