I've been to two shows here - one on the flex stage and one in the seated main room. Â I'll have to say I enjoyed the flex stage way better. Â When I go to a show, especially one that is uptempo and rockin', I want to stand up and dance. Â Nothing is more insulting than spending $55 to see a show and then be wedged-in at a catering table the entire night. Â The sound was pretty good, the waitress was fine, the beer selection was pretty great and affordable, but I can't get over having to sit like I was at a dinner theater. Â If I was going to see a singer/songwriter, Kris Kristofferson I see is playing soon, it makes sense, but it can't work for everyone.
I won't return for a show at the Birchmere. Â For such a legendary venue, the only things that will stand out in my mind is the cramped seating and super expensive ticket prices.
Birchmere has gone from great to mediocre and from great deal to ripoff in a few short years. Â The top acts have migrated to the many other venues that have come to life, while the price of performances at the Birchmere has doubled and tripled. Â
The most recent insult to customers came when management removed pitchers of tap water from tables and now insists that customers pay for pricy bottled water. Â Will pay toilets be next?
The short and sweet: Live music is AWESOME. If you don't mind spending the majority of your afternoon here to see a 7:30PM show, then the venue won't seem so bad either!
My boyfriend and I went to see Eric Roberson on a Saturday night at the end of May. I'm so glad I read the Yelp reviews before we went, because they helped me to know what to expect.
The ticketing and seating process did run smoothly, but they really need to get a better system, because it really is a WASTE OF TIME. The process is described in depth within alot of the reviews so I won't go into it. The show started at 7:30, however we were hanging out at a venue with over two hours before showtime just to ensure we get good seats.
Since I read the reviews, we ate before we got there, and just ordered soft drinks and water at the table. I needed to keep my throat from getting dry from singing and screaming the whole time! lol. However, our tab was just $5. You don't have to purchase anything, however there is a full-menu and bar menu available-- no table minimum! That's awesome. So if you don't plan to eat, Â be prepared to chit chat and people watch with whomever you came with for a good two hours.
We were able to scoop out a two-person table on the side by the stage, so we had GREAT seats. I definitely enjoyed the live music performance, the accoustics were great and that really is the only thing that would bring me back.
Great venue, friendly staff, free parking. I could only ask that they move to Maryland. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Birchmere. I saw Eric Roberson, a fabulous singer, with a dynamic band and the sound was so clear! It was as if ErRo and his band were playing for me privately in my own home. I've never had such a great live show experience. With Roberson coming to The Howard Theater in October, I'm excited to see him again, but if the sound quality of the show is better at The Birchmere, I'll say I won't go back. I loved the seating arrangement, it really makes me think there isn't a single "bad" seat in the house. I totally recommend The Birchmere as a premier concert venue, especially where there's seating available. And I almost cannot wait for my return visit.
Review Source:Went here for the first time this month. Was skeptical about the sound quality for the show, but it was actually really good. Also, no problems seeing the stage from the back.
There is plenty of parking, but hard to find one where someone doesn't park directly behind you and possibly block you in if you want to leave before the show is over.
Tried the bread pudding as I'd already had dinner. Terrible, just terrible. I think they literally dumped a Dole fruit cup in it as there were grapes, pears, pineapple and the like in it. And it was like 8 bucks! I have no problem paying that much for good dessert, but wow, what a rip off.
Not the top of my preferred venue list, but I would see another show here if I had to.
We attended to see Vinx and Nicole Henry. Â The music was great but this venue has a few problems. Â
The Good
Plenty of free parking
Lots of history
The Ugly
The guys at the door were disorganized and rude. Â There was a mix up with our tickets (their fault) and they immediately treated it like we were trying to get away with something. Â We are mid-50's professionals who are used to being treated much better than this
The bad
Food is expensive and mediocre at best
Menu is weak
Decor is shabby
We will not return.
The venue is really odd for a music show - definitely check out the pictures before buying tickets to an event here. Staring at the band, while seated at a table having dinner in front of the stage was just no fun at all.
Also, the entire menu is INSANELY OVERPRICED. And to top it off you have to pay for bottled water? WTF?! (Although, I swear I saw some tables with cups of water, but our server refused to explain the policy and only uttered, "Bottled Water Only")
And finally, service is blah as well.
Crowded and way overpriced. It's impossible to place and order after the music starts. Apparently I kept ordering beers when all I wanted was the check. You'd think 5 on a weekday night would raise the drunk driving alarm somewhere. But not here.
The music is worth it every time, though. Arrive very early, an hour before show time is not early enough.
A great music hall, which has hosted classic country artists (Ray Price, Merle Haggard), current Texas and other alt-country talent (Robert Earl Keen, The Flatlanders, Carolina Chocolate Drops), and assorted other old friends (Arlo Guthrie, Southside Johnny). So you go there to see a particular act that doesn't play anywhere else in DMV. You realize its a "cozy" venue. You don't bitch about the ticket price & all the fees that are attached to it-- seriously, in comparison to what you pay for a show at Verizon Center or even Patriot Center, there's nothing to bitch about. And you eat before you go. Sounds like virtually every other concert yenue in creation, doesn't it?
Review Source:We've been to the Birchmere several times and each time the show has been fantastic. Â The artists typically come out to sign autographs after the show. Â The venue is small and intimate and the sound has been decent. Â I won't say every seat in the house is great, but the majority are very good. Â They bring in quite the variety of acts and have live entertainment nightly.
Seating is first come, first served so expect to arrive early. Â You'll receive a number when you pick up your tickets at will call and that is how you will actually be called to enter the theater. Â Once you have your tickets, you're allowed into the bar area - drinks (to include full bar) and appetizers are available for purchase. Â When the doors to the theater are opened, you enter when your number is called and select your seats. Â If you sit at one of the picnic tables up front, expect to sit with others.
The food looks to be somewhat mediocre and pricey for what it is. Â The servers are very busy getting out everyone's food/drinks so service can be slow depending on where you sit. Â We usually grab dinner early at one of the nearby restaurants and order a drink at the bar area just before entering the theater. Â Better food, no long wait.
I came with a group to see ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. Â My opinion differs from the others in that I do not believe every seat is a good one because there are view-obstructing poles and there is no floor incline. Â There is no big screen, so if you can't make out the face(s) of the performer(s) under the bright lights, just refer to Google on your smartphone. Â The sound system also needs work. Â Go at least one hour prior to performance time because the place fills up quickly (first come, first served). Â
Food is mediocre bar food. Â We ordered the BBQ chicken pizza, which was raved about on here, but greatly disappointed, as well as the supreme nachos, chicken tenders, chicken pot pie, pulled pork sandwich, and pretzels. Â I would advise eating dinner elsewhere beforehand (Old Town is nearby) unless you are joining a group in which case it is better to dine and drink here. Â They sell beer by glass and by the pitcher. Â
I am giving this venue 3 stars, but the performance itself was outstanding. Â I will still return for certain acts.
The Birchemere gets 4 stars for the amazing venue, but a low 2 for food and service.
I've seen a few shows here and NOTHING beats their acoustics - it's amazing! The venue is small and comfortable, so you feel like it's a live show in your living room. Â A large living room, but a living room nonetheless.
On the flip side, the waiters seem to have too many tables and I've never ordered any food that was worth writing home about. Â Most food is on the level of a movie theater. Â The prices are reasonable and the food isn't awful, just not great.
The venue makes up for everything. GO GO GO!
Love this place! Â Bigger and far less cramped than Blues Alley; more intimate. less rigid and better food than the Howard Theater. Â This is my favorite concert venue in the DMV area. Â I love the fact that you can select your own seat and save seats for friends if you need to. Â The Howard and Blues Alley escort you to a seat they select for you and don't allow saving. Â While there really are no bad seats in the house, get there early so you can grab one right in front!
Review Source:If you are counting calories or have eaten ANYTHING during the day I recommend not coming here early for dinner. If you are looking to put on a few pounds though... I would suggest (for two people) chips and salsa ($8) lobster mac and cheese with a caesar ($20) and the BBQ chicken pizza ($12). You will be sufficiently stuffed (possibly nauseous) and oh so satisfied. Plus you will have met and exceeded (A++ to you my friend) your sodium, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, & protein requirements for the day. Throw in a pitcher of beer and damn baby get excited to not take your clothes of after the show.
Aside from that... The food was delicious, obviously heavy, the venue was awesome, no bad seat, acoustics were great and the crowd was lovely!!
I'm *told* The Birchmere is an "acclaimed music venue" but that's got to be at least a generation gone by now. Â It's a little rough around the edges. Â Decent sound system, but nothing special, and a sort of Knights of Columbus Hall atmosphere. Â Or that sad Glen Echo dance hall out in Maryland. Â Echos of good times past that were at least twenty years ago by the looks of things.
