Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY 10002-2804
Phone: (212) 533-2111
- Cross Street:
- Between Bowery and Chrystie Street
- Directions:
- B, D at Grand St; F; J, M, Z at Essex St-Delancey St
- Specialties:
- Live Music Venue
- Best of Citysearch:
- Live Music Venue 2007, Live Music Venue 2006
- Hours:
- Call for showtimes
Editorial Review for Bowery Ballroom – by Andy Battaglia
When it opened in 1998, the Bowery Ballroom was the first major music venue to appear on the Lower East Side in generations. Now, this one-time vaudeville hall and former shoe store is perhaps the most beloved club in the city. The Ballroom's old-style theatrical stage is wide and open, rising above the floor, and an intimate wraparound balcony. The club is also outfitted with bars on all three levels, which allows you to duck down to the basement lounge if you need a break. It's home to mid-scale touring acts, with big-name indie rockers sharing the stage with living legends and the occasional well-known local band. The spacious main room officially has a 550-person capacity, but probably holds considerably more than that. Sight lines are good everywhere, and the superior sound system matches any in the city.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe cash-only box office is at the Mercury Lounge, 217 E Houston St.
User Reviews for Bowery Ballroom
11/07/2008 Posted by jahspirit
I went to see John Brown's Body at the Bowery Ballroom, and brought a few joints along. Expecting a reggae concert to be ablaze with sweet smelling smoke, I was surprised not to smell any. But what the hell, the songs are picking up and most of the songs are about toking up, so my friends and I light up. The concert's sick, the bands got smoke effects, and the smell's giving it a real reggae feel — sick concert. Suddenly I get a shove from behind by the bouncer who proceeds to kick us out of the building. Their other bouncer, some dumb throwback roadie from Styx with a cutoff tee and lame tattoos stepped in to give his two cents, "What were you thinking a holes?" Ya, maryjane at a reggae concert. O M G. The staff here, reflective of the venue, is the worst. From the guy at the door, to the guy who checks your stuff, to the aholes who think smoking at a concert is ridiculous. A bunch of jerks, which seems to be the norm among new york city venue staff. They get good bands, John Brown's Body and Rubblebucket Orchestra were great, but Bowery Ballroom completely ruins that by catering to the upper balcony dining tables (filled with 40+) and stepping on the people down on the floor. OVERPRICED AND TRENDY
Pros: occasional good bands
Cons: no maryjane
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
06/05/2008 Posted by henryrussell
I have never been treated with such disrespect before coming to this venue. My friend and i went to see a show and on arriving the bouncer informed us it was a 21 and over and my friend, who was 20 was not allowed in, which was fine. The bouncer rudely told us to wait in the corner to sell our tickets and then yelled at us when we asked him questions. I however am over 21 and when i showed him my id after helping my friend sell his ticket, he must have assumed that i was the same age as him and therefore found a fake id in time to make it to the show. Before even looking at the id he grabbed it away from me and kept it in his pocket. When trying to reason with me he told me to go f*ck myself and continued to be extremely rude. To be honest i wasn't that angry about missing the show but the fact that i got my id stolen at a concert venue and was told by one of their employees to go f*ck myself was really annoying and not the way they should be talking to your customers. After negotiating with him for a couple more minutes and asking to speak to the manager he then felt the need to grab me with both of his hands on my shirt and threw me out of the line. There was of course no reason for this seeing as i weight about 150 pounds and posed no threat and the bouncer was clearly much bigger, but was power trippin because maybe his job made him feel important or something. The way they acted was completely unprofessional and not the way someone should run a business in NYC.
Pros: nothing
Cons: The Staff
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
