RFD isn't just near the Verizon Center on 7th street...it is DIRECTLY across from it, and a MAJOR hub of activity if anything is going on at the arena that night. I do not envy you the trouble you are going to have loading into that place, and if there happens to be a hockey game on that night, forget about it.
If it is a non-event night at the arena, (which is rare this time of year) then you should be able to pull up out front (provided you can snag a street space, which don't open up very often) and just roll through the front doors. I would do a site visit, talk to whoever you can about the best way to get in and out. On a moderate night, that bar is mobbed, and on a game night, the local radio stations use it as a base to broadcast some pre and post game shows, which always draws a stupid big crowd.
In that part of town, make sure you have a good cart with you that you can roll your gear easily if needed. It is not unusual in D.C. to have to push boxes a block or two down a sidewalk to get where you are going.... so make sure you have wheels!!!
Parking after you load in is easy, head around the corner to NY & 9th to the old convention center parking lot... it's an open air lot and can handle trailers, trucks and tour buses. FYI, they get you for $50 to park a box truck in there... not bad if you planned for it, but they only take cash, so be ready.
The last word of warning is to watch out for the people in the crosswalks that are wearing reflective vests that say traffic control on them. They are absolutely BRUTAL people to have to deal with, and they will write you a ticket within SECONDS of you committing any type of parking or traffic infraction. They are now stationed at the intersection outside of RFD on an almost permanent basis.... so pulling up and leaving flashers on, leaving the back end of your van sticking out into the intersection etc etc etc, will get you a nice juicy ticket almost immediately. Make sure whatever you do to load / unload and park is 100% legal, or they will snag you!
Oh yeah...another bit of advice is simply that on almost every north/south bound street (and many of the east /west streets) there is ABSOLUTELY NO parking or standing between 4-6:30 pm, due to rush hour. The street signs seems to confuse EVERYONE, so make sure you read very carefully. If in doubt, don't park. They are amazingly fast with the tickets in that part of town, and have bands of roving tow trucks circling that part of the city just waiting to come scoop you up, should you leave your vehicle on the street during rush hour. This will cost you over $300 to get it back, and again it is CASH only. They even get the UPS & Fedex guys during this time when they are making deliveries, no one is above the rule... loading or otherwise.
I love D.C. !
edit: SP.
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Topic: RFD Washington DC private room - any experience? (Read 3904 times)