So, the two stars are for:
- Decent sound system.
- Decent service by our server.
But because once upon a time The Birchmere was A Thing, they "can get away with":
- $4.50 service fees even when buying from the box office. Â This is the sort of crap you should just add to the ticket and not tell me about. Â If you buy the tickets from ticketmaster the fees are a total of $10/ticket.
- No tap water served. Â At all. $2 for a small bottle of water.
- Waiting in line for your seating number and that whole song and dance that other reviewers complained about.
- $16 for soup and their events all happen at dinner time to force you to eat their food. Â SIXTEEN DOLLARS FOR SOUP, GUYS. Â I mean, it's a big thing of soup, but in no world is that soup worth $16.
I'm not planning on going back to The Birchmere if I can at all avoid it. Â If you're a musician and you're reading this, please go somewhere else.
Edit:
- It isn't metro accessible, but the 10 A / 10 B North from Braddock Road or South from Pentagon goes right by it.
- The Po Siam place right up the street is fantastic, one of the best Thai places in the area. Â So if for some reason you can finagle a late lunch or something instead of Birchmere food, check out that Thai restaurant.
I guess none of the reviewers have had to deal with the shoddy way the owner treats his customers. I ordered two Budweiser. One had a born on date of last March, over 6 months ago. I asked her to get a newer one. She gave me grief about "show me any bar that doesn't serve 6 month old beer". I told her that good bars rotate their stock. Â My wife went to get the next round and the same thing happened. Â We asked to talk to the manager. He came out and we started to talk, but then the owner came out and started threatening to throw us out. I tried to calm the situation down, but he didn't want to have an adult conversation. We finally just walked away. The only reason we didn't leave is because we were meeting my sister in law and her husband for their birthday. The food is over priced as well as the beer. The venue reminds me of a warehouse with music...and not very good music at that. We won't be coming back....
Update...we were just thrown out of this place for exercising our first amendment rights!
OK...it's a wonderful music venue...but now, no tap water for it's customers. The venue already charges a premium for its tickets, it's mediocre and over priced food...but now no tap water, you must buy bottled water, even when ordering a meal. Evidently they also don't care about the environmental impact either.
Not going back to they change the policy..I recommend the same to you too.
The Birchmere is delightful, safe, fun, pleasant, and a wonderful place for those of us who still enjoy live shows but aren't interested in the insanity of the huge venues. Â In fact? The Birchmere seems perfect for those of us who -- in our younger days -- ENJOYED those huge venues but, now, appreciate a seat, a lil' dinner, and age-appropriate peers who enjoy performers who sing, play, and perform OUR music. Â I've attended the Birchmere several times. Â I will continue to attend their concerts and performances, so long as it remains as friendly a venue to all, irrespective of age, gender, party size, attractiveness, or race. (In fact? I'm attending a concert alone next month; I'll see how they handle this single concertgoer.) Â
Regarding the seating ceremony? All I can say is what the other reviewers say is true. Â But, I've found the venue to be so perfectly reasonable otherwise? I just deal with it. (Again: Â I'll be there next month; I hope I won't have to change this review!)
We come to the Birchmere once or twice a year. It's a great venue, that often has acts we like to see. The food is a bit pricey for what you get, but then again it's solid and perfectly passable.
There really isn't a bad seat in the house, but if you want a really good seat you've got to get there early to make sure you get to choose your seat in the first 40 or so people to be let through the door. The table service is good, the staff are polite and the other clientele is friendly - which is good because you often find yourself sitting at a table with other people.
In our experience the acts always come around the front to sign autographs which is really neat.
The Birchmere needs to be rated on two things. Â One is as a music venue, and the other is for food/drinks and service. Â As a music venue I'd say it's a 4 star place to see a show. Â As for everything else, I'd give it a max of 2 stars. Â So I averaged that to 3.
