Service was just OK. Had to wait a while for a drink. Atmosphere is awesome. Beautiful place not a bad seat in the house. Have to say the food was very bland. Felt like I was eating at an amusement park. I just don't understand having so few items on the menu you should be able to turn out some amazing dishes?????This was far from it. In the future, I will always eat before going to a show here. Lesson learned. This review is for the food only fantastic concert venue. read more

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Love going to shows here at the Musikfest Cafe. Staff and volunteers are always friendly and organized. I've also been to a few events in the Blast Furnace Room. They were also well organized. read more

Beyond gorgeous and amazing!!! THE WHOLE SURROUNDING AREA. Photo opps galore! This incredible center hosts big consents, private events, etc! Please Google it to get all of the information. I MUST come back here for concert (we would stay overnight - it was an almost 2-hour drive for us from Southern New Jersey). Last night's (10/21/23) was for a PERFECT wedding reception. The facility blew me /us away! The happy couple had two floors - the third floor was for cocktail hour. The 2nd floor was for the reception, which boasted insanely scrumptious food (I had risotto; the man, a chicken dish), and a live band. Personal and beautiful touches of the couple were strewn througout the gigantic room. The decor was just beautiful and there were two big bars, with great bartenders. Please just go online and look into it!!!! BEST WEDDING RECEPTION I'VE EVER EVER BEEN TO - HANDS DOWN!!! read more

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Cool little spot! We were in town to experience Christmas City, but as the world cup was on we were hoping to find a good place to watch with other fans when we stumbled across the Lehigh Valley Soccer Fest which was happening at ArtsQuest. What a great find! They played the game on both of the movie screens, in addition to having a big screen in the large lobby by the bar, on the bar tvs and outside as well (although unfortunately that one wasn't so good because of the rainy weather). Thanks for bringing the fans together! The bar and snack bar were open for food and drinks, with some soccer themed choices as well. Thanks for hosting such a fun event! Cool space, from walking around and talking to the workers, it seems like they host a wide variety of different events. Free and ample parking as they are on the steelstacks premises. This is a great spot to visit. If you are in the area, look them up to see what fun thing they are doing! read more

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This is a review of the Palette and Pour food outlet. Service is good but the food is so forgettable, even "mediocre" is a stretch. My chicken sandwich had all the excitement of a tax form. And at an over priced $16, I paid a premium for the privilege of disappointment. read more

Artsquest always has fun community events going on, i been going to the free music converts for the summer. Bring a chair, blankets, drinks and snacks and of course friend and family for a great free night of entertainment. I have also been to a food truck event which was also fun! read more

Attended a summer wedding. Have tons of friends who do MusicFest in the amazing outdoor areas. Very urban chic indoor facility with that view of the stacks and flames. Our relative worked there at Bethlehem Steel for decades. Lots of photos reminding all of the history. Food was fine--not as spectacular as some weddings. Bars needed more bartenders. Overall cool event space and great wedding venue We had a blast! read more

ArtsQuest Center - Music Venues Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

We saw Boris, the Melvins and Dr. Pfzzz last night at the Cafe. What a wonderful experience. The entire staff was helpful, efficient and pleasant from the bartender on the ground floor and the people taking the order and serving the food, the staff upstairs where we sat especially our server Rachelle. Sound was great, and the audience was well mannered. All 3 groups were outstanding. This venue is highly recommended. There is ample free parking. It's a great historic location. read more

Have been to so many events here. Too many to mention, but have always been happy with the events etc. Love the historical aspect and how it's preserved through art. Just recently went to an event and had the best time. read more

Bought 2 Willie Nelson tickets in 2020 for me and my hubby. Covid shut everything down, so over time I purchased 7 more tickets ($250 each) for family members. My parents lived Willie and it became a family reunion in their memory. Got there and one seat had a stranger occupying it, so the family members in that area opted not to argue with a stranger and moved to the far side where smokers were to sit. Do note that 3 have cancer, so it's even more upsetting. The next day I checked my email. Hadn't done it the day of the concert because we were driving 2 hours to get there, checked into the hotel, and went to the pool with family. Responded once I read it, expressing my dissatisfaction. Still haven't gotten a response. So, they sold one seat for over $500 since it was sold and then resold. I never received a refund or anything indicating my seat was no longer mine...which, to me, means they probably did it that day. Nothing was said when the ticket was scanned, so it may have just been taken away from me to accommodate someone who matters. Would th iij NJ that spending over $2000 for one event, not to mention all the other events we attend, would make me a valued customer. read more

