02/26/07

Sound was terrible

by aeh5458

I saw a concert here last year. One of the most beautiful venues I've been to, but it didn't make up for the sound. The acoustics were terrible, I could barely hear the bands. Not the best place to see a live music performance.

11/30/06

GREAT AUDIO TO CONCERT ROCK AWESOME!!!!MAGO DE OZ 2006

by chivishawaiiana

WOW GREAT PLACE TO SEE A BAND OF ROCK HIGH ENERGY ALL THE PEOPLE DANCING THERE WAS FULL BUT STILL GOOD the only thing that i 'm dissapointed is THE beer everywhere so get ready to have beer over you body or head ...i dont' drink but the people smoke over you face so be focus ...when you see your artist and THINK IT WORTH FOR MY ARTISTS...

ME ENCANTA MAGO DE OZ Y ESE CONCIERTO ME ENCANTO VE PREPARADO PARA IMPREGNARTE DE CERVEZA Y HUMO YA Q GENTE NO RESPETA ECHAR SU HUMO A OTRO LADO Q NO SEA LA CARA DE ALGUIEN MAS...PERO VALE LA PENA EL AUDIO VE OCN 2 HORAS DE ANTICIPACION POR Q SE ATAZCA PERO DESQUITA TU TICKET!!!!! DISFRUTENLO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: PARKING FREE around if you dont like walk you got pay
• Cons: they sale a lot beer and people can smoke

08/02/06

It's old, so what can you expect?

by normaleet

Went to see a pretty class act a few days ago and wasn't much surprised at the agedness of the place. Literally, it seems as if the ballroom hasn't changed at all, what with the (beautifully) painted ceiling and the box seats set to the side. It is like stepping back in time, except that you're there to see a class act, right? Right.

Downsides to this venue are that waiting in line signify sitting on broken pavement and weeds at the side of the building, hoping to God that you don't get pricked by a needle or get tetanus. The line is facing the west, so this usually this requires hours of being in the sun (depending on how much you happen to love your class act). The patdown wasn't that bad beside the fact that a security guard wanted to see the contents of my wallet for razorblades or something, no one really knows.

While in the venue during the concert, there is a middle "fainting baracade," which is definitely needed as temperatures rose to over 100 degrees while I was in the front. If you're known to get faint, go to the balcony or the back, or just arrive early and make sure you're standing directly by one of the baracades. People are aggressive, of course, and the guards permit moshing, so place on your fighting gear. However, crowd surfing will get you sent to the back of the crowd, so good luck shoving your way back to the front.

Good points include an extremely helpful and friendly security bunch, which is probably due to the fact that any use of "please" or "thanks" will stun them into submission. Remember that autographing and meeting is done to the east side of the building by the fences, where the guards are. You'll see it.

The only downside, as said previously but not accentuated, is the fact that the heat is horrendous. Drink plenty of water and be prepared to sweat it all out, even if you don't move very often. Oh, and there's no running. I got yelled at.

Have fun.

• Pros: Historical, Friendly and helpful security
• Cons: Hot (temperature), Over-crowded

10/14/05

Generations of Chicagoans have enjoyed the musical offerings of this Uptown institution.

by Contributor

The Scene
Built in 1926 as a venue for ballroom dancing, the hall's interior is a fanciful example of the era's passion for opulent design. The archways and mosaic flooring of the lobby lead to a main hall that re-creates a Moorish plaza in Spain, with Corinthian columns supporting a facade of flourishing towers and balconies. The legendary no alcohol, no close dancing strictness of the ballroom's early days has been supplanted by an equally legendary anything-goes reputation, to the delight of legions of teens enjoying their first taste of freedom.

The Draw
The ballroom has played host to every musical trend that's swept the country, from big band music to early rock 'n' roll, through the hippie, punk, and disco eras, to metal and hip-hop and the Latin explosion--all of which you can still catch here on occasion. Most shows are standing only except on the balcony.

10/30/02

Brawl room

by lolita5050

This is a great atmosphere to see great band rock out - I love it! Only bad thing is there is no where to sit - which is a good thing because you can get as close as you want!

• Pros: historic, great sound, close to home
• Cons: parking, no seats

09/20/02

Take a Pass

by cbauta

I saw Tenacious D and the Unlimited Sunshine Tour and the sound for both shows was terrible: very muddy. In my opinion, this is one of the worst places to see a show in Chicago. Big crowds, a long walk to beer and the bathroom. The backdrop is cool though.

• Pros: cool backdrops
• Cons: terrible sound system, long walk to bathroom, long walk for beer

05/16/02

Not my favorite

by jpanderson_citysearch

For a dance act--like Moby, Chem. Bros., stuff like that--this probably wouldn't be so bad, as you're standing around basically staring straight up at the stage. It's not a place that's going to make you feel comfortable. More like cattle shuffling around.