Our weddings in Maryland offer a wide range of stunning locations, from grand ballrooms to charming outdoor spaces.
Choosing the right venue is key to ensuring your event is a memorable success. One of the most important things to consider is whether the venue can provide exceptional event services in Baltimore, Maryland. The quality of services, including catering, technical support, and staff professionalism, can make or break your event. A venue with comprehensive services ensures that every detail is handled seamlessly, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your guests.
Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s wine country, Restoration Vineyards offers a picturesque and romantic setting for couples looking to tie the knot. Let’s explore what makes getting married at Restoration Vineyards in Palisade a perfect venue for your special day.
About Restoration Vineyards
Getting to Restoration Vineyards
Distance from nearest town: Restoration Vineyards is located in…
R&R is a love or hate sort of venue. People who hate it complain about the sound system (we'll get to that), the location, and other more minor things. People who love it like the intimacy, the variety of acts, the lack of pretentiousness, and the mac and cheese...or maybe that's just me. Let's move on, shall we?
Disclaimer: Some parts of this are concrete fact, and other parts are based on my personal experiences at the club. Your mileage may vary.
The basics
Address: 1353 H St. NE
Via metro: This can get a little complicated, folks, so here are some options:
Feel like walking? Take the red line to Union Station and head east on H Street. It's a solid 15 blocks.
Live near U StreetAdams Morgan/Columbia Heights/that part of the world? Take the 90 or 92 bus south; both lines stop at H & 8th.
Live on the Hill? Same idea, except take the 90/92 north.
Coming from downtown? Catch the X2 in Chinatown; it runs the length of H Street.
Someday, the streetcar will exist.
And, of course, cabs are always an option.
Parking: Limited. There are usually some spots on the side streets. Parking south of the venue tends to be safer.
Age limit: All shows are all ages. DJ nights on the second floor are 21+.
Dress code: Clothed.
***IMPORTANT CAVEAT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY: The H Street corridor is getting safer. There are enough people around that you'll be fine on H itself, but be smart on the side streets (speaking as someone who once lived on one of said side streets).***
Tickets
RnR primarily hosts rock, indie, and metal shows with the occasional electro artist thrown into the mix. Tickets are usually between $10 and $20. DJ nights on the second floor are always free, as are the weekly residencies by Rex Riot and Basscamp on the first floor. (Go to these, yo.)
RnR uses Ticketfly. Fees are a few bucks. You can also buy tickets at the box office whenever the club's open (6 p.m. most nights).
RnR also hosts "adult" spelling bees, occasional comedy nights, and other neat things. Check it.
Space
RnR is a three-floor venue. The box office is outside the front door on the left; you'll need to stop by even if you printed your ticket at home to get a stamp. ***This is a fairly recent change, as the box office used to be inside, so heads up if you haven't been in a while. The coat check used to be next to the box office. I'm not sure if it's moved.***
Once inside, the stage is ahead of you through the double doors. On your left is the bar; the sound booth is on your right. Restrooms are past the stage on the right. Be aware that they are very small.
The second floor (up the stairs on the right before you enter the room of tunes) plays host to DJs. The bar is directly in front of you, with booths to your left, merch and a dance floor to your right, and changing rooms for the bands and restrooms for you down the hall on the far right. These are also very small; you will get smacked in the back by the door if you're waiting in line for a stall in the women's restroom. Everyone knows this and tries to be careful. Return the favor.
The third floor is actually a very pleasant, very cozy deck. It's (mostly) covered, and there are space heaters in the winter. There's also another bar up here, which is often the least crowded.
Crowd
With a wide variety of artists gracing the stage, the crowd changes from show to show. In general, though, people are young, energetic, and pretty friendly. They also tend to be music aficionados, since a) as previously mentioned, R&R can be hard to get to, and b) the acts who play here are superb but maybe not household names.
Sold out for an R&R show means sold out. Things will be very tight. If you have a good spot near the front and give it up to use the bathroom, you will not be able to worm your way back in no matter how much you want to. It will be physically impossible. True story.
Eats & dranks
R&R has a long, diverse beer list. It's not posh, but it's classic and dotted with some really excellent brews. Mixed drinks are small but very boozy. The bartenders are super chill and will eagerly discuss beer with you if they're not too busy. Tip them.
Don't drink? There's a water cooler on each bar.
