The 10 Best Concert Venues in the DMV | Your Ultimate Live Music Guide

Fans, we want to let you in on a well-kept secret. When major touring acts come to the DMV area (D.C, Maryland, and Virginia), they often perform in smaller venues for lower ticket prices. Do you live in New York, Boston, or Philly, but you’ve never driven to the DMV to see a show? This might be your sign.

The DMV area, with a long reputation for being one of America’s cultural destinations, is a hive for incredible live music venues. From intimate rock halls to waterside amphitheaters, the DMV offers something special for every fan.

Here are The 10 Best Concert Venues in the DMV, Your Ultimate Live Music Guide. Keep reading for everything where to see the best live music in the DMV, how to find affordable concert tickets, and more.

The Anthem

Most premier performers stopping in the DMV will perform The Anthem, located on the Wharf in D.C. This medium to large scale venue holds up to 6,000 fans. The space is known to be truly transformative upon who is scheduled to perform and is known to accommodate many types of entertainment. For example, this year alone The Anthem is hosting both emerging artist Jessie Murph and rap superstar/ Grammy winner DOECHII.

The Anthem has exceptional sound quality across the board. Providing world-class entertainment at a great value to their customers, The Anthem is a true haven for live music fans.

What Makes it Special: Located on the D.C Wharf, modern amenities, great food and bar selection, friendly staff, intimate medium-sized venue.

Artists Performing in 2025: Ben Rector, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Ethel Cain, Sierra Ferrell, Alabama Shakes, David Byrne, Addison Rae, Lorde, DOECHII, Katseye, Patti Smith, Portugal. The Man, John Mulaney, and more.

9:30 Club

With a small capacity of around 1,200 fans, the 9:30 Club is a storied intimate rock concert venue in this area. Fans who are lucky enough to attend a show at the 9:30 Club will experience an unforgettable connection with the artist, given the closeness between the audience and the stage.

But this isn’t your typical rock music venue. The amenities are modern, clean, and operating at top-notch speeds. The bar is remarkably fast. As an attending fan, it’s clear the venue has a commitment to enhancing the experience of their live shows. Did we mention the exceptional acoustics? The good vibes, affordable ticket prices, and quality fan experience make the 9:30 Club a spectacular concert destination in this part of the country.

What Makes it Special: Intimate rock concert venue, excellent sound quality, fast bar, food on site, big balcony space

Artists Performing in 2025: Fitz and the Tantrums, Silversun Pickups, Yungblud, Wet Leg, The Beaches, Max McNown, Natasha Bedingfield, Rayvne Lenae, The Oh Hellos, Watchouse, and more.

Warner Theatre

The Warner Theatre, nestled in the heart of Downtown D.C, has a rich performance history. The historic venue went from being a live vaudeville theater, to hosting movie premiers, to becoming the live concert venue it is today. With ornate decor and a beautifully restored interior, the Warner Theatre is one of the more elegant concert venues in D.C.

Attentive concert-goers will immediately notice the distinctive architectural style, gilt adorning the walls and ceiling, and the detailed upholstery to match the theater’s original designs. The Warner Theatre remains a cultural powerhouse in the city, bringing a vast array of talent to D.C every year. You simply have to check out this one of a kind live music venue to understand its storied magic.

What Makes it Special: Gorgeous interior, superb sound system, centrally located in D.C, near the Metro, no bad seats in the house.

Artists Performing in 2025: Jesse & Joy, Mo Amer, Matt Fraser, Decisions, Decisions (Podcast), and more.

CFG Bank Arena

Located in Baltimore’s stadium center is CFG Bank Arena, where all of the biggest touring acts come to play. For a large-scale music venue, CFG Bank Arena offers incredible sight lines and excellent sound quality. Parking around the venue is readily available and, once inside the arena, access is fast and easy. According to fan reviews, CFG Bank Arena has leveled-up the typical large-scale live music experience.

