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9:30 Club
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars [Edit]
815 V St NW(between N 8th St & N 9th St)
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 265-0930
- Nearest Transit:
-
Shaw Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
U Street Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
345 reviews for 9:30 Club
Review Highlights
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"An absolutely phenomenal concert venue." In 91 reviews -
"nostalgis aside, this place is great to see a show." In 22 reviews -
"An overhanging balcony also keeps it intimate." In 64 reviews
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345 reviews in English
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Review from kathleen d.
Philadelphia, PA
5/15/2012
Based on nostalgia alone, a gazillion stars. During my NoVA/DC years, as I call em, I racked up shows here. Shows a-plenty. Saw more shows here than anywhere else in life. SO, I love it. The end. Fun times. Now the end for real.
Nope, gonna ramble instead: We've seen Shane MacGowan here. Popes and Pogues. We've danced all our parts off with George Clinton who was wearing a sheet, with Toots and the Maytalls, with THE James Brown (!), and David Byrne in a kilt... One time David Johansen made a crazy monkey face at me. I've left covered in GWAR blood spray. So, it's been great. I shouldn't go rattlin' on and on...Ah don't get ol' Grandma-Sappy all sentimental and listin' shows...
Sidenote: Their vegan chilli nachos saved my life, many times. That could be a sub-chapter in my "Lotsa Great Shows, sub-chapter, in "During My NoVA/DC Years" chapter in my upcoming memoir.
I have enjoyed shows upstairs and down, right up front, or way in the back, holding up a the wall. It's a good sized club, not too tiny but performances feel intimate like. The sound here is consistently good... Always great acts coming through this place.
I loved being back and seeing some familiar faces, even.
So, a gazillion and five starsListed in: Music Venues, Lost my mind in the DMV.
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Review from John M.
Washington, DC
5/19/2012
As far as venues of this size go, I'm whelmed. Not overwhelmed by any means and not quite underwhelmed. Sorry if this place is your jam, but it doesn't compare to like-sized venues in other cities (read, for example: my beloved, silver star encrusted First Avenue in Minneapolis). This place draws some quality acts, but the bigger shows sell out fast. Like stupid fast.
It's a pretty barebones club: old warehouse, no sign, no decor of which to speak, but with a pretty good soundsystem. I'd recommend grabbing a few before the show. While they have a good beer selection, they pour them in the tiniest cups you've ever seen, making it less than a great deal, even when taking into account that drinks at shows are always overpriced.
As long as they keep bringing in acts, I'll be there, any grumbling aside. -
Review from Ben S.
4/24/2012
I grew up in the DC burbs. I remember the pride I felt when I won the race to the 9:30 club (the old 9:30 club), though I had to miss most of the headliner because the show didn't end anywhere near the close of metro at the time. The place was such a legend and I was so excited to go, and it was an important milestone in my life. I'm still a bit nostalgic for the old club, the pillar and the punk rock feel of it all, but the new one is an improvement. I didn't realize how spoiled I was having the 9:30 club until I left DC to go to Chicago.
What makes the 9:30 club great:
1) All ages shows - Very few other cities have all ages venues. This no longer impacts me, but I was the teen wanting to see music, and I really appreciate that they are all ages. It is a safe space for kids to hang out. It was something I needed as a kid and I'm happy that any other place offers it.
2) Run by people who love music - Seth and company actually love music and their booking reflects this. They have a sense of the scene and are great at getting high quality bands into the venue.
3) Great Sound - The 9:30 club just has top notch sound. I've seen everyone from Fishbone to Bob Dylan to Morphine. It sounds great with both loud shows and quiet shows.
4) Moveable Stage - the club is incredibly versatile so even when the show isn't a sell out it doesn't feel empty.
5) No seats - I guess there a couple on the balcony, but I've never bothered with that. It helps the energy of the show a tone.
6) Special shows - I've seen Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and others who are simply too big to really be playing this space.
7) Relatively decent bathrooms (I can only vouch for the men's room).
8) Ticket prices are reasonable.
I've never had food or drink here, and I doubt I ever will.
I feel incredibly lucky to have the 9:30 club in DC. -
Review from Nell H.
Washington, DC
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Perfect size to see smaller acts. Almost never a bad "seat" for a show and plenty of bars to choose from all with a view of the stage. It can get crammed for bigger bands/dance parties, but I don't think that's surprising for any venue. Great staff, very patient and friendly. Love the basement bar and highly recommend the alcoholic slushies and 90s dance parties!
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Review from Sheena A.
