(Credit: Jen Bunty)
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Crowd: The crowd varies depending on the headliner, but if you're wary of loud noises, ear gauges five inches in diameter, or tattoos of any kind, you probably don't belong here. As far as proper crowd etiquette, anything goes. People sit, stand, dance, make out, booze -- you name it. The only thing people don't do is dress to impress. Pull that U2 T-shirt (spaghetti stain included) out of the hamper and pair it with torn jeans -- you'll fit right in.
Libations: There's every type of drink imaginable, including a special bar which only serves alcoholic coffee drinks. But remember, the 9:30 Club is all ages, so the kiddies are here, too -- up way past bedtime innocently sipping Sprite and Coca-Cola -- so keep your drunken ridiculousness to a minimum. Moderation can also be for your own safety. At times, the mosh pit resembles a giant human blender, and you don't want to find yourself meandering incoherently into it without some serious padding.
Sounds: While the club hosts many different types of musical acts, the majority of performances are alternative, rock and emo. There are usually around three bands per night, depending on the act.
Service: 9:30 is all about the sound, so there's really very little need for a whole slew of workers. There are a few friendly bouncers at the door, and a bartender at each station. The rest of 9:30's dirty work is done by the fully-functional building, its 90-ton refilling ventilation system and speakers as wide as Texas.
Bottom Line: This monstrous music haven has hosted some of the most famous and well-loved bands of all time. It's a little dirty and a little dingy, but it's still one hell of a music venue.
