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    9:30 Club

    3.9 (795 reviews)
    Open • Open 24 hours
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    Marisol D.

    Was here this past weekend and watched JVB and Joshua Raw. The venue was great and staff here very friendly. I got my husband a tea and his brother and espresso shot and spent less than $5. For DC idk how that was even possible. Crowd is dependent on the show but I was upstairs cuz im an old lady and can't stand anymore.

    View of the stage where the DJ was
    Brenda C.

    First time coming to this club in DC, what a fun night! Was an "early" dance party, 6-10pm, the event was sold out! So much fun! The DJ was doing an amazing job and playing hits from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. There were plenty of bars to accommodate and food available if you wanted it... Will definitely be back!

    Free water
    Chelsea A.

    If you're the type to like more intimate & smaller concerts, this is the venue for you! The max capacity is just a little over 600, and you'll never feel like a sardine. It's easy to find a spot that gives you direct line of vision to the stage (hint - pretty much everywhere). Came in on a Tuesday night to see BAYNK - a very chill, relaxed, and groovy kind of night. Doors opened at 7pm, his opener played around 8pm, and BAYNK played around 9:24pm (would've been so meta if he played at 9:30pm at 9:30 club - is that a thing artists do?) Security was kind - in the past I had to throw away hand sanitizer and got yelled at for trying to finish my unopened candies, but here security talked to me like a normal person and didn't make me throw away anything. Concert ended around 10:40pm and easily was back at home before midnight - not bad for a weekday show. What's cool is that the venue does free water. They also use reusable cups which I appreciate. I didn't order any food or drinks as I had assumed there would've been an upcharge, but they had a good variety of alcohol based on their menu. I tried looking via QR code, but to even view the menu required a credit card. No thanks! Will be back here for future chill concerts - especially BAYNK (BAYNK if you ever see this, please come back to 9:30 Club!! You were awesome!!)

    Rumesh V.

    I was here recently to watch "They Might be Giants" concert. My husband is a huge fan. Well, it was my first time at the 9:30 club. I was surprised by the amount of people this place can fit. There was a long line 10 minutes before the show. If you have access to the metro, I highly recommend it as parking can be hard to find here. We live 10 minutes from this place. Wasn't an issue for us. Stage is nice and sound quality is good an indoor concert hall. They do have some food options such as tacos, pizza and chips & salsa. It was alight. Lots of drinks options though.

    Jesse Welles
    Joan H.

    9:30 is a smaller ventue with a capacity of about 300 that spotlight artists that are gaining in popularity. We saw Jesse Welles on night 1 of 2 sold out shows. Yungboud is appearing in a few weeks. It is mostly standing room only but the stage is raised so the artist can be seen by most. There is a second floor loft that is also standing. There are a few seats near the bars but very limited edition. The sound and lighting is very good. They do have their own parking lot but it is 3-4 blocks away. There are closer lots.

    MJ Lenderman
    Roger H.

    Terrific venue and storied...amazing shows and space. Great beer list. Balcony and floor stands

    Dancers mostly women 40 and over at early birds at 9:30 club

    I am here right now while I'm writing this review. I am at early birds tonight. The DJ is excellent. But the bartender, when I told her I was only waiting and leaning on the bar to take off one shoe because my feet hurt, told me she was only waiting for us to leave. It must be very difficult for her to have a bunch of 45-year-old ladies who arrive at six and leave at 9.. her bar side manner was terrible. These people are paying nearly $50 to dance for three hours tops. DJ excellent, bar staff terrible.

    Upstairs balcony shot.
    Lisa H.

    This club is two tiny blocks away from Howard University, and in a Poppin part of town, which made me wish I had extra time to hang out maybe seek food out in this neighborhood, but I got to the venue just in time for my show. A great venue in my opinion is when there are many levels and layers of where to get your drinks, and hang out and chill and different spaces to watch the show which this place perfectly ticked. My favorite was when I was looking for a specific drink I was told I could find it in the basement and the basement bar was very quiet and cool place to be able to have a conversation. Then later, I went up in the balcony area and kind of found the perfect spot in the center up against the wall. I could feel the base booming and watch the concert straight on. People were dancing everywhere, and that was convenient as well for it's spaciousness here and there. The staff on hand is super nice and helpful and they are everywhere with flashlight ready to usher you out, if you needed. I came for a 930 show and apparently there's shows that happen in the first half of the night. A dual purpose club. Very cool venue not too big and drinks were great! And there was a large space for merch for sale by the artist.

