The 9:30 Club
OK, this one’s a bit of a gimme.
The 9:30 Club is the undeniable epicenter of the D.C. rock scene. Since opening the doors of its current location in 1996, the Shaw nightclub has consistently popped up on nationwide “Best Rock Venue” lists, including recent nods for “Top Club in the World” from Billboard Magazine and “Nightclub of the Year” at the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.
Can any local venue really live up to that kind of hype? Absolutely. Even if you take for granted the state-of-the-art soundsystem, the impeccable lighting scheme and the space’s impossible blend of intimacy and accessibility, you’ll still be blown away by the club's amenities. Three stocked bars are scattered throughout the venue, each with a respectable premium beer list. A discrete concession stand is your portal to a cheap, creative and surprisingly delicious menu of made-to-order offerings like Vegan Serape. If you're not of age, there's even a full coffee bar on the mezzanine level.
Oh, and then there’s the music. There aren’t many medium-sized venues in the country that can attract the legendary names that have graced the stage of the 9:30 Club. Bob Dylan has played here twice. Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco - the name dropping can go on forever. At the same time, the club stays true to its roots by establishing itself as a veritable Mecca for up-and-coming indie bands, staging packed shows every day of the week.
