4.5 stars. Overall, this 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. read more

Came here for a new event called Vinyl Revival. The concept was an album listening party and panel discussion for Lauryn Hill's album. This was my first time attending an event here. The ticket purchasing process wasn't user friendly. It was difficult to navigate and figure out how to select premium ticket options. They provided free drink tokens to select attendees so some of my friends in our group of 5 received them and some didn't. The space has a nice set up for smaller scale ans intimate events. They have a full bar a a small food menu. The sound in the space made it difficult to hear audience members at times and the format made it feel.lilw things were dragging. I enjoyed the concept but would love to see a few tweaks for improvement. read more

Union Stage - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great venue it was pretty hidden which may be it single flaw. The drinks were good enough regular bartenders nothing special. It was a great venue for a standing room only concert read more

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Smaller venue than I'm used for watching a band but felt nice and cozy. We saw Friko last night and what a great show! We opted for the seated area, so get your wrist band... Tables are a little tight but we were able to sit comfortably and still see the stage. Come early to grab your table. We already had dinner at a nearby restaurant so I can't really comment on food but people around us kept commenting on how good their food was... so we will definitely do that next time. read more

Union Stage - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went to see Naomi Sharon which was an amazing concert.. Actually bought the Premier plus tickets to sit in this special area for food and drinks. We had the most terrible experience with the waitress Laila. Stated how she didn't want to be at work and she's was the only person working in this "special area" (which only contained about ~15 people). Mad rude and disrespectful. If it wasn't for the performance, I would've have left. If you don't like your job, find another one; but don't ruin someone's experience because of your attitude. read more

Union stage us a smaller version of the 9:30 club. There's no seating except for a few tables in the back of the room. It didn't look like it had much elevation, so if it's a packed show, you may likely need to stand as well. There are food and drink specials typically before showtime. The service was prompt. The margaritas are tasty, they have an extensive beer menu including IPOs and the pizza has a nice crisp thin crust (average flavor). I do appreciate the option to buy a half pizza. Union stage successfully serves it's purpose. read more

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This was my first time at Union Stage, and I was pleasantly surprised. The venue was clean - even the bathrooms, and the staff was really kind and attentive. It was nice to be able to order food. I got a half pizza, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do wish there was a place to sit, but i guess with a small venue like this, that's to be expected. There was a small area with tables and chairs in the back, but that was like a preferred seating/VIP type area with a dedicated server. read more

The venue is pretty generic -- it's a big room with decent sound, seating in the back, and a bar to the side. I'm docking it stars for their buggy, off-brand ticketing system, and a crazy/rude staff member who seemed to be having a very bad day. Go here if there's a band playing that you absolutely have to see, but otherwise skip it. read more

Hidden down an ally, Union Stage is a small performance venue located in a high-rise building's basement. We saw comedian & author John Fugelsang (very funny!) and Union Stage was an ideal space. A small band or solo musician would also be a good match with the venue. Staff were friendly, but they only had counter service. The menu was limited to pizza. The bar seemed adequate, but they only had one employee working, so service was slow and the line long. Eat and drink elsewhere before the show and you'll enjoy the experience more. read more

By far my favorite D.C venue. Yummy pizza, drinks priced averagely for D.C. and there's not a bad spot in the venue to see any shows! It never seems to get too crowded or overwhelming. The bartenders are always super nice as well. read more

Union Stage - dora jar at union stage! - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Just saw The Pineapple Thief here a few days ago. The show was excellent. This is my second concert here at this venue. I saw Soen here earlier in 2024. The venue has street level access but the stage is underground. It's easily accessible though. The staff is very accommodating. Drinks and food are available at the bar. Would recommend you visit. read more

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I love the close vibes of union stage, this is the second time I've been to the venue and it's been great both times. The staff and the service if great and so were the wings I had! Hoping for more concerts here in the future read more

Union Stage - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My friends and I came for a private Big Boy event. We had an amazing time. They had free drinks and snacks. The bartenders were quick. The space was a vibe. I'll definitely go back. read more

The pepperoni pizza is absolutely delicious and the drinks are great as well! I've attended two concerts (Taylor Acorn + Loveless & Cherie Amour, Honey Revenge + Arrows in Action) here and the bartenders both times were fantastically friendly. The staircase going to the basement/show area is covered in band stickers and it's amazing to see how many bands have been at such a cozy location. Restrooms are also very neat and clean. read more

