Some interesting news out of Clifton today as the historic venue Bogarts has a brand new ‘venue within a venue’ to promote. The news got me thinking about a conversation I have on a regular basis with music friends around the city. Can Bogarts rebuild their image?
There has been a dark cloud hanging over Bogarts for years now, and the negative associations with the once proud venue have really tarnished its image. I have heard countless stories of fragile indie kids being frisked and music bloggers and critics (myself included) being shaken down for a pen before entering. Whether it was a negative experience with the bouncers, how you perceived the neighborhood or just a bad concert, the consensus seems to be that Bogarts is nearly irrelevant. The lack of attention to the venue itself and inconsistent sound at shows has also led to many people basically ignoring anything that goes on within its walls.
Of course, the association with Live Nation was another strike for faithful concert goers, who view the live-events company as evil and a group that cares only about money with their silly ticket processing fees and poor band choices.
Can the image of Bogarts be turned around? As a longtime Cincinnatian, I sure hope so. There was a time when Bogarts was one of the best concert venues in the Midwest, and it’s sad to see how far it has fallen. Maybe there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel though, as it seems like so far in 2011, at least the effort it there to turn things around. Why do I say this? Well, not nearly enough of you went, but The Walkmen / New Pornographers show as one of the best gigs booked at Bogarts in recent memory. And today the announcement that they will open “The Front Room” which is a new 250 capacity room within the existing 1,500 capacity venue. The mezzanine level of Bogart’s is said to have received some updates, including its own stage area, a new PA system, lighting rig, and fresh paint. The grand opening for the front room is June 11th.
Not bad right?
We will see who they actually book to play ‘The Front Room’, because honestly, they can paint it and make it sound great but if they don’t book bands we care about, it won’t matter. So for now, I’ll applaud the initial efforts, but you have a long way to go Bogarts, a long way indeed.
Vote in our poll about how Bogarts can rebuild their image.
Jun 3, 2011I miss the Ludlow Garage. Now that was a place to see and be seen.
Jun 3, 2011I think the biggest issue is the low quality acts they’re booking. I know they can’t appeal to everyone’s taste, but it has been a while since they have had a consistent run of good bands coming in. Also it just kind of feels lousy in there.
As far as the Live Nation ticket process, a lot of people don’t realize that most of the extra fees are part of agreements between live nation and the band. So most of that money goes to the band, the venue, the band managers, record companies, etc. etc. I just don’t know why they don’t tell us that in the first place.
Bob, didn’t Ludlow Garage close in like 79? I wish I were around to have seen the Allman Brothers play there.
Jun 3, 2011Also, please no more washed up screamo bands.
Jun 3, 2011Who wrote this? The new pornographers is NOT a good show. Bring in good shows and people will come, period. Wasn’t their a couple sold out rock shows just recently, hmmm….
I wrote this Ralph, and I think the Walkmen / New Porogs show was a good bill at least. Those are two headline worthy bands on the same ticket, a rarity at Bogarts of late. Who would you like to see them book?
Jun 3, 2011Haven’t been in years due to the consistent “power trip” attitude of the bouncers/door staff in particular, and rude treatment by the bar staff on too many occasions. All of the interior changes, good bands, and great stand will be a waste if customer service isn’t comparable or at this point, much better than, competing venues.
Jun 3, 2011In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the band’s second studio album, Electric Version, #79 in the “100 Best Albums of the Decade”
New Pornographers are definitely a good show.
Also, according to WIki, album ratings for New Pornographers Twin Cinema, one of my favorite albums.
Allmusic – 4.5/5 stars
The Austin Chronicle – 4/5 stars
The A.V. Club – Favorable
Blender – 4/5 stars
Pitchfork Media – 9.0/10
PopMatters – 9/10
Rolling Stone – 4.5/5 stars
Tiny Mix Tapes – 4.5/5 stars
Jun 3, 2011Dixie Trash Reunion @ Bogarts for BonesFest July 9th
Woot!
Jun 3, 2011I’ve been going to bogarts regularly since the late ’90′s. I was there last month and saw the “lipstick on a pig” type of updating they were doing. Not that great. I’ve been to lots of different venues, and Bogarts set up is one of the worst. First – better bathrooms. Whoever thought to put them under the stage should also have to come to every show to keep the stairways clear. It’s some of the worst planning I’ve ever seen. Second – lower the stage. Third – Make more levels on the main floor or put risers on the sides for better viewing. Fourth – Redo the balcony and put in physical seats.
