Palomar Starlight Theater

First time to Pala, we were specifically going for U2JT (U2 Joshua Tree tribute band) and could not have had a better experience.  The sound quality & lighting was very good and I loved how there was a full bar (and cute bartender) inside the venue.  Dance floor, surrounded by tables & chairs assending up to row seating.  Small, charming venue sits 500.  The theater can be viewed by the casino bar having large windows.  The restrooms are nearby and most of all, the staff was very pleasant.  We had an excellent time and I'm now a fan of <a href="mailto:thejoshuatree@u2jt.com">thejoshuatree@u2jt.com</a>.  Will follow!  Will also revisit this casino and theater!!

UPON further research I'm reviewing the CENTER BAR Theater (smaller venue) inside Pala Casino...not the outdoor, open, larger venue.  

Will come again!!

"Palomar Starlight Theater" is just a euphemism for "We don't have a damn theater so we bought a bunch of tiny white wedding chairs and put them in our courtyard."  The show I came here to see (Gabriel Iglesias) was incredible but after the show was over I was hoping they would have an onsite chiropractor for my back.  I cannot over emphasize how small the chairs are here.  Let's just say I got to know the guy next to me's shoulder a little more than I would have liked.  Get up to go pee during the show?  Forget it.  Unless you like giving lap dances to complete strangers you'll have to hold it so DONT DRINK before the show or your bladder is in for a beating.  Unless there is some kind of mind blowing show with dirt cheap tickets here in the future, I probably won't be attending this venue again.

Notwithstanding the "Jackfest" (fwap-fwap-fwap) of bachelordom, JackFest - sponsored by JackFM - showcased four great tribute bands: Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin), Dead Mans Party (Oingo Boingo), The Joshua Tree (U2) and Disco Inferno (Bee Gees).  However, 2-for-1 $15 tickets (~$7 tickets per person) were really $13 tix (rounded up) each given ticketmaster service charges, but whatever.  

Eating a $100 steak and a $2 steak is the same because it takes the same effort for my arm to lift that meat to my face and comparably, the same effort to pass that through my body.  I'm not making an excuse for Ticketmaster, but these charges are nonnegotiable.

(I keep wanting to type "CHARGERS." GO BOLTZ!)

The Starlight theater isn't bad since the outdoor venue behind the hotel all seemed set up like a backyard wedding - aisles and rows of nice, white folding chairs.  The sound was pretty good, though Dead Man's Party seemed to have some difficulties.

The size is pretty intimate; I didn't feel crowded at all. While it's not Belly Up, being up front and close is comparable.

The venue is situated where the hotel bends; hotel guests can get pretty good glimpse of the show from their own personal box suites (i.e. hotel rooms). From below, you can also watch the guests show off their nascent  exhibitionist urges: gals dancing in windows, dudes playing air guitar, one faux-sex act given curtains, and an unaware, shirtless fat dude - all enjoying the show.

Frankly, I missed Joshua Tree and Disco Inferno.  I was too busy gambling.  I'm at a casino! C'mon, get your priorities straight.