Performance Arts Center At Cleveland Masonic Auditorium

Horrible, unsafe venue where people go to get drunk instead of listen to music. Limit alcohol sales there! Parking is the best thing about this venue.

I think this place is a terrible place for a country concert (and probably rock, hip hop or any genre where people want to drink or eat). Mostly because you have to wait in ridiculously long lines for everything. There’s only two bars, 1 or 2 concession stands which are cash only and only one ATM machine. You miss half the concert waiting in line for food/​drinks, the money to get the food/​drinks and to go to the bathroom.

This was my first time at this venue and now I know why I hadn’t ever been here in the past… the acoustics are really just awful. Neat venue, very interesting place — but the sound quality just is not right for concerts. We went for Primus and each song was pretty indistinguishable from the next. I know Primus is a bit bass heavy, but I think it would have been a similar experience regardless of the style. As far as concerts go, I would only go back if the band was on my bucket list and I was fairly certain they wouldn’t be coming around again in the near future.

The lobby is a crowded mess before shows, the bathrooms are piss (get it!?) poor, and entering a show can be pretty annoying. All that said, I love watching shows here. The audio is good, the place has panache, and you can feel the history sitting there. They generally seem to attract good acts. Free and easy parking is a cherry on top.

I came here for the first time last night (saw Lucius (kickass) & The Head and the Heart (decent)). This place is imperfect, but I love it anyway (also how I feel about CLE). As another Unilocaler mentioned, this place has a faded grandeur vibe. It’s still beautiful. This was (according to someone on the interwebs) the home of the Cleveland Orchestra before they moved to Severance Hall. Some of the details in the building will give an architecture or design lover a chub.
The ceilings are gorgeous and remind you of how majestic this place was, BUT your seat is covered in duct tape.
There’s no lighting (while the house lights are down) in the upper level of the seating area so people used their cell phone flashlights to climb the stairs BUT it appears you can smoke some weed without much hassle.
It’s free or cheap parking BUT has no website with venue details.
You can buy beer/​liquor BUT it’s a limited selection.
You can opt for a seat or to stand on the floor near the stage (nice to have the option as many venues are one or the other) BUT the sound quality isn’t perfect.
It’s not in area with much foot traffic or with a bunch of nearby retail businesses (like House of Blues for example) BUT it’s easy/​low hassle to get there and out.
The good balances out the less than good (for me). I like a more casual music venue so this is my style. It’s also a decent sized venue so you’re not miserable with people bumping into you, etc.
The stage is low so if you’re on the floor you’re almost on the same level as the musician. Perfect if you want to get up close and personal with the crotch of your favorite musician, I guess. :)
I thought the sound quality (especially the vocals) was a little mushy and muddled. but I don’t know if that is the venue or the band’s sound people. I kept thinking they were trying to make up for lack of crispness with MORE VOLUME which is less than desirable. But it’s not terrible sound quality. I’ve heard much worse.
I like this place and will be happy to return for future events.

Came here for Bastille concert. Concert was amazing. It was pitch black in there when we first walked in and the the security there had lights but didn’t shine them so people could make it up the stairs which was odd. It was like 100 degrees in there. I don’t know if the air was off or what but it made for a humid sticky sweaty experience. Other than those things, the place wasn’t too shabby.

Went to a concert here and had a great time. Parking is right near by and the seats were comfortable. Other reviewers mentioned that the sound quality was bad but I didn’t notice that, though I am a bit of a concert novice. I would certainly go back if another of my favorite bands decides on this venue.

Pretty cool for a sketchy neighborhood. Parking is free a 3 minute walk away. Sound isn’t the best but we had floor tickets as well as a good time. Limited beverage selection.

I had the privilege of seeing the Shins here last week, my first time at this venue.
It’s old, but that’s not really a problem. It’s got that faded-​grandeur vibe going on in the lobby, balconies, and ceiling. The stage is basically level with the standing room area for concerts, which is kind of neat.
The seating is comfortable — close quarters, but decent (especially for someone who’s short…). There seems to be lots of ways out of this place, so it clears out pretty quickly after shows.
There’s free parking in an enclosed lot across the street — that was a nice perk. It’s kind of a sketch neighborhood, so this is a major free plus.
The only problem (and it’s kind of critical), is the acoustics. I thought the place sounded bad from the balcony, kind of muddled noise rather than crisp music. I’m used to hearing lots of details at concerts, and at this one, it all just kind of came out in a blare. It wouldn’t necessarily stop me from going back, but there are better venues in the Cleve.

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