Baltimore, MD
4/4/2012
The actual live shows are always great.
The downside is that the employees are always rude.
I had a mishap at the downstairs bar where it was the end of the night and they did not call "last call". I had a tab started on my credit card and when I went to pick up my card, they did not have it with them. I had to fight to get my card back from them, because they swore that I had already closed out. After 20 minutes of fighting with the bartender of the night, insisting they had my card, they finally checked upstairs (from their drawer from the night) and located my card. -
Review from Amy C.
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a great performance venue--intimate and very chill. It reminds me a lot of Irving Plaza in NYC. The security moves the line through the front door very quickly and without incident. The bar in the basement is a great escape if you need a break from the crowd in main room.
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Review from Ellen C.
3/14/2012
Essentially this was a pretty typical music venue by all means. It certainly didn't "feel" the most sanitary, but do they ever?
I will say I was pleased by the $2 coat check because was not about to lug around my big arse coat or sweat to death for the next two hours. Retrieving your coat two songs before the last is KEY to avoid the massive line that forms at the end of the show.
The one drink I had was not exactly the most potent, but it was a nice hand accessory for a couple of hours.
This review is not very informative, I know, but you should be okay going here . . . all righty, then? -
Review from Nina U.
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Traffic in and out of DC wasn't too bad this time around and thank goodness for GPS. I don't know how we did it before navigation. Actually, I know how...we got lost several times and eventually lucked out and found our way out of the city.
The 9:30 Club is in an industrial style building in a pretty decent neighborhood (a lot better than it used be known for). Best bet is to pre-purchase parking ahead of time on their website where you buy tickets. $12 with guaranteed spot ahead of time vs. $15 at the driveway if they have any spaces available. Their parking lot is behind the building and very convenient. You will also see signs for other lots nearby if planning ahead isn't your forte.
Pick up your tickets at the Will Call window near the front of the line while your friends hold a place in line. The best reason to get there early when the doors open is to snag a 9:30 chocolate with chocolate fudge frosting cupcake for $3. They run out quickly but I was lucky to find two left upstairs at the coffee bar. I suspect they don't make very many but I like to believe they run out early because they are the best cupcakes ever. Or maybe it was over-the-top fabulous in my head because t didn't expect such a sweet treat at a concert venue. I'm easily pleased.
Second best reason to arrive early is to get a good spot. There is no age limit here. Live music is food for the soul and the 9:30 Club shows no discrimination to share that with fans of all ages. It is up to you and/or parents to use discretion. So the crowd can vary depending on the band. I went to see Augustana and they also had a great 3 girl band from Baltimore followed by Tattoo6 from London, also great! Augustana came on at 10:30 and played all the way until 12:30.
The floor is all open and even standing at the back will give you a good view unless you are super short. There are two full bars on either side of the floor with an impressive selection of draft beers and bottles for a club. The little kitchen has snacks and easy to eat food too like paninis. Then there's the upstairs bar along with the coffee bar/barista that is good for your drive home. Upstairs everyone will stand against the railings so get your spot unless you'd rather have a place to sit on the concrete benches where you can also stand.
If you check out their website, the popular bands are already sold out for this summer so plan ahead!Listed in: Live Music Feeds the Soul
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Review from Rob B.
Washington, DC
4/12/2012
Awesome place
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Review from Kvatch K.
Washington, DC
1/12/2012
Haven't been to the 9:30 in years, but now that I'm back in DC it was time for a visit, and here are the impressions:
It's smaller than I remember. Somehow when I saw Emmet Swimming here in 96, only months after 9:30 moved from its original location on F Street, the club seemed larger.
View from the balconies is outstanding!
$4 for water?!!!? You've got to be kidding. I'd pay less for human blood plasma!
Turn the volume the F*CK DOWN!!! I mean I've heard some loud concerts in my time, but this is Thievery Corporation for god-sake, and it shouldn't be so loud that it's painful even through one's earplugs.
What do you mean you have to take away my $4 water!?
I'll be back I'm sure, but it's a mixed bag at this classic venue. -
Review from John Z.
Avon, IN
4/2/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I caught the Joy Formidable show here in March and loved this place. This is definitely a cut above other venues like BlackCat or U Street Music Hall. The bar had a great variety of beers on tap and in bottles and bar service was fairly quick. I also liked that they had a balcony with great sight lines. The sound system also rocked in such an intimate venue, and the lighting effects were amazing - although the latter may be a credit more to the band than the venue. This was my first visit here and I'm definitely a fan.
