UPDATE: Â
We went to see Beck last Sunday at the Rio. Â The show was amazing, and the sound was fantastic. Â The usual "Gold deck" area was open space so you could get close to the stage if you wanted.
However, someone needs to give the usher staff permission to develop a back bone. Â In the seated area there were two very tall guys who refused to sit down and were blocking the view of at least 20 people. Â When we complained to the ushers, we were told they couldn't do anything. Â Huh? Â It took an audience member's up close and personal beratement before they sat down after about the 3rd song.
I'm sorry, I'm not going to pay a ticket price to a theater to have to police other people's bad behavior or look at the back of someone's head for part of a performance.
I have mixed feelings about the Rio. It's sometimes hard to separate the venue from the crowd, and last night's crowd at the Robert Earl Keen show was not that unusual. Mostly middle aged, respectful folk like myself, plus some less respectful, more chemically-impeded patrons who like to hear their own voices, constantly talking, singing, hooting, hollering--I guess that's all part of the fun at a REK concert. And it was fun.
But the staff at the Rio could sharpen their customer service skills a bit. I don't go there often enough to know the whole routine, but I do know that they tend to (or at least used to) make people stand outside in a long, long line prior to a show and open the doors only about 20 minutes before showtime. Last night they opened the doors earlier, for which I am grateful. Gf & I got our seats and then I had to run an errand. No one said anything as I left, and there's no signage indicating any policy about re-admission.
When I got back, torn ticket stub in hand, two or three employees hassled me about not having a hand stamp. Well, if I needed a hand stamp, why didn't anyone say anything when I exited? Why isn't there signage to indicate this?
The Rio is still perhaps my favorite performance venue on the Central Coast--especially with the closing of the Golden State Theater in Monterey. They do a lot more right than wrong, usually. Even though yesterday was a warm day, it was relatively cool & comfortable in the theater. And the sound is almost always good. I'll continue to attend selective shows here.
It's an old movie theater. Not a cool, art deo 1920's movie theater, but a plain theater. It's well maintained and clean.
The seating is like in a movie theater. They sold the area in front of the stage to "gold circle" ticket buyers, which means you can pay a higher price to sit up close, at least at the alt rock concert I just attended.
Concessions are interesting. Coffee, tea or water, plus some cookies. No alcohol.
No smoking, which is good for the view.
You will probably need to walk 1-2 blocks from your car.
I got to touch Jenny Lewis' hand here and stare at her from 2 feet away. That's enough to earn 5 stars.
Except they haven't had anyone that amazing play there since then and that was 2008 :(
Get on it Rio! You have a cute, retro vibe, stop featuring terrible bands like Sea Wolf and doing all those movie festivals that no one goes to!!
always the most unexpected acts here! this place is classic santa cruz, extremely odd and highly cool. i came here to see the infamous Diamanda Galas!!! what an amazing show! this small venue was tightly packed and the sound was perfect. so intimate! they also put on a production of rocky-horror picture show annually. i stepped in one day for the open auditions and had a blast! i didn't make the part but the point is that this place is very open, community oriented, Â and down right fun fun fun.
and what's great is Charlie Hong Kong's is right across the street!!!
Recently had the good fortune to come to Rio Theatre to see LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM & it was a wonderful evening from start to finish
Small theatre - holding a mere 675 people, we knew we were in for an intimate evening
As we were walking to the will call booth, I literally bumped into Lindsey - they were waiting for the backstage guy to open the door.....roops!
Seats were pretty comfy & views were decent - given we were so darn close & the venue itself is so small, you're guaranteed a good view
Sound was nice & loud but not overwhelming as can tend to happen at these smaller venues
Water & drinkys sold in the lobby, bathrooms were standard. Â Liked the Golden Circle option so we didn't have to wait in the GA line after already waiting in the Will Call.....but would have been nice to provide a print at home option so I wouldn't have to wait in line at all
Regardless, would totally come back to Rio - nice excuse to spend the evening in Santa Cruz & great music is the perfect icing on this cake!
Came to watch the World-famous-popovich-comedy-pet-theatre
From the outside the Rio looks small and retro. I didn't mind really. The surprise was waiting for us inside.
