I love the intimacy of this venue. There is not a bad seat in the house. I love the standing general admission option as well. The old architectural details of the building are BEAUTIFUL! There are plenty of parking options nearby. Just wish there were more bathroom options for a concert venue. read more

Love this venue! We came to Charlottesville to see Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. The general admission area is sloped so you get a great view even if you were in the back. There are three levels - the second level has seats and still a great view. The beer lines were busy but quick and there were plenty of cocktail, beer, cider options available. Coat check is available for only $2. The staff were all friendly - we were even given free tickets to the show the night before to see Blackberry Smoke by just simply passing by on our walk to dinner. The venue is located right in the center of the downtown mall so there are plenty of places to grab a drink or food before/after a show. It's only an hour from Richmond so worth the drive! read more

Jefferson Theater - View from the seats on the second level. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I recently went to see a concert, Interpol here in Charlottesville. Everybody at the door was very friendly, and I felt like the sound and Acoustics were very good. Of course Interpol put on an amazing show. I had been a little bit concerned because it's been awhile since I've seen a concert at a smaller venue, however there was nothing to worry about. There is a balcony with excellent seating, we had amazing views of the band and the sound was not compromised at all. Location wise, The Jefferson Theater, it is located in the Downtown Mall, a convenient short walk from the Water Street parking garage. There are many eateries and shops to see before going to a show. I wouldn't hesitate to go there again for a concert. read more

Jefferson Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

See all

Nice intimate venue in a fun area of town. Decent bar, good service. Music sounded good here...

Fun venue! Went for Brett Dennen's show last week, and really enjoyed the Jefferson. That was my first time in, and I was impressed. The bar didn't have a huge selection of beers, but fair for a small bar and the bartenders were friendly. The upstairs seating is nice if you just wanna chill and listen, but downstairs is just open floor with no seating, aka more space for dancing. The only thing that's weird is the floor is still sloped from when there were seats, so if you're standing still it feels a bit weird, but not a big deal. The acoustics seemed great and it was well kept and clean, including the bathrooms. Would definitely return for another gig! read more

Really small and ambient venue. Only downside is that since it's small, the sound is amplified, so if you have any sensory issues that might be a problem. Got to see Noah Cyrus and felt more like an intimate setting and I got to be super close to her! The floor is slanted so it's higher in the back and lower closer to stage. read more

Jefferson Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

See all

Left multiple messages over the last several weeks about accommodations for disabled as we have tickets for upcoming event. Because that's what the website says to do. No one has ever returned my calls. ADA doesn't apply to them. read more

Went up to tell a security guard that a woman had been causing issues for the entire section by screaming at people at a CONCERT to "shut the f up" and the security guard just told me to find a different place. Lazy staff that don't care about the experience of concert goers read more

Awesome place to see a concert. Small but the sound is amazing. Bartenders were fast and efficient. Loved my visit read more

Jefferson Theater - Teddy Swims - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

See all

I've always enjoyed the Jefferson Theater. It attracts some great acts and gives them an intimate venue with good acoustics in a beautiful old building. Usually I go for the floor to get the standing room feel and be up close with the musician. This time I went for the balcony so I could sit. The artist was Trombone Shorty and the show was opened by London Soul. Both groups are immensely talented and I enjoyed the music. My only fault was the volume. I've been to hundreds of concerts so am familiar and welcoming of a loud show, but in this case, the engineer went to 12 on the dial and took it above a level appropriate for the music. Don't know whether that was the artists' requirement or the sound team, but it was raised to the 'outdoor festival' db level and affected the performance. Otherwise, this is a great place to see live music and the staff has always been excellent. read more

Music venues come in all shapes, sizes and characters. The Jefferson is a classy venue. Old style show theater interior decor is very grand feeling and gives the venue such a cool timeless vibe. The main dance floor area is still on a slight slant from where there were cinema/show seating. Standing on the incline seems slightly off putting at first but you get adjusted to it over time. The acoustics were great both upstairs (balcony seating) and downstairs(standing). For the size of the bar I was impressed to see a good selection of curated craft beers on offer, not just your usual domestic plonk which is a great touch for a music venue. The staff were friendly and the show was great (Brett Dennen)! Encore! read more