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Review from Bob L.
I think I'm done going to concerts. That's exactly how I felt when I walked out of the 9:30 Club following a Friday night show that included two opening acts (both forgettable) and the headliner, The Naked and Famous. With the exception of my wonderful company, this show (and the venue) was an utter disappointment. Before you go to a concert at the 9:30 club you need to know one thing...it's basically standing room only. There are concrete benches upstairs but people will stand in front of you all along the railing during the entire show and you won't be able to see. In other words, be prepared to stand for a very long time. Oh, and if you're under 5' 7" tall and not standing along the upstairs railing or in the first few rows by the stage you will have trouble seeing the show.
The Venue
So the doors were scheduled to open at 8pm. We arrived around 7:30 hoping to grab a bite at the Backbar, a connected dining space where you're supposed to be able to eat and head directly up to the show. Wrong. The guy in the Plexiglas booth annoyingly informed me that it was "closed because there are too many people". WTF does that mean? The small line outside was about 15 people when we got there. Whatever. To their credit, the doors did open at almost exactly 8pm.
Upon entering you'll be asked to show your ID and if you've got a bag of any kind they'll need to search it. No bigs; pretty standard everywhere now. To the right are doorways that lead on to the main floor and to the left is a staircase leading up to the mezzanine level. We didn't know it yet, but it would turn out that the next 40 minutes or so would be the best part of the evening.
The club is pretty small but with a familiar feel. Having been to similar venues like Cleveland's Agora, there were no surprises. The main floor, SRO, is high-ceilinged and open with bars flanking both sides. There's a nice little cubby with booths and tables toward the rear that offers a welcome respite. The upstairs reminded me of a high school gym with its concrete steps and iron railing. The color scheme, dark with plenty of black. There's also a small coffee bar upstairs along with another full bar with limited seating. The club also features sticky floors throughout which really add to the ambiance.
The Acoustics
In a word, shitty. Maybe it was just the engineer working the board at this show, but it was awful. Imagine being stuck in the back of a low rider with two 16" woofers behind your head cranked to 11 and you'll get the idea. The bass was so overwhelming that it distorted and drowned out just about everything in its path. I'm all for some nice thump in the mix but this was downright painful. I am so glad we brought ear plugs (which you should always do anyway). I couldn't really tell you how the two opening acts were given the sound situation, but they looked like they were having fun. As for Naked and Famous, I was happy I had listened to their album through several times so I was able to pick out some recognizable pieces from the mushed up audible assault.
The Food
This is one of the highlights of the 9:30 club. Most concert venues of this ilk don't offer food. If you get there early enough you need to head out to the main floor and over to the small window under the sign that reads "Food Food". They've got some decent Panini sandwiches and the 9:30 cupcakes reminded me of Hostess in a good way. They've also got a fairly robust beer menu with several local crafts on tap and in bottles. Cheers to that.
The Parking
We ordered the parking online with our tickets. It was $12 (yeah, I know) but it did provide a private, monitored lot located right behind the venue. Convenient and safe.
The Wrap-Up
After spending nearly 5 hours on my feet (we left at 12:45am while the band was still playing) being beaten over the head with bass and annoyed by the throngs of oblivious onlookers I think I might be through with concerts like this. I used to enjoy being out with the masses, united by our common like for the music we were about to enjoy. Now it just seems that everyone has become so self-absorbed and inconsiderate that it's just not worth the trouble. I doubt I'll be back but I'm sure there will be plenty of unemployed new college grads still living with their parents who'll need a break from occupying "insert location name here" that will take my place. -
Review from Lucas D.
Washington, DC
Updated - 3/17/2012
+1 star for having a lot of foreign musicians and bands (Coeur de Pirate, Housse de Racket, CSS, etc)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/31/2011
I love the 930 club. I've been a few times and just went to Lissie the other night (which was… Read more »
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Review from Colin M.
Arlington, VA
4/20/2012
Whatever. I always have a great time at the 9:30 club. It has its share of flaws, but the experiences that it provides always trumps the little annoyances like parking and underage kids with terrible fake IDs. I've never shown up overly early, but I always manage to get a decent spot with a good view of the stage... I guess it helps that I'm tall. As a beer guy, their selection is great. I don't know who the other Yelpers are who complained about service, but all of the bartenders have been really friendly and prompt with me. I think it's about waiting patiently, treating them with respect, and tipping adequately, shocking concept right? I also like the intimate feel that the club provides, much better than the stadium effect that a lot of other venues go for nowadays. Unless you want to go all the way to Baltimore, I tihnk that the 930 is the superior spot for music in DC.
