This place is massive and has so much to offer the public. We went for Nurse John's comedy performance, and it was epic! Attendance was around 3,000, but it didn't even feel crowded because of how big the venue is. Seating was decent, though if people arrive late you'll find yourself standing to let them squeeze by. They also sell alcohol if you want a little buzz before the show. Overall, the venue was clean, had plenty of restrooms, and the staff was really helpful. read more

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Attended the Goo Goo Dolls Chaos In Bloom Concert here and was pleasantly surprised at the venue. The seats were comfortable, sound acoustics great and view great. I'm use to seeing concerts at stadiums such as Alligiant In Las Vegas, NV so this was a nice change. Getting in and out of the venue was easy with no large crowds. We stayed at the Doubletree Hotel next door which has a tunnel between the hotel and venue so we didn't have to lug around our jackets. read more

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The place is a bit smaller than I was expecting. I didn't like that upon exiting the show there was only one set of escalators. The snack bar could have more variety than just a handful of choices. The beer was a bit overpriced. $30 for 2 import beers? Yikes! One good thing was the friendly staff who was very helpful and cool. The seating is not the most comfy so bring a seat cushion or big buns cause the seats are pretty thin. read more

Tonight we went to see RuPaul's Drag Race World Tour at the Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center. It it a beautiful facility that is well maintained. Tonight we saw RuPaul's Drag Race World Tour there. We sat in Section 1, Row N, seats 3 and 4. We had to watch most of the show on the big screens, as the set blocked the view from the sides of the stage. We would get glimpses of the performers only when they came to the very front of the stage. We never saw the Time Machine that the performers stepped out of! The fan shape of the Auditorium is very wide and the outer seats deprive the patrons of getting their money's worth, being able to see the live show without obstruction. When we bought these tickets last March, 6 months ago, we did not get to pick our actual seats, we were assigned them randomly and then e-mailed our tickets to print or be scanned. The show was fun to watch, but would have liked to have seen more of the action, and not a fraction of it. read more

Kiva Auditorium - Jada - Music Venues Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This is such an awesome venue for concerts of all genre. Last year 2023, I saw Christian rock singer Zach Williams. I was in the first row (AA) on the end seats. It was such an awesome show. The security were all very chill, at the end of the show, they didn't block anybody that were from an another section and let them come to the front. read more

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This was a very intimate and enjoyable place to see your favorite artists. My only negative comment would be the 20.00 to park.

We saw Govt Mule here last night and had a super enjoyable experience. The sound was excellent and the seating was good. Overall I enjoy coming here but its pretty standard/basic. It's a nice place to see a concert and the staff were pretty relaxed and friendly. Looking forward to the next' concert here. read more

Nice staff. Lady at the metal detector let me hide my vape from my mom. (I'm overage I just don't want to disappoint my mother)

The venue itself is nice and comfortable. I have been there for numerous events. My main issue is the fees that they attach to events there. Recently I wanted to attend a concert and when I went to buy tickets the fees that were added to the ticket price nearly double the price of the ticket. It was no worth attending even thought I would liked to have heard the concert. read more

I got the closest, least expensive tickets I could for the Dream Theater concert. Well. They were close but there was a speaker tower totally blocking the keyboardist. They were horrible. They should never have been sold. The event didn't sell out so we moved to the back center of the auditorium. The view was great and of course the band was amazing but the sound was terrible. I'll see another concert there because I like the intimate venue but they need to stop selling crappy seats and work on the sound prior to the show. read more

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The first thing I want to know about a music/performance venue is the following: can I get up to the front and rock out? The answer for the Kiva is a definite No. Buy your ticket, sit in your seat and hopefully enjoy the show. Two concerts for me, here: Beck and Pixies. An aside: Beck, don't rap. Just don't do it. I mean, it's cool for your recordings, but don't play that when you're live, you're ridiculous. Pixies: no worries about the loss of Kim Deal. Yeah, she helped craft the songs that made ya famous, but it's pretty easy to sub a female bassist for your role. I missed ya, but I saw ya with The Breeders and that was enough. Some marriages simply aren't meant to last and I'm glad you got out of this one, you're better off on your own. The Kiva Auditorium makes you sit. Until it's time to stand. And then all of the short people are screwed. You can buy a beer before the show and during intermission, at premium pricing. So choose wisely, dear Yelper. Great bands visit this venue. You'll be sitting for most of the show, and when the big numbers are played you're lucky if you have a sight line between the shoulders of the tall peeps in front of you. That said, it's a good venue. Best idea: close your eyes and let the speakers drown you. read more

