Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 15:03     Subject: Re:Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
I go to a lot of concerts and 9:30 club is one of my favorite venues. It is also probably the one I would feel safest with my kid attending without me. Not too big. No weird hidden corners (like the Black Cat which is a rabbit warren). The staff is very on top of things and there is great visibility across the club. Not sure why on earth people feel more comfortable with Merriweather or big venues?? Seems like you can get into just as much if not more trouble there!

I would also feel comfortable with the Anthem, Union Stage and Songbyrd. Haven't City Winery yet. The gone U Street Music Hall and Rock and Roll Hotel, while I loved, I would feel less comfortable with.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 14:18     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the opinions. Is the crowd mostly 20 something’s and older or does it depend on who the band is that night? Also, how does alcohol distribution work there? Seems like a hassle for the owner to allow 21 and under.


You show ID to get a bracelet and they’re very strict. With covid last time I was there I didn’t see a lot of drinking anyway.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 13:35     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
OP here. Thanks for all the opinions. Is the crowd mostly 20 something’s and older or does it depend on who the band is that night? Also, how does alcohol distribution work there? Seems like a hassle for the owner to allow 21 and under.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 10:11     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Friend, who regularly went to shows there as a teen, just posted a picture of him in a nearby cafe reading a book while waiting for his teen who he just dropped off at the 930 club.

I agree with PP, this is the age you start letting them have more freedom. You want them to make mistakes on your watch. You want them to learn good decision making skills while they still have you on their shoulder.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 10:06     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
16? Yes.

Our 16-year old went to an indoor concert this fall, and will go to another this week. In both cases, there was a group going, it was a performer popular with the age group, and a parent was nearby (but not inside the venue).
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 10:05     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Of course it’s fine for a 16 year old to go to a concert damn. Let your kids live a little
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 09:35     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Went to a concert this past Fall as the last second designated driver for a indie band that my kids are friends with a member. I know his parents and thought I might see them there as well.

Smallish venue as you would expect. I was really impressed with how low key and polite everyone was. Not a crazy mosh pit band really but still their stuff is pretty hard rock, as was the opening act. Weed was smoked in designated area outdoors between sets and acts. It was all very civilized. Not at all like the concerts of my era for rock bands in the past -- big or small arenas.

Do have a conversation about how to be cool and decline everything -- weed, pills and alcohol. It is a different atmosphere and stuff can get offered around -- more out of politeness. It is always cool to just shake your head and be focused on the music.

.





Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 07:56     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to a couple of post-Covid concerts at the 930. They require vaccination proof and masks. Mask wearing was surprisingly good among people who weren’t drinking and I was surprised at how few people were drinking. This was true even at the Aziz Ansari show at the Anthem. Enough people are taking extra precautions now that the general effect is a reasonably safe-feeling environment. (And I have been reasonably careful eg: I still haven’t eaten inside a restaurant. I’m not ready to be massless indoors yet.)

As a forty-something, I always prefer to stand in the un-crowded back. Even in sold out shows, there is always open space in the back. But a teen won’t do that. Because old people like me are back there.

I’d think if you sent them in a good mask, did drop off and pick up (or went too and stayed invisible, maybe even in my favorite section) then they’d all be fine. I say go for it.


PP here. I just looked up Girl in Red and realized that I saw her at the ACL Music Festival this fall. Yeah, you should definitely let your teen go. It would be a fun show and I can’t imagine it would be a problematic crowd. I might even get tickets myself and stand in the back and do embarrassing grown up dances.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 07:49     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
I’ve been to a couple of post-Covid concerts at the 930. They require vaccination proof and masks. Mask wearing was surprisingly good among people who weren’t drinking and I was surprised at how few people were drinking. This was true even at the Aziz Ansari show at the Anthem. Enough people are taking extra precautions now that the general effect is a reasonably safe-feeling environment. (And I have been reasonably careful eg: I still haven’t eaten inside a restaurant. I’m not ready to be massless indoors yet.)

As a forty-something, I always prefer to stand in the un-crowded back. Even in sold out shows, there is always open space in the back. But a teen won’t do that. Because old people like me are back there.

I’d think if you sent them in a good mask, did drop off and pick up (or went too and stayed invisible, maybe even in my favorite section) then they’d all be fine. I say go for it.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 07:23     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I went to the OG one when I was 12.

Your kid will be fine OP.


Without parents? Wow....


Went with an older sibling.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 07:22     Subject: Re:Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Yes. My best memories as a teen were going to concerts with a group of friends. Sometimes, 1.5 hours away when we could drive. Gosh, I can’t believe how trusting our parents were, and all without cell phones.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2022 00:38     Subject: Re:Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Yes
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2022 23:32     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Right now, I’m saying no to indoor concerts for my teens. However, I’m OK with them going to see Halsey outside in June at Merriweather.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2022 22:50     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
Yes I’ve been to the 9:30 club with my 16 yo and let her go with a friend at 15. I dropped off and picked up, waited outside.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2022 22:45     Subject: Concert at 9:30 Club for 16 yo?
With covid, absolutely not indoors.

Otherwise, with a parent, yes. My preteen has been to many concerts with us all over the place pre-covid. Lots of stuff happens at concerts.