Kathy V.
Yelp
Very decent performance venue.
As a short person, I am not a huge fan of GA shows, but when a good one comes through, one has to suck it up and pray to the Flying Spaghetti Monster that one isn't elbowed in the mouth or continually stepped on.
I thought maybe from the upper level, I could scoot up to the railing and be able to see from up there, as well as allowing people behind me to see...but the railing and guard are set up so that even on my tip toes, I would just get an eyeful of wood planks. Plan dashed.
So we set up near the sound booth...at first. But that is a popular cut across from either side so we ended up smooshing up front more. I got a great view of necks and the backs of heads...*sigh* Short Girl Problems.
The opener, I'm not sure if they were properly sound checked....I couldn't understand a single word of any of their lyrics.
The headliner was great and much better balanced, sound-wise (Local Natives). As my feet got tired and a tweaked knee decided it was time for a break, I figured I was outta luck, but there was plenty of space upstairs, and although the small area of stage-view seating was blocked off, there were several couches and stools near the upstairs bar (not including VIP areas). It is nice that there a several screens showing the performance. I didn't feel like I missed anything just because my leg felt like falling off.
The biggest issue, as so many have said, is the drink prices. $4 for a soda. A Stella was $10. And months-out-of-season seasonal beer was on sale for $5. A kind I hate, but for half the price, yes please. And no cider. Three people ahead of me asked if they had any, so it seems like it might be popular enough to get? The illuminated menu to the left of the first floor bar lists price ranges for each kind of drink. No drink list. Just alcohol ranges between $5-$23!
I ended up ordering at the VIP bar, as a staff member, when the drink line started to merge with the stage-facing crowd, announced that there was a bar upstairs with no wait! He took us upstairs, led us to the hidden bar, and told us "This is the VIP room, so once you get your drink you need to get out!" Ok....thanks, dude. As the night went on as well, I saw other people drinking things I hadn't even seen as an option...so there is not a standard selection between the bars, it seems.
The bathrooms were decently clean. I like the musician art on the walls.The location is pretty great. And when the show was over, the place cleared out faster than I ever saw Headliners do. And even with the show at the Palace happening and probably ending around the same time, parking wasn't terrible and getting out of downtown was a breeze. I am sure I will be back again.