I just have to say this was the best concert experience I have ever had. We were there a few weeks ago for the Werks, not only was it an amazing show, but the security staff was amazing as well. Everyone was very nice and helpful. The bartender, I think her name was Alisha was the most professional bartender I have ever seen or dealt with. Although there were a lot of people waiting for a drink, you didn't have to wait with her, she was quick and friendly. The other bartenders were slow and rude. I will be coming back soon, hopefully you get some more shows like this in the future. I recommend this venue, and excited to visit again.
Review Source:Went to the Indigo Girls show last night with my wife. This was our first visit to the Madison Theater. I was a bit worried after reading the reviews about the staff not being friendly and the service at the bar being slow.
I have to say that I thought the staff was friendly and the service at the bar was very good. I thought this was excellent, since the show was sold out.
We enjoyed the venue. We were right in front of the stage. The Indigo Girls put on a great show. We will come back  for shows in the future. Â
Plenty of free parking close by was an added bonus.
The Madison Theater is a sloping concert venue, which can be both fun and a little confusing to first time concert-goers.
This place was a former movie theatre, which makes a lot of sense once you go in. You realize that everything goes downward. There's a bar are as you walk through which leads down a level for standing which leads down another level to get right in front of the stage. It actually makes it a little easier to see the stage from wherever you are (unless it's in the back of the giant crowd pushing their way to the front on the bottom level.)
It can become crowded here quickly. Very quickly. Just know what you're getting into if you want to be close to the stage.
In fact, there is another level, a balcony that's semi-hidden (you have to go near the exits and turn either right or left and you'll find the steps up here. The balcony is also cut in different levels, with lots of tables. If you want to sit, I suggest going back to the top level. You won't be able to see a thing when people crowd to the banister ledge and stand there.
Now that we've got seating out of the way, let's talk about the venue.
The Madison is a fantastic place to see a show. No question about it. Great sound, great visuals, semi-small stage but not an overly so one. And it still has that classic feel of a venue that's been around forever and is still providing entertainment. I would come back here again to see a show, no question.
Came here to see Fun. It was a great concert! I thought the Madison theater was a nice little venue. The set-up of the room is a bit strange though. It starts as a normal bar and then in the back you suddenly see the stage and realize there's about 3 different levels of height. People try to move to the front, but actually the best place to stay is right at the end of one of the levels. We ended up at the end of the second level and that was a great spot: close enough to see everything, but not too claustrophobic with too many people pressing against us.
The liquor checks were thorough, it was my 28th birthday night and I didn't carry my ID (I still don't have that habit, having moved here 6 months ago...), so I got no wristband but 2 huge black crosses on my hands to make sure I wouldn't order alcohol (really?!) - no bad word about that though, better to be following the rules I guess!
The sound was pretty good I thought and the audience was amazing, very very excited and singing along with all the songs!
Will definitely be back when there are other bands I like.
The Madison Theater is a nice place to see a concert. Get there early if you want a table - if they have them for the concert you're going to. Other than really slow bar service and the obligatory nasty restrooms, I had no issues with Madison. The acoustics were just fine. We saw a Pink Floyd tribute band, the theater was a little narrow to properly carry off a big laser show, but still it was fine.
Parking isn't too hard to find if you're early, you might find yourself parking a little too far away later on,though, and some may find the neighborhood a bit uncomfortable. Long and short, unlike Bogarts, I wouldn't hesitate to see a concert at the Madison.
The venue has a fantastic line up of shows and a great setup and charm. Not as clean as one might hope.
The staff are absolutely terrible! They are very rude and try to get in your face. I am a  very meek and polite person and I felt harassed and intimated. The bartenders are slow and rude as well. I only ordered a water since I was the DD. I will not be going back. The staff needs a bad over haul. They got in my face for wanting to go down a isle to get to my seat. But they refused to kick out a guy who was yelling and disturbing the show. If you go avoid staff at all costs!
We were there to see the Civil Wars on 1/14. A great show and the Madison is a nice venue. We had great sight-lines and the sound was very good too. They have two bars operating in space that could likely get by with one so there was never a wait for a drink.
my only complaints would be that they kept fluctuating the house lights during the show, which was both odd and annoying, and the fact that some woman apparently only came to the show to run her yapper the whole time, not to listen to music! Clearly, that last one is not the Madison's fault but it annoyed me :)
Perhaps it's the original charm that resonates even in music that reflects the modern times, but there is something so great about a 20th century one-screen movie theater that has been transformed into a 21st century music venue.
