The Anthem

What The Anthem does

The Anthem is a state-of-the-art live music and event venue located at 901 Wharf Street SW in Washington, D.C., on the Southwest Waterfront as the anchor of The Wharf, a $2 billion mixed-use development adjacent to the National Mall. The venue opened on October 12, 2017, and is operated by I.M.P. (Inner Media Properties), a concert promotion and venue management company that also operates the 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and The Atlantis. The 54,000-square-foot venue features flexible configurations ranging from 1,200 seated dinners and 2,500–3,200 reserved-seat concerts to 3,000-capacity cocktail parties and 6,000 standing-room concerts, with 90% of seating removable and broadcast-ready cabling for live video production.

The Anthem's core product is the venue itself, used for touring artist concerts promoted through Live Nation and AEG Presents, and additionally offered as a private rental space for corporate events, weddings, and special occasions. Ancillary product lines include a box office (with no service fees for in-person purchases), on-site food and beverage concessions operated by partner EcoCaters (handhelds, shareables, craft beer, the Wharfle dessert), the Frites and Greet European-style fry stand at District Pier, the Anthem Marquee Bar balcony lounge with waterfront views, a dedicated merch stand, and the cross-venue "Friends With Benefits" loyalty program. The venue also provides comprehensive accessibility infrastructure including ADA seating, assistive listening devices, T-coil devices, ASL interpretation, step-free access at 900 Maine Avenue, and ADA-compliant restrooms on every level.

The business model is event-driven, with revenue generated across five streams: ticket sales (processed through Ticketmaster and the venue box office), food and beverage concessions (per-transaction), merchandise (per-transaction), private venue rentals (per-engagement professional services), and beverage/alcohol brand sponsorships (advertising — current sponsors include Truly Hard Seltzer, Glenfiddich, Hendricks Gin, Jack Daniels/Gentleman Jack, Tito's Vodka, Tullamore Dew, and Dogfish Head). Go-to-market reaches patrons through the venue's own event calendar and website, a digital and monthly-printed "Volume" newsletter, a Discord community, and partnership channels including water taxi (Potomac Riverboat Company), parking (SpotHero), and charitable tie-ins via PLUS1. Customer segments are split between consumer concert-goers (primary), private event organizers (corporate/weddings), and touring artists and promoters (B2B). The Anthem is a privately held entity domiciled in the District of Columbia, with no public financial disclosure, no funding rounds, and no headcount data available.

Name

The Anthem

Legal name

The Anthem

Website

https://theanthemdc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Anthem is a 6,000-capacity live music and event venue in Washington, D.C., operated by I.M.P. as the anchor of The Wharf waterfront development, hosting concerts promoted by Live Nation and AEG Presents alongside private rentals, food and beverage concessions, and brand sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live Music Clubs & Venues (MPAGAIAB), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Concession & Stadium / Arena Catering (THAFAIAG), Live Music Bars & Venues (CRANACAH)

Keywords

• Live music venue
• Concert venue
• Event space rental
• Live entertainment
• Music event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from ticket sales through Ticketmaster and box office. Tickets sold for concerts, events, and private rentals.
2. Food and Beverage: Concessions including beer, wine, spirits, handhelds, shareables, and snacks sold during events. Also includes Frites and Greet french fry stand and The Anthem Marquee Bar balcony bar.
3. Merchandise: Sale of artist and venue merchandise through dedicated merch stands.
4. Venue Rentals: Private event rentals for corporate events, weddings, and special occasions. Flexible footprints available for various event types.
5. Sponsorships: Beverage and alcohol brand sponsorships including Truly Hard Seltzer, Glenfiddich, Hendricks Gin, Jack Daniels/Gentleman Jack, Tito's Vodka, Tullamore Dew, and Dogfish Head.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Anthem is a state-of-the-art music and live event venue located at The Wharf in Washington, D.C., with flexible capacity of 2,500-3,200 seated or up to 6,000 standing across 54,000 square feet. The venue hosts touring concerts and live performances promoted by Live Nation, AEG Presents, and I.M.P., and rents its space for private corporate events, weddings, seated dinners, and cocktail parties. Ancillary paid offerings include on-site food and beverage concessions (handhelds, shareables, craft beer, the Anthem Marquee Bar balcony bar, and the Frites and Greet fry stand) and merchandise sales.

