FAQs
1) Show Times:
Venue doors and the Birchmere Box Office open at 5pm any night there is a performance (sometimes the Box Office will not open until 6pm during Flex Stage shows). At this time you may pick up will call tickets for that evening’s event, purchase tickets, and obtain line numbers. You may also order drinks at the bar from 5-6pm.
The Music Hall opens and seating begins at 6pm, at which time you can order food.
Shows start at 7:30pm (unless otherwise noted).
2) Seating:
The Birchmere is general admission, with all seating done on a first come, first served basis. To keep the process orderly, we use Line Numbers, which are picked up at the box office upon arrival.
The Music Hall is all seated with tables. The Flex Stage is all standing unless otherwise stated, and then it would have limited seating.
At 5pm, when the Box Office opens, we begin handing out Line Numbers to customers as they come to the Box Office. At 6pm when the Music Hall doors open, we begin seating by Line Number (i.e. the first person in at 5pm will be the first person in the Music Hall at 6pm). *Line Numbers are NOT used for Flex Stage shows. Reserved seats are NOT available, except for artists’ guests and VIPs.
3) Purchasing and Picking Up Tickets:
Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets and the Birchmere Box Office. The Birchmere sells tickets exclusively through Ticketmaster.
To purchase tickets visit www.Ticketmaster.com.
The Birchmere does NOT sell tickets over the phone. The only way to buy tickets from The Birchmere directly is at our Box Office, from 5-9pm, any night we have a show.
All Birchmere tickets ordered via Ticketmaster on the phone or online will be waiting at Will Call on the night of show or will be in the Ticketmaster App. Will Call tickets are NOT available for pickup until the night of the performance after 5pm, at Birchmere Box Office.
NOTE: Tickets for shows outside of The Birchmere are not available for purchase at The Birchmere Box Office, even if we are promoting them. For example, tickets for the Warner Theatre are available from Ticketmaster.com or the Warner Theatre Box Office, but not at The Birchmere Box Office.
3.5) Methods of Payment
The Birchmere only accepts Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover and Cash as payment options. A physical credit / debit card must be present to complete the charge transaction. Apple Pay, Payments using a phone, or checks are not accepted.
4) Ticket Service Charges:
Ticketmaster service charges are set up by Ticketmaster and we do not have any say in the matter. Tickets purchased at the Birchmere Box Office, will have a $7.00 service charge per ticket. This charge is for our Box Office Staff, Parking, and Security. “We want you here, happy & safe!”
*As of July 1, 2005 the City of Alexandria has passed an Admissions Entertainment Tax of 50 cents per ticket sold. This tax has been added to the Service Charge. Therefore all tickets purchased at The Birchmere Box Ofc will have a $7.00 service fee, which includes this new tax.
5) Sold Out Shows:
Yes. If a show is sold out, it is SOLD OUT. We do not have a waiting list, and we cannot re-sell tickets for people who don’t show up.
However, sometimes an Artist does not use all the tickets we hold for them. If that happens, the tickets are released at 5pm, day of show, at the Birchmere Box Office only. You must be here in person, and there’s no guarantee any tickets will be released. You cannot call to have tickets held.
6) What is the Flex Stage?
The Flex Stage is the area where we have dance-oriented shows at The Birchmere. There is a large dance floor in front of the stage, and there are usually NO tables or chairs in the room. Most Flex Stage shows are All Standing.
All Standing shows are indeed , ALL STANDING, which means there will be no tables or chairs in the Flex Stage (except for Handicapped Accommodations). For most All Standing shows, we will have the Music Hall open for food & drink.
Venue doors open at 6pm for Flex Stage shows, at which time entrance is completely general admission, first come first served. The Box office will be open at 5pm, but entrance will not begin until 6pm for all Flex Stage shows, and 8pm for “Late Shows.” Line Numbers are not used for Flex Stage shows.
7) If you have tickets and can not attend:
All sales are final; no refunds or exchanges. Refunds are ONLY available for cancelled or rescheduled shows.
