2-min walk
hotel
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
Kimpton boutique in the historic Tariff Building at 7th and F NW, directly across from Capital One Arena. One of the closest full-service hotels.
arena
Entertainment & Sports Arena
Washington, D.C., DC · Capacity: 4,200
About Entertainment & Sports Arena
Multi-purpose arena in Washington D.C.'s Congress Heights neighborhood, home of the WNBA's Washington Mystics and the NBA G League's Capital City Go-Go. The 4,200-seat venue also hosts concerts and community events.
- Opened: 2018
- Capacity: 4,200
- Operator: Events DC
- Home team: Washington Mystics
- Owner: Government of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
- Official site: esaontherise.com
Fan Guide · Washington Mystics
WNBA champions east of the Anacostia
The Entertainment and Sports Arena in the Congress Heights neighbourhood is the home of the WNBA's Washington Mystics — 2019 champions — and the Capital City Go-Go, a community-anchored arena on the historic St. Elizabeths East campus in Southeast D.C.
It's on the Metro Green Line, across the Anacostia from the rest of the capital.
Below are the Washington stays, restaurants and bars fans use around the arena.
Fan tip: It's on the Green Line at Congress Heights — easy from downtown D.C. for a Mystics game.
Where Fans Stay, Eat & Drink near Entertainment & Sports Arena
All Washington, D.C. hotspots →Hotels, bars, restaurants and things to do near Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. — every pick web-researched and source-cited, closest to the arena first.
Where to Stay
2-min walk
7-min walk
hotel
Conrad Washington, DC
5-star Hilton Conrad with 360 rooms at CityCenterDC, blocks from Capital One Arena. Rooftop dining, two terraces.
Fan Stay
Riggs Washington DC
Housed in a grand former bank building on Penn Quarter, Riggs Washington DC puts guests within easy walking distance of Capital One Arena and the National Mall. The opulent lobby with original vault doors sets the tone. Visiting team owners, broadcasters, and VIP fans favor this property for its blend of DC history and modern luxury.
Fan Stay
The Hay-Adams
Where nothing is overlooked but the White House. One of DC's most prestigious hotels with direct views of the White House and Lafayette Square. Heads of state, celebrities, and power brokers have stayed here since 1928. The Off the Record bar is DC's best spot for political gossip.
Fan Stay
The Watergate Hotel
The legendary Watergate Hotel, beautifully reimagined as a luxury destination with a stunning rooftop bar and Potomac River views. An iconic DC stay for visiting fans catching Capitals hockey, Wizards basketball, or DC United matches.
Fan Stay
Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Navy Yard Riverfront
Riverfront hotel a few minutes' walk from the ballpark in the Capitol Riverfront district.
Bars & Pubs
4-min walk
Penn Social
13,000 sq ft Penn Quarter sports + entertainment venue with full stage, projector screens, craft beer menu. 2 blocks from Capital One Arena.
All Souls Bar
A beloved Shaw neighborhood cocktail bar just minutes from Capital One Arena, All Souls serves inventive craft cocktails in a cozy, dimly lit space. Popular with locals and visiting fans alike, it's the kind of place where you might spot a Capitals player unwinding after a game. The rotating seasonal menu keeps regulars coming back.
Mission Navy Yard
Massive multilevel sports bar steps from Nationals Park with a rooftop deck and wall-to-wall screens. The ultimate pregame destination on Nationals game days, packed with jersey-wearing fans from first pitch to last call.
Penn Quarter Sports Bar District
The Penn Quarter neighborhood surrounding Capital One Arena is packed with sports bars, craft beer halls, and restaurants that transform on game nights. Fado Irish Pub, Gordon Biersch, and a dozen other spots fill with Capitals red and Wizards gold on game days. It's arguably the best concentrated sports-bar district in the Mid-Atlantic.
The Dubliner Irish Pub Washington DC
The Dubliner on Capitol Hill is a Washington institution that has served politicians, journalists, and sports fans since 1974, offering a classic Irish pub experience just minutes from major DC sports venues by Metro. The dark wood interior, Guinness on draft, and pub grub menu create an authentic atmosphere that regulars have been returning to for generations. On Capitals playoff nights, the Dubliner becomes a sea of red and white that reminds visitors why DC is a serious hockey town.
The Salt Line
Located directly at Navy Yard near Nationals Park, The Salt Line is the go-to waterfront bar and seafood spot for Nationals fans on game day. The oyster happy hour and lobster rolls draw huge pre-game crowds. Its expansive patio offers views of the Anacostia River and a buzzing sports atmosphere.
Restaurants
2-min walk
restaurant
Clyde's of Gallery Place
Flagship D.C. Clyde's on 7th Street in Penn Quarter, directly adjacent to Capital One Arena. Lively American menu, late event-night hours.
Fan Eats
Ben's Chili Bowl
A legendary U Street landmark since 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has fed everyone from Barack Obama to Anthony Bourdain. Famous for its half-smokes and chili dogs, it's an essential stop for fans heading to events at Capital One Arena or Audi Field. The neon-lit counter is a rite of passage for any DC visitor.
Fan Eats
Founding Farmers
Farm-to-table American restaurant owned by a collective of family farmers, known for its scratch-made comfort food and craft cocktails. A bustling spot for Nationals and Commanders fans who want a quality meal in the heart of DC before heading to the game.
Fan Eats
Le Diplomate
DC's most buzzy French bistro on 14th Street, where politicians, lobbyists, and celebrities share sidewalk tables over steak frites and crème brûlée. Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and countless A-listers have dined here. The weekend brunch line is a DC institution.