ArtsQuest Center - Five hours before the show starts, the email was sent. They sold my seat and wanted me to move. - Music Venues Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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For the last 4 or five years you guys closed main Street in Bethlehem for the art show on the mother's day holiday..and we are as a restaurant business on main Street we have a big problem since our costumes they can't come to our restaurant..so we lost lots of business for no reason only to make a few dollars for your center please stop this event because you almost killed main Street read more

ArtsQuest Center - a rainy day on a city street - Music Venues Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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I went here with my Hubby and son today to see a free music show and take a tour. WOW this is going to be amazing when it is completed. Also there is orange EVERYWHERE!!! I love orange so it was very exciting :) First the music show. There is a free show for kids every Saturday. They have a complete schedule on their website. The kids show is on the 1st floor right when you walk into the building. There is a mini stage and lots of floor seating and cafe tables. There is a Mike and Ike cafe right there so you can eat and watch the show. On the first floor there is a movie theater where you can bring your food, drinks, beer into the theater and they have trays that hook onto the cup holders on the seats. There is also a kids connect space that isn't completed yet but right now is a cool lounge with seating. There is also a gift shop where you can get some cool Lehigh Valley goods. The second floor has gallery space and seating that overlooks the stage on the first floor. There is a private room for parties and the sands deck that overlooks the blast furnaces of Bethlehem Steel. On the 3rd floor there is the Musicfest Cafe which is a cabaret style performance space. They have 2 bars and tables that face the stage. The entire back wall behind the stage is windows that overlook the blast furnaces of Bethlehem Steel. This building is unbelievable. They are not completed with the whole campus yet, there is still an outdoor amphitheater that is set to open by July 1st. They are going to have 50 free shows there!! I can't wait to go to the movies and see more free kids shows. What a great way to use the former Bethlehem Steel Property. I added a bunch of pics from my tour, hopefully that helps you visualize the awesome space better :) read more

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The Palete and Pour restaurant on the first floor of the Arts Quest center could be really spectacular but unfortunately ArtsQuest has missed the mark. There is absolutely stunning jazz played there at least three times a month. The music is top-notch and it's free. It would be so nice to enjoy a nice drink and meal while listening to the professional music but, sadly, that's just not possible. I've been to the Palette andPour multiple times now for the jazz and the food has gone from bad to absolutely inedible. If I were making a movie about comically bad food I would cast the Palette and Pour food service company. Hard, crusty chicken strips that seem to have been sitting in the back of the freezer for a while are resurrected and placed on top of lawn cuttings. This passes as a Caesar salad with chicken. Slimy pierogies served on a paper plate with wobbly plastic utensils and a scrawny little paper napkin (but you have to ask for this cheap plastic fork and crappy napkin, they usually forget to bring it). For a little variety, the Palette and Pour offers all kinds of dried out little hamburger pattie combinations: you can get a hamburger with lettuce, or you can get a hamburger with tomato, Or you can get a hamburger with lettuce and tomato, or you can get a hamburger with cheese, or you get a hamburger with lettuce and tomato and cheese or... you get the idea. I'd rather eat a cartoon hamburger made by SpongeBob than ask my digestive track to deal with another one of these cow patty hamburgers. The drinks are good, though expensive. You don't mind paying around $13 for a double grey goose if it's served in a fancy restaurant and in a nice glass. But the Palette and Pour is not fancy with its industrial four person tables and big clunky chairs. Every drink at the Palette and Pour is served in thin plastic cups, this includes 12 ounce beers. You need the gentle touch of a well-trained retriever to not press the cup too hard and deform it, thus spilling your beer over the top, yet still applying enough force to carry it to your table. Yes, you're going up to the bar and getting the $13 drink yourself and caring it back to your table, there is no table service. The night of December 20 was especially egregious. The Palette and Pour was packed, the movie theater next to the Palette and Pour was packed, and the ice rink was packed. The sole bartender, Yes they had one bartender for the evening, did his best to serve the line of people that consistently was 15 deep. People were waiting up to 35 minutes to get their drinks. I'm sure ArtsQuest would've made an awful lot more money if they had another bartender or two so that the people who were attending the movie could get a drink and not miss their show. The ice skaters probably spent more time waiting in line than they did on the ice and it's not nearly as fun to listen to jazz standing in line as it is to sit with your friends. Ordering food on December 20 was even worse than usual. My intrepid friends (I warned them ) found that the online menu listed many more items than were actually available. They settled on a large stale pretzel that was somehow greasy and rock-hard at the same time, and a box of popcorn (they wanted a large but only small was available). ArtsQuest could potentially be one of the best places for entertainment between here and New York and Philadelphia. Where else could you go to hear fantastic jazz and see a great film and take the family ice-skating? If Arts Quest would just step up the quality of the Palette and Pour restaurant from food reminiscent of that served in a Russian Gulag to okay food or (reach for the moon) nice food, and be willing to run the dishwasher so they could serve drinks in glasses, or at least get sturdier plastic cups then ArtsQuest would have on its hands a really top notch spot. read more

