Irving Plaza

Security is rude and unprofessional. They would throw you out if they spot you taking videos with your camera. Would yell at you and not let you say a word as if you stole something. If only you do that then it's your problem. However, whenever I'm at this place, I see the whole crowd at the stage (and some other spots) gloving with their cameras. And nothing would happen to them. They would tape the whole show and go home. For this reason, I don't understand their "selective" policy - if you don't allow people taking videos, then throw every person out who's doing this. I think that the people who run 'Irving' should take this factor into consideration if they want those who come to see the show to enjoy the venue. Nevertheless, the place is nice and the sound is good comparatively to other venues of this type . Pros: Sound, good bands Cons: unprofessional security, crowded more

I saw Saosin perfom here recently and was surprisingly impressed. The crowd wasn't a bunch of teeny-boppers trying to be in the "punk rock" scene, and the floor was just big enough so that even if you were in the back of the venue, you could still see the band very well. Good place to see bands play.. i'll be back for sure. Pros: able to actually see the band perform Cons: bring your wallet more

This place will forever be on my list of one of the best places to see a great act. Great space, great crowd. more

just as long as they don't oversell it...place can be packed...so head to the back or off to the side to use the additional bar. upstairs has fresh air and another bar. i have seen over 20 shows here....it's an amazing place Cons: parking---but hey, it's NYC....most everyone walks more

CROWED,TOO SMALL, NO VIEW .............MUST LET TICKETS HOLDERS(BUYERS) WHEN THERE IS NO SEATING ......................JUST A WASTE OF TIME...LEFT AFTER AN HOUR....... RAY DAVIES SOUNDED GREAT THE LITTLE I HEARD.................. Pros: GOOD WHEN SEATING AVA Cons: TERRIBLE WHEN NO SEAT, TOO SMALL, TOO CROWED more

Lots of noisy kids with cigarettes but some good touring bands. Pros: good bands Cons: crowded, smokey more

Security were very rude. First they wanted us to move to the side then move back and they couldnt make up their minds. The stupid quieter nyc thing had started when i went there so they were always telling us to keep it down. During the concert they threatened one of my friends which was unnessasary. The place was extremely small and crowded. While you wait they have good music on in the background and the screen down with music videos which is really cool. The bands were great. The best thing about irving is that it has a lotta variety and at one of the cheapest prices i can find so that cancels out all the cons for me. Pros: wide variety of music, cheap Cons: rude security, crowded more

Irving Plaza is much too exhausting to see a show. You can never sit upstairs because it is VIP only. Sure you can hang out at the bar, that's alright but standing for all of those hours is a killer. more

I've been to Irving Plaza a dozen times and have seen some excellent shows there, including an incredibly lively and heartfelt performance from Neil Finn in the summer of 2002. Irving Plaza has a great feel to it - very clean and nice. Prices for beer are typical of other places in the city, but the shows I've been to are usually very reasonable - anywhere from $12 - $30. more

they have cool bands come, and sometimes you can be in for a real treat, as with the 8/14 strokes/stripes show. however, i find the boxoffice people and a couple security people to be rather rude. THe venue itself is very cool, with a big screen infront of the stage which lifts up when it starts. IMPORTANT- This venue has a worse problem with shady scalpers than pretty much any other place in the city. I think it's because they sometimes book acts that are just too big for the venue. ALMOST EVERY scalper outside of Irving is peddling fake tickets, and the door people are not gonna take pity and let you in because you got duped - trust me i've seen it more

Irving Plaza is an enjoyable place to see a show. The pre music and videos on the screen are an added bonus. I have attended roughly 10 shows here and my only major complaint is how late the shows start. But otherwise the sound is good, the prices are ok and the crowd is neat. Pros: The Bands, Sound, Atmosphere Cons: Crowded, Smokey, Oftent Late more

I can count on Irving Plaza for eclectic and quality band bookings at normally affordable ticket prices. The buy-at-the-door options to avoid TicketMaster charges is a plus, too. more

I love this place when up and coming groups are in town. Low key with can beers but just the right size. more

So your favorite band's not big enough for Madison Square Garden? Count your blessings that they'll be playing here instead. With generally excellent sound and okay sight lines (just don't try to muscle up to the upstairs railing unless you get there super early) Irving is a large room with a deceptively intimate feel. On a recent visit, I brushed by a big guy at the bar, only to realize it was a leopard-print-clad Elton John! more