This is my list of upcoming shows that interest me, with the caveat that my taste in music is, well, eclectic. In addition, while some of this music interests me because I have seen it before and know that I want to see it again, other things may have been recommended by friends or simply caught my fancy given my mood at the time. I try to update this frequently enough that it is actually useful and I try to include whatever info I have. I also try to get it from reliable sources, but no source is perfect. And, I myself am capable of mistakes. Therefore, it may be worth a check with the venue before planning your life around what you see here. Also check back here closer to the show, as I do go back and correct entries if I learn that they are wrong. Got comments or reactions? Shows I should add? Write to karokaro AT verizon DOT net.
Want to know what I really see?
April 11 Saturday: Igor and the Velvet Elvises play Palisades Hub. Igor and the Velvet Elvises play funk rock, surf, rockabilly, reggae, folk rock, disco and traditional Russian styles of music. Palisades Hub Igor and the Velvet Elvises. Show is 8 to 10. Palisades Hub is located on 5200 Cathedral Avenue in Northwest Washington DC.
April 11 Saturday: Grateful Dub plays The State Theatre. Grateful Dub plays Grateful Dead songs with reggae style. Doors open at 7, show is at 8:30. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show.
April 12 Sunday: Biribá Union plays the Mansion at Strathmore. Biriba Union is Mike Block on cello, Christylez Bacon and Patricia Ligia on bass playing music that draws on the freestyle theatrics of hip-hop and Go-go music; the effortless beauty of Brazilian forró and choro; the earthiness of American roots music, and the improvisational spontaneity of jazz. Shows are at 4 and 7. General Admission is $38.
April 12 Sunday: Tom Teasley plays Rhizome with Dave Ballou Duo. I am not completely certain about this but I think that headliner Tom Teasely is the second member of the Dave Ballou duo. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7. Tickets are- $20 to $30.
April 13 Monday: Snarky Puppy brings its Somni Tour to Warner Theatre with Metropole Orkest & Jules Buckley. The Metropole Orkest is known as one of the best orchestras in the world for playing orchestral music with a groove. Jules Buckley is a conductor, composer, and arranger.
April 14 Tuesday: Jagtime Millionaire plays Rhizome with Pergola and Jon Camp. Jagtime Millionaire plays ragtime, fingerpicking and folk guitar. Pergola plays fingerstyle guitar. John Camp plays American primitive guitar. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7. Tickets are $15 to $20.
April 14 Tuesday: The Golden Hours plays Jammin' Java. The Golden Hours is a new band formed by the members of Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum. Doors open at 6 show is at 7:30. General Admission is $34.
April 17 Friday: Black Pistol Fire plays The Atlantis with Teddy at Night. Teddy at Night is a Nashville-based synthesizer rock and roll band. Black Pistol Fire is a duo combining Southern rock and garage punk. Doors open at 7:30. Tickets $32.50.
April 17, 18 and 19 Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Crack the Sky plays three shows in a weekend at Collective Encore.. The Friday and Saturday shows are 8 to 11 at night, and the Sunday show is a matinee from noon to 2. Crack the Sky is a long respected prog band. Tickets are $50.91. The Collective Encore is located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia, Maryland.
April 18 Saturday: Czonka plays Wax Atlas with Be My Friend and Joy Amaranthian. Czonka plays instrumental art punk. Be My Friend is a Baltimore-based, noise-rock-influenced band described as a "fuzzy noise adventure team" Joy Amaranthian plays ambient experimental music. Show is at 8:30. Admission is $10.
April 19 Sunday: lespecialbrings the Tentacle Difficulties tour to theThe 8X10. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $30.39.
April 19 Sunday: This show is sold out. There is a second show on Sunday April 20. Los Lobos play the Birchmere. Los Lobos is a Mexican American rock group that is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños. Show is at 7:30 The Birchmere says the prices are as follows: "$69.50 ($85.10 through Ticketmaster, $76.50 at the Birchmere Box Office)." It doesn't appear one could actually get in for $69.50.
April 23 Thursday: Edging plays Quarry House, with Muscle and Glycine. Edging describes them selves as landscaper punks from Chicago. (I am afraid that I must plead old on the connection of this and the band). Muscle is one of my very favorite Baltimore punk bands. Glycine plays hardcore. Show is 8:30 or some point after that. This is an an all ages show.
April 23 Thursday: Janel Leppin's Ensemble Volcanic Ash plays Rhizome. Ensemble Volcanic Ash is a jazz ensemble. Show is at 7.
April 24 Friday: Consumer Culture plays Holy Frijoles with Miracle Blood. Consumer Culture plays punk. Miracle Blood plays heavy music for the weird of heart.
April 24 Friday: Better Off Dead plays Union Craft. Show is 7 to 11. Tickets are $24.90.
April 25 Saturday: Consumer Culture plays Quarry House with XK Scenario and Miracle Blood. Consumer Culture plays punk. Miracle Blood plays heavy music for the weird of heart. XK Scenario plays music they love. Show is at 9:30. This is an all ages show.
April 25 Saturday: Squirrel Nut Zippers present Jazz From the Back O’ Town at Weinberg Center. The Squirrel Nut Zippers: Jazz from the Back ‘O Town show is an intriguing look at the birth of Jazz, focused on the prodigious musical neighborhood of New Orleans called Back O’ Town. Show is at 8. Tickets $35.25 to $45.25 with a variety of special pricing for military, the elderly, students and so on.
April 26 Sunday: FIASCO plays Galaxy Hut. FIASCO has a unique sound and collective “not-jazz” improvisational style. Show is at 8 and admission is $10. This is a 21+ show.
April 26 Sunday: Ronn McFarlane plays An Die Musik. Show is at 3 pm. Tickets for seats are $25 or it is available to be streamed for $10.
April 28 Tuesday: Fishbone brings its "In Your Face 40th Anniversary Tour to the Black Cat with Late Bloomer Band. Fishbone plays a plays a fusion of ska, punk, funk, metal, reggae and soul. The Late Bloomer Band
plays funk, R&B, soul, rock and jazz. Doors open at 6. Tickets are $32.90.April 29 Wednesday: Rev Peyton's Big Damn Band plays Rams Head On Stage. Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band plays country blues. The complication is that there is pretty much nowhere to dance unless people near you also want to dance and agree to move the furniture to make room. Tickets range from $41.24 to $60.05.
April 29 Wednesday: ilyAIMY plays Collective Encore. ilyAIMY is is an American percussive acoustic rock band. Collective Encore is located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia, Maryland.
April 30 Thursday: Consider the Source plays 8X10 with Second Self. Consider the Source is an instrumental trio known for their unique blend of progressive rock, metal, and Middle Eastern music. Consider the Source does not play here often. Also, this is a late chance to see the 8X10 again as it is changing hands (or worse).. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $22.46.
April 30 Thursday: Hard Core Troubadours play Hells Bottom. Hard Core Troubadours play roots rock, country swing, rockabilly, texas blues, alt country band. Show is 7 to 9:55.
May 1 Friday: play Comet Ping Pong with Keegan Del Rio. Boogarins is a Brazilian alternative psychedelic rock band. Keegan Del Rio plays psych rock. Show is at 10.
May 2 Saturday: Little Red and the Renegades play New Deal Cafe. Little Red and the Renegades play zydecom blues, and New Orleans R&B. Show is 8 to 11.
