BEST VENUE IN DC: 9:30 Club
WEBSITE: www.930.com
ADDRESS: 815 V ST. N.W. WASHINGTON DC
CONTACT INFO:
Email: human@930.com
Phone: 202.265.0930
Tickets: 877.435.9849

The Nightclub 9:30 or as most people know it the 9:30 Club has been around since the 80s. The venue has seen the likes of The Ramones, Radiohead, The Police and Bob Dylan grace its stage in the past. Decades may have come and gone but their ability to attract big named acts still remains. It also continues to be the hot place to play for acts both big and small when they come to DC. While it moved from 930 F St. NW to its current location at 815 V St, NW that’s appears to be the only real thing that has changed. The club’s popularity has only increased over the years and it now attracts the attention of people around the country.

In fact Pollstar has named 9:30 the top ticket selling club multiple times. That’s an especially remarkable feat since 9:30 Club’s competition for this honor are venues that can hold 3,000 or more people. What’s the reason the club is such a success? It could have something to do with their amazing ability to book not only well known artists but artists who are on the cusp of superstardom. They also are one of the few venues that successfully manage to have a show going almost every night. But the best part of the venue is its independence. Not only is the club one of the few top notch concert venues that still manages to make every show feel intimate but it also possesses the cool factor. It is like one part old school rock club and one part upscale concert venue. But despite that rock club feel 9:30 Club attracts genres of all kinds running the gamut from rap to country.

The most unique part of the venue is it doesn’t even need to advertise on the outside of the venue. There is no marquee or indication outside really that shows it's a concert venue. But don’t let the unassuming looks on the outside fool you though. Once inside it is one of the coolest venues around with three distinctive levels. The first/main level when the patrons enter features the massive floor that is general admission and a nice sized stage. There are merchandise stands that sell both band and venue merchandise and bars that serve a full selection of alcohol and also serve food too including their signature 9:30 cupcakes. Warning to everyone the lines for the cupcakes can be incredibly long so get in line early. Above the main level is a balcony where people can watch the show too. It is also general admission but features some coveted bar stools for a lucky few people who can snag them. The lower level is a full service bar and makes for a very fun place to hang out after the show. Also the venue boasts something that is very important to most people out for a night on the town in DC which is parking. It has a lot right behind the venue, so for a small fee patrons can snag a safe and secure spot for your car.

9:30 Club also offers concert goers other perks as well like the ability to buy tickets from an independent ticket seller in www.ticketfly.com.  It is one of the few venues that offers an alternative to Ticketmaster or Live Nation. But make sure to buy tickets fast because due to the small size a lot of shows sell out quickly and unlike most venues sold out really means sold out. They also send e-mail alerts regularly that keep mailing list subscribers up to date on all shows coming to 9:30 Club and other partner venues. Mailing list subscribers can sometimes buy tickets for shows weeks before they’re even announced on the website. Add the cool forum on the site where people can get answers, ask questions and more and 9:30 Club just may get the title of the most fan friendly venue in the DC area as well. But 9:30 Club has quickly become one of the most successful venues not only in the DC area but countrywide. So if it is live music that is desired check out this amazing venue, it’s guaranteed it will likely be the first of many trips back too.

Check out the official site: www.930.com for all upcoming tour dates and news.