Wasn't too bad... The place was kind of dirty and had to wait in a line outside in the cold waiting to get in (ticket said concert was at 8 so we got there early.. Doors opened at 8). When you get there I would spend the extra $10 a person to sit in the middle ropes off section.. That was fantastic. Your own bathroom with it too and seats. Â I would go here again if the right person was playing.
Review Source:My first Bogart's show was this past Wednesday. Â This is a terrific place to go watch bands. Â You can get right up to the stage if you want to (and you don't mind getting squished by people once the place starts rocking) or hang back at a table or near the bar. Â Good sound system, fairly clean (it isn't a Hilton, after all) and a great selection of beers. Â We were drinking Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Ale on draft for $7 for a big solo cup (16 oz I think).
The bathroom situation here is strange - they're under the stage. Â Not hard to get to, just oddly placed and the line can be confusing because there isn't an obvious "in" or "out" door.
Parking SUCKS! Â Plan on walking from at least a block away. Â Not a big deal, just an inconvenience you need to be aware of.
I'm looking forward to many more shows at Bogart's! Â Rock on!
Gosh I've gone to so many Bogart's shows through the years. My first was Camper Van Beethoven back in the day. Jane's Addiction on the Nothing's Shocking tour. NIN open for Peter Murphy, yes they did when Pretty Hate Machine came out. I remember a friend breaking her toe slamdancing in Keds at this show not the required Doc Marten's you could purchase across the street at Scentiments/Rock City.
I'm only giving three stars due to many wonderful memories of so many artists I saw in their early days.
The Afghan Whigs 2013 New Year's Eve show was my first visit since Interpol back in 2005. They remodeled, but its still the same Bogart's, nothing new to note. Sound still sucks. Outrageous drink prices $6 Bud aka piss in my opinion. Craft beers start at $7 and up from there.
Only plus is non-smoking due to Ohio law. It was nice leaving not smelling like a smokestack.
This place is the Cincinnati version of Detroit's iconic St. Andrew's Hall. Â I travelled here from the D for the Afghan Whigs hometown reunion show on NYE. Â I had low hopes because of poor reviews I saw on here...but in my experience, it was a totally solid venue. Â Gritty? Â Yes. Â But I wouldn't say dirty, gross, or a bad place. Â I love when rock venues have some grit to them - graffiti on the walls, dim, a little rough around the edges.
Getting people in, IDs checked, tickets taken, and coats checked (optional $3) was a streamlined process that assured none of us were left waiting outside in the cold in line for long. Â Every staff member I encountered (I'm a social gal - through the night I chatted with 2 bartenders, a security guard, and the coat check girl) were super cool and friendly. Â
The place is standing room only except for a few tables in a "VIP" section. Â There is a bar for each level and I never had to wait in line long for a drink. Â Domestic beers were $6 for a large draft cup, and that included not only your standard Budweiser but I actually got a nice big pour of Magic Hat for that price too. Â Pretty good, for a concert venue!
The place isn't huge so there's not a bad spot in the house. Â Right across the street from a number of small bars that are perfect to hit up after the show. Â Parking isn't plentiful, but I found a spot after only one or two circles around the block.
I had a fantastic NYE here - thank you, Bogarts!
Went to Bogarts for the first time ever to see The Afghan Whigs reunion. Â We drove from Pittsburgh and stayed at the Travelodge in Newport KY and took a cab to Bogarts. Â I was quit nervous after reading several bad reviews about Bogarts. Â Several reviews talked about the place being dirty, gross, and just not a nice place to see a show. Â I also read reviews about bags being search heavily and security just being a pain. Â It was stated that cigarettes and lighters are not permitted inside. Â
When we arrived at Bogarts I was very happy to see a nice, clean , and modern place. Â It was big and open. Â It was easy to get to the bathrooms. Â The bathrooms were very nice and clean. Â Also there was a smoking outside area by the bathrooms so cigarettes and lighters are allowed and there is even an area where smoking is permitted. Â I enjoyed my concert experience at Bogart's. Â It was easy to get to the bar and bathrooms at all times. There was plenty of space to move around during the show. Â
I am looking forward to attending another show at Bogarts on New Years Eve. Â Im very happy that all of the negative reviews I read were not true and that the newly updated Bogart's was a great place to see a show.