The theater is actually spacious and has comfortable seats. Excellent view of the stage wherever you sit is a big plus.
Absolutely clean inside and great helpful staff.
The ticket booth that sits outside the double doors to the theater is so small and looks like it would only fit the guy that was it there. This is where retro truly resides:)
As most every reviewer commented. Parking is a tad difficult. So set some time just for that and you will be fine. It's a busy stretch of steet but we found parking right next to the theater.
For empty stomachs there's a really good burrito place next to the theater while you wait in line to get in.
There's two lines to get in. One to buy your tickets and the other one to get in. I mean you buy your ticket and you fall in line again to get in. So it's best if you and a friend can tackle the two lines simultaneously.
Ticket booth opens at 6 pm for a 7 pm show and door opens at 6:30.
Sitting down or standing in front, this charming venue is great for shows.
Find some street parking, slip down the street to a nearby bar beforehand if that's your thing, and then relax and enjoy the music.
The Rio feels surprisingly spacious, so it tends to lose some intimacy with the band. I want to say there's no photography allowed, but my pictures of The New Pornographers' recent show tells me a different story.
I've seen Cocorosie and The Civil Wars here. once with no seating in the front and then a theater/chair set up. both times were really amazing. good sound and very intimate. its 420 friendly if everyone else is smoking. parkings not bad, on the street.
only wished they served some booze
I went to see Arlo Guthrie here last night & was the first time at the theatre & had a great time. Cool old place & re-furbished nicely. The staff were friendly & helpful. The only reason I didn't give 5 star's is because it dosn't have it's own parking lot, other than that, I look forward to coming here again soon.
Review Source:Suh-weet!
First off: We arrived to see Ryan Bingham & The Silent Comedy perform last week - 15 minutes after the show started.
Now, back in LA this would have meant: no parking! However, we snagged primo parking across the street w/out even trying for it!
Easy entrance into the venue - door people were super nice.
Open seating and a nicely sized open floor / dance area.
Bathrooms weren't that bad, actually. No real scene here, which is nice. It's like a stripped down place to watch music.
No beer / alcohol is a drag, however, if you're aware of it, you just plan ahead for it (ie. get your drinks before or slip a sweet flask into your purse).
Bottom line: a good place to watch a concert. Nothing spectacular, but nothing terrible about it at all.
Now, go see some live music!
I am torn between A-OK and Yay I'm a fan!
I went to the Rio for my first and only time last night to see Andrew Bird and had an enjoyable experience so am sticking with Yay I'm a Fan for now. Of course Andrew Bird isn't some sort of rager concert either.
* The theater was well lit, nothing too fancy but not chintzy.
* The stage was enormous
* The gold circle ticket holders don't have to wait in the GA line (awesome) and get to choose from awesome seats up front.
* For a seated venue, the seats were comfy.
* If you wanna step outside, they trust you enough to give you a stamp on your hand to come back in, nice.
* Â I liked that the staff were older, organized and polite. I don't need the staff to be young to trust that they are capable of doing their job.
* This venue has that laid back easy-going vibe like the Mystic in petaluma.
- where the mystic has this place beat though is serving alcohol. I didn't even think to look for drinks at the Andrew Bird show last night but I know I would have been bummed if I had.
- I think this venue has a lot of potential to fill the gaping hole in the "music scene" of santa cruz if they could get more current acts to play there. which may require booze.
- the women's restroom is reminiscent of an elementry school bathroom, low stall doors, only cold water taps.
- parking seems like it may be an issue here (thankfully, i walked!)
The Rio Theatre is nice. Â They play "off-beat" movies and lectures, and occasionally have concerts too. Â I usually go to the Rio for surf movies that are in town as part of their tour, and for the annual Warren Miller Film. Â Recently, I also attended UCSC's Halliday Lecture in Astrophysics, which was packed and good fun.
The theatre is old, but they keep it well enough. Â It's generally clean. Â The seats are old, and not the most comfortable things ever, but they do just fine. Â We were at full capacity for the UCSC lecture, which I think meant there were something like 500 people in the room...it's a pretty good sized theatre.
Not much more to say. Â Parking can be difficult. Â In general, expect to park a couple blocks away and walk...especially for more popular events.
