Sound quality is poor. Vocals were hard to hear at all at some points in the show I was at.

My family and I watched a fun show here this last weekend. It was pretty fun and the band was pretty good also. I was impressed. The one thing that really stood out to me, from other smaller venues I have been to in the past couple years.... As I was going out to the car, something happened where I dropped the keys in the sewage drain. The bouncer dude from Bogarts went out in the cold and got on his hands and knees and improvised to clothes hangers to grab our keys out of the sewer. Very great man. As a venue, this place was really good. But the people there were exceptional and gives it that little edge over other venues around. read more

Staff was unpleasant, quick to cop an attitude, and the complete opposite of what customer service is supposed to be. Never will I attend another show to Bogart's or recommend it to friends. read more

Came to see a Led Zeppelin cover band and the sound was horrible!! Can't understand a word of the vocals. The drums are so overpowering you can't hear the guitar bass or vocals. They need to hire someone who knows how to control the sound board. Just awful. Thank god it was only $10 read more

I saw The Black Keys here my freshman year in college. That, along with the super pal and hot female i was hanging with that night make this place a 4 star to me. I defy u to argue with such sound logic. read more

Great talent. They definitely bogart the talent since they are the only music venue in the city. Bad atmosphere. They wouldn't make it in a bigger city. Louisville, KY has restaurants with better accommodations. The bar is just OK, but the whole place is kind of dirty. Expect bums to harass you while waiting in line. That's not what I'm looking for in a favorite place, but hey, some people like that kind of stuff. read more

Extreme Midget Wrestling was amazing. Sort of hard to see because everyone was trying to take pictures the whole time but once you push past the hipsters and make your way to the front its a great time. read more

Love this place...I checked in on foursquare and got a coupon for 30%off a bog arts shirt

I saw a Buckethead show years ago with no issues. I recently went for a Lil' Kim show. This is what happened: http://youtu.be/weK_12ZUiuE

Love the physical venue. Hate the service. Asked for water at the bar, and they completely refused, despite the fact that there are no water fountains. Avoid if you can. read more

Good venue and courteous staff. I am not sure what the problem was before with other reviewers but it must be solved now. Don't be afraid of Bogarts. Lol read more

So for starters this place is in a really sketchy area. While waiting in line, I had about 4 hobos hit me up for cash. No other businesses in the area that you can just pop into while you wait either. So tough luck if you need to use the bathroom. Then once they finally opened the doors it took 20 minutes for us to get in (with many people behind us still) because they had only two people with wands checking guests as slowly as possible. This wouldn't be that big of a deal if it wasn't the middle of December. Parking is very limited outside so either get there very early or hope you get lucky enough to find a spot on the street. This is a place I'm going to avoid if at all possible. read more

Not bad but the upstairs is no good to listen of see the concert. Stay on the main floor. Bathroom at the front by the stage? Really? Try making it up there during the concert. Found one on second floor next to the bar. Overall not too bad a place. read more

November 29,2016 I saw In Flames & Hellyeah - great show - great venue. I am glad I brought ear protection. Drinks were a bit pricey, but Cecilia the VIP girl was awesome! She got a seat for me and was a hoot to chat with. read more

I grew up going to Punk Rock shows at Bogarts. The Prices are reasonable and they get some Great Bands to come. If you wait out Back you can meet the band sometimes. We met the Misfits, the Ramones and Fishbone and a few others. Its got good sound and good seating. Well...its standing room up front, but if you want to sit back and drink beer you can do it from the back or the balcony. Parking is kind of crappy but not bad considering the location is Short vine and parking is hard to come by in that part of town anyhow. Short vine isnt the same Punk Rocker stomping grounds as it was when I was younger but its still a nice place to go see a show. I like Bogarts and Like seeing small/medium venue shows at a fair price were you can actually see the bands you paid to see play. Great Place for a Punk Show! read more

Had VIP tickets and got an email stating to be there at four. We then waited in line till six before being let in. Not a good neighborhood and kept having strangers ask us for money. The facility had no air. It was miserable. People were passing out and the concert got cut short. The experience was so not worth the price of the ticket. I will never visit this venue again. read more

Always a fav. VIP is the best, it has seating. The main floor is cool to mingle. Bogarts is a vintage Cincinnati concert place

