Went here to see live music, and also played here (with Crimson Coil).The staff was top notch, friendly, and knew their stuff. Cant say enough about the stage manager, Austin, and sound crew. Made us comfortable, and feel well cared for. Sound on stage was great.The security team was great this time. Went over who the band members were and where the band members would be with Gabriel, and John as James, the head of security suggested. The band, and the guests felt very comfortable, safe, and supported by this part of the venue.Dont know how it could have been better.
One hours a waste of timeId ask if you feel the sameStill pushing that chance to tryYour breath in this cool room chillLong hair that blows side to sideYou speak and make time stand stillAnd each time walk right on byCant count all the eyes that stareCant count all the things they seeShe kills with no life to spareJust victims are left to bleedOne drink and the pain goes downSoft shadows lay by her feetLay soft as you slowly drownLay still as you fall asleep (fall asleep)Blink 182
Cool place, bartenders are chill. Drinks are average priced for any music venue. The guards are pretty strict about the rules, but the place is clean and well kept. No moshing allowed, but its mostly local normies that show up here. Lots of parking close to the venue, and its downtown if you want to make a night out of it.
I was at the show on 3-29-24 for the Nicotine Dolls. I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I really enjoyed myself. The venue was amazing, the band was amazing and then, there was the security staff. The security staff put my night over the top. They were spectacular! From Tasha working the VIP line and door to Armando working the floor inside and guiding my party where to go. We were up front at the stage and that is where we met Thomas and Wayne. They made sure we had ear plugs since we were right next to the speaker. Top notch all the way! I look forward to seeing more shows at the venue in the future. Thank you all for a great night!
Staff great and polite.Drinks decently priced.Good views of stage everywhere within venue.Epic sound system, love feeling the sound waves blasting.Just as epic projections and lighting, really adds to the showFloor stage, and two verandas.Bathrooms easy to access.Very clean.Been to venue on different shows. Depending on show the layout varies.For one artist, it was open access to floor stage and verandas.For the other artist a few weeks later, floor was open access, second floor veranda had a few pre reserved tables/chairs, third floor open access but did not open up until the concert was well underway, (approx halfway after it had started).Temperature is regulated, leave jacket in your car.
I have been to this venue a few times for different bands and have always had a great time. There are 3 levels and there’s plenty of space in front of the stage so you can see and dance. Getting drinks is easy and the sounds has always been on point. It’s pretty great I’d highly recommend catching a show if there’s a band you like playing at this venue.
Interestingly shaped venue, but overall pretty great experience. You can sit on the chairs in the back for rock shows, and nobody gets mad. I’m a concert photographer and the photo pit was somewhat awkward, we had to crawl over boxes/speakers which is unusual. Staff were nice though. Thanks Music Box!
Super cool venue. We had a great time at the Winehouse Experience which was made even better by Thomas working the floor security. He goes above and beyond to get you in the best spot to see the show.
I didnt know what good service they have for disabled people. I was able to request an ADA seat, and when it got crowded, security would bring drinks and process payment. Thats a godsend to me. All the staff were super polite too. I was able to relax and enjoy the show.
The band was amazing! We saw Deja Vu, a CSN&Y tribute!, opening for Hello Mr Soul, Neil Young tribute! Incredible guitarists, and singers, all of them! Sound was great as well! Very disappointed in the food and drinks offered. Not what the website indicates at all!! Said they were updating the kitchen, and were limited in what they could offer until updated. However, with VIP requirements in food and drinks, makes it difficult to get there! Not happy that wasn’t disclosed! It will be interesting to see if changes are completed the next time!
This venue is very narrow so the crowds just goes straight back so you cannot see anything once you’re in the middle/back of the crowd. What makes it worse is the balcony of the second floor railing blocks the view of the stage for the people behind it. (The show I went to was sold out so this is probably not a problem for less crowded shows)
The Music Box was great.Went to see the Little Brother show on 3/3/23. We decided to ask if there were any VIP tables available for our party of 4, and luckily they had one table left. Took us up right away. Had our own server, gave great drink recommendations and did not dissapoint, all the drinks and food we had were great! Server was great! Would definitely recommend and will be back.
I’ve seen many shows here. The stage is excellent the sound system is the right volume , powerful but not too loud. I like the service from the staff and the bathroom valet service .
This was my first indoor music venue and I loved it! Small, yet more personal. Upper and lower bar and (clean) bathrooms which is great. I would give it a 5 star, however the main performer experienced technical issues during his walk out song, as well as 3 different occasions of microphone screeching. Pretty unacceptable.
Amazing venue that is three stories high and each story you can see the stage and from the comfort of your table for the most part. The lighting there is spot on which makes it easy to get great photographs regardless if you use an iPhone or a professional camera. They have tons of local bands playing here that are both well established and up and coming and a lot of bands from Hawaii as well as from around the world. If you havent been here I highly suggest you check it out and support live music.