I arrived and waited in line for nearly an hour tonight for a "free" lecture being offered by UCSC. Â After waiting for a while, an employee of the theater struts around asking for people who have "pre-registered" for the event. Â Pre-registered? Â Most everyone in line didn't know we COULD pre-register. Â None of the flyers around town or online even mentioned the possibility. Â I was one of at least a hundred people VERY disappointed and turned away after being told the theater was "over-capacity." Â Shame on you Rio Theater! Â UCSC! Â Get your marketing game figured out! Â Thanks for wasting my time.
Review Source:I love seeing shows at the Rio!
My favorite show there so far was Rilo Kiley. Jenny Lewis is a really fun performer.
The venue is really big and has seating and a big standing space in front of the stage for fans. Tickets are usually cheap but they usually sell out because there's always an awesome line-up at the Rio. I suggest looking up shows wayy ahead of time.
I've had plenty of shows that I wanted to go to at the Rio but they've sold out months before the show so don't let that happen to you!
I walked in and instantly was reminded of the old Gaslighter in Campbell and was filled with nostalgia. I really liked this location for the show we went to. The standing room area is small but it's not like we were at a metal show where there would be moshing so it didn't really make a difference. The bathroom was small too but clean and maintained. They do not sell any type of liquor here, again which didn't really matter to us. We had no trouble finding parking. I like how old school this theater is and I'd definitely come see another show here in the future.
Review Source:Don't compare it to the Fox, y'all. Apples and oranges. Lobby's too small? Well, this is a small city, what did you expect? Less-than-cutting-edge acoustics? It's not a cutting-edge theater; maybe you should stay on your side of the hill. Can't enjoy a show without been and wine? I hear 12-step programs can help.
I mean, let's not put the RIo down for what it doesn't have and what we don't need - let's evaluate it for what it is - our local, funky event tent. The tickets are cheap, the cookies are fresh, the acts are great, you can see the stage from any seat. You can park in the neighborhood - for free - and your car will not have a bashed-in windshield when you retrieve it.
And if you must be inebriated in order to appreciate the music, you can drink beer next door at Charlie Hong Kong, or wine across the street at The Crepe Place, before you get in line, okay?
As for the inconvenience of security guards who take their jobs seriously - if idiots would stop bringing things into theaters that they shouldn't, then there would be no need for that kind of security. Grow up and behave yourself.
I came here for the first time last night. Because I knew it would be general admission, I got there early enough to enjoy choice seating.
People were civilized out front while waiting. The people running the event that night were great about coming out and letting everyone know what time to expect to be let in, what isn't allowed inside (no food, alcohol or bottles) and what not. I was kind of expecting some jerky attitude from the staff here, in part because of some of the reviews here and in part because I am used to other event staff elsewhere being curt or rude. But hey! This is Santa Cruz, you know. Relax and go with the flow! The staff here was super friendly and that made for a nice surprise.
I saw a spoken word show so I can't really comment on the acoustics. They were fine for my event, but I can see how music shows may not be what one would expect. This place probably doesn't have the budget for top notch speakers and equipment, and maybe the interior structure doesn't compliment sound so well, so you have to accept it for what it is. I've been to enough concerts with bad sound, so I probably wouldn't be too bothered by it.
The show last night was extremely enjoyable. Very intimate. And the audience was great!
Coffee, tea and water are the only drinks you can buy inside, but you can certainly get your drink on before or after the show someplace nearby. Abundant parking on the surrounding side streets.
I think a place like the Rio is a gem that you have to experience in order to appreciate, something you can only find in Santa Cruz. I would definitely come back for another event.
We went to watch Yann Tiersen at the Rio Theatre today.. While Yann Tiersen has unquestionably mastered the ability to communicate something deep and powerful through sound, the Rio Theatre is most definitely not a worthy place for someone so talented. The acoustics are awful.
As you get off the highway approaching the theatre, if you've never been to Santa Cruz, you'd be shocked at how pseudo-suburbia it seems. And yet, finding parking proved somewhat difficult..
The theatre itself seems to be an old movie theatre cum venue for live shows. It's not too big, and the old theatre seats are used for "open seating" during performances for those who don't want to stand directly in front of the stage. There's a decent incline in the seats, but sitting closer to the center usually means you'll have to tilt your head a little to the left/right to get a good view.