May 2 Saturday: Sensor Ghost plays Rhizome with Vulture Feather and Quattracenta. Sensor Ghost is a no-wave art-punk trio. Vulture Feather is a post/pre/future punk band. Quattracenta is a no wave post punk rock. Show is at 7. Tickets/admission are $15 to $20.
May 2 Saturday:Hiroya Tsukamoto plays the Baltimore Arts Guild. Hiroya Tsukamoto is a Japanese-born fingerstyle guitarist. Doors open at 7. Show is 7:30 to 10. The Catonsville Clubhouse is located at 10 St Timothys Lane in, Catonsville, MD.
May 3 Sunday: Hiroya Tsukamoto plays The Loft at Manor Mill. Hiroya Tsukamoto is a Japanese-born fingerstyle guitarist. Show is 3:30 to 5:30. Tickets are $27.50. Manor Mill is located at 2029 Monkton Road in Monkton, Maryland.
May 3 Tuesday: The rescheduled Pigeons Playing Ping Pong show that was moved due to the weather is now moved to May 3. It was sold out at the time, but tickets may become available and there is a wait list for that.
May 5 Tuesday: Sun of Goldfinger plays Rhizome. Goldfinger is Tim Berne on saxophone, Ches Smith on drums and David Torn on guitar. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7. Tickets are $25 to $30.
May 6 Wednesday: Wolf Eyes plays Ottobar with an additional band or two to be announced. Wolf Eyes is known for their bizarre and otherworldly approach to music. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $28.67.
May 7 Thursday: Son Rompe Pera plays Union Stage with Leon City Sounds. Son Rompe Pera's sound is firmly rooted in traditional marimba music and the band moves it into the garage/punk world of urban misfits. Leon City Sounds are two selectors from Washington DC and Lima, Peru with a lot of love for roots reggae, dub, ska, rocksteady, cumbia, chicha, guaracha, kompa and Afrobeat. Doors open at 7. Show is at 8. General Admission is $27.
May 7 Thursday: Asleep at the Wheel plays the Birchmere. Asleep at the Wheel plays Western swing and honky-tonk country. Doors open at 6, show is at 7:30. Tickets are not avalable until February 27 (this means that TicketMaster has taken over completely, which is not good.
May 8 Friday: Dry Cleaning plays Howard Theatre. Dry Cleaning is an English post-punk band. Doors open at 7:30, show is at 8. General Admission is $39.32.
May 8 Friday: Wolf Eyes plays Rhizome with Beauty and Agonesiac. Wolf Eyes are known for their bizarre and otherworldly approach to music. Beauty is a genre destroying juggernaut that uses the tools of harsh noise and power electronics to make visceral, freaks-only doom. Agonesiac plays grindcore. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Admission is $15 to $20.
May 9 Saturday: The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis play the Black Cat. Mesthetics play music from punk rock to free jazz and funk. Show is at 8 tickets are $24.40 in advance.
May 12 Tuesday: The Hu plays The Fillmore with Apocalyptica and special guest The Rasmus. The Hu is a Mongolian folk metal band. Apocalyptica plays the music of Metallica with cellos. The Rasmus is a Finnish rock band. Door 7 Standing is $64. Balcony seats are $230.
May 14 Thursday: Zoe Jorgenson Trio plays Rhizome with the Luke Stewart - JoVia Armstrong Duo. Zoe Jorgenson is a bassist, composer, and educator whose work spans jazz, classical, indie, and folk music. The trio is Zoe together with Marty Reimsemburg on drums and Parker Speirs on guitar sounds. Luke Stewart plays bass. Armstrong is a percussionist, sound artist, composer, and educator. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7. Tickets are $20 to $30.
May 16 Saturday: The Boneshakers play Collective Encore. The Boneshakers are Randy Jacobs and Jenny Langer playing blues and funk. Show is at 8. Admission is $28.89. Collective Encore is located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia, Maryland.
May 16 Saturday: Music City Bluegrass and Roots Festival at The Vortex. The festival is noon to midnight. Stage One has Kitchen Dwellers, Magoo, Dirty Grass Players and Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass. Stage Two has 65 North Pickers, Geraldine, Rock Creek Revival, By & By, and Dawg & Dell. The Vortex is located at 202 Ingleside Avenue in Baltimore.
May 17 Sunday: Will Calhoun Mali Project comes to Hamilton Live. The Will Calhoun Mali Project is a captivating musical endeavor undertaken by Will Calhoun that reflects his travels, research, and immersion in West African music, combining the traditional rhythms he studied with jazz, rock, and hip-hop. The exploration resulted in collaborations with esteemed Malian artists, such as Yacouba Sissoko and Oumou Sangaré — including a memorable moment when he opened for the Malian superstar at her Apollo Theater debut in 2022, presented by WMI. Vocalist Cheick Tidiane Seck will join the performance. Doors open at 6:30, show is at. Standing general admission is $31.18, seated general admission is $37.37 and Gold seating is $53.61.
May 19 Tuesday: Black Angels play 9:30 Club with L.A. Witch.. .Black Angels play psych rock. L.A. Witch is an American garage-rock trio. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $45.65 with fees.
May 21-22 Thursday and Friday: Deanna Bogart plays Collective Encore. Deanna Bogart is a blues and fusion singer, pianist, saxophone player, composer and arranger. The Thursday show starts at 7:30 and the Friday show starts at 8. Collective Encore is located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia, Maryland. Tickets are $34.39.
May 24 Sunday: Buckethead plays the 9:30 Club. Buckethead is an amazing guitar player. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $56.70.
May 28 Thursday: Ostinato and Joe Lally, Jerry Busher and Yanni Papadopoulos play at the Galactic Panther Art Gallery. Ostinato is a mostly instrumental band with a bombastic, echo-laden, and psychedelic sound and a driving intensity behind it. Joe Lally and Jerry Busher have been members of Fugazi. Yanni Papadopoulos played guitar in Stinking Lizaveta. Admission is $18.91 Show is at 8. Galactic Panther Art Gallery is located at 1303 KIng Street in Alexandria, Virginia.
May 29 Friday: Hard Swimmin' Fish have a reunion show at Rockwell Brewery. Show is 8 to 11. Yes this is in 2026. Rockewell Brewery is located at 8411 Broadband Drive, Suite K in Frederick, Maryland.
May 29 Friday: ilyAIMY plays New Deal Cafe. ilyAIMY is is an American percussive acoustic rock band. Show is 8 to 11.
May 30 Saturday: The Slickee Boys will have a 50th Anniversary show at the 9:30 Club with Birthday Girl DC and The Beatnik Flies. The Slickee Boys were a Washington, DC-area punk-psychedelic-garage rock band. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $32.50 (which would probably have gotten you 10 or 20 of your friends in back in the day).
May 30 Saturday: SATCHVAI Band plays Wolf Trap with Amimals as Leaders. SATCHVAI is a band with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Animals as Leaders is an instrumental progressive metal band. Show is at 8. Tickets start at $49 and go to $106.
June 3 and 4 Wednesday and Thursday: Andrew Bird plays The Music Center at Strathmore with an Orchestra. Tickets are $59 to $139.
June 4 Thursday: Clovers Curfew plays The Loft at Manor Mill in Monkton. Clovers Curfew is a duo of punk rock frontman Jameson Jenkins and Folk Rock artist Danni Christian. Show is 7:30 to 9. Tickets are $27.50. Manor Mill is located at 2029 Monkton Road in Monkton, Maryland.
June 6 Saturday: Gary Clark, Jr plays Wolf Trap with Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. Tickets are from $58 to 139.