I saw a Buckethead show years ago with no issues.  I recently went for a Lil' Kim show.  This is what happened: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FweK_12ZUiuE&s=2889dec97e41727a8bbd61a0ad4c5c5111d9f814e10fb7fd21acc7f2314793b3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/weK_12ZU…</a>
Review Source:I went here years ago, to see Relient K(with some girls, not my first choice, even though they did put on a show) and I had a really good time. I didn't drink or anything, just went to spend some time with some friends and had a good time.
My reviews often work as movies do when a location is a character, like Manhattan. My reviews reflect my experience there, because I don't usually don't go to places with the intent of critiquing each aspect of that place. My experience usually grows or falters as a result of the location, and this time was fun.
It was a fun setting, with a decent amount of people reliving their high schools years through the nostalgic performance of Relient K. It was very lighthearted and relaxed, while still energetic and fun. I was just having a good time, so therefore I rate Bogart's positively. The ticket was only like $22 bucks too so that's great!
never thought i'd give bogart's 4 stars.
however, they really have spruced the place up.
kudos, bogart's.
it is nice to know that this warehouse-style venue is stepping their game up as i love going to shows there. Â maybe it will be a catalyst for the rest of short vine to "clean up" their act.
I got my first look at the "new" Bogart's last night for the Gaelic
Storm concert. Â According to news reports, Bogart's had recently
finished the first phase of a much-needed renovation. Â Bogart's was in
much need of renovation the last time I was there which was probably
over 15 years ago. Â The space is much the same as I remember it. Â It has
been cleaned up and the walls have been painted and fixtures have been
somewhat updated. Â The first stop is the bar at the back of the venue.
Drinks were a bit expensive. Â Although Gaelic Storm is a really fun
band, the hall was only about half full. Â It was nice to not be crowded
in with a sweaty mass of people. Â I'm too old for that kind of thing
now.
There is now a huge video screen in the middle of the left wall about
half-way back from the stage. Â I assume this is part of the upgrades,
but, I haven't been there in a long time so I don't know for sure. Â At
first I questioned the need for a video screen in such a small venue
but, turns out, for short people stuck standing behind tall people, it
can come in handy. Â When the lead singer of Gaelic Storm suddenly starts
channeling Riverdance, you do want to get a good look at it.
On my last, long-ago visit to Bogart's I would have only gone to the
bathroom if really, really, really necessary. Â I did have to go last
night, but I wasn't so scared. Â All the stalls and toilets are new, the
walls are clean and painted, the sinks are high-tech. Â You don't have to
be afraid of touching anything! Â Let's just hope management stays on top
of maintenance and upkeep and the cleanliness lasts.
Never fear, some things never change. Â Just like in the old days, the floor was sticky.
I love going to shows at Bogart's. I go as often as I can, I know most of the staff by there first name that's how often I go. The Security staff is great they are friendly and and professional and really care about people I have seen them call kids parents who have passed out from the heat and do first aid on people and even call the life squad when its needed. the bar staff is also very friendly and do a great job. the only draw back to going to a show at Bogart's is going to use there restrooms. To be honest I try not to use them. Bogart's your doing a great job...............................................Â.... its nothing like Anthony M.review
................please fix the bathrooms
Scenario time. Let's pretend a genie pops up in front of you and says you can see your favorite band at A. Bogarts or B. anywhere else after I have stabbed you in the face 10 times with a fork. Ladies and gentlemen, sign me up for some up close cutlery to the eyes and nose.
Bogarts is one of the worst places to catch a show at ever. The bouncers can't wait for you to start dancing so that they can tackle you, the lines for the bar laugh at the bread lines in Russia, and the bathrooms will make question your faith in humanity.
Straight up this place sucks. Unless you are trying to catch a show of one of your favorite bands or you are a sadist avoid this place like Walmart on Black Friday and if you go to Walmart on Black Friday do us all a favor and don't vote.
I had a hard time deciding between 3 and 4 stars.
I have to like Bogarts because out of all of the concerts to come to the Cincinnati area, most of the bands I like play there, so without Bogarts I would have missed out on a lot of wonderful concerts.
