HomeDistrict of ColumbiaWashington › Underworld BJJ

Underworld BJJ

5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Washington, District of Columbia

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team New

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule underworlddc.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (202) 846-2333

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM–9 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday 8 AM–1 PM
Sunday 8 AM–1 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Underworld BJJ, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 12 mentions

“The kids support one another, and the sense of community extends to the parents—we’ve built meaningful connections both in and out of the gym.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ

“Lots of women's-only classes and open mats.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🩳 No-Gi

“Highly recommend her nogi program to kids and adults in DC.”

All gyms that run no-gi →

🔓 Open Mat

“Lots of women's-only classes and open mats.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Good for both beginners and advanced students.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Underworld BJJ — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 8 mentions

“I always love coming here over the summer to train, Alfredo is an amazing coach and is extremely knowledgable.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“The environment is welcoming, the coaches are amazing, and there’s a great variety of classes offered throughout the week.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“The environment is welcoming, the coaches are amazing, and there’s a great variety of classes offered throughout the week.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My son (6 yrs) absolutely loves training jiu jitsu here.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“There is a true sense of community and nothing like my daughters learning to kick butt and defend themselves from a female world champion!”

From the reviews

Danielle is an amazing instructor and person. She’s dedicated, caring and actual world champion! Highly recommend her nogi program to kids and adults in DC.

★★★★★ — Beatrice, Feb 2026

Our son and daughter have trained here for a year, and the growth in their confidence has been incredible to watch. The gym has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and even though jiu-jitsu is an individual sport, it truly feels like a team.

★★★★★ — Kathryn, Jan 2026

Danielle and the BJJ Underworld team are all fantastic. We have been taking our 4-year old (turning five soon) for several months now and BJJ is a great energy burner. He’s made alot of new friends and looks forward to the BJJ classes every time he goes.

★★★★★ — Lane, Feb 2026

Best BJJ for kids in the city. The instructors are knowledgable, encouraging, challenging and warm all at once. There is a true sense of community and nothing like my daughters learning to kick butt and defend themselves from a female world champion! Cannot say enough good things about Underworld!

★★★★★ — Carolyng, Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Underworld BJJ

Underworld BJJ comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Underworld BJJ

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Underworld BJJ

810 H St NE, Washington, DC20002

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Washington

BETA Academy Capitol Hill | Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

316 F St NE Basement, Washington, DC

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

under a mile away

1.2 miles away

Premier Martial Arts Ivy City

5 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

2009 Walt Lincoln Wy NE, Washington, DC

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens no-ego, friendly academystrong kids programbuilds confidence & discipline

1.2 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Washington, DC →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.