Wow I can't even count the number of shows I've seen here in my lifetime. As I'm originally from…read morePittsburgh, it was nothing to make the drive to catch some of our favorite bands performing. This old school punk venue has been around since the early 80s and I started seeing shows here in my late teens. The history behind this place is just mind-blowing and incredible. To me it's one of the best places to see a live band. The sound is spot on. I've seen Fugazi (sadly never got to see Minor Threat), Bad Brains, and several other bands here. Iconic and legendary venue... for music lovers it's a must at least once to see a performance here.

Solid concert venue in a convenient location in DC. Parking is available on surrounding streets if…read moreyou arrive early enough. You can also pay for a parking pass through their website but the lot only opens up an hour beforehand so be sure to plan your evening with that in mind. We ended up parking on the street for only $3 since we arrived early to grab dinner nearby. The entry line was super long and literally went around the block but it moved surprisingly fast. Staff was friendly and helpful at the door. The inside was dark when we arrived and it would've been nice to have some house lights so people could find their way around the venue a little easier. The AC was cranking and the temp was comfortable. Upstairs has standing room and some bleachers which provides a good view with less of a crowd. Their VIP area looks nice and I'd be interested in splurging next time for a seat and a better view. There's bars downstairs and upstairs and even some food concessions. Getting out of the venue from the balcony was a bit stressful with only one way out. It makes you imagine what would happen if you needed to get out in a rush... other than that, it's a good space.

This was my second time going to Madams Organ and I loved it both times. I have gone here for some…read moreof the live music with tonight's performance by American Darling and they rocked. Not much else to say great place to come listen to some live music and enjoy some drinks.

No frills live music bar. Came to listen to some music and on that they indeed delivered with a…read moregreat local DC blues band. Atmosphere is also 10 out of 10 with great decor and crowd. I didn't love the lack of much of a cocktail menu. They didn't have the ingredients to make a dirty martini so I settled for a beer. I got the spinach dip and it tasted great and with chunks of artichoke but the chips were a bit stale.

Came here to watch a concert. My friend had bought tickets. We realized that we were there the…read morewrong day but decided to stay. The band was great. The service efficient. Very casual venue- everyone standing and in jeans. I particularly liked the size of the venue.

This is the place great bar has all of the cool bands, super friendly people and when I didn't…read morebring cash the bartender said no problem and give me a drink for free. I made sure to pay them next time I came in, but they were super chill about it and that's how you know you're in a good spot.

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.

Absolutely stunning loved it. Very us close and personal a great experience. Also food experience…read morewas great.

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!

We had an amazing dinner at The Hamilton in DC! We arrived a little early, but the hostesses were…read morewonderful and seated us right away. We started with a lemon drop and a Stella, then shared the firecracker sushi roll--it was fresh, delicious, and spot-on with flavor. For our entrées, the double-cut lamb chops were tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The lamb ragù was just as impressive, with fresh, al dente pasta and an amazing sauce. Between the cozy booths and the attentive service from our server, January, it was such a comfortable place to spend an evening. We'll definitely be back--thank me later!

My friend and I were ready to wind down for the night, so we stopped by The Hamilton for cocktails…read moreand dessert. And let me tell you, I LOVED the ambiance! The rich woodwork and high ceilings give the place such a beautiful, classic feel. We ordered the chocolate mousse, which was light and came with plenty of whipped cream. My friend got the pumpkin cake, which was apparently so good he barely left me a bite! I also tried the Honeymoon Phase cocktail, and it was quite a nice pour. Our bartender was awesome. Verdict: A lovely spot to end the evening with dessert, cocktails, and a beautiful atmosphere. I especially enjoyed the interior! I'd definitely come back to try more food!

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. :)

Staff are really nice and helpful but it is such a strange venue. Of course you buy a ticket…read moreonline. Then it gets interesting. You show up way before the show to get a numbered ticket. Imagine you as a kid at the deli counter getting in line. My friend showed up at 5 for us for the 7:30 show. That number is good for a group of up to 6. Then, you wait until doors actually open around 6 pm. At that point, they call your number and you and you go in to to get table. It's not a mad rush or anything but it is a little unorganized. Honestly every seat is a bad one. Here's why. The dining staff.... Right? Who knew it's dinner and a show. They ask if you would like to order. The food is decent like cafeteria style and it's not soo overpriced. The portions are HUGe. I do like the fact that you don't stand around on sticky floors during a show but it is odd. Really quickly before the show most of the food is gone but drinks keep flowing. The staff do a great job of not disturbing the audience but the artist we had was a little affected by it. Back to the seats, it's bad since every single person almost has to turn some way in a chair or move the chair to see the artist. Those facing to the back of the artist just turn their whole chair around if there is space. They have an off menu Arnold Palmer. The lasagna portion was HUGE with a salad. A couple can split it. It is a tad better than frozen but it is what it is. They probably can churn out all the food at the same time because it is like catering style and lukewarm when it hits the table. Would I go again? Only if it was an artist I completely loved. Would I go on a whim? Probably not. It's a little bit of a choose your adventure but it's only one path.

