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    The Magnolia

    3.6 (114 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    The Magnolia Photos

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    Jessica M.

    It was my first time here. We came for a concert and to be clear, the band was 5 stars. The sound system was excellent, the energy was upbeat, and the overall setup had the potential for a great night. I was there with my family (a group of seven), and we had seats near the front of the stage. Unfortunately, the entire experience was overshadowed by one of the security guards, whose behavior (to put it lightly) was unsettling. She spent what felt like the entire concert staring directly at me. Not scanning the crowd, not casually monitoring the area...just fixated. It was distracting at first, then slowly became uncomfortable, and eventually completely ruined the atmosphere for me and my family. I honestly didn't even notice it at first until my dad pointed it out. I almost wish he didn't because once I became aware of it, I couldn't ignore it. It made me feel singled out for no reason. I wasn't drinking, wasn't being loud, I was in my seat trying to enjoy the band. To make sure this wasn't typical, I looked across the venue at another security guard. That guard was doing exactly what you'd expect: watching the band, occasionally scanning the crowd, staying aware without making anyone feel targeted. That's what professional, appropriate security presence looks like. This, however, was personal and completely unnecessary. I could have overlooked the overpriced $20 drinks, but I can't overlook feeling watched and uncomfortable for an entire show when I did absolutely nothing to warrant it. It completely killed the vibe and turned what should have been a great night into one I'd rather forget.

    Michelle F.

    The Magnolia is a great venue for concerts. No seat is a bad seat. And, the seats in the front are incredibly close to the stage. The venue is set up with movie theater/theatre seats so you're pretty comfortable if you're seating during the concert. I've been to two concerts here and had a great experience both times. Inside the venue you can buy drinks and hot dogs/pretzels. Outside the venue they had a food vendor which was quite mediocre. They could definitely improve on that part of the experience. The Magnolia is definitely a great choice for music performances!

    Very fun
    Tracey F.

    Another great night at The Magnolia. Easy parking, easy check in, easy getting to seats, comfortable seats, great performance by Trey Kennedy!

    Mark Hoppus.
    Rhiza D.

    Came here for the Mark Hoppus book tour. This is a venue on the smaller side compared to places like Viejas. It was easy to see Mark. Unsure how this would be for concerts but I would say it was perfect for a book tour/speaking event. Parking was easy (I prepaid) and it was easy getting in and out of the venue. No traffic. It's a little out of the way in San Diego but I would come here again. Food/drinks were easy to get. Place was clean and organized. The only thing I disliked about the place is how long the rows are. There should be a walking path in the middle so less people are walking by your seat and for safety reasons.

    Stage
    Kent C.

    This is my first visit to this venue and I must say I can't wait to see another artist and come back again. The facility was clean and well organized, seating was very comfortable, view of the stage, looked good from every seat, and what was remarkable was the space between the seat and the seat in front of you, which made it very easy for People to walk past you without you having to stand up and allow them to get by without stepping on your feet. I saw Robin Trower last night. At 80 years young, he is still a tremendously gifted guitar player, and I would urge anyone that likes his rock 'n' roll to definitely attend one of his upcoming events.

    Marcie L.

    I really enjoyed this venue. There's plenty of parking, both free and paid. The staff was very friendly, and the interior is impressive. The VIP section offers comfortable seating, a private bar, and food service. However, the event management was poor. The speaker was scheduled to start at 7 PM, but didn't begin until 8 PM. They also delayed entry, leaving us waiting outside for a long time. The food is extremely overpriced--$10 for two tacos, $15 for nachos, $17 for a tall beer, and $6 for a bottle of water. Overall, it's a great theater, but it could be better organized with more reasonable pricing.

    Allen S.

    Very nice facility. Clean. Great appearance. Well maintenance. Pro staff. Just need to address seat sizes, cup holders too small, and ensuring adequate bathrooms during large full house events.

    Came to her show. pretty good. she's definitely entertaining
    Christina L.

    This is a pretty spacious venue as far as the sizing of it. Very clean. Place is pretty well kept. I will say theirs a lot of seating inside where the actual show is but not a good amount of spacing in between the aisle(s) of the seats. People kept kicking my seat during the show. When I would excuse myself to the restroom people would have to squish themselves sideways for me or others to get by. No elbow room between the next seat. Once the lights go out it's pretty hard to see where your going if you want to exit during the show for any reason and return. I would say they have a lot of snacks and drink options. Parking isn't too complicated their are several options close by.

    The Magnolia Lobby Posters
    Jeff N.

    The Magnolia is a pretty decent Venue for watching Comedy Shows And Cover Bands to HeadLiners. Safe Parking Lot. Never had a problem with Security. There's usually more than enough parking spaces. 〰〰|Friendly Event Staff 〰〰|Food and Drinks are sold inside. 〰〰|Plenty of Restrooms to accommodate Tip: Even on a Summer Day or Evening the inside temperatures drop quite a bit with the AC on. We now know to bring Jackets so we don't freeze our asses off. 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰L O C A T I O N〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 〰〰〰210 E Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020〰〰〰 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

    Inside the venue. Excellent views.

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    27 days ago

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    28 days ago

    Great intimate venue. Seats and acoustics were awesome too. I will attend another show there in the future.

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    7 months ago

    Every seat on the house is a good seat! Acoustics are great! Comfortable, plenty of parking!

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    Ask the Community - The Magnolia

    Is handicapped accessible seating approptiate for person with a walker?

    If you have a walker with a sitdown seat that is recommended. I am a amputee that went to event and left because of delay of people being allowed to get ti seating. After 15 minutes of standing my back and stump were in pain. After spending $375 in… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Magnolia

    The venue had special Christmas-themed cocktails and Nutcrackers for sale, which I thought were nice touches.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Music Box - Third level interior seating

    Music Box

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    First time here and they definitely did impress…read more Staff was friendly and quick to make drinks and get people through the line. Security was nice and friendly even when I was in the wrong spot. The venue itself is more intimate, which I enjoyed, but they still had some seating they had private spots and even some reserve reserved or VIP tables which I really liked and I think I would get next time I came here. If you have a band that you enjoy, this is definitely a good venue if they're playing out to go check them out. Easy to get to via Lyft. And in a nice location in the downtown area.

    Music Box in Little Italy is such a gem for a fun date night! We went to see CID and had the best…read moretime from start to finish. The layout of the venue is one of my favorite parts--it feels intimate but still gives you options depending on your vibe. Downstairs is where most of the action is, but the upstairs is a total game changer. There's another bar (huge plus), plenty of space to move around, and a patio/terrace area where you can step out, catch some air, and still enjoy the music. It's the perfect balance between being in the crowd and having a more relaxed viewing experience. And the sound system? SO good. Crisp, immersive, and you can feel the music without it being overwhelming--CID sounded incredible. Overall, such a fun and unique spot for a night out or date night. We'll definitely be back for more shows!

    Photos
    Music Box - 3rd floor near bar

    3rd floor near bar

    Music Box - Third floor

    Third floor

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    Side seating

    The Magnolia - theater - Updated May 2026

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