June 7 Sunday: Bill Frisell Trio plays Keystone Corner. Bill Frizell plays guitar. The remainder of the trio is Luke Bergman on bass and Tim Angulo on drums. Tickets range between $45 to $55, or 15 for streaming.
June 11 Thursday: Fareed Haque, Mike Clark and Peter Washington play Blues Alley. Shows are at 7 and 9:30. Tickets are $35 plus $7, plus a food and/or drink minimum.
June 12 Friday: Amethyst Kiah plays a Creative Alliance show at Patterson Theatre. Amethyst Kiah is a singer songwriter who plays guitar and banjo. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $30 plus $5.
June 12-13 Friday and Saturday: Seventh Stanine Festival at Marissa Anderson Shane Parish, Ian Williams, Lea Bertucci, Dorothy Carlos, Paleography (Hugh McElroy of Black Eyes), Day for Night, Daniel Wyche and The Caribbean. Doors open on Friday at 6:30, music starts at 7 and tickets are $25 to $30. Door open at 12:30 on Saturday and music starts at 1 and tickets are $40 to $50. A two day pass is $50 to $60.
June 15 Monday: Sunny War plays the Song Byrd Music House.. Sunny War is a folk-punk musician whose songs rock gospel, and country music. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $25.75.
June 17 Wednesday: Umphrey's McGee plays Nevermore Hall. Umphreys McGee combines prog and jam and probably my favorite band in the world. moe. is a great jam band. Show is at 7. Tickets are $61.
June 18 Thursday: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays the Birchmere. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues its decades long mission to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets are $80.50.
June 19 Friday: Wolf Mother brings their 20th Anniversary tour to the 9:30 Club. Wolfmother is an Australian hard rock band from Sydney. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $45.30.
June 24 Wednesday: Sunny War plays The Loft at Manor Mill. Sunny War is a folk-punk musician. Show is 8 to10. Tickets are $30. Manor Mill is located at 2029 Monkton Road in Monkton, Maryland.
June 24 Wednesday: Ana Popovic plays Elkton Music Hall with Lower Case Blues. Ana Popovic plays guitar, including smoking electric funk and slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals and a tight blues groove with soulful, feminine vocals. Lower Case Blues is a Blues/Jam trio. Show is at 8. Tickets start from $39.99.
June 26 Friday: Fred Frith plays Rhizome with Chao Tian. Fred Frith is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improviser. Chao Tian is a distinguished Chinese dulcimer instrumentalist and an advocate of traditional Chinese music. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7. Tickets are $20 to $35.
June 28 Sunday: Goose plays Merriweather Post Pavilion. Goose is a great jam band. Gates open at 5:30. Show is at 7.
July 9 Thursday: Lulu's Fate plays New Deal Cafe. Lulu's Fate performs a mix of music from the Appalachian, southern string band and country blues traditions, as well as early swing, gospel, original tunes and covers. Show is 7 to 9. As always you should be prepared to tip the band.
July 10 Wednesday: Shovels and Rope plays Rams Head On Stage. Shovels & Rope are an American folk duo. Show is at 8. Tickets range from about $60 to $71
July 11 Thursday: Shovels and Rope plays Birchmere. Shovels & Rope are an American folk duo. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $45.00, sort of. actual cost is $58.95 through Ticketmaster or $52.00 at the Birchmere Box Office.
July 17 Friday: Cheer Accident plays Tonal Park. Cheer Accident plays music form dreamy pop to angular art-rock. Show is at 7. Tonal Park is located at 7014-C Westmoreland Avenue in Takoma Park. That information makes it only slightly easier to find. You might want to give up on their parking lot as well. Admission is $20 at the door.
July 18 Saturday: Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue plays Wolf Trap with Mavis Staples and The War and Treaty. Trombone Shorty Trombone Shorty, fuses rock, pop, jazz, funk, and hip hop. Mavis Staples is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer and civil rights activist. The War and Treaty is an American husband-and-wife duo consisting of singer-songwriters Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. Show is at 7. Tickets go on sale February 27.
July 18 and 19 Saturday and Sunday Phish plays Merriweather Post Pavilion. Phish is a famous jam band. Tickets go on sale February 27. There are two day tickets. No prices yet.
July 20 Monday: Trampled by Turtles play Pier 6 with Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners. Trampled by Turtles is an American bluegrass-influenced folk band. Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners play folk rock. Lawn seats are $54.50 and pavilion seats go into the $60's possibly more and close ones are probably more.
July 22 Wednesday: North Mississippi Allstars play Elkton Music Hall. North Mississppi Allstars blend, blues, rock, and Southern soul. Show is at 8. Tickets starts from $36.
July 23 Thursday: Eggy plays Union Craft Brewing. Eggy is a jam band. Doors open at 7, show is 8 to 11. This is a 21+ show. Tickets are $30.69.
July 26 Sunday: Tomahawk, plays 9:30 Club with The Melvins. Tomahawk is Dwayne Denison on guitar, Mike Patton on vocals, John Stanier on drums and Trevor Dunn. Melvins are an American rock band whose early work was key to the development of both grunge and sludge metal. Show goes on sale February 27 (along with every single other show I want to get tickets for). Seriously, do ticket sellers think this is funny?
August 21 and 22 Friday and Saturday: Hot August Music Festival at Oregon Ridge. Friday line up starts at 5 and has Eric Gales, Vanessa Collier and Jonathan Sloane Band. Saturday line up is Cory Wong, GalacticA, Dogs in a Pile, Lindsay Lou, Uncle Kunkel One Man Band, Owen StewartA, The Fitzgee Brothers, Ricky Wise and the Aggressive Joy, Pretty War, Mallow Hill, Jonathan Sloane Band and The Hot August Collective. Gates open at 4:30 Friday and music starts at 5. Music ends at 10 on Saturday. This is an all ages festival. Oregon Ridge is located at 13401 Beaver Dam Road in Cockeysville. I may be somewhat confused about what happens at what time on the two days.
August 28 Friday: Sorry About Your Daughter plays Collective Encore Sorry About Your Daughter is an alternative rock and post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C. Collective Encore is located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia.
September 4 Friday: Social Distortion plays Anthem with Descendents and The Chats. Social Distortion is an American punk rock band. The Descendents are an American punk rock band. The Chats are an Australian punk rock band. Doors open at 6/ Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $69.
September 5 Saturday: Cigar Box Guitar festival at Union Craft Brewing. Festival is from noon to 10.
September 17 Thursday: Pat Metheny plays the Music Center at Strathmore Pat Metheny is an American jazz guitarist and composer. Show is at 8. Tickets are $28 to and go on sale to the public January 21.
September 19 Saturday: Bikini Kill plays The Fillmore Bikini Kill plays punk. Show is at 8. Tickets are $62. I think this is a standing show. (Or you can buy a seat later).
September 19-20 Saturday and Sunday: Annapolis Bay Grass Music Festival at Sandy Point State Park. Musical acts include Little Feat, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, Sam Bush, Mountain Grass Unit, Tophouse, Shadow Grass, Scythian, Sister Sadie, Fireside Collection, Midnight North, Jammy Buffet, Melody Trucks and the Fitzkee Brothers Band and Geraldine plus artists at large.
Allyworld is located in Tonal Park, which is primarily a music production studio. It is a small seated venue with a relatively low stage. Sound was good (as one would hope considering the location). When I was first there the band had brought beer and wine, but I have not seen that since. Tonal Park is located at 7014C Westmoreland Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland. It is not well signed.
