The Anthem is the I.M.P. flagship at The Wharf that opened October 2017, a $60 million venue that scales from 2,500 seated to 6,000 standing for arena-grade touring rock, pop and hip-hop.
Tip: Doors typically 19:00, headliner around 21:00. The standing-room floor fills early; the side-balcony tickets are the easier sit-down option.
Address: 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024, Washington DC
Pearl Street Warehouse at The Wharf is the Union Stage Presents listening room that opened October 2017, booking Americana, rock, country, soul and Go-Go acts most nights of the week.
Tip: Reserved seating in front, general admission at the back. The diner-style menu runs through the show and the burger sticks the late-night order.
Black Cat on 14th Street is Dante Ferrando's 1993 indie rock room, with a Mainstage that holds 800 and a back-stage Red Room bar that runs free DJ nights without a cover.
Tip: Mainstage is ticketed; the Red Room bar in back is free with no cover most nights. The downstairs lounge has the pinball machines and the cheaper beer.
The Atlantis opened May 30, 2023 around the corner from 9:30 Club, a 450-capacity I.M.P. room that recreates the original Atlantis F Street layout for intimate touring bookings.
Tip: Tickets distributed through Ticketmaster lottery for the high-demand shows; sign up early. Standing room only, no reserved seats.
The Hamilton's basement on 14th Street holds 450 for the listening-room concerts run by Clyde's Restaurant Group, with a stage that books blues, jazz, soul and rock most nights.
Tip: Reserved seats run higher; general admission standing is the cheaper way in. The upstairs restaurant runs full service through the late show.
Songbyrd in Union Market is the 150-capacity venue, bar and record cafe that books indie, punk, electronic and Latin nights, with sister vinyl shop Byrdland Records around the corner.
Tip: Buy tickets in advance for the indie touring shows; the in-house cafe opens early and stays through the late set. Byrdland Records is a five-minute walk.
Pearl Street Warehouse at The Wharf is the Union Stage Presents listening room that opened October 2017, booking Americana, rock, country, soul and Go-Go acts most nights of the week.
Tip: Reserved seating in front, general admission at the back. The diner-style menu runs through the show and the burger sticks the late-night order.
Top of the Gate sits on the Watergate Hotel roof above the Potomac, with a 360-degree view that lines up the Kennedy Center, the Washington Monument and the Key and Arlington bridges.
Tip: Seasonal, weather permitting. The Golden Hour Music Series runs Friday and Saturday from 18:00; reserve a river-view section for groups of 20 or more.