If you cannot attend a show, but would like someone else to pick up your Will Call tickets, they will need the Ticketmaster Order Number and they will need to know the name the tickets were originally ordered under. That is all. This is the best way to transfer tickets to a friend/family member.
The Birchmere does not condone scalping, but we do realize that there are times when people cannot attend a show and would like to resell or giveaway their tickets. If you purchase tickets on other Secondary Ticketing sites (i.e. StubHub, Craigslist, Ebay, etc), we cannot guarantee that you will be granted admittance to the show. You will still need to have a Ticketmaster Confirmation Number and the name of the purchaser.
8) Food & Drinks:
At 5pm, when the doors open, our bar opens. The kitchen opens at 6pm, when the Music Hall opens and seating begins.
The full kitchen is open on show nights from 6pm until 8:30pm. From 8:30pm until 9pm only Flatbread Pizzas are available with the kitchen fully closed at 9pm.
The Birchmere has a full service kitchen and complete drink service. There are no minimums. See our Menu link for a complete list of food offered.
For Flex Stage shows, Food service is available in the Music Hall only (no food service at the bar during any Flex Stage shows). During All Standing shows, we will usually have the Music Hall open for food, drink & relaxation
There is no outside food or drink allowed. This includes birthday cakes.
Cork Fee
There is a $30 corking fee for any wine brought in.
9) Age Limit:
The Birchmere is all ages, all the time. EVERYONE needs a ticket.
10) Dress Code:
There is no dress code. Please gentlemen, no tank tops or cutoffs.
11) Handicap facilities:
The Birchmere is completely handicap accessible.
12) Parking & Public Transportation:
There is lighted, secure parking on site at The Birchmere. There is not a Metro Station in walking distance to The Birchmere. The best stop to use is Pentagon City (not Pentagon), as it is approximately 5 miles from club & there are always plenty of cabs available. See Directions link for more details.
There are now a number of Capital Bikeshare Bike Docks within walking distance of The Birchmere. See their website for more info.
Cost of parking is included in the Birchmere Box Office service charge.
For sold out shows, some overflow parking may occur across the street.
13) Group Rates:
There are no discount rates, for groups or anyone.
14) Gift Cards:
Gift cards are available at the Birchmere for any amount.
Cards may only be purchased in person at the box
office. You cannot purchase them online or over the phone.
The box office is open any evening there is a performance between the hours of 5pm and 9pm.
You may use a gift card towards any purchase at the
Birchmere including food, drinks, store merchandise, and
tickets, but all transactions must be made in person at the Birchmere. You cannot,
for example, buy tickets online using a Birchmere gift card.
Gift cards are available year round and make perfect gifts
for any occasion.
15) Hotels in the Area:
There are many hotels near the Birchmere, as we’re located just 5 miles from Reagan National Airport/Crystal City & near old town Alexandria. Some suggestions:
Courtyard Marriott Crystal City/Reagan National Airport (703)549-3434
Comfort Inn Pentagon (703)682-5500
Best Western Pentagon (703)979-4400
Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City (703)415-5000
Renaissance & Residence Inn Arlington Capital View (703)413-1300
Crowne Plaza & Holiday Inn Wash. National (703)684-7200
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel (703)521-1900
Hyatt Regency Crystal City (703)418-1234
Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Shirlington (703)820-0440
The Westin Alexandria Old Town, (703)253-8600.
16) Booking an Artist:
Send CD/Press Kit to:
The Birchmere
Attn: Booking
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305
Or email booking@birchmere.com
(FAQ’s Updated 12/5/14)
BIRCHMERE RULES
The Birchmere wants everyone to enjoy themselves.
There are just a few simple rules that we ask you to follow:
- Silence is requested while the performers are on stage
- No audio recording
- No video recording
- No Flash Photography
- No Pro Cameras
- Ultimately the use of any camera is up to the artist
- No Smoking anywhere in the building
That’s it.
