its ok. they have the venue set up weird were they cut the floor in half with a gate minors have to go to the balcony thing or in front of the stage. no drinks allowed on floor or balcony the sound is ehh... small stage small place but ok place. just ok.
ALSO THEY CHARGE 3 OR 5 DOLLARS AT THE DOOR IF YOU ARE A MINOR
i would suggest bringing $5 in singles to pay that quicker
.
Traveled an hour and half here to see one of my fave bands play. Â The website and tix both said doors open at 8, Â show starts 8:30. Â No opening band listed. Â
The venue is dark, hot and humid inside.  The restroom was gross (as with many nightclubs).  Can't comment on drinks since I don't indulge but I did witness some health code violations  in the bar from the balcony area (yuck).  So,  by 10pm,  still no band playing.  Really?  By that time, plenty of the audience was flat out drunk since there's nothing else to do.  Opening band started after 10,  then headliner started after 11.  Got too hot upstairs,  tried to go downstairs.  The security staff does NOT keep any paths open (which is a safety issue in case of fire or other emergency) so getting down was rough.  When I got down to the floor,  with so many drunk people,  there were tons of fights and not enough staff to break them up.  I ended up having a guy slam into me and pin my into the wall while fighting with another guy. Â
Also, Â they keep the front doors open and allow everyone to smoke right in front of them so all the smoke finds its way into the club anyway. Â So gross. You can't even walk outside without being enveloped in a smoke screen. Â
I get that some clubs falsely advertise the start times of bands to get people in early to drink but in reality, Â it just SUCKS. Â I had to sit in that awful heat for 3 hours to see the band I paid to see and then couldn't hear them well because of the loud drunks in the audience. Â ANd then to get injured in the process, Â that was the end. Â Never driving that far to see anyone there again, Â no matter how much I like the band. Â Just not worth the discomfort.
Yikes! I saw the bartender short the band $100. The poor kid asked politely where the rest of their money was and a short skinhead bouncer with neck tattoos came out of nowhere and slammed the kid into the wall. He said, "I'm going to slap you in front of all your friends". This poor kid said, "woah woah there is no problem." and turned around to leave and the bouncer pushed him from behind like a child at a playground. Unwilling to listen, it was clear  that this pathetic bouncer really wanted to pick on a Jewish keyboard player, at least 10 years younger than him.
This place had urine all over the floors and the most unprofessional staff I'd ever witnessed. Quick to be violent and selective with who they charge a cover and how much. Do yourself a favor and see music ANYWHERE else. Yikes.
BF and I decided to go bar hopping, saturday night since its our first time visiting SB. i didn't want to go in those bars were you felt really claustrophobic & end up being around drunk-tards all night(hey its entertaining sometimes watching them haha!). Â Anyways we kept walking on State st. and this place was pretty cool. Its like a punk/rock bar with a live band! ok we had to pay $5 to get in but it was worth it. It wasn't too crowded, we got seats in front of the bar right away instead of standing. Heard 2 great bands, didn't understand the lyrics but it was fun being entertained and watching random people dance to each other or just watching the band play while I kept ordering drinx: Adios,Royal flush,Kamakazi and I was done! I'm more of a hiphop/ pop music kind of person but the music the band played was something my BF mostly listens to. So we were both happy with this place and would come by and visit again! :)
Review Source:Bad venue, too much drama
Here is the main problem with Velvet Jones: they serve alcohol yet they also admit minors. I found this causes unnecessary drama and the staff do not know how to handle the situation. Skip the drama and go to a place that is 21+.
I went there specifically to see a band I like. I was disappointed to find that the size of the place was too small and was poorly laid out. A bigger venue would have accommodated the band better. I felt bad for them cause you could tell they were disappointed with the place, but they played on anyways.
I paid for a ticket in advance, arrived and got a drink. I tried to go up to the loft area to get a better view of the band. I was stopped by staff security who told me that it was a "minors only" area. So I went back and tried to make my way to the dance floor to get closer to the band. I was stopped by another staff guy who said that no drinks are allowed on the floor. So I just stood behind the barricade and watched the band over the partition.
Occasionally, some people came up and talked to me over the fence. But mostly I was just enjoying my drink and watching the band over the half-wall. At one point, some random girl approached me and asked if she could have a sip of my drink. I told her she should get her own, but she was insistent. I am a guileless person by nature and become very easygoing after I've had a few drinks. So eventually I consented to letting her have a sip. Immediately, a security guy came out of nowhere, grabbed me and pulled me outside, telling me I had given alcohol to a minor and was being thrown out.
I tried explaining that I had no idea who that person was and that she had just randomly come up to me and asked for a drink. Neither the security guy nor his supervisor would listen to reason and just ignored me, simply pulling me out on the sidewalk and turning their backs.
The situation was very poorly handled by the staff. If they are going to admit minors to the event and also serve alcohol there (a bad idea to begin with), they need to set a policy and explicitly explain to everyone who enters that they are not allowed to share drinks with anyone. And post signs around stating the same.
Furthermore, if their security guy had been standing there watching me do this (which he must have been doing to have grabbed me so quickly), why didn't he say something and stop me from doing it? Why would he just stand there and let me do something they did not allow? I had no idea this person was a minor or that the place had a policy about not sharing drinks. I would have appreciated being let off with a warning, instead of feeling like I had intentionally been entrapped by their security guy.
The bottom line: Velvet Jones is not the best venue for live music, nor does it even pass as a bad excuse for a nightclub. They need to resolve their problematic policies regarding alcohol being served around minors. Otherwise, I would recommend steering clear of this place if you would like a night without drama.
Lesson learned, money lost, and I missed seeing the band whom I was looking forward to seeing all month.
Here's a little story for you:
As an undergrad at UCSB, I had a positive view of Velvet Jones. Â Since, I have always been glad to see their business up and running amongst many of the other bars, etc. . that have changed ownership or just gone under completely. Â Last year, friends and I saw Honey Honey and Owen Plant play there, and had an amazing time.
A couple of weeks ago, I waited in a long line to get back in, again to see (as I thought) Honey Honey play. Â I was meeting some friends who were already inside (apparently) and had paid only $10. Â When I finally get to the front of the line, the bouncer stamps my hand and some other guy tells me the charge is $15. Â When I express my confusion, he offers absolutely no sympathy and instead tells me I can just leave if I don't want to pay $15 (keep in mind, I am one attractive girl amidst dozens and dozens of sword-fighters). Â
When I pay him another $5 (at this point, his rudeness makes me not want to enter, but my friends are waiting for me inside, or so I think) and begin to walk in, he grabs me by my shoulder and jerks me back, shouting that I did not pay.
By the time I eventually get inside (after paying a total of $25), I let the inside doorman know how I was treated, and he sympathizes with me, acknowledging that the promoter at the door had also been rude to his brother. Â Not a minute later, I look around, and it hits me: Â my friends are at SoHo, not Velvet Jones! Â I immediately leave and tell the bouncer I want my money back. Â After an initial refusal, he concedes ($15 worth) and I overhear him call me a moron to a cracked-out-looking-probably-not-yet-21-year-old-Âgirl he's letting inside. Â
Just lovely. Â Â I highly DO NOT Recommend this place. Â Until they fire that promoter, that is. Â
In the mean time, Soho put on a great show, I didn't pay a dime, and spent what money I had left on drinks at their bar.
This place does get a good grip of artists but I have been three times so far and had an alright time. Overall, its just way too crowded and if you are not twenty one, they dont give a crap about you. I found the people working there to be not very nice and simply too crowded to enjoy.
Review Source:Live music. Great Sound. Rad People. Fairly priced drinks. *Full disclosure I am friends with the staff and owner, but Velvet is truly holding it down for live music in SB.
I don't think (most) people realize how important it is to SB , our music scene and State St. Viva Velvet. Here's to a great 2011... If you are from outta town, go check out a show here. It will probably be fun. At the very least, Donald will get you drunk.
I saw Bad Astronaut here on the first night of their tour, it was intimate, drinks were affordable, and it's surrounded by awesome places to eat before or after a show. Â Sound was good, layout is awkward but not a big deal. Â There's plenty of seating. This is one of my favorite venues I've ever been to.
Review Source:Pros: They've booked some of my favorite Bay Area artists, and given the small size of the venue it's not hard to push towards the front of the stage. You can be up close and personal with your favorite artists! Or dance on stage with Too Short :)
Cons: disgusting bathrooms.. but what's new, and the bouncers could lose some of their I'm Holier than God attitude..again, what's new
A great venue that could stand some minor improvements.
Pros - They book good bands that you normally wouldn't be able to see on a small stage. That is reason enough to LOVE this venue. The staff is friendly, the sound system is awesome, and they sell pizza in the back. Nuff said.
Cons - it feels like they oversell their shows. It's impossible to move in this joint when they have a full house. Also, 18+ ... Really? I can't take a beer to the front of the stage cause of these kids? Pack em in the balcony where they belong or don't let them in at all. Sorry kids, I'm getting old and grumpy. Papa needs some elbow room for him and his dranks.
I'm not the biggest fan of this place, as 18 and uppers are regulars. Â I'm not hating! Â I definitely used to be one of them - sloppy, obnoxious, and annoying. Â I know how it is. Â But of course, as is the case most of the time, once one achieves 21 years of life, escaping the under 21 zoo is pure liberation. Â Why hang around when you don't have to? Â I'm more of a mellow girl and prefer not to have kids pick fights or have juvenile boys try to holler. Â
The venue itself looks super rock 'n' roll; it's dark and dirty. Â The bar looks enticing and I can confirm the bar quenches thirst as well. Â However, since most events here are 18+, there are limitations on where you can drink that booze. Â I'm not a fan of this.
