The Underground

I'm a Nile kid from way back in the day. Like when Sam Means (guitarist from The Format) was running the door and Nate Ruess was the lead singer of a little band called This Past Year. Old school.

And it looks like nothing has changed except ownership (on paper) and maybe a fresh coat of paint here and there. The best way to get here is still off of 1st, taking a left (north) just before MacDonald into the back parking lot. The doors for both the upstairs and downstairs venues are still in an alley. And it still looks sketchy as hell. Ah memories....

I paid my cover and started my descent down the uneven, gray, broken steps w/ no rail like I had so many times before.

Seriously this place looks almost identical to how it did back in 2001. Theirs still some murals painted on a few walls as well as behind the stage. There are still holes in the walls, and the bathroom is still upstairs and questionable. Shows in the basement will always be cheap, intimate, and loud. Not to say that I didnt have a great time, but I was hoping whoever bought The Nile would work to improve it as well as the quality of the bands they book.

About the only thing thats changed is that theres actually places to go nearby for food and booze that are open later.

We'll always have 2001-2003 Nile Basement...

I've been here before, my deja vu tells me.

They've renamed the "top" venue the Nile Theater. Good luck finding it on Google, in Yelp or any other normal search effort. Had an opportunity to see Black Veil Brides on 01/05/13 for $18 and jumped last second. I should have known when I heard it was an all-ages show...

Cool:
-considered by many an "intimate venue"... yes, it's smaller than your big-name venues like Cricket or Dodge or whatever they're calling them these days, but only slightly smaller than Marquee.
-free parking on the street
-affordable tickets ($18 for all-ages show for a big-name band)
-dodgy rock'n'roll atmosphere which I like

Totally Not Cool:
I hate all-ages events. It really has nothing to do with the kids themselves (for the most part) but the restrictions and legislature that comes along with it.
-NO BAR, DRY VENUE. I cannot stress this enough. When I go to a concert, I like to get a li'l drunk and have a good time. Let's just say I wasn't a happy camper when I realized what I'd gotten myself into.
-you have to pay $2 for a "bracelet" that allows you to go outside and come back in. What is this, a punishment for smokers? My thinking is, why can't we have a bar and give the bracelets to those who are 21+ and allow people to go in and out freely??
(I'm beginning to sound like an old fart right now)
-I'm tired of kids with iPhones, and Blackberry phones videotaping and taking pictures of the whole damn show. YOU ARE MISSING THE ACTUAL CONCERT. And I can't see through your arm, hand or cell phone. When you multiply this by 30, it's difficult to see the stage AT ALL. I think that the venue should implement a new policy on this. If staff sees you filming the whole effing set, your phone gets confiscated or you get kicked out. I have an iPhone and GUESS WHAT I didn't take one single picture or video. I enjoy my concerts first-hand.
-Ma and Pop, please stay at home and let the "kids" have a little fun. If you're a Mom or Dad who likes this kind of music, leave the kids at home (there was a little girl no more than 6 at this show).
-the "bars" that are "nearby" that are "recommended" are jokes. Notice how many quotes I used. They are hotel bars. They aren't bars you'd bring a friend, a date, or yourself to.

I'll keep an eye on the Underground and the Nile Theater for upcoming shows, but I can almost guarantee that the all-ages shows will be on my shit list. I want to love you, Underground/Nile... but you're like a single mother with 200 screaming kids and you won't let me have a single scotch...

Have you ever wished you could attend a concert in a baseball players protective cup?! Well now you can, the Underground at the Nile Theater has all the same elements, DNA heavy in the air, wait air... that's not air that is sweat filled dehydration.   A stench that would make a lockeroom proud... (because of the sweaty crotch that you are literally standing in), but at least if you are having a heat stroke you can walk up stairs and buy water from the guy that threw yours in the trash can when you got there.  He got a good laugh out of that one when I brought it up "Ya, that's why we do it!"  If you love heat exhaustion, sweat, no ventalation, bands that have to stop their sets early because they are physically getting sick from the room.... then this is the place for you.  
Pros: Ashed and Embers & The Classic Crime were great, nice and close.
Cons: Venue filthy, sweltering, bands looked ready to pass out from heat, 2 working celing fans, no a/c, dehydration.... and that musky crotch smell