Every other concert venue I've been to has either been outdoors, or indoors but way smaller and not much room to move around. What with having no seats on the main floor there's plenty of room to move around, though if you make it to the front you're sure to be smashed like sardines.
On the negative side there's no parking, and there's always huge lines to get in. The real downfall however, are their bathrooms! They are the worst bathrooms you could ever imagine. They're more disgusting than a gas station's bathrooms, and they're just as scary as something you'd see in a horror movie. I made the mistake of going alone last night, and I can honestly say I was a little creeped out. Make that a lot creeped out. My mind ran wild with what could possibly happen to me down there and I washed my hand quickly, then hurried back upstairs lol. Oh and that's another thing, the soap is so cheap it didn't even make my hands smell clean. It doesn't smell like anything.
Oh and something that's kind of funny/sad/disturbing. There's always some homeless man in a wheelchair outside the doors begging for a money. I'm pretty sure he gooes to every show and sits out front both before and after the show starts. No, I'm not mean. The funny part is his signs. He holds up things like, "Give me money or I'll kick you in the face." I'm also pretty sure he doesn't have feet...
Overall I'm going with a three, because even though Bogarts isn't that great, there's still nothing better around here. If you're going to go, just make sure to take someone with you to the bathroom lol.
Bogarts is a great venue, first and foremost.
But this venue falls shorts because it's a victim of circumstance. Their catering to Ticketmaster means any show you see there will cost at least ten dollars more than it should. This also tends to determine what kind of artists you're going to see.
What loses Bogarts some points on its own is the staff. I've seen a few shows their now, ranging in genre and average age group, but the staff continue to be horrendous. As a blanket statement -without attacking anyone personally- I can say their pretty much all a huge set of dicks.
But as far as the basics go, it's a pretty simple setup. A big wooden floor, and a huge stage. No stairs or multiple levels means that nothing can get in the way for a nice big mosh, but that also means no sitting room if you're on your feet for a long show.
On top of that, the surrounding area doesn't provide much in the way of local flavor. You'll get the feeling you're in a pretty seedy place, though it's not that bad. Let's just say I don't travel much alone in those parts. Catch a bite to eat before heading over, as you won't find much else than a Kroger.
I used to love this place, before experiencing some other venues around Cincinnati. It certainly isn't as bad as I've made it out to be, as the shows you see can greatly influence your opinion of where you saw them. But I can say Bogars is low on the list of preferred venues to see bands live.
Let me just start out by saying I'm incredibly torn between 3 and 4 stars....
I have always loved concerts at Bogarts. It's a very intimate setting even from the very back, you have no problem seeing or hearing anything. And the bands know it and normally have a lot of fun with the crowd. I've been just about everywhere in that joint from front row to middle to back, minus the balcony. The best spot is about 1/2 the way back just a few steps from behind being even with the staircase that goes under the stage to the bathrooms. It just has the best acoustics, and won't make your ears ring after you get out.
The drink prices are quite steep tho... $5 for a bottle of beer?! I'm pretty sure they might be cheaper at the ball park! but they kinda make up for on the strength of their mixed drinks.
Now this is where I start to get torn... I haven't been to Bogarts for probablly 4ish years until i went the other day. Maybe it was who was playing, or maybe things had gone down I hadn't heard about since moving from the area. But I don't think I've ever gotten patted down going to a concert that wasn't like ICP or something of the nature lol This was a pop concert for crying out loud! Mind you it seemed to attract that douche wanna be and prissy girls in short skirts and open shoes (who honestly wears that to a freaking concert?!?!) But i watched at least 13 people get escorted out of the miniscule crowd by security. they constantly hovered around the back of the crowd (where I was located). Again I'm not sure if this is due to the amount of college drunks, or underage drinking or what, but it just seemed like a bit much.
I'll add my extra star the day that I feel more at Bogarts and not so much in Corryville....
I finally saw the Silversun Pickups play. I had tickets but missed them years ago when they played the empty bottle in Chicago. Still upset.
