The people who make Washington, D.C.’s live music scene come alive — from bartenders and box office staff to stagehands and security — are joining together to demand a voice on the job.
Workers at the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis, and the Lincoln Theatre launched a unionization effort in October, seeking fair pay, predictable schedules, and respect for the vital work they do behind the scenes.
The push comes after the sudden loss of a long-standing “shift drink” — a small post-show perk that many say symbolized appreciation for their hard work. Its quiet removal this year struck a nerve. “It wasn’t about the drink itself,” one worker explained. “It was about feeling valued.”
More than 300 employees across the four I.M.P.-operated venues have signed cards in support of the effort. Workers are organizing with UNITE HERE Local 25 and IATSE Locals 22 and 868, representing both front-of-house and production crews. They’ve asked I.M.P. for voluntary recognition to move quickly toward collective bargaining.
The workers’ goals are simple: fair wages that reflect D.C.’s cost of living, consistent scheduling, a safe work environment, and a say in workplace decisions. As one bartender put it, “We make the show go on — it’s time our voices are heard, too.”
The union effort marks a major step for live-event workers in the District, showing that solidarity isn’t just for the stage — it’s alive in the crowd behind it.
