02/23/09

Train security or hire professionals.

by beetle22

Security is rude and unprofessional. They would throw you out if they spot you taking videos with your camera. Would yell at you and not let you say a word as if you stole something. If only you do that then it's your problem. However, whenever I'm at this place, I see the whole crowd at the stage (and some other spots) gloving with their cameras. And nothing would happen to them. They would tape the whole show and go home. For this reason, I don't understand their "selective" policy - if you don't allow people taking videos, then throw every person out who's doing this. I think that the people who run 'Irving' should take this factor into consideration if they want those who come to see the show to enjoy the venue. Nevertheless, the place is nice and the sound is good comparatively to other venues of this type .

• Pros: Sound, good bands
• Cons: unprofessional security, crowded

03/28/08

Sheena was a punk rocker

by JessicaRabBRIT

I saw Saosin perfom here recently and was surprisingly impressed. The crowd wasn't a bunch of teeny-boppers trying to be in the "punk rock" scene, and the floor was just big enough so that even if you were in the back of the venue, you could still see the band very well. Good place to see bands play.. i'll be back for sure.

• Pros: able to actually see the band perform
• Cons: bring your wallet

09/04/07

A high-class rock and rap venue with sound as sweet as sugar.

by Contributor

In Short
The venue formerly known as Irving Plaza has inherited the name and a bit of the style from the Northwest's historic classic rock club. Vintage concert posters and photos of Irving's past performers--from Willie Nelson to Marilyn Manson--have been hung on the walls, though the red wallpaper and exotic tinges still lend a boudoir-ish feel. Sound-wise, this is one of the best mid-sized venues in the city--that goes for the high-grade stage lighting, too--making it a great place to check out popular artists before they graduate to the arenas.

11/14/06

Still one of the greatest places to see a show

by bigeater81

This place will forever be on my list of one of the best places to see a great act. Great space, great crowd.

10/31/06

one of the best places to see music

by binman69

just as long as they don't oversell it...place can be packed...so head to the back or off to the side to use the additional bar. upstairs has fresh air and another bar. i have seen over 20 shows here....it's an amazing place

• Cons: parking---but hey, it's NYC....most everyone walks

03/31/06

RAY DAVIES 3/25/06

by pen117

CROWED,TOO SMALL, NO VIEW .............MUST LET TICKETS HOLDERS(BUYERS) WHEN THERE IS NO SEATING ......................JUST A WASTE OF TIME...LEFT AFTER AN HOUR....... RAY DAVIES SOUNDED GREAT THE LITTLE I HEARD..................

• Pros: GOOD WHEN SEATING AVA
• Cons: TERRIBLE WHEN NO SEAT, TOO SMALL, TOO CROWED

01/30/03

lost in the crowd

by Mara31

Lots of noisy kids with cigarettes but some good touring bands.

• Pros: good bands
• Cons: crowded, smokey

01/04/03

See the band, not the venue

by equuswiz

Security were very rude. First they wanted us to move to the side then move back and they couldnt make up their minds. The stupid quieter nyc thing had started when i went there so they were always telling us to keep it down. During the concert they threatened one of my friends which was unnessasary. The place was extremely small and crowded.

While you wait they have good music on in the background and the screen down with music videos which is really cool. The bands were great. The best thing about irving is that it has a lotta variety and at one of the cheapest prices i can find so that cancels out all the cons for me.

• Pros: wide variety of music, cheap
• Cons: rude security, crowded

11/20/02

Exhausting

by angela66ny

Irving Plaza is much too exhausting to see a show. You can never sit upstairs because it is VIP only. Sure you can hang out at the bar, that's alright but standing for all of those hours is a killer.

11/20/02

Intimate Venue Offers Great Performances

by snnrissrvd

I've been to Irving Plaza a dozen times and have seen some excellent shows there, including an incredibly lively and heartfelt performance from Neil Finn in the summer of 2002. Irving Plaza has a great feel to it - very clean and nice. Prices for beer are typical of other places in the city, but the shows I've been to are usually very reasonable - anywhere from $12 - $30.