In The Venue is probably my favorite place on earth.
With its next to breathe-taking line-up, that it wields every year, it never ceases to impress.
Though, the one thing I have to get across is its sentimentality; I scoff at the people who argue on its lack of being the Maverik Center or Energy Solutions---as if every band has the following to fill those places?
I thank god for small venues and the opportunities they produce.
Especially the run-down ones.
That being said;
In The Venue better fulfills the stereotypical-underground appeal than any other venue in Salt-Lake;
I smile at the exposed pillars in the hall, the lack of a full ceiling, Â the lamp-lit merch stands, and the decrepit walls. I laugh at the stage that gives to the weight of the performers equipment while we joke about the couches in the back giving us diseases.
All of this tied with the grungiest bands' opportunities to entertain, and play, and have fun, and be heard and loved, makes we wanna cry through every show there.
And, furthermore, it kills it in all the right places; the change in floor level definitively separates those who wanna rock-out and those who wanna chill in the back. The lighting is awesome, they support band decorations with their massive back-drop, the stage is tall and wide, they refinished their bathrooms, its two floors provides for the bar upstairs, it's heating and air-conditioning punch other venues in the face, their line-up in uncontested, and most surprising---the sound quality is lovely.
After every show the tech-guy puts on some esoteric song over the PA as we're still staring at the stage, wishing it hadn't ended.
In the now brightly lit hall, we take in just how shifty the place is.
We smile and hug under the massive disco ball, as we wipe our tears and embrace each other.
Then, tired and fulfilled, we hold hands as we walk out the doors into the fresh night----thinking about how nice a shower is going to be.
Whats good about this venue?
-Good space for the crowd
-lots and lots of lights and lasers. pretty good light show.
-there's a 21+ area, and a second floor to check out the show.
-bar and patios to smoke.
What's not so good about this venue?
-The sound system is good, but not prime like other venues. But don't get me wrong, it will do the job really well.
-Drinks will cost you and arm, a leg, and half an eye. So not worth it.
Overall, lots of artist choose this place to come because its big enough to have a good amount of people, yet it still feels kinda intimate because the stage is so close to the crowd, and its not a stadium with thousands of people. It's great.
Watch out for parking. Lots of people get tickets on the west side of that block.
Meh. This venue is ok. It is a huge square space and you better be tall or get there early. I've seen several bands here and the sound is better than soem of the smaller joints (like Urban Lounge) but the people are usually not as friendly and the location is not super safe. If you go here, make sure you are with a group and plan ahead so you can find parking relatively close. They have an adjoining space called "club sound" and depending on ticket sales the band could be in there, which if they are, I'm sorry. It is small, super hot and the bar is separated by a wall so if you are in there, you can't see the stage. Still, it isn't bad for what you are getting and it's not a huge space so you can still see some bigger named acts come through and feel like you are at an intimate show.
Review Source:from the many concerts I have been to this place always has the bands I love, I just wish they would specify if its "In the venue" or "Club Sound." The acoustics are OK not as bad as the saltair not as good as the complex. While me being a hardcore music fan, the thing that bothers me is the barricade and the big security guard blocking my view and not being able to stage dive or sing along with the band on stage, while club sound does allow that in the venue doesn't. the place is pretty dirty specially the bathrooms which I usually try to stay away from them. Other than that I don't think it should bother you due to being dark during the concert. The place is a medium sized venue around 1,300 people I believe could fit.
Review Source:A little bit dirty like its Club Sound counterpart, but still a cool little place to catch a concert or a DJ show. The best part about this venue is the bar on the roof and the big wraparound balcony upstairs where grown-ups can have a drink and catch the tunes without sweaty teenagers grinding on them.
The downside was the giant fan in the back blowing on people. The cool air was welcome, but some grody condensation was building up and being spewed all over everyone. I could almost imagine legionnaire's disease setting in as I stood there. Also minor flooding in the bathroom.Yuck.
This is a small venue and can be an intimate place to see a show. Depending on the event the bar may be downstairs or it may be upstairs. I really like the patio on the roof especially the balcony looking over the stage area.
All ages shows can be a little bit of a pain but overall it's a good place fir smaller shows.
I've been here so many times, but it's always a great time. Not sure why people are so whiny about a concert venue - maybe they're people who don't go to concerts much. It's a fun spot, where people who love music gather to enjoy some great artists. I've been dancing here, and seen three concerts here, and it's always been a phenomenal time.