This time I had to get through a really bad flu bug, a start time one hour earlier on the tickets compared to online, driving down a one way street the wrong way, a sun roof that didnt want to close, people taking my parking spot, an iphone with a map/gps/compass that didnt really help, and feeling like I was going to be shot as I was walking to the venue. Still I made it just in time to hear the SSP play and they were worth the wait.
So the Venue. Unfortunately, I have many good ones to compare Bogarts too. Tried the floor first. Wow was it hot. I think maybe 100+ degrees. felt faint (could of been because I was recovering from a bug). however my friend went blind for a while and had to get some air so maybe it wasnt me. The sound was good, but hitting the floor was not an option. So we went upstairs, ah cool A/C fans. Ah really crappy sound. At least both of us could see the band now. You had to be at least 6 ft to see anything on the floor. Â I'd go again if a band I want to see is playing there, but mostly because where I live there is likely no other option.
Reading these reviews, I was expecting tonight's Silversun Pickups show to be a disappointment. Â But to be honest, I was very pleasantly surprised and downright impressed. Â The venue was very well managed, sound system was pretty good, and beer prices were a nothing excessive. Â I mean really, $4.75 for a stella, that's not all too terrible. Â The place was a little hot and sticky throughout the three act show, but it was nothing unbearable. Â I've been to my fair share of venues around the country and there is nothing at Bogart's that should dissuade anyone from seeing a band they like. Â Yeah, the area surrounding the venue is shady (actually it's my new neighborhood, just moved from San Diego), sure the interior could be more chic, but this isn't the San Francisco Symphony we're going to see. Â You fools should lighten up a bit and enjoy some of the talent that comes through this venue (there seems to be quite a bit) and quit bagging on a venue just for the sake of bagging.
Review Source:Great talent. Â They definitely bogart the talent since they are the only music venue in the city. Â Bad atmosphere. Â They wouldn't make it in a bigger city. Â Louisville, KY has restaurants with better accommodations. Â The bar is just OK, but the whole place is kind of dirty. Â Expect bums to harass you while waiting in line. Â That's not what I'm looking for in a favorite place, but hey, some people like that kind of stuff.
Review Source:Bogart's is a venue that has a love-hate relationship with Cincinnati, or maybe I have a love-hate relationship with it.
While it is true that Bogart's is able to bring in some incredible bands that are "near famous," it unfortunately means that those bands are playing at Bogart's. A cesspool of annoying teenagers, drunken college students, angry adults and tough-guy bouncers, Bogart's is probably my least favorite place to watch live music.
Don't get me wrong, the sound is okay and good music is good music regardless of where you hear it, but if it wasn't my favorite band in the world, I wouldn't go back to Bogart's ever again.
Bogarts has drawn some of the most famous bands in the world over the years, but I think if those bands had better options within the city to go to they would never have picked Bogarts. It's quite simply the worst place to see a band. The acoustics in the place is wretched.
The seedy area has steadily gone down hill over the past decade, and it's not the place to be any longer. I would love to see TV ON THE RADIO there late this month, but I'm thinking about bailing on that show because of the venue.
Thumbs down, way down.
I went to Bogart's last night for the first time so as an outsider and not being from Cincinnati, this review might shed some insight on the area.
I thought for sure we had made a wrong turn or were lost as we seemed to be right smack dab in the middle of...a pretty unsightly/dodgy area complete with abandoned buildings, beggars, seedy bars, etc.
Here are a few miscellaneous things:
-Parking was difficult but we totally lucked out and got a meter spot right in front of the venue (free after 6 PM).
-CASH ONLY bar seemed like it was run by a bunch of kids who could have cared less if you got served or not. Â
-Yes the place was dirty and I agree with the previous reviewer who said that it looked like it was straight out of an 80's horror flick... that was spot on. Â But it definitely added to the ambiance of the place. Â I can just imagine how many amazing acts have performed there... and the marquee out front looked vintage and a totally nice touch.
All in all- I think it is what one would expect from a venue. Â Had a fantastic time and while we were all packed in there like sardines, there was breathing room.
Many professional and independent bands play concerts at Bogarts. I've seen some amazing shows at this venue in my years in Cincinnati. My mother often recalls when she saw James Brown perform there as well.