As a music venue, the Birchmere can sound really good, and it's got a more intimate feeling since you're seated at tables. Â However the whole process for getting in and getting a good table is quite annoying. Â You have to show up at the box office at 5pm (or before to wait in line outside) in order to both pick up your tickets and take a number, which will be the order in which you are admitted into the venue. Â Then you have to wait around for an HOUR for the doors to open so you can get your coveted seat. Â Â If you don't care about being further back then this doesn't apply to you. Â But for those of us who do care, there's not much you can do in an hour so you're kinda stuck there. Â But guess what? Â There's a bar in the waiting area part of the Birchmere, so you can get your drink on while you wait. Â Suspiciously convenient. Â They do call numbers individually so there's not a rush to the door, which means if you were to leave and find something else to do, you could arrive at exactly 6pm and still get your spot in line. Â
I think because the Birchmere is an acclaimed music venue, it can get away with all the BS things it does. Â My biggest complaint is that they are the only place I've been to that doesn't serve tap water. Â You want water, you gotta buy bottled. Â What a racket. Â It's a freakin restaurant, the least they can do is provide tap water. Â Even major amphitheaters now allow concert goers to bring one bottle of water in nowadays. Â The next time I go back, I'm sneaking in some water, that's for sure. Â I don't see how it's possibly allowable that a restaurant/bar can refuse to serve you tap water. Â That should be against food service regulations or something.
So now it's 6pm and you're in the venue at your favorite table. Â Well the show won't start until 7-7:30 so now you've got an hour and a half to wait around here too. Â Good thing the Birchmere is also a full service restaurant. Â Because now you can buy some overpriced mediocre food along with more overpriced drinks so you have something to do while you wait for the show to start. Â The only good item I've ever had there is the side of potato chips, which are home made. Â Sure you could eat before you come, but that would basically be a late lunch. Or you could wait until 10pm or later when the show gets out. Â Otherwise you're stuck eating food at the Birchmere.
Suffice it to say I really dislike going to the Birchmere for shows. Â But since it's an otherwise good place to see a show, sometimes I just suck it up and go. Â The Ramshead Tavern in Annapolis is a similar setup to the Birchmere. Â While it doesn't sound quite as good, the atmosphere there isn't as geared toward getting every last cent you have for food and drinks, so if given the choice, I'd rather drive 45 mins to see a show there than at the Birchmere.
It's more of a 2.5 stars.
When you arrive here, you wait in line to get in like many music venues but instead of going directly into the venue you go to a 'handling area' or what is commonly known as a bar. Thennnnnnn, doors open and you can go select your table. So, word of caution, get there a crap ton early! I like the whole be seated and listen to your favorite musician playing on stage. But, the food isn't that great here so that little treat isn't a treat after all. I ordered a simple margherita pizza and got a plate sized super cheese pizza. Since servers walk around sparsely so they aren't in the way, you can't really flag anyone down quickly to fix this problem. Small decent beer selection and there was a daily specials menu so that changes frequently, I'm assuming. All in all, the food and drink part was kinda meh, but listening to Howie Day here was pretty awesome.
Throughout the year, Birchmere has entertained my wife and I with music of all genre with artists like Bridgette Bryant, Gary Taylor, Average White Band, Patti Austin, Walter Beasley, Hiroshima and many other artists.
The food and drinks here are out of this world with goodies such as seafood, creole, burgers and pasta dishes. Â My Long Island Iced Tea is soo damn good.
The staff are also friendly here. They will offer recommendation that most often are pretty good and always with a smile. Our experience with them are very conversational and sometime entertaining.
We highly recommend this "Hidden Gem".
I've been here a few dozen times, and I really enjoy it. The concept of line numbers is so civilized and makes the whole 'entering the venue' experience so much better. I think I'm beyond the run to the front of the stage years. It is also very nice to be able to mingle in the lobby rather than standing outside in the elements.
Food is merely average and rather expensive. Drinks are quite reasonable--they have several wines by the glass, more by the bottle, and a fairly decent bartending department.
As for the venue itself--intimate! The tables are close enough that you can rest your feet on the very low stage, if you're in one of the up close seats. The mix can be overwhelming, but that varies by performer.
Many artists sign in the lobby afterward, which is very nice!
Came to the Birchmere for the first time a few weeks back for the Boyz II Men concert. Â Had no idea what to expect except from looking at pictures and reading the reviews. Â Got there about half an hour before the doors opened for will call and the line was beyond the building. Â Once the doors opened the line went smoothly and everyone purchased and/or picked up their tickets quickly and efficiently. Â
Drink and food prices are decent. Â Service as we experienced really depended on the waitress that was servicing your area. Â The food does come out very fast when ordered. Â I was probably most impressed by the method of seating. Â They actually took the time to call each individual number to really reward you for coming early. Â I'm sure they could've done it in groups of 5 or even 10 but they took the time to call each number individually, which was GREAT!
The venue was overall great! Â Of course if you come early then you get the seating of your choice but it seemed like all the seats in the house would get to hear and see the stage and performer.
Overall great experience and will be on the lookout for more shows to come.
I visited the Birchmere for the first time last night to see the David Bromberg Big Band and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
At first glance the ambiance of the building is an olde style saloon and dance hall, featuring a bar and seating area while you wait for the musical halls doors to open.
Arrive early enough to enter the building as soon as the doors open, you are then given a number at the Box Office which dictates the order in which you enter the music hall. (the better the number you have the earlier you enter the music hall thus gaining a better table.
Unlike an usual venue this place is more like a dinner theatre. You are allowed ample amount of time after being seated in the music hall to order an eat your entrees before the opening act starts.
My only real criticism of this place are the food prices, the cuisine is above average but not justifiable of the price, especially since its served on plastic plates...
Regardless there is a wide variety of beer and full bar, as well as a tremendous menu in itself.
The extremely intiment setting of the music hall is what is the main attraction of this venue. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house, the only downside being if you are sat with your back to the stage you have to turn around in your seat in what is a very cramped seating area.
All in all I would highly recommend this place if any of your favorite underground acts are happening through, bring some friends and go have a good time at the Birchmere
I cant believe I havnt reviewed this place- okay, lets make that happen!
First off, if you are a music lover and you enjoy more intimate settings rather than big concert halls to see your favoirte underground artist-this is the place for you!
Ive been here several times and the only thing that disaapoints me is the food! I really wish the manager would read yelpers complaints because this place would easily get 5 stars in my book. The food looks enticing; however, its always...off or flavorless and the drinks are watered down. Even if you eat beforehand your looking at a 2-3 hour show, so your going to want to munch on something or sip on something during the concert.
Outside of the food, the best advice that I can offer you is to get there early! First come first serve, unless you reserve a seat. The artist always put their all in their shows and really try to get the crowd involved. The crowd sometimes is WACK! YES I SAID IT. ARTIST FEED OFF THE AUDIENCE AND SOMETIMES THE CROWD CAN BE TOO STIFF. LOOSEN UP FOLKS OR GO HOME AND RUB YOURSELF IN SOME BENGAY! i digress.
I went to go see Estelle for my bday the other week, and she was AMAZING!!!
All and all, its a great date night spot, girls night out revenue where you can kick back, old school and enjoy live entertainment.
The Birchmere is a wonderful concert venue. In my *cough cough* old(er) age, I tend to enjoy shows with more of a relaxed, sit down atmosphere. This doesn't mean un-FUN... just that I like to place myself firmly for live music. Not be bumped around, toes stepped on and the like.
GET OFF MY LAWN!
But I digress. We headed off to a D.C. adventure to see the reunion of the Pat McGee Band, with opener Tony Lucca. The music hall is fantastic -- large open space, great acoustics (and sound system) and a no-bad-seat-in-the-house intimate musical experience.
Food and drink is priced cheap and decidedly mediocre. And while the menu could use a little retooling, the pizza is what I would stick with if I returned (the nachos were just NO GOOD). Note: bottled water when you ask for water (and at a price).
Adding to the experience: the servers, who all seemingly have a friendly and attentive demeanor -- leaving you alone, of course, when the musical act is more important. They find the right moment to check on you and to deliver your order. It was uncanny.
This place is something remarkable -- and clean, plentiful bathrooms to boot! Hang out in the hall for a while to check out all the memorable. To say that The Birchmere has welcomed an eclectic variety of musicians is an understatement.
A wonderful place in so many ways, and a great history and part of our metro community, and for musicians, so thanks for that ----- but with some serous signs of heading in the wrong direction which are turning many off (just look at those reviews from loyal customers) and merit serious attention.
The good news, and five stars, the music. How many times have we been there - probably fifty in the last 10 years. We are serious about music and there is a lot of great stuff, well known and not. Â And it is not a BS environment or part of some conglomerate. Â Even far back or side seats are usually fine.
So 5 stars for being an independent place with a variety of terrific, real music. Experiment and enjoy!
What is seemingly going wrong?