Great place in SLC to see a band! All you princesses, watch your faves on DVD and let us enjoy In The Venue! :)
I love and hate this place, but mainly hate. In The Venue is a major step up from Saltair, but it is nowhere near as good as The Maverik Center. I've been coming to shows here for as long as I can remember. I've seen many different bands here, and was here recently for my cousins show. He is in the band Get Scared. Get Scared was playing in one section and some juggalo band was playing in the other section. I fear juggalos more than anything else, so I was immediately uncomfortable. Everyone had their faces painted and were rapping horrifying lyrics about murder and being on the gang list. In The Venue is too small in my opinion. I ended up leaving before I even got into the venue because of how afraid I was of the Juggalos. I don't understand why they would book two bands in the same night! I think the sounds of both bands would conflict with the other. I certainly don't want to hear rappers talking about chopping heads off while my cousin's band is playing. I think that the whole event was poorly managed.
Review Source:I always dread when I hear that a band I want to see is playing at In the Venue. First, there's that initial confusion: "Are they playing at the actual In the Venue In the Venue, or are they just saying it's In the Venue when it's really Club Sound?" I've never understood why they can't specify that in concert listings. Then there's the fact that the place just isn't a particularly good music venue.
But both sides of In the Venue have some similarities: they're both dark and ding and the sound usually leaves something to be desired. Also, if you want to get a drink at either you have to go to the Special Drinking Area so you don't influence poor impressionable children with your alcohol consumption. While I appreciate the part where there's no possibility of somebody spilling beer on me while I'm up front at a show, I'd kind of like to enjoy my booze AND be able to see what's happening on stage.
I do like that shows start at a reasonable hour and are usually decently priced. And you know, I've done my whining about the place here, but if someone I want to see is playing a show here, you know I'll be there. I just may occasionally find myself grumbling about how much better the show would have been if it'd been somewhere better. A small price to pay, I guess.
I have very fond memories of this place. Maybe that is making me a little biased as it isn't the best venue in Salt Lake but it is a fun venue none-the-less.
I have seen many shows here and love the atmosphere. The bands typically love to play here as well as the crowd is genuinely excited to come watch. I also always loved when they would pull back the sheets that cover the arena and let the stars shine in (I may be mistaken but I think they have an actual roof now).
Currently I go up to the bar level area to get away from the kids... I am sure I wasn't as bad as they are when I was younger. (Wishful thinking)
I've been going to shows here since I was in jr high. I have many memories and have seen many great bands play here. The sound here is not the greatest. The lighting is alright but it gets the job done. The building it's self is very dirty. I have also played a few shows here with my band. The stage in the smaller room is terrifying. There was a few times where I felt like I was gonna fall through the stage. The negative experiences I've had I'll blame the promoter and not the actual venue.
Review Source:This place leaves much to be desired, most of all a deep cleaning! The restroom is so filthy that I suggest you hold it or if you're a guy you're better off peeing in a bottle! If you're completely and utterly wasted, that's the only time you'll be able to stand being within 5 feet of that restroom.
I have to give the place a few stars though because they've hosted some good shows over the years and my favorite band played there twice and I have great memories of that. Be warned though, it gets super hot and stuffy during the summer! One of those great memories of this place is Brendan Brown of The Receiving End of Sirens commenting that playing their set In The Venue was like having sex, during the day, outside...in Texas!
"Where are they playing?" (In The Venue) "Oh, no, I'm not going, Â I hate that place." - Exceptions are made for the exactly two bands I will break down and see here. Everyone else, no way. Â The only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1 is because for whatever reason, they continually book those two bands that I love so much.
The sound is fine. Â It's the low down dirty filthy grime and the weird layout that I can't handle.
I saw a show here this week, and the lower bar was closed, forcing every single person over 21 to huddle on the upstairs patio, and have to navigate stairs and crowds to find the restrooms. That was kind of foolish. There is not an even section of floor in the space. Â Hazards are everywhere, for people at all levels of sobriety. Â
They put a real roof on, but what about HVAC? No ventilation in a crowded bar on a 90 degree day = awful. Â
I won't drink because I refuse to pee there.  I "hold it" and risk a bladder infection, because to me that is a  better option than even going near the restroom.  This affects my alcohol consumption, which affects my overall rock and roll experience.  I don't get out to a lot of shows anymore, so when I do, I like to be able to get a little crazy. Or at least have a couple of beers without a 'what-if-i-have-to-pee' sidecar.