This is the closest thing to a traditional music club that Santa Barbara has. Speaking as a city girl who is used to having a plethora of music venues to choose from, this place is pretty good, having national and local bands. I think all shows are all ages (or at least 18+), which is nice for Santa Barbara, but they shove the under 21-ers upstairs so they can't be temped by the bar. You're not allowed to have drinks up by the stage (again, don't tempt the juveniles), but you can farther back. Drinks are a little pricey for being served in plastic cups, but it's State Street, what do you expect? The bartenders are super nice though!
Review Source:I love this place. It's perfect to hang out and meet people. There was karaoke going on in the front with a fireplace towards the back if you're cold. In the other room were darts and billiards. The beer selection was good. Overall, a very comfortable place where you're going to have a blast!
Review Source:Yeah. No. It's just not for me. I dunno. I came here once with a friend of mine and we we're both so grossed out  we left like 30 min into it. There wa shit all over the floor and I'm not talking spilled drink there was like gum, trash everywhere, some dude standing near us at the bar kept spitting on the floor I was disgusted. SO I'm like "maybe it's just near the bar?" we head over to the seats which are like super fucked up and just look like someplace you don't want to park your ass. Long story short we were like fuck this and headed to Q's.
Review Source:Oh god.
The memories of this place. Like getting drunk on News Years with the former bartender, Lager, on his day off (his treat) and then accidentally tipping him $50 a week later.
WHoops! I guess $40 plus $5 tip doesn't equal $90.
Needless to say, I've seen several friends bands here, and many other small time bands with talent and no talent. As close to an indie/punk bar as you're going to get in SB. Always an interesting crowd and never a dull moment.
hahaha i cant believe this place is getting 5 stars from everyone, thats awesome... i use to drink here 5 days a week and skipped the weekends... id cruz my bike (bmx) there and parked it in the back...ok ok... my buddy owns this place and my band used to rock the house. funny thing is i think my ex singer is working the pizza counter inside. i always liked this place because it was the best spot for live music. sharkeez is across the street and Q's is next door, but im not a dress up and go out to pick up chicks kinda guy... besides the girls that craig hires are not only stunning, but they are really chill...
Review Source:My friend was just accepted to UCSB, so we decided to stay on State Street for the weekend and explore Santa Barbara.
On friday night I drove up from Pomona and after a 2 Â hour drive I was feeling kinda grumpy.
So Mari and I head out and get something to eat.
After that, we were wandering around State st. and we heard this awesome music coming from a cool looking bar. We asked how much the cover was, only $5.00...we decided to go for it.
I didn't regret it at all! (my hungover head might have though...)
The band we walked in on was called "the hundred days" and they were so awesome I bought their cd. I felt bad because there wasn't really anyone there, I would say approx 20 people in all. But everyone was diggin the vibe.
The bartender was awesome, he hooked us up with tasty alcoholic beverages which wrecked us, but that's what I wanted, after the craptastic week I had. Mission accomplished.
So after the band was done we say on these comfy barstools and took pictures of ourselves clawing at the cute leopard table cloths.
I would totally go here again.
I love Velvet Jones. One of the few places in town I actually enjoy going out to. First of all, Newcastle on tap. love it! Secondly, one of the only clubs in town that plays actual live bands. What a concept! Not playing "top 40" hits all night! Â
This is where you come to punk rock it up in Santa Barbara. They have punk rock karaoke, which, if you've never gone there, is one hell of a good time. A live band (I think mainly Code 415, but I'm not sure) Â plays punk songs, and you get to go pretend you're a lead singer! good times! A few times I saw signs that said no moshing, but whenever they have a punk band here...I still mosh...I've slipped on that tiny little floor lots of time....but that's where the fun is!
Generally, I've always, always had a good time here. They used to have an after hours poker game too...but that got shut down fairly quickly.
Also, they have Too Live Crew play here, you gotta love that!
One the places I miss most since leaving Santa Barbara, with out a doubt.
"There's Nothing Like A Greasy Late Night Handy"
My roommate, with a couple hours help from myself, just built their pizza kitchen before going off to Cal Poly Pomona for Aerospace Engineering this year. That was an interesting endeavor... So when the first pizzas came out of the ovens we could not believe it. THEY ARE THE BOMB!!! Forget Uncle Rocco's crappy, thin, overcooked, and overpriced pizza, mozy on over to Velvet Jones. The pizza is fluffy, delicious, and VERY reasonably priced at about $3 a slice and pizzas at a flat rate of $20 (The ovens are quite efficient machines and can pump out a new pizza every 12 minutes or so) Plus, the menu is to die for and filled with various sexual inuendos and endeavors that you've only heard of but know not a brave soul who would dare try: the Stranger, the Handy, the Blumpkin, the Mud-Pipe, the Pant-load, the Circle Jerk, the Cleveland Steamer, and the Dirty Sanchez (It's a PB&J Sandwich!). But the pizza really is good. The best part is IT'S RIGHT IN THE BAR!!! You never have to leave! "Damn, I need to eat something before I drink enough to kill a Tijuana zebra painted donkey otherwise I'm going to have one hell of a headache! That's right! I'll just get a slice of pizza at Handy's! Thank You Craig!!!
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