Union Stage - Arrows in Action(Victor) @ Union Stage - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Overall, what's to dislike. It's a small music venue for intimate shows. But whyyyy can't they build even the SMALLEST incline into the floor. Just a tiny one?? I'm not even short (-ish for a girl) ... (5 ft 7). I chose to stand midway back because I don't need to be all up against the stage. I attended a sold out show and would have been perfect happy all the way in the back but it was packed wall to wall. So even midway in the crowd there were some moments it was uncomfortable or hard to see. That's my only complaint. read more

As a Black Cat DC/U Street Music Hall devotee it's been hard finding a music venue just as intimate since the pandemic hit. It seems that between Water Street they've got that experience covered. Union Stage is a really intimate venue that allows any entertainer to showcase their craft. I have seen comedy specials taped here and concerts performed here both of which were exceptional. The audio sounds ok, the bartenders are always friendly, they've got rosé in a can which makes it easy to consume and I appreciate that and I love the fact that if you need to sit down the seating in the back for you to enjoy. There's even a bar on the main floor right upon entry so in case you ever wanted to go and get a drink from upstairs before your show starts you have an option to. My only drawbacks is that the stage isn't significant elevated, so if you're at a standing room only show, short folks in the back are at a disadvantage. Also, parking in this area is a disaster unless you want to park a distance away or pay a ton at one of the local garages. read more

I went to see Kenyon Dixon for a Monday night show. This was my first time at this venue. I will say it's a little difficult to find, but the space reminds me of a speakeasy. When you walk in, you walk into the bar but have to walk downstairs to the venue space. The space was standing room and very nice. I'd definitely go back to this venue. The bathrooms were clean and even though you're standing, you can still clearly see the stage. read more

Saw Sons of the East live and sat in the back eating area with tables. Service was great throughout the show and really enjoyed the pepperoni pizza. read more

12 dollar happy hour gets you a half pizza and draft beer. Pizza itself is pretty decent, nothing special- the crust tends to run a bit dry. The cheese is pretty solid though. Beer selection for drafts was great- they have some great dark beers that I tried. There is a 20% gratuity included regardless of party size so my friend accidentally tipped 50%, just something to keep in mind. read more

Union Stage - Mumbo pizza - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

LOVE the venue. BUT I speak for a few folks who live on boats and go to your venues a couple of times a week if not three and ask that you nix the boxed wine upstairs and NOT AT PEARL. It's awful and you can do better. The blend you had was passable, but the cans you have downstairs at Union are better than the box wine by a MILE. You're in perhaps the wealthiest mile of D.C. Show some respect for the patrons. Your staff ROCKS at Pearl and Union. Please fix the red wine. Bottles perish but canned wine won't. Thanks for all you do for the hood otherwise. read more

This is a pretty awful venue in terms of actually seeing and enjoying a concert. The floor is not on an incline and the stage is barely raised so unless you're near the front, your view will be obstructed. And forget about buying a seat as there's no way your view will be clear if you are sitting in the back behind everyone else. The whole venue is a basement with a bar. The whole vibe feels pretty poorly thought out and the whole layout of the place feels like a fire trap; God forbid there was an emergency and 400+ people all tried to climb the stone steps at once. I didn't enjoy anything about the place. A guy on crutches came in and the staff weren't even sure if the elevator was working. read more

Union Stage - I am 5 foot 11 inches and could barely see Heilu Mergia when he sat down to play - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Its a Venue. They should be ashamed of themselves offering the "Premier Plus" section for an additional charge. This seated area is too far from the stage to actually enjoy the reason you paid extra for a seat. Their menu isn't very extensive, so don't expect anything more than Mid Bar food. This was my first time here and likely my last. read more

Great small, intimate venue (under 500) to see live music. It's largely standing general admission (there are a few premium tables toward the back) and the sound is always great, even when it's crowded. It's easily one of the best new small spots to see bands in DC. Sure, it's at the Wharf, which is no one's favorite (is anyone from Chicago gushing about Navy Pier?), but I've seen a half dozen shows here from solo acoustic to indie/punk and all have been great. read more

I came here for a Jazz Christmas Concert. Parking is a headache if you don't park in the garage. The venue is nice. You can see the stage from wherever you sit. Drinks are pricey. The menu is very limited, just pizza and salad with one choice of dressing. The pizza was just ok. Nothing special and definitely not worth the price. I did enjoy the performance but I don't think I would be back to another at this location. read more

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Love the shows/artist they bring out. The stage is nice, it's up close and personal, and there's space. It's standing so no seats. EAT AND DRINK BEFORE YOU GO!!! The bartenders don't want to be there and you can tell. Drinks are syrupy AF. Non drinkable especially for diabetics. When you take them back, there's no refund and you still have to pay for the new drink even when you barely drank it and you could see the massive amounts of syrup in the cups. The food is takes forever and is cold by the time you bring it out, and again, no refunds or offers to bring fresh food. Not to mention, the wings are tiny and lack luster in flavor. When you ask them to warm it up in the microwave at the very least, they're still reluctant and have attitudes. Don't waste your money eating or drinking here. The service was trash, the food and drinks are trash. Just go to see the artist and leave it at that. If it was a normal day with no concert, they would've only got 1 star out of me. I was there Friday night read more

Union Stage - Wings, DON'T Buy!! - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We were at Union Stage last night for an event, Ash Music. The event was really fun and the Union Stage staff made it even more memorable. The ambiance was amazing. But above all, the bartenders were super friendly and professionals. Allie served us the whole night and they were amazing! Even as tired as they were, they had a smile on their face all night and made sure we would not wait too long to get our drinks. We loved their service, which made our night even more fun with their tasty drinks. read more

The venue was intimate, bathroom was super clean, the burger was a 10 out of 10 (the food prices was affordable), and the drinks were delicious. Great customer service and the staff made us feel welcome. read more

Mixed thoughts about this venue. I liked the bar area upstairs, the drinks were pretty good if expensive (welcome to DC) and the pizza was better than I expected. The actual venue downstairs was fine except for the total lack of chairs. Maybe I'm just old or lazy but music is never better when you have to stand the whole time. Why not have a seated area and a standing area so you get a choice? I'll go back here to see a show but maybe they can add some chairs next time? read more

Union Stage - Half cheese and tomato pizza - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Intimate concert venue on the Wharf. Staff here is excellent and friendly. Food and drinks are good

The new District Wharf may not be for locals (its glamour attracts tourists and people from the suburbs), but the three music venues inside bring out the locals. Anthem is the biggest followed by Pearl Street Warehouse. Union Stage is the smallest of the three venues, but one of my favorites in DC. It's in an alley in the District Wharf. Once you enter, you can order a variety of draft beer and even a hard cider from the bar upstairs. It's a cash less bar, but they do let you bring your drinks and food downstairs. If you want to chill before the show, there are a few seats upstairs to enjoy a bite. Once you're ready to see your show, head downstairs and pass the check in stand. You'll then enter a large room with a bar to your right, VIP dining in the back and the stage in the front. It can holdup to 516 people, but it still feels small and intimate. read more

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I have been to this venue before as I frequently go to concerts/shows. My first visit the security was extremely friendly and I had an overall pleasant experience. The parking situation was not great and usually I'd have to walk about 10 minutes from parking to venue. No biggie though. My problem with this venue occurred relatively recently. I had purchased tickets for a show occurring in January. Due to covid, the show got postponed. I had no problem waiting for the new dates but then I discovered on social media that the band is playing at a completely different venue, DC9. I wasn't sure if Union stage was affiliated with DC9. As I looked into it, I saw that Union Stage, Jammin Java, Capital Turnaround, or Miracle Theatre are all under the same management. Dc9 is not. I never received a refund from Union Stage, despite their policy stating a refund will be provided if a show is canceled. I emailed Union stage twice. No response. I left a google review and got a response from the management asking me to email them at luke@unionstage. I emailed luke, but yet again no response. It seems to me that this venue just does not respond to their customers and refuses to give refunds. I pretty much wasted $60 for nothing. A shady thing to do especially during these times. Please AVOID this venue! I am going to avoid Union Stage, Jammin Java, Capital Turnaround, and Miracle Theatre. read more