I am writing as a fan who hopes customers and musicians, even, Â will raise their voices and management will pay attention, because if Birchmere behaves like an establishment operation, they will lose loyal customers and the venue will not feel or be as good for musicians and those who take music seriously.
Two things have gone wrong in fairly recent couple of years:
1 - The charge for water and availability of only bottled water. This seems minor but it is grating and greedy. And does independent music and wasting plastic really mix? Inconsistent with the philosophy of most performers and audience and corporate responsibility. Â The very nice wait staff (another plus for Birchmere) are rightfully embarrassed.
2- Performances that go for $75 - how did this suddenly start happening? It doesn't matter how famous or egotistical they are, or even if Birchmere can sell tickets at those prices, it is not niche the Birchmere needs to fill so you should send them packing and bring in other artists who really need and appreciate such a special venue. Â If performers want to charge so much and make themselves inaccessible to many, and uninviting to rational people, they belong somewhere else.
Two things are more chronic but can and should also be fixed:
1 - is the somewhat mediocre food, it is understandably hard to serve so many people and a chronic issue - but this really doesn't get there - so why not get some help and improve it. Â This is not a minor issue when you want and are able to get there early and eat dinner so as to get good seats.
2- as so many have said - ticket fees and ticketmaster are also just unneeded rip offs and inconsistent with what is special about the place and the music.
We love you Birchmere, please don't lose your way and, management, please do hear your friends and supporters.
And to potential new audience members - do go, go to hear and support great musicians who play here, but pass on bottled water and when tickets are $75.
Am I rating a music venue or a restaurant?
For music, the seats are outstanding, great view lines, you can get so close to the performers. Â A 5.
Seating depends on your line # - so arrive by 5 or so for a 7:30 show - Â then you want food and here's the rub: Â Prices drift higher, where else can you get $17 entrees and a bottle of wine and be charged $2 for water? Â My last meal - well, you'd do better in a hospital cafeteria. Â A 1.
I'd rather have an assigned seat and avoid the meal even if ticket prices were higher. Â And the now unadvertised $4.50 ticket charge for buying at the door? Â Can't they just advertise the full ticket price?
I've always regarded the Birchmere as a regional treasure and want to support music in the burbs - but I wish they would charge more for the music and get away from food service profits.
It's a small little spot off the beaten path were you can eat and listen to live music. I came to hear War, one of my favorite old school bands and they didn't disappoint. Â I really like the entrance to this venue. Â The exterior leaves a lot to be desired but don't let the outside fool you, inside is a quirky, funky, music hall that has seen it's share of celebrities and musicians, proudly displayed on the wall of fame. Â The venue itself is a great setting for live entertainment. Â The sound was good, the lighting was great and I loved the small, intimate setting. Â I do have some recommendations if you are coming here. Â Â
First Tip: Leave early for your concert and make sure you have the correct address in your GPS. Â Finding the Birchmere isn't easy. Â Make sure you put Mount Vernon Ave, not street into your GSP or your going to go for the wildest ride through Virgina that you never wanted to take. Â But, once you find the place you'll be glad you left early because parking is a challenge and apparently double parking is encouraged.
Second Tip: Get here early if you don't want your back to the performer and if you don't like sharing a table. Â We a half hour early for the show and still had a hard time finding a seat. Â But, the concert God's were with us and we ended up sharing a table with some folks and actually ended up with great seats
Third Tip: Leave your diet at home. Â Granted, there are few salad offerings and my salmon was good but this isn't a fine dining establishment folks. Â Just order some southern cooking and a beer and call it a day.
Fourth Tip: Be prepared to have fun. Â It's a great way to see your favorite performers.
I've loved the Birchmere long time. I've seen some of the best shows of my life here. But we really have to talk about the food and water thing. Since you really must get there super early to get a decent seat (especially on work nights) it's hard to come from work and not be hungry. Plus you're going to be sitting there for what, three or four hours? And once you're there, in your hard-earned decent seat, you're stuck with their (in my opinion) overpriced and only just-okay food options. The pulled pork sandwich is my standby. It's not 16 bucks, decent but not rave-worthy, and the chips are good.
The new bottled water-only thing kills me. Are they on a well? is the water supply compromised? If not, I can see no other reason to go from free water in pitchers for the tables to bottled water as your only option in a place where you pretty much have to sit for a very long period of time. Not to mention hello, very environmentally unfriendly.
