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Backstage
Categories: Shopping Arts & Crafts Costumes Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Costumes, Bookstores [Edit]
545 8th St SE(between S E St & S G St)
Washington, DC 20003
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast
(202) 544-5744
- Nearest Transit:
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Eastern Market Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
15 reviews for Backstage
Review Highlights
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"There were masks, wigs and all manner of odds and ends..." In 6 reviews -
"...for all of my last minute crazy costume needs (which I..." In 3 reviews -
"...two absolutely beautiful Venetian masks for an upcoming NYE..." In 4 reviews
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15 reviews in English
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Review from Ashley K.
11/2/2011
This place is SO much fun! I was there during the Halloween rush, but I hope I can find an excuse to visit here again when it's not so busy. I needed a last minute accessory for a Halloween costume, and I was relieved to find that I wouldn't have to drive into the 'burbs to the nearest Party City because Backstage is conveniently located very close to where I work.
It's a small place, but it's bigger than it looks from the outside. The downstairs is dedicated to rentals, the upstairs has costumes and accessories, and there's even a whole room dedicated to wigs and makeup. I think I spent an hour just looking at everything before I even remembered what I had stopped in here for. They have a huge assortment of costumes and accessories, and if for some reason they don't have exactly what you are looking for, they employees will help you figure out an alternative. They're very knowledgeable and helpful! -
Review from Nicole G.
Washington, DC
7/18/2011
I love that this place exists! Perfect for all of my last minute crazy costume needs (which I never thought I'd have so many!)
Fake mustaches and spirit gum, mardi gras masks, crazy wigs, dance quality tights. Those are only my most recent purchases. This place really has it all. -
Review from Samuel M.
Memphis, TN
6/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
My grandfather and I swung by to pick up some wigs and fake mustaches for a family movie project. It's a geeky tradition, don't ask too many questions.
The staff was helpful, and slightly condescending in a humorous manner. We had absolutely no idea what we were doing but they worked through our extensive needs list. When they didn't have what were looking for they even helped us come up with alternatives.
The store is rather small, but has a great feel. I can't speak to how well it serves serious theater, but it met our needs just right. -
Review from Brian B.
F*ckin'-A, this is a cool little store! If you ever need fake rotten teeth, a Mexican wrestler mask (Who doesn't?), or any sort of costume or costume accessory, then Backstage, Inc is definitely your place.
Wanna dress up like Cruella De Vil? They got ya covered.
Wanna dress up like a meth-addicted pirate hooker? Backstage has your back.
Wanna dress up like an un-dead Snow White lumberjack transformer? You're in my bedroom right now.
I visited today and bought two absolutely beautiful Venetian masks for an upcoming NYE event. Hung on the wall directly on the left as you walk in, they had 7 or 8 dozen to choose from, and that's a conservative figure. The masks continue on the wall behind the checkout counter and also hang from the ceiling virtually throughout the entire place. The more ornate costumes (cloaks, dresses, Princess Leah gowns, animal suits, etc) are on the racks just under and to the right of the masks. On the right are the fancier accessories such as angel wings, chalices, capes, etc. In the first little room on the right one can find silly beards, mustaches, eye patches, swords, robot masks, farm animal noses, Indiana Jones whips, handcuffs- you get the point. In the back room you'll primarily find wigs, and there were a hundred of them if there was one.
As I was browsing, a very friendly employee was at my beck and call for advice and assistance. When it was checkout time, she complimented me on my fuzzy floppy squirrel hat (bonus points), and didn't even charge me 5 cents for the plastic bag (double super extra bonus points.) Backstage, Inc is a costume emporium. They have what you're looking for, no matter how silly, sick, depraved, offensive or tacky it might be.Listed in: I Get My Thrill in Capitol…, Five Star Establishments!
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Review from Alison R.
Arlington, VA
6/20/2011
Fantastic , helpful, friendly staff. Tons of scripts and paraphenalia for your costuming needs.
I needed to cover a tattoo for a trip to a conservative, yet sweaty, part of ghana and they patiently helped me find the perfect coverage without trying to upsale me. (Ben Nye blue neutralizer- 1) -
Review from Tara L.
12/16/2009
Do you know how many Tina Turner wannabes are running around DC this holiday season?
Apparently a ton. I overheard a Backstage Inc. employee tell an inquiring customer that they were out of their TWELVE Tina Turner costumes for rental. That's a dozen Tina's running around the DC area in a 24-hour period. He said this is the case every year.
Did I miss something? I could have sworn that after Santa, the second most popular costume would be an elf, or something but no, no. It's Tina Turner.
The gentleman that reported this information was very helpful, although a bit stressed. Perhaps his Dungeons and Dragons game didn't go well earlier.
Walking into Backstage Inc. is somewhat of a magical experience. I started laughing out loud as soon as I walked into the small shop, lined with every kind of mythical figurehead imaginable. I was just waiting for some fairies, warlocks and gnomes to wander out of the crevices to greet me.
All jokes aside, the variety of costumes for rental here is, dare I say un-matched in the DC area. Because they provide costuming for a number of local theaters and shows, the intricacies and vast array of thematic costumes is amazing.
Don't even think about trying to snag one of these costumes for your next furries convention. You will be charged a $600 deposit if your costume is not returned within 24 hrs. -
Review from Laura T.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2008
Backstage's employees are absolutely fantastic--despite the intense claustrophobia of being surrounded by hundreds of baggies filled with costumes in a hallucinogenic spectrum of colours, being buffeted to and fro by bumbling Hill-types pawing through sexy frog and ninja costumes, and generally having their workspace overrun by loud teenagers picking out French Maid outfits, and red-faced Republicans (all uniformly wearing blazers, white shirts, khakis and red ties) and their hideous shrieky girlfriends--they kept their cool and their senses of humour, bemused smiles in place, and were unbelievably helpful.