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Review from Tim M.
Vienna, VA
3/3/2012
Love the venue itself but hate the staff. They are all on a power trip. Crap people.
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Review from Robert T.
Washington D.C., DC
1/23/2012
I won't try and give a full review, but do know that they are cracking down very hard on intoxication at the venue. The last show I attended, Lucero and the Drive-By Truckers, security booted an older man, probably in his 50s, for appearing too drunk. This was before the show started. I can imagine that they staff will be looking at underage attendees even closer.
The concession prices are what they are. The security can seem a bit gruff, but they run a pretty efficient ticket line.
Try and pick up tickets at the box office instead of ordering online to try and avoid some convenience and shipping fees.
There is a coat check for $2 an item. Definitely a good idea for the cold winter months.
The sound in the place is not very good and they try to mask the sorry acoustics with 'loud'. So be ready for that. -
Review from Jake W.
Springfield, VA
3/20/2012
ive spent many a night at 930 club, which for the most part is unfortunate. the drinks are extremely expensive for the quality and amount you get. the shows usually start late, i once waited over an hour from the time the door opened to the start of the show. tickets are usually reasonably priced though.
never tried the food but it doesnt look particularly good. beer selection is decent but like i said ridiculously expensive ($5-$11 a beer) and they short you if its a high abv beer. also the selection varies at each of the 3 bars, sometimes the price and amount do too.
i do like the upstairs balcony area. its nice that they have it has some raised platforms up there to sit on if you are tired or stand on if you want a better view but it would be better if they put some tables and chairs up there. the upstairs bar area has like a little section in front of it with some stools but for some reason its always roped off and "reserved," whatever. theres also a coffee bar upstairs though ive never ordered anything from there, seemed too expensive.
its unfortunate that this is one of only a couple music venues in dc because its not that great. but what else are you gonna do if you want to see a band you like? if your are just looking for a live show and it doesnt really matter whos playing the music, go to black cat instead. its cheaper, more comfortable and offers more variety. -
Review from Major P.
Tustin, CA
12/19/2011
10/08/2010
"0DFx aka Zero Defects & The 9:30 Club"
Whoa - I just found My "Zero Defects" Tee Shirt which was given to me by A Hottie Irish Neo Surfer/Punk Rock Lass Years Ago, back during "My Skateboarding / Loved To Fight /Cause Unnecessary Drama In Punk/Grunge Bars Dayz.".
My All - Time - Favorite - Punk Rock Bar was "The 9:30 Club." in Washington, D. C (located at 0815 "V" Street, NW, between N. 8th St & N. 9th Street). Without - A - Doubt, that Club had all D. C. Area Bras Beat "Hands - Down."
Back during The Early 1980's, I would walk into that bar and see more pierced nipples and radical tattoos than anywhere else. I used to "Take Out My United States Marine Corps Frustrations," by frequenting "The 9:30 Club." "Slam - Dancing had become "The New Craze" in underground bars around the US. I would "Slam Dance" knocking - out several patrons. "The Whacked Thang" is often before knocking Someone out, he would succumb to one of my head butts, and fall to the floor. Then, He (I never "Slammed" with Women), would say something like, "Wow, you can really Slam!". I would then respond, "Shut up, and get up." He would, and I would proceed to "Knock - Him - Out.
I Laughed - My - Bum - Off, when I watched Kevin Costner in the movie "NO WAY OUT." As A Second Lieutenant stationed at MCDEC Quantico, Virginia, The US Navy Commander Character depicted by Costner had nothing on me. Regarding The Women who frequented "The 9:30 Club;" Some of The Most - Powerful Families / The Richest Families, who hailed from the Maryland / Virginia areas would have Cringed, had They known that Their "Little Sweet Polly Pure Bread" Daughters were often Regulars at "The 9:30 Club." They had LOTS of Money (and often Diplomatic Immunity).
After A Night with such Lasses, I often ended - up "Comatose" the next morning at Georgetown University GU). In fact, during one such weekend, I woke up to the sounds of GU Students asking "is he alive?" I was passed - out in my Jeep, which was parked on top of some campus shrubbery. That was the morning I first laid eyes on THE Hottest Coed whom I had ever seen at GU !!!
In 2010 (after 28 years), I finally E-Mailed Her a photograph which I took from my Jeep that morning. However, I did not tell Her that I had a HUGE Crush on Her back during the early 1980's. Today, You know Her as Jenny Sanford (the former wife of Infamous South Carolina Governor).