The worst acoustics imaginable. I have been 2 times the past month. Silversun pickups and night riots. Both times you couldn't make out a word of what they were saying. Sounds like the neighbors car stereo blaring. Who ever decided to remodel and remove the celing tiles for bare ceiling should be fired. Both times no one was even dancing during the main songs and into it. I would like to know since I have been going from the early 90's the sound has been ruined despite the advancements. We couldnt wait to get back to our car and listen to the real version. I feel sorry for the bands who I can tell agree it blows.Everything is muddled, no one can disagree. Tonights concert it rained and a waterfall of water was coming down on the floor. Everyone had to move out of the way. How is it these bands would sound better outdoors. Don't settle for mediocracy and save your money. Thats the whole point in going to see a band live. read more

Bogart's - Ceiling was leaking and clearing the dance floor. Go back to acoustic tile ceiling for better sound instead of looks. - Music Venues Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

If it was an option, it would be a 3.5 mostly because we had a lot of issues regarding our seating in the VIP section, which was stressful. However, given the situation, the staff was really helpful and calming in terms of getting the situation handled. The VIP section was different than what we expected, but not a bad location. Given it's the only seating in the venue, it's nice and you get a good view of the stage from up on the balcony. If you want to get up front and close to the band, do not get VIP, just get there early. Overall it was a great experience for my first real concert! read more

Reading these reviews, I was expecting tonight's Silversun Pickups show to be a disappointment. But to be honest, I was very pleasantly surprised and downright impressed. The venue was very well managed, sound system was pretty good, and beer prices were a nothing excessive. I mean really, $4.75 for a stella, that's not all too terrible. The place was a little hot and sticky throughout the three act show, but it was nothing unbearable. I've been to my fair share of venues around the country and there is nothing at Bogart's that should dissuade anyone from seeing a band they like. Yeah, the area surrounding the venue is shady (actually it's my new neighborhood, just moved from San Diego), sure the interior could be more chic, but this isn't the San Francisco Symphony we're going to see. You fools should lighten up a bit and enjoy some of the talent that comes through this venue (there seems to be quite a bit) and quit bagging on a venue just for the sake of bagging. read more

Nice venue. It's been a good 7? Years since I've been here last. The venue is small (but not too small) and loud and great for a show! Parking was easy to find very close read more

right up there with one of the worst venues i've had the displeasure of visiting. everything from the security, to the sound, to the piss smell that emanates from the bathrooms up into the ballroom, this place just blows. read more

I've attended innumerable shows at Bogarts for more than 15 years, mostly of the punk rock persuasion. As a teenager, sticky floors and a dank restroom didn't phase me, but now that I'm an adult, I can appreciate the upgrades and renovations that the venue has conducted. I attended the Deltron 3030 on 7/1/14 after receiving free tickets (!) from a member of the Bogarts' street team. With some friends, we traversed Clifton to get to the venue. Upon walking in, the new fixtures illuminated a once dim entrance and hallway. The bar area look organized and clear; what was once standing room behind the sound booth was made into a V.I.P. area with bistro tables and bar stools. The restrooms were immaculate and orderly. What was perhaps the most shocking transformation was the main room, the space in front of the stage. The floor looked brand new, exorcised of centuries-old chewing gum and Chuck Taylor scuff marks. The message from Bogarts was clear: the place was ready for a show. We chose to get a table in the V.I.P. area because we forgot our earplugs (which we later found out are for sale at the bar for $1). An employee stood in the area selling tables, at first asking for $15 a person, but then relented and allowed us to pay $5 a person. We sat and pondered how to quench our thirsts. As one of us stood up to go to the bar, a petite female server arrived with a notepad, asking for our drink order. I handed over my credit card and two of us ordered beer while the third ordered a Diet Pepsi. We watched the people still filing into the venue beeline to the stage and we looked at them wistfully, aware that years of standing next to the stage's amps had caught up to us quite some time ago. The fourth person in our group arrived and after 5 minutes, asked if we wanted drinks: we told him that we had placed an order with a server but we noticed she was nowhere in sight. When our drinks finally arrived, we enjoyed them along with the Kid Koala set that opened the show. Once the music stopped, signaling a break, our group decided to go down to the floor to be in the crowd. I asked the server for the tab. After some time (10 minutes or so) the server arrived with my credit card and customer receipt, unitemized. The fact that it wasn't itemized wasn't a big deal, but three of us were covering the tab and the final amount seemed hefty; I asked the server for a breakdown of the charges. What tipped the bill over was the cost of Diet Pepsi- my friend ordered one and asked for a refill, not knowing that he was paying $6 a pop! Yeah, I know I had free tickets so I shouldn't complain but sorry guys, $12 for two Diet Pepsis seems grossly unfair, considering we all know that fountain drinks are the biggest mark-ups of bars and restaurants, costing on average 15 cents for each fountain drink. But for someone who was choosing to stay sober at a show, shame on you, Bogarts. The venue looks shiny and new with the aesthetic changes, but I can't see going back for a show anytime soon because of the price-gauging. read more

