Parking at The Anthem DC is trickier than it looks. The venue has no dedicated lot, and on sold-out nights the nearby Wharf garages fill up fast. Here’s where to park, what it costs, and when to skip driving entirely.
Quick Answer
Where to Park for The Anthem
Coming from inside DC, take Metro. Driving in from Virginia or Maryland, reserve a spot at L’Enfant Plaza, which is cheaper than the Wharf garages on event nights. Using the Wharf garages means arriving early and budgeting $49 for the night.
Reserve L’Enfant Plaza Parking| Venue address | 901 Wharf Street SW |
| Dedicated lot | None |
| Wharf garage, 4–12 hrs | $49 on weekends and event nights |
| Event pricing starts | 4:00pm |
| Reservations | Not at the Wharf garages; yes at L’Enfant Plaza |
| ParkMobile | Zone 326 |
| Closest Metro | Waterfront (Green) or L’Enfant Plaza (multi-line) |
| Arrive by | 45–60 minutes early on sold-out nights |
Parking at The Anthem: No Dedicated Lot
This surprises a lot of first-timers. The Anthem has no attached or reserved parking lot. What it has is access to the three underground Wharf garages nearby, and those fill up on busy nights. The venue itself recommends Metro, and that’s genuine advice, not a disclaimer.
The Wharf Garages
The three Wharf garages are the most convenient option if you’re driving. All are underground and open 24 hours.
- Garage 1: 20 Blair Alley SW (closest to The Anthem)
- Garage 2: 21 Parker Row SW
- Garage 3: 602 Water St SW
On concert nights, event pricing kicks in at 4:00pm. The garages don’t offer reserved or prepaid parking, so it’s first come, first served, and they sell out on sold-out nights. Arrive 45 minutes to an hour before you need to be there, and download ParkMobile (Zone 326) before you go.
| Duration | Weekday | Weekend / Event |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 minutes | $6 | $6 |
| 30–60 minutes | $11 | $11 |
| 1–2 hours | $23 | $24 |
| 2–3 hours | $29 | $29 |
| 3–4 hours | $33 | $38 |
| 4–12 hours | $39 | $49 |
| 12–24 hours | $62 | $62 |
Best Parking at The Anthem DC: L’Enfant Plaza
L’Enfant Plaza is two blocks north of the Wharf, with two garages and about 1,800 combined spaces. It almost never fills up the way the Wharf garages do, and Ace Parking at 420 10th St SW accepts advance reservations on SpotHero.
The walk to The Anthem is about 10–12 minutes. The free Southwest Wharf Shuttle also runs between L’Enfant Plaza and the Wharf if you’d rather not walk.
Lock in your spot before you leave the house.
Reserve on SpotHeroMetro to The Anthem
The Anthem is about four blocks from two Metro stations:
- Waterfront (Green Line): the closest, about an 8-minute walk
- L’Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow, Green): more lines, similar distance
From Virginia or Maryland, Metro is usually the fastest and cheapest option once you factor in parking and post-show traffic.
Rideshare and Bikeshare
Uber and Lyft have designated drop-off and pickup zones at The Anthem. On a normal night, rideshare is often cheaper than four-plus hours of garage parking. On sold-out nights, surge pricing can change that, so check before you commit. Post-show waits get long when several venues empty at once, so request your ride before you leave the building.
Capital Bikeshare has a station at 900 Maine Avenue and 9th Street SW, steps from the entrance. From Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, or anywhere along the waterfront trail, biking means no parking cost and no wait.
Staying Overnight? Canopy by Hilton The Wharf
If you’re coming in from out of town, the simplest way to skip the parking scramble is to stay at the Wharf. Canopy by Hilton The Wharf is a short walk from The Anthem, with river-facing rooms and a rooftop bar for a drink before or after the show.
Valet there runs about $65 a night with no self-parking on-site, which is close to the $62 you’d pay for 12–24 hours in a Wharf garage anyway. Read our Canopy by Hilton The Wharf honest review for the room, rooftop, and verdict.
Make a night of it at the Wharf.
Check Rates at Canopy by Hilton The WharfWant more options? See our guide to hotels near The Wharf DC.
What to Expect After the Show
Post-show traffic around the Wharf is real. If you parked in a Wharf garage, expect a backup getting out. If you’re taking rideshare, request early. If you’re on Metro, Waterfront station gets crowded fast, and L’Enfant Plaza is slightly less chaotic and worth the extra couple of minutes’ walk.
Metro from inside DC. L’Enfant Plaza with a reservation from Virginia or Maryland. The Wharf garages only if you’ll arrive early and pay event pricing.
DC Parking & Towing Survival Guide
Every zone, every rule, every tow risk in the city.
Parking at The Anthem DC FAQ
Does The Anthem DC have its own parking lot?
No. The Anthem has no dedicated lot. Drivers use the three underground Wharf garages or park at L’Enfant Plaza and walk.
How much is parking at The Anthem on concert nights?
Event pricing at the Wharf garages starts at 4:00pm. Parking for 4–12 hours costs $49 on weekends and event nights.
Can you reserve parking for The Anthem?
The Wharf garages don’t take reservations. Ace Parking at L’Enfant Plaza does, through SpotHero.
What Metro station is closest to The Anthem?
Waterfront on the Green Line, about an 8-minute walk. L’Enfant Plaza serves more lines and is a similar distance.
What hotel is closest to The Anthem DC?
Canopy by Hilton The Wharf is a short walk from The Anthem, and several other Wharf hotels are nearby.
Also on UnscriptedDC
UnscriptedDC is an independent Washington DC area travel guide. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.