Music Box is the upscale version of Spin. There are 3 levels with lots of rooms and nooks and crannies to be in if you want to get away from the main large dance floor.There is a bar on every floor and plenty of bathrooms. There is a lot of bench seating on the sides if you dont want to dance.There are two paid parking lots next to it and across from it that charge between $10-$20 to park (depending on the day of the week).
Venue was good, great sound. Only compliant, and what I think is a pretty big one, is security did not check any bags or do any wand/pat downs. I think this might be the first venue/show I have ever walked into that had absolutely no security measures in place upon entry.
Great time at emo night tour! Staff was amazing. Tony was Great! First time going to Music Box and will definitely be back!
I love live music and this is a good venue. I have been here multiple times. I recently came to see El Gran Silencio! As of August 2021, the venue requires covid vaccine or negative covid test(within the last 72 hours). At first, I thought the covid policy was inconvenient, but I felt safe once I was inside the venue. I was able to relax and enjoy the show because management reduced the risk of contagion. There are multiple parking lots all around the venue. The sound is good (a little loud maybe I am getting old but next time I will wear ear plugs for protection), bathrooms are okay. I still don’t get why theres a person in the lady’s bathroom with soap and napkins in exchange for tips (I guess if you need deodorant, they have some 😝). What really surprised me was the quality of the cocktails. “Dark side of the mule” was perfect! Husband got Mezcal. Security was nice 👍 gracias for traer bandas mexicanas y por su sensibilidad cultural 🙏
Great venue for shows, great sound but ..Recently friends and family of the evening performer bought tickets, got 2 tables , ordered food and drinks and were kicking it , enjoying the show when the security guy in that photo ..Joe? came for no reason demanding that I leave the table and go join the standing crowd .We were all shocked as he became aggressive and attempted to physically grabbed me . We had to have a manager calm him down . Ruined the vibes
Has great performance hit bands from the 70s and 80s. It needs more seating accommodation, but the venue is nice.
I think this is my favorite venue in San Diego. The options of the first or third floor is, hands down, its best feature. Ive been here for many shows, and I am sure I will be here again soon!
One of the best venues in San Diego to experience music because of the various levels of viewing, the incredible sound system, and the enjoyable atmosphere. My first visit a few years ago was for a NAMM Foundation benefit featuring Herb Alpert and his wife Lani Hall, one of the original singers in Sergio Mendez & Brazil 66.More recently I saw The B-Side Players Nancy Sanchez and The Trimmers. Again, Great Music, Great Sound, delicious food and a great time had by all@nancysanchezmusic @mexicanspitfire1
Perfect spot to see your favorite artist pop-ups. Eric bellinger and Steven G did they thang! If you are at the top level, you might rub shoulders with said performers that night . I did and didnt even know they were with Eric or who they were until after they performed.Cool spot
Absolutely spectacular venue, small enough to make you feel like youre right there with the artist but big enough so that all your friends fit too. We did the dinner and a concert pass which was surprisingly inexpensive for what we got. I highly recommend booking a concert here if you are in the San Diego area
I went with my girlfriend to see JMSN! First and foremost, JMSN was off the HOOK! my experience at music box was a good one from waiting in line (the staff there completely friendly and approachable) to going inside. Everyone seemed welcoming and smiling and it just made my partner and I more hyped. Speaking of partner, my partner has a disability, and the place was accommodating. She brought her walker... The kind that has a chair so that was nice.The lighting made for a great atmosphere and it was cool seeing the higher levels in the place. I personally was up front by the speaker and to the left and it was an amazing experience. They have ear plugs if you need them but I didnt use them. I FELT the music as intended. The drinks came fast and the bartenders were on point. The bathrooms are clean. At least the womens lol. The JMSN set was awesome!!! My only suggestion is to have white lighting on the musician. Unless JMSN preferred being in red lighting... In that case nevermind. IDK if it was the comradery of JMSN fans or what, but I found everyone was respectful of one another no matter if you were in the front row... Middle or back...There is a bench alongside the wall which made it nice for my partner to be able to sit and anyone else who wanted and needed that option. My favorite thing about MUSIC BOX is that it has such an intimate feel and REALLY allows you to connect intimately with your artist/musician/idol etcIll definitely be back!
I’ve gone to four shows at this venue now, with musical genres ranging from swing/jazz to indie to hip-hop, and it all sounds amazing in this space.The acoustics are great and it’s on the small side, so come here for the music. You can easily get within 10-15’ from the stage if you wait it out during the opening set.Drinks are good and, yes, a bit pricy, but they’re usually promoting something for cheaper. Only thing: the venue is narrow and long, so if you decide to walk back to the bar during a set, good luck getting back to your original spot.
Very small venue no seating except for the perimeters and the acoustics were not the best but the location was good and artwork was beautiful behind the bar, it consisted of the pipes of a pipe organ. Also the concrete staircase was impressive although we were unable to go up the stairs for the event .enjoyed hearing multiple bands especially The tourmaliners. great !!!!!
Fantastic venue. Great sound; videos between act changes, which were quick and smooth. Polite and helpful security and bar staff. I especially appreciated the veggie burrito. Good setup for merch tables. Wide age range of friendly and happy people in the crowd last Sunday.
Great place great sound quality and great service. We encountered an exceptional young lady i believe her name is Joe Marie. This lady went out of her way to make our time fun and special. She took a genuine interest in our experience there. Very professional!. We will be back. Thank you
Great venue for watching a live show. Many high-quality cover bands play at music box.
Great venue! Veggie sliders were delicious and servers were friendly and attentive. My drink (the house old-fashioned) was a bit blah for the price, but the quality of the sound was so good, I consider the drink a small complaint. The 3 levels of viewing area made for several options of places to enjoy the performance from and the place was remarkably clean for a club. I also appreciated the convenient parking.
Nice venue, very club like feel, but well kept. Got in early for a show and snagged a bench seat. Outside of standing most other seats are VIP. Had a super nice waitress come and help us order drinks and food. Only issue was closing out, since only that person can do it, cant close your tab at the bar.
Just went here with 2 other ladies and had a blast! Did VIP this time and truly felt special. David, our waiter, was very friendly and attentive. And, the view of the band was spectacular! Definitely a night to remember!
Great space with a well-equipped stage and synchronized lights. Parking may be difficult to find on the street. The bar sells typical drinks for around $20. There are also two upper levels above the dance area.
I will keep coming here for select artists but it is not my favorite venue in town.The good: Well run venue in terms of staff and security. Very clean. Good sound, but not exceptional. I enjoy their third story balcony. Their promoter does get some solid headliners, from various genres.The bad: The sight lines are not great, especially because it’s a narrow building and they close off a floor for VIP and a section on the ground, squishing the general admission audience. They have bathroom caddies that get mad if you don’t tip them. Drinks are a bit more expensive then other venues.Show up early and stake out a spot if you want to see the artists without an obstructed view.
Sound is so so, music was way too loud and reverb was constsnt. Drinks are way expensive, if you are under 59 forget about seeing the show from the floor. As with anything the more you spend the better your experience. The 3rd floor is great to get away from the crowds, outside balcony is very nice.
I have attended many shows at this awesome venue and the most recent was this past weekend. The staff, sound system, stage management and atmosphere are outstanding. San Diego is very fortunate to have this premiere club. Thank you for all that you do!
I’ve attended shows at the Music Box several times over the years, including a few shows recently. The sound is always superb, and everyone, from front door staff, to bartenders and wait staff, to technical crew and stage/sound support that I’ve had contact with as a musician are very friendly and competent. We are lucky in San Diego to have a live music venue of this caliber when so many others have fallen by the wayside.
Great experience no doubt one of the best venues in San Diego a must go!!! Any kind of show they got it!!! Bartenders are the best all of the security staff top flight!!! Even the dude in the down stairs bathroom was freaking great!! I been there twice already looking to already go again!! Cant wait!! Thank you for the great experience music box staff and performers!!
Had a great time. Was not overly crowded. Went to see Ragdolls & Queen Nation with a friend and had a blast! I liked the service in the women bathroom. The lady was very nice and funny! She dispenced soap and paper towels to all the customers and had a wide range of toiletries to buy if needed. The beer was very good!
Nice venue. Was disappointed that parts were off limits, such as upstairs balcony. Show was sold out, would have been nice to have it open. Way better sound than when I saw the same group at Belly Up. Too many VIP seats for my taste. The dinner ticket combo was an awesome deal. Mixed drinks were delicious.
Miguel the security was an absolute legend, patient and great vibes our group appreciate him.Inzo absolutely killed it.
Was there recently to see the band, Steely Damned. The sound was good and the service was decent. I thought the venue was clean as well. I’m not a fan of bathroom attendants. It cost me $6 to use the bathroom, might have been higher, I didn’t cave into the pressure from this guy. I felt uncomfortable 🆗✍️ Shout out to David the server. Good kid. I found out days later they serve food somewhere but dont think they advertised it to the customers that night, because we would have ordered something.
Had a great time seeing The Church. Would definitely come back. Smaller venue but not too small. OK beer selection.Edit: 03/24/2018Recently saw langhorne slim perform a solo set. Another really good experience. The woman in box office was kind and accommodating. The gentlemen working the door were personable and friendly. Bartenders were attentive and patient. The rest of the staff was friendly and were really easy going. The lighting and sound were spot on and captured the intimate performance by a passionate man. I had a fantastic time.
Went to see medium build but was really surprised at how professional, friendly and helpful the staff was. Extremely high praise to Thomas over there.
Great venue! Intimate vibes while still having plenty of room to dance. Love the three levels and that there is a bar and bathrooms on each. Security team were friendly while still quickly dealing with a any issues that arose.
A previous place i use to go too, but now wanted to check out the new venue. Good sound, great location of a mixed age group, decent price of tix. Majority wearing mask.Downside, bar area needs another staffer and improved spacing; mens restroom was not attended to, basically a mess. This band was 🔥!
Fantastic place to see some amazing bands. Such an energetic lively place! I love going to concerts here!! @RadioThieves and @MustacheHarbor are fantastic!!
Went to a local record company party this week. Great place to see a show while supporting local music. You can stand, sit, chill at the bar in back, or go VIP upstairs. Great gig!
I worked with Music Box to coordinate a private event for a local non-profit. Music Box and the staff was full service and super accommodating. Once there on site and day of the event, the supporting staff were incredibly helpful and made everything so easy for us. Having their own catering/food options, security, ticketing, A/V support made it super helpful and easy for us. I loved this venue for concerts and I love it even more for private events! Id definitely use them again in the future!
I saw The Springsteen Experience, first time there, it was a lot of fun, they serve drinks and food, pay extra to stay at a table or go upstairs, parked In parking lot nearby for $20.Admission was on $20. This band was pretty good.
The best venue ever. G Flip and Kat Cunning simply amazing.
Really cool vibe and a lot of good acts coming through. I wanted to take a star off because its a bit difficult to get around and the sound is only good if youre up close, but the lighting is too good.Security and other staff hustle hard, but they have to move through the crowd a lot which is a bummer when youre in the back.Also, you cant drinks out to smoke, which is odd. But at least they have someone watching the drinks.What Im saying, is this place is good but Id give it 4 stars except the lighting is above average for that size of venue.
We were able to get really up close to the stage thanks to Thomas!! great security!!
Great venue because of the staff - very nice and welcoming! We actually tried the food and that was good, too. I cant wait to go to another show here.
Had a great time last night. Staff at front door are welcoming and friendly. The manager Damien was accommodating to my personal requests. Dj Chris Herrera was who went to see, however all dj’s including the headliner, were really connecting with the crowd providing a great atmosphere. I’ll def recommend this venue. Looking forward to the next. Thanks music box
1st time visit to the Music Box to see the awesome Plague Vendor from Whittier, CA. Cool club. The sound & stage set up was very good. I stayed on the floor stage left but it looks like there is VIP seating on the right side of the club from the floor onto the upper 2 levels. Recommended place to see live music, Ill come back for sure.
Went last night to see DJ Quik, was in the front row standing for 3 hours waiting for him to come on and it was SO hot I felt like I was gonna pass out. Had to give up my front row to leave outside. Very nice female security guard helped me get out swiftly. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the performer I came to see after that as it was extremely crowded and there was no viewing the stage on any floor.So I was not happy about the lack of air in that very crowded space. Also not enough places to sit down for a minute and many staff were rude.. A lot of drama in the place with the concert goers, wouldn’t return. Bartender was cool.
My son Otto used to work here as a sound engineer. When he passed away, they held a memorial there and it was such a great venue, and everyone was wonderful.
This venue exceeded all of my expectations. Paid parking across the street. The bathrooms clean. The free water they offer is fantastic. Ive been to other venues and their tap water has a strong taste and makes my stomach ill, but this water is chilled and filtered. The sound was amazing. Friendly staff
So this was a pleasant little gem. I was waiting for a show at a venue nearby and needed some dinner. Place was not busy, sat at the bar. Staff were fun and joking around, made this solo traveler happy to be around. Food was amazing, wine was great, highly recommend. Very casual, would definitely go again.
Was there a few days ago for emo night, not gonna lie the event is fun and all, but I got completely scammed at the entrance by security. First off, we had a reservation in which my friend, the birthday girl, had already paid for 2 $300 tables. We were planning on spending more than that since it was many of us, but the experience with the staff ruined it and we left as soon as we hit 300. At the entrance, the security girl said each table was only for 6 people and at first it was 7 of us so one of us had to pay. I offered to pay, she took me to the side of the venue where theres no cameras and charged me $40 just for me. I said whatever, but later I heard her charging other people $20. Also, when the rest of the group got there for the second table, she charged each $20. I asked her why she charged me $40 and she said since it was a bigger group at once she was just charging them less. Obviously took me somewhere where theres no cameras so there wouldn’t be evidence of her getting her extra $$$. I work at a bar and I know they do this at a lot of places, but it did leave a bad impression on all of us so will not be back there for sure. I paid cause I just wanted to go in and not stress my friend as it was her birthday so I rather not fight it. Its only $40 at the end of the day, but it does leave a bad impression of the place for sure, sorry for the owner cause Im sure she/he doesn’t have idea his employees are doing this and leaving a bad face to the venue.
Classic small, terrible, venue that for some reason has good reviews. Sound system cant hold up to the amount of people in the venue; you hear more talking than music. Info said show was until 1am but show stopped at 11:50pm, a whole hour short.Dont come here, dont waste your money. Even the artist we saw (One more time) played a shorter and different (worse) show than usual at other venues.
My experience at music box was incredible! The workers there were very accommodating to my needs. If you have any difficulties that make you question whether you can come, I am confident you can still have a way to have an amazing time! Best night ever!
While on a trip, I was in need of a drop in session. The staff was very helpful and accommodating and the studio was friendly and warm. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a great music studio.
Fantastic Little Italy music venue! Music Box is one of the few places left that dont charge a ticket service fee if you buy tickets at the box office, so I highly recommend that. They get great performers and the space is really accommodating with great sound. Great venue with great staff!
We love coming to music box. Get the opera boxes. We love coming here. Tasha and Kräg always make it so easy and fun. We love music box shows, the sound is amazing. Can’t wait to come back - but don’t take my booth.
Perfect size venue. Good sound . Parking no problem.
A very attractive intimate venue. Large bar area. Staff was friendly and helpful. Parking maybe a issue. Take the trolley and enjoy the neighborhood of Little Italy.🤘❤️
Excited to see Princess Goes at the Music Box. I was so disappointed with the sound quality… There was a speaker that kept going in and out right in front.And nothing was done to try and repair it during the show. ☹️
Tried to walk up and ask how much tickets were and the multiple people standing at the door letting people in turned their backs to us and ignored us even though we were right in front of them and they clearly heard us.
Was stoked for the show there, but as a first time attendee there Ill say this...be prepared to pay extra for tickets, for drinks, for a seat, for courtesy. The venue isnt very conducive if you really want to sit back and watch and enjoy a show. Very linear. Overbearing security upstairs even though tables and booths sat empty, we were told we couldnt be in the empty booth area next to ours and got the stinkeye anytime we even stood up to get a quick photo or go to the bathroom. Maybe it was just because of the show I went to but the dancefloor was lame. Like 2 people getting down and aside from that it was packed with late 30s hipster dudes who were too cool to do anything but stink like hoppy IPAs and talk over the show the whole time.
Cool venue saw a dope band with my boys there (Zeptune). Only giving 3 stars because security kept making my boy Josh put his shirt back on. Pretty lame cause he’s got SUCH a sweet bod and everyone was so stoked about it. Posting here hoping for real change so next time we are there all my boys can be shirtless just as nature intended.
Music box is a great little venue. It’s small, quaint, but perfect if you’re local or even just visiting in town, I recommend checking out a show there. They have everything from locals to once in a while a national at their well-known in the city of San Diego I just love this place. It’s one of my favorite hang out bar clubs in San Diego that’s small and has good life music.
Awesome venue, high stage and 3 levels. 2nd and 3rd level weren’t accesible even though bottom floor was full. Was hoping to sit and enjoy a concert off our feet but it is what it is.
Best. Venue. In. San. Diego. Hands down!! Music Box is the premier place to see ANYONE! I’ve been here for so many shows and each time has been it’s own unique experience. Best sound in SD for a venue and best venue staff in San Diego. Bar none.
I saw Apashe here last night. The show itself was great! Ive been to this venue a couple of times and have always enjoyed it. The venue is great intermediate size, the lights are good, the audio is great, and the vast majority of the staff is kind and helpful.The thing is: You guys have a problem in one particular security guard, and hes legitimately going to land you a lawsuit one of these days. He was working at the very front, stage left. Big beard, glasses, backwards cap, big dude.This guy seems to think it is totally OK to be laying his hands on people without cause, but he is very much mistaken.He is not law enforcement, he is a private citizen working a job for a private establishment, and per California law, a person commits battery when they (1) willfully and unlawfully touch someone in a harmful or offensive manner, and (2) did not act in self-defense or in defense of someone else.I came into the venue with a vape in my satchel. The same satchel that was inspected upon entry. Not a word was said to me about it, or that the venue does not allow vaping.Inside I vaped while in the crowd and blew it up. No effort to hide at all. I was unaware of the venues rules and no effort had been made to communicate them to me by anyone. The fact that I did not inform myself is on me, but that doesnt justify this guys treatment. The lack of hiding probably couldve have clued this guy into the situation, but nah, he went straight for excess.Im a small person and this guy is probably +250lbs, i.e. more than twice my size. Without so much as a single prior word, he felt it was appropriate to come around the side, grip me by the upper arm while Im dancing, forcefully pull me towards him, and refuse to let go until I handed him my vape. That is battery!When I approached him after the show to have a conversation with him about returning my property, the guy just doubled down on being a rude, disrespectful a-hole. When I pointed out to him that he was behaving as such, he emphatically repeated to me: I dont care. I get that he probably deals with some difficult people, but that is no excuse to mistreat people from the get go. All over a stupid vape.After the show, a friend of mine told me a vape fell out of another attendees purse, and when my friend went to pick it up, this guy forcibly ripped the vape out of her hand. Also, as people were leaving the venue, I saw another concert goer (who was actively trying to exit the building) have to remind this guy that HE CANT TOUCH PEOPLE!This guy is nothing more than an angry bully on a power trip, plain and simple. People like that dont belong in any position of authority, minor as the position may be.Im not gonna boycott the Music Box or something dumb like that. I like the venue and have not had a single issue with any other employee.Odds are good that Ill be back, and when I am, this guy better not lay a single finger on me again.