An Die Musik is a classical, jazz and world music venue. Located on the second floor of a classical music record store, it seats 100 or so in comfy chairs that would appear to have been obtained from the remodeling of a nice, but rather stodgy hotel. A small bar serves beer, wine, juice and water at reasonable prices. An Die Musikis located at 409 North Charles Street, Second Floor, in Baltimore, Maryland 410-385-2638.
The Anthem is a gigantic venue on the Wharf in Southwest DC. It is a short persons dream as there are tons of places where you can see everything on stage. Plenty of bars. And water is available at the bars or from water fountains/refill stations around the venue. They also have a Vigilante coffee stand on the second floor. Food, on the other hand, was more trouble than it was worth, at least when I tried it. The process of getting people into the venue also needs to be ironed out, but they are new. The Anthem is a cash free venue - you need some form of plastic for everything but merch. Finally, parking can be difficult depending on what is going on and much of it is rather expensive. Ticketing is now being handled by TicketMaster.
Atlas Performing Arts Center is an arts center located in the Atlas District in Northeast DC. It has multiple theaters - The Lang Theater, which holds 262 people, the Sprenger Theater, which holds between 100 and 280 people, depending on how it is set up, Lab Theater I which holds 40 to 80 people, and Lab Theater II, which holds 60 to 90 people. Atlas Performing Arts Center is located at 1333 H Street in Northeast DC.
The Baltimore Soundstage is a fair size venue near Power Plant Live. Actual amount of the space used varies per show, but it can apparently hold up to 1,000 for an all standing show. Seating also varies, with most shows having some seating available on a first come, first service basis. Other shows are seated only, limiting capacity to 500. Some are standing only. They have a decent beer selection, and food in baskets. The box office is open 1 hour before doors for any show and has normal box office hours. Sunday and Monday closed unless there is a show or event Wednesdays 9am to 5 pm Thursday-Saturday noon-5pm Phone Orders 410-244-0057 same as box office hours. Online tickets come from TicketMaster. Garage over top of the venue (get ticket validated for rebate). Can also use Pier V, which is usually cheaper. (Need validation for that one also). Baltimore Sound Stage is located at 124 Market Place in Baltimore.
Bethesda Theater used to be Bethesda Cinema and Drafthouse. There is seating for 300 in the two level dining area and for 200 more in the theatre seats in back. There is a also a bar in lobby but it has no view of the stage. For dance shows they take out the lower half the dining space and make it a dance floor. Sometimes tickets are for reserved seats and sometimes not. Tickets are from Instant Seats. The theater seats are always preassigned. There is a $10 minimum in the dining area. They "suggest business casual." There is a 340-car public parking garage right around the corner on Cheltenham Drive. Parking is $0.80/hr. Bethesda Theater is located at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland. 240-330-4500.
The Birchmere is the latest and largest incarnation of the same club that has been with us for years. Most shows are in the concert hall, but some are in the bandstand, which has a dance floor, but less seating. Most recently, they have started using the "Flex Stage" in the bandstand. It is at the far end of the hall and there is no seating at all. Food is served in the Music Hall, or was the night I was there. The Club has strict rules about being seated and quiet during concert hall shows and enforces them. The rules are slacker in the bandstand, which is also available if you need to talk or smoke during a show in the concert hall. It is adviseable to get there before the concert hall doors open in order to get the best seats, especially if you have a group that wants to sit together. The Birchmere opens at 5, the doors to the concert hall open at 6 and most shows start at 7:30. Food is passable bar food, but steep, and the beer selection is good. Tickets are available through TicketMaster, or with a $3 service charge from the box office, which is open from 5 to 9 on show nights. The Birchmere is located at 3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. 703-549-7500.
The Black Cat gets rated the place in DC that the bands most like to play and the good vibes hang over for the audience. A very easy venue to get along with. Historically shows have started late, but they have recently announced that they will be scheduling shows earlier during the week, so people can make it to the subway before it closes. On Fridays and Saturdays, however, they do not close until 3. The new location has a concert hall upstairs, and a smaller performance space and a cafe with decent food downstairs. The smaller performance space, the Backstage, has woefully inadequate air conditioning. The Black Cat is located at 1811 14th Street NW. 202-667-7960. Tickets available from FreshTix through the Black Cat web site, or without service charge from the box office, which is open from 8 to midnight. The Black Cat says that it is an all ages venue, but it actually requires parental permission for anyone under 18.
Black Rock Center for the Arts is an arts center with a nice little theatre in which they have music and other performances. I would say it holds about 220 people. They sell beer and wine. Black Rock Arts Center is located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown, Maryland. 301-528-2260.
Blues Alley is a long standing jazz club in Georgetown. Georgetown rent is covered with two shows a night, surcharges, and a requirement that each person spend at least $15 on food and drinks. The view of the stage is usually great. Hours are daily, 6 to 12:30. Full dinner menu available at the 8 pm show, light fare for the later shows. Food really has not impressed me. Blues Alley is located behind 1073 Wisconsin Avenue in Northwest DC. 202-337-4141.
Bossa Brazilian Bistro a small restaurant and bar in Adams Morgan that bills itself as a Caipirinha and mojito bar and art gallery. They have live music in the front window most days and salsa on Friday and Saturday. They open at 5:30 every day but Monday and are open to 2 during the week and to 3 on Fridays and Saturdays. They are located at 2463 18th Street in Northwest DC. 202-667-0088.
Capital Turnaournd is a relatively new venue in Southeast DC run by Union Stage Presents. It is apparently a work in progress, but the music hall is rather large and is set up for seated shows, The seating is fairly comfortable, has plenty of leg room, and there is a fair slant to the floor so sight lines are fairly good. Seating on the sides, however faces the middle of the room and not forward to the stage, which is crick in the neck territory for sure. As far as other creature comforts there is lots of space to lounge, but no food and the selection at the bar is dismal. They literally had nothing I was willing to drink. Also, the one time I went there, their web site said doors were at 6:30 when they had moved them to 7:30. I showed up not long after the announced open because I like to have time to check out a new venue before the show. People who got tickets early apparently got notice of the changeby email, but I bought mine four days before the show and the email had only a start time. So I looked at the web site, went down to check the place out and got turned away by rather rude staff. That is incompetence of the worst kind and I will be avoiding them until I have some indication that they have learned to do better. Worst yet, at some point the people who run this have extended their influence over not only Jammin' Java, Miracle Theater and this venue, but also Songbyrd, Howard Theatre, and Union Stage, and now I want to avoid all of them. If you decide to go to them, all I can say is to do everything you can to wring correct information out of them. Myself, I think it is crappy and can't be bothered to have to interrogate people to see if the information on their web site is accurate before buying a ticket or going to the show. Rather than repeat experiences like that I will avoid them. Capital Turnaround is located at 770 M Street in Southeast DC.
Carter Barron Amphitheater is a U.S. Park Service facility in Rock Creek Park. It is an outdoor facility that has seating for about 4,200 and some picnic areas inside. They have been closed for years while decisions are made about how to address severe structural problems with the amphitheater. Despite the picnic areas they do not allow cans, bottles, hard coolers or picnic baskets. They also do not allow photography, recording devices or pets. The box office is open from noon to 9pm on event days only. The address is 4850 Colorado Avenue (near 16th). The concert line is 202-426-0486. For park information call 202-895-6000.
