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| - So full disclosure: I used to give away tickets and advertise shows on a radio show I did a while ago. However, I still believe I'm being as fair as possible.
This is hands down the best venue in the state in terms of intimacy. The upstairs room has played host to some of the best shows I've ever seen (Converge, BTBAM, etc). These shows are made better by the lack of a barrier between the stage and the crowd. This idea of being up close is an experience I cannot replicate.
The downstairs part (called the Underground) is even better. It gets sweltering hot down there. However, the shows that go on down there are only aided by that - they get fairly intense!
There is no alcohol. However, what they do sell (water, snacks, drinks, etc) is actually sold at a fair price in comparison to other venues. The venue owners and staff treat everyone like human beings and they really take care of the bands and people who go there. The prices for the shows booked here are also pretty cheap from either of the booking companies that book here (Mantooth or Kollective).
The reason why I am docking a star comes down to two reasons: the first is there isn't an easy way for disabled folks to get to the Underground. The other reason comes down to the stage layout - some shows have had to cut out their production because there wasn't the capability to do so, particularly if they had projection screens and the like. However, I believe that the intimacy that the venue provides is worth some of that production being cut out.
Overall, I do believe that this is the best venue in the state. I've been to almost all of them that metal shows play at, and every venue equal to it has shut down or has dropped off in quality (with the exception of the Yucca Tap Room). The shows are great, the people who book for the venue are genuine and kind to everyone, and all of the shows that I've seen there fail to disappoint - the staff goes out of their way to provide a good time.
If a band you like plays there, you can rest assured that you'll have a good time and it won't cost you an arm and a leg to have fun.
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