I have obviously Been In Too Many Skateboard - Surfboard Accidents / Killed Too Many Brain Cells / Been in Too Many Fights at Underground/Punk Rock Bars, because I had to track - down a blog by Band Member Brad Warner to even Refresh My Memory regarding such Bands as "0DFx aka Zero Defects".....
Semper Fi,
"Major Pain" -
Review from Christina L.
Pleasanton, CA
12/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Fun venue. Saw Mat Kearney and Manchester Orchestra. Would have loved to go to more shows.
You can get food, coffee & drinks here while listening to live music. What else could you want?! -
Review from Oscar S.
Germantown, MD
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a huge fan of the 9:30 Club! I've coming here since the mid 90s. The venue itself has a nice layout. My most recent show was to see my favorite group, "G. Love & Special Sauce". The show rocked as usual, and at the end we got to meet G. Love, which was awesome as well!
I like the layout of the place, you can either be downstairs where it gets super crowded, or upstairs where you can also get a good view of the show and be less crowed. My favorite spot is is by the downstairs right side bar. It hardly ever gets crowded and of course, you're right next to the bar..duh!
Definitely worth checking out if you've never been. My advice would be to get there early to avoid the long lines. -
Review from Brian B.
7/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. How could a legendary institution in its own right like 9:30 have sunk to such an embarrasing low? This living homage to rock and punk which once hosted bands like The Police, The Ramones, The Psychadelic Furs and Fugazi now hosts a 90s cheez pop party called "No Scrubs." The place was packed with loonies wearing 90s garb like Jason Priestly vests, bumblebee costumes and tie-dyes underneath overalls. Worse, the sweaty hordes were literally screaming and brought nearly to orgasm by the likes of Warrant and C&C Music Factoy. But let me tell you, the song that really brought the house down was that "Feel the Vibrations" nonsense from Marky Mark. I mean, who are these people who go for this kind of crap? Marky fucking Mark being played at 9:30? The end of an era is upon us, and this may also be a sign of the apocalypse.
If 9:30 has to debauch and disgrace itself to stay afloat then it's simply not the draw it used to be. And if it's not the draw it used to be then it's past its time and needs to fix itself. And if it can't fix itself, then it needs to shut its doors before history starts remembering it as a lame joke.
The staff here looked ashamed; their attempts to conceal it with aloofness were in vain. But hey, I guess it's all about stuffing pockets these days, and this event clearly made money hand over fist. So much for integrity. So much for credibility. So much for 9:30.Listed in: Disasterpieces.
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Review from Dawn B.
11/6/2011
Ok, so it wasn't 9:30 when I went there, but who cares because this place is amazing! I went there for Bhrangraween last weekend and had a blast. The place was clean and ladies... it still had toilet paper and paper towels in the bathroom at 2am! This place had great acoustics. I could hear the music dj rehka was playing from anywhere in the club and not feel like I had hearing loss. It was packed, but everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves.
One drawback is like most clubs the line is outside so even after you pick up your tickets at will call you still have to wait in the cold until showtime. -
Review from Kristine U.
Washington, DC
9/30/2011
PROTIP: The next time I see Arctic Monkeys here (as they are My Very Favorite Band, Ever) - or any other band I absolutely have to be in the front row watching - I'll trust my gut instinct and take advantage of the early happy hour entrance time, just so I don't have to bother with 6'2" bros standing in front of my 5'2" frame. It's really annoying.
Anyways! Other than that, I've always had a great time at the 9:30 Club - from seeing my favorite bands to hanging out for Soundbites, there's never been any issues with the venue, at all. It's got a grungy vibe, great beer selection, and a nice setup.
Best part: If you're signed up for their listserv, they usually give out free tickets to a sold-out show if you join their Twitter or Facebook page and tell them! Scored some tickets to The XX last year by doing this -- best thing ever.
Yay 9:30! Of course I'll be back. -
Review from Laura P.
Arlington, VA
9/5/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Favorite concert venue in DC - hands down. I've seen numerous concerts here and don't want to go to any other spot really. You want to know why? It's big enough to have a nice crowd, but small enough for that intimate feeling. Bars on each side of the main floor, upstairs bar, and a basement bar to grab drinks before the show starts. It's a sweet spot!
Don't change 9:30 club - keep booking all of my favorite artists and I will come! -
Review from Will C.