hm. went to bogarts at the beginning of the month and security confiscated my makeup setting spray. they told me i could get it back after the show. after the show my friends and i went to wait on the sidewalk to see if the act would come out. i couldn't just leave my friends so i was just gonna ask one of the security guards if i could have it back because i knew once everyone was out of the building they close the doors. so i actually saw the same security guard that took my setting spray and i asked him politely if i could have it back since the doors were already closed. he rudely told me to come back for it (i literally live nowhere near bogart's so not an option) and that he would not give it to me. and that's the tea read more

saw AFI here back in march at a sold out show and actually had a pretty good time. the crowd was lively but not obnoxious, the facility itself wasn't too cramped considering it WAS sold out. security weren't dicks like they are at other usually higher profile venues, although the people at the door sort of didn't know their asshole from their elbow. but that's okay. i've seen a lot of shows and ergo been to a lot of venues and this one ranks fairly high for me. read more

Bogart's has a very cool stage area with brick siding and columns. They have a small bar area with drinks on tap. I saw Ben Rector here in October and the sound quality was superb. The venue is the perfect size. Not too small not too large. read more

i'm a frequent concert goer, and i have to say this is my least favorite venue. im not from ohio also. ok so first things first: the neighborhood. the neighborhood is shady looking/ghetto so just prepare yourself for that. will you get mugged? no prolly not, but its just something you should know/be aware about. its near the university of cinci (which looks nice), so usually we park there. its a short walk to the venue and the price is pretty cheap. also there's not much food wise in this area. now for the venue: the venue itself isn't bad per se for a smaller venue. however, the crowds are what annoys me. now i understand there will be pushing and stuff at a show and i'm fine with that. but just be aware as soon as the show starts, the crowd lurches forward and you are now on top of the person in front of you, and you now have someone on your back. also the temp goes way up once the show starts so by the end of the show you will be a sweaty mess. like the crowd is literally surging and there are like waves of pushing that will almost knock you over(these are not hardcore shows either). also, prepare to have drinks spilled on you. every other venue i've been to isn't like this but for some reason every time when i go to this venue, this is the case. however these experiences are in the front nearish the stage, when you go back a bit further its chill. the venue its self isn't anything special, but i havent really enjoyed the shows i've seen here. read more

The pit security here is absolutely phenomenal ! They keep everyone safe and happy..unless you act stupid. The parking is cheap and the show was amazing! Bogart's is highly recommended. read more

I have been going to Bogart's for over 20 years and I have always had a good experience. My one suggestion for the security guards is to let someone WHY what they are doing is wrong. I was filming from my phone along with every other person who was there and I was told to stop. No explanation why. Come to find out I had my flash/light on and that can be annoying for the band. Okay, no problem I turned it off. However, security didn't tell me that, another concert goer did! The two security guards just looked at me. One with a goofy/creepy grin on his face and the other with a blank stare. I even asked why and they STILL just stared at me. Communicate folks! It's not rocket science. read more