This is a lovely intimate space for a concert. I saw Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shaw Colvin there last night (4/29/2012). The sound quality is excellent. It was very easy access for my large electric wheelchair. Roomy elevators and bathrooms. They lose one point for noise level. We could hear the staff talking and rattling bottles throughout the concert. I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem if the artist was loud and rocky but this concert was fairly quiet with a folk/country/singer-songwriter atmosphere. The noise was distracting. read more

ArtsQuest Center - Mary Chapin Carpenter 4/2012 - Music Venues Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

We went to see *The Universe of Keith Haring* (with a discussion afterwards) as our excuse to check out the resplendent new ArtsQuest facility, which is pretty much unbelievably impressive in its scope and vision. The theater was full of artists, teachers, and people who had known Keith (as one of my good friends did, another reason for my interest in him). Excellent inspiring discussion of art as activism by a Moravian professor and the director of the New Arts Program in Kutztown. How wonderful it was to see Keith making art to Devo, the B-52s, the Flying Lizards and so on, and we longed to time travel back to 1980s NYC when it was still cheap enough for a normal person to live there -- actually, both my bf and I did for a time, but as poor working slobs who did not know about Paradise Garage (or each other, too bad). :-) Now, you would be wise to grab up some Southside row homes -- because this area is going to be groundbreaking in terms of what you can do with a massive campus of decaying industrial buildings. Note: None of the new things including the casino are in actual Bethlehem Steel buildings, but they are all on the grounds of the former steel giant. I was disappointed to hear this, but I do understand, having worked on public building projects and seen the prices of large-scale renovation. (CORRECTION: The new Visitors Center *will* be in a restored building, a really cool one with stone arches.) There is a short walk from the parking lot to the ArtsQuest building, which we can see some people complaining about in weather that is not perfect. Much of the grounds area is not yet finished, but we got a tour after the film from the Arts Director, who reminded me of supercool Ann Magnuson and who was full of energy and passion for the new facility (even though it was getting pretty late by then, so we know we were very lucky -- she is dedicated!). So we got to see the music venue upstairs modeled after the wonderful and intimate World Cafe Live in Philly, the outside deck, the VIP area, and a variety of rentable and free meeting spaces, all with the backdrop of the huge smelter stacks lit with changing colored lights, now regarded as works of art. I bet my steelworker dad who slaved there more than 30 years would find amusement in this, as well as a small gift shop fill with key chains and t-shirts with the vintage Bethlehem Steel logo (I wanted some, but let it pass). There is going to be a glass sculpture -- NOT a Chihuly, she said, because that is what every asks -- several stories tall, within the spiral staircase. They are still assembling it. As we walked in and bought our (reserved seats only) tickets, there was a marimba player filling the large main floor with music. This area is called the Creativity Commons. The art film was in the smaller theater; a second bigger one is next door. *Jane Eyre* was playing there. A snack shop called Mike & Ike's (Just Born of Peeps candy fame is a sponsor) offers not-so-exciting fare so far, but I am hoping for the "healthier" choices that I read about in the Morning Call. We stopped by Vegan Treats beforehand -- oh, imagine a VT dessert bar there! A small counter bar features Yuengling drafts (another sponsor), Sam Smith, and a Belgian, as well as wine ($7, pedestrian) and spirits. We saw people hanging out there after the film -- great to have a place right there to talk about what you just saw. The area outside the theater is filled with tables and chairs. Aramark will be providing food for the cabaret-style dinners that will be offered in the music cafe. There is going to be an outdoor stage backed against the stacks with a grassy area around it for 50 free concerts a year. In an era of diminishing public space, it is nice to know that ArtsQuest kept in mind that not everyone has the cash for expensive concerts and that some people are just looking for public hangout space. This is definitely going to be the spot, with so much to attract families of all types. Some of MusikFest, a longtime festival of the North Side, will be here this summer, great idea! I am really hoping for acts that appeal to GenXers (punk rock, New Wave, ska, reggae), not just Boomer music from the 60s and 70s. There are plenty of us who were young in the 80s and 90s -- we are now in our prime, ready to throw our money around, haha, and would love to see music offerings that take us into consideration. I wondered who was footing the bill for all this (thinking of my town and its revitalization needs), and learned that, although the Sands Casino donated the land, ArtsQuest raised the $26 million itself, during a recession, hence the corporate sponsors. Now that is pretty impressive dedication to the restoration of one's city, both from dedicated arts workers and local business. read more

