If you’ve ever stumbled into a Sandlot pop-up and left with new music to add to your playlist, a full belly, and a group of new friends, you already know—these spaces are not your average hangouts. What began as a one-time activation during the 2018 MLB All-Star Game has blossomed into a cultural mainstay for Washingtonians looking to mix community with culture, and art with outside.

Sandlot DC has popped up all across the city—from Shaw to Anacostia to Buzzard Point—and even made its way out to Tysons, Virginia. But now, it’s finally staking its claim in Northeast. As first reported by Biz Journals, nightlife savant Ian Callender is opening Sandlot’s ninth location (and second this year!) right in Senator Square at the corner of Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road. And yes, it’s a BIG thing.

“Senator Square Shopping Center at the corner of Minnesota Avenue & Benning Road will mark our first location in Northeast and our second location East of the River, after [Sandlot Anacostia]. We’ve stood up Sandlots in just about every ward, but this one holds special value. Stay close for more details as we reveal our creative plans,” Sandlot Northeast teased on Instagram, alongside a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-reimagined vacant lot.

For those who don’t know, Sandlot is more than a bar or pop-up—it’s a moment for DC culture. The team reclaims unused, forgotten spaces with each location and flips them into vibrant cultural playgrounds. It’s community-forward, rooted in the creative economy, and a whole vibe. Think DJs, food trucks, brand activations, artists, neighbors, and plenty of Black joy.

Since the original Sandlot opened in 2019, Callender and his team have created not just places to party, but places to gather. Whether you’re pulling up to a weekend market, dancing at a live show, or posting up for a late-night bite, Sandlot spaces reflect the communities they serve—and they make it a point to look and feel like it.

While the Northeast location is still under wraps, DC residents won’t have to wait long to get a taste. The team is still hosting weekend pop-ups across the region and is already plotting something special for DC Art All Night this fall. 

So Northeast, get ready. The Sandlot squad is coming through—and if history is any indication, they’re about to turn a once-vacant lot into the city’s next cultural gem.

Cover photo: Sandlot DC Is Bringing the Vibes to Northeast With Its Newest Community Space/Photo credit: Sandlot Anacostia/The Mural Hunter/ Instagram