I've only been to In the Venue once, and the truth is, I had the most awesome time ever. Â But that's probably more to do with the band I saw than the venue itself, so I have to stick with rating just the venue. Â
It's in a weird location, but it's fine. The outside looks like nothing special, and really inside is no frills either. Â But I really dig the whole balcony thing they've got going for the over 21 crowd. Â The crazy moshers and shovers were stuck down on the floor, and the chill adults were kicking it upstairs viewing the show from above, and we were still totally close enough to see the white's of the performers eyes. Â So, overall, it's decent place. Â One other quick gripe--once it's time to leave, you've got a million people all pushing toward the same tiny exit. Â It really could use a few more ways to get out.
I have a love/hate relationship with In the Venue.
I love it because I have been going to club nights and shows here for about 10 years. I have lots of fun memories at this venue. This venue has been host to multiple AMAZING shows over the years and they continue to pull in some big names.
This place has not changed in years; it is dark and huge, which is perfect for a club/concert venue. I noticed this weekend while attending a "club night" that they have started a mini remodel on the main bar, so maybe they are planning some additional renovations. I have never had a problem with the staff; they are always very friendly and never charge me for my non-alcoholic beverages. I can say that back when I was a drinker I loved this place because they have large glasses and the bartenders always make a "good" drink.
The reason I dislike the club is due to the layout of an "all ages" show. During a popular show this places is bananas. If you are 21 and enjoying an adult beverage you are punished and forced behind the chain linked gate. I have been to many shows where I am forced to go upstairs on the balcony, which offers no view, and just listen to the show. I have been to venues in NYC and SF and they seem to have this issue solved with being a strictly 21 and older venue. I guess that kind of venue would not be as successful in Utah so I will just deal and continue going to In the Venue, but expect me to bitch about it.
I'm not much of a concert go-er, so I have no idea how this compares. But, I have been to this location for two different concerts so I can tell you how it went!
The first time it wasn't very crowded, so although the line outside in the cold seemed long, and the confusion & surprise of realizing I had to stand in a dirty, dark concrete box of a building for hours briefly overwhelmed me, at least I then was able to stand within a few yards of an amazing  performer and move around and enjoy a great show. My legs, feet and back were forgotten, I loved every minute.
This time, I knew what to expect, I thought I was ready. Wrong. This time it was a sold out show. TOTALLY new ball game. People packed together like...well...like really bad, depressing  times in history - except voluntarily. Â
I was really doing just fine during the openers. Fun music. People getting 'settled'. Trying to find a spot to peak through at the stage, which even then, was pretty close.
And THEN came...a 45 min break while they set up for the main event. Â Time slowed down. People took defensive postures to claim their space. Elbows, shoulders, knees. I ate a whole bottle of hairspray as the poofy-haired girl in front of me threw her head back and forth laughing at her date's oh-so-witty comments and his hand rubbing her back moved way too close for comfort in my personal space. Can't everyone just hold still! Security staff yelling at everyone to squish in to keep the 'fire lane' clear, only to have it immediately fill up with even more people. Noise and smell and sweaty bodies. Just when I thought I was going to die, actually fall on the floor and allow myself to just be trampled to death, the concert started. And an amazing thing happened. Everyone relaxed.
Suddenly I could move my arms up and down. Life got better, and living past that night became a hope and then a reality. The concert was great and I only had to cover my ears a few times because of the amazingly great acoustics. I'm a bit of a pansy that way.
It's fun. It's cool to see someone you may really admire up-close. And hey, live music! But please, wear lots of deodorant and really good shoes.
I've been to a couple shows here and I always end up having a good time. What I love about the space is that you're right there within spitting distance of the artist. More personal than an arena, but less so than a coffee shop. Sort of a mid-size venue.
I've never had a problem with the sound. All the openers and the headliners have sounded good. The lights, the tech part seems pro and can definitely get bumpin. Sometimes gets too loud, but that's really the band's choice.
Not much in the way of looks. I've only been here in the dark, and I get the feeling that it would be a completely different experience seeing it in the middle of the day with all the lights on. But whatevs.
The layout loses points. You have a balcony for the drinky drinkers which wraps around. Kinda cool. And the main floor in front of the stage is open. Tall folks have the advantage in this standing-room-only venue. When you get back by the sound board and beyond, though, you get all kinds of columns and elevated boxes on the floor and it gets kinda wonky. You definitely see (or don't see) a different show if you don't get a good seat...er...standing space. I was a little late last night and barely scratched out a space to stand in front of the columns. SHOW UP EARLY and it won't be a problem.