The CFG Bank Arena is a large venue (capacity 14,000) that was the Baltimore Civic Center and had a variety of other names. The seating is not made for tall people or wide ones. In addition, they don't seem to have much in the way of air conditioning. On the bright side, the rows are not as steep as in some large venues, but unfortuntately it turns out that if the you are short and tall people in front of you choose to stand through the entire show, you may not be able to see the stage. Concessions are expensive, but not as bad as some and the lines are not bad. Some of it is self-check out and STILL offers you a selection of tip levels. Parts of it are bizarrely dark and the rest rooms are off in corners. Lots of parking nearby though, and the venue web site gives you a link to it. If you can't tell, I pretty much hate this venue.
Cheverly American Legion is an American Legion Hall. It has a huge space, a good size stage, tons of table space, and reasonably priced beer. The time I was there, they also had food. The Cheverly American Legion Hall is located at 3608 Legion Drive in Cheverly, Maryland.
Club 603 is a private home that hosts house shows. It is very nice, holds up to about 50, and many shows sell out. Many people bring beer, wine and food to share. Information about the location will be provided to you if and when you buy a ticket.
Comet Ping Pong is a pizza and ping pong place run by the same folks who run Buck's Fishing and Camping two doors down. For shows they clear the ping pong tables out of the back room, which is about the right size for three ping pong tables (i.e., not very large) and rather spare. The stage, which otherwise holds the third ping pong table, is about 6 inches high. They have also been having outdoor shows. Tickets are handled by EventBrite. Kitchen is open until 9 Sunday through Wednesday, 9:30 on Thursday, and until 10:30 on Friday and Saturday. Shows start late, usually around 10. They have a great beer selection and pretty good pizza. Comet Ping Pong is located at 5037 Connecticut Avenue in Northwest DC. 202-364-0404.
Current Space is an art center at 421 N Howard Street in Baltimore, but music is held in the Garden Bar outside the entrance to which is located at 421 Tyson Street in Baltimore.
DAR Constitution Hall is a concert hall owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is a rather large hall and the sound quality at some of the seats up on the sides is really bad. There are usually bars in the lobby, but you cannot take a drink to your seat, with the result that the lobby is incredibly crowded before the show and during intermission. The web site claims that light fare is served at all events, but they must have hidden it well. Tickets are available only through Ticketmaster unless the promoter has made other arrangements. There is no box office. Constitution Hall is located at 1776 D Street in Northwest DC.
The Depot is long with a bar along the left on the way back to the stage area which is not large but there is at least one screen that allows you to see from the bar. Beer selection varies and is usually decent if small. They also serve some wine, and have a full bar. The Depot is located at 1728 North Charles Street in Baltimore. 443-324-5190.
Dew Drop Inn is a classic dive, at least downstairs. I haven't been upstairs, but it apparently has food. Downstairs stage is on the floor opposite the bar. It doesn't have a wide beer selection, but there is good beer to be had. The building looks like a closed up warehouse and it is right next to a busy railroad track (which you cannot hear while the music is playing). There is tons of street parking. Dewdrop Inn is located at 2801 8th Street in Northeast DC. 202-791-0909
DC Nine is where Asylum used to be. Music is upstairs, which has been rearranged to fit it better than it used to although the stage is still tiny, and about six inches high. There is a bar, with a passable beer selection and a few places to sit. DC Nine opens at 7 Thursday though Saturday and at 8 the rest of the week. They post times for venue doors and shows. The doors simply do not open at that time. Show times are generally within 30 minutes of what is posted. Tickets are available through EventBrite. Some shows are 18+, the rest 21+. DC Nine is located at 1940 9th Street in Northwest DC. 202.483.5000.
Echostage; is enormous. (30,000 square feet). I have seen capacity numbers from 2000 to 6000). It is a huge room with a floor leading up to the stage and balconies across the back and partly up both sides. The back balcony is really too far from the stage to be useful, though I suppose it is better than being on the floor that far back. The crowd dynamics are about what you would expect for a space that large full of people who are all trying to see the same stage, and the fact that the stage is too low for a room that size does not help. At least parts of the balcony are blocked off for VIP. The beer selection is terrible (and apparently expensive). There is no food at least not down with the hoi polloi. Tickets are handled by TicketMaster. Located at 2135 Queens Chapel Road in Northeast DC. There is pay parking nearby of varying prices, but nonpay parking is sketchy.
The 8X10 is a relatively small venue with a dance floor, back area with a bar down the side, and a balcony level with a bar in back. It is currently on sale as the owners want to retire. It has a good beer selection, but no food on site. The dance floor is spring-loaded: serious structral paranoids will stand directly in the center. Also, 8X10 is coming up on its 20 year anniversary with the current owners. They are talking about selling. So if you ever wanted to own an historic and famous venue, this is your chance. All shows are 18+. Those under 21 pay $3 extra at the door. Tickets available from the box office for very reasonable fees and from Neon Ox (which was MissionTix).. The address is 8 and 10 East Cross Street in Federal Hill across from the Cross Street Market. 410-625-2000.
Elkton Music Hall is a fair size square (capacity 300+) with a good size service bar along one side and good size stage in the far corner. The stage is about three feet high, making it possible to see well for a fair distance. Some shows are fully seated, others have a seated area, but all have seating for those who need it. Parking is easy. Staff and customers were friendly and laid back. They have a good beer selection, but no food. Elkton Music Hall is located at 107 North Street in Elkton, Maryland.
Fadensonnen Fadensonnen is a beer garden & tavern focusing on fresh beer, wine and sake made by small producers. They have live jazz on most Thursdays and experimental music on Sundays. Fadensonnen is located at 3 West 23d Street in Baltimore
Fillmore Silver Spring is one of a chain of Live Nation Fillmore's across the country. You would think a chain would have some institutional knowledge about how to run a venue, but I am afraid you would be wrong. It is generally an all standing venue and theoretically holds 2000 people on the floor and in a balcony with multiple risers. But while they claim standing only, they have installed two rows of seats in the side balcony, reducing their capacity and overcrowding the floor for sold out shows. I have seen them charge extra on the spot for those seats, but the other night any that they weren't using for promotions were available on a first come first serve basis. Risers above the first provide no view at all for many people. Also they tend to keep the lights low before the show and during breaks - so low that it is difficult to see to meet up with your friends. For reasons that aren't clear announced times are often wrong. In fact, they have to be wrong, as they often do not match between their web site, facebook, and their recorded phone message. Box office hours are Monday through Friday noon to 6, Saturday 11 to 4. Box office tickets carry a $1 service charge. Tickets also available through Live Nation. The Fillmore is located at 8656 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, Maryland. 301-960-9999.
Fort Reno Park is, for all intents and purposes, a big field on Chesapeake Street between Nebraska and Wisconsin Avenues near the Tenleytown Metro. Shows are from 7 to 9:30 and are free though donations are always welcome. No glass, alcohol, or drugs are allowed. The address is 4000 Chesapeake in Northwest DC.
49 West Coffeehouse and Gallery is a restaurant located at 49 West Street in Annapolis. They have music in their back room and also serve food and beverages back there. The food is good, and not unreasonably priced for Annapolis. An extremely civilized place to see a show. They handle their own reservations. 410-626-9796.
Galaxy Hut is an incredibly tiny place (the capacity sign says 48) located at 2711 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington near the Clarendon Metro. After a post-COVID hiatus they are now booking shows for Sunday nights. Most shows start at 9 and are $10. They are also 21+' Galaxy Hut continues to serve food and beer. They have a good beer selection. The food is mostly vegan but dairy cheese is available.
The Bullpen at Half is a paved city block at 1299 Half Street in Southeast DC. The block is set off from the rest of the world by stacks of shipping containers, fences, and stalls for the sale of food and drink. It mostly serves as a bull pen for people on their way to Nationals' games to drink on the way to the game, but it is rented for other events. Sanitary facilities are mostly (if not totally) in the form of sani johns. In general, food, furniture and other amenities depend on the person putting on the event. If you are left to rely on the Bullpen for nourishment, you are pretty much left with tubular food. Drinks are always Bullpen and selection is broad, but not exciting. They do occasionally have shows.
Hamilton Live is a venue in the basement of the Hamilton located at 600 14th Street in Northwest DC. It has a seating capacity of 300 and room for another 150 to stand. Some shows are sold by the seat while others are open seating. The stage is roomy, and the sound is good. Food and alcohol are downtown prices, but not outrageously so. The menu is somewhat limited - with lots of pizza and appetizers, and some sliders and sushi. On the other hand, the restaurant upstairs has a full menu and is open late. Hamilton Live favors credit cards, and is frightened and confused by the use of cash. Shows during the week usually start at 7:30, on the weekend at 8:30. Tickets are available online, from the ticket counter, or from waitstaff in the venue. Parking is available for $10 at 1325 G Street if you get the ticket validated.
Hank Dietle's is a homey tavern that holds license number 001. It is a large room with a corner stage a dance floor, tables from the 60's and a bar in back. They do not serve hard alcohol. They have both local and occasional national acts. Hank Dietle's is located at 11010 Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland.
Hell's Bottom is a VFW Post, with a bar, cheap beer (with some for the beer snobs), and a stage area that is only slightly higher than the rest of the room. It is fairly laid back. Hell's Bottom is located at 6420 Orchard Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Hill Center is located in the Old Navy Hospital in Southeast. It is a small room on the second floor and nice sound. They sell beer, wine and snacks. Hill Center is located at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast DC. Parking is tight, But there is a parking lot at Tyler Elementary School for events that start after four if all else fails.
Hill Country Barbecue is a large barbecue place. It used to have live shows before COVID but now does not. Located at 410 7th Street in Northwest DC. 202-556-2050.
The Howard Theatre is a recently renovated historic theater. It holds 600 people for seated shows, 1,000 for standing shows. Whatever it says on the ticket, there is always some seating, and sometimes significantly more than "standing room only" would indicate. They have a full menu for some shows, snacks for others, and a full bar. Seats come with a $10 minimum. Balcony seating is now all tables. Tickets are available from the box office (noon to 5 or later Tuesday to Sunday) or the web site, which uses TicketWeb. The Howard Theatre is located at 620 T. Street in Northwest DC. Parking is available on the street, in a lot on the corner of 7th and T, and there is valet parking as well. Some or all of the parking can be purchased in advance. Parking on the street is possible and there is a parking lot across the alley from it. Box office is 202-803-2899. Howard Theater is a Union Stage Presents venue.
Jammin'; Java is a coffeehouse and bar located in Vienna, Virginia. It seats maybe 100 for seated shows, and holds up to 200 for shows with less seating. You can now pick some seating in advance when purchasing tickets. But if you buy general admission for a show with less seating, you might want to arrive early. Jammin' Java is a Union Stage Presents venue. They have a fair and reasonably priced selection of beer, and serve food in baskets. They are all ages all the time. Jammin' Java closes at midnight during the week, and at 2 am on Friday and Saturday. The address is 227 Maple Ave East, in Vienna, Virginia. 703-255-1566.
Keystone Korner is a mostly jazz venue with food and drink. There are tables, booths and bar stools, but look carefully at the seating map when ordering tickets as some of the seats have significantly impaired visibility (some may not have any, but there are screens). 1350 Lancaster. Purchase of "two items" is required. It would seem two beers would fill that requirement. They have a relatively full menu. There is lots of parking, including valet parking.
The Lincoln Theatre is a remodeled old theater with seating left in place. Mostly floor, slanted as it should be, but also side boxes and a shallow balcony. The venue is generally all ages. Pretty Limited beer and wine selection in the lobby, don't know about the upstairs bar. Tickets are sold by TicketMaster. It is located at 1215 U Street in Northwest DC. 202-888-0500. Tickets available through TicketFly, the box office (open noon to start of headliner on show days), and the 9:30 and Merriweather Post box offices.
Lisner Auditorium is a concert hall on the campus of George Washington University. If they are currently having events they are hiding it really well. It is theater seating, and it is small enough that none of the seats are really bad. There is usually a small bar, and they sell very limited snacks, candy bars mostly. Tickets are available from the box office and from Ticketmaster. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday 11 through 5. It does not accept credit cards. It is also open starting approximately 60 to 90 minutes before each performance. There is a $1 per ticket service charge at the box office. Lisner Auditorium is located at 730 21st Street in Northwest DC. 202-994-6800.
Madam's Organ is a small venue located at 2461 18th Street NW, in Adam's Morgan. Had always thought of it as kind of cozy, but went recently and I had to stand in line for about 20 minutes to get in, and there was a DJ upstairs and the foot traffic for that made the experience like trying to dance in a crowded hall way. Go see the mural that has the neighborhood up in arms. She doesn't look topless to me, but what do I know? 202-667-5370.
Maryland Meadworks is exactly what it sounds like. It is a bit small and pretty much serves mead and nothing else. But the mead is good and outside food is welcome. Stage is pretty much the back corner. It is open Thursday and Friday 4 to 10, Saturday noon to 10, Sunday noon to 7. Maryland Meadworks is located at 4700 Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. 301-955-9644.
Merriweather Post Pavilion is a classic pavilion-- 5,200 reserved seats in front, lawn for 10,000 in back. It has had significant upgrades in recent years. They finally have a craft beer stand with a great selection, but it is way in back. No outside food or drink other than sealed bottles of water is allowed. The Pavilion is now run by IMP. Tickets are sold by TicketMaster. Doors open 1 and 1/2 hours before show time. In Columbia, just drive up 95 or over on 175 and get in the traffic jam. The parking lots open at 5 for most shows. The price of parking is included in the ticket. However, it is now necessary to reserve your parking when you buy your ticket. (Not sure what you do if you don't buy a ticket in advance. Parking is by zones, and available parking varies by show. I predict a mess. Tickets are available through Ticket Master and from the box office on show days. 410-715-5550.
Metro Gallery has had a change of ownership (but to people who have worked there) and is apparently changing its name to Metro Baltimore. It is a classic Baltimore venue that used to be two places and has the support posts down the middle to prove it. Stage is in the front to the left, and bar is in the back on the left, with the right devoted to art and plumbing. The stage is about 2 and a half feet high, 15 feet long and about 12 feet deep. Bar has an excellent selection of beer and wine and is open from 6 pm to 2 am. Shows are 21+ unless they are not. Tickets available online from Etix or at the door. Metro Gallery is located at 1700 North Charles Street in Baltimore.
Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge has a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, a venue with bar on the second floor, and a lounge and dining area on the roof. The venue itself is on the small side, and about a third of it is a slightly raised stage. Other than a bench or so there is no seating. I don't think they are currently having shows. The bar is outside the venue proper. Metropolitan is located at 169 West Street in Annapolis. 410-280-5160.
Theatre at MGM National Harbor seats 3,000 people and really is not a bad place to see a show once you manage to get into it --if you are under 21 you have to navigate around the casino to get there and no matter what your age is, when I was there the line to get in was really long. And it is expensive.
Due to the transfer of the operation of The Kennedy Center from a nonpartisan body to one that is very partisan and has already made changes with which I strongly disagree, I will not be listing shows from any portion of the Kennedy Center. Okay, early on I was listing some Millennium Stage shows since they are free, but after the way Jasmine Williams was treated (the audience was packed with Republicans who booed her and were otherwise rude) I will not be adding any Kennedy shows to this list.
Montpelier Arts Center has numerous music series each year, including jazz and classical. The shows are held in the main gallery, which holds a few hundred people. No alcohol is served, but they have punch and cookies at intermission. Tickets are sold by season or by ticket. Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road off Route 197 in Laurel, Maryland. Their phone number is 301-377-7800.
The Mansion on O Street is just that, but complete with hidden passages and doors and rooms full of really cool stuff. They don't have a lot of shows, but if you find one make sure you arrive early to check the place out.
New Deal Cafe is a cafe located in Old Greenbelt at 113 Centerway. It has a comfortable coffee room in front, and a larger, but still relatively small, concert space in back. Food is served by the Greenbelt Coop, the beer and wine selection is good. The Atmosphere is excellent. There is almost never a charge to get in, but bring some $$ for the band. 301-474-5642.
The 9:30 used to be a too cool for its own good club over on F Street with the singular claim to having a stage located in a place where almost no-one in the club could see it. The move to the old WUST hall at 815 V Street NW is an improvement both in livability and in attitude, but don't expect down home friendliness. All shows are all ages. An IMP venue. Doors open at 7:30 during the week, 9 on Fridays and 7 on Saturdays. Show times vary depending on the number of bands and can be found on their web site. The food is actually quite edible. Capacity is about 1,200. Tickets are available from TicketMaster, or from the box office, which is open from noon to 7 on week nights, but until 11 if there is a show, and 6-11 on saturday and sunday. The 9:30 number is 202-393-0930
Jiffy Lube Pavilion is a large outdoor pavilion out near Manassas run by Live Nation. Pavilion seating is plentiful and the lawn seating is pleasant and actually allows you to see and hear the show. They serve outrageously expensive beer and equally expensive food, and limit carry ins to one sealed water bottle. Remember to bring that bottle, because their water is literally not potable. They allow you to bring in a blanket, and will rent you an "appropriate" chair. Shows start at 8 unless otherwise specified. The box office is open from noon to intermission on show days. Tickets are also available from Live Nation. Parking is included in the price of the ticket, and there are not really any other options. Traffic and parking management are so bad that there have been shows where some people never made it in. They don't particularly seem to care, and they certainly don't refund your money if it happens to you. Be warned that it can also sometimes take hours to get out of the lot. Take I-66 to exit 43B or 44 and follow the signs from there. 703-754-6400.
Orion Sound has a small studio where they host music occasionally. As you would imagine, the sound is excellent. Lately they have been supplying chairs, and sometimes people bring food. It is pretty much BYOB. All shows are all ages.
Ottobar is now in the old Club Midnite at 2549 North Howard Street in Baltimore. It is much roomier than the old one, has a real stage, and it is easy to get to the bathrooms. Other than that, the same spirit is in effect, and there is still no food. Most shows are 18 and over. The doors open at 9 and the show starts at 10 unless other times apply. There are also shows upstairs on occasion, but it is a much smaller, much lower stage. Tickets are available through Etix. Phone is 410-662-0069.
The Patterson is a venue operated by the Creative Alliance. It has all sorts of exhibits and activities in addition to shows and has recently been having less music. The performance space is set up according to the needs of each performance and may have more or less seating, standing or dancing space. Capacity for performances ranges from 210 to 250. Beverages are available. Tickets can be bought at the box office, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 7 or online from their website. The galleries are free so take a look while you are there. The Patterson is located at 3134 Eastern Avenue in Baltimore. Street parking is relatively easy to find.
Pearl Street Warehouse is located on the Wharf at 33 Pearl Street in Southwest DC. It has a capacity of between 150 and 300 people depending on whether it is seated, standing, or some combination of the two. They serve food and alcohol. Shows are 21+ unless otherwise specified. Tickets are available online through TicketMaster and at the box office. The box office has a flat $1 service charge. Unlike other Wharf venues, it accepts cash. Parking is generally available, but often expensive. It offers classic diner food, opening for breakfast at 8:30 am and staying open until close. It is closed on Monday. Pearl Street Warehouse is a Union Stage Presents venue.
Pherm; is a brewery with a fair-sized room, a bar, and spread out tables with a small stage up front. They are located at 1041 MD-3 in Gambrills, Maryland. Music is occasional rather than the point, which is beer.
Pier 6 is a small concert pavilion located on the Inner Harbor off of President Street, which is on the right after you pass Harborplace and the National Aquarium. While the pavilion is relatively small, the lawn is even smaller. (If you think of your own lawn you may not be far off). They do not allow you to bring in glass containers or alcohol and their own beer and food selection is pretty slim. Once when I was there they ran out of their only decent beer by the set break. It has just changed its name back to Pier 6 and its management back to Live Nation. It wasn't great under Live Nation before, but it was horrible under whoever had it in the interim. Venue maintenance was not their thing in the past, we'll see how it goes now. (July 3, 2022 and they still haven't fixed the stall doors in the bathroom. It has been years). Beer selection and prices have been terrible. Tickets are available from the box office, which is open from noon until 9 on concert nights and from Live Nation. Having gotten myself into their parking once, my advice is don't. It is outrageously expensive, and despite the fact that the lots are tiny, it takes forever to get out.
The Pie Shop is exactly what it sounds like, but with music. A wide variety of Delicious pies are sold downstairs and there is a bar and live music upstairs. There is a good beer selection upstairs, and a low stage at the front with standing room, but not much in the way of seats other than the floor, a couple of pews on the wall near the stage, and the bar stools at the bar. The Pie Shop is located at 1339 H Street in Northeast DC.
The Quarry House is a dive bar in Silver Spring with a surprisingly good beer menu for a dive. It is downstairs has one entrance (and thus one exit) and is shaped like a C with the band at one end of the C, so location is important. The Quarry House is located at 8401 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland. Look for the stairs. Tickets are handled by Dice.
The Ramshead On Stage is a small concert hall. All seating is at tables, and there is no standing (or dancing) for most shows. Tickets are sold by seat, so have your group organized when you go to buy the tickets. Also, a lot of Ramshead shows sell out, so it is worth buying early. Food in the concert hall is bar food and the prices are not low but not outrageous. A more varied menu is available in the restaurant, but they do a heavy business, so there is no guarantee that you can get seated and eat before the show. Traditionally most shows have been 21+, but more now seem to be all ages. Weekend matinees are always all ages. Tickets are available from the Ramshead, in person website which uses AXS. AXS says you have to download and use their app to use your tickets, but at Rams Head On Stage you can just show your ID to the nice people at the box office. The box office number is 410-268-5111. The Ramshead is located at 33 West Street in Annapolis. 301-261-1118/410-268-4545
The Recher is the old Recher Theater redone and spiffed up. Standing room only for most shows. Nice long bars and passable selection of drinks. The Recher is located at 512 York Avenue in Towson, Maryland. There is now a parking garage about a block away.
Rhizome DC is a nonprofit community arts space located at 6950 Maple St NW, in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington DC. Among the arts, of course, is music. Shows are usually held on the main floor of the house, and there is usually seating. There is generally a $10 suggested donation. Parking is available on site and nearby.
