Gypsy Sally's
Capacity: 300-450 People
In September 2013, Gypsy Sally's opened their doors in Georgetown to much fanfare. Owners David and Karen Ensor transformed a desolate part of the Washington, D.C. waterfront and turned it into a bustling and vibrant music venue that echoes music into the wee hours of the night.
Gypsy Sally's recently celebrated their fifth anniversary. In those five years, the venue has become a home away from home for fans, local and national musicians alike. Gypsy Sally's actually has two components, the main venue Gypsy Sally's, and the accompanying Vinyl Lounge which hosts up and coming artists.
This venue has become a home away from home for so many in the Washington DC area. Like the TV Sitcom, Cheers, this is a familiar place where everyone knows your name and familiar faces greet one another.
Not only can you see exceptional regional and national acts, but Gypsy Sally's makes their venue available to local bands and emerging artists. The venue has become a focal point of local musicians by frequently hosting Gordon Sterling's Gypsy Sally's Jam on Tuesday nights. Other special events include a recurring Thanksgiving run with DC native John Kadlecik and friends, who pays tribute to the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band on a yearly basis.
Gypsy Sally's is divided into two performance spaces - The Music Room (aka: The Main Performance Space) and The Vinyl Lounge. The main performance fits approximately 400 concert goers. The Vinyl Lounge provides a smaller, more intimate performance space for up and coming and emerging artists to hone their craft.
Up And Coming Artists perform at The Vinyl Lounge at Gypsy Sally's
"Our dream is to provide a comfortable, affordable and friendly space where adults of all ages enjoy sharing great food, drink and music. Featuring local, regional and national Americana acts on our stage"
- David and Karen Ensor owners of Gypsy Sally's
Performance Calendar
Performance Calendar
Performance Calendar
To get the latest performance calendar we reccomend going to Gypsy Sally's Calendar.
If you are interested in seeing a show at the ajoining space, The Vinly Lounge, please see the Vinyl Lounge Calendar.
Essential Information
Essential Information
Essential Information
The following section details all the essential information of the music space inside the venue.
It is important to note that Water Street is directly underneath The Whitehurst Freeway.
Venue Entrance
Venue Entrance
Venue Entrance
The venue is located on the corner of Water Street and 34th Street Northwest nestled between the Potomac River and the C&O Canal.
There are two physical entrances to Gypsy Sally's -
- The Front Entrance - at the corner of Water and 34th Street Northwest
- The Rear Entrance - slightly up 34th Street behind the venue between Gypsy Sally's and The Vinyl Lounge.
The rear entrance is the entrance to The Vinyl Lounge and is also an ADA accessible entrance.
Tickets: Tickets are only sold at the front entrance of Gypsy Sally's.
Note: If you are seeing a perfromance at Gypsy Sally's and do not need ADA assistance you must use the front entrance.
Seating
Seating
Seating
Gypsy Sally's has ample seating in the venue and also a standing room only area in front of the stage.
There are two levels of seating, one in the central area and one up a small set of stairs.
Seating has full-service food and drink service.
Tip: Seating is available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Depending on the popularity of the performance you may wish to get to the venue earlier to get seats.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Accessibility
The venue is ADA accessible and works effortlessly to acomodate individuals of all abilities. You can read more from in the excerpt from Gypy's Sally's FAQ Page
Yes. We have several seats that will accommodate a wheel chair or a visitor using some form of assistance: walker, cane, etc. Please contact us in advance so we can reserve the most easily accessible table for you.
As our main front door is only accessible via stairs, we ask that our wheelchair patrons use our rear entrance (which is ramped and accessible by a car for drop off). We also have three restrooms that are handicapped accessible. Our best recommendation is for anyone who has mobility concerns to call our office at 202.333-7700 or email at info@gypsysallys.com, so that we can ensure that aisles are kept as clear as possible. Advance notice is always recommended – the earlier the better so we can assure our guests a wonderful experience at Gypsy Sally’s.
Stage, Lighting, & Sound
Stage, Lighting, and Sound
Stage, Lighting,
and Sound
Gypsy Sally's has a 300 square foot stage located in the corner of the venue right beside the main bar.
During the Summer of 2018, the lighting system was completely overhauled and modernized. The new lighting system adds significant "pop" and a 4th-Dimension to the music experience. If you have not been to Gypsy Sally's recently, the lighting system is worth revisiting the venue!
The sound at Gypsy Sally's is quite spectacular and there are no known "dead spots" in the venue. It is worth noting that the ceiling mounted speaker systems are large and they do obstruct some musicians on stage. This is especially present when standing in the main seating space or sitting in the upper seating level.
Food
Food
Food
Gypsy Sally's has a full dinner & snack menu available at each performance.
The following is a sample of their menu from their 2017 Summer Menu.
Note: The food menu is seasonal and items do rotate in and out of the menu.
Drinks
Drinks
Drinks
Gypsy Sally's has two bars, one located at each side of the venue.
- The primary bar next to the stage is always open.
- The secondary bar is only open during larger performances.
The beer selection at Gypsy Sally's is quite large and diverse featuring local, regional, and national beers both in cans and on draught. On occasion there are "tap takeovers" from various breweries.
The third bar in the venue is located in The Vinyl Lounge and is always open is the one. (This bar is usually quieter with shorter lines.)
