The Scene: This is simply Washington's finest live music venue, with a state-of-the-art sound system, a huge stage, excellent sight lines and a consistently good schedule of bands rolling though. While most of the action takes place in front of the stage, the best views are from the wide, stepped balcony that runs around three sides of the building. Tickets and drinks are not cheap -- more on that below -- but when you want to see the Roots, James Brown, the Arcade Fire, My Chemical Romance or even Justin Timberlake, this is the place.

In Your Glass: Beer. Expensive beer. Like, "$6 for a bottle of Yuengling" expensive.

Need to Know: Those choosing to view the show from the balcony should know that the tiered steps are not -- and should not be -- considered seats. If you sit down, people will stand in front of you and you won't see anything. That's the way it is. Seating is very, very limited throughout the club. Also, while the neighborhood is far safer than it was when the 9:30 club opened in 1996, the cautious should take advantage of secure parking behind the club. (Purchase an advance parking pass when you buy your ticket.)

Nice to Know: If you're killing time before bands come on or trying to avoid crowds, head downstairs to the very cool BackBar, which has good beer, tables, chairs and plenty of barstools. Don't miss the exhibit of old fliers, which remind you that, back when the club was a tiny, smelly, beloved hole on F Street, it played host to Minor Threat, R.E.M., Einsturzende Neubauten and a host of other rock legends.

Price Points: For some reason, you never pay the price actually printed on your tickets. If you buy them at the box office, you'll pay a $1-per-ticket "convenience charge." Purchasing through Tickets.com generally adds a "service charge" of $4.50 per ticket. Parking is $10 per car.

-- Fritz Hahn (August 2006)