    Jeff N.

    The 9:30 club was a groovy place in Washington D.C. that has all the specifications you want when you see rock shows; black walls, dark ambiance with purple and blue spotlighting, accessible bar close to the stage, spacious enough to find a good view of the stage to watch the show, a mezzanine to watch above the GA area (depending on availability), and accessible bathrooms in the back. We checked out Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches for a solo set with her backup band, which was great. The sound was spot on. The bar staff were exemplary with turning around the drink orders for everyone. And found everything to be very enjoyable. They didn't have food at the venue that we saw, but we had already eaten down the street, so that wasn't an issue. We didn't have to worry about parking since we were walking and taking the Metro everywhere, and it was easy to access the 9:30 Club as such without needing a car. The security staff were friendly and fair and made sure the queue moved forward steadily, especially with security and ticket checks.

    Alex P.

    Wow what a fun venue. It's intimate, standing room only. There is a main floor and top floor. You can see the stage from all angles. I recently came to see white ford bronco the 90s cover band and had such a great time. Their alcohol is slightly over priced at $10 for a seltzer and $10.50 for Tito's and sprite. Over all I would come early for the dj and stay late for the show. I will definitely be back to this venue for more music in my future!

    Good kid band wheel of chaos
    Samuel D.

    This is my 3rd time at the 9:30 club but this is the first time it's been sold out like this in my time of going! This is still one of my favorite venues to go to as it provides such a great up close closeness with the performers! You're never too far away even if you're at the top or the bottom, in the front or the back you will feel like you're at a personal concert! Such a vibe

    d4vd
    Gracious L.

    Great venue space. Enjoyed the food there and the staff was very helpful in guiding the crowd and making sure everyone gets in and had a great time(for a sold out event). I went to see dv4d and it was absolutely incredible to see my favorite artists that up close. Sound went crazy.

    Stage
    Julia C.

    One of the coolest venues I've ever been to. A 10/10 spot with a bunch of bars, space, and even a good little coffee shop in the upstairs mezzanine. They have the perfect space if you want to be with the crowd on the first floor amongst everyone. If you're more of a "from-afar" kind of person the upstairs area is a great option. They even have seating! You can't go wrong with any spot at this venue. Service is good, drinks are made well and even the coffee is delicious!

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    9:30 Club Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - 9:30 Club

    Where's a good place to eat nearby before a show?

    andys pizza by the slice right across the street

    Is buying parking through the venue a must?

    No, there are other lots in the area and some street parking, but it does fill up early for sold out shows. We recommend taking public transportation whenever possible.

    Can you smoke weed there?

    You can take it inside but if you want to smoke, it's best to smoke it outside because you will risk being thrown out.

    Is this a under 18 club?

    Yes, I go there with my 16 year old son all the time, as recently as last week.

    How early should I get there if I want a front row spot on the floor?

    It really depends on the band. If it's a popular/sold out show, best to be there when doors open. There's lots of nearby places where you can enjoy a drink and monitor the line prior to the doors opening.

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - 9:30 Club

    “Or maybe it was over-the-top fabulous in my head because t didn't expect such a sweet treat at a concert venue.”

    Mentioned in 32 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Union Stage

    Union Stage

    3.6(109 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    4.5 stars. Overall,…read morethis is a really great place to see a show. I came to see Flawed Mangoes and for the most part it was a great time. The venue is like a really clean dive bar that hosts live music. The staff were all very polite and incredibly welcoming. To be situated at the Wharf, the food and beverages were surprisingly affordable... at least by DC standards. The general admission tickets are for standing only. I paid for premium seating and got, well... an actual seat. Unfortunately, this is where I ran into issues. I really wish that Union Stage would offer more smaller tables (1-2 tops) because I had the unfortunate experience of being forced to involuntarily third-wheel some random couple's date night. As someone who frequently attends concerts alone, I hate communal seating. If I'm paying extra for a seat, I don't want to spend the evening sharing a table with strangers. In this case, the couple who joined me at my table spent much of the show carrying on conversations, using flash photography despite it being prohibited, and generally making themselves unwelcome part of my concert experience. It was distracting, annoying, and made it difficult to fully enjoy the performance. Adding more 1-2 top tables for solo concertgoers or couples would significantly improve the premium seating experience by giving people the option to enjoy the show uninterrupted and with the company they actually chose (and paid!) to spend the evening with. It's also worth noting that there is no wait staff to serve you at the tables. So if you grab a seat at a table, make sure you have something to put on the table to indicate that it is occupied. There are QR codes on the table where you can order and pay, but you still have to go to the floor to pick up your food. I got a half cheese pizza and an Aperol Spritz. The pizza was good by dive bar standards. Nothing special about it, but it hit the spot. The Aperol Spritz was also surprisingly good. The sound system is great. However, we need to talk about the lighting situation. I'm not sure if this is how Union Stage typically operates or if this is something that can be attributed to the artist, but the lighting choices for this concert were overwhelming. I've been to dozens of concerts over the course of my life, but I've never had spotlights that repeatedly point directly into the audience, but that was my experience throughout this entire show. I had to put on my sunglasses in this dark venue to keep myself from being quite literally blinded by the light. The background lights and everything were fine, but repeatedly shining spotlights into the crowd was not a good choice. The most expensive part of this night, by far, was the parking, which is not the fault of the venue. I paid $38 to park for 4 hours, but fortunately it was a very short walk to the venue. There are multiple parking garages as well as an extremely limited amount of street parking near this venue. The garage was the only feasible option that evening since so many people were out for the concert, viewing the World Cup, as well as attending events at other bars and restaurants in the general area. All told, I had a really great time at Union Stage. While I hate traveling into DC and I'm not keen on spending $40 on parking, if there's another artist performing at this venue that I want to see, I would definitely come back.

    It's a solid venue for smaller artists Id say a few things hold it back. 1 ticket check is at the…read morebottom of a long stairwell in the basement it should be at the top it would cut down congestion especially since food is run down the same stairwell. 2. The sound system probably needs an upgrade prior to artist coming on stage the music being played was not really audible and didn't carry any thing to the crowd. The merch table being by the entrance caused more congestion. 3. For the seated area unlike what's displayed on the ticket sites they are in the back not the front not a big deal I prefer standing but could disappoint those who pay the premium price for those. Staff are really nice and friendly and prices are more then fair on drinks and food.

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    Union Stage
    Union Stage
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    Blues Alley - Catfish and chicken wings

    Blues Alley

    3.9(365 reviews)
    2.3 mi•Georgetown
    •$$

    Blues Alley has maintained their street cred after all these years as being one of the best places…read morein town to catch a live jazz performance. I enjoyed the crab cake with a Caesar salad. The cocktails were veteran made and solid. The dining room is intimate, adding to the connection of the artists and the show. Deborah Bond dropped her new album Amber Dust, a true R&B artist keeping the tradition of the music well and alive. She hosted a listening party show with a customized cocktail menu with drinks named after her latest album! The show was amazing and the sound was clear. Although the menu is a bit limited I enjoyed my crab cakes, which had no filler. Oh and be sure to save yourself time and park in the parking garage across from the alley. This is an amazing little space with big names. Every time I've come here I've always met with the artists after the show. So if you're a super fan and your favorite artist is performing here, GO!

    Got the crab cakes; food was okay, but the venue itself really stole the show! Honestly, it's…read moreprobably my favorite concert venue I've ever been to. The space feels so intimate, which makes the whole experience more personal and memorable compared to larger, more crowded venues. The atmosphere was great from start to finish, and everything felt well-organized. The service was also a highlight, our server was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made us feel really comfortable throughout the night. Even though the food was just alright, the overall experience more than made up for it. Between the vibe, the quality of the show, and the excellent service, it's definitely a place I'd come back to again and recommend to others looking for a unique night out/date night!

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    Blues Alley - Performance

    Performance

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    The Hamilton - District Wings

    The Hamilton

    3.9(4.1k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$

    It's been YEARS since I've been to The Hamilton. A recent trip to DC and a free gift card is what…read morebrought me here. I went for brunch, but was in more of a lunch mood. I sat outside on the patio. To start, I got the calamari appetizer. Yall! Their calamari is so freakin good! The remoulade sauce that comes with it just takes it to the next level. I got the crab cake entree and it was just what I needed. I recommend replacing the tartar sauce with their remoulade sauce. The Tea Time mocktail was very refreshing. The service was good. The only downside is that there was an issue with the gift card that I won from their social media page. After some back and forth, they eventually honored it and all was well. But this experience was definitely better than my past experience, so I'm adding a star.