Also, the more tickets they sell, the less enjoyable the show becomes. Things get too packed and you don't have any space to bounce to the beat. It was crazy packed last night (soldout show, apparently) and it was wall-to-wall flesh. I'm pretty sure I got to second base with the dude in front of me.
A couple of fridges with cold bevvies for sale. Bar on the other side of the fence in a separate area. Probably restrooms...I choose to hold it cause if you have to leave your spot you ain't gettin it back.
I need to mention this: In the Venue, your security staff are...um...not good at interacting with the public. Look, I can totally appreciate that they have an incredibly difficult job to do. Wrangling thousands of people who've paid good money to hear someone sing and NOT someone yelling at them already puts the security staff behind the eight ball. But seriously, with some training I think they could really do a better job of not making people want to key their cars. Less pushy attitude and more "awright folks, let's work together to stay safe, keep moving, use this line," or whatever.
And maybe that doesn't work with every crowd, but I was at a Sara Bareilles concert (don't judge, girl can sing!) and these guys were screaming at the guests. Real cool dudes, holler at the 15 year old girls and the grandmas.
Like I said, I always end up having a good time. Some issues like the layout could be massaged a little, but it's not like you can just remove structural columns. With a better attitude the staff could be a part of the solution. Just show up early, wear comfy shoes, lose your personal space, and prepare to be barked at. You'll have a good time despite these things.
All I can is, thank God Sara Bareilles rocked the house last night because otherwise it would've been a complete loss.
First of all, they're quite terrible at giving you an idea of how the place works. I went with the 'rents to the show, and got there a few hours early with my mom to get some info about what the place was like inside, letting people in, etc. Not a soul to be found, and only black doors that don't let you see inside to check the place out. Already not a good sign.
We ended up getting in line about 10 minutes before the doors opened, but we of course got in fine and got a good spot (more on that later). As we were near the door, a security guy yelled (almost "barked") that all the guys had to get into a separate line. So we did, and they told us to empty our pockets. When we got to the front, they did quick pats of our chest with the back of their hand...and that was it. Meanwhile, the ladies didn't have to do either one. Huh? Apparently they're not scared of the ladies...
We got inside to find the place looks basically like a big dusty black box-style theater. The ground floor is one level with random "boxes" that rise a little higher but couldn't hold more than 5 people. It looked a little dumpy, but it seemed fine.
We then found out, however, that there is an upstairs balcony of sorts that wraps around the walls. The catch, however, is that you have to be 21 to get up. They check your ID very thoroughly, which makes the wait to get up there a little long (they actually scan every single ID). We got up there just after doors and found a spot in the corner near what looked like an emergency exit door-we were right against the balcony to the right-center of the stage, so we had an un-obstructed view which was very nice.
Now for the staff, which really ruined the place for us. The upstairs was at least 80 degrees and we were all quite warm. The security guard who was upstairs was this huge guy...not huge as in muscular, but huge as in...ya know. The door was open to get some air in (much needed, as it was hot and stuffy), but before the first opener the security guy closed the door. My mom was still hot so she politely asked him if he could open the door and he merely shook his head and stared at the ground. She said "really, you can't just open it?" He continued to stare at the ground and shake his head some more, not even acknowledging us or saying anything. Nice dude.
The sound for the 2nd opening act was pretty awful, as the instruments were so loud they drowned out the singer completely. Yikes.
Before Sara's set, they had ONE techie tuning instruments and uncovering stuff. ONE. The result? It took about four times as long as it should have. I think he even tuned some stuff more than once, which is an even bigger waste of time.
But that point I was pretty fed up with the place. Luckily, Sara put on a hell of a show, so that saved the night.
In the end though, I won't be going back unless it's a show I really really want to see, and even then, I would almost prefer traveling to another city just so I can avoid this place. Yikes.
Went to an all ages show here and took refuge up at the bar patio. Im not a stickler for acoustics, I thought the sound was pretty great from what I could hear outside. This place could seriously use a Deep DEEEEEP steam clean though- from the time you enter the building and make your way upstairs the smell of vomit permeates the air- it was a somewhat warm evening with Lots of bodies downstairs so every now and then you'd get a whiff of the foulness below. Other than that- I will probably see a show here again. Â *Parking at the Gateway was a suitable parking solution*
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