Wish I could rate no stars but unfortunately.... anyways I've been contacting them for over a month now for a show that was postponed requesting a refund. Being as though they guarantee one will be issued if a show is canceled or postponed and in the event you can't attend. Well thats a lie! All they do is send you a email stating that they will respond to you shortly. I'm not sure if they know what shortly is because a month later here we are! No update jus the same ole automated email response. So unprofessional and inconsiderate! Won't be purchasing through them anymore and will warn others not to as well. read more

Union Stage - Unhelpful automated email! - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Cute little music venue in the Wharf area of DC. It is relatively new, and everything there is very nice in terms of facilities. The venue is pretty small (compared to places like MGM or even the 9:30 Club), but it is a very pleasant place to enjoy a show. There is a full bar, a seating area in the back if you're not into crowds/the "pit," and of course, the main floor. Street parking is available near the venue. The only the I would change: the floor is one little rectangle, so there are limited areas where you can stand for a good view. If there could be different standing areas on sides of the stage, or slightly elevated blocks near the back, that would make visibility better. Overall, I had a positive experience here and would look forward to coming back for another concert. read more

Great venue, decently priced drinks lots of fun. We went for a Sydney Sprague concert. Had a blast

Cool venue and sound was good. Bought "premium seats" so I could have a table. When we arrived, the only option was to share a table with strangers. In non-Covid times maybe, but was uncomfortable asking someone to share their table. So get there early to secure a table because there isn't a guarantee you will get your own. Was nice to have a waiter and he was attentive. read more

Union Stage - David Shaw - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This the DMV's newest live music venue. They are tucked away off Pearl St at the Wharf. They have a small bar area when you enter that serves beer & liquor and you can order pizza. Downstairs is the concert venue. A good size room with a stage on one side. They have a small seating area in the back with tables where you can order pizza & beverage. Most of the area is standing room only. Good sound system. They do have an elevator for mobility challenged. Box office is downstairs too & restrooms. You do not have to see a show to sit upstairs. It's a cashless v read more

Union Stage - Upstairs Bar - Music Venues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was easy to get to, and is the usual small "dive" sort of bar on top with the concert venue on the lower level. Another long bar, and bathrooms (which were for the most part, clean). As usual, everything in DC is overpriced and a mandatory 20% tip (which just robs the server), but the 1/2 pizza was decent and the drinks were good. That was upstairs. We had "premium plus" seats so we sat for the first band. Good band from Charlottesville, VA. For Big Wreck we went to the floor and were able to get as close as we normally do and it was a blast. I thought the show was a little short, but maybe there must be some sort of noise ordinance or something. Our 5th time seeing BW. The only thing that should be stressed to people on the floor, this is a GA show. You didn't rent an 8 x 8 foot square that other people have to stay out of. So grow up and join in the big party we all paid for! All of the employees and everyone we met was super nice; Jamal was awesome! I'd return for other shows! read more

An okay place, when the sewer pipes are not leaking on to you... We were here for the 80s party. The sound and lights are okay, not great. What got me really pissed is the leaking sewer pipes from the ceiling. The venue is in the basement, so the entire ceiling of the club is covered with sewer pipes. One of them - right in the middle - was dripping. First I thought someone's drink must've spilled or something. But then... I looked up and the pipe that had "SEWER" written on it was dripping. Disgusting! read more

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I recently came back for Stabbing Westward this week and still have mixed feelings about this place. It was a way better show than Lucy Rose for sure, Stabbing Westward could play the worst venue ever and still everyone would have a great time. So I liked the show itself a ton, but seriously $37 including fees was a bit much, I've paid no more than $20 the last two times I saw them at other venues! No real great line of sight here but I did appreciate the venue a tad more this time around. More like 3.5 stars. I won't be back unless I absolutely love the band. Luckily for me, Lyft rides are only $15 each way - the price to park there! Two more things to note - they really need to step up security. I wasn't even frisked. And what was up with the bouncer not taking a pic of me by the cool entrance sign? Sad... read more

I thought this place was just okay. We paid extra for "premium tickets" but no one was really stopping anybody from going back there. Drinks were overpriced but I mean you're at the Wharf so I guess that makes sense. They also could be more organized. Once again, paid for premium tickets but there wasn't an additional line or special/first entry so we waited for a while in the general line just to get in. Probably wouldn't come back if there was another event... Not the worst place at all, and I'm sure it could get better with these minor changes! read more