It might seem like a little thing, but it's really unimpressive and customer unfriendly. I'd rather drive the opposite direction and sit in my assigned seat at Ram's Head where last I checked they'd give me water for free.
I liked this concert venue much more than I expected. Nicole and I saw Sara Bareilles here a couple months ago, and even though we showed up not long before the opening act we were still able to find a table with relative ease. The layout is pretty good for acoustics, although the poles everywhere do kind of kill the visual aspect, since they block a good bit of the stage for a lot of tables. Luckily you don't go to concerts to watch the music.
The food, while being heftily overpriced, isn't bad. I'm not sure what the dollar to quality ratio actually is, but I'm guessing it's at least on the positive side. Considering it is a concert venue, and what you typically get at those are shitty watered down hot dogs or completely blackened fried chicken strips, I think this is somewhat of an advantage. I will say the chicken finger plate I ordered was totally massive; I almost got sick of eating them by the time I finally finished.
I would definitely come back here for another show, I just wished the bands I liked played here and not just her favorites. Finding the parking lot was a pain in the ass by the way, so make sure you've got it down before you go.
Oh. Â Is it just me? Â Or did anyone -else- not realize that there's a gigantic huge back performance room with an ocean of seating at the Birchmere?
I've only been here once before for another concert, and we were in the front room that you enter first, with a small stage right there. Â You're right up next to the band, with standing room only, and it was a vastly different experience from last night.
We headed back toward the larger cavernous performance space and two staffers greeted us. Â One asked if we would like seats, then led us unerringly to two unoccupied chairs in a sea of other already-seated patrons. Â I'm not sure if they have some kind of obscure system on figuring out where there are unoccupied seats, or if they just have amazing memories, but he was like a human homing missile through the darkness of the concert hall.
I love that they have two completely mismatched chandeliers on each side of the stage. Â There's something about them that gives me the warm fuzzies.
Oh, and parking? Â Complete mess. Â If you arrive early, you might be fortunate enough to find some. Â Then the challenge becomes escaping when everyone else is leaving at the same time. Â It was a hidden blessing that by the time we arrived (just into the headlining performer's set) there was absolutely no room in the lot, so we parked on the street. Â Exiting was cake, without having to fight the Eden Center parking lot-esque hordes. Â Just note that the street parking is two hour parking until midnight. Â Seriously? Â Midnight? Â Meh.
I've been to the Birchmere on a few occasions, most recently for Joshua Radin and for Ingrid Michaelson.
Though the bandstand stage was nice, I much prefer the supper club listening venue. Â It's the perfect place to hear what Radin has coined "whisper rock." Â As for the food, it's wiggity wack and hence loses one star because it's tastes like litte more than microwaved frozen eats. Â Also, my friend and I love to order Guiness by the pitcher--which they offer--but it's always flat. Â Now I've never barbacked and I'm not an alcoholic so i don't know if there is some reason for flat Guiness that I cannot comprehend. Â Yes it takes forever to pour, but that's part of the charm. Â Even by the glass (plastic cup) it's flat here. Â Suffice it to say, there is no excuse--if you advertise it on the menu then you should serve it right.
On to the music: Â when concerts are in the dining room, GET THERE EARLY. Â It's first come first serve, but since doors don't open till a certain time, they hand out numbered tickets as you arrive. Â Then you have to chill at the bar till the doors to the dining room open and they call your number. Â Trust me, being up front and center is magical. Â
Again, the dining room is a listening venue so turn off your cell phone and shut the f*ck up! Â The acoustics in that room are pretty right on so stupid jibber jabber in the back corner does travel up front if you're not careful. Â
Park near the front...when it's time to leave the parking lot turns to chaos so do yourself a favor and back into your space too.
The Birchmere is Virginia's best kept concert venue secret. While it's well known in the music community, I think a lot of fans of music are unaware of it's existence.
The doors to the Birchmere Box Office open at 5:00 pm. You can then pick up your pre-purchased tickets and you are issued a number stub - this determines how quickly you get to enter the Music Hall and select a place to sit - there is no assigned seating at the Birchmere.
I will usually arrive at the Birchmere around 4:15 - 4:30 pm to get in line for the box office to insure I get a low number and thus get a good seat in the Music Hall.
Once past the Box Office - folks hang out in the Bar for an hour and socialize over a beer or drink. The doors to the Music Hall open at 6:00 pm and they begin to call off the number stubs to admit folks.
The Birchmere is divided into two music performance areas - The Bandstand and the Music Hall. Â The Bandstand hosts performances with very little seating available. This area appears to be used for performances where the expectation is that a lot of folks will want to stand up and dance.
The Music Hall is the venue for sitting down, having dinner, and watching a performance. This is by far my favorite part of The Birchmere. After a long day at work, I'm usually not interested in being on my feet for 2-3 hours for a performance. No dancing is allowed in the Music Hall.
There really aren't any bad seats in the Music Hall. And the acoustics are excellent. Â The food menu is not the best quality - but there are a couple of solid, consistent culinary performers - the chili and the cajun gumbo are tasty and filling, the portion size could be a tad smaller - they give you way to much food! The beer selection is decent - and the bar carries a couple good brands of single malt scotch - including The MacAllan.
You will note in the hallway just outside of the Music Hall that every last inch of the walls are covered with autographed, framed photos of the legions of musicians that have performed at the Birchmere over the years. Take some time to browse through the photos.
There is also a nice gift shop - this is where the artist(s) performing that evening will have their CDs and other gear available for purchase. The Birchmere also has a varied selection of a wide variety of CDs for sale - from artists that have previously performed there - as well as t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and various other music swag.
After the performance - some tables are generally set aside in the Bandstand area for fans to get in line and meet the performers and get their CDs autographed.
I've been to the Birchmere more times that I can count since the year I first started attending - 2000. Bands I've seen here include: Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Seven Nations, Wolfstone, Gaelic Storm, Natalie MacMaster, Nanci Griffith, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Altan, Moya Brennan, Flook, Lunasa, Liz Carroll, and many more! It's my favorite concert venue in the Washington DC area!
This one has taken me awhile to write. Â Only because I wanted to accumulate enough concert trips to formulate an educated review. Â Over the course of about 3 years I've been to The Birchmere around seven or eight times and I have to state emphatically that it is the very best venue in the D.C. area to see a show.
With The Birchmere, you get so many wonderful things that other venues don't offer. Â You don't get the late starts of the 9:30 Club or Black Cat, the smokiness of IOTA (non-smoking in the Music Hall, smoking in the Tap Room), Â or the inaccessibility of DAR Constitution Hall. Â A lot of the same acts that will play the Ram's Head in Annapolis play The Birchmere, so there's that not having to drive over an hour to see a show thing going for you.
All seating is general admission, so arrive early for the larger acts to acquire premium seating, although I would argue that there are few bad seats. Â Acoustics here are great, so ear protection is rarely needed (unlike MCI Center). Â The Birchmere Hall of Fame, which features signed posters of previous acts that have played there, is worth a stroll-through pre-show. Â Normally the concerts begin around 7:30 or 8. Â You can be on your way home by 10:30 or 11. Â Bonus!
The food is just average and overpriced, unfortunately. Â On top of the ticket price, you have to shell out $10-15 for anything from cajun fare to nachos to salads. Â And the beer selection is lacking in variety. Â By the time a show ends, potentially you could lay down $30+ per person. Â The waitstaff, who attends to you even during the performances, is fantastic. Â They have learned to do their jobs silently, and will have your tab to you before the encore starts.
I could wax on, but will leave it at that. Â From Liz Phair to Emmylou Harris, Charlie Daniels to Lisa Gerrard, Dar Williams to Asia, The Birchmere is likely to win over even the most critical music fan.
At least once, you have to come see where some of the most legendary singer-songwriters, blues and country musicians got their start and call home. Namely, one of Alexandria's favorite daughters, Mary Chapin Carpenter.
The Birchmere has moved locations a few times in Alexandria but is now nestled in the Chirilagua neighborhood. The "Listening Room" is just that, with foodservice and seated tables. You're not going to get any stage diving here, but you'll get very intimate performances with unparalleled sound. Every seat is good, though it's a bit of a mad dash to get close to the stage- first come, first serve. Once I saw Betty there years ago and people were up dancing on chairs and then got up on stage.
Parking is plentiful and the Listening Room is non-smoking. The bar and bandstand aren't. Here's a cool idea if you don't want to pay for tickets but still want to hear great music: Go in and sit at the bar. They televise all performances from the Listening Room in there. You can still have dinner and a show.. just not as close to the artist(s).
Also, they have a really diverse record store across from the bar. Most performers go in there to meet and greet with fans and sign autographs after the show, so don't leave right away.
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