The Howard Theatre

1st time going to The Howard Theater and I’m compelled to spread the word of what a great venue it is. The staff are all extremely nice and helpful. And they’re actually staffed properly behind the bar so it’s quick and easy to get a drink. You can order food at the bar from the brewery next door (but don’t expect it to be turned around quickly, my chicken tenders took an hour). The acoustics are top notch. I just really enjoyed the show I saw there. Also, the whole area around it is vibrant with bars and cafes.

nice venue, staff passed out water bottles to people in the front/middle of the general admission that couldn’t get to the bar for water (water at the bar is free too). parking was difficult, but it is DC after all. the speakers were not extremely loud, but you could hear the band performing (the crane wives!!) very well. the venue wasnt hot either, which is great for people like me who were wearing loads of layers on a very warm spring day

This is a great little venue located close to the Shaw / Howard University metro stop. Not very large but I dont think there's a bad seat in the house. Floor seating was foldable wooden chairs so nothing luxurious but functional. Food is available on site and they have a well stocked bar with pretty standard drink pricing. We went to see an amateur ballet production and had a great time overall. I would definitely go back for other music or stage shows.

First visit. There to participate in the wildly fun Bingo Loco. Virtually no parking opportunities. I have a broken foot and live in Virginia. So, taking an Uber all the way in and back would have been too.costly. Finally found parking on the street. Customer service at venue was great! (Food is from Right Proper next door - overpriced and barely warm. We ate there after the event and had a similar experience.)

Very friendly staff. Ciera and Tyler at the door were really nice and welcoming. We went for Tiny Desk but it a Nice experience being here given the history and significance of HU. Staff gave us free water, seems small but that was just what we needed. We took Uber so I’m not able to comment on parking. There’s lots of bars in the area that are in walking distance.

Beautiful theater. Felt safe entire night. Was able to snag tickets for a very reasonable price. Difficult to view stage at times in standing area. The upgraded seats/areas are definitely recommended if you want a good view. Great night!

Definitely a packed night. But great staff great service. Looking forward to coming back!!! Plenty of nearby parking garages. Plenty of local restaurants nearby as well as a brewery nextdoor

I attended a small production of Sleeping Beauty ballet (LED light) version. The check in process was easy, environment was clean and personnel was helpful. There was a bar set up at the back of the theater and seating was divided according to ticket purchased. The dancers put on a lovely show.

Shaw-Howard metro. Take the Howard University exit, the Theatre is right around the corner (head towards the UPS store) Depending on the event, they will check your ID. Check your Bag. Scan you with a wind. Then go inside, to scan your ticket Drinks automatically include 15% gratuity. CARD only. NO CASH! Went to the bathroom an hour after the 8pm show was to start and there was NO paper towels at ALL in the women's bathroom. Not sure why this wasn't sure when cleaning the bathrooms before, GROSS! By the end of the night, there were paper towels Came to an event where the Show was to start at 8. The actual show with the performing didn't start until 9 until about 1030. We were actually in CHAIRS and it wasn't standing room. Not sure if I missed that when purchasing a ticket. Quite a few people ended up standing up because chairs were like 1 person only (and not enough for couples etc.) Kind of hot in there. Dress lightly

My alma mater's world-fame historic namesake entertainment venue. Bank business partner was celebrating its 90th anniversary and the whole event was catered by CAROLINA KITCHEN. The food was really good even though I'm no fan of that particular restaurant, I give credit my credit is due. Open bar so the drinks were flowing and the food was fooding. CAROLINA KITCHEN even encouraged people to take home leftovers. Crab cakes, pork ribs, collard greens, dirty rice, sauteed salmon, and two dozen other dishes. Those are just the ones I can remember and actually ate. Desserts were catered by NOTHING BUT BUNDT CAKES. I wasn't able to sample however because I wasn't aware until later. The whole event was really nice.

The Howard Theatre in Washington, DC, is a historic venue that has been an integral part of the city's cultural landscape since it opened in 1910. Associated with Howard University, it was a hub for African American artists and entertainers during the Harlem Renaissance and continues to host a variety of events today. The theatre has a rich legacy, having featured legendary acts like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Marvin Gaye. Now, it hosts concerts, conferences, and other events, continuing its mission to celebrate the arts and entertainment. I recently attended a conference where two events were held at Howard Theatre. The venue itself is stunning, with its classic architecture and rich history creating a unique and engaging atmosphere. The events were fantastic, but there is one major issue: no matter how crowded or empty, the theatre is freezing cold. I, along with many others, had a hard time tolerating the chill. People were even leaving early because they couldn't stand it, and I found myself trembling throughout. I'm someone who prefers being cold to being hot, but this felt like an arctic chill! It's something to keep in mind if you plan to attend an event here, but other than that, Howard Theatre is a great place with a lot of character.

Pro's: Great staff, convenient parking garage. Con's: it's tooooo HOT! We went to the Connor Price concert last night and one of the first people in. No A/C on whatsoever! Now imagine 100''s of people in a tight space. Every single artist on stage said how hot it was. Couldn't even enjoy ourselves because there no air to breathe in there. It seems that many people have complained in the reviews and in person...they just don't care. So we're not returning. No point spending $$$ when you can't even enjoy yourself.

I have been here for concerts, workouts, and scholarship award shows! The venues is beautiful, historic, and the perfect size. They used to have a gospel brunch and the food would be soooooo good! I really wish they could bring that back. The space is also a nice size. They have their fair share of standing and seated events. The restrooms are always clean as well. I took away one star because I have seen them transition from one event to another and that is always a clunky process. Overall, if you want affordable entertainment at a great price, check out The Howard Theatre.

Beautiful venue. There is standing room as well as balcony seating. My husband and I saw Elyanna perform here and this was the first time either of us had been to the Howard Theater. Overall is was a great experience. I'm giving the theater 4 stars instead of 5 because of the awkward placement of the merch table. At the end of the concert, a staff member yelled out at attendees to get in a line to the right if they were trying to get merch, but if they needed to use the bathroom then they could go through. It created a lot of confusion and awkwardness. But other than that, it was a good experience. I'd see another performance here again in the future. I'd just make sure to get merch before the show to avoid the rush and confusion of lines.

The sound was terrible. Also, closing bathrooms immediately after the show ends is extremely unreasonable.

Pros: good venue for a show. I liked it a lot. Very convenient off the metro. Negatives: During Moontower's set (they were opening for Sub-radio), two of the mics seemed to not be working, we couldn't hear any backing vocals. Maybe it's where we were standing? 2) Whoever was working the lights needs to re-program them to not shine on the right side of the crowd so often.They blinded me countless times and I don't think either act asked for that (we've seen Sub-radio before at another venue and it wasn't the case). 3) WHY IN GOD'S NAME WAS THE FLOOR SO STICKY?? It felt like it hadn't been cleaned at all since the previous night's show and like a vat of sticky juice had been dumped onto the floor and then spread around.

Had a great time. I highly recommend the seated balcony area that allows for drink orders. It's very comfortable and worth the extra charge. The sound system is great. I wouldn't bother ordering food. It's delivered from a restaurant down the street and not very good. The menu consisted of a fried chicken sandwich, hamburgers, and fries. All Ala carte and very expensive. The drinks are strong and good. Parking is tough. Uber is probably the best option. I will return!

This review is for a concert only. I haven't tried the cocktails, not sure if they serve food. My friends and I purchased tickets to the Durand Bernard concert March 2023. We purchased the seated tickets, I'm so glad we did, downstairs was a standing room only, body to body, no breathing room. The seats were extremely comfortable and roomy on both sides. We parked about 2 blocks away with no issues. Free parking on Sundays. Perfect! I'm sure on a Friday or Saturday you'd drive around a bit for parking. Although I didn't order a cocktail I glanced at the menu, average priced, nothing fancy? Long islands, cosmo, margaritas, beers. Our server was attentive and quick. No issues there either. A good time overall!

I went to the Laura Jane Grace show (with openers Thelma and the Sleaze and Dikembe) last night, and I had a really great experience. For this show, doors opened at 6:30. The staff had everything set up well before then. They started checking bags, wanding people, and giving wrist-bands before they actually allowed entry, which I appreciated and found efficient. All of the staff members that I encountered were kind and helpful. I also loved the venue itself. It's a gorgeous building and it's set up in a way so that it seems there are are no bad spots. Additionally, one of the staff members handed out bottles of water frequently. I don't know if this is common in other venues in the area, but I've never been to a show that did this and I thought it was great. Especially since there have been high profile incidents in recent years of fans having medical emergencies due to dehydration/heat. Overall, the concert, the staff, and the venue were great in my experience, and I would definitely go to another event here!

Was at the Dream concert Sunday. The theatre staff were helpful and attentive in their job. Only downside to the theatre is standing for the concert and the unevenness of the floor.

Ok venue! BUT tell whoever is controlling the stage and house lights to stop shining then in the crowd's face every 6 seconds.. dear God

I've been to Howard Theatre several times over the years (2013-2014?) to see artists and comedy shows. This is my first time in 2019 I've been to Howard. I came to see Marsha Ambrosius and she was wonderful and amazing. However , Howard Theatre should be ASHAMED of themselves! Why isn't this more upscale and customer service driven like the other music halls in the city ? First, while, I noticed they have valet, I'm glad we Ubered because parking sucks . they say the doors open at 630pm for a 8pm show and they will have people waiting in cold to get in and in long lines. Next, I'm shocked as to how they seat people as their seating arrangements is horrible. You walk in to chairs like you are in a auditorium. No tables or anything to make for a comfortable experience. I spent over $140+ on 2 tickets just to be seated in a chair. Next, the bar. I ordered a Moscow mule and they didn't have ginger beer. They did have wine but they served it in a plastic cup !!! No Howard theatre cup or nicer cup ? Now the food options!!! It was only crab , vegetable or curry chicken rolls with rice and it was average. That was $10 a plate. It was like ordering food from the food court. They didn't have the heat on and I was freezing the entire night. So, I say this to say , don't go to Howard theatre for the food or drinks - pregame or have dinner before a show, then get there 2 hours before your show so you can be front in line. Also, make sure you have the tickets mobile ready with your confirmation number as their ticket master was down . It's a nice place to be and has potential to be one of the best venue in the city. But, they need to get their ticketing, seating arrangement, bar, and food game to compete with some of the places like Blues Alley, dc improv , Hamilton, Bethesda supper club.

This venue is a DISGRACE! They absolutely ruined an event for charity with the DC Cherry Fund! They suddenly changed their capacity numbers and forced 100s of ticket holders to wait outside and then eventually turned them away. For those that got in, the coat check process was a joke! When you have 500+ or so ppl coming to an event in early April you can't use clear plastic bags with a ticket stapled to it. It took ppl over 2 hours to get their bag at the end. In addition, the idiots working coat check out the ticket inside thebag with clothing instead of stapling. Therefore, making it nearly impossible to get a bag for someone.

Howard Theatre has always and I mean always been a good time to me! First, I love that their bathrooms are downstairs and secluded. If you need some time away from the craziness you can just go downstairs and relax for a moment. Second, it's fun seeing your favorite artists here because you are really in the moment. They have tables surrounding the first and second floors but the dance floor stays open so you can work your way to the front. My most memorable events here would be an all white party for memorable day which tons of celebrities attended/hosted (this was when it used to always be the place to go) and Ginuwine's latest concert. Taking a picture with him in the Pepsi room was the highlight of my LIFE. My LIFE. Now the bartenders on the other hand, they are hit or miss. I patiently waited in a short line that took forever and come my turn I asked for a silver margarita. The first bartender kind of got snooty with me and said a what? I repeated myself, a silver margarita. What was I missing here? Did I stutter? She said I don't know what that is. I had to explain to her there is silver tequila and there is gold tequila. I prefer silver such as the 1800 silver sitting behind you next to the gold 1800. Needless to say, she didn't like that and I found another bartender for my second drink and THAT drink was great. I would expect just a little better customer service but I'm never surprised. All in all, I actually like coming here. The ambience is great, the lights are always dimmed just right and the mood is always set. I'll be back!

I was at The Howard Theater for The Wailers concert last night, and I was really impressed by the venue and the staff. It is easy to get to, has ample close parking and is an amazing place for a concert. I would like to give a special shout-out to Janae for taking such good care of me and my friends. She was professional, friendly and very helpful. I will definitely be back for another show soon!

I had a fabulous experience here coming to see my fave Brandy perform. The sound check ran 45 minutes past the scheduled door time. And that was not the tea, but the staff apologized several times and after that everything was smooth sailing. The security check was efficent. They did their job, but they weren't rude, which I appreciate. During the show the lighting and sound was so much better than the Fillmore; Brandy did not have to stop to tell the people to get her sound right this time around. Haha Security and the theatre manager were also particularly nice during the meet and greet after the show, and they didn't rush everybody in and out as I've expierenced with other venues. Keep in mind that I didn't grab anything to eat/drink at the bar, so I can't comment on venue prices or food quality. But as for the show expierence I would definately go back to The Howard Theatre. This is probably my favorite venue I've seen Brandy at besides the Kennedy Center. Ps: If you wanna see the concert I recorded the whole thing. (Part I) https://youtu.be/V4X-Op0llrE (Part II) https://youtu.be/tXqjL8JTE6M

I came here to see Bruno Major play, first off I will say that I really enjoyed the concert however that's about all I can say about this place for the positive, I can not stress this enough that if you are injured or if you can not stand for long periods of time then do not come here, the seating is separate from the ticket to enter so unless you pay for an extra ticket to get a seat it's a standing room only and not to mention that the seats that they do have are incredibly small to pick from, I personally would not ever come here again

if u are disabled, old, have arthritis or anything that would make standing for more than an hour unbearable DO NOT COME HERE! they don't advertise you have to buy ANOTHER TICKET for a seat on top of the ticket for Vip. brought a vip ticket didn't see anything about seating or buying a seat/reservation. they told me the seats were all reserved and payed for but almost all the balconies were empty. left halfway because i was in pain, they don't have food there just drinks, prices are super expensive for a simple alcoholic punch with the same ingredients as most bars "punch" yet it's like $20 yea....no i love bruno major but sad his performance had to be at such a crappy venue

I just left the Scarface concert at the Howard Theatre and although he did his thang, I must say the theatre deserves 0 stars. First of all the air doesn't work and secondly they no longer serve food. How can you serve alcohol with no food? With no air??? Never Ever AGAIN !!

Went here for a concert and although the venue was beautiful, everything was poorly managed and set up. We had tickets for a photo, autograph session, and VIP, but honestly, it felt like first come first served. I had the wherewithal to push my way to my VIP seats, but honestly, there were plenty of people who didn't pay and sat right there. The staff treated me like I didn't understand English, but it was them who had no idea what was going on. RUDE. No directions for anything that was going on to include the concert start time and autograph session. It's a shame that such an historic venue is so poorly managed. The venue is so nice despite the mismanagement.

Owned by Howard Stern which is why people are so offended by this theatre. Really though, such a low star rating! The food sucks (kind of, but way overpriced) and the parking sucks, but shows here are amazing and it's such a grand old theatre, what's not to love? I can't give a place a five star though, when they have a food/drink minimum on some tickets for some shows. Nobody should be forced to buy stuff just to watch a show which they already paid for. Anyway, the theatre itself is legendary and gorgeous and perfect. How-ard is it to rate and review a theatre though? Not hard at all.

This was the first concert that I went to since the pandemic began. Every person working for the theater was super polite and very helpful. Whether pouring me a drink or showing me the way to the restroom, everyone greeted me with a smile and in a happy mood. This was the best customer service I've had in many years!

I've been here for concerts before. This past Sunday I was here for the DC record fair. I actually like the record shows more than the concerts here. It was clean and organized (somewhat) with a good amount of vendors here and such. The past few times they've had the fair at Penn Social which was a bit better (closer distance) but I don't mind driving a bit further to get some bargain deals on LPs. It's like a music swap meet; you'll find anything and everything here; some are bargains and some are ripoffs. You can be the judge of which ones. Tables and booths were set up as vendors who did their selling. I read some reviews that people were trying to get table service which turned into epic fails. Perhaps the tables and booths should be record vendors during their hours of business. I definitely wouldn't complain about that!

Initially, I had read a few of the bad reviews and was concerned, however we were more than pleased by our experience at the Howard Theater (Carla Morrison concert). The staff were so nice and professional; the venue is beautiful with many accommodations; it is conveniently located near parking and great restaurants (like El Techo). All around wonderful experience - thank you!

The venue itself is cool. Great stage and seating and decent food and drinks (very, very, VERY overpriced, but decent). It's metro accessible and right next door to some great restaurants. However, we came here for the Gospel Brunch and would never return. The Gospel Brunch was nothing special in terms of performance, expensive, and their website promised a buffet, but instead made us pay too much for sub-par food. On top of that, the service was literally the worst I've ever experienced in DC. Our waiter forgot about us not once, not twice, not three times, but four times and never ever acknowledged it. Not cool.

I was here for the Henny and waffle Brunch. I have to say it was nice. A little bit understaffed but still a great event. My hometown is Washington DC. I grew up going to the Howard Theatre for events when l was a teenager. I actually have not been there since. I called my Gf up which she also is from DC. We haven't been able to hook up since last year and she was all for it. Now the food for the brunch was very good and l mean tasteful. The Mimosas that they first started out giving was full of ice and l am not use to having my mimosas that way. A little to watered down for me but finally towards the end they gave it to you the way it should be served. Iceless and in a champagne glass. The seating and tables needed a serious update. Wow for all l know those might be the same chairs & tables from my high school years. Nevertheless it was safe to sit in so we did so cautiously lol. The food was so good that it took away any appearance issues. They had a DJ playing music. The Staff was nice and tried to be as helpful as possible. It reslly had a great turnout. The restrooms were located on the lower level which l thought was pretty odd. Especially after numerous drinks. I just hope that everyone could make it there on time. This event was free with the exception of purchasing your drinks. They did also offer unlimited Mimosas for $15.00. I enjoyed hanging out with my girlfriend and catching up on old times. Just be aware parking is a big hassle and l suggest riding the train which is right around the corner Howard/ Shaw station. Or if you prefer Uber or just being dropped off is another alternative.

The Howard Theatre, established in 1910, born-again in 2012. I've had the pleasure of visiting several times since its reopening. I've grooved with Dwele, Deborah Bond & Third Logic, Navasha Daya (formerly of Fertile Ground), Kenny "Koonga" Martin (one of the dopest percussionist I know) & DC's old school Go-Go bands like Experience Unlimited, Rare Essence, & JYB. The venue is nicely remodeled and the sound system is good. Screens on both sides of the stage enable you to see what's happening from any vantage point. The Howard offers general admission seating (first come/first seated) and a full dinner menu. The items that I've had were decent and I really enjoyed the bread pudding dessert. I split it with my brother to lessen the guilt. The specialty cocktails pay homage to African Americans who played a key role in the movement (i.e. The Ellington, Ella Fitz, Ray, Miles, Satchmo,...). You won't get twisted off one drink but you'll enjoy the flavor and light buzz. There's a $10 minimum per person that's enforced during sit down performances. Parking can be a little tricky so arrive early just in case you have to walk a few blocks. Valet is a viable option as well. Being aware of The Howard's rich history made my experiences even better.

For someone who enjoys music but not large crowds, this venue is perfect for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience when I came here to see Tevin Campbell. 5 Stars for Tevin, alone. But another 5 stars for the food, service, and decor. The setup is caberet-style and the tickets are first come, first serve. Please arrive in enough time to order food and drinks before the performance. From my recollection, there was a $10 minimum pp/table. This was easy to fill because nothing on the menu was under $10. I am not sure what the venue looked like previously, but it is newly restored and very nice! There are floor and balcony seating so no matter where you sit, you have a great view of the stage. If you arrive in enough time, there should be street parking available. Otherwise, valet parking is at your service. After the show, the valet line practically wrapped around the building, so be prepared to wait awhile to get your vehicle if you choose this route. The ticket prices for the events are very reasonable and even though they have a minimum food charge, the food was amazing! Everyone at my table enjoyed their entrees and raved about the food selection. Can't wait to return for my next concert.

I went here to see Macy Gray. I have been to Howard before and not had the best experience but for Macy I was willing to give it another go. The first issue is that no one mentioned that the top floor is exclusive for those who have booked the 6 person booth. No one else is allowed to sit there. Thankfully I could find a seat because I was by myself but then they decide to bring out chairs in front of the bar 15 mins later. The service for food was not great as well. Even though my hostess was good, one person can not make up for the group. The other issue was the prices, they were out of control, $14 for a sandwich and it doesn't have fries (add $6).....I would rather you charge me $20 and call it a day!!!! Add to this Macy was late!!!! So all in all, Howard is where it has always been....at the bottom of the list. I would have to be feening to see someone here in the future!!! Howard is going to have to work on its customer service and functionality when dealing with the customer....an idea that might help would be a pay at your table option, I had to chase the hostess around to give her my payment which was not cool!!!! Howard is only an option when its someone I want to go see and deal with the crap!!!!

So a friend and I decided to check out the 10:30pm Paul Mooney & Dick Gregory comedy show at The Howard Theatre. Now I've been there at least 20+ plus times and while I've had a few minor complaints like (drink prices, bland food, poor advertisement) it was never to the extent that would prepare me for the debacle of a night I had tonight. Thankfully we got tickets on Goldstar for $32.50....but this night was pure fockery on the highest level. FYI: this is a public post so feel free to share on Facebook 1. The 8pm show ran over so we stood in line for an hour and a half outside 2. We sat down at 11:20pm 3. Three servers we stopped said we weren't in their section and walked away 4. After being seated for an hour, and 3 servers saying we weren't in their section the 4th said..."y'all gotta wait, I got my own section." 5. At Midnight with the show NOT started I went to the bar to order a cheese pizza, a shot of coconut ciroc and a Pepsi for $33 6. At 12:20am a server took an order for the rest of the table. I told her I wouldn't be ordering anything since I went to the bar. After taking everyone's order with an attitude she asked "So you not getting anything?" Politely I said "No ma'am" (a sign at the table said $10 minimum but that was not about to be enforced) 7. My friend goes to bar to order Makers Mark neat. We both sip it and you can clearly tell water was added to the bottle to dilute it 8. My pizza from the bar is cold 9. At 1:10am we asked for the status of the order to the server. She replied "Well I wasn't really your server she is (points to someone else) and so I told her to put it in" 10. The 10:30 pm show STARTS at 1:20am 11. We asked that server about the order and she said she was really busy and this would probably be her last night 12. The food arrives around 1:30 am 13. We ask "our server" that after the show we would like to speak to a manager 14. The show ends at 2:45 am 15. The lights come up and my friend goes to take the last swig of her Makers and notices something in her glass. I hold it over the candle and its several gnats floating in bottom of the near empty glass 16. We immediately head to the bar I ask for the manager 17. While we wait for her I ask to see the bottle of Maker's from behind the bar... there are about 20-30 gnats in the bottle I point it out to 2 bartenders and show them the glass too. They respond "it's fine you can get a refund." Then put the bottle back on the bar shelf 18. Beyond livid at this point we wait for the manager as the staff gather around us. She comes over and I ask to speak to her in private. 19. I ask for her name introduce myself and calmly recount all the aforementioned items to her (while recording the conversation). 20. I explain that at this point we are beyond an apology, them covering drinks or our food now I'm asking for a full refund of the entire night including the show tickets and comp tickets for a future show. 21. The manager apologized and explained that none of this was acceptable, gave us her card and said to email her our requests for a future show. 22. While she ran our credit card refunds I noticed the Makers still at the bar. So when she handed our cards back I said I'm going to need you to pull that bottle too. At which point she finally saw all the bugs and was in shock. NOW IMAGINE IF SHE DRANK THAT LIKE MY FRIEND DID!! 23. My friend went home mortified after her first time at the theatre and threw up. Howard Theatre Investors, Management, and all staff you have to do better. I'm a long time supporter of the Washington DC Arts and the artists that you all showcase but you make it hard for US to support you when you makes us pay for attitude, bullshit, and subpar standards. While I appreciate how the Manager handled the situation I doubt my friend and I were the only ones who had this experience however we were the only one's that stayed behind to say something. After tonight's experience I will always think twice before returning, I will remind my friends and anyone who mentions your business of tonight and will NEVER order food or drinks from this establishment again.

Came for the Harlem Choir Gospel Brunch. The choir was more like an ensemble with only 6 members. But they were outstanding! The food was southern inspired with items like shrimp & grits, gumbo, Mac & cheese, greens, fried chicken, French toast, salmon, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, salads, and waffles. The food wasn't labeled which would've been helpful for some of the items. The food was hit or miss depending on what you got. The dessert 'area' was terrible and disappointing! Overall it was a good experience witnessing the Harlem ensemble. The food was decent enough. Wish there were at least bottomless mimosas for the $55 we paid. But oh well.

I came to the Toyota sponsored FREE Eephus tour to see Jenelle Monet, Jidenna, St Beauty, and two other artists. We sat in the mezzanine which in my opinion is the only place we should be for a concert at the Howard Theater. It beats standing in a hot crowd in front of the stage unless you like that of course. I like the option of sitting down when I want to and having the bar right behind me. But there's also a waitress. Our waitress was really slow tho, but I guess it was a busy night for her. I like the variety of events that they have here -from concerts to dances to special invite only events it's a great location and a great venue. I've tried the fries, Jamaican jerk chicken wings, a burger, and a pizza. My suggestion is get the wings and the fries. The food here isn't the greatest but the drinks are always nice.

I really want to like this venue because it's such a beautiful venue and they have some great shows. But time after time, I am sadly disappointed. Went to a show last night and it was just a mess. Where do I start? 1. They have no Air Conditioning. It is July in DC, seriously? I don't even know how the band performed in what felt like at least 85 degrees in the club, plus lights. Ridiculous. 2. The drink selection sucks. It's like they went to Costco and picked up a few variety packs of beer and then just ran out of everything. Not to mention, they don't even sell bottled water and it was sweltering in there (see #1) 3. The bathrooms are filthy. No towels, no soap, no toilet paper. And they serve food? Gross. 4. What is up with the food in this place? They have a multimillion dollar renovation and they are serving pre-cooked chicken tenders and fries from warming dishes. WTF? The only positives were the staff and the music. The staff were all great, accommodating, and friendly in pretty tough conditions. And the music was amazing. I don't know who is running this place but they need a different career cause running a bar and restaurant is not their strong point. I will have to seriously reconsider spending money to see another show here.

I've been avoiding reviewing this place because they bring some good reggae to DC. Tonight, classic reggae artist Freddie McGregor performed and while he was awesome, it was a steam bath in there. Seriously Howard, what happened to the ac? This is not the first time... I noticed the band did not have towels to Wipe the perspiration off of themselves. The drinks are never good here so we stuck to beer. The food OMG there was some kind of fried I don't know what off in a little corner. Howard you really need to get your act together. I mean how many reviews is it gonna take for you to do something? I really wish someone like Oprah or Spike Lee would buy this place and do something with it. I bought tickets to see a show this weekend and that's the last time I buy tickets from this place Unless I see a major change. Really guys read your reviews WTF Giving it a two because of the excellent job the band did ...Nothing to do with the venue.

As far as a music venue goes, this place is a darn fun time and big space... at least when it comes to seeing White Ford Bronco on a Friday night! + Ample space to dance (there are tables as well but you must come early and/or pay more for those) + Smaller venue so everyone gets a good view + Drink specials: $3 Stella Ciders, $5 Natty Boh's, etc. + Free tequila shots (this night, anyway) + Abundant and clean bathrooms + Coat check is available Yeah yeah yeah. I'd come back here again.

Came here to see Freddy Jackson and the overall experience was just okay. First the parking: It is BRUTAL looking for a parking space in this area. My tip is to arrive early and take advantage of the paid lot parking provided in the area (starts at $20). We came a little over an hour before the show and had to circle the area to find a parking spot on the street. Make sure you are aware of the signs in the neighborhood, some are only for residential parking with a permit and some have a 2 hour parking limit. We were 2 blocks from the venue, so that wasn't too bad, but we kept watch on our time as we did not want to have our car impounded. The venue was set up with tables and chairs on the lower level and booths around the upper level with a long bar area(some concerts are standing room, so make sure you check before purchasing). There was a minimum purchase of $10 pp, and the service sucked. The menu was sorta expensive, especially for mere appetizers, although they sold dinner items. We were seated for half an hour before a server took our order. Another couple at the table that came late were not served at all (was that good for them or bad for us?) I ordered the bbq/jerk wings ( they said they ran out of boned wings...really??? They opened at 6 and the show starts at 8 and it was only 7:15...) and hubby ordered a beer. It took almost half an hour for the food and drink to come and although the boneless wings were tasty and accompanied by a side of peach salsa, they were bordering on cold when they arrived. I was too bothered to ask them to take them back as l was afraid they wouldn't come until the end of the show or never. The show itself was great. The acoustics were good and the singer and band was awesome. If l do choose to come back to the Howard Theater, I will come super early and eat at a nearby restaurant (there were a ton that got great Yelp reviews) and just order a drink here.

This review is strictly for the business-not for the artist. Seated at 6:10. We chatted with busser who told us how good the ribs are, and that they would be ready in about 1/2 hour. At 7:15 still no drinks other than water. After a while, a person at our table intercepted a waitress so we could order. We ordered meals and drinks. Much much later the waitress came to the table to say that she "checked" on the drinks and they will be up soon. This was around 45 minutes after we'd ordered. Fast-forward. The waitress returned and declared that the bar was out of brandy. She still brought no drinks. She also declared that the kitchen was out of ribs. And salmon. Now a person at the table intercepted a manager. The manager profusely apologized and within two minutes the manager brought drinks to the table. The manager also said that menu should be updated to delete the ribs and salmon. I cancelled my order and did not order an alternative. Notably, a nearby couple that had been sat after us received their food and drink much sooner. The couple talked the manager and told the manager what they observed regarding service. Much later the meals for the rest of the party arrived. In sum, it was around two hours from being seated to receiving meals at my party's table. The waitress re-appeared at the end of the meal to drop off a check with gratuity included even though we were a party of four, and the service relied on the manager. The manager comped some drinks and reduced the bill. See picture.

My daughter and I were there to see Savion Glover. He was simply phenomenal! The theater is beautiful, warm and has amazing site lines. I really don't think there is a bad seat in the house. Seating is Cabaret style, meaning, unless you are at a reserved table, you will be seated with others. I actually enjoyed that as it added to the warm atmosphere. Now, let's talk about food and service. There is a $10 min. per person AND an automatic 15% gratuity! The food is WAAY too expensive and could be a tad bit better. The service was also quite slow. I will DEFINETLY return, but I'll eat before I go next time.

I came here for a show to see Les Nubians , two sisters a French speaking duo. I didn't have any food , however the drinks were good and very pricey . The venue itself is absolutely spectacular, they have a cleared floor for general admission so you stand and watch the reformers , it sucks if you cannot stand for a long time .

Decent concert venue. Tickets generally kind of pricey. Food is meh, drink selection is ok, price what you'd expect for dc venue. Service is mediocre. For example, last visit this female bartender kept my change as a tip without even asking me. And then she goes "it's all good".

i've gone here three different times, and each time, there were many things awry. 1) met friends here to see lalah hathaway. the music was exceptional (of course, 'cos, LALAH.) but the food was so freakin over-priced for what we got. garden salad, wings and mac-n-cheese. the salad was a little wilted, the wings, dry & the m&c underwhelming. 2) went to celebrate my cousin-auntie's bday. the music -again -was dope. but the SERVICE?!? no. just, no. we waited an hour for our food, our orders were wrong, we waited another 30 mins for them to be corrected. called the manager over. once the food finally arrived, it was cold and some items still incorrect. when we called the manager over again, and asked that some items be taken off our bill, we were told that wasn't really possible. 3) met up with my cousins to hear frank mccomb. he was so incredibly unprepared and asked for song selections from the audience. it was a hott mess, and i was highly disappointed as i live his music. i am completely invested in supporting black businesses, especially one as historically relevant as howard theater, but they need to raise the quality of their offerings and the experience to reflect the the support we give.

I've been here for a few concerts and parties... one of my favorite memories is Reggaefest VS. Soca. It's a monthly party that occurs and it's so fun since the Caribbean genres are some of my favorite tunes. Out of all the venues I've been to, it's the least janky, but it does have some downsides to it: 1) Drinks are really expensive here... pricier than most other places. The strength doesn't live up to the price either. There's only one bar in the back of the room, and it can become tough to get a drink. 2) Coat check and bathrooms are outside of the stage room, through a corridor, and down (A LOT OF) stairs. It just takes a while to get to, and I feel like it makes it discouraging to use if the event has already started. 3) If an event is sold out, prepare for a very packed room. It's really hard to get through the crowd and personal space becomes non-existent. Even so, this place gets the job done and the sound is awesome. Their parties jam hard, and I have enjoyed every concert I have been to. I have not had their food yet, so I cannot give any feedback on that.

The Paul Mooney show was one of the worse experiences ever. The heat was broke and it was literally freezing cold the entire time. Even the wait staff and the comedians had coats and hats on. WTH! They had paper menus that only offered chicken or fish and sides. That's it! The chairs are ripped and raggedy. The DJ was wack and wouldn't even play music when the comedians asked him to. Drinks were served in red solo cups. WTH. I didn't know I was at a damn cookout. The food was being delivered to folks damn near to the very end of the show. And as if that wasn't bad enough Paul Mooney's was odd, awkward and brief. It was as if someone told him to perform 5 minutes before showtime. His handler kept having to coach him ON stage about what to talk about. This Crazy!! Waste of my money and time. Truly disappointing.

Terrible. Went to some even called Henny & Waffles, staff was drunk, grabbing on me. Seated two groups of people in the same seats. Waited an hour for food. Worst experience ever. Will never go back. Asked for the general manager and they told me "It's a white lady and she doesn't care, she won't come talk to you." Don't waste your time.

This was our first time here and the outside is beautiful. Yay Goldstar each time we purchase tickets our name is on the list. Tonight we saw Paul Risner. He was very funny and entertaining. We chose to sit in the first row balcony to look down. The seats were comfortable. We got two drinks. The metro is just a few blocks away.

Always a good time, The Howard Theatre is an awesome venue for live music. If you're coming to a concert and ordering food, make sure to either get there early for a table, reserve a table or eat before. Additionally their drink prices are not for the faint of heart. With a Miller Lite costing 9.00 and most premium drinks costing anywhere from 11-20 bucks, you're liable to spend at least 60 bucks on food and beverage easily here. The Howard Theatre is spacious and pretty much has a good view of the stage from anywhere inside.

I have to say I love the Howard Theater. Every show I've gone to here has been great. The latest being a comedy show. I had such a good time. Capone and friends were absolutely hilarious. If you've been to the Howard you know the seating arrangements change based on the events. For this show, the upstairs was closed but they had tables and chairs throughout the lower level. People weren't sitting on top of each other and there was enough room to walk in between the tables. The food is okay. I think it's overpriced for what you get. I had wings, fries, a lemonade and a cup of tea. This cost me $34. Keep in mind gratuity is add s for you. The biggest problem I have with the Howard is parking. I was early today so I was blessed to find a free park on the street. Normally I would have to valet park for $20. I don't mind paying that for convenience but I don't like the wait when it's time to leave. I've waited for almost 40 mins the last time I valet parked. In closing, I think the Howard should do a better job promoting their shows. They have some good acts coming this summer/fall that I wouldn't have learned about had I not been there. Overall, I will definitely be back for the entertainment but I think I'll stick with just their drinks for now and continue to arrive early.