Great American Music Hall

[collectingbees]

Someone suggested that I place a review of this venue. I have worked several events here and I have seen multiple shows here, so, hopefully, my review will be useful.

Visually and acoustically, this is a marvelous historical venue. It's absolutely gorgeous and sound-wise there is not a bad seat in the house.

However, the seating is terrible. The main floor and a general admission venue like this doe better as a dance hall that it does as a seating area. It is actually more fun to sit on the balcony (because, really, how many smaller venues have charming balconies such as this? The floor seating is a mess. Seats are reserved, but there are, of course, those who do not listen to this. I really do not like the feeling of sitting in someone else's lap the whole night and smashing into someone every time I want to move my leg.

The food is pretty delicious. However, I strongly dislike the fact that they have a $20 minimum charge for all checking and credit cards. So, if you have no cash and you just want a soda, there is an immorally-gauging ATM. The poor serving staff always seems over-whelmed, but they are exceptionally nice.

The most of the staff is very nice. However, by the end of the night they were extremely rude about issuing everyone out. I understand, as someone who has worked at a lot of venues and theatre that getting people out at the end of the night (and you jobs in general) are NOT easy, but you don't have to be rude about it. From what I understand, they are strict about photos and recordings usually (?). I could understand if this were a larger venue, like the Oakland Paramount or the Fox or something, but they aren't. I am sure there is some obligatory legal thing attached to this.

Honestly, I do not think I would see anyone there again. The location is not that bad, I love that it's all-ages, but my experiences there as a patron have not been that pleasant.

Hope this helps!

[Noreen]

I have been to this venue quite a few times....in fact, the very first time I saw Vienna was here with Duncan Sheik. Back then I think the "seating" arrangement was better. Open floor and I believe there were some chairs/tables in the back and then the dinner folks were seated upstairs.

I think for each show there though, maybe it differs.

I agree that acoustically it is great and at least parking is somewhat manageable.

[tanthalas]

I've only been there once, and this has to be one of my least favorite venues - if not my least favorite venue - of all time. I've only been there for one show (last year's Christmas show), but the overall experience was just such a far cry from all the other great places that Vienna has played in the Bay Area.

But I could just be spoiled by all the great Bay Area venues where Vienna typically plays.