Food is available at the bar. The menu is short and consists of typical bar fare. It's not bad, and there are a few vegetarian options. Vegans will have a more difficult time.
Timeline
Doors and the set time for the first band are announced when the show is announced. On weeknights, these are usually 7 and 8, respectively. On weekends, they're 8 and 9. The headliner will finish around 11:30 on weeknights and after midnight on weekends. DJ nights always start at 10 (with the exception of Rex Riot's and Basscamp's residency, which starts at 11:30/whenever the show preceding them is over). Things tend to run more or less on time.
The sound system...
...gets is own section, because it's the number one complaint people have--namely, that it's not very good.
And let's be realistic: R&R doesn't have the setup of some of the bigger venues in town. The room's acoustics aren't ideal. But that's kind of the point. R&R is trying to transport you to your friend's basement, where the band is five inches away and the sound is lo-fi and blaring. They've just enlarged the space and added a full bar. Having pristine sound in such a venue would be just as jarring as unapologetic, unfiltered noise can be.
This isn't an excuse for levels being off or things like that. Those things happen at all venues from time to time, and it sucks for everyone when they do. Here's the thing, though: don't knock sound unless you've done it yourself. You try to deal with a room that doesn't change and bands that do every single night--or the reverse if it's the band's sound engineer flipping the switches.
Pro tips
As mentioned, the dressing rooms for the bands are upstairs. Especially with the openers, you're likely to catch them hanging around the merch table if you head up there between sets.
If there's a DJ night happening upstairs, the merch table will be in the main room on the first floor.
Follow R&R on Twitter for specific set times, low ticket warnings, and the like. They also occasionally give away tickets and vinyl if you retweet things. Do that.
There is no photo barricade at R&R. The photographers appreciate your enthusiasm but do not want to dance and/or mosh with you while carrying thousands of dollars' worth of equipment. Please and thank you.
The Black Cat (particularly the backstage) is probably my favorite venue in town. It's grungy, full of character, and all about the music. (And the burlesque. And the cult TV shows. And a bunch of other awesome ish.) As always, drop me a line if you have tips of your own, and I'll add them in.
Disclaimer: Some parts of this are concrete fact, and other parts are based on my personal experiences at the club. Your mileage may vary.
The basics
Address: 1811 14th St. NW
Via Metro: Take the green/yellow line to U Street and get off on the 13th Street side. Go straight from the escalator to the corner (past &pizza), walk a block, and turn left on the 14th. The Black Cat will be on your left in about two and a half blocks.
Parking: There are bunch of pay lots in the area; the closest is on 14th between T and U.
Age limits: All shows are all ages.
Dress code: Good joke.
Tickets
There are two stages at the club. For the mainstage, which hosts major indie/punk/rock acts as well as local big names, expect to pay between $15 and $20. For the backstage, which is more for niche genres, local up-and-comers, and bands you've never heard of much to the dismay of their cult followings, tickets are usually between $10 and $15.
The Black Cat also hosts regular DJ nights on the weekends. These range from free for smaller nights at the backstage to $10 for the FYM dance parties upstairs (which you should always, always attend).
The Black Cat uses Ticketfly. Fees are modest--usually a few bucks. You can also buy tickets at the box office when the club is open (8 p.m. most nights; sometimes earlier on show nights).
Space
The Black Cat is a two-floor club. Upon entering, Food for Thought is to your left, the mainstage is up the stairs directly ahead, and the Red Room is to your right. Now, what all of those words mean:
Food for Thought is a cash-only café of awesomeness. It's extremely vegan-friendly. Have a cupcake.
The Red Room is essentially a dive bar. There are couches, booths, pool, arcade games, a jukebox, and other items of excellence.
The Red Room is also where you'll find the ATM, which you'll need, as the club is cash-only. The restrooms are on the right before you get to the bar; the women's is tucked away in the corner.
At the very back, left-hand corner of the Red Room is the door to the backstage. If you're coming to a gig here, you won't show your ticket until you reach this point.
The backstage is a bit like a basement house venue. There's no barricade between you and the stage. On the left side of the room is a slightly higher platform to stand on, which is useful if you're short. Merch is in the back, as is a free water cooler.
Now let's say you're headed to a mainstage show...
Show your ticket to the friendly guy at the counter by the stairs. He'll give you another ticket, which you give to the guy sitting three feet away. Go with it.