The venue is beautiful whether you are going to see a movie or a concert...their events are pretty good too! My complaint is about the food we were served and the lack of ownership in regards to the quality and care of it all. I ordered a chili...it was really watery with only a few pieces of meat. My partner ordered a beef entree that came out overcooked yet cold when we were served. He went back to say something and they popped it in the microwave and didn't apologize. Stick to the popcorn and beer people!! read more

I was not here to see a concert like many reviewers, so do take with a grain of salt. I was here for the Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Walking Tour, sponsored by the ArtsQuest Center. I was a little disappointed by the tour. I thought that for $17, I would be getting more out of it. But the documentary film was disappointing because it wasn't cordoned off from the rest of the public space, so there were random people who roamed in and out of the film, and would talk--I take that back--yell. There were people who had wandered in in the middle of the film and have a conversation while sitting in the theater seats, with people who are outside of the theater. Yup. I paid $34 for 2 tickets. So I'm not sure if I would recommend it again for that experience. The walk was interesting, Kathy was our guide, and was obviously very knowledgeable. But I was hoping for more I guess, more stories? More hearsay? More something that I can't read off of a plaque? I know my bar is high, but I had gone on a Seattle Pike Place market ghost walk, that was a blast. Surprise surprise, there were no ghost stories, and it's been almost 2 years and I still remember some of the things our guide said, that was how good it was. And it wasn't even $34 like this one was. read more

We drove from lower Westchester (NY) to Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest to see Conor Oberst. The facility is straight-up awesome; it doesn't get much more dramatic then the backdrop of the Steel Stacks lighting up different colors after dark through giant glass windows behind the stage. Skip eating dinner here though -- the food was overpriced and underwhelming. The venue is tiny, boasting that no seat is more than 60 feet from the stage. This is true, but their seating chart is deceptive. The side sections don't offer a view of the artist if he/she chooses to be seated while performing due to stage setup. The most frustrating part of this was that a little rearranging could have solved the issue. Minus one star for not being clear enough that the last row in the middle section is better than any seat in the side sections. I'd definitely return here to see a favorite artist, but I'd pick my seat more carefully. Parking is free and abundant. Ticket prices were more than reasonable. Just FYI, this listing is the same as http://www.yelp.com/biz/musikfest-cafe-bethlehem. read more

