<p>My d and a friend are in college (freshmen) in Philadelphia. They're planning on meeting a friend who goes to college in Baltimore (they'll take Amtrak from Philly to Baltimore). Once they're in Baltimore. the three girls will take public transportation (Amtrak and then Metro?) to attend a State Radio (rock group) concert that's in a place called the "Nightclub 9:30" at 9th and V St. NW in DC. We lived in the DC area (Bethesda) 7 years ago and IIRC this club isn't in a great neighborhood. I checked the website and it appears that there's security at the club and that its parking lot is secure as well, but I'm concerned about the trip there on public transportation and even more concerned about the return trip since it's going to be later in the evening. The girls plan on staying with the older brother of one of the girls (he's 26 and works in DC and lives in Arlington). Also, they were going to ask if he could drive them home--I'd feel better about that, but it's still not clear that he's available to do this. Anyway--am I being overly concerned? These three kids live in suburbia but they've traveled in cities by themselves, so they do have some "street smarts." However, they're 18 year olds and not as wise as they sometimes think they are. Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>When its late at night, we try and take cabs....it is worth the $$ if they ca get one, or even arrange for a car ahead of time to pick them up, so its 20dollars a girl...</p>
<p>I've been to the 9:30 club myself, and while the neighborhood isn't totally terrific, the club usually has a big crowd and there's plenty of security around. Starting just before her senior year of high school, my daughter has gone there with friends fairly often.</p>
<p>I live in the DC area and I feel that a group of college kids would be safe on the Metro even late at night on a weekend. What I am not so sure about is the walk from the club to the Metro station. Frankly, if my 18 year old daughter asked my permission to go there, my knee jerk reaction would be to say no. There was some trouble in some of the under-21 clubs over the summer. You might be able to find the articles if you search the Washington Post website. I don't have any recollection whether or not this particular club was involved.</p>
<p>It was not the 9:30 Club that had a shooting last summer; it was a different one.</p>
<p>My D is 17, a high school senior, and I am allowing her to attend this concert with friends. They will go by Metro. Assuming they arrive at and leave the concert at about the same time as everybody else, there should be a large stream of people walking between the club and the U Street Metro station, two blocks away.</p>
<p>Metro is heavily traveled, including late at night on weekends, and is basically quite safe. If your D and her friend arrive by Amtrak, they'll come in to Union Station, where they can get the Red Line. They'll need to change to the Green Line at Gallery Place, then ride three stops to the U Street station. They should exit the station from the Vermont Avenue/10th Street exit (not the 13th Street exit), as it's closer to the club.</p>
<p>I would be a bit more concerned about making sure they are met at the Metro station in Arlington on the way home. Or they could take a cab from the station to the brother's house. It's not a particularly late concert, which is helpful.</p>
<p>There are no guarantees anywhere, of course. But I would not be particularly worried about this.</p>
<p>We live in Northern VA and our D used the Metro on a daily basis in the summer for her internship commuting. We didn't mind if she stayed out until about 10 pm in the Foggy Bottom area but there is no way we would have allowed her to go anywhere on 9th Street at any time let alone to a club.</p>
<p>I agree with TeaTime. While the neighborhood is sketchy, there should be plenty of people headed for the Metro afterwards. If in doubt, there's a big, very intimidating looking but quite friendly security guy there who can offer your D and her friends advice.</p>
<p>The Marc train and Metro always have lots of people on them...no need to be overly concerned.</p>
<p>I agree with TeaTime.</p>
<p>It is a short walk from the U Street Station to the 9:30 Club. (Even though the "official" name is the Nightclub 9:30, EVERYONE knows it as the 9:30 Club.)</p>
<p>That concert ends relatively early because there is a second show with a different band later. There will be enough people walking back to the Metro that the girls will do fine.</p>
<p>Sorry, Motherdear, I think you're being outvoted.</p>
<p>The 9:30 Club is a big, famous, active venue for concerts. There will be tons of people around, and on the Metro, etc. I really wouldn't worry about it.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if I recall correctly (haven't been to DC in a couple of years) cab fares around the central part of the District, which would definitely include both Union Station and the 9:30 Club, are comparatively dirt-cheap -- maybe cheaper than single-trip Metro tickets for three kids, or not much more expensive. So a cab may be a perfectly good option.</p>
<p>It's true that we still have the antiquated zone system for cabs in DC, rather than meters. But a cab would not be cheaper than Metro (single ride: $1.35) for getting from Union Station to the 9:30 Club, even for three people. Nor would it save them any time. In fact, it would be slower, as there's usually a long queue to get taxicabs at Union Station.</p>
<p>If they get in early enough, they might want to take Metro to the U Street stop and have dinner in the neighborhood. There are lots of fun, not too expensive restaurants in that area, especially around the 13th Street side. The area is gentrifying very quickly and is considered trendy, though there's still a certain urban edginess. One place we like is Busboys and Poets, at 14th and V. But get there early - it's extremely popular and there can be a wait on weekend evenings.</p>
<p>After the concert, they're going to Virginia, and a cab from DC to Virginia is not cheap. So my feeling would still be to take Metro from U Street to the Rosslyn station (or whatever station is closest to where they're staying). Then either take a cab or call for pick-up.</p>
<p>I missed that they were going to Arlington after the show. Metro, definitely.</p>
<p>Jeepers, we taxpayers have contributed plenty to Washington's absolutely lovely subway system. Might as well get some use out of it!</p>
<p>I agree with the posters who think it is safe for your girls to take the Metro to Arlington. My D lived in the Dupont area for 4 years and although I worried about safety at night when she ventured into sketchier areas on weekends, I have to say it would be safe if the girls stayed with the crowd on their way back to the Metro. Once in the Metro, it is fine.</p>
<p>Driving from Arlington into DC at night is a nightmare (heavy traffic, no parking) especially on a weekend, so don't be upset if the brother decides to pass on picking them up.</p>