There is no alcohol served inside. At all. No actual food, either, unless you want cookies and chips. (There is, however, a place next door that serves about, uh, 7 different types of wines.)
The crowd was lackluster.. It was the first performance I'd attended that was made up of people who seemed to think they were above applause or making noise. Right in front of us, there was a lady who literally stuck her fingers in her ears for 5 whole minutes as her friend shook his head. Two guys behind us were talking loudly. It was so disrespectful how so many people just up and left within the first hour. And even worse, that so many opted not to wait for his encore.
Yann Tiersen has changed his music style - even if you were expecting to hear his older stuff, you have to respect the genius behind all that beauty enough to at least LISTEN to whatever it is he's feeling inspired to do at present. He does incredible things with his violin. (The horsehairs kept snapping off with how quickly he was playing his violin!)
Also, Typhoon (the opener) wasn't bad, either. They sold their CDs from $5-$15, depending on what you could afford.
Anyway, Yann Tiersen is BRILLIANT.
The Rio Theatre, however... not so much.
Finally! Â I got to see a show here! Â It's only been what, 4 years? Â Anyway, saw Rogue Wave last night and quite enjoyed the show immensely. Â Even though the show was really fun, I agree with many others regarding the acoustics in the Rio. Â They pretty much suck. Â That said, the ambiance is cool, there's plenty of floor space, assuming the show isn't sold out, and for old farts with babies like me, there's ample seating for those who don't want to stand with the huddled masses in front of the stage.
I don't know if it was the nature of last night's headliner, but the crowd and settings are really quiet. Â People just seem really chill. Â The atmosphere felt more like a live act at an intimate coffee shop or the Attic than a real concert venue. Â I'd definitely see more shows here.
Very cool spot to watch your favorite musicians play! it's an old theatre that's had many seats in the front removed so that you can get up close, dance and have some space to move around. They serve tea, coffee and treats and the band had some of their gear for sale. There were a number of people who brought their kids for the first part of the show. good times!
Review Source:This past Tuesday I was able to check out a Beatles fribute band cover the white album at the Rio. I must have forgot how Santa Cruz rolls because I came fully unprepared. I was under the impression that we were going to be at a actual bar show. Low and behold I got in and there was a seated auditorium. There was plenty of parking availible outdoors and the lines were quick moving. They served cofee,tea and water. (which ruined our game plan of pre-drinking inside..we didnt have a chaser to wash down the straight alcky haha) Â It was a very straight edged/family oriented venue. I dont think I could really cut loose at this place and for that I give it 3 stars.
ps. Lady who was selling the crochet beanies out front I SHOULD OF BOUGHT the  maroon one with the peace sign. Shucks.
I'll be generous and give them two stars, they book some really cool acts here.
Parking kinda sucks in this neighborhood on the weekends.
No food.
No booze, not even beer and wine.
The Security Oaf takes his menial job waaaay to seriously.
The crowd generally sucks at the shows I've seen here.
A couple of years ago Katie and me got put on double secret probation for drinking beer and generally having a good time. Â Yep, they expected us to quietly sit with our hands politely folded in our laps at a Robert Earl Keen show. That's beyond stupid.
Listen folks, this is NOT the Opera it's twang bangin' Country. Â Get over yourselves already.
Fast forward to last night- Herbert and me went to go see Todd Snider. Â (I bet you can see where this is heading)
On the way there I warned Herb about the lame crowd, the double secret probation, the mouth breather that works security and the fact that we needed to keep our pocket beers on the DL. Â Sure enough at the beginning of the show we managed to upset a couple next to us and they had the oxygen thief Security Oaf come over. Â He poached Herb's beer but not mine (I was in super stealth mode).
That's OK fat boy I finished mine, went out to the Jeep and got us another round.
All this didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Snider.  He went into a tirade about "Folk Nazis" and it was a thing of beauty.  The couple behind us that up until this point were disgusted by our very existence were clearly uncomfortable when we both turned around and gave them a look that said  "Yeah he's talkin' about people like YOU".  That earns the other star.
I'm way more fun than this place.
I love the Rio.