Really cool vibe and venue! If you live in or near SD and you haven’t seen a show here I highly recommend it. Venue is intimate and has a great sound! Thomas of Tomas the security guard who oversees the VIP area on the bottom level is the best and makes sure you feel like a VIP and your well taken care of!Not all the staff are quite is friendly which is why it’s 4 and not 5 stars
Not getting the staff are amazing thing. Bar staff are great - the door monitors are rude, unprofessional, affirmative action jerks who clearly hate their job. This place puts on some great shows...if you can get past the impression of the oxygen thieves on the door.
Great sound on this venue! Might of been helped by the amazing sounds of Drew Zingg. Jeff Skunk Baxter, Kevin Carlock, Mike Stern, and Tom Scott!
Great venue, had a blast at the Prof show. Tickets are not expensive and no bad views. General admission is on floor level and VIP is on upper levels.
An intimate triple decker concert hall that is great to see your favorite bands! General admission is SRO, but tables are available, reasonably priced, and seat at least 6 which splits up the cost, and the price was applied to your food and bev!I definitely will be back!
In spite of being Downtown, this venue had a nice vibe to it. 10 bucks for a draft lager seems pricey. The sound system was loud enough so you could hear clearly anywhere in the venue, but not so loud to make you deaf. Seating is super limited as with most venues. Staff is nice and cordial, but not giving the impression of neighborhood bar. Security was present, but not overbearing. The bathroom for the men, had that odor emanating from them, you know the one, cleaner and a overtone of urinal cakes. The lineup looking forward is various and crosses many genres, loads of cover or tribute bands, maybe too many, kind of get that feeling. The crowd on the night I attended was older and relaxed. I found parking easily three or four blocks away, surprising as it was a Friday night in Downtowns Columbia District, heading into the bustling Little Italy. Nice enough place, too much for the drinks, decent sound system, okay parking and an accessible first floor.
We had an amazing time at the show and the opera box experience was top notch the staff was super kind and attentive special props to security Latasha who helped make us feel taken care of🙌
Drove TWO HOURS with several people excited all week to see Lemon Twigs tonight.Paid for 2hr parking considering show starts at 8.Opening band took 2hrs alone so I went to go buy parking…NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED I was told twice. Drove 2+hours exhausted from work to see a band I love and they couldn’t let me walk LITERALLY A FEW FEET to the parking to buy more time. Absolutely atrocious. Ruined my YEAR to say the least, ☹️. Also It’s standing and CROWDED so it gets real hot and smelly real quick, strangers rubbing up on you/getting in front of you when you were there first, 0 manners ect. Also the staff right from the get go were very rude to me. Don’t go, I’ll NEVER be back.I’m just bummed they got my money even once.
This venue, puts the audience up close and personal to the preforming artist, allowing for an intimate environment, while allowing for the space to allow you to still enjoy either a little dancing, cheering, stand and chill moments, or even share company if you are there with some of your peers. Recommended!!!!
James was great! Took great care of us.
The music Box is one of the best places in San Diego for live music. The bartending staff is always awesome and regardless of the crowds eyes then make strange really quickly. There are 2 bars. 2 floors and most of the time people are very friendly so excuse me and well get you to the front of the venue for your favorite Performer. They Added some good snacks a few years ago so you can quickly have a meand use the I top tables provided upstairs.
Two words, AMAZING VENUE! We have been to the Music Box quite a few times but there is nothing better than being able to see your son on stage performing. First of all, the staff is always great. Friendly, helpful, service is on point. The box seating on the second floor offers a great, mainly unobstructed view of the stage and actually the entire venue. We had the opportunity to sit in the owners box during one show and it was literally the best view of the venue hands down, we had a direct view of the stage.The food is really good as well. Box seats typically have dedicated servers for food and drinks (depends on event, sometimes you just order food and drinks from the bar). In the past we ordered from our box seats and food and drinks were delivered quickly. The sliders and pepperoni flatbread are always our go to’s during shows. Our daughter also loves their fries with ranch. This last weekend we ordered directly from the bar, we’re given a number and food was brought directly to our seats. Drinks from the bar were great, decent pours and the bartenders on both days were very nice.The sound in the venue is pretty awesome as well. The Music Box is multi-leveled and plenty of open seating on the first floor as well as sofa style seating along the wall (center is open and standing room only). There are also a few seats along the bar area and some standing bar top style tables. Overall great venue to watch a show, not huge but not that small either. There is really no bad seat or place to watch. It is in a great location and plenty of parking around the area. The owners and staff take the time to make sure you feel welcome and at home.
Nice club. Very compact to get to the stage. Feels like a tight rectangle when most venues are more of a square/long rectangle. Lots of VIP areas which is fine but it does lock off a bit of the club. Drinks are VERY expensive (this is coming from someone who works at a high end cocktail bar so Im used to expensive) but thats not the employees fault. Granted I went to a special set so drinks may be cheaper on normal nights
Decent venue, reasonably priced drinks... but heres my issue, security.They try to shuffle people up to the front, you can be perfectly content in your spot and they try and try and try to move you even after saying that were fine where we were. Then another security guy comes up and tells us that someone at a table cant see. We paid for our tickets and were standing in the DESIGNATED GA area yet somehow were in the way/not allowed to stand there. Its ridiculous. I will never come back here and will tell everyone i know to not see a show here. Out of all the venues Ive been to and concerts Ive seen Ive never experienced anything as ludicrous as i did at the music box.Its a pity, because its a really nice venue.Security (or perhaps how theyre told to handle matters) sucks.Hence, 1 star.
We had such a great time at this venue watching Goth Babe that we went back the next night! Our experience from contacting Kräg about VIP tickets to the waitstaff and the security guards (shout out to Thomas and Red) was 5+ stars. We LOVED the VIP set up! We sat at table no. 2 and the view from the table and/or if we wanted to stand up was awesome. I would definitely go back to the Music Box for a concert!
Awesome bands. Awesome venue.Food is good. Bar tenders mixed great drinks. They book some super fun cover bands that I almost as close to the real thing. Usually never a bad spot in the place to see and hear the band. Ive been at least 25 times over the years. Bouncers and servers are nice too.
Staff were friendly and not pushy. Sounds was good, although guitarist had feedback issues that were resolved in 1-2 minutes.Bathroom was clean. AC kept place from getting too stuffy. Ive side of floor lined with couch seating that rant ripped behind bottle service or anything like that. Thats very important for people who cant stand the whole time.
Been to a few shows, good venue with good sound and layout. However the staff earned this review for being very helpful and taking care of the patrons, shout out to Joe the GM for being an awesome guy.
They let me bring in my water bottle as long as i emptied it out before i walked in. Walked in already anxious, as i’m a paranoid person and showed up to the concert on a whim. I walked up to the 3rd floor to get some fresh air on the balcony after the 2nd set and I went to fill up my water bottle at the bar because i hadn’t drank any water for at least an hour. The bartender filled up my water bottle for me. Me and my friend were hanging out and laughing on the balcony and I was starting to feel better until one of the security guards wanted to see what was in my water bottle as if he was accusing me of having alcohol in it. (I am under the drinking age) I started to have a panic attack and couldn’t move and was crying up there for the rest of the show. One of the security guards was being really rude to me. At one point he walked up to me and said “Are you dead yet? Do you still have a pulse?” I was shocked on why he said this to me. I think he still assumed I was drunk when I wasn’t. Then he came back a second time and said “how’s it going special-pants?” These comments do not help someone who’s having a panic attack. Even if I was drunk, these comments wouldn’t help. I wasn’t causing a scene, I was keeping to myself, so I do not understand where the anger towards me was coming from. Please train your staff on how to deal with people having panic attacks or people with mental illness in general.
Great bands, nice staff & venue! Drinks are overpriced & most shows are standing room only, unless, you fork over extra cash!! But, its got 3 levels, decent food, patio areas & its clean!! Its a smaller more intimate setting compared to other venues, that are too much of a madhouse to get in & out of!! Great local spot for me!!
I had to call in advance to ask for ADA seats and they wanted to post my full name on a sheet of paper and broadcast it to the world, so I told them no. They gave me a hard time.When I arrived, they had put nine reservations in a space fit for four people. When I went to the bathroom, another disabled couple had torn down my reservation and then lied about where it went.The ADA section is a couple of benches in the corner on the floor of a mosh pit. The stancheons were not marked ADA so halfway through, intoxicated members of the audience had moved them and were sitting, standing, dancing and moshing in the ADA section. I have invisible disabilities and was constantly in fear of falling, breaking something or worse.Overall, it was a miserable experience and do not expect to ever be going back.
This is a nice, intimate venue to see a show. Not very big inside means you get up close to your favorite bands.
Nice Venue. Cocktails are decent. Good set up for bathrooms. Sounds quality could be better but still good. If your favorite DJ or band plays there, it would be stupid not to go. 2nd floor vip would be worth it if you dont like crowds.
Easily my least favorite venue in san diego & i am absolutely heartbroken whenever acts i want to see play here.they oversell tickets like nowhere else to the point if you are at a sold out show you are shoulder to shoulder with no space to move. its impossible to see the artist playing unless you somehow manage to be within the first 5 rows from the stage. dance floor is insanely small, and you cant even hear the music if you try to watch from the back near the bar where there might be a chance of having some space.bathrooms downstairs are in a ridiculous spot where you are honestly better off seeing the stage in the doorway of the restroom than pretty much anywhere elseit might be a nice cute lil modern aesthetic but honestly not even worth it when you cant even enjoy the show
Dude! One of the best small venues Ive ever been to. Great show! Great atmosphere! Go see your favorite musicians when they play here.
