Only reason we travelled 4 hours to Worcester was because of free "all access" passes for the Testament show on Feb 16, 2013. From the beginning, it was bad. The ticket attendant claimed to have all the guest lists, but when confronted, she "found" Overkill's list, with our names on it. Then, we had to go stand in line to get in. They stopped admitting people until they opened the main stage, and the drunks were getting restless. The pat down process was possibly the lamest. Then the idiot ticket taker had apparently never seen an all access pass, because he had to call his supervisor over, who had to go back to the box office to confirm it was legit. Seriously. None of the staff would let us anywhere near backstage, even with the all access passes. They were a bunch of morons. Oh, and you can't go out for a smoke, because unlike EVERY OTHER venue, they don't have an outdoor smoking area. Which makes for Aggro drunks with nicotine withdrawal. The venue was in much disrepair, and cold as a meat locker! We could almost see our breath. Parking was insane...15 bucks for an unguarded lot?! I really wanted to like this place, because of the awesome shows they seem to get, but I can't. I'd rather go over to New York to see a show, and staff knows what they are doing. read more

Maybe it was just the quality of the show that I saw at the Paladium, The Next Big Thing (lots of high school bands that scream too much) but I wasn't impressed. While other people found the paint peeling "charming" I realized that they were just far too cheap to do anything about it. It seems like a concert hall that has owners that are trying to take as much money as possible from everyone before they just close. read more

Staff/security were great, unlike most clubs where they are dicks. Very nice people, they weren't looking to be assholes, always a good plus! Only went once (i live in NY, so its a 4 1/2 hour drive for me). If my favorite band plays there again, i would go back. Great sound (but then again, Manowar has their own crew, so of course it will sound great!), just had a great time that night! read more

Last night I went to killswitch concert there the sound quality was terrible. The drums were much more louder thatn the guitar and the sound was harsh and unclear. I'll never go there again. I tought because all this metal bands have shows there the place should be awsone. They should go to house blues in boston that place rules. read more

Oh, the Palladium. Full of teenagers, smells like an armpit, the women's room is literally the most disgusting of all time. I wouldn't have it any other way. read more

Saw my first concert ever here (Staind) and I've been back many times to see some of my favorite bands. I've also missed some of the best concerts Worcester has ever seen because I was out of town. Now that I don't live in Mass anymore I truly miss the palladium. The concerts are always reasonably prices, the size isn't too small or too big and if you've had enough of crowds you can always relax and grab a seat in the huge balcony. Drinks are obviously over prices but what else is new. They're usually good with air conditioning here and keeping the place up so thats a plus. read more

This is absolutely my favortie music venue!! I love everything about this place. A converted opera/play house that now holds concerts. It's not too big and not too small. Just the right size to have an amazing crowd! It's dirty and dingy, the bathrooms are overcrowded but that's to be expected at concerts so that is not a major concern of mine. It has a great stage, a great sound system, and a great aura about it. I know everytime I go there I will be in for a treat. My only complaint is that the types of shows I go to I just wish the crowd has better personal hygiene, lol. read more

How can they say doors open at 8 and it's after 9 and still waiting to get in..try to call and VM says today is Sept 30, no it's October 7th not impressed hope it's a good show read more

How can a venue not have heat on when it is below freezing out. Even the bands complained about how cold it was inside. The sound was terrible. It was way to loud to the point that I could barely understand what songs they were playing. The place is old, dark and dingy which does add to the feel of the place. This place could be great if the owners cared about running it properly. read more

Some people complain it's grimy but the grungy ambiance is part of the appeal....you come here to rock out. Drinks are way overpriced so get your beer goggles on before you go! Some of the security staff needs to get over themselves but it is what it is when you choose to hit the floor and mosh. Plenty of room to enjoy the show away from the pit if you choose. Small venue so the view is decent from anywhere in the place. The Palladium is a Worcester institution...gotta experience it. read more