Granted, I've only ever seen small acts there (Jenny Lewis, Stephen Malkmus), and maybe their fans are a little less hardcore than others, but I've always found the crowd to be relaxed, low-key, and just genuinely happy to be there. I like being in the front, and it's nice to a) not have to shove my way up there, and b) not feel like everyone behind me hates me and is just waiting for the perfect opportunity to push me out of the way. Let's face it--sometimes concert-goers can be brutal, but the ones at the Rio all seem pleasant.
The sound is decent, not spectacular by any means, but I've never felt my experience was ruined because of it. It is a theater, but there always seems to be plenty of room in the front to stand. It's a very intimate setting, which is nice, as it allows the band to talk to the audience, and actually really engage them.
The bouncers/doormen are always very nice too, which is great, because usually at other places, they're total jerks.
Yes, there's no alcohol but, is that really why you're there? If you really need to be drunk to enjoy a concert, drink before, or try to sneak something in (I doubt it's that hard).
I really enjoy the Rio, and it's nice having a place in Santa Cruz that brings in some good acts. My friends and I have made a bit of a tradition of going to a concert, and then driving the short distance to the Santa Cruz Diner for some post-concerty grub.
This place is really a 3.5 stars joint.
I am not a big fan of the seated show for music and this place's area majority are seats, the acoustics are not that great in this place either. Â But this place does have a charm about it, although not as ornately decorated as other theaters I have seen but this is Santa Cruz, so it has to follow into the either the artsy or the 60s-70s charm which this place still has. Â The staff and surprising availability of street parking within a reasonable walking distance are great. Â This place does not offer alcohol of any sorts, so be prepared accordingly with and there was a lack of places that serve alcohol in the vicinity as well.
But this place offers a great view almost wherever you are in the theater itself. Â I will even forgive them for having the men's bathroom upstairs too.
I've seen a few shows at the Rio. The Waifs, Erin McKeown and Cesaria Evora come to mind. Â But the sound quality is HORRIBLE. They get some good acts here, so why don't they invest in some better sound equipment, or so something to help the acoustics?
I see that Lila Downs is coming there soon, and as much as I love her, no way am I spending money to see her at the Rio.
Please do something about the sound!
The sound isn't great, but it's still a fun place to see a show; everyone has mentioned it - because this is a converted movie theater, the seats are elevated.
Somehow, I've managed to catch quite a few shows here, including Alejandro Escobedo and Mudhoney...as well as attended a few surf film fundraisers. My gym is right next door, I always check out the marquee in the hopes that someone good will pop in...
They let you bring a camera if you are so inclined, and everyone is really low-key. Me likey.
On the down side, they sell no booze, which is sort of a bummer, however, the Crepe Place is just across the street, they are open late on the weekends. Â They have a very inviting bar, with talented bartenders (though when they have live music the same nights as the Rio, it can get a little challenging).
OH, now this is just unfair. Â You want me to stand 10 feet from Conor Oberst as he drinks himself progressively more stupified after every song, while I bop harmlessly in a dry venue? Â I wish I had known to sneak something spiked in so that I would have had the balls to scope his bus out back when he "mysteriously" didn't show up for his encore (The Mystic Valley Chaps were marvelous for "pulling it out of a nose dive"*).
Everything else about the venue was tops. Â GREAT sound, lots of room, good vantage point from all corners, and clean restrooms. Â More importantly, it is in the strange, strange city of Santa Cruz, where adolescents don't claw at each other** to get closer to celebrities, and where you can buy water AND coffee at a CONCERT for A DOLLAR.
Tip to out of towners who may be hungry before your concert: the Rio is not actually in downtown proper. Â I recommend not resorting to the taqueria next door, where two boys behind the counter will bumble through a host of blah-quality ingredients to keep up with the demand of the line of people who thought this place might be a good idea for some pre-concert munchies.
*I must give credit of this phrase, which I mostly despise, but which is at the moment quiet appropriate, to J.H.
**This may be in large part due to the lack of alcohol at the venue.
I'm so glad I chose to see Orchestra Baobab (a band from Senegal) at the Rio instead of seeing them at Yoshi's in SF or Oakland. The Rio is low key and rustic with a bunch of hippies running it. It's an old movie theatre with the first several rows of seats taken out to make room for the stage and a dance floor. It smells old as well.
Some basic points:
-The sound system was alright but not perfect since it wasn't designed to be a concert venue.
- They don't sell alcohol so get loaded before you arrive.
- The men's bathroom is upstairs so if you're disabled, you need to hold it or use the women's downstairs.
- the bands that play have to walk down the stairs from the old projection room where they hang out before the show to the stage through the seating area. There's no backstage area. Kind of funky but also cool because you can ambush your favorite bands as they come and go from the stage.
I'll take this place over the two-drink-minimum-pack-em-in-overpriced-TicketmastÂer-sell-out venue any day.
This is my new favorite venue! It is the perfect size, no matter where you are sitting or standing you can see everything on stage.
AND I was allowed to take pictures.
True- no drinks or food, but do you really need to be fooling with that kinda crap when you see a concert?
Drink at a bar nearby if you can't see a show sober.
You don't get to keep your concert ticket stub :( Â unless you can remember to get one after the show.
The venue feels classy but the equipment is dated. It all depends on what you come here for.
4 stars - I've been here twice and the first time was for spoken word by Chuck D, and this place fit his presentation style perfectly, since it was seated and all.
2 stars - But the last time I came I was surrounded by high schoolers at an Architecture in Helsinki show. We actually came for the openers (Glass Candy) but were disappointed that they didn't play their instruments or have more stage presence. Regardless, the sound wasn't the best I've heard (the Attic is much better) and the teens were just jerks.
This is the place to come for a sit down event, not as much for music.
we came here tonight for architecture in helsinki. Â i've come to realize i'm secretly biased against the entire city of santa cruz, it's like everytime i visit here i need it explained to me why the city is considered a vacation "destination". Â so bear in mind that santa cruz and most of it's denizens are just not my thing.
the rio theater is charming, don't get me wrong- but theater style seating for live music other then an orchestra??? Â and where is the booze?? Â i cannot be expected to live it up at a live show on a SATURDAY night on bottled water and herbal tea (organic no less) alone! Â also, the crowd was relatively adorable but really, really young. Â can someone explain to me the revival of the side pony tail?? Â girls, come on now WTF?? Â
the staff at the rio are very friendly and there is lots of free parking, but i don't think i'll be running back to see a show here anytime soon. Â i really am a city girl at heart. Â jesus sandals+nappy hair+the love of jam bands really freaks me the fuck out.
They Might Be Giants rocked the Rio this weekend. Watching Birdhouse in Your Soul and Istanbul Not Constantinople live was priceless. But I'm not talking about TMBG, which I also saw the following night in SF at the Fillmore. I'm talking about how much better Santa Cruz is in comparison.
Baby, you don't know what you got till it's gone.
Compared to the Rio, the Fillmore:
- Does not have ins/outs
- Does not have convenient free public parking nearby
- Does not have adequate A/C
- Does not have adequate seating
- Does not have food/non-alcoholic drinks (yeah, apples don't cut it)
- Does not allow you to take photos
- Does not have a smoke-free/pot-free audience (this means you, Fillmore douche bags smoking out at a show with children)
After a show in Santa Cruz, you have to worry about finding an open restaurant nearby. After a show in San Francisco, you have to worry about finding your car without getting mugged.
Best thing about the Rio: being a converted movie theater, the decor is still retro snazzy, and the elevated rear seating allows you to still see the stage, even if you're all the way in the back.
Which I wasn't. Front row, baby, front row.
m/ Â @_@ Â m/
P.S. The SC show was better. Go banana slugs, go!
I really like the Rio. It's so small, but peasant. And I love all the different shows they have there. This week I saw Dave Brubeck, next week I'll be seeing They Might Be Giants!
I only give 4 stars because they only have 3 stalls in the women's bathroom. But it is an other movie theater, so there is not much they can do about that. It's just an endearing annoyance.
The Rio is a converted movie theatre that gets a lot of pretty offbeat shows, from plays to bands to magic acts. It also still plays movies. Â It never fails to amaze me how this theatre can be packed with people yet it is totally quiet during the show. You would think from looking at the crowd that peeps were ready to rock, but all that weed and patchouli really mellows people out.
Review Source: