09/09/09

If you love to dance come to Roseland on oldie but goodie

by love to dance

I love to dance to the music I grew up on, temps, smokey, James Brown, Michael, it brings back memories i cherrish. The floor space is big enough to dance on and really get down even when it is crowded you can find room to dance. Every time there is a oldie but goodies night, you will see me there even if I have to come by myself. I always have a good time.

Love to dance

• Pros: best music in town most of the time
• Cons: the guys still stand on the side

12/05/08

Wonderful place, only been once but was so memorable...

by jaggeree

Just the amibience, some places just really lack atmosphere, the Roseland is the opposite of that, you can feel all of the concerts which have happened there before the moment you step through the door.

• Pros: really nice old school venue

08/12/06

Great Venue

by b102198

Having worked in the music industry for a few years, I had the pleasure of attending many a show which my company promoted at Roseland...the upstairs is great, never actually paid to see anything there but always enjoyed myself.

This real-deal ballroom plays home to big-time touring acts.

by Contributor

The Scene
Roseland opened in ballroom dancing's heyday--New Year's Eve 1919--before falling on hard times as a dime-a-dance hall during the Depression. In the flush '40s, it became a big-band mecca, featuring as many as three orchestras on as many stages nightly. Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and the Dorsey Brothers made Roseland the foundation for the 52nd Street bebop scene. Once rock and roll took over in the '50s, the venue declined, briefly attracting a new generation of dancers during the '70s disco inferno.

The Draw
Though this once-grand ballroom occasionally features the jazz sounds it was intended for, it's now more famous for national touring acts not quite big enough to play Madison Square Garden. The stages and bars are makeshift-modern, while hinting at past glory. The main stage at the hall's far end has been rigged with arena sound and lights for big rock shows.

11/21/02

Packed like sardines

by jambojersey

Avoid this venue unless tix are free or your all-time fav performer is there. It was way too crowded and it was def oversold. But you will get different opinions depending on who the performer is. We saw Jack Johnson. Everyone in our group was very disappointed with the sound. I suggest getting there very early and never leaving your spot, even to go to the bathroom, b/c you wil never make it back to the group without bumping into everyone and pissing people off. Some had to stand in the back the whole time it was so crowded. They couldn't take the pushing and crowding. Gen Admission stinks, try getting tickets for upstairs(mezzanine).

• Pros: Good bands, Easy to get a drink
• Cons: Bridge & Tunnel, Crowded, Bad sound

09/16/02

This place rocks!

by username32786

I have been to Roseland several times and each has been an awsome experience ( i dont know what these other guys are talking about). They have really great bands and the second floor thing is really cool.

• Pros: historical, great bands
• Cons: dirty

08/26/02

Never, Ever Go Here

by andyr1967

The worst managed club in the history of New York. They do everything wrong with flair. Herd people around, rude people at the door, let too many people in. Unfortunately, music venues of this size are moving out of Manhattan so they are faced with less competition. I will never, ever go back regardless of who is performing.

• Pros: Big Name Bands
• Cons: Staff, Crowd, Everything Else

08/13/02

Skip it!

by remphish1

Hey..

After being at Roseland ballroom twice I have come to the conlusion that it is one of the worst venues in NYC. The staff is rude, it is smokey, the sound is terrible and the place looks depressing. I will only go to roseland again if it is my only chance to see a band but would go grudgingly. Last time Ben Folds came to Roseland I opted to see him in New Haven instead when I only live 20 miles from Roseland. Feh!

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Sound, Staff

08/02/02

A sweet trip down memory lane

by shafiqah

The Roseland's relaxed crowd (good mix - you literally see all types here) and atmosphere were a welcome change from the pretension of the see-and-be-seen set downtown and the soul-free, pointless music you usually find there. I'm in my early twenties, so I missed disco's glory days, but I did grow up listening to a lot of classic soul and R&B. The DJ definitely gave me what I liked. The crowd was so enthusiastic - no casual lean-and-pose at the bar with your drink here. The dance floor was packed through every set. A guaranteed good time.

• Pros: Spacious, Lovely, Well air-conditioned
• Cons: Deathtrap stairwells