Here's the layout upstairs: to your left are the coat check and bathrooms. (Tip your coat checker, loves!) To your right are the merch table and a bunch of other tables tucked away in the back if you want to sit down. The room is flanked by bars on either side. And directly ahead of you is the stage.
Crowd
The acts here vary pretty widely, so the crowd changes from show to show. In general, though, they're a little punkier (that's a word now) than the crowd at 9:30. Depending on the show, they're also a little bit younger or a little bit older. At backstage shows, the crowd tends to move and will sometimes even do so at the mainstage. Props.
Sold out for a mainstage show means a packed room. Sold out for a backstage show is full but not eff-what-is-my-elbow-touching. Sold-out shows at the backstage are actually quite enjoyable, precisely because there is room to breathe.
Eats & dranks
If you want food, you'll need to go to Food for Thought. The bars don't serve munchies. They do, however, have a solid, no-frills beer list and neat shots/mixed drinks that change with the season. The bartenders are cool people. Tip them.
Don't drink? There are free water coolers on the bar in the mainstage room and one on the merch table at the backstage.
Timeline
Set times are announced via Facebook and Twitter on the day of the show. For a weeknight show, doors are usually at 8 with the first band on at 8:30-ish if there are three bands and 8:45-ish if there are two. The "ish" is important, because I've never been to a show at the Black Cat that ran on time. It'd be pretty disconcerting if a show at a gritty rock club did run on time, but you'll need to watch the clock on weeknights if you're depending on the metro, as encores can sometimes make things tight. (The last train home is at 11:50 or 12:20, depending on which direction you're going.) The headliner usually goes on after 10.
For a weekend show, doors are at 9, and the headliner will go on around midnight.
Pro tips
Because the sound booth is in the middle of the room at the mainstage, it follows that the crowd is more tightly packed there. The sides are really your best bet.
That said, the speakers sit in stacks on the sides, so watch proximity if volume is an issue for you. (Or get some earplugs. C'mon.)
Sometimes, the Black Cat offers a mobile ticket option. If you choose this option, increase your screen's brightness BEFORE you get to the front of the line so the door guy/gal's scanner can actually read your ticket.
Follow the Black Cat on Twitter and like them on Facebook. This is how they announce low ticket warnings. What's nice is that they'll often list just how many tickets are left so you can judge how quickly you need to move.
There are no photo barricades, so don't step on/flail at/attempt to mosh with the photogs. Basically, follow rule one of showgoing: be a decent human.
I'm shaking things up a little bit with some handy-dandy venue guides in lieu of reviews. These are obviously aimed at newcomers to our fine city (welcome, welcome), but I hope show veterans will also find some tidbits of use. And if you have additional tips, do message me and I'll add them in.
Up first: 9:30 Club, because everyone in the DMV will end up there eventually.
Disclaimer: Some parts of this are concrete fact, and other parts are based on my personal experiences at the club. Your mileage may vary.
The basics
Address: 815 V St. NW
Via Metro: Take the green/yellow line to U Street and get off on the 10th street side. Go up the escalator and turn around so you're facing U Street. Go right (east) to the intersection of U and Vermont. Head north on Vermont until you get to the gas station. From your current perspective, 9:30 is on the other side of the gas station. The intersection here is confusing, but follow the inevitable hordes of people and you'll figure it out. From the metro to the door of 9:30 should take you about 3 minutes.
Parking: Is a pain. You can buy a parking pass in advance, but a) they cost $12 and b) space is very limited. If you're coming from out of town, it may be easier to park at one of the outer metro stations and metro in.
Age limits: All shows are all ages. Don't forget your ID, or you'll get massive blue monstrosities stamped on both of your hands that will take days to wash off. True story.
Dress code: Hahahahahahaha.
Tickets
Because of the variety of shows hosted by the club, ticket prices vary widely. You can expect to pay $15-$20 for an up-and-coming band, around $25 for an established group, and up to $55 for the big names.
9:30 uses Ticketfly. Fees are reliably around $10. If you live in the area, it is therefore highly advisable to stop by the box office (open at noon during the week), where fees are only $1 per ticket. Don't count on being able to buy tickets on the day of the show, because almost everything sells out.
