The Anthem — Attraction in Washington

I am entirely appalled by what I experienced at this venue. I went to The Anthem with my fiancé on Monday, October 21, 2024, to see Clairo. Amazing artist, one of our favorites, we were BEYOND excited. We had been looking forward to this show for months. Please note we had seen her at another venue before and never experienced this issue. We arrived at the venue, and all was well. The staff was friendly, and the service was great. We found our seats and the show began. As the show went on, we began smelling marijuana. We figured maybe someone had smoked and just walked in or something, so we waited it out as only the opener had performed so far, and we hadn’t even seen Clairo yet. Sadly, the smell of heavy marijuana usage continued to get worse as the show went on. We were sitting in the box seats and began observing smoke blowing up from multiple people in the general admission below. The smell of marijuana became unbearable. We stayed in our seats for a bit hoping maybe it would go away as we wanted to see our favorite artist Clairo, but unfortunately the smoking continued, and the room began to get hazy. We got up and went outside to get some fresh air in hopes to maybe clear our noses and get the smell out… something we SHOULD NOT have to be doing as we were MISSING our favorite artist that we PAID to see. We got up from our seats and went outside and the smell improved. We took a moment to figure out what we wanted to do with this situation. We decided to head back inside as we were missing the show that we paid money for and were beyond excited for. As we walked back in the door the smell of heavy marijuana usage smacked us in the face. At that point we decided we had to leave. Not even mid show. This is utterly unacceptable that this was allowed and not stopped. If you are unable to smoke cigarettes inside, why are you allowed to smoke marijuana inside? I mean some people are allergic to this stuff! I also saw a few younger girls and they don’t need to be getting high from secondhand smoke! As ticket purchasers we are entitled to a smoke free environment as we are indoors. I am beyond disappointed in this venue for allowing something like this. On The Anthem’s Website under the FAQ section, it clearly states: “What is your smoking policy? A: There is no smoking or vaping allowed inside the venue.” Yet the heavy smoking indoors was so bad we had to leave. My time was ruined, I missed the show that I paid money for, and I will never EVER be returning to this...

Having attended two mesmerizing Beach House concerts at The Anthem, I can confidently say it's a venue that knows how to elevate the live music experience to new heights.

My first encounter with The Anthem was in general admission, where the vast floor space provided ample room for concert-goers to immerse themselves in the music. Despite the crowd's eagerness to gather near the stage, access to bathrooms and bars remained surprisingly hassle-free, a testament to the venue's efficient layout and staff.

Fast forward several years, and I found myself in a seat on the second floor for another Beach House performance. The view from my perch was nothing short of spectacular, offering a panoramic vista of the stage below. Though the distance from the stage seemed considerable, my view remained crystal clear throughout the entire show.

Both times, the venue's organization impressed me. While the presence of two merch booths caused minor congestion for those navigating through the crowd, the lines moved swiftly, ensuring minimal disruption to the overall experience.

One aspect that deserves special mention is the venue's entrance process. Fast and streamlined, getting inside was a breeze, with security checks conducted efficiently without unnecessary delays.

In conclusion, The Anthem stands out as a premier concert venue that consistently delivers unforgettable experiences. Whether you're in the heart of the action on the floor or enjoying a bird's-eye view from the upper levels, The Anthem ensures every concert-goer can immerse themselves fully in the magic of live music. With its efficient operations, comfortable amenities, and commitment to an exceptional live music experience, I eagerly anticipate returning for more unforgettable shows...

This is a lovely venue and very accommodating when it comes to varying levels of viewing options. For example, if you get general admission, you can choose standing room only on the floor, but there are also options on levels 2 and 3 for standing, which is what I did for the last concert. There is plenty of seating options as well.

Being a smaller venue, it never felt overcrowded except I guess for those who choose to pack near the front in general admission. I was able to walk around during a concert and choose various viewing areas, plus purchase food and drinks with minimal waiting. Note, there is a lovely coffee bar on level 3 that also serves non-alcoholic beer.

I gave it 3 stars as I feel they have an issue with their air conditioning. I am not sure if the venue has air conditioning, or if it was broken that night, or if they simply chose not to use it. It was miserably hot inside (concert was on July 12), and the artist had to stop the show 5 times due to people passing out. Many of the people attending had been waiting in the hot sun for hours before entry, so you can imagine going from an oven outside to an oven inside. I can't imagine seeing any shows mid-summer, as it must be unbearable inside.

The venue did distribute free water and tried to help the people suffering, but it definitely took away some enjoyment of the show and of course, I felt bad for those whose night was ruined.

So, if you really must see a show during the summer, don't bother waiting in the sun, there are plenty of good viewing points. You can just come when doors open. Be sure to hydrate well before attending and make sure you get water at the venue. Otherwise, wait until the...