7 Locks Brewing is a brewery with a fairly large room, a lot of tables, and a space in the corner where they sometimes have music. They are located 12227 Wilkins Avenue in Rockville, Maryland. Music is occasional rather than the point, which is beer.
The Sidebar is a tiny little bar with a capacity of maybe 110 right near the old Ottobar at the corner of Lexington and Guilford. It has been closed for years for a substantial renovation, but apparently there has been some progress.
Simple Bar and Grill is about what it sounds like, with a variety of drinks and good food and music. Simple Bar and Grill is located at 5802 Georgia Avenue in Northwest DC.
6th & I is an historic synagogue at the intersection of 6th and I streets in Northwest. It is fairly large and has pew seating on the main floor and the balconies. There are concessions at some shows, but no food is allowed in the area where the shows are. Gallery Place Metro is nearby. Availability and cost of parking varies depending on what is happening at Verizon Center.
Slash Run is closing as soon as its lease runs out. While it lasts it is classic burger joint with vegan options and a good beer selection. It has booths in front and a raised area with a bar in back. Bands play on the floor in the front window. The only bathroom I found was a one - holer, but there may be more. Parking in the neighborhood is residential parking until 8:30 and is rather scarce. Slash Run is located at 201 Upshur Street in Northwest DC. (202) 838-9929.
Songbyrd Music House has apparently moved to 540 Penn Street in Northeast DC. The new venue has a 200 person capacity. Tickets are by Dice. They have some food, but they are also near many restaurants. There is outdoor seating for food and drinks. Beer selection is limited but has some good ones.They also have a few cocktails, som of them in cans.
The Spanish Ballroom is architecturally not unlike a high school cafeteria, but with more interesting trim and a much better floor. It is all about dance floor and music there is virtually always for a dance. It is alcohol and smoke free, and any food and drink that are available are not permitted on the dance floor - which is most of the venue (7,500 square feet). For information on what is happening at the ballroom, see Dancing in the Park. The Spanish Ballroom is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. 301-492-6282.
The State Theatre is a venue in an old movie theater in Falls Church. The downstairs goes up in four levels with seating on the back three (though that may vary) and the balcony retains the theater seating in back, and wings have been added on the side. Total capacity is 800 for shows with some seating, 900 when all standing, but that may not include the added balcony space. The stage is actually visible from almost anywhere, even if you are as short as I am. And the sound is excellent. They have a somewhat limited menu, but serve real food, not just snacks. Most, if not all shows are 18+ and there is a $3 tax if you are under 21. Tickets are available from the box office and online from FreshTix on the State Theatre's web site. Box office hours are 12 to 5 Monday through Friday and 6:30 to 11:30 on show nights. The State Theatre is located at 220 N. Washington Street in Falls Church. 703-237-0300.
Strathmore; is an historic mansion on an 11 acre lot belonging to Montgomery County. Music and arts presentations take place in the mansion, on the grounds, and in the 1976 seat Music Center at Strathmore, a state of the are concert hall. The Mansion is about you would expect a mansion to be, and has a bar across the hall from the the music area. They might sell some chips, but that is about it. It seats up to 110 people for concerts. The Music Center has actual food prior to the show, and beer and wine before the show and during intermission, but it is obscenely expensive. The Music Center at Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, Maryland. Parking is available in the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro garage off of Tuckerman Lane, and is free for ticketed events. The Mansion is located at 10701 Rockville Pike in Rockville, and has its own parking. Not sure how the lawn works. 301-581-5200.
Street Car 82 Brewing Company is a brewery with seating inside and out. It is located at 4824 Rhode Island Avenue (also known as Route 1) in Hyattsville. They often have food trucks and are very close to Pizzeria Paradiso.
The Atlantis is located at 2047 9th Street in Northwest DC 9:30 Club. It is named for and is a tribute to The Atlantis on F Street, which became the original 9:30 Club. It is rather more roomy though and has a second floor balcony and a roof top bar and more restrooms on the third floor. I am using the term floor loosely. Most shows are standing only and all ages. This venue is cashless.
Union Craft Brewing is a brewery that occasionally has music. The space is cavernous, the beer is good, the food is limited. It has parking and there is more on the street. Union Craft Brewing is located at 1700 West 41st Street, Suite 420, in Baltimore.
Union Stage is located on the Wharf at 740 Water Street in Southwest DC. There is a tap room on the ground level that opens at 5. The venue is downstairs and holds 450 standing or 225 for seated shows. There is an elevator as well as stairs to get to the venue. Beer and pizza are sold on both floors. Despite the fact that it is a pretty new building they seem to have HVAC issues with the downstairs. I have never been cold there, but way too hot is not uncommon. "Premium" seating is available at some shows, but in some cases it is further away than any of the standing. Union Stage is an all ages venue. Parking is available, but not inexpensive. Needless to say, this is a Union Stage Presents venue.
The Warner Theatre is a grand old theatre located at 513 13th Street in Northwest DC. It seats 1847, slightly over half on the floor, the rest in balconies and boxes. Lately they are apparently starting to look for renovation money, as they are having a lot of comedy and music. They serve alcohol, and let you bring it to your seat, but the prices are steep and the lines are long. Don't show up hungry. Tickets are available at the box office or through Live Nation. The phone number is 202-783-4000.
Wax Atlas is a used record store in the Hamilton neighborhood of Northeast Baltimore. They have a small and low stage and a very low key atmosphere. Wax Atlas is located at 5523 Harford Road in Baltimore. Phone number is 443-399-6233.
Weinberg Center for the Arts is a converted theater in downtown Frederick that has movies, speakers and live shows. It has a total capacity of 1,147 - 739 in the orchestra, 116 in the mezzanine, 292 in the balcony. They serve beer and probably wine in the lobby. Weinberg Center is located at 20 West Patrick Street in Frederick, Maryland. 301-600-2828.
Wolf Trap is the ultimate outdoor venue in this area, but don't expect to see anything rowdy there. Acoustics in the pavilion are great, sound and view from the lawn are good if you show up early to get a good spot. Wolf Trap allows food on the lawn in any kind of container, and beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, in glass, aluminum, or plastic. They have recently become more restrictive about the size of the coolers you bring in. But you can still relax and drink champagne in glasses while you watch the show, it doesn't bother them. It is also now possible to buy an adult sippy cup in which to take beverages into the pavilion. There are rules though: this is a federal facility and they still follow the rule of zero tolerance for drugs. Oh yeah, and you can't get married on the grounds. There are no age limits, but you need a ticket for every human being, no matter how young. During colder parts of the year Wolf Trap shows are at the Barns, which are nearby. You can't bring your own there, but they do have a fair selection, and the surroundings are pleasant. Tickets are available from the box office which is open from 10 to 6 during the week, from noon to 5 on the weekend, and until 9 on show nights and also from their website, which is essentially torture. I cannot exaggerate exactly how much torture. Wolf Trap not only keeps its ticket prices for shows a secret until they go on sale, they don't provide them then either. To get prices, one has to click on individual seats in the desired section. You can't even mouse over the section, you have to pick a seat, and then cancel it if it is out of range. The confusion this causes makes it extremely difficult to make informed choices, and I believe that is their aim. Nice behavior for a federal agency eh? Speaking of which, as yet I am not aware of any action of DOGE that would affect Wolf Trap, much less any attempt to control their programming. I would, however, exercise caution in buying advance tickets. Wolf trap is located in Virginia right off of the Dulles toll road.