I've only been to Madison Theater twice: once for Method Man and Redman (actually, I didn't even stay for much of Meth & Red because it was a weeknight and I was there to see a friend who opened for them) and more recently for Cincinnati treasure, Walk the Moon (side note: if you've never checked out their album I Want! I Want! you are really missing out).
The acoustics are great (though I will say that, at the most recent show, the mics kept spiking in the first set, which wasn't ideal) as well as the lighting. With a capacity of about 1200, this venue enjoys the unique feeling of a sizable crowd with defined intimacy, and I think that is one of the more pronounced highlights this venue has to offer.
Aside from the Southgate House (which is closing at the end of 2011), this is the greatest venue in Northern Kentucky. The stage seems very grand and the lighting is incredible. The bottom floor has three different tiers of seating/standing so you aren't behind a sea of people (everyone hates that one tall person who is standing right in from of them at every show). Usually the top tier has seating. The second tier will have seating depending on the show, and the bottom level is usually standing room only. The bar and bathrooms are on the top floor (and sometimes they sell food, but I have never had it). There is a balcony overlooking the stage too, so there is plenty of seating that can see the stage.
The venue often gets national acts to play (Spoon, G. Love, Iron & Wine, etc) and will get the top acts of Cincinnati to play as well (Pomegranates, Wussy, Heartless Bastards, etc). The bands don't always line up with my interests, but the do get a good mix of people and I go here a couple of times a year. I imagine I will go here more when Southgate House closes its doors.
I saw a show here earlier this fall, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great small venue to see a band, and the cheap hipster beers (PBR!) are a definite plus. The staff is nice and having the bar in the back, away from the stage, means that you can avoid a certain percentage of drunken idiocy while listening to your favorite singer. I am eager to go back again and keep checking the schedule to see what show will tempt me across the water next. Great venue, great pricing, great experience.
Review Source:Of all the venues I have been to, the Madison Theater is definitely at the top. Â Events are well organized, the staff is nice, and you get the feeling that everyone knows what they are doing. Â That is not typical for places like this. Â I like that the area in front of the stage is two-tiered, so if you don't want to be down with the moshers, you can still see the show at a reasonable distance. Â The bar's distance from the stage is great too, so when you order a water, you don't get a Jack and Coke. Â I would love to see another show at the Madison.
Review Source:This can be a great place to see a show, even a really crowded one. Not sure if the tables on the main level are gone forever, but they were on my most recent visit. However there are plenty of tables and chairs up on the balcony if it is open for the night. I enjoyed a great show from the balcony, with superb sound, and great view of the entire stage. Plus there is a bathroom and bar halfway down the stairs to the main floor that never had any lines. I look forward to more shows at this location, especially now that it is non smoking. I just wish they would replace the old moldy carpet that has probably been there for 10 years or more.
Review Source:Madison Theater books good bands sometimes, and the actual physical structure of the place is really nice.
The staff are absolutely terrible. It's like they WANT you to have a bad time, and try to find ANY reason to kick you out. The security just starts stuff with you if they so much as THINK you're breaking a rule.
I've been several times, every single show I see someone get kicked out for damn near nothing at all.
And the bar tenders are rude and slow.
If your favorite band is playing, then go and try to avoid the staff, otherwise, forget this place.
Charming, classic, an icon of the neighborhood.
It's small, and on the older side. However, whatever it lacks, it makes up with heart and charm. I've been to a number of events here and I think it is a nice venue.
There are bar tables to dine at, a large bar, and a big screen.
It's a little small for bigger events, so keep in mind it could be packed. I recommend showing up early.
Yikes! Natti area you deserve a better concert venue. The biggest issue here is that they will sell an infinite number of tickets to any show so artists like girl talk will basically create a human sea. The human sea can go from happy to roudy very quickly just do to the fact that people are unable to move without touching 5-10 people. The balcony situation is much better and you can still see the show pretty well. The beers are fairly priced. Parking is cheap and readily available. Shows are also 18+ so the youngins are out in force. But despite the venue's general suck the show was still great.
Review Source:I recently went to a concert here that I believe was totally oversold. Â The band was awesome but there were WAY too many people packed in here. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that their maximum capacity is based on filling the bar & front area. Â Well, that was the case this time as the entire area from the front door (and bar area) all the way to the stage was packed with people. Â Good thing there wasn't an emergency because it was a stampede waiting to happen. Â Think twice about going to an event here if you're intent is to actually enjoy the music.
Review Source:I visited the Madison for the first time last night to see Janelle Monae and Of Montreal play. The good part was that both acts were amazing and the venue was great as far as sight and sound (the vocals could have been turned up a tad, but it happens).
The bad comes from a very unpleasant staff that did everything to try and make the night miserable. Bartenders who refused to take customers for 10+ minutes. Security that threw a guy out for throwing water (rightly so), but when an actual fight started, they did nothing. Also, they charge for water at the bar which I find silly and money-grubbing. After the show ended, the patrons had been standing outside the theatre for about 8-10 minutes and were then told that the police would come and start arresting people for loitering. That doesn't seem like a good way to thank the people who just supported your venue.
The venue itself is great and lovely to see shows in as stated in the other reviews, but the staff really needs an overhaul.
Out of the three concert venues I have been to in Kentucky (Mad Hatter and Southgate being the others) this is probably the nicest. The venue is well ventilated and didn't ever get incredibly hot. It was clean and well run the night I was there. Though only inconvenience is that it is a cash only venue. So remember your money and that nothing says classy like a $5.00 40 oz. PBR!
Review Source:I used to hear so many things about the nightmares of booking a show and the unreliability of the owners that it took me years to make it to this seedy looking space. If you haven't noticed, the quality and diversity of performers at the Madison has improved tremendously in the past year. I believe the new bookers also book for 20th Century Theater in Oakley. Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band was on the bill. I had to work at 7am the next morning but caught the first half of their set. The sound was great, the band was fantastic and the lineup was perfect.
We arrived very early and spent a good part of the evening switching it up between freezing our butts off in the theater proper and sneaking to the bar area where we were allowed to smoke. The inside of the theatre is simple deco and beautiful. If I wasn't so busy I'd probably end up seeing more of the roots, blues style tunes they showcase these days.
I've always enjoyed myself at each show I've attended at Madison Theater. From bluegrass to indie punk to stand-up, this entertainment venue books many famous and up-and-coming acts from around the U.S. I've experienced the theater's three floor layouts: club (standing room only on main floor), cabaret (tables and chairs with dance floor), and theater (rows of chairs). This flexibility allows Madison to adapt to the audience and artist that will be using the venue.
While artists and promoters can request non-smoking shows, many do not, making Madison Theater smelly and suffocating. Also, the carpeted floors are well worn from cigarette burns and stale beer spills. Nonetheless, Madison crushes Bogart's ambience and Southgate's acoustics.
I adore the Madison Theater. This cute little retro venue add so much charm to Madison Avenue in Covington Kentucky.
The theater was redone a while back, and since then, it has been come to be known by Cincinnatians alike for the various events that take place. The theater's outside is beautiful with an art deco marquis and neat blue columns rising above. The inside is also super nice after the renovation. There are bars on either side as you walk in and a pool table in the middle. The second area is a seating area with little tables and chairs and then you descend down some more stairs onto the wood floor below the stage. The balcony is super nice and has a glass (maybe plastic but looks like glass) railing that wont obstruct your vision of the stage.
I've seen several great concerts here. The first show was a local band called Homunculus. My favorite show here by far was a Cake and Gomez concert that completely rocked my socks. I've heard rumors that the Madison has been hosting wresting events. Can anyone debunk this for me, because I couldn't bear that space going to waste!
Think Bogart's, but cleaner and better. Â Wide open floor (though some events do have seating down there), various levels of elevation so you can still see from the back, a very delightful balcony, and delightfully gaudy painting. Â The acoustics are pretty good considering this place was originally designed as a movie theater (hence the name).
What I loved is that while it's a large venue, the break-up of the space (via differing elevations on the floor) made it feel a lot more intimate, which probably explains why we were so enamored with the gorgeous chanteuse who opened the show. Â Combined with the good sound, this is an excellent place to see your favorite band.
The Madison Theater doesn't have shows all the time. Â It's rented out for private festivities some times, so you can't just head down there expecting to see something. Â Mostly national touring acts, too. Â Southgate House is your best bet in Kentucky for some local band.
Having undergone a $3 million renovation in 2001, Covington's Madison Theater is a fine mid-sized venue to see bands perform. Capacity is similar to Chicago's Metro, at about 1200 concert goers, but while bands like the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair started out at Metro, the types of bands you can expect to see at the Madison are bit more mainstream alternative rock, more in line with those that gig at House of Blues. Sight lines and sound are generally good, although the balcony is pushed so far back that it's easy to end up feeling like you're watching the concert on TV. There are 3 full service bars (2 on the first floor, 1 in the balcony) and you can also order food from the Backstage Cafe next door.
Review Source:
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