The wig guy helped me pick out a pair of false eyelashes for my costume (Alex from "A Clockwork Orange") and gave me some tips on trimming their length down for accuracy. I overheard the makeup guy giving a customer tips on applying facepaint.
Downstairs was the rental area. I saw people carrying out a bunch of really beautiful costumes and it looks like rental prices range from $30 - $100+, so if you're in the mood to splurge, totally go for it. -
Review from Gayle G.
Woodbridge, VA
11/8/2006
Oops! I flaked on reviewing this place before Halloween. A friend who is an actor told me about Backstage. It is the headquarters for anyone who does theatre, since Backstage sells scripts, trades, and sheet music. But, it is not just for theatre geeks.
Backstage also offers costume rentals and sales.And they have so much more than the corny devil horns or angel wings. Whether you want to dress up as a Renaissance queen or king, or maybe a bumble bee and anything in between..hit up Backstage! -
Review from Cynthia R.
Washington, DC
10/24/2007 1 photo
If it were up to me, we'd celebrate Halloween all through the year.
I married someone who isn't quite as enthusiastic. But this year, he's not working and darn it, I'm making him dress up to attend a friend's party, one where if you don't come in costume, they will have one ready for you. And it's never pretty.
I decided on a classic guise for the Mr. and headed down to Backstage for the necessary items. They stock a REALLY large selection of of-the-rack costuming for a grab and go dresser-upper, but their professional make ups and prosthetics are to die for, and that's what I was after. Furthermore, the guys at Backstage took the time to give me some great tips on creating and setting the look and mood that would put the cosmetic assistants at MAC to shame.
There were masks, wigs and all manner of odds and ends guaranteed to make your head spin with Halloween joy. I almost walked out with two more wigs than I needed, just because they were so cool and fun and I hadn't seen anything else out there like them.
Don't let the small storefront fool you...they are well stocked and ready for the holiday, even if you wait until the last minute. And like Gayle G. said before, they offer a LOT more than plastic devil horns and clown noses. The seasonal "Spirit" shops are fun, but Backstage is the real deal for quality costuming backed with theatrical know-how. -
Review from Chrystina Z.
Washington, DC
10/27/2010
The best part is the guy behind the counter named Rip. When someone asked if they could step behind and check out the costumes, he replied, "not even over my dead body... when I die I'm going to come back and haunt this place for years."
Rip really knows his stuff. What appears to be a wild jungle of polyester spanning several racks and random bins labeled "pimp" is actually a playground for Rip. He knows where every item lies, whether it be the random feather for the beaded headband that coordinates to the flapper dress (that will be me Oct 31st), or buckle shoes with matching bootstraps for the Confederate soldier. He recites off the top of his head how many Star trek costumes are left, whether they are male or female, and sizes. He glides around behind the counter despite the over cramped quarters and stench of sweat, and he does it with a smile. He truly loves this gig and it shows.
They have over 3000 costumes (did I hear that right?) and the inventory is constantly changing as they wear down/create new costumes for the theater. Do RSVP your costume early... the best ones go fast. -
Review from Kevin M.
Washington, DC
10/26/2008
I came here looking for a nice rental costume for Halloween, as well as some costume accessories.
The upstairs is basically "costumes in bags" and assorted props. The staff was helpful in guiding me towards the items I needed, because it is a bit overwhelming. I needed a fake mustache, and not only did they have a few options, but they had someone who could explain to me what adhesive I needed and how to apply it.
The downstairs is a big rental area. Basically, I told the woman working there what I was looking for, and she would just go searching for something that would fit my needs (and was the right size). I got the feeling that she has been doing this for many years and knows the costumes inside and out. (In fact, I think she is the one that searches out new costumes and buys them for the shop.) Anyway, I was able to get exactly what I needed -- a nice jacket, top hat, and bow tie -- for just $30. And it only cost me $10 extra to keep it for a week-and-a-half so I could wear it to multiple parties. What a steal!
I haven't been to many costume shops, but honestly it was really nice to have someone there to pick stuff out for you and quicken the process, rather than having to scrounge through a ton of racks yourself. I will definitely come back here the next time I need a rental costume. -
Review from Lee M.
Arlington, VA
5/13/2011
Rip is not only rude, he's an idiot. I called and asked if he had a particular script and he said "I found it." So I asked if I could pick it up, he repeated that he found it. I metro'd and walked -- 7 months pregnant -- to get to the place, only to be told, he didn't have the play IN THE STORE...he meant he'd found it in the computer! He cheerfully told me that he could order it and it'd be in the store in a week.
But Backstage does have alot of neat stuff...if you can deal with the rude and stupid staff. -
Review from Eva G.
Washington, DC
10/26/2008
Good not agree more with the other reviewers! This is THE place in the DC areas for wigs and everything that counts as part of a costume... from pre-fab Halloween costumes, to wings, masks, rubber masks, halos.. need I say more. And this place has a great selection all year round not just for Halloween. Got to check it out. It is just a few blocks from the Eastern Market metro so any easy walk... check out their store hours though since they are not open late!
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Review from Mark P.
Washington, DC
10/28/2009
This place is great. They have TONS of stuff, whatever hairbrained costume idea you have. And the staff are super helpful.
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Review from Jimmy S.
Washington, DC
10/10/2007
This is the place to go for Halloween costumes. Period.