Came to the Kiva for my brothers graduations from UNM. The place was so crowded and packed that I was glad we arrived early. People were standing in the isles and the back section that it was starting to get ridiculous. I guess the school did not anticipate so many engineer graduates that they didn't have time to pick a larger location. There are two main openings to the auditorium. The seats are a red material that is extremely itchy and uncomfortable. It is best not to wear shorts or a skirt while seating in them. There is ample space most of the time I have been here. Just make sure if you are coming to a big event that you arrive early to get a good seat. read more

Love coming to the Kiva. There are often musicians that come here or other convention conferences. The plush red velvety seats are nice and snuggly, hopefully you will not fall asleep. The sound is nice, since it is Kiva-ish shaped. The location is nice. Park in the connected lot and walk through the corridors, as you pass by the other rooms check out the quinceaneras that are being set up and stare at the child brides or walk by the cat convention or bodies exhibit. Then step outside and go to some nearby good eats. read more

I've been here for 2 concerts: All American Rejects (circa 2009) and Vampire Weekend (2013). The acoustics in this auditorium are excellent no matter where you're sitting. However, I do have 2 main complaints: 1) They don't serve alcohol. I haven't quite figured out why. Perhaps it is because the shows I attended were both all age shows. If this were the case, wouldn't wrist bands solve that problem? OR, perhaps it is because the seats are kinda nice and they don't want drunk a$$ holes spilling beer all over the place. If this were the case, wouldn't confining beer drinkers to a certain area solve that problem (like Sunshine theatre)? Whatever it is, I like to get drinks at concerts...just my style. I recommend putting in a bar. 2) Both the events I attended at the Kiva had assigned seating instead of general admission. This means if I buy my ticket separate from my friends, we can't sit together, and that's a bummer. Additionally, the most die-hard fans should be the ones in front screaming with their hands up, not the ones who had more money for tickets (I'm not sure if the closer seats were more expensive, but if they were, this applies). Not sure if this decision lies with the venue or with the band, but if it lies with the venue, they should reconsider it. Perhaps take out seats in the front and allow some tickets to be purchased gen admish for that area. This is a beautiful auditorium and the sound is great, so I will definitely return. read more

Terrible venue! Acoustics are awful, the staff is really disorganized. They didn't have enough seats set up (or properly labeled) for the tickets they sold (in the most expensive section, right in front of the stage). Has a terrible vibe, makes you feel like you're seeing a show at an airport. (I take that back, the Albuquerque airport has more soul, and possibly better acoustics) I've been to two shows there now, will not return. read more

Went to see Death Cab for Cutie. Could not see on website to buy handicapped tickets. My wife and I arrived at the venue early because I'm in a wheelchair. The parking was great and I was able to get to the rite room with ease. That's where things went south. As we wheeled in the usher/security staff were unsure where to seat us. They have no designated handicapped seating at this venue that is clearly marked or otherwise. After some confusion by the staff we were seated at the back of the house by a supervisor who told us to trade our seats to people who are directed to sit in the seats that we were occupying. An usher who later approached us with people who had our seats was not familiar with our situation. We had to explain what was going on and trade the tickets ourselves. After that the same sadistic usher directed another couple to our seats. The usher denied approaching us previously and insisted that we handle it. Thankfully those people were able to sit near us and were nice about it. The usher in question was extremely rude. If you're handicapped and in a wheelchair like me don't bother with this venue. They will harass you and do everything possible to ensure you leave and don't want to come back. I don't ask for much and never want to use my disability for gain of preferential treatment. This venue is city owned. Where are the ada requirements for folks like me when they get in the door? The Kiva auditorium is not wheelchair friendly when it comes to seating. Epic Fail!! read more

venue is nice enough trying to park is ridiculous only one lane into parking garage and leaving is a nightmare.

The sound is good but the place needs big screen TVs for the limited view sections. Parking fee is descent & reasonable. Its stagnant architectually but you realize it is a convention center, it's a little vanilla. Staff good, merch space spacious, & bar service aplenty. read more