AVOID. After attending about a dozen shows here, I won't be back. The problems are: 1. Lousy sound. What could be more important in a music venue? I'm a musician and sometime recording engineer and this is what you'll hear at the Palladium: boomy bass and drums that drown out the guitars and vocals. This is a bigger problem in the larger (downstairs) venue, but the sound sucks on both stages. Oddly, a few bands (like Opeth) have sounded great, so good sound is possible at the Palladium if someone cares enough. But for 90% of the bands I've seen there, I would have been better off staying home listening to the CD. There are MUCH better sounding clubs around, like The Webster Theater and Toads Place, but if you like metal, you're out of luck, since the Palladium seems to have a monopoly on all the big tours. 2. Dangerous overcrowding. This refers to the smaller upstairs venue. Many popular bands are placed here instead of the larger stage. The result is that you have to struggle just to find a place to stand shoulder to shoulder. The stench is unbearable. You feel trapped. You cannot reach the bar to buy a drink. And if you are a guy, forget about reaching the men's room - it's located at the front, near the stage where your only option is shoving through the sweaty crowd. Really, this is intolerable. The Palladium saves some money by employing fewer staff in the small venue and creates a lot of suffering for us fans. 3. You can't see the stage. Again, the smaller venue is the problem here. The stage is too low. If you are under 6 ft all you will see are heads bobbing above the crowd. Most women won't see anything at all. There is zero visibility from the balcony as well, unless you're a fanatic that's willing to stand in line for hours to grab a precious spot at the railing. To be sure, the downstairs venue has excellent visibility and you don't feel crowded, but the sound stinks in both venues and too many shows are held in the (much worse) upstairs venue. With live music, it's all about the sound, and until the Palladium improves theirs, I can't recommend it to anyone. The cavernous downstairs venue has atmosphere and is pretty cool, so it's a borderline recommendation if your favorite band is playing there. Avoid the upstairs room at all costs. read more

Very disappointed had gone to several shows and they had been great. Today the concert started an hour late no announcement nor was it ever acknowledged by anyone. Very unprofessional will not be returning. Had they at least made a announcement and gave a reason why id go back but wasnt even acknowledged. read more

Not usually my favorite venue, but I had such a good time here last night I gave it an extra star. I would normally bitch about beer prices but the $4 Gansett tall boy has become fairly standard. By the time the first band is done playing the men's room is always destroyed....I don't want to get off on a rant about the things I don't like here. Its been a long time since I was last here and it'll be a long time till I come back. But I had a real good f'ing time. read more

I camped out here once for tickets to a free Limp Bizkit concert (no I don't really like Limp Bizkit - it was the summer and I had nothing better to do). The venue was really huge, and I wasn't that impressed by the acoustics (or maybe I just wasn't blown away by the performers). read more

This is my favorite place to see a show, small enough to get right up front to see the bands and the sound is really good, lots of metal and punk bands play here read more

I must say that I am a fan of the Palladium. This is where I met my husband, so it will always have a place in my heart. The staff is friendly and took pity on me when some a-holes put their drinks on my tab one night. I was more than impressed with the bartender who took care of this for me (and had the extra drinks taken off my tab). Yes the drinks are over priced, but that is what I have come to expect at most music venues. It also gets very cold in the venue when it is cold outside so bring a hoodie or jacket when it is winter. I've been to a lot of music venues around the USA and I really dig the Palladium. It is also great that so many bands go there instead of Boston (because for me at least, it is a lot easier and less expensive to go to Worcester). I don't know if I would say it is the best venue I've ever been too, but it up there. read more

Mmmmm scummmmmy.. I used to go here for shows when I was a wee babe. I mean, I guess I was like 15, but if my mom had ever been to the palladium I'm not sure if she'd have been so excited about me "expanding my musical horizons" ...aka seeing alkaline trio like 6 times and going to skatefest every year. I'm tempted to give it more stars because I had some good times there.. but those days are decidedly over. Yikes! read more

I've never had a negative experience at this club except for 1 outside festival. my only major gripe for this venue, that will not stop me from going to see shows here, is that as a someone that enjoys a little smoke with my concert & is VERY thankful to live in a state that has legalized cannabis I don't like the no re-entry policy that is OFTEN or that they don't have any kind of smoking area at all during many shows. Lots of people smoking in that place as a result&I don't blame them 1 bit. I don't buy cigarettes, only pipe tobacco, no pipes allowed, which I understand, not a big deal, so usually I leave everything in my car & take a walk in-between sets "if they let me" & get some fresh air & away from the crowd, to have a puff. I don't have to sneak anything in or test their boundaries as a result. What would be BEST & really 'hip' & help this club make a TON of money is if they could create a partnership with the amazing local cannabis industry "Sanctuary" dispensaries & offer alternatives OR create a cigar bar smoking snack/coffee area w/local beers like the Wachusett brewery & local espresso/coffee bistro's where people at long shows could escape the loud music if need be. This could help de-escalate people & situations that are for some reason NOT having a positive experience or obnoxious drunks that NEED to sober up before they leave. read more

I have a bias to this place because I played a battle of the bands here when I was in high school... and won! (out of 60+ bands, go dilysi. but enough self gratification) Love to see 311 here, it's one of the smallest venues they play around here. All around I love the palladium. read more

It's nice to have this venue close(enough) to Boston for national acts to play once they get a little too big for the smaller clubs in the city (are there even any of these left?). The beer is too expensive, the air too cold, and the interior too beat on. But the staff is great and friendly, even over the phone when you know they have got a million calls about the same thing that day. With less acts coming into Boston proper these days it's nice to have The Palladium there to take over. read more