Jefferson Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

What a great place for any kind of concert! Historic and beautiful but super functional, acoustics are great, attracts great acts at great prices...what else can you ask for? Both acoustic and rock acts sound great at the Jefferson. I've been to a concert for as low as $16 for a ticket (plus a $3 fee for the online purchase, but still), and it's always been super fun. The bigger artists like Ingrid Michaelson and Ben Folds can have ticket prices up to $45. The bartenders are great, efficient, and fair--the longest I've had to wait to get a drink was maybe 10 minutes when the bar was crowded in a sold-out concert. Have your ID ready at the door so you can get an over-21 wristband! Coat check is $2. No matter where you're standing in the audience the view (and the sound) is great since the hardwood floors slope gently down to the stage. read more

Jefferson Theater - The Legwarmers at the Jefferson - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Really solid place to see a show. Great little venue, killer acoustics, seated or standing area options, clean bathrooms, lotsa great draft and tallboy options for decent price, low ticket prices, easy security, convenient location. Only complaint would be that they struggle to consistently book decent gigs. But overall, great spot. read more

If you want to attend a show post Covid, and you want to have the freedom to opt out of the vaccine, do yourself a favor and skip any show offered at this venue. I had a negative covid test administered by CVS and was intensely questioned about the results. 2 of my friends who I was with, purchased self administered tests, which were flat out denied. never again will I consider attending a show here, and I will recommend that my friends do not attend anything here either. read more

Beautiful and spacious venue. Very friendly and helpful staff, and the facility is very clean.

The Jefferson was tight. Not literally, which is something I really enjoyed. As a huge music connoisseur, I have been to a ton of music venues all over Richmond, DC, Baltimore and even a few in New York. The venue is spacious and beautiful, with minimal Renaissance style wall adornments, excellent sound and lighting and a bar with reasonably priced drinks. It reminded me a lot of the National in Richmond, minus the abhorrent bar prices and overly aggressive security. If a band you likes comes to this venue, I'd say go. The ticket prices aren't bad either, and no matter where you stand or sit, you won't have a bad view due to the gently sloped stage layout. B+ read more

The Jefferson Theater is one of my absolute favorite music venues. It's a small, convenient and comfortable venue that attracts big-name acts. Many of the artists play at the Jefferson shortly before or after gigs at well-known venues in nearby cities like the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. But unlike many other venues, you get to experience an incredible show in an intimate venue at really ridiculously reasonable prices. Most shows are between $15-25 depending on the act and whether you buy a ticket in advance or the day of the show. There's usually a small fee for ordering tickets online. Although most of the artists lean towards rock or indie there's a great variety of shows. As for the venue itself, there's one main floor that slopes, half an upper level and an upper balcony and unless you're stuck behind someone six feet or taller, there really isn't a bad view in the house. There's a bar upstairs and another one downstairs by the coat check for easier access. The staff at the Jefferson are really great at what they do. Thanks to the security, despite being right next to UVA grounds, it's not a hotspot for obnoxious underage drinking, the stairs are always clear and the crowds never get out of control. They keep everything running smoothly while still managing to be relaxed and generally unobtrusive. They really help make the atmosphere so comfortable. A few last tips: use the water street lot or garage for close parking, have your ID ready at the door for an over-21 wristband, keep your ticket stub for re-entry, check your coat downstairs so you don't have to carry it all night and if it's open, use the downstairs exit after the show to avoid the crowd on the way out. For most shows the theater won't fill up at least until the opener starts, so there's plenty of time to grab a bite to eat ahead of time. read more

This is a great venue located on the downtown mall to see a show or attend an event. I've been here a few times, once to see the Chainsmokers, another time to see the Antlers. I often look forward to coming to the Jefferson because of it's neat historic details in the building; whether it's the stage, floor, or walls, there are endless things to look at in regards to the architecture. The stage with slopped floor allows for you to see the performance no matter where you choose to stand. This is a huge plus, because the old lady in me likes to stand in the back and appreciates the sight line to the stage. Also the sound system is clear, loud, and quite impressive. I will say that after standing for a few hours the slope in the floor can make your knees ache, but hey, it's a price I don't mind paying when you can see the band quite well! Lastly, or more like firstly, the bartenders here are solid. They are friendly, remember you, and are efficient in taking and serving drinks. All in all, I would recommend checking this out for yourself. It's a great place! read more

This is a great restored venue! I happened in here one night because Trombone Shorty was playing. He's great and really showed off the acoustics and the great vibe of this place. It is, hands down, one of the coolest neighborhoods in America. Shopping shops and foodie spots up and down the blocked brick street with several spots for bands and shows, it's like a street festival every weekend in the summer. read more

As a rabid fan of live music, I was thrilled when what seemed like several years of renovations to the historic Jefferson Theater were completed last year, providing Charlottesville with an essential, music-dedicated venue in the 750-person capacity range. Sure, there's the Paramount across the downtown mall, which holds closer to 1000. But that venue is designed for seated-only shows and generally does not cater to rock bands. In fact, with the closure of Starr Hill Music Hall in 2007 and the Satellite Ballroom in 2008, there was a huge gap in the market for mid-level acts. That niche that was immediately filled by Jeff, as the new theater is affectionately referred to by Central VA music fans. And let me tell you, not only has Corin Capshaw and his team filled the void, they've done it with both style and class. The renovations to the Jefferson are top notch, with careful attention to both historic preservation and user functionality. While the lobby is a bit small, the main room is spacious and has a gorgeous hardwood floor that slopes down the stage. There are also multiple bars providing beverage service on both the main floor and at the balcony level. Restrooms are large, well-lit, and are kept quite clean, a rare find in the mid-range rock venue. Sightlines in the theater are excellent throughout, thanks in no small part to a great lighting setup that makes the stage a focal point. And the sound system is top notch for a facility of this size, especially acoustic acts but also solid for raucous rock & roll. Security and service personnel have proven to be both professional and courteous. The booking over the course of the first year has shown a strong variety of touring rock acts ... jambands mixed in with some indie acts and some folk-rock and singer-songwriters ... a perfect mix for a college town that also boasts a progressive community of hip urban professionals. One more thing worth mentioning is that they've opened a small Latin-themed restaurant in a space adjoining the theater lobby, which allows you to grab a bite and a beer quickly and easily either before, during, or after a show. That place is called Cinema Taco, which I will review separately. Overall, I'm pleased to say that the Jefferson Theater is a very welcome addition to the Charlottesville and Central Virginia music scene and appears to be here to stay. Professionally operated and well-designed for music lovers, it's a wonderful venue that is definitely worth seeking out in the region. read more

The Jefferson Theater, located on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, VA, reopened as a music venue in 2009, ending an era of cheap movies. I didn't get a chance to see how the Jefferson performed as a movie theatre, but it's a decent (if a little small) venue. Two stylish bars, several clean bathrooms, decent sound, and most importantly a very effective air conditioning system, the Jefferson is a nice venue that's too large for a truly intimate show and too small for a popular act. The most important feature of a venue is the quality of bands it attracts -- that's really all that counts. read more

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS VENUE!!!!! Wow First off bands I've seen here are as follows The Head & the Heart, Phosphorescent, & The Lone Below! Incredible Shows made more incredible by this VENUE! They have made serious effort to preserve the old theater and give it new life! So beautiful!! The biggest Plus in my opinion WOOD FLOORS as opposed to most venues having concrete feet aching floors The Jefferson has floors that you can stand comfortably for the length of the opening band & main act!!!! read more

Jefferson Theater - The Lone Below - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I am surprised to find they have 4.5 stars and good for them, unfortunately I have had two bad experiences now. Both of which reflect the staff not the venue itself. Earlier in the year I had a female bartender who was extremely rude and degrading, mentioned it to the bouncer and his response was 'yeah we've been having complaints about her' ...?!? Second instance was Wednesday, November 21 the night before thanksgiving. I previously purchased tickets online and never received the tickets via email. You can attempt to call the Jefferson and you'll find nothing but voice automated system. Upon arrival to the venue I spoke to the women at the ticket booth, who was preoccupied with eating her dumplings, explaining to her my situation. Then proceeding to show her on my bank account that I was charged the $30 for two tickets. The young lady was very rude in saying 'that means nothing I can't do anything about that'. I asked her If I could speak to a manager and her response was 'he's busy right now I mean I can send him a text I guess.' I returned to line with my boyfriend who then walked over again with me (we were both genuinely kind and curious as to how we can solve the issue) and we asked her again, she entered my information to the system to see if she could find tickets and nothing came up. She was again rude in saying 'nothing there, I can't do anything for you.' At this point I spoke back to her in an equal tone of voice saying 'alright then let's buy two more tickets' her response: "are you sure?" Uhhh??? You just repeatedly told me in a rude manner that you can't help me, how else would I get into the show? I said kindly to her 'you know I'd appreciate some better customer service, we've been very kind to you and you were nothing but rude.' When did establishments stop caring about quality customer service? A total of $60 in tickets and an infuriating way to start a show. read more

This is by far my favorite venue for live music. I'll gladly take the drive (nearly 200 miles each way) to see a band vs dealing with people in DC. The sound is great and there really isn't a bad spot in the place. Two bars, gigantic coat rack (free), and a kitchen. Oh yeah the drinks are pretty reasonable to. read more

Good venue but the people working the door (putting on wristbands and scanning your tickets) are without a doubt the rudest people I've ever met. They glare at you when you try to be friendly and bark orders at people. Come on guys. It's a good music venue where people want to be happy and have fun. No need for rudeness read more

Located in the heart of the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, this venue is beautiful, spacious, and brings many genres of artists to Virginia. It is clean and the sound quality is great. There is standing room as well as seating in the back where the bar is located. The floor in front of the stage is somewhat sloped but doesn't hinder anyone's view. There are several different restaurants that stay open late surrounding the venue if you are hungry after getting out of a show, but there is a taco bar conveniently located right next to it. I really enjoy seeing shows at this venue, and I am glad that it is only about an hour drive from Richmond. Definitely recommend! read more

Visited this venue for the first time last night and I would just like to say that most of these reviews are accurate, for the criteria they are addressing. The sound was good, they seem to get quality acts, the tickets were reasonable, the bar was very accessible, drinks were decently priced, the bartenders were quick and friendly, and there isn't really a bad view in the place. HOWEVER, the very reason I decided to give a review in the first place is one that isn't mentioned here very much. The staff (excluding box office and bar staff) were some of the worst I have ever encountered. I am a musician, and have been going to shows, of allll types, for 13 years. My musical taste is broad, and because of that I have been to every kind of venue you can imagine. From arenas to dive bars and everything in between. I would consider this place to be mid-level, along with places like the Tabernacle, the Variety Playhouse, etc and I haven't seen such flat out rude and unacceptable behavior at the seediest of metal shows I'v been to. As we walked in, the bouncer checking IDs for 21+ wrist bands was yelling to everyone that flash photography, video, and audio recording were unacceptable. No problem. Someone asked him why and he jumped at the chance to spit back with "I don't even have to say please, I could just tell you to do it." A smart-assed reply, but not the end of the world. As the show progressed, this same bouncer, along with others, began cruising through the crowd looking for people who were breaking these rules. I witnessed him elbow and shove many young kids to get where he needed with way too much aggression. Then he approached some people next to me taking pictures (not flash photography, which was the only kind of photo prohibited) and told them that he was not joking when he said he would slap their phones out of their hands and kick them out. Again, mostly kids here. Finally, outside after the show, a lot of people were waiting to meet some of the band. I was waiting to the side for my girlfriend who was in this crowd. A different bouncer wanted people to move back to the other side of the band's tour bus, so he decided that "Get the f--k back to the other side" was the best way to address a group of people. He then, allegedly, heard someone say "No" and he yelled back "Don't get f--king smart with me" to some 14 year old kids. The rest of the night progressed as such. I say all of that to say this: there were a lot of young kids there, some with parents, some without. I luckily never experienced anything like that when I was that age. If you want you, or especially your kid to have a pleasant live music experience, I would probably look elsewhere. I definitely won't go to another show here. read more

All time favorite theater, not a bad seat in the house, very well run, clean, great room to see/hear live music, great acts. You can't go wrong. read more

I don't know how these Brooklyn/NYC venues will ever compare after seeing a show here last week for New Years. This theatre is gorgeous. There are nooks and crannies to explore, at least 5 levels and history at every corner. 2 full bars and kind staff from check in, to coats, to bar and booth. What inclined me to write this though is their water policy. I can't remember a venue that didn't try to commodify water. They gave away red plastic cups and had signs to their water fountains...this gives the concert goer a sense of..I don't know, hydration?! Encouragement to have another drink, but responsibly so?! That detail on top of every other stellar aspect made me fall in love and respect how these lovers do bizness'. read more

My friend and I were kicked out of the Lord Huron concert last night without any explanation nor warning. Also the bouncer grabbed my friend first and luckily I saw him aggressively escorting her out because I quickly followed. read more

My boyfriend and I went to see of Montreal last night at the Jefferson. It is a very cool, intimate venue. I can't wait to see other bands play here. read more

I've only been here once and it was for the Jimi Hendrix tribute show on the 15th. What a great place! The sound was awesome, there's a cool little food shop right as you walk in where you can get your snacks and beer, and the bathrooms were clean and well kept. I was on floor level for the show and never got the chance to go to the upper levels, but it seemed like everybody had great views. There's a big bar right as you walk into the stage area that had good bartenders keeping the brew going. It was a great show and a great place for it! read more

Just saw Oh Wonder last night, such a cool venue! Perfectly laid out so everyone could see the performance while standing, along with a sort of viewing deck by the bar. The bartenders were all great and attentive, and security did a good job making sure everything was running smoothly. I'm from NC but will definitely check out more shows here! read more

Nice venue for a concert. It's an old theater (not the movie kind) in the middle of Charlottesville's downtown mall. It's very convenient to lots and lots of food choices for before or after the show. The space is not large and lines of sight are good from just about anywhere. The acoustics are decent, but not spectacular. They have a small bar with a nice selection of beer and it's reasonably priced. There is a small balcony by the bar with a few tables but the floor is open. One huge point of awesome was the bathrooms were never crowded even though the show was sold out and everyone had beers in their hands. The whole night took me back to my college days and that was a fine thing. read more

We were up from Virginia Beach to see a concert and the venue was amazing. The atmosphere,the sound system, the cleanliness all was way above what I had imagined. The drinks were way less expensive than any other concert I have gone to! Will definitely be looking for other concerts at this venue to go to! read more

I saw Beats Antique here last week. It was a great little theater! Building design and architecture is really cool. There are two balconies, so the view is great no matter where you are. The lighting and sound were excellent. Ticket prices were reasonable. The only minor issue was the bar. There was one girl on so drink service was a little slow. But I've been in the service industry for 15 years and an off night of under staffing is understandable! read more

I finally got to attend a show at this intimate theater more than a year after renovation s were completed. The sound wasnt bad, and I love how they kept the original archetecture and design with the building. OVerall what you would expect for asmaller venue and a nice change of offering for Charlottesville. read more

The Jefferson is a great place to catch live music if you are in or near the Charlottesville area. There are always national touring acts who stop by C-ville to play here such as the Drive By Truckers, Kurt Vile, Cold War Kids, Dr. Dog, Ra Ra Riot, Josh Ritter, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Old 97's, TV On The Radio, Snoop Dogg, Pete Yorn, St. Vincent, The Books, Dawes, Cracker and many more.... The beer prices are reasonable for a venue that gets such quality talent, and the Jefferson is also centrally located in the heart of the Downtown Mall which makes it easy to get to. I recommend supporting local talent as well so you should check out either Eli Cook or Sons of Bill if they are playing because you won't be disappointed. read more

Beautiful room and Blackberry Smoke sounded great. We really liked the area outside also. Looked like downtown mall blocked from car traffic with bars, shops and street musicians. Will definitely return for the right show. read more

I've always enjoyed seeing shows at the Jefferson. The venue is gorgeous and in a convenient location. Even at sold out shows, there is plenty of space. The staff are friendly, which enhances the experience significantly. read more