Tickets for large-scale acts are typically high in price. But fans who venture to Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena will feel the savings. Don’t forget, TickPick’s transparent pricing model means we can help fans through the door at some of the best prices guaranteed. Don’t wait, find your affordable concert tickets today.

What Makes it Special: Centrally located in Baltimore, easily accessible, large-scale but not a bad seat in the house.

Artists Performing in 2025: Katy Perry, Nate Pergatze, Nine inch Nails, Tate McRae, Benson Boone, Adam Sandler, Kali Uchis, Mana, Billy Strings, Brandy, Bert Kreischer, Maroon 5, and more.

Ottobar

Baltimore natives will tell you: Ottobar is the best intimate live music venue in the DMV. Some will say Ottobar is one of the best punk and rock venues in the country. The acoustics are excellent and the space marvelously transforms for both small and mid-level bands. The balcony is spacious, providing seats and a respite from the ground level, while still maintaining a high crowd energy.

Ottobar is a smaller venue, with a fairly priced bar, located in the heart of Remington. This live music destination has been bringing grunge, punk, and alternative rock fans to the area for nearly 30 years. Savvy fans in Baltimore know Ottobar is a great place to catch emerging talent, or to see a show for a reasonably low price. Some of the best concert experiences in the DMV are happening at Ottobar. You simply have to check it out.

What Makes it Special: Historic indie rock club, perfect for mid-level bands, locals only vibe, great acoustics, intimate setting

Artists Performing in 2025: “Uncruel Summer: A Girly Pop Dance Party,” We Are Scientists, Nourished By Time, Bob Mould, White Reaper, Iamx, and more.

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Most seasoned concert goers have been to Merriweather Post Pavilion, where some of the biggest acts in music have held church on the lawn. This outdoor concert venue has been hailed as one of the best. Fan experiences indicate fairly priced concessions, clean amenities, and a superior sound system. Not to mention, the breathtaking sunsets and stars. Located off the beaten path in Columbia, Maryland, Merriweather is a true getaway from the typical city-scape of live music venues.

Often ranked as one of the top 10 outdoor music venues in the country, Merriweather Post Pavilion has been adding to its rich musical history for over fifty years now. It is where The Who and Led Zeppelin shared the stage for the first and only time. The same stage where President Jimmy Carter joined Willie Nelson to sing a duet of “Georgia on My Mind.” When fans touchdown at Merriweather, they are entering hallowed ground. Never been to Merriweather? Their 2025 performance calendar is, yet again, one of the best in the DMV.

What Makes it Special: Gorgeous outdoor music venue, long history of performers, incredible acoustics, lawn seating, chilled-out environment

Coming to Merriweather in 2025: The Black Keys, Leon Bridges, Haim, All Things Go Music Festival, Outlaw Music Festival, Renee Rapp, Lainey Wilson, and more.

The Fillmore Silver Spring

North of D.C, tucked away in southeast Montgomery County, is The Fillmore Silver Spring. This medium-scale venue arrived on the small Silver Spring music scene in 2011 and quickly became known as a premium destination for live entertainment. Inviting both emerging artists and world-class performers, The Fillmore Silver Spring quickly built a strong reputation in the area.

The Fillmore Silver Spring offers fans excellent sight lines, a spacious dance floor, and top-notch acoustics. Downtown Silver Spring offers concert goers a beer garden, pubs, and several eating options for before the show.

Don’t forget, TickPick’s transparent pricing model offers fans the best prices guaranteed. On a budget and looking to save on seeing your favorite band? TickPick will never charge hidden fees on The Fillmore Silver Spring concert tickets.

What Makes it Special: Intimate yet electric energy, friendly staff, hassle-free access inside the venue, strong beverages (expensive, but they pack a punch), modern and clean amenities

Coming to The Fillmore in 2025: Erykah Badu & The Alchemist, Hiatus Kaiyote, Shoreline Mafia, NXWORRIES, Noah Cyrus, 2Hollis, Little Simz, Leon Thomas, The Academy Is…, and more.