Security. I’m pretty sure the security is still “Tenable” security. They have always been known for being very aggressive along with being very poorly trained in crowd management. But – most “shakedowns” are brought to you by the Tour, not the venue.
Finally – The 1100 seat venue is losing it’s niche, much like the 11,000 sheds. Bands want to book and play at the 4-5000 seat venues or 500 seat venues.
Good luck to Bogarts – glad to see they are trying *something* to improve it…..
Jun 3, 2011I stopped going to Bogarts a long time ago. When they removed the floor and installed the pit, the place went to hell. But the clincher for me was seeing Los Lobos. My friend was pregnant and I asked for a chair for her. The staff refused. Horrible customer service. Just not a nice vibe to see a show.
Jun 3, 2011The last show I saw there was Gaslight Anthem in Sept 2009 or so. It was a good show and I was able to come in and out of the venue.
The last show before that was Dylan in June 2009.
I’ve seen many good shows there, Foo Fighters in 1995, Weezer, Soul Coughing, etc but it was always too smokey (smoky?). Once I was old enough to drink so many other places just were better.
Also, why make the beer $5.50? Make it $5 or $6 and avoid digging for quarters.
Although the New Pornographers do put on a great show, their Bogarts appearance was not a great show. The sound was muddy and awful. The audience spent the first part of the set telling the band that the sound was bad. Fortunately I had the pleasure to see them last year when they were at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre in Bloomington. That is an awesome venue. I saw Magnetic Fields there as well, also an amazing show. I love the Southgate House and will continue to support bands that play there rather than at Bogarts.
Jun 3, 2011I have been to Bogarts 100′s of times over 25+ years but haven’t been in about 6. It just tore it for me the last time when the split second after the band struck its last note some “Security” goon came up to me and physically touched me, telling me to “clear out”. Well, I did…forever. And this was 1. NOT the 1st time & 2. a pretty laid back show, way down on the “troublemaker” scale. Reap what you sow.
Jun 4, 2011The reason “not nearly enough” of us went to the Walkmen/New Pornographers show? It was at Bogart’s. After 10+ years booking bad shows with an unhelpful, belligerent staff, why spend money there when this city has half a dozen better, cheaper, and more pleasant venues?
Jun 4, 2011Bogart’s was a great venue…I believe a name change for awhile – Inner Circle? In order for Bogart’s to make a comeback – Short Vine and surrounding areas need to be safe. There would be no way I would park and walk to Bogarts’…..
Jun 4, 2011I agree with #1 Clint, the best venue around this area is the Southgate House. The employees are nice, the shows are great. I love the balcony in the ballroom where you can grab a chair for a concert if you’d like. Art shows upstairs, some nights a few bands to choose from….it’s always been my favorite place to go for a concert. Bogarts is dirty, smelly, I hate the long line outside while they pat you down to get in, and the people that work there are rude. And, the worst thing, is that the drinks SUCK.
Jun 4, 2011Here’s a question: If Bogart’s closed tonight, how many people would even be effected?
Bogarts has always been a risky place to have concerts, but it is a pretty decent venue. Most of the bands that play there are not my preference, but they have had some good ones. One that is coming up that surprised me is The David Crowder Band….they are a Christian rock group, even though the site is not reporting them as so. The prices are quite high for a Christian rock concert, so we will not be attending. It is DCB’s last tour together though, so it should draw in a huge crowd. We prefer The Underground as our venue of choice, but if Bogart’s lowers their admission prices for Christian concerts we would start attending there also.
Jun 4, 2011Ok, to all you simple minds that like the new pornographers are good , HA i say to you. # 79 out of 100 is not good at all in a decade that was terrible for music. Any band that can put a song on myspace basically became famous. And i do agree the southgate house is the “coolest” venue we have in town but it is also dirty, smelly, smoky and the sound system at my house way better. Administrator, the list of bands i would like to see at bogarts is…Against me, nofx, slightly stoopid, method man, Spoon, Atmosphere, face to face and strung out, les claypool, Leon Russell, G Love, Snoop Dogg, Old Crow Medicine Show, or Buckethead. OH WAIT, they just played at the madison theater.
Jun 4, 2011Ralph – I find it amazing a 9-year old can work a computer so well. Your parents must be very proud.
Jun 5, 2011“# 79 out of 100 is not good at all in a decade that was terrible for music.”
wow, this is just, wow.
“Against me, nofx, slightly stoopid… Old Crow Medicine Show, or Buckethead”
BAHAHAHA! Oh you’re being serious? Shit, sorry man.
Jun 5, 2011Just to help you out Ralph, the apology is for your awful taste in music. And honestly, I’m not usually one to judge. Listen to whatever you like! But when you start posting with this elitist attitude, I just can’t help but find the humor in it.