Note: Gypsy Sally's and Vinyl Lounge bar systems are not on interconnected, so credit card tabs do not transfer between the two locations. The two bars located within Gypsy Sally's are interconnected and you can feel free to go between each.
Coat Check
Coat Check
Coat Check
A coat check located at the venue entrance to the right of the ticket stand. There is no fee for coat check. It is a self-service and "at your own risk" coat check. That being said, we have never ever had any problems or known of any intentional theft despite how many people may wear the same black jacket during the winter months.
Restrooms
Restrooms
Restrooms
The mens room is located behind the ticket booth while the womens room is located at the rear of the Coat Check / Vending Room.
The Vinyl Lounge has a single stall restroom which is ADA compliant.
Tip: On particularly crowded nights it may be challenging to navigate through the venue to the restrooms on the opposite side of the venue. At times like this, the Vinyl Lounge restroom may be the easier choice.
Smoking
Smoking
Smoking
UPDATE: The rear smoking area is closed. If you wish to smoke you can do so outside the venue on Water Street.
There is a designated smoking lounge at the back entrance of Gypsy Sally's. The rear smoking lounge is sheltered from the wind coming off the Potomac (especially critical during winter months)
Note: No alcoholic beverages are allowed outside the venue. If you want to smoke, please leave your drink inside the venue.
Vending
Vending
Vending
Artist vending is found inside the Coat Check room.
It is also worth nothing that some charitable organizations like Love-Hope-Strength and Rock-The-Vote set up booths in the Vinyl Lounge.
Pre & Post Show Options
Pre & Post Show Options
Pre & Post
Show Options
Pre-Show
You can find a full range of No shortage of places to eat and drink in Georgetown.
You can also enjoy Gypsy Sally's a full service dining options
The following is a list of a few establishments that DC Music Review staff particularly enjoy before a performance and may not be known to everyone.
Chaia Tacos
3207 Grace St NW, Washington, DC 20007 (Google Maps Link)
We must admit, we really love this farm to table vegetarian (vegan options available) taco restaurant just a few blocks away from Gypsy Sally's. They specialize in fresh and seasonal ingredients and food is made to order.
Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007 (Google Maps Link)
Are you looking for a quaint and quirky coffee shop / sweets and savory bakery? Stop into Baked & Wired and "Get Baked" with any one of their amazing cupcakes including their "Dirty Chai", "Elvis Impersonator", and "The Tessita" to name a few of our favorites. Be sure to try some of their savory baked goods and a something from their coffee bar.
Post-Show
Going out for a post-show bite to eat or drink really depends on the night of the performance. On Friday and Saturday nights Georgetown's establishments go until the Wee hours.
We recommend exploring M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
There are also plenty of options available at The Washington Harbour along the waterfront.
Getting There
Getting There
Getting There
Gypsy Sally's is located on Water Street runs parallel to the Potomac River. It is important to note that Water Street is directly underneath The Whitehurst Freeway.
If you are walking or parking north of M Street please read this:
The ultimate shortcut to get to Gypsy Sally's is utilizing 34th Street NW. This street is very distinctive as it is a small cobblestone street located between The Ukrainian Embassy and The Francis Scott Key Memorial Park.
Walk to the bottom of 34th Street and over the foot bridge. Continue down the stairs and Gypsy Sally's will be located on your right.
For more information on getting to Gypsy Sally's please refer to their website's directions page.
Parking
Parking
Parking
Georgetown Parking can be difficult. There are many street and parking lot options available.
Public Parking
Metered street parking is available on K Street (Water Street) or the surrounding area. If you are unable to locate a public parking space, there are multiple parking lots on K Street.
Public Parking meters fees end at 10 PM so you can pay the maximum until 10 PM.
Gypsy Sally's recommends Constitution Parking located at 3217 K Street NW.
Spot Hero:
DC Music Review has partnered with SpotHero to provide you discounted parking options. We recommend this option for parking because you are guranteed a parking spot at a reduced and set rate. For all that love Georgetown but know how difficult it can be to find a parking spot on a Friday or Weekend Night, we provide the following assistance to you.
DC Music Review provides an advertisement free website. We do make a small fee if you purchase parking through this link and it helps us defray the cost of running the website.
DC Music Review provides an advertisement free website. We do make a small fee if you purchase parking through this link and it helps us defray the cost of running the website.
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Metro:
The closest Metro Station is the Orange / Silver / Blue Line station Foggy Bottom - GMU
This is approximately a 1.1 - 1.25 mile / 25 minute walk from the venue.
The easiest way to walk from the Metro to the venue is to walk straight down K Street down to Whitehurst Freeway or down Pennsylvania Avenue and make left down Wisconsin to get to Water street.
Transportation Alternatives
Transportation Alternatives
Transportation Alternatives
Georgetown and surrounding area on are perfect for biking with bike racks along Water Street. Just keep in mind that if you are heading North, there is a steep hill to get to M Street on Wisconsin (we recommend walking your bike up 34th street that has bike walking ramps to make getting to M street much easier.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Additional
Resources
If you need to know anything more about Gypsy Sally's please visit their website.
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the venue, please refer to the venue's FAQ page.
Disclosure:
DC Music Review was not paid, nor compensated to write this review of this venue nor any other entity contained therein. All opinions are based on our first hand experience of this venue.
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