Nats Park took bag, can we get it back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to the concert last minute yesterday. Friends had extra tickets. I didn't see the ticket and had NO idea about a bag policy as I am not a baseball fan. Are we now expected to read up on all stadium bag policies before going anywhere? I left my bag at home because I didn't want to get mugged walking back to my car but would have been stuck otherwise, because it would not occur to me that a concert would prohibit bags. Search them, sure, but ban them? Now I will assume that is the rule at all places and plan for that (I do own a clear stadium bag for college football). NO way would a 13 year old be expected to think of this.

Um, yes. It takes a couple of minutes. Or be OK with having to leave your bag.

NP here. +1. I've been reading the venue bag policies for years. Ever since the Ariana Grande London attack, sports and concert venues have been enforcing strict bag policies and some don't allow bags AT ALL. Some allow fanny packs, some it has to literally be a clear zip lock bag, some a wristlet, some one of those clear, plastic stadium bags, etc.

In the good old days I would literally bring a cooler bag full of food into Nats Park. I once held my kid's birthday party there and walked in with a huge Papa Johns pizza and a dozen Georgetown cupcakes. But those days are over. Same for Cap One Arena, FedEx, etc. It's always on you to check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, this thread is why a portable locker business would boom for venues like this. I know Nats Park has some lockers.

When I had jury duty in Alexandria, everyone took their cell phones across the street from the courthouse to a little deli for them to stash them. I think it was like $10 to leave it with them. All the guards in the courthouse were telling people where to go, too.

It blew my mind that big ol' district court in Alexandria didn't have cell phone lockers when rinky-dink Loudoun County courthouse in Leesburg has them inside.

I'm old enough to remember when it was $1 per device at that deli.

And ED Va. figures you are responsible enough to figure it out on your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to the concert last minute yesterday. Friends had extra tickets. I didn't see the ticket and had NO idea about a bag policy as I am not a baseball fan. Are we now expected to read up on all stadium bag policies before going anywhere? I left my bag at home because I didn't want to get mugged walking back to my car but would have been stuck otherwise, because it would not occur to me that a concert would prohibit bags. Search them, sure, but ban them? Now I will assume that is the rule at all places and plan for that (I do own a clear stadium bag for college football). NO way would a 13 year old be expected to think of this.

Yes. Bag policies are standard at so many locations -- both in DC and elsewhere -- all kinds of sports venues (soccer, baseball, football, hockey, etc.)

You even said how you have a clear stadium bag for college football, so this concept is not totally foreign to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to the concert last minute yesterday. Friends had extra tickets. I didn't see the ticket and had NO idea about a bag policy as I am not a baseball fan. Are we now expected to read up on all stadium bag policies before going anywhere? I left my bag at home because I didn't want to get mugged walking back to my car but would have been stuck otherwise, because it would not occur to me that a concert would prohibit bags. Search them, sure, but ban them? Now I will assume that is the rule at all places and plan for that (I do own a clear stadium bag for college football). NO way would a 13 year old be expected to think of this.

Um, yes. It takes a couple of minutes. Or be OK with having to leave your bag.

NP here. +1. I've been reading the venue bag policies for years. Ever since the Ariana Grande London attack, sports and concert venues have been enforcing strict bag policies and some don't allow bags AT ALL. Some allow fanny packs, some it has to literally be a clear zip lock bag, some a wristlet, some one of those clear, plastic stadium bags, etc.

In the good old days I would literally bring a cooler bag full of food into Nats Park. I once held my kid's birthday party there and walked in with a huge Papa Johns pizza and a dozen Georgetown cupcakes. But those days are over. Same for Cap One Arena, FedEx, etc. It's always on you to check.

Whenever the Nats started having attendance in the stadium after Covid (I guess that was 2021 because I don't remember going to any games in 2020)... you could bring in so much food "due to Covid protocols". My son took in a full bag from Shake Shack (burger & fries) plus a milkshake. It was allowed because it was a food bag. (I think the clear bag policy also started in 2021). Nats Park isn't allowing beverages from outside vendors this year, unless sealed (unopened water bottle, etc.) He had a bit left in his milkshake earlier this year and had to toss it before entry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to the concert last minute yesterday. Friends had extra tickets. I didn't see the ticket and had NO idea about a bag policy as I am not a baseball fan. Are we now expected to read up on all stadium bag policies before going anywhere? I left my bag at home because I didn't want to get mugged walking back to my car but would have been stuck otherwise, because it would not occur to me that a concert would prohibit bags. Search them, sure, but ban them? Now I will assume that is the rule at all places and plan for that (I do own a clear stadium bag for college football). NO way would a 13 year old be expected to think of this.

To a concert at a stadium? Yes.