I've been here a few times during Musikfest (http://www.fest.org/), and always enjoyed it. The Stacks make for a cool backdrop and the ArtsQuest center just has a really unique feel to it. This is about an hour from home, but I intend to catch a show or two before the '13 Musikfest. I've had beer and snacks here and have not been disappointed. read more

Have had a few chances to drop by the new ArtsQuest Center...to see a movie at the cinema, to enjoy the free music & to see a ticketed concert at the Musikfest Cafe. Every time I visit, I leave remembering how lucky we are to have it in the Valley. Everyone may give ArtsQuest a lot of crap about crazy ticket & beer prices at Musikfest each year, but it allows them to provide the many free & low cost events held here at the center. Check their website to see what interests you...but there's a little bit of everything. The cinema is comfortable & clean. The Musikfest Cafe is a great place to see live music - the lit up stacks behind the stage make a great view. Plenty of room even with SRO tickets. Plus ticket prices are very reasonable. We're going to a cabaret seating show in April and look forward to table service. Prices are very reasonable for food & beverage as well (the last concert it was $2-$3 for a 16 oz beer). Employees & volunteers are always insanely friendly. I hope it stays that way! read more

This place is great and does so much good stuff for the community. If you were to have an event or wedding here the venue is beautiful. Love coming here for concerts and movies. Food however is subpar. Cars and Coffee is also a great event here. Overall great place to be. read more

The best thing to happen to Bethlehem!!! I love this place so much I became a member!!!!!! They have awesome shows and a beautiful movie theater. read more

Went here for fourth of July. Was a great time! Liked how the venue was set up, it had a good feel. Only been once so far but plan on going back when we can. read more

Saw the Talking Heads Tribute band at the cafe. Everything was top notch Band,Venue,Service,Drinks but the food was just awful.Eat before you go there but all else is GREAT read more

Wow, I am coming back here for a concert. My classmate and I came here after class to check out this newly constructed music venue. The SteelStacks are absolutely amazing. With fireworks and music, this place will be hard to beat. Forget about Philadelphia or Atlantic City for July 4th. This will be the place to be for a great backdrop of the blast furnaces. There is a cinema in the ArtsQuest Center which runs independent films. Plus, restaurants on each floor and stage for low key music scene. A nice little gift shop is on the 1st floor with Bethlehem Steel souvenirs. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates slightly off the wall things and history/culture buff. read more

Wow, I saw Moe here last night and I was blow away by this great new music venue. I've been to 100's of different venues on the East Coast and never been to one that is so intimate with the performers, the staging promotes a closeness to the artist without the stage being too high or walled off from the crowd. There is no bad spot for sound and I walked around the entire place. A good beer selection as well as some decent affordable food options. I definitely plan on returning. Set amongst the remnants of the Bethlehem Steel complex makes a great backdrop. read more

Love this place! There is always something going on at ArtsQuest / SteelStacks, and much of it is free! I love being able to stop by most any weekend for some cool bands, different events, movies, etc. It's great. read more

Visually- BEAUTIFUL Space: easily overwhelmed with events like Musikfest Hope to see it grow and prosper- it's nice to have a trendy/classy place on SouthSide read more

Arts Quest, at Steel Stacks, Musikfest and the Musikfest Cafe are totally awesome! I go there as often as I can. I saw Carl Palmer there a couple of weeks ago and he was awesome! I am so looking forward to the 50 free outdoor concerts that will be there over the Summer and Musikfest in August. read more

Went to see Tony & Tina's Wedding. Tickets were $65 + an $11 handling fee so 1 ticket was $76. I bought 6 for friends and I to have a fun Valentine's Day Party. This was my 4th time to see this show but saw it in Las Vegas, Orlando and on a cruise ship (specialty dining). These tickets were by far the most expensive I had encountered. Show was great. However, the way the tables were laid out, made the interactive part of it almost impossible to follow or hear. Unless an actor came by you, you could not hear their conversations so you lost part of fun of the show and fun. It would of been much easier if they did the tables in rounds and given you more space Dinner was Caesar salad (romaine and croutons), breadsticks, ziti pasta and marinara. You did get one tiny slice of wedding cake for dessert. Really???? Everywhere else had some type of meat included and another type of pasta so it was a meal. When we went through the buffet lines, there was little salad left and I tried to use the pepper mills and were told they were only a prop. Also, they recommended you hang up your coat. I think they could of included this with the ticket handling fee instead of charging you an additional $12. Seriously, I paid one whole ticket price for the handling fee! I thought my group was the only ones grumbling but encountered another group on the elevators, who said this was their second time at Steel Stacks and they not think they would be back. Considering all of us (including the other group) are locals, do you want to lose our business???? I am not likely to go back! read more

