Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Just a few short years ago, the D.C. neighborhood of Chinatown was not a place to visit unless there was a sporting event or concert at the former MCI Center. In recent years, however, the area surrounding the now-named Verizon Center has exploded with restaurants, bars and shops, and even a jumbo television that adds to the area’s appeal as a mini Times Square.

The Verizon Center itself is an enclosed arena that seats 20,000 people and hosts basketball games (Washington Wizards, Georgetown Hoyas), hockey games (Washington Capitals) and other special events like concerts, wrestling matches and the circus.

If you’ve snagged tickets to an event at the Verizon Center, make it a night and visit one of the surrounding restaurants for dinner before the event. The center is connected to an entertainment complex of sorts with a few restaurants, a movie theater and a bowling alley all under the same roof.

If time is tight and you need to eat inside the venue, your taste buds won’t be disappointed, but your wallet may be. Prices for a take-away, casual meal like a chicken sandwich or barbecue plate can be upward of $8 and beverages like beer start at around the same price. The best bet is to fuel before entering the arena.

The central location of the arena and its adjacent amenities make the facility a perfect place to catch a live sporting event. With surrounding bars and after-event attractions, the neighborhood does not disappoint when entertainment is on the agenda.

Verizon Center

601 F St NW

Washington, D.C. 20004