I have walked by The Anthem many times at the harbor but this was my first time actually going to a…read moreshow here. Because of the artist who was performing, the climate of our country, and being in DC, there were protesters out front along with a lot of Police & National Guard. There was a line out outside to get in, but it moved very quickly. As soon as we entered, we had to surrender our cell phones & smart watches, which was a surprise to us as we were not notified that this was the case. Small bags were allowed though. Not sure if the notification falls on The Anthem or Ticketmaster or both, but we really should have been notified. It was a very seamless process but we weren't even allowed a second to let peeps know that we had to lock up our phones & would be completely out of touch for a couple hours. We also had to go through security & metal detectors so the confiscation of smart devices coupled with the tight Security made you feel really good & safe. It's just so sad that this is what our current climate has come to. Aside from that the venue was impeccably clean. The staff was above & beyond warm, friendly and helpful. They have a full bar (multiple) and snacks, but be forewarned, they do not take cash - it is credit card only! There are several tiered balcony levels, as well as on the floor seating and the views are unobstructed and the acoustics and sound system are top-notch. My only gripe is the seating on the floor. The chairs are very plush & comfortable, but they're so close together that you literally have to sit like you're taking a school pic with your knees locked together & your elbows tucked in lol. It would be really nice if they corrected that with some wiggle room...even just a wee bit would help! Several parking garages are nearby as well as street parking so that is not an issue. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the inside to share lol but overall it was an amazing experience!

I recall when The Anthem, located in the Wharf area in D.C. near the fish market that has occupied…read moreMaine Street for years, opened. It did so with a brilliant performance by the Killers some six years ago (and again last year, celebrating the venue's fifth anniversary). I've visited again throughout the past six years, most recently for Sara Bareilles: The Good Grief Tour. The sound quality continues to impress, and staging for this Tour was equally vibrant, elaborate, and evocative. Bareilles related to the 6,000 of us in attendance, and The Anthem was up to the task. Visually and aurally the place rocks. Time and experience at the venue leads me to note that when Ticketmaster puts the seats on sale, it is impossible to know whether the seat is at the end of the row near an aisle or is instead the seat farthest from the aisle. I chose wrong this time (Sec 2FBX3, Row C, Seat 6): while the seat was lovely and my view was wholly unobstructed, I knew that if I wanted to use the restroom or get something to eat or drink, I would need to pass by eight seated guests each time. Not my best move. But the view was great, so props to The Anthem for a good night. In all, the venue is an outstanding example of successfully straddling audience size: I think it holds 6,000 guests, with much of that in the standing area close to the stage. I've aged past the time when standing for that long works for me, so the Anthem's Super Excellent Seating is perfect. I just need to figure out how to spot aisle seats that make it easy to come and go without stepping over other guests. But understand, and I wholly support this initiative, Super Excellent Seats need to be picked up in person. So, find another way to inflate and scalp your tickets, or, better yet, go to the shows yourself, and stop trying to profit from the fact that you were able to score a decent ticket. To its credit, IMP (the force behind The Anthem) makes it clear: "Tickets are non-transferable until 72 hours prior to the show time. Any tickets suspected of being purchased for the sole purpose of reselling can be cancelled at the discretion of The Anthem / Ticketmaster, and buyers may be denied future ticket purchases for I.M.P. shows." I believe this shows a pretty decent commitment by IMP to support its performers. So there's that.

This place is very cute. The ambiance is great. I did not eat there but the service was very great.read more

What a great, small and quaint concert venue. Came to see Brittany Ann Tranbaugh (a friend of a…read morefriend) and was delighted to be introduced to the hilarious duo Griefcat. Didn't see much of Liv Greene, but loved what I heard. The upstairs venue is small and holds maybe 70 people. There are a few stools back toward the bar, which was staffed by a friendly bartender, but otherwise it's standing room only, This was the perfect venue for these artists! Highly recommend The Pocket, so I hope you'll check it out.