10/18/2011 1 photo
I saw The Smashing Pumpkins here last night with Light FM and Fancy Space People opening. Light FM was good, but you'd have to be drugged out on something wicked to even make it through Fancy Space People's set. The very definition of a trainwreck and the worst opening act I've ever seen!
The Pumpkins are pretty much my favorite band of all-time, and I had heard so many good things about the 9:30 Club being an intimate venue, with very limited seating, and a vibrant atmosphere that I thought for sure that the combination of the two couldn't disappoint- and it didn't!
The venue supposedly seats just over 1,000-- but, it seemed a lot smaller than that. Even the worst seat in the house is a good seat in the house. This truly is an intimate club setting, and the smallest venue I've seen a big-time rock band in.
Because the club is set up such that there are two levels, you get a different experience depending upon where you sit. I got to the club at about 7:15, and staked out a spot in the balcony by the railing because I wanted to see more of Billy Corgan's guitar gestures and the Pumpkins' cute new bassist. I was probably no more than 50 feet from the stage.
If I were standing on the stage floor, I definitely wouldn't have that vantage point provided that I left work early and staked out a front row spot.
Wicked sound system setup. I could feel my heart palpitating at unhealthy levels in sync with Mike Byrne's drumming to Geek USA. I wore earplugs (I suggest everyone wear earplugs to concerts : D) so my hearing wasn't shot, but standing that close to those massive 30 foot speakers-- I'm sure lots of others' ears are ringing today.
There are quite a few bars positioned throughout the club, so that you're never that far away from grabbing a drink. On the balcony, the bar is positioned aft from the stage, but still provides a great vantage point of the concert. On the stage floor, two bars on opposite sides of the room and perpendicular to the stage.
About 3 blocks from the U Street Metro, so it's really within walking distance and you might as well just take the metro--- IF you don't attend a concert on a weekday. Which leads me to this: My only gripe is that the last train running out of U Street leaves at 11:52 on a Monday, which meant I had to leave the concert before the Pumpkins even played their encore if I didn't want to be stuck competing for a taxi cab.
Staff and security is pretty laidback. Really makes it that more enjoyable.
Overall, this is a great venue for a concert. The acoustics are quite amazing regardless of the type of show you go to. Crowd energy isn't crazy, but still very vibrant. And, the Pumpkins played a GREAT concert. Starla, Siva, Soma, and Thru the Eyes of Ruby, and Corgan attempting to do tongue twisters made it a pretty amazing experience. -
Review from Jack W.
Washington, DC
2/28/2012
It's unconscionable that this place doesn't net 5 stars. This place is a fairly large downtown music venue so you're going to get all the obnoxiousness that those kinds of places bring -- drunk folk, somewhat testy ticket checkers, lots of people crowding around you, long lines at the bars, etc. But, oh, the groups they bring in, the sound system, and the closeness of the place. It's pretty hard to beat, especially in DC. You get that close-in feel with the band -- it feels much more like a small venue than a large concert hall. 9:30 club succeeds here enormously where DAR Constitution Hall and, weirdly, smaller venues like 6th and I Synagogue fail. I saw Beirut with a friend here and it was magical. You just don't get that feeling from other concert venues in the area bigger than a few hundred people (I'm making an exception for you, Black Cat).
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Review from Dan H.
10/2/2011
9:30 Club is one of the better clubs I've been to. The staff are all real cool, the place is kept up well, and at the bars they have a great selection of beers and they serve food (which is actually pretty good). Not all the beers on tap are the same at the 3 bars so it behooves you to stop by each one.
I saw the Air Guitar National Championships there and most recently Kyuss with The Sword...both awesome shows! The layout is nice, you can head to the upper deck horseshoe to get a better view and get away from the groundlings.
Only downer is trying to buy tickets through their website - it routes you through Ticketfly which charges you a few stupid service and processing fees (isn't that what the ticket price is for?)...so count on adding about $10 to the ticket price. Lame. -
Review from Samantha G.
Washington, DC
7/11/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Oh 9:30 Club, you are one of the best around. No seriously, easily one of the top 5 concert venues in the entire country. It's small, but not too small. It's dive-y and has character, but you don't feel like you are catching a disease by being there. The sound quality is pretty great and there isn't really a bad spot in the entire place. Plus, they have decent beers on tap.
Helpful tips (well, things that I have learned / have found helpful):
- The forum section on the 9:30 Club website is a great resource for finding out all kinds of venue and band info.
- Never park in the parking lot. Skip paying for parking and arrive early enough so you can just park on the street .