    As part of the Clyde's restaurant group, we were excited to try this since we love Old Ebbitt…read more However, we were a bit let down from the food. My girlfriend got the steak and eggs which she thought was good but on the saltier side. I got the crab cake benedict but my eggs were way overcooked and not runny whatsoever. My server was nice and apologetic about it. The sushi was surprisingly good and fresh. I was skeptical at first about sushi at an American restaurant but was happily surprised. Overall, a bit disappointed about the restaurant but may have been an off day. Would love to comeback and try their signature burger. Apps: Paradise Roll Entrees: Steak and Eggs and Crab Cake Eggs Benedict

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    The Hamilton - The bar and partial dining area.

    The bar and partial dining area.

    The Hamilton - Ragu Americana & Rigatoni - delicious, fresh pasta

    Ragu Americana & Rigatoni - delicious, fresh pasta

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    Birchmere - Birchmere upcoming events

    Birchmere

    3.7(461 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    •$$

    Is it a nice venue? Yup! Not super cozy, but surprisingly intimate when the music starts. I found…read morethe interactions with the performers one of the highlights. And you will definitely have a seat. Will it be a good seat? That's another matter altogether. Frankly, I found the way The Birchmere's ticketing system works super confusing and not all that intuitive. If you're in-the-know, you'll get a great seat. If you're coming from out-of-town without any familiarity of the system or show up late, you may be hosed. And the staff, frankly, aren't very helpful in illuminating what all you need to do, even when pressed. I guess that's because just about anyone new won't know, and so will likely pester them with the same questions. And this happens over and over, day after day. I get their impatience. So, why not just print up a flyer, posted to their website, that says what the steps are? Barring that, let me help you be in-the-know. Here's what you need to do: 1. Buy your ticket, preferably in advance. You can pick up the ticket at will-call day of. That won't be a problem. 2. Arrive before 5 to get your chit. This established your place in line. It's open seating, so the lower your number, the better your potential seat will be. 3. Come back promptly at 6 (or just hang out and have a drink until 6). They'll start calling numbers at 6. 4. Grab seats at a table which you think will give you the best vantage if the stage. 5. Since you have 1.5 hours to kill, grab some food. (Clearly, they expect you to have dinner here.) Or grab a drink and nurse it for a while. Order another before the show. There. It may lead to a better experience at the venue. I would've given The Birchmere 5 stars if it weren't for the confusing ticketing system. I really did like the venue, and now that I'm familiar with their arcane ticketing and entry process, my next visit (and there *will* be a next visit, since I already have the tickets!) will be oh so much better. I hope that yours is too. :)

    The parking is free here. Don't let third party vendors convince you otherwise…read more The first come first serve means get here before the doors open. Other reviews explained this very clearly. Obtain your table number by getting there super early, so that you can be near the stage for better eye view, otherwise there is a strain to see. While I like this venue and that there are seats with tables, It was a bit tight, which is to be expected for a concert type venue trying to squeeze everyone in. Although I wasn't close to the stage I had a few decent views of the artist. Raheem was extremely entertaining and he walked around the venue towards our table. Overall a decent first time experience. The quality of the live performance was really nice and his mic was on! I say, stick with the dry red wines! The processco I was given tasted flat. Perhaps it was expired.

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    Birchmere - The English Beat

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    The Anthem - View from outside and above The Anthem

    The Anthem

    3.6(475 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    •$$

    This is one cool venue. I went here for the first time to see Robyn in concert and loved the set up…read morewith the multiple floors, multiple bars and food for sale throughout. There was even a coffee bar upstairs and non-alcoholic beverages as well. It is a mixture of some seating but a mostly standing venue. Our spot on the second floor was the perfect vantage point and we could lean on the railing in front of us and a railing was available in each of the tiered standing sections. The venue has a cool look with the lighting around the floors and even has an outdoor balcony on the second floor where you can overlook the waterfront. I want to come back here again for another concert to experience it again.

    Dear reader, The…read moreAnthem is easily one of my favourite DC venues for a concert or show. The main floor is largely standing room, which creates fantastic energy, but there are ticketed seats in the balconies if one prefers enjoying the evening without fighting for territory on the floor. The bars are large and remarkably efficient, and even the bathrooms deserve praise: spacious, clean, and designed to keep crowds moving. Getting in and out is generally painless. Popular shows can produce quite the line outside, but it moves surprisingly quickly. Another point in its favour: you can bring a small bag and an empty water bottle to fill inside, a civilised little convenience during a long show. The Wharf location makes the entire evening even better, with loads of restaurants and bars nearby for dinner or drinks before or after. Great venue, great atmosphere, and consistently enjoyable. I always love seeing shows here.

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    The Anthem - Entrance

    Entrance

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    9:30 Club - musicvenues - Updated October 2026

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