The Annex

08/26/09

Terrible for bands - AVOID XIAOTING

by TheBandMan

We had a Saturday night show booked here for months. People were waiting for the show. Fifteen days before the show, we were sent an e-mail saying that we wouldn't be able to play the show anymore because a private party booked that date. They blatantly kicked us out because some last minute private party was going to make them more money. As an alternative they offered us to play a Tuesday night in a week.

This is ignoring other reviews of them blatantly stealing money. Bottom line - bad place for bands.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Money-hungry, don't care about your band

08/23/09

awful staff

by AllisonJoyce

I went there last night during open bar, when I tried to buy another shot for my drink because it tasted like there was no vodka in it, the bartender refused to serve me, took my money off the bar and poured out my drinks. When I asked for my money back he threw it in my face. I asked him what was wrong with him and he put his face 1 inch from mine and said "A lot of things are wrong with me" in the creepiest voice, then balled up a napkin and threw it in my face.

DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR unless you want to be treated like trash.

I'm calling the bar right now to make a complaint.

• Cons: having things thrown in your face

05/11/09

Not a place to book a party

by loveshernightsout

I had made a table reservation for a party a month in advance and later checked in to confirm a few days before the party – all appeared to be set. Upon arrival, the doorman did not have my reservation listed, the guests with my party were not all comped at the door as I had been told, and to top it all off, the bottle price was much higher than I had been quoted when making the reservation. Overall, the experience was infuriating and a great disappointment. The annex is a good spot for a few drinks and some good music but for a table reservation, I would not recommend.

• Pros: Good music / people
• Cons: Completely unorganized establishment

02/25/09

we love xiating!!!

by dforpro

We just played at the Annex, and it was great. The staff there were really nice. The sound was amazing. And we love Xiating! She is a great booker. Really patient and easy to work with. Always gets back to us promptly. It's rare and hard to find nowadays.

02/21/09

Hard to find but fun!

by mreynolds1

Went here a few weeks ago to see a friends band, I liked the atmosphere, all the wood was really nice and the lights were cozy.. there were even candles! I loved it. Everyone who worked there seemed super nice, contrary to popular citysearch belief.. ha. Sound was great, pbr was average priced if not cheaper than some of the bars in that neighborhood, liquor selection seemed good, and the door price wasnt incredibly cheap but not bad for the size of the place. It was cool and a nice place to relax when i was there on a monday, i'd come back. I'll have to check out a weekend night next!

• Pros: nice atmosphere, cozy, cool hangout, good sound
• Cons: hard to find, no shows posted around there?

01/15/09

Disappointment

by anonymouscitydweller

Seriously, nice doorman aside, this place stinks! I'm definitely not supporting a place that has such unsavory characters jipping bands of their money. This place is totally messed up.

• Pros: None

01/15/09

KEEPING THE BAND-CHEATING TRADITIONAL ALIVE

by nycbands

BANDS -- Even if you're careful the Annex will cheat you out of what little you're owed from the bad deal you're already getting by playing there. The dozen other bands we talked to about this place all had the same horrible experience as us. Take your talent, hard work, and friends' and fans' money somewhere else, because none of it will get any respect or appreciation at the Annex.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Shyster bookers and management. Rude and dishonest staff. AVOID

12/11/08

Do not go there. Avoid Xiaoting at all costs!!

by Jpasagia

I strongly urge all musicians to avoid this club: the booking person (Xiaoting) is awful, untrustworthy, and will not deliver on previously agreed upon terms. It was our experience that they undercounted the draw and underpaid the band. In addition, although we were told that for a showcase, we would have access to the club for a soundcheck, they overbooked, and made us stand in the rain and did not let us and our guests into the club - hence there was no soundcheck. All in all tell your friends to stay away. Musicians deserve better than this, a much deserved boycott would send a strong message!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Ripoff management, booking agent (Xiaoting) does not fulfill contract obligations, all in all a MUST TO AVOID

11/25/08

WORST 'ROCK" CLUB in NYC

by rocker888

Do yourself a favor and don't EVER waste your money or book your band here. The "booker"/door b**** is the rudest, most unprofessional con-artist I've ever encountered. My band played a show here and I had to book all the bands because she had no band contacts and I did. As per her request, the bands had to agree on a $8 or $10 cover charge and we all emphatically chose $8.. especially since it was a Sunday. Upon arrival she was very rude to the bands AND the people paying to see the bands. Unbeknownst to us, she was charging $10 at the door. A very shady move and downright wrong. After leaving the door several times unattended, talking badly about the bands while they were onstage and proclaiming how much money the club was was making of of us, all the bands were stiffed. She jacked the door price and still didn't shell out a single dollar to anyone even after a great draw for a Sunday night with a $10 cover.

As a bonus, the sound guy was making out with his girlfriend in the booth the whole time. He was also rude and only allowed the bands a 30 minute set, including the headliner! We all had to cut songs out of our sets and he even turned the lights on the last band before they were even done with there last note. All that aside, this place is not fun to be in. The stage is a mile off the ground.. not very intimate. The vibe and energy are horrible and there's no ambiance what-so-ever. Nobody even wanted to drink there they were so disgusted with the place. We were all treated as a nuisance and like we were lucky to be there. No comraderie, friendliness or thanks to the musicians. I have never played in a place that the promoters didn't introduce themselves or say that they liked your band (even if they didn't mean it). I've never encountered such rude, hostile workers who downright don't give a sh** about music. This club has no idea how to operate and I can't wait until it goes out of business.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rip off artists, rude staff, no ambiance, bad energy, doesn't cater to live music

10/23/08

Lauren Ianuzzi Live 10/28

by rockchickny

Lauren Ianuzzi ain't just a pint-sized Jersey girl with thick brown curls, a pearly-white smile and sparkling enthusiasm. She ain't girlie girl vanilla either. The Bergen County-bred songstress boasts a hustler-like spirit with the vocal chops to match, and there's no mistaking her tenacity as she madly croons, "I will turn up the heat" in the sultry funk flavors of "Sweat," one of the many self-penned tunes by the twenty-two-year-old Ianuzzi. She's been tellin' it like it is for a long time now. It's now the world's turn to catch up and turn an ear.

Other artists: The Purple Elliots, The Day Show, Andrew Pandeleon