This is probably one of the better venues in Worcester, especially if you're seeing a band that is better in a more intimate environment. The acoustics are quite good and the place is bigger than it seems. Bar service is not always great, but it's worth it to see a show here. read more

I was here in July for a Tech concert and it was HHHOOOOTTTT!!!! So effing hot I can't even describe. I've never sweated so much in my life, literally. This is no exaggeration. There is no AC, no ventilation, and the only fans were in the tiny bar area and being crowded by all the other sweaty people. I saw on here someone else's review saying how cold it is so I just wanted to stress that in the summer it is balls hot. I really wanted to see the concert since it was my first Tech show, but if it wasn't so important to me, nothing else could have kept my bf and me from leaving. read more

I have been to a few metal shows here, the place is good for the amount of bands they get through but that is about it they have the music cranked up way to loud to the point that you cant even make out what is being said read more

Not sure if it was the venue or sound rink or what but the Say Anything/Bayside show last night seemed disorganized and short staffed. No one knew where to get their tickets from, getting in the door took forever, there was one guy handing out bracelets for alcohol to the flood of people coming in causing more of a backup at the door. I was even stopped getting in because one of the girls doing security wasn't sure if point and shoot digital cameras were allowed inside (they are). I enjoyed the show but I've been here a few times and have never seen it that chaotic before. read more

I saw my first concert (Mushroomhead) here. I like the place. They have the stage and then a floor which is normally called the "pit" then they have a lounge type area and behind that is the bar. They also have a second floor of all seats. I have only been there for concert-related events. I've been there so many times. The prices for tickets usually aren't bad. The merchandise area is always in the same spot. read more

Saw a music show there, they don't let anyone leave and they won't give you water unless you pay for it. It was a heavy metal show and a lot of kids needed water real bad and didn't have money. I've been to a lot of venues and this is the only one I've found that doesn't let you leave or give you tap water. Shit venue read more

Great venue for heavy metal, probably the best in Massachusetts next to the Middle East. No matter where you're standing or sitting, you'll be able to see the stage. The drinks are expensive and the security can be a little overzealous at times. The surrounding area of Worcester is nice enough, with a bunch of hotels if you plan on staying the night for a show. read more

This place does get good bands. Unfortunately most of the people that work there are completely rude. The bathrooms are quite gross. Oh, and don't forget to bring an extra 5-20 bucks (depending on day) or you'll have to try to find parking on the street. Will I go back? Of course. They are one of the few venues around that has bands I like. read more

great great business thanks for all the years and all the bands you bring to area not gonna complain about old building, etc but one complaint - I went to first night of Metal Fest 2014 and I was stone sober, you audio was way too loud. I had ear plugs and still my ears rang with that high pitch tinny sound read more

I've been going to the palladium for a while now and everytime the sound gets worse and worse. I like the location and tue big spaces and it's close to CT so if a tour passes us it's not too far, but they deff need to hire a better sound guy or get better equipment. Bands are playing most there sets and no vocals or all treble in the guitars. read more

Seen 5 shows here since High School, probably would have been more if I could afford the tickets and the drive. Security is tight but not draconian; mostly they pat you down on entry/re-entry. Note to the people listening to bad reviews, you are likely not cut out for concerts to begin with, or you apparently came expecting it to be the Ritz, or you did something really stupid (like taking a person with PTSD to a dark, loud, and crowded place and expecting the likely-underpaid staff to be crisis intervention). TL;DR, don't start a problem, there won't be a problem. Only real issues I have: the bathrooms are cramped, and they charge for parking ($15 last I went) read more

First time there for the Asking Alexandria concert. Had a blast and every staff member I encountered was friendly. Bar service was prompt. The venue is a bit worse for wear but overall a good experience. read more

This has to be one of my favorite concert venues in the entire country. It's small, dingy, and full of so much energy. Unfortunately it's been a while since I last went, but I can still remember all of the good vibes. read more

I had never seen a show there. Wanted to know if there was a safe place to stand when taking my young teen and her friend to a concert. Was told the best place to stand is the VIP section at$40 a ticket extra (making it from$25 to $65) I wanted safe viewing from the mosh pit for a first concert experience. Totally not worth it. Can't see the stage because 5 others were crammed in a tiny space that looks over the stage. They sell 20 tickets on each side of the stage. No way could I see.. So I paid an extra $120 to stand in a side balcony facing the crowd. Manager told me no one complains, that it always sells out. Staff said that's not true. Many customers are annoyed. Don't bother paying extra and sit in the balcony. Otherwise, it's a pretty cool place to see a show. read more

A man grabbed me, which left a bruise 10 minutes later, and when I shoved him off me I was kick out of the venue. When I spoke to management about it, I was told that I should have relied on their bouncers. Yet the man that grabbed me was not removