Logistics for teens going to concert at The Fillmore in Silver Spring

[Anonymous]

Haven't been to SS in 20 years so seeking some input. We're working on logistics to get 4-6 high school sophomores to/from Arlington/The Fillmore for a concert.
Assume parents can drive the teens to the venue. Are there good/fun places for the teens to eat and conveniently get to the Fillmore or is a curbside drop off preferred?
As for the return trip: We don't want the teens driving and have no idea what time the concert ends so don't want to consider Metro. Would you call a cab for the ride from SS to Arlington? If so, what's a dependable cab company in the area? Or would you just pack up the 5 year old and drive to pick up the teens? (For various reasons, I'm the only adult in the picture for this night). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The fillmore is 2 blocks from downtown silver spring, which is full of places for teens...chipotle, pot belly, moby dick....the venue is ok, lots of parking close in...The metro is about 3 blocks away, but long blocks....
might be a good move, as there will be a large crowd heading to the metro at the same time; safey in numbers...Usually there are tons of police and security people in that area...

[Anonymous]

But isn't possible the concert ends after the Metro closes? (Haven't taken the Metro near closing time in 20 years either.)

[Anonymous]

Find out when the concert ends and when the last train leaves SS Metro. There is a taxi stand at the Silver Spring Metro. You can always catch a cab there.

[Anonymous]

and remember, a minivan cab is going to run a good $$$ to go from SS to arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and remember, a minivan cab is going to run a good $$$ to go from SS to arlington

Yes, this is why I'm thinking I need to call for a cab ahead to reserve the minivan cab (a lot depending on the final # of teens going). And my DH (who will be half way around the world at the time) tell me to just call a car service. So I still got some things to figure out and just asking around DCUM first. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Barwood Cab is the local cab company in Montgomery county if you want to arrange a cab pick up.

The SS area is very nice. There is a city center across the street behind the AFI theatre that has a ton of restaurants (mostly chains).

I don't think I'd want my kids on the metro though. The walk to the metro is perfectly fine. It's a few blocks away on the same main road as the Fillmore. However the train does go through some pretty sketchy neighborhoods on the way to metro center and I wouldn't want to do it late at night. Also, the ride from SS to Arlington is pretty lengthy.

[Anonymous]

Why not get a babysitter for the 5 year old, go see a movie in SS and then pick up the kids when the concert is over? It seems like it would be a whole lot cheaper than a cab or car service from SS to Arlington.

[Anonymous]

I know first hand there are not enough cabs when the concerts end and metro is usually closed by then, so tons of people just end up wandering looking for cabs. I agree with the idea of getting a sitter and catching a movie. Then go to mcgintys or something until the concerts over.
It's not a great place for teens to just be wandering around, not that it's a bad area but you don't want to invite trouble

[Anonymous]

I just checked Metro and last train is 11:14. There's just too many things that could go wrong with the Metro scenario in my mind. So I think it would be down to a cab/car service or me getting them (assuming we can all fit in my car). If DH were home, I'd definitely just hang out at a Starbucks or movie. I'll have to think about finding a babysitter on a weekday night.

New concern: the concert at the Fillmore is general admission/standing room only. True, my only recent experience was Taylor Swift at the Verizon Center. But 2,000 teens and young people all clamoring towards the stage? And they'd need to get there early to ensure a good standing spot? And the headliner probably doesn't get on stage until 2-2:30 hours after the concert begins. I'm having trouble even picturing this in my head. Anyone with helpful experience/advice? If not, I might spin off to the teen forum. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

10:13. I missed your post while I was writing 10:17. Thanks, that helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

10:13, any insight regarding:

New concern: the concert at the Fillmore is general admission/standing room only. 2,000 teens and young people all clamoring towards the stage? And they'd need to get there early to ensure a good standing spot? And the headliner probably doesn't get on stage until 2-2:30 hours after the concert begins. I'm having trouble even picturing this in my head.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Just checked online quotes for car service: $70 from Roadmaster; $250 from Boston Coach. Thanks to pp on another thread who recommended Roadmaster. Still keeping options open (but Boston Coach is out for sure).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a babysitter for the 5 year old, go see a movie in SS and then pick up the kids when the concert is over? It seems like it would be a whole lot cheaper than a cab or car service from SS to Arlington.

+1

SS has changed a lot in the last 5-10 years (for the better). There are a good number of nice restaurants in addition to the cheaper ones that are popular with teens. Olazzo and 8407 Kitchen Bar (probably got number wrong) are my favorites. McGinty's and Austin Grill often have live music. There's also a lot of free/cheap parking in SS in the evenings and on weekends.

Oh wait, I missed the part about it being on a weeknight--you might not want to stay up that late if you have to work. I like Barwood taxi pretty well, but taxis probably will be hard to find with the concert letting out. It would be expensive, but not horrible if each teen paid their share.

[Anonymous]

Op where are the other parents?! Someone needs to offer to watch your kid or pick up the others. You are taking on a lot. Do you know someone like a college kid you could pay to pick them up for you?