Very pleasant experience on 4/21 for The Fall of Troy. The bartenders are nice and give out free cups of water. The security at the stage is awesome. This one guard obviously loves his job and waves his flashlight in circles to encourage the circle pit. They are very mindful of crowd surfers and are quick to squash a situation if it gets rough. My only criticism is whoever ran sound for one of the openers, SeeYouSpaceCowboy, was kind of off on the mix but Im not sure if that was because of Music Box staff or someone associated with the band. Great venue and great staff. I wont hesitate to see another show at Music Box.
Music box is a great live entertainment venue! Its just large enough for an intimate and fun experience. The VIP seating on the 2nd floor provides for an amazing birds eye view of the performances. One of my favorite concert venues in San Diego
A great place to see a show. The staff is very friendly. They have a bar but have shows for all ages. I went to an all age show. It was a intimate experience. The stage is up close and it’s easy to see the bands. There is VIP seating on the sides that go up several levels. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and was glad my daughter took me. I didn’t know anything about the band except my daughter had played their music for me once. They put on a great show and the singer even came down on the floor and walked down through the audience. It was a thrill! My favorite was when they played their final song “Choke.” Love the song and was even dancing around. I taped most of it. I highly recommend seeing a show here if you get the chance!
Venue was ok... A long corridor of a view from the stage, would of definitely prefer a wider stage. Also security is a little up tight and thinks they are super Stars or something, really on a power trip that starts at the door and continues on every foot of the venue. Youll see what I mean when you go.
Tons of fun - great venue
Great venue for music, drinks, and fun with your friends. Sound quality is very good and the multi-level floor plan is wonderfully designed and quite spacious.
Small intimate venue. They brought one of my favorite indie bands from Korea here and it was awesome! Security was friendly and the concert was enjoyable. It looked like there was a second tier where you could have special seats but not sure how to reserve those.There is a parking lot around the corner that is a flat $5 after 6pm on weekdays. It was fairly empty and made parking cheaper and easier than expected.
Good sound, great location... Terrible sightlines.Being so narrow, its very difficult to get a view of the band onstage... Even from upstairs where the railings can only accommodate a few dozen spectators.Guess thats why there are many TVs scattered around the venue. So you catch a glimpse of the show and see what youre missing.
A lot of standing clear areas. Not my favorite venue,
$200 for a table, areas closed off wven afterpayingto attend. security was rude and nasty. Get rid of people who dont know how to professionally communicate with patrons.
My husband bought tickets to a show last Saturday through a third party and paid extra for seats. When we arrived at the venue, we were told that we were mislead and there were no seats. My husband has difficulty walking as he has been recently discharged from the hospital. The manager, Joe stepped in and two seats were created for us on the balcony over looking the side stage. All the staff we encountered from the server to security were extremely nice to us. We were both impressed and grateful for the hospitality extended to us. We will be back (next time we will buy seats directly from the venue) and highly recommend the Music Box. The sound was great and its a small venue so its very comfortable. Thumbs Up to the Music Box!
It was okay for a first visit back in early November. Went at peak time I guess you can call it(11:30pm). Not being on the guest list doesnt really seem to matter because the door lady cut me a small deal which was okay. Bought a 12 dollar(tip included)can of Liquid Death, wandered the limited space I could wander around and then found an open spot, stood around for 40 minutes, got antsy and bored and left. What really turned me off the most wasnt spending over 30 dollars for 40 but the amount of homeless seen wandering the streets and the constant smell of urine permeating the air walking the 3 blocks to and from where I parked my car. Felt uncomfortable and unsafe being alone walking that short distance. Return visit?
I have been here for concerts such as Trevor Jackson performance, Ambrosia and Tank. This environment is very clean, spacious and the view from downstairs or even upstairs is amazing. I enjoyed my time for the day party Synful Sundays which was a great turn out.
- Address:1337 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
- Site:https://www.musicboxsd.com/
- Phone:+1 619-795-1337
- Monday:11 AM–11:55 PM
- Tuesday:11 AM–11:55 PM
- Wednesday:11 AM–11:55 PM
- Thursday:11 AM–11:55 PM
- Friday:11 AM–11:55 PM
- Saturday:6–11:55 PM
- Sunday:6–11:55 PM
- On-site services:Yes
- Live performances:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible seating:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible car park:No
- Bar on site:Yes
- Restaurant:Yes
- Toilets:Yes
- Wi-Fi:Yes
- Wi-Fi:Yes
- Debit cards:Yes
- NFC mobile payments:Yes
- Credit cards:Yes
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