The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

1. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

9.5
2700 F St NW (at New Hampshire Ave), Washington, D.C.
Performing Arts Venue · 178 tips and reviews

ToneTone: Excellent free scenic views of the city and the river. Free wifi in the cafe upstairs. Great place to see cultural performances.

Oliver L.Oliver Lewis: A wonderful venue for all types of musical performances. This historic site is conveniently located and offers views of the city, the Potomac, and restaurants on site.

Andres F.Andres Falconer: Can't be missed. Must come as often as possible. Great free performances in the halls.

9:30 Club is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

2. 9:30 Club

9.0
815 V St NW (at 9th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Music Venue · U-Street · 214 tips and reviews

Lauren R.Lauren Rossetto: Just saw the Bosstones show here last night and was very impressed with the place. The view from the balcony was top notch, one of the best music venues I've ever been to!

Pearl A.Pearl A: Get there early to get a good seat on the 2nd floor balcony! Such a great view for concerts!

BB: I love going to concerts here! Good beer selections. All the good artists. Convenient location.

The Anthem is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

3. The Anthem

9.2
901 Wharf St SW, Washington, D.C.
Music Venue · Southwest - Waterfront · 37 tips and reviews

Tom B.Tom Bridge: DC’s newest big room for concerts, The Anthem has incredible sound, food and drink, and all the acts you want to see!

Vesper A.Vesper A: Brand new concert venue run by I.M.P. (The folks who run 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre, MPP & more) that can hold up to 6,000 people. Signage isn’t great inside but the seating and sound is excellent.

Mimi N.Mimi Nguyen: Awesome music venue brought to you by the same people as 9:30 club. Bar inside is cashless but super efficient. Acoustics are amazing and I look forward to watching more shows here!

The Yards Park is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

4. The Yards Park

9.3
10 Water St SE (at 3rd St SE), Washington, D.C.
Park · Navy Yard · 37 tips and reviews

LyndseyLyndsey: free concert and a beer garden on summer Friday nights

Nicole M.Nicole McKinney: Check out the Yards Park concert series every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 in the summer. Live music, food trucks, beer from Churchkey, hanging by the water. Can't go wrong!

Jess Z.Jess Zimbabwe: Splash fountain, huge wading pool, sloped benches and boulders to climb: what's not to like for kids. Food, beer, and live music on Friday nights in the summer.

Kennedy Center Millennium Stage is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

5. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

8.4
2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C.
Performing Arts Venue · Northwest Washington · 16 tips and reviews

Washington BladeWashington Blade: “Shear Madness,” a comedy whodunit, will be performed twice Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. At the Theater Lab. “Madness” takes place in present-day Georgetown, in the Shear Madness Hair Styling Salon. Ticke

Michelin Travel & LifestyleMichelin Travel & Lifestyle: Don't miss a free performance daily at 6pm!-- Green Guide Editor

raymondweilraymondweil: Calling all jazz lovers! Catch a free performance by The Airmen of Note,the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force, live at the Millenium Stage. Precision is my Inspiration.

The Hamilton is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

6. The Hamilton

8.9
600 14th St NW (at F St NW), Washington, D.C.
Bar · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 265 tips and reviews

checkitoutcheckitout: Sushi while at a live music show?Excellent! I didn't want nigiri in the bento box, so for a $3 upcharge they gave me 2 firecracker rolls, instead. Love that rollls were not topped with goopy sauces.

Dale B.Dale Blades: One of the best music venues.

becca g.becca gibson: Amazing food and awesome music venue!

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

7. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue

8.9
600 I St NW (at 6th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Synagogue · Chinatown · 28 tips and reviews

R G 1R G 1: Non-denominational historic synagogue pains-takingly restored. Runs the gamut: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist. Excellent lectures, concerts, classes, etc. Read more.

Union for Reform JudaismUnion for Reform Judaism: Join a trivia night, catch a cooking night, see a concert, participate in services... & so much more! In 2011, Sixth & I played host to our Consultation on Conscience lineup of political speakers.

Bob K.Bob Kelly: For concerts, arrive early! It's general admission but seated and 30% of the seats are obstructed. Learned the hard way :-(

Capital One Arena is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

8. Capital One Arena

8.5
601 F St NW (at 7th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Basketball Stadium · Chinatown · 285 tips and reviews

Tom B.Tom Benya: Great place to come see a concert!

Christopher E.Christopher Edwards: Best concert ever

Jeanie E.Jeanie Eschbach: This is a great concert venue!

JoJo Restaurant & Bar is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

9. JoJo Restaurant & Bar

7.9
1518 U St NW, Washington, D.C.
Restaurant · U-Street · 49 tips and reviews

Darroll S.Darroll S: Amazing live Jazz on Thursday evenings! Incredible steaks and cocktails!

L Shawn H.L Shawn Hazel: Get atmosphere, intimate space for communication, excellent live band

UndraUndra: Nice atmosphere with live music!! Try one of the margaritas...they are huge!

The Howard Theatre is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

10. The Howard Theatre

8.0
620 T St NW (at 6th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Concert Hall · U-Street · 104 tips and reviews

The DC Jazz Festival M.The DC Jazz Festival Manager: DC Jazz Festival Special performances: Jazz at the Howard celebrates the tradition of jazz in D.C. Grammy winning vocalist Dianne Reeves, Italian guitarist Pino Daniele & Steve Kimock Band

BETBET: The 1st concert hall in the country that catered exclusively to Black artists & audiences. See great examples of African-Americans' contributions to us all: http://bet.us/BHM

Tah D.Tah Didhe: One of the best live performance venues in the city. Been to many sick shows here

Blues Alley is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

11. Blues Alley

8.6
1073 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Jazz and Blues Venue · Georgetown · 49 tips and reviews

MazdaMazda: Founded in 1965, Blues Alley is the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club, having showcased internationally renowned concert hall artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, & Nancy Wilson.

lauren s.lauren shipton: Check out bluesalley.com for their performance schedule, amazing for an intimate dinner date Read more.

AMIAMI: Hope you're all going to be checking-in to the Robert Glasper Trio's performance on October 10th at 8 & 10pm! Give us a shout if you are (@AMIagency)!

Warner Theatre is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

12. Warner Theatre

9.1
513 13th St NW (at E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Theater · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 41 tips and reviews

StefanStefan: I've designed lights here for Daniel West Dancers, way back for the Washington Performing Arts Society. Great crew and very beautiful house

Karen K.Karen Kuhn: Ushers should not seat late arrivers during performance!

Ohoud M.Ohoud Madani: Hakami concert

Hill Country Barbecue Market is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

13. Hill Country Barbecue Market

7.9
410 7th St NW (btwn D & E St NW), Washington, D.C.
BBQ Joint · Penn Quarter · 273 tips and reviews

Candice B.Candice Barnes: Go with the brisket (moist over lean) and get the corn pudding or mac and cheese. Skip the cornbread, it was dry. Awesome bar scene with live band karaoke.

EaterEater: Try the moist brisket, the sausages imported from Kreuz Market or any variety of sides. Most nights of the week bring live music and pitchers of Shiner are always $20. [Eater 38 Member]

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Live Band Karaoke every week! Also a great place for some authentic Texas food as well.

Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

14. Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall

8.6
610 F St NW (at 6th Street NW), Washington, D.C.
Theater · Chinatown · 35 tips and reviews

Molly P.Molly Perkins: See the yearly free performance "Free For All" or make use of the cheap ticket deals for people under 35

Capital SpiceCapital Spice: Check out free performances in the Forum on Wednesdays at noon.

Karina V.Karina Valverde: Free performance by Furia Flamenca Dance Company on Wednesday, December 11, 12:00pm, as part of the "Happenings at the Harman" series. Held in the Forum, lower level. Seating first come first serve.

The Lincoln Theatre is one of The 15 Best Places for Performances in Washington.

15. The Lincoln Theatre

8.3
1215 U St NW, Washington, D.C.
Concert Hall · U-Street · 31 tips and reviews

Caroleen W.Caroleen Wilkes: On the National Registrar of Historic Places after hosting great African American performers such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, and more.

Kameron S.Kameron Spencer: Acoustics suck! If you want to dance at the concert, chairs will be in your way!!

Christopher C.Christopher Craig: Beautiful intimate concert venue with a great history. And popcorn.