Jun 6, 2011I’m glad to see Bogart’s has a new, more unique website. That said, it is so fraught with grammatical and spelling errors and inconsistencies that it is difficult even for me to come to the conclusion that any product or service provided by Bogart’s, and by extension Live Nation, can be of any quality whatsoever.
Jun 6, 2011I used to go to Bogart’s all the time, back in te day when they actually put on worthwhile shows. Nowadays I get to Bogart’s maybe once a year or so. Might make it to Interpol next month. Other than there being so few interesting shows, other factors of course include the “nazi police” security there. Have they ever heard of the term “customer friendly”? Didn’t think so. And the location isn’t the greatest, but that’s really not much of a factor for me.
I’m not holding up much hope for the new “Front Room” but I guess it’ll depend on who they actually book for that.
I agree with others that the SGH is of course my far the preferred concert venue. I wish there were more shows at the beautiful and cozy Memorial Hall, and the same goes for the equally intimate (and comfortable) Kaplan Theatre at the Aronoff Center.
Jun 6, 2011Thanks so much for the post, Joe! We’re working hard to revitalize the venue, and need feedback like this in order to be fully successful. We honestly value your thoughts and opinions, and are here to listen to complaints and compliments alike. Please keep the suggestions coming, we’re listening!
Also, one note about the new website: site has been ‘soft launched’- we clearly have some tweaking to do before going fully live. Please be patient with us as we make these changes.
Thanks,
Bogart’s
Jun 6, 2011hey dont apologize to me, i hate all those bands as well i was just making a point that all those bands have played elsewhere when they probably should be at bogarts. matter of fact i hate bogarts too, it did use to be much cooler, but the fact is you simply cant please everyone. it doesnt matter how much they do to update it , some people will still complain. its really simple tho, if you bring in bands that people want to see then people will come to the shows. and if you wont go to bogarts when your favorite band is playing there because you dont like the venue, then you are just not a fan….
Jun 6, 2011Hey Bogart’s, maybe you should use spell checker before you “soft launch” anything else. At least read it, or no better yet, get someone else to read it for you. You are most welcome 
Now fix it so you don’t embarrass yourself any further…
Jun 6, 2011Hey Ralph, not sure what spelling error you are referring to here. Soft Launch is correct- is refers to a website that is implemented in stages rather than all at once. But thanks for the heads up!
Jun 6, 2011maybe if you didn’t book shows with people who were involved in knife fights and menacing in your venue, you might clear up your image
http://www.newsrecord.org/2.7228/bogarts-victim-charged-after-stabbing-fight-1.770747
Jun 7, 2011My band (Pain Link) has played two headlining shows at Bogart’s within the last seven months. The venue in our opinion is still the best in the area for metal shows. The staff & management have treated us better than any club we’ve played at over the last eight years of touring.
All of our members have been going to see concerts at Bogart’s since the mid-80′s and still enjoy going to see shows there. It’s my opinion that Bogart’s deserves respect for the improvements they are making to their “image” & the club itself. Keep up the great work guys!
-Chris
Pain Link
Jun 7, 2011Since Bogarts is reading this: do you think you could play the “Be nice” speech from *Roadhouse* to the staff? I’m not kidding & I have some very thick skin & understand the frustration of dealing w/ hordes of drinking folks – but YOUR STAFF (at even the lowest key shows) is off the charts aggressive. DO NOT GRAB MY ARM & TELL ME TO CLEAR OUT. (esp, 2 seconds after the lights come up) How about “Thanks for coming everybody, we have to get going!”
Jun 9, 2011“I want you to be nice until it’s time to not be nice.”
Jul 7, 2011Was at Bogart’s last night for the Interpol/Bad Veins show. My first time at Bogart’s since… (I had to check on this) April ’10 (for Manchester Orchestra, and the lat time before that was October ’08 for the Kooks). And guess what? No nazi police this time!! I was very pleasantly surprised. I was not patted down nor was I asked to empty all pockets, and I saw plenty of people with cameras. I couldn’t quite believe it. Could it really be that the attitude there has changed?
As to the physical appearance, it still looked like the Bogart’s of old (and I do mean “old”) to me. Didn’t see “the Front Room”, I gather that is on the upstairs (which was closed to the public last night). Haven’t seen any annoucements about shows for the Front Room either (other than the opening last month), so not sure what is up with that.
As to
As to the
Blog RSS Feed
Subscribe via E-mail
1:19 pm
Best venue in the city is Southgate.