The National

The National, formerly known as The National Theater, is a historical venue which has managed to maintain its classic elegance over the years. Known as the final remaining theater from Richmond’s original Theater Row, The National has undergone several renovations and face lifts for it to become the premier live music venue it is today.

The diverse programming at The National draws every type of music lover to Richmond each year. In 2025, the legendary venue will see both major touring acts (Umphrey’s McGee, Young the Giant) and breakthrough artists (Soccer Mommy, Inhaler). This premier mid-sized venue, known for its excellent acoustics, also offers affordable tickets to its shows.

What’s the best way to purchase cheap concert tickets? TickPick’s user-friendly platform and approach to ticketing ensures hassle-free access to some of the most exciting up-and-coming acts. Find your no-fee concert tickets, today.

What Makes it Special: Historical venue, VIP Balcony Seating, Downtown Richmond, centrally located on Theater Row, top-notch customer service, security, and staff.

Coming to The National Theater in 2025: Whitney, Umphrey’s McGee, Poppy, Soccer Mommy, Phantogram, Inhaler, Young the Giant, Franz Ferdinand, Neko Case, Andrew Callaghan, King Princess, Jessica Kirson, Whitechapel, and more.

Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion

The Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion in Portsmouth, VA is a gorgeous venue to see a concert. The covered outdoor pavilion is located on the banks of the Elizabeth River, offering concert goers unique views and historic charm while enjoying top-tier entertainment. With a real community connection and palpable pavilion magic, this unforgettable concert venue should be at the top of your list.

Centrally located to Old Town, Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion offers easy access and convenient parking. With a 6,500 person capacity, the Portsmouth Pavilion hosts some of the biggest live events in the area each year.

What Makes it Special: Clean facilities, accessible and cheap parking near the venue, waterside views, walking distance to Old Town bars and restaurants

Coming to Portsmouth in 2025: The Temptations, Brantley Gilbert, Crowder, and more.

The NorVa

Booking some of the most diverse talent in the DMV is The NorVa, a small-scale venue located in Downtown Norfolk, VA. According to concert reviews, audience members report excellent sight lines from all areas of the venue and friendly staff. The vibes must be high at The NorVa, from both a performer and audience perspective, because we see some big talent coming to this former Vaudeville theater.

Are you located on the east coast and looking for cheaper music venues to see your favorite artists? Put The NorVa on your radar. For example, Cash Cobain is touching down next month for a get-in price of only $56.

What Makes it Special: Great views from upstairs rail, excellent staff and customer service, centrally located in Downtown Norfolk

Coming to The NorVa in 2025: Umphrey’s McGee, Cash Cobain, Johnny Marr, NXWORRIES, Rico Nasty, Blues Traveler, The Disco Biscuits, Cannibal Corpse, GWAR, and more.

Tips for Planning Your Concert Experience in the DMV

Every concert requires planning. But if you’re coming to the DMV for a show, there are a few outside elements fans should prepare for. Here are a few tips, from a DMV local, on how to have the best concert experience possible.

• Traffic: The DMV, legendarily, has some of the worst traffic in the entire country. You have to be stuck in it to believe it. When attending a concert between D.C, Maryland, and Virginia, we suggest building in an hour to your travel plan to accommodate for potential traffic. If you’re seeing a show in D.C, especially on the weekend, make it two hours.
• Know the Area: Some concert venues in the DMV, such as The Fillmore Silver Spring and Merriweather Post Pavilion, are located in smaller towns and less-busy areas. Others, such as Ottobar and CFG Bank Arena, are in city neighborhoods. When you have your concert tickets secured, we suggest looking at local Reddit pages for food, bar, and other itinerary suggestions. Don’t arrive at the area of the venue without a predetermined plan.
• Research Parking Beforehand: Plenty of venues in the DMV offer easy access to parking, but some can be tricky. We suggest using either ParkMobile or SpotHero for planning your parking ahead of time, especially if you’re seeing a show in D.C.