Product overview

The Anthem is a physical music venue and event space operated by I.M.P. (International Music Properties) at The Wharf in Washington D.C. The core product is the venue itself, offering flexible event hosting for 2,500-6,000 attendees with state-of-the-art production capabilities. The venue provides integrated ancillary services including box office ticketing via Ticketmaster, food and beverage concessions through EcoCaters, the Marquee Bar balcony lounge, Frites and Greet outdoor fry stand, and a Friends With Benefits loyalty program. The venue also offers comprehensive ADA accessibility services and private event rentals with customizable configurations for seated dinners and cocktail parties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Anthem Venue Concerts
• Venue Rental Services
• Food and Beverage Concessions
• Frites and Greet
• The Anthem Marquee Bar
• Friends With Benefits Loyalty Program
• ADA Accessibility Services

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Truly Hard SeltzerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor listed on the venue's sponsors page. Provides sponsorship support for venue operations and events.
• GlenfiddichminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWhiskey brand sponsor. Listed among venue beverage sponsors on the sponsors page.
• Hendricks GinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGin brand sponsor for the venue. Listed among beverage sponsors.
• Jack Daniels/Gentleman JackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWhiskey brand sponsor. Listed among venue sponsors for beverage offerings.
• Tito's VodkaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVodka brand sponsor. Listed among beverage sponsors at the venue.
• Tullamore DewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIrish whiskey brand sponsor. Listed among venue sponsors.
• Dogfish HeadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCraft brewery sponsor. Beer selections include Dogfish Head offerings. Listed among beverage sponsors.
• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ticketing platform for The Anthem. All advance ticket sales processed through Ticketmaster. Integration with venue website for ticket purchasing and accessible ticket options.
• Live NationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor concert promoter bringing shows to The Anthem. Multiple events listed as 'Live Nation Presents' including Jack Harlow, Shaboozey, and Metric/Broken Social Scene/Stars tours.
• AEG PresentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor concert promoter. Multiple events listed as 'AEG Presents' including Ella Mai, Jungle World Tour 2026, and others.
• I.M.P. (Immediate Music Presents)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and operator of The Anthem. I.M.P. also operates 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and The Atlantis. Described as an 'award winning team' responsible for these iconic D.C. music venues.
• The WharfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wharf is a $2 billion mixed-use waterfront development that anchors The Anthem. Nearly one mile development along Southwest D.C. Waterfront, adjacent to National Mall. The Anthem is described as the anchor of The Wharf.
• Potomac Riverboat CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater taxi service connecting Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, and The Wharf. Promotional code 'ANTHEM' available for $3 off one-way or round trip tickets.
• SpotHerominorGTM or Marketing PartnerThird-party parking reservation service integrated into The Anthem website for advance parking reservations near the venue.
• PLUS1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPer-ticket donation program partner. Multiple artists partner with PLUS1 for $1 per ticket donations to various causes including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, JED Foundation, LGBTQ+ youth organizations, and local animal shelters.
• EcoCatersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner behind Frites and Greet french fry stand and The Anthem's concessions and artist catering. Located at District Pier next to the venue.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• House of Blues: Live Nation-owned chain of mid-to-large music venues across major U.S. markets. Overlaps with The Anthem on capacity, food-and-beverage programming, and touring-artist programming, but as a national portfolio rather than a single standalone venue.
• The Fillmore: Live Nation-operated chain of historic music venues (Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, etc.). Comparable as a multi-city, promoter-affiliated concert venue platform with similar flexible capacities and a mix of ticketed concerts plus private events.
• The Wiltern: ~1,850-cap historic concert venue in Los Angeles operated by Live Nation. Comparable as a single-asset, mid-large, general-admission-plus-seated music venue with similar sponsor, F&B, and ticketing dependencies.
• The Beacon Theatre: ~2,800-cap historic Live Nation venue on the Upper West Side. Comparable as a premium seated concert venue in a top-tier U.S. market with broadcast-quality production and a similar Broadway-style touring-act booking profile.

Direct peers

• Music Hall of Williamsburg: Bowery Presents-operated ~1,500-cap concert venue in Brooklyn. Comparable on standalone mid-size GA music-venue model with integrated F&B, sponsor, and ticketing operations under a regional independent operator.
• 9:30 Club: Sister venue operated by I.M.P. in Washington D.C. — 1,200-cap iconic music club. Comparable as a live-music venue under the same operator with shared box office, loyalty program, and touring pipeline, although The Anthem sits one tier up in capacity.
• Terminal 5: ~3,000-cap general-admission concert venue in Manhattan. Directly comparable on capacity tier, GA standing-room configuration, and primary use as a touring-artist mid-large room, even though geography differs.
• Merriweather Post Pavilion: Sister I.M.P.-operated outdoor amphitheater in Columbia, MD (~19,300-cap). Comparable under the same operator with shared touring pipeline and audience, though The Anthem's indoor 6,000-cap profile targets a different season and configuration.
• First Avenue: ~1,550-cap flagship independent music venue in Minneapolis with multiple connected rooms. Comparable as an iconic, single-metro, independent-operator live music venue with diversified concert and rental programming and a strong regional draw.
• Brooklyn Steel: ~1,800-cap flagship general-admission concert venue in Brooklyn operated by Bowery Presents. Comparable as a single standalone, GA-focused, modern live-music venue in a major metro with comparable F&B and sponsor economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theanthemdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheAnthemDC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Anthem