- If you arrive early enough, my favorite spot is upstairs by the bar. There is a small bar top area with stools that faces the stage - so you can sit down while waiting for the show to start (and sit through the opener if they suck).
- They always run out of toilet paper in the downstairs restroom. Grab a handful of paper towels before entering a stall.
When I lived in DC, I was at the 9:30 Club pretty much once a week. And now every time I come back to DC, I make sure to check out a show here.Listed in: 5 Star Glory, DC Adventures
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Review from Rachel M.
Washington, DC
10/25/2011
Went to my first concert this past weekend since moving to DC (Mat Kearney), and I'm not sure any venue will stand up to the 9:30 Club now.
I much prefer small venues for shows, but often times those small venues can be quite grungy and if you get there late, you might not have the best view. While we arrived early for the concert and were only two rows back from the stage, there also seemed to be a great view from the balcony for those who arrived a bit later. The whole venue was very well kept, and the three bars made getting a drink quick and easy. Not only that, but they had a good selection on tap, which I was surprised by.
Since they don't go through Live Nation, the ticket prices were very reasonable, even with the service charges.
During the show, Kearney said DC was one of his favorite places to perform, that there was just something different about the show and audience and that the 9:30 Club is "what dreams are made of". I agree. The vibes were awesome, the show was great, and I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Simone P.
Washington, DC
6/18/2011
I never write reviews, but I felt compelled after tonight. I enjoy the 9:30 Club as a venue, but certain members of their staff are unbelievably unprofessional. Tonight at the Marina & the Diamonds concert, the bouncer outside the doors was really rude. My friends and I (a group of four girls and one guy) pregamed the concert, which is pretty standard. We mixed vodka and coke in a paper cup, and drank a little in the car after we parked. One of my friends finished the drink on the corner across the street from 9:30 Club. After we crossed the street, she dropped the empty cup in the trash can by the box office. Immediately the bouncer swooped in behind us, snatched the cup out of the trash, and sniffed it. He made a noise of affirmation and passed it to another staff member, who sniffed it and nodded in agreement.
He then demanded to see my friend's ID. As she is over 21, she handed it to him without protest. He scrutinized the ID for a good 30 seconds, but obviously couldn't argue with it and finally just said, "You know it's illegal to have an open drink on the streets of DC." Yes, we know, but you aren't the police. If a cop had called us on it, that would have been another thing, and understandable. However, it's not a bouncer's job to police of-age patrons' drinking, unless they are belligerently or obnoxiously drunk, which my friend clearly wasn't. He then informed her that she wouldn't be allowed to drink inside! They stamped her hands so she couldn't buy a drink at the bar. OK?? The whole reason we pregamed was so we wouldn't have to spend money on drinks! Way to limit your own business.
I would have understood if we were a group of underage teenagers, but all of us were 21. We are well within our rights to be drinking, and it's not a bouncer's business what we do outside of 9:30 Club property.
Indeed, our group might have ordered drinks during/after the concert, but we were so turned off by the bouncer's behavior that we took our alcohol business elsewhere afterward. I will likely avoid 9:30 Club as much as possible in the future. It's not fun to deal with bouncers on power trips.
Marina & the Diamonds, on the other hand, were awesome! -
Review from Damon L.
1/23/2012
Came here to see Spearhead and this place is HUGE!!! Great sound and good drink specials.
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Review from Kelly G.
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: I tweeted "@yelpdc rocks more than a sick riff!" and won a ticket to the US Air Guitar championship at the 9:30 Club 6/11/11
I love the 9:30 Club. I saw "The Afro Cuban All Stars" there. I was there for Maceo Parker's DC return. But I couldn't stay for this performance. My ears were ringing to begin with. The sick guitar riffs did nothing but make the situation worse.
Oh I'll be back. Some other time. Oh, and I feel you Vonetta Y. on the seating situation. "My feet..."
But overall, I'm a fan of 9:30 Club. It's A-OK with me.Listed in: You, yew, ewe, and U Street!
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Review from Elise O.