When I was younger, it seemed that every other weekend there was someone I wanted to see. I feel as though I may be getting older as I know less and less about the upcoming artists. Also they are starting to all look the same in their posters when I walk by! OH youth these days!
It's a decent sized venue that can really pack in the people. There is a main floor that leads up to the stage. Behind that is the bar area that has snacks, drinks, and some seating in front of that. Then above there is a second floor balcony that looks over the main floor. There is another bar up here as well and more seating to watch the show from. Sometimes when parents come to shows with their kids, they like to hide out above the mess.
I have some issues with Bogart's. Aside from the sticky dirty floor and the rude and inconsiderate public that you can find there, the staff have pushed my buttons too many times. Back when smoking was legal inside, going to Bogart's was insufferable. I'm sure it's much better now, but I will never forget how I was treated as a non-smoker who wanted some air. The entire room fills with thick smoke, I probably smoked a pack just standing there in a single evening. It often made me sick and on a few occasions made me almost pass out. On one occasion I asked a staff person to please turn on the fans they have in the ceiling. It took me about 5 complaints to get them to turn on the fans. It was ridiculous.
Another thing I don't like is that they constantly over sell the venue. It can be scary thinking about the possibility of an emergency or fire when you can't even make your way to the bathroom there are so many people. I honestly think they break the fire code very often with the amount of people they let into the venue. Please keep this in mind!
Everybody goes to Bogart's. Â It's a rite of passage. Â Everybody has some story from Bogart's, too. Â Like the time my Dad and I were walking to a show, and some guy stepped out of his apartment and said, "[Expletive], it's colder out here than a [racially insensitive reference]." Â Just the sort of thing any teen wants to hear in the presence of his father. Â Considering the neighborhood it's in, you're not unlikely to have an encounter with that sort of colorful person if you walk far enough or linger long enough outside of the place.
As for the inside, well, it's like a warehouse, just with music and drinks. Â Wide open room to stand and mosh, plain stage for the band, a bar. Â Dirtiness. Â But that's what rock and roll is all about - no frills or cleanliness, just hard-jammin' good times. Â And that's what you'll get from this venue.
My relationship with Bogart's began long before I even knew that Bogart could refer to anything other than a person's name. From the age of thirteen onward, I have seen some pretty amazing shows there, shows that I still brag to my friends about. Though much of the purposeful punk rock decay of Corryville has been replaced by actual urban decay, Bogart's remains much in the same form as it did decades ago.
Seeing a gig at Bogart's is dirty business. The floors are sticky with beer and the bathrooms are something straight out of an 80's horror flick, but if that really bothers you, you've missed the point of Bogart's. Because Bogart's isn't really a music venue. It's a dream-catcher made of spider-webs and rusty beer cans that holds the memories of a life-time's worth rock concerts.
saw AFI here back in march at a sold out show and actually had a pretty good time. the crowd was lively but not obnoxious, the facility itself wasn't too cramped considering it WAS sold out. security weren't dicks like they are at other usually higher profile venues, although the people at the door sort of didn't know their asshole from their elbow. but that's okay. i've seen a lot of shows and ergo been to a lot of venues and this one ranks fairly high for me.
Review Source:i don't know who you've been talking to, but bogart's has really gone south ever since that guy got killed at that king diamond concert back in the day. Â granted, it used to be great back in the late 80's and early 90's but then it, and pretty much all of the short vine area, gradually turned really crappy and not in a good way.
crap metal supplanted punk and then good bands started finding other places to play.
speaking as someone who saw a lot of great shows there over the years, i'd really like to see this neighborhood (and bogart's and sudsy's) come back, but, knowing cincinnati, that won't happen anytime soon, if ever.
prove me wrong, corryville!
Oh, Bogart's- how I miss you! Â I had so much fun with you, seeing some great concerts and meeting crazy people!
One night I was chatting with a girl at the bar, and it ended up not being a girl, but the lead singer of Placebo... then I met Greg Dulli from the Afghan Whigs out front and he gave me tickets to his show, and then I got backstage to Ash, so you, Bogart's, have only brought me luck.
This venue, from what I remember, was the best place to see a good indie show and from what I hear from my people in Cincy, it still has that same vibe.
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