Lincoln Theatre
Lincoln Theatre
4.1
Monday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Lincoln Theatre and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
How to get there
- U St • 1 min walk
- Shaw – Howard University • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,527 within 3 miles
Attractions
915 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.1
59 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
25
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
3
jaseaton
Silver Spring, MD2,762 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Back in the 70's, this place was a seedy, rundown independent movie theater in decline. But it's been transformed into a beautiful theater for live performances of all sorts. We went to a Moth Story Hour Grand Slam produced by WAMU, a local PR radio station. The storytellers were wonderful, the MC delightful, and the full house if hundreds of people were happy. Only drawback is they're short of bathrooms, so the lines are exceptionally long.
Written November 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn R
Christiansburg, VA88 contributions
Mar 2020
My husband and I had never been to this theatre before, but we really enjoyed it. We had tickets for the Simon Sinek tour; the seats were comfortable, acoustics were great, and bathrooms were clean. It is a lovely little theatre.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MooreReviews
Baltimore, MD392 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
My husband and i went to see a sold out show for Jacksepticeye. We got there about 4 hours before the doors were supposed to let in and were almost close to the front. If possible and the event means a lot to you, i would pay to get in early. The seats were comfortable, the merch line went quick and the staff was friendly. The sound was great.
My biggest complaint (and why i suggest you pay to get in early) is for a sit down theater there is no assigned seats. I bought my tickets the minute they went on sale but had to wait in line for hours before the show to get a good seat.
My biggest complaint (and why i suggest you pay to get in early) is for a sit down theater there is no assigned seats. I bought my tickets the minute they went on sale but had to wait in line for hours before the show to get a good seat.
Written October 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whitfobj
Alexandria, VA1 contribution
Apr 2018 • Couples
Your GA seating policy is terrible. Your ticket policy of needing an ID to match the ticket in order to enter is incredibly inconvenient. Evolve with the times, change your policies to be more helpful to your customer.
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMJST
Leonardtown, MD277 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
When theater states it will open at 6:30 PM, JFC, OPEN at 6:30 PM! Idiots at the door, ‘nuff said...
Written September 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy F
Washington DC, DC74 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Saw a show here in this beautiful old fashioned theatre. Excellent acoustics, bathrooms on every floor, drinks and popcorn available to take to your seats. Its first come first served seating, so you have to come early to get seats up front. There are small balconies with along the sides, so many options to be close!
Written February 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy K
Philadelphia, PA192 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Amazing place! Quaint, small, intimate. We saw Dwight Yoakam here and it was amazing. The venue is small like an old movie theatre. Full bar, wonderful to get a cocktail even if we paid big bucks for it. Not like concerts where the only option is beer and wine, but yes they had that too. Pay for good seats. We were up close, but if the people in front of you are standing you have to stand to see. The back isn't a great view.
Written May 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
Springfield, VA77 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
I have gone to shows at the Lincoln Theatre a number of times over the past 10 years. The Lincoln opened in 1922 and faced demolition in the latter decades of the 20th century. Funding from various sources rescued the historic structure that allowed for its restoration to former glory. Many hailed this as a victory for preserving African-American heritage in a DC neighborhood called the nation's Black Broadway back in the 1920s.
In late 2011, the theater seemed destined to close once more because the government of Washington, DC stopped its subsidies. In an attempt to keep it afloat, the District sought bids from potential managers . The city selected I.M.P. (operators of the 9:30 Club and the Merriweather Post Pavilion) as the new management team in June 2013.
Unfortunately, in my experience at two recent shows this team still has some problems to work out in its operation of the Lincoln. On the first occasion in Dec. 2014, they double booked my seat and I had to settle for a less than desirable location. The second time, in March 2015, the usher sat me in Row M and at intermission I discovered my ticket was for Row G. Fortunately, no one had taken my Row G seat and I got to take advantage of it during the second half of the performance.
These may sound like small mistakes but I know from talking with other audience members at these two shows that my problems were not isolated events. Such minor problems when multiplied can cause audience disgruntlement that can lead to decreased ticket sales. I.M.P. has held the reins at Lincoln for almost two years and it seems to me that such difficulties should not be rearing their ugly heads.
A large hurdle for both I.M.P. and the old management is crowd movement in and out of the venue prior to and after performances. The current managers need to improve communications with patrons about the entry and egress procedures.
It would also be wonderful if they could extend the canopy in front of the theater to afford more people with some cover during inclement weather. It would probably help if the city would widen the sidewalk in front of the theater to accommodate more patrons that congregate outside the theater.
(Review submitted 3/24/15)
In late 2011, the theater seemed destined to close once more because the government of Washington, DC stopped its subsidies. In an attempt to keep it afloat, the District sought bids from potential managers . The city selected I.M.P. (operators of the 9:30 Club and the Merriweather Post Pavilion) as the new management team in June 2013.
Unfortunately, in my experience at two recent shows this team still has some problems to work out in its operation of the Lincoln. On the first occasion in Dec. 2014, they double booked my seat and I had to settle for a less than desirable location. The second time, in March 2015, the usher sat me in Row M and at intermission I discovered my ticket was for Row G. Fortunately, no one had taken my Row G seat and I got to take advantage of it during the second half of the performance.
These may sound like small mistakes but I know from talking with other audience members at these two shows that my problems were not isolated events. Such minor problems when multiplied can cause audience disgruntlement that can lead to decreased ticket sales. I.M.P. has held the reins at Lincoln for almost two years and it seems to me that such difficulties should not be rearing their ugly heads.
A large hurdle for both I.M.P. and the old management is crowd movement in and out of the venue prior to and after performances. The current managers need to improve communications with patrons about the entry and egress procedures.
It would also be wonderful if they could extend the canopy in front of the theater to afford more people with some cover during inclement weather. It would probably help if the city would widen the sidewalk in front of the theater to accommodate more patrons that congregate outside the theater.
(Review submitted 3/24/15)
Written March 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sherri s
2 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
The venue was intimate and the sound quality was great. Joe Jackson performed for more than two hours mixing old hits with his new album. Not a bad seat in the Lincoln Theater. We will definitely be back!!
Written February 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maccassity
Glenwood, MD10 contributions
Nov 2018
Not a bad seat in the house, several bars to accommodate, friendly staff, had a blast and can't wait to hit another show at the Lincoln!
Written December 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What kind of view does a seat on row L get you? The seating charts are just that, charts, and don’t show you your view like other venues do now...
Written March 8, 2019
If you google "lincoln theater dc stage view" and click on "images" you will get an idea of he view. You don't want to be in rows A-D because the stages sit up higher; L probably has an almost horizontal view of the stage.
Written March 8, 2019
Where is the best place to park by the Lincoln theater? Thanks
Written December 23, 2017
I don’t know we took an Uber
Written December 24, 2017
Looking for hotels near Lincoln theatre
Written September 10, 2017
where is the best seating for a concert, including rows?
Written August 31, 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing