Went to see one of my friend's favorite bands there last night. Even though the doors didn't open until 10, which seemed really late, we were all pumped.
I am 21 and bought an $8 draft beer. EXTREMELY overpriced beer. I'm from around New York City, and that is about the amount you would pay there. Northampton is in no way, shape or form comparable to NYC.
ANYWAYS, my friend is a month away from turning 21 and took a sip of my beer. The guy at the front door came over and asked to speak with him and then kicked him out. For a sip of beer. I was and still am in disbelief that he would get kicked out without so much as a warning for something so harmless. But, alas, they already had taken our money, so what do they care really?
THEN, I, being the only one with a wristband, left to talk to my friend and came back into the venue. My other two friends who lacked wristbands went outside and were then told they were not allowed to re-enter the hall by the same guy.
To The Iron Horse: The moral of this story is that a concert venue is in the business of customer service as much as any other business. I will never come back to this venue, and will share this story with many other future potential customers. I suggest you fire that guy who clearly has a power complex.
There is no better music experience than Iron Horse Music Hall. Â This is the perfect live music experience. Â Very intimate, not a bad seat in the house. Â This place makes it very hard to listen to live music elsewhere because no other venue measures up - the sound is great and you're always in close proximity to the performers. Â Any musical genre here is great, ranging from Senegalese music to jazz to oldies rock to singers like Dar Williams.
The food isn't fantastic--- I'd stick with the apps (the wings are incredible and the nachos are great, too), since the burgers and other main courses are just so-so. Â Love this place and would never go anywhere else.
The Iron Horse is my Dad's favorite music venue. I should mention that I have a pretty awesome dad.
This place has amazing history and hosts some great acts, current and.... not so. Food here is basic bar food, nothing special but good for a post gig meal.
I have been here a few times and have never had anything but good experiences with the staff. Door, bar and wait alike. Honestly I have found them all to be great, some of the most friendly music venue staff I have experienced (and I have some of that, nationwide and locally)
all and all I love this place and will always make the 2+ hour trek if someone I like is playing here
Uncomfortable chairs, overpriced drinks, rude staff, and outdated audio & acoustics. Show was way late starting. The guy giving out the tickets comes outside and yells at everyone in line because we made the line wrong and we didn't see the sign saying line forms that way. This place is run by a bunch of amateurs. It cost $7.75 for a Guinness and a water. The sprite I ordered tasted like chlorine. The bartenders were emotionless and somewhat rude. The guy handing the will call tickets was obviously irritated and stressed out, and happened to be the same guy who yelled at the crowd. Obstructed views coupled with what looked old grade school chairs makes for not such a great experience. This place could be so much better. I'd be embarrassed as a band that my career has come down to playing in a joint like this.
Review Source:some of the most absurd drink prices i've seen outside of fenway
seven dollars and twenty five cents for midlevel draft beer
i mean not only were they content to make the price ridiculously high, but they had to create one that forces me to choose between leaving three quarters on the bar like an ass or exchanging nine dollars in bills for the privilege of change bouncing around in my pocket all night, each jangle reminding me of the fact that my future children will be forced to attend public school because i just had to have a longhammer ipa
so bring a flask, probably
oh and the amount of seating is nice, i suppose, but for a venue this size it saps a lot of the energy out of the place
Attracts such acts as Grizzly Bear, Born Ruffians, Caribou, and the Cave Singers, as well as Liam Finn and Bon Iver, but if you are fulfilling your minor requirements you will not be able to attend the monday performance because your psych prof is a jackass and scheduled your exam MIENTRAS. Â TANTO... Watch out For sleezebuckets on latin dance nite
Review Source:Great acts seem to be drawn to this place but my experience as a patron was just OK. The food selection and pricing was fine but beers were "very" high priced. The tables were very close together and if you had to get up for any reason you disturbed the people at the neighboring tables. Finally there are only two single restrooms in the basement for a place that holds about 350 people. There always seemed to be a long line, I missed a good part of the show because of this.
Review Source:I love this Music Hall. Small and intimate with good acoustics. Go early when doors open to be sure to get a seat. Have dinner and drinks while waiting for the show. Parking is always tough in Northampton so plan extra time for that. Seats not the most comfortable, but I much prefer this venue to the big crazy ampitheaters. Sign up on line for the newsletter and you'll never miss a show.
Review Source:Good place to grab dinner and see a show.
Well, the food is pretty bad, actually. Â The chicken tenders are pretty good for chicken tenders and the cajun sauce is tasty, but it's still mostly fried whatever with not much selection. Â The service is extremely slow.
But hey, it's a snack and a drink (and somewhere to sit down) while you see a show. Â The music selection is good. Â It's a small enough venue that everywhere is pretty close to the stage. Â It's a classic, historic venue. Â Well worth a visit.
Valley music mogul and near monopolist Eric Suher charges what the market will bear for tickets, service fees, booze and food. Â While the venue continues to attract great talent (notable exceptions being most of the opening acts), it has drastic need for new furniture. Â The chairs and stools are painful and rickety. Â Despite the best efforts of folks on the soundboard the acoustics are less than ideal. Â If the group features a drum kit you can forget about hearing the lyrics. Â The air conditioning is woeful. Â Like airport grub, the food is predictably mediocre and over priced. Â On the plus side, over the years the staff has been courteous, capable, responsive and efficient.
Review Source:How many different things can I complain about at the Iron Horse? Let's see... The frat house bathrooms, the obstructed views, the uncomfortable seats, feeling like a food hostage because in order to get a decent seat, you have to arrive early. And then you are forced to order overpriced underwhelming food. The fact that nothing has changed in the 15 years I've been going there? That's the most disturbing thing. I love good music and between the Calvin and the Iron Horse, IHEG has a monopoly on the scene. Why oh why can't they put just a little money into the Iron Horse and make it a comfortable place to see a show? I'd even stop complaining about the overpriced mediocre food, if only I had comfortable seat and a decent view.
Review Source:The Iron Horse Music Hall is an amazing place to catch love shows. The venue is intimate and rustic and there's a bit of charm in the rundown barn appearance.
The food is awful. Absolutely awful. I could mention a few items on the menu that are slightly better than awful. But let's be honest, you go for the music and not the food.
The drinks are good, a little pricey which they make up for in potency. The service suits the food. It will take forever to get beverage or a water refill. Better ask for double every time the waitress acknowledges your existence.
Go for the music and you'll love it! But eat beforehand and smuggle in a water bottle.
The Bowery Ballroom, Club Passim, The Living Room, Toads Place - they all have their legendary status and reputation. Â Only difference is The Iron Horse is in my backyard. Â I am very happy. Â
From unknown acts, to larger than life performers - they have all been here. Â Peter Wolf, Norah Jones (with the little Willies), Fred Eaglesmith, Jewel, The Muddy Waters Tribute Band, Pinetop Perkins, Shawn Colvin, Colin Hay, Dr. John, Winton Marsalis, Dick Dale, Amos Lee, Bruce Cockburn, Leon Redbone, Dar Williams, Bo Diddley, Willie Nile, Taj Mahal, Joan Osborne - and I am only touching the surface. Â I literally could go on for paragraphs.
I was happy to see Tinsley Ellis last night at the Horse. Â I spoke with him after the show. Â He had mentioned to come up and talk with him after the show to talk about upcoming shows in the area. Â He was going to be mostly in CT. Â I suggested that in the future he check out another blues spot in Springfield MA - thinking it might be of interest. Â He turned his back, and pointed to the wall of "industry" photos on the wall - and said - when I am in Western MA - this is where I want to play, if nothing else, just for the nostalgia. Â True enough.....
Go see a show here. Â Any show. Â The intimacy and sound will blow you away. Â Take your time leaving, and be sure to check the walls of photos to see who has played here in the past. Â It's more than amazing. Â If only these walls could talk......
I've recently seen two different shows here. The wine was expensive. The menu, for a vegetarian, was largely unimpressive (really, guys? this is northampton! how about a few more accommodations?). the bands were great, but that's largely irrelevant in terms of the venue. The tables are a little too crowded together in the otherwise intimate space (also, who puts a table directly behind a support beam? these guys, that's who!).
Unfortunately, there's a sort of monopoly on music venues in Northampton, so it's a losing battle. Nothing to be done.
Small venue which is great for the audience, but makes for a small stage for the artists. Seating is pretty good on a first come basis, so try to get there when the doors open for a sold out show.
The acoustics are OK for this type of place, so no complaints.
They do tend to run behind on scheduling and recently had to wait outside 20 minutes past when doors were suppose to open (that or they wanted a line outside....?)
Also bring cash! $10 min. on cards for the already WAYY overpriced drinks.
Went here several months ago for the first time to see Leo Kottke, and thought I'd finally write a review.
I'm going to start off by saying there there are some things I really didn't like about the venue. Aside that it's a long drive out from Boston, the lines formed really early, the seatstables (we were on the 2nd floor) were so close you could barely move or get in or out, the bathrooms are a trek way down to the basement, and frankly the facilities are pretty nasty. Come on, IH, no reason not to throw a few bucks into the bathroom area.
Food and drinks were fine, not high quality or inexpensive, but did the trick, and I don't expect too much more out of this sort of venue.
Now as far as the show itself - you really can't ask for a much better intimate venue. Leo put on a terrific show and my wife became a convert (it's hard to convey what seeing him is like until, well, you've actually seen him live).
We were very close to the stage, and the sound was great. Though I really felt boxed in at our little round table, if I have to be that way I can't thing of a better circumstance!
Would I go out here again? Probably not unless there was someone I REALLY wanted to see. But if anyone you like plays there and you want to experience them up close, I'd really recommend checking it out.
Got give major props to this place... the sound quality was heavily on point and the drinks were the best I've tasted from any venue... strong and worth the price.
The layout was rustic history and I applaud, and plenty of parking around so i definitely recommend coming here for shows
This is hands down my favorite club ever!! All the concerts I've seen here have been completely memorable. And usually less than $30 bucks. It's a small, intimate club. I would recommend getting here at least half an hour before the doors open so you can get a seat on the floor. The food isn't perfect, but it's good comfort food. The Wicked Wally is chocolately enough to kill a small elephant, but it's delicious!
Review Source:As long as they book the BEST BAND IN THE WORLD, Â The Grand Slambovians aka Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, I will go there. Â I don't drink, so can't say much about the price of alcohol, but have always enjoy my meals there, good food, fairly priced, and the waitstaff is INCREDIBLE. Â
I like the venue, BUT, I do not like that they sometimes book 2 bands a night. Â The earlier band gets rushed off stage, and patrons get the 'bums rush'. Â I have also heard from other patrons that they do take a larger than average chunk of the musicians merchandise sales, but can't confirm that.
I'll go again without hesitation, as long as my favorite band plays there. Â What little entertainment money I have, goes solely to The Grand Slambovians.
The Iron Horse is great. Â The drinks may be expensive, and I don't know anything about merch sales, but if you want a nice venue to enjoy good music, you can't beat the Iron Horse. Â Food is good, and the service is friendly and prompt.
They consistently bring great shows to Northampton, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
Came here on Sunday night to see Amos Lee - what an incredible show! Â Alas, this review is for the music hall itself. Â This is a small, intimate venue...which lends itself to the type of music we went to see...folk music, singer/songwriter. Â The Show started at 7, and we arrived at 6, as it was general admission. Â Doors opened at 530 and we probably should have gotten there prior to 530. Â I didn't realize how small it was. Â We were able to find a table in the upstairs part of the balcony, near the stairwell. Â There are definitely some obstructed views in the place, and also some fantastic seats at the edge of the balcony. Â
The service was prompt and attentive, and our server did a great job. Â Drinks were $5 for a Bud bottle...I'm ok with that considering it's a show. Â I did not try the food, but my girlfriend got the hummus and pita and said it was very good. Â One major drawback are the two bathrooms all the way down in the basement. Â Two bathrooms, one stall each = very long lines for the bathroom. Â
We had a great time, the show was amazing, and for the most part, the venue was good. Â I would return if Amos came back, and next time would get there much earlier. Â Also note, that with GA, you will be sitting with random people at your table, if you're ok with that.
Incredible Atmosphere for dancing. Â Nice dark wood and close feel for intimate ambiance.
However, run by the biggest douche-canoe in Norhampton who has single-handedly destroyed the quality of Iron Horse. Â It used to be that good indie and hiphop bands would play here or at Pearl Street ALL THE TIME. Â Then word got out that Mr Suher shits on the local music scene, requiring certain guaranteed levels of ticket sales or else he penalizes the band. Â The local bands are somewhat hit or miss for sure, but they do have good networks, so word spreads. Â Now, you're lucky to get 1 good nationally (or even regionally) known indie, punk, or hiphop band worth seeing over 6 months come through Northampton. Â
Incredible place for Celtic and folk acts - he hasn't alienated Solas or folkies yet. Â Also a good place if you like mellow, well-adjusted vanilla music for well-adjusted white liberals, from 93.9 The River. Â
Disgusting bathrooms, ripoff beers.
my favorite place to go salsa dancing on a tuesday night. sometimes the bachata sets are a little too long - and i am a bachata fan! but otherwise, very nice.
plus, a great music venue. wood floors and nice woodwork, and at least once a month you get a quality act that increases the diversity of the pioneer valley maybe 200%.
just kidding. but it's true.
the barkeeps are great. they have a fabulous whiskey. need to expand their rum selection.
My favorite venue of all time. I cannot say enough good things about Iron Horse. I saw many shows here during college and I have no complaints. The sound is impeccable, the beer selection is decent, the crowds are good, and it is the right size where you can truly connect with the musicians.
People complain about the prices and I suppose it is a bit high. However, to that I say they bring in high quality acts and the atmosphere and sound is unbeatable. I have been to many venues where the sound sucks and the atmosphere is weak, I will gladly pay 10-20% more for these perks of the Iron Horse. In terms of mistreating musicians, I don't know of this, if I did maybe I would drop my ranking down.
If you love music, are a sound snob, and want a great venue the Iron Horse is a must!
I went here just last night, to see The Deadly Nightshade perform. They turned in a fun, lively performance. The band formed here in the Valley back in the late 60s, and are legendary as female rock pioneers.
The ticket prices were actually reasonable, especially considering that The Deadly Nightshade are a big act. The food and drink prices here, are indeed waaayy overpriced. I ordered the chicken tenders and some iced tea. Â The chicken tenders were juicy and flavorful. But they were almost ten bucks, for only three of them!
The atmosphere here, was intimate and cozy. It would probably feel a bit claustrophobic, whenever they have a huge crowds. Â Fortunately that wasn't the case, at The Deadly Nightshade show. Â Also, the stage lighting was somewhat dim. They could've used more bright lights to
help liven things up, from a visual perspective.
When coming here to see performances, be forewarned that you'll wind-up spending a bundle, if you want food and drinks to go along with the entertainment.
Absolutely one of the best music venues out there.
Nestled in an old building on a sidestreet in Noho, this spot is so cozy, you feel warm in the freezing winter months while singing along to the choice performers on stage. Food is good, drinks are great, environment is friendly, seating is sweet - with flexibility for dancing near the stage, or seats up above or down below. The performers are close wherever you are. I literally ran into John Mayer on my way to the bathroom and his way toward the stage - back in the days before he was way cool and dating Jennifer Aniston. This is the place where singers and bands come whether they're new and unknown or if they've been around the touring circuit for years. Â
Great space - long live the Iron Horse.
Almost everything I said Pearl Street gets wrong, Iron Horse gets right.
Which is odd because they're owned and operated by the same people.
Chairs? Â Check.
Air conditioning? Â Check.
Heat? Â Check.
Good sound? Â Check.
The DJ thing...Well, most Iron Horse shows aren't geared towards music that would require DJs.
And besides, they often pack two shows into one night, which kinda makes it hard to have any before-show, between-act or after-show anything.
What do they get wrong then?
Well, they often pack two shows into one night.
They're also still over-priced compared to similar venues elsewhere in the region.
And since they're owned and operated by IHEG, they still treat the artists who perform there questionably.
Even so, I'd much rather see a show at Iron Horse than Pearl Street.
Sita is absolutely correct in her review. Â Don't get me wrong it would be an awesome place if it was under different ownership, and they try to get too big of a cut out of the band. Â Last time I was there the band sold their merch from the back of their van. Â I can imagine this only hurting the venue (and the band's fans) as bands would probably not return if they feel they are getting the short end of the stick.
Review Source:I don't like to support this place because of the ownership and really bad practices they have regarding band merchandise (they take way too much). The drinks are overpriced and the tickets are overpriced (and again, not enough of that money makes its way back to the people that perform). The atmosphere is alright - it's actually a pretty great space, and the sound system is pretty great. I did see the Incredible String Band here and that was fantastic...I guess this place just isn't my bag.
Review Source:Another place I've seen They Might Be Giants perform? Sure!
The Iron Horse reminds me of Joe's Pub in NYC. A little dinner with your theater. Getting a good spot is integral here! You don't have to order any food, but make sure you get there early to get a table or a booth. Â The host or hostess will usually help point out the best seats available. If the table at the edge of the balcony is still open, take it! That's a great view.If you're upstairs back in those weird booths, the view is not so good. I can't speak to the view from the downstairs tables, but you'll probably be able to figure it out. When they come around asking if you want a drink, get coffee.
Also, I saw a guy propose to his girlfriend here. We TMBG fans are a nerdy, yet sentimental bunch, aren't we.
A small, cozy venue for seeing live music. Â Since it is so tiny, everyone is close to the band, which is excellent and helps the vibe. Â But that's where the good points end.
The drinks are _RIDICULOUSLY_ priced. Â $4.50 for a Bud Light bottle when we are not in a major city? Â $5.25 for a quality draft? Â Thanks, I'll skip.
The upstairs was closed when I was here -- so no good views and relaxing. Â Instead, I was on the floor, with the worst crowd I've ever seen at a show. Â Extremely sloshed people, sketchballs, plenty of people in the "18+ but not yet 21" range, who spend every waking minute snapping off a picture with a digital camera. Â Seriously, didn't you get the picture one of the first 72 times you tried? Â My eyes are blinded with those purple floaters now...
Fun as hell place to see a show! For a town like Northampton I was surprised that this is actually not that small a place!
There's a balcony level with seating inside, so if you're not much into moshing (or if it's just not that kind of show), you can get a fabulous view without feeling squished up there.
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