Shepherdstown, WV
8/16/2011
I really struggled with how many stars to give 9:30 club because i've been to so many amazing shows here. they showcase a lot of rock, whether it be metal or screamo or indie. we usually go to see Umphrey's Mcgee or Lotus, as we are more the jamband type. But i've also seen Coheed and Cambria here as well as Fall of Troy and Horse the Band. And also used-to-be-credible-but-now-is-hipster Avett Brothers.
the place itself is kind of small. you must really elbow your way to the bar for a drink. no place to sit down, don't even think about sitting down in the bathroom unless you're on the can. They give free ice cold water at the bar which is a huge plus. the upstairs is nice but usually crammed. we usually just stay downstairs.
to be fair, the venue itself gets a solid four stars, while the staff gets a freaking NEGATIVE star. they all have their little power-trips and can really, really ruin your whole night. as a hippie on the jamband scene, let me warn you other hippies/jamband fans/ravers/partiers, the security here is NO JOKE.
you will never, never, never be able to get away with smoking in here. one time we managed a completely ingenious system of smoking that involved quickly passing the joint as soon as you hit it to the person next to you, who continued to pass it on to their left. we had to be super quick and the security was on to us in a snap, but we outwitted him. by the time he chased down the smell the roach had already been stomped out. this is the only time we've ever attempted and will probably never again.
last year a friend of ours went in the bathroom stall with a friend, and since I guess males don't have bathroom buddies very often, a staff member got suspicious and searched them both and kicked them out. bad enough, right? well as soon as friend went to pay the cab driver he realized the staff had stolen his wad of cash--$400--while searching him.
oh and NO GLOWSTICKS. you will not be allowed to bring them in. they'll throw them away. if you manage to sneak some in, staff does regular rounds finding them and snatching them.
staff is always rude. don't go in the bathroom 2 at a time, obviously. don't smoke. don't bring glowsticks. just get wasted and RAGE!! -
Review from Laura P.
9:30 Club is my go-to place of entertainment in Washington DC. I've seen a bunch of performers here, from Chromeo to Odd Future (OFWGKTA), Childish Gambino to Matt Nathanson, and others (Portlandia tour, coming up this spring). The staff is incredibly friendly and everyone in the place, staff and audience, is there to have a good time. The shows are run very strategically, everything working together to make each experience a good one. The venue is easy to get to via metro and only a short walk from the metro stop. The place itself is dark and intimate, as is expected of a small concert hall. I'm a big fan and I suspect my love for 9:30 club will only grow stronger.
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Review from Eddie J.
Austin, TX
2/12/2012
Perhaps the small-venue to watch a concert....ever!
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Review from Melissa W.
Washington, DC
9/14/2011
I went to yell at the Yelle concert at 9:30 (well, at 10:30 to be exact) :P a few months ago. The line was well managed, my tickets were eagerly awaiting me at the booth, it felt safe, the space was large and well air-conditioned, the bars were on the ball, and the acoustics were crisp. I really have no complaints.
You have so many options when it comes to how you want to watch the show: 1) right in the mosh pit 2) upstairs on some bleacher type benches, or 3) leaning on the railing on the second floor. I started upstairs on the railing, where I could see all the crowd downstairs (pretty cool way to be at a concert without feeling smushed the whole time) and then later in the night I did squeeze my way into the jumping body of bodies.
The only thing about this venue is it sells out quick for big shows, so get on their site often to pick out what you want to catch months from now! -
Review from Helen V.
8/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Sia! Ximena!
930 Club doesn't lie to you when they say 'every seat in the house is a good seat'. At 5 feet tall, that's a big thing for me to admit to for this venue. In addition, I love 930 Club's beer selection and full bar. Yup, that means you can get your craft brews and mixed cocktails. :)
Just be on the lookout, since 930 club has 3 different bars, they have different beers available at each bar.
It's always a treat to be here, hear talent, and drink well! -
Review from Mike S.
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ah 9:30 Club! Stepping foot in here is like being back in high school, only now I can drink (legally). Last night was the first time I have been there in about 5+ years and it is exactly as I remembered it, except surprisingly less dingy. You got your wide open space, two bars on opposite sides of the club so that you never have to wait too long for a drink and even a little food bar.
As Venu stated, I am pretty surprised that people are saying they have great acoustics. The acoustics last night were actually pretty terrible. Don't get me wrong, that won't stop me from going back if a band that I like is playing but if I have a choice, I'd rather head over to Black Cat.Listed in: U Know It!
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Review from Ceylan T.
Washington, DC
12/30/2011
It used to be awesome. Now it is still a place to be respected for good music and atmosphere though no longer the hub of creativity as before. The main reason is not any lameness on the part of the managers or the clientele but more the death of the formerly glorious DC punk scene.
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Review from Stephanie S.
Silver Spring, MD
12/30/2011
9:30 Club has amazing events and a is all around a good venue. They have great beers that you normally wouldn't find elsewhere. The crowd is pretty diverse, although that of course can vary depending on the act.