DO NOT GO HERE!! If I could give zero stars I would. This was the worst venue I've ever been to in my entire life and I've been to a ton of shows. There are two sets of doors so we asked multiple times to make sure we were lined up at the right one. We were assured that we were and because we were first In line (having got there at 6am after driving 6 hours in the rain from Michigan) we would be going in first even if they were to split the line. An hour before doors two girls sat down outside the other doors. We asked venue workers and they told us again we were going in first. And then one woman told us that they were "vip". We know for a fact that there was no vip offered for this show or at all for this entire tour. There was no vip she lied to our face multiple times and then hid from us after walking over to the fake vip and laughing with them. Our assumption is that she knew them so she allowed them in first. They were let in while we were being checked by security (security did not check them at all, they had bags we didn't, they still weren't checked) by the time we got in they were already inside. Now let's jump ahead to when the show started. There was no attempts to try to control the crowd. Someone peed in a beer can and passed it to the front. Security got mad and refused to take it so after getting in line at 6am in the rain I now had a beer can full of warm pee dangling above my head. After that during the show a grown man (looked around 30) and his girlfriend ended up behind me and the girl next to me. The man reached between us to put his hand on the barricade and was angered when we stopped him and informed him that there was no room for him to pull himself or his girlfriend to the front. The man then threatened to separate us if we continued to anger him. He then decided in order to try to move me he was going to pinch me while his girlfriend wrapped her arms around my waist and tried to pry me off the barricade. His girlfriend kicked me in the back of the legs for the majority of the show. When the man continued to assault me and the other small female next to me I got security's attention. I informed security that this man was intentionally hurting us. Security shrugged and told me he couldn't do anything about people pushing. I responded that this man was not being pushed I wouldn't care about pushing I cared that he and his girlfriend were going out of their way to assault us (keep in mind this is a grown man and I am minor and a small female) security simply shrugged and did nothing. The security guard watched my and my friends eyes starting to water because of this man hurting us and still did nothing. A different security guard was informed that someone in the crowd had weed he then claimed it and said he would smoke it himself. On top of all of this me and my friends were covered in black paint from the barricade that was sloppily painted so it rubbed off on us. Everyone in the first few rows was covered in black paint. After the show several people decided to wait for the band. They threatened to arrest us (in a public parking area) if we crossed the street. Overall this was the worst venue I (as well as my friends) have ever experienced. Do not go here under any circumstances EVER. IT IS NOT WORTH IT! THIS VENUE IS ACTUAL TRASH!! read more

Bogart's has recently underwent a renovation which really did make a world of difference. Not only did the place get a nice makeover, the staff is totally different. You won't see many familiar faces if you haven't been there in a while. Security is there and not as hostile as before, they let you have more fun and seem to only target those who are actually causing problems. Pat downs take place because of the area you are in I guess...Clifton is a mess. read more

Bogarts a few years ago had some great shows even a battle of the bands which I later discovered great local bands. Within the last year i went to only 1 show for a few reasons... Basically cant take anything in. Ushers are horrible. Shows are below par. and The neighborhood is outragous. Plus no cameras not even point and shoot. So Im leaving a low rating because Im tired of bogarts I will go to a show if they have any good shows anymore. read more

Went to Bogarts to see Juicy J. Start time on the tickets said 7pm. We live out of state but was there by 7. Every person that we had contact with that worked there were the rudest people. We sat in the VIP area by mistake, not knowing. It was our first time there. And instead of the girl politely asking us to move, she was very rude and said this is VIP, you need to move. Then it's 8:30, still no Juicy. He wasn't playing until 10. So I don't know why the tickets said show time at 7. So we leave to go get food since we didn't have time to eat before we got there. We go back and even though we still had our tickets, we could not get back in!!!!! So we spent all of that money for absolutely nothing!!! Worst experience ever!!! read more

I recently went to the Wednesday Music Trivia Night at Bogarts. It was a great opportunity to see the updated venue in a new light and to get a chance to talk to their fun staff. I have been attending shows at Bogarts for over 20+ years and I must say, they step up their game every time I go. The manager is always looking for ways to make the experience better for the guests. I got a chance to talk to her at Trivia and was impressed by her interest in making the venue a top spot for music in Cincinnati. I read another review that mentioned the standing, doesn't everyone know that it is general admission?? That is one of the best parts about Bogarts. All the tickets are the same price and everyone gets the opportunity to come early to be in the front row of their favorite band. At 41 I like the added opportunity to pay for the VIP section, but sometimes I would rather jump on the floor with everyone else. ;) read more

I've taken my teenage son to Bogart's "all ages" shows twice in the last year, most recently 2/8/13 with "The Used" as headliners. Having been a Bogart's patron myself for the past 30 years, I really appreciate the remodelled bathrooms and the improved acoustics. But as a parent I've been pleased to see that they are serious about security and about keeping the alcohol out of kids' hands. The team from Constable (sp?) was highly visible, they moved around the venue and in and out of the center-stage area as crowd behavior indicated, and they were courteous and assertive without being aggressive or unpleasant. The first time my son went to Bogart's was with two other parents chaperoning and I was a little nervous. Now I am a lot more comfortable making the trip from Louisville with him or sending him with a responsible adult. Do bring your earplugs just in case, and take care to avoid the multiple ghettos that surround the UC/Vine Street neighborhood. The transition from shops and student housing to crime-ridden slums is abrupt and you should not be roaming around in Clifton if you don't know your way. read more