Wow. As a concert fan, I am so psyched to have this place so close to home, and have so far visited twice. Overall, great place! Once was table or "cabaret" reserved seating, and the other was general admission standing room. Table service was good, and what a pleasure it was being served at a table, like ladies and gentlemen, while watching a show. Food was fair, and I would really give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars because of the food, but next time I will stick to the cheaper stuff like burgers and sandwiches, and not the skimpy entree's. Plenty of bartenders, so never waited more than a min. for a beer, and they are 4 bucks, not musikfest prices. They have free show's outside before most main shows, so check that out too. Already have tickets to 3 more upcoming shows. read more

Just had our wedding here this weekend September 8th! The AMAZING staff really took care of us and the food was delicious - guests are still commenting on the great food and unique venue setting. We had a blast, and will be back for more events this fall for sure! Thanks Susan, Adrienne and Jenny!! read more

On behalf of my wife and I, thanks to everyone who made our wedding and reception the best day of our lives. Adrienne did a fantastic job responding to all our high maintenance last minute issues. Would definitely recommend this venue. read more

good to watch. ok to play. sounds bounces around and gets muddy on stage read more

One star for the food. Five stars for the venue. This place had the worst food I've ever had and was so overpriced. Great place to go see shows but never plan on eating here....ever..... read more

We went to see a free show in the town square - kelly and the perks. Great band of course, we knew that. The venue is really nice, sound was good, the view of the stacks impressive. Had dinner from the mike and ike cafe. We thought that outside food would be frowned upon, but it seemed like it would have been OK for us to bring our own (in which case we totally would have stopped at hello burrito first). I had the burger sliders and the bf had the black bean burger. All delicious. He had the chips - premise made and yummy. I had pasta salad which was a meal in itself - made with filled tortellini! Choices were sort of limited and I was disappointed that there were no fries. But food was good and service reasonably fast. read more

Beautiful building. Great sounds. One round of four drinks was $22. Close to casino.

Recently came here for a wedding and I am shocked at the lack of food that was served. The room was very nice and had a great view of the Steel Stacks but how do you have a wedding with 150+ people and only serve carved turkey, mashed potatoes and tortellini? I'm not sure who's decision that was but thank goodness I stayed at the Sands Casino down the street that had a 24hr cafeteria. read more

I am so happy they built this place. My wife and I have been here a few times over the past few months and we always have a good time. The Alehouse cinema plays independent films. While they can be hit or miss, we have really enjoyed a few gems there which were not in the larger movie theaters. It is also great to be able to have a beer with your popcorn. The band they have during the weekends are fun. There is no admission and you can setup your seats anywhere and hang out with friends while enjoying the music. If you have not checked this place out, try to stop by on the next weekend and hope you enjoy it! read more

My wife and I came to the ArtsQuest Center recently to see a comedy show at the Musikfest Cafe. Not to be confused with the ArtsQuest center, I've already written a review specifically for Musikfest (it was awesome, by the way). This center is located about a mile past the Sands Casino and it has a free parking lot - definitely cool. The parking lot is definitely a bit of a walk especially on a freezing, cold winter night. The center does offer valet for $7. Once inside, you kind of enter into the ticket area and a cafe area. We didn't have tickets to the show when we entered but we called on our way and they assured us that there were plenty left. The ticket line moves incredibly slow and the girl that helped us out was incredibly sarcastic - not the greatest first impression. ArtsQuest also has a movie theater. If I lived in the area, I could definitely see myself coming here to catch a flick. We had a great time at the Musikfest Cafe and it's an incredible venue. I'll definitely be heading back. read more