Fan Eats
Navy Yard Dining & Bar District
The Navy Yard neighborhood surrounding Nationals Park has transformed from a post-industrial waterfront into one of the most compelling sports dining districts in the country, with acclaimed restaurants from José Andrés and other top chefs alongside craft beer bars and rooftop lounges. Arriving three hours before first pitch to explore the neighborhood has become as much a part of the Nationals game experience as the baseball itself. The waterfront Riverwalk connecting bars to the stadium makes the pregame stroll a genuine pleasure.
Fan Eats
Old Ebbitt Grill
Washington's oldest saloon, founded in 1856, sits just steps from the White House and a short ride from Capital One Arena. Presidents, athletes, and celebrities have dined here for over a century. The raw bar and classic American fare make it a perfect pre-game gathering spot for Capitals and Wizards fans.
Things to Do
Attraction
Audi Field
Audi Field is DC United's compact, purpose-built soccer stadium in the Navy Yard neighborhood, delivering an intimate and loud MLS experience just blocks from Nationals Park. The supporter sections behind both goals generate a noise level that belies the stadium's 20,000-seat capacity. DC United's supporter culture, particularly La Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles, creates one of MLS's most authentic European-influenced atmospheres on match days.
Attraction
Capital One Arena — Fan Experience
Capital One Arena in Penn Quarter is one of America's most centrally located and atmospherically charged sports venues, home to the Washington Capitals and Wizards in the middle of the nation's capital. The arena sits steps from Metro Center, making it the most accessible major sports venue in Washington, and the surrounding Penn Quarter block erupts on playoff nights when the Caps faithful paint the city red. Experiencing a Stanley Cup Playoffs game here ranks among the greatest atmosphere events in North American hockey.
Attraction
Capital One Arena
Capital One Arena sits at the heart of Penn Quarter and is home to the Washington Capitals and Wizards, making it one of the busiest sports venues in America. The surrounding blocks erupt on game nights with fans spilling out of every bar and restaurant. A visit here during a playoff run is one of the most electric experiences in American sports.
Things to Do
Yards Park Outdoor Fan Zone
Yards Park along the Anacostia River is the outdoor gathering space for Nationals fans before home games, featuring a waterfall, green space, and pop-up food and drink vendors that create an informal pregame tailgate atmosphere in the heart of the revitalized Navy Yard. On warm summer afternoons, hundreds of fans spread out on the lawn with picnic blankets and cold drinks before walking the final blocks to the ballpark. The park embodies the neighborhood transformation that Nationals Park has catalyzed.
Attraction
Nationals Park (Navy Yard)
Watch the Nats along the Anacostia River waterfront in the booming Navy Yard neighborhood — great sightlines, racing presidents, and DC's most vibrant stadium district.
Attraction
Nationals Park Tour
Go behind the scenes at the home of the 2019 World Series champions with a guided tour of Nationals Park along the Anacostia waterfront. The 90-minute experience includes the press box, luxury suites, dugout, and a walk on the warning track with views of the Capitol dome beyond center field.
Plan Your Trip to Entertainment & Sports Arena
Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. is tracked across 1 event and seats 4,200 fans. Here's how fans build a trip around it:
- Anchor Event: Sabrina Carpenter DC 2025 (April 10, 2025).
- Celebrities Tracked Here: Michael Phelps, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Durant and others appear in linked venue sightings.
- Post-Event Path: Continue into Washington, D.C. and Washington, D.C. hotspots for food, bars, and stay options.
Celebrity Sightings at Entertainment & Sports Arena
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 23 gold medals, is o
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's most popular driver for 15 consecutive years, is on
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant, the NBA superstar, grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and has be
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey was spotted at a Washington (then Redskins) practice with qu
Wale
Wale, the D.C. rapper, is the Washington Wizards' most famous celebrity fan. The
Dave Bautista
Dave Bautista, the WWE legend and Guardians of the Galaxy star, is a documented
Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky, the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history, is a proud
Barack Obama
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, threw out the ceremonial
Bill Nye
Bill Nye the Science Guy, who has lived in the Washington, D.C. area, has been s
Wale
Wale, the Grammy-nominated rapper born and raised in Washington, D.C., is one of
Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, the Heisman Trophy-winning NFL running back, is a minority owner of
Wolf Blitzer
Wolf Blitzer, the veteran CNN anchor and Washington, D.C. media fixture, has bee
Trending
Barack Obama
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, attended the Washington M
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff, the young tennis star with a Washington, D.C. connection, attended W
Trending
Shakira
Shakira was reported on site at Entertainment & Sports Arena during Sabrina Carp
Drake
Drake was reported on site at Entertainment & Sports Arena during Sabrina Carpen
Trending
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was reported on site at Entertainment & Sports Arena during Sabrina
Events at Entertainment & Sports Arena
Series × Venue (All Years)
All Venue Hubs →Series × Venue × Year
All Venue-Year Hubs →Sources & References
Structured facts on this page (capacity, opening year, architect, ownership) are compiled from public reference databases and verified against venue coordinates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Entertainment & Sports Arena
Michael Phelps, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Durant, Matthew McConaughey, Wale, Dave Bautista, Katie Ledecky, Barack Obama, Bill Nye, Wale, Mark Ingram, Wolf Blitzer, Barack Obama, Coco Gauff, Shakira, Drake, Taylor Swift have been spotted at Entertainment & Sports Arena.
Entertainment & Sports Arena has a capacity of 4,200 people.
Entertainment & Sports Arena opened in 2018.
Washington Mystics plays home games at Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C..
Sabrina Carpenter DC 2025 are among the events held at Entertainment & Sports Arena.