Space
9:30 is a three-floor club. The main floor is essentially a giant warehouse. Upon entering the club, the stage is to your right. Restrooms are straight ahead on your left, and the coat check, which is seasonal, is straight ahead all the way to the back. It's $2. Tip your coat checker, dears.
In the stage area, there are two bars (one on either side of the room) and a food stand (on the left past the bar). Merch is in the back on the right. They take cards.
Upstairs is the balcony (duh). The stairs are on your left by the entrance. There is also a coffee bar up here. Baller.
In the basement is Backbar, which feels like a dive bar but whose prices will make you die a little inside. Backbar hosts its own club nights, which have separate covers. During shows, though, you can head down there for a quiet drink if you need to get away from the mayhem.
***BIG PLUS OF 9:30: Are you a hardcore fan seeing your FAVORITE BAND IN THE WORLD at a sold-out gig and want to be sure you get that front row spot? Arrive an hour before doors, pick up your ticket at will call if you don't already have it, and head to Backbar. (There's a separate entrance around the side.) The first 25 or so people in line who are of age get early entrance to the club via Backbar.***
Crowd
Again, 9:30 has hosted everyone from Goblin to 2Chainz, so the crowd changes with the show. In general, however, people are well-behaved, really enjoy the music but don't move a lot (the front of the room aside), and keep to themselves. Age-wise, they tend to be mostly 20s-30s.
Sold out at 9:30 means the room will be packed. You'll have room to breathe if you stay towards the back, but if you want to get closer to the stage, expect to have your personal space invaded.
Eats & dranks
As mentioned, food is available through the magical window past the bar on the left side of the club. The menu is varied, pretty good, and very vegetarian-friendly. (It's not too bad for vegans either.)
9:30 has a solid beer list featuring local brews and national favorites. Mixed drinks are small but boozy. Don't drink? There's a free water cooler on every bar.
The bartenders are friendly and put up with you. Tip them.
Also, coffee bar. Upstairs. Coffee. Go.
Timeline
Set times are never announced until the day of the show, at which point they're posted in the slider on the homepage of 9:30's website. Inevitably, there will be people who don't realize this and ask about it in the FAQ section of the 9:30 forum. Eddie is a patient moderator and will sometimes give estimates a bit further in advance.
Generally, for a weekday show, you can expect 7 p.m. doors with the first band on around 7:45 or 8. The headliner will usually go on around 10, assuming two openers. This is designed to get you out the door and to the metro before the last train home (11:50 or 12:20, depending on the direction you're going). Because of this, things tend to run more or less on time.
On the weekends, doors are usually at 8 with set times proceeding at the same intervals that they would during the week.
Sometimes, 9:30 will host an early and a late show on the same night. In this case, doors are usually at 6 for the early show and 10 for the late show.
Pro tips
The will call line is a pain. It moves quickly, but it's just so damn long. Save yourself a headache and print your tickets at home (or the office; let's be realistic) or have them mailed to you.
Buy merch between sets. The merch table is right by the exit, which was a smart marketing move but also means that there will always be a mob there at the end of the show, even if the mob is not buying merch.
The only bad sight line at the club is behind a really tall person--but if you need to be close and arrive after the openers, the room is wider towards the front on the right side. You can usually worm your way closer via that route.
That said, the openers on 9:30 bills are serious bands whom you should check out. I have always been pleasantly surprised by the opening acts I've seen here.
The guys who book at 9:30 also book Merriweather Post Pavilion and the Lincoln Theatre, as well as regular shows at U Street Music Hall and a few other larger venues under the I.M.P. label, such as Echostage and DAR Constitution Hall.
Get yoself on the 9:30 mailing list. There are presales galore.
Follow 9:30 on Twitter. They regularly tweet out low ticket warnings and tag everything with #LTW930 for easy browsing. As you may have noticed if you looked at the 9:30 calendar, most things sell out, even if just the day before the show, so it's good to stay on top of things. (They also retweet the myriad businesses/organizations who give away tickets to their shows, so there's that.)
Need a midnight snack after the show? The Satellite Room is attached to the back side of the club (you have to go outside to enter) and serves wondrous alcoholic milkshakes. Also, regular milkshakes.
UPDATE: A tip from Clarissa Villondo, who has shot more shows than you: don't put your stuff on the table in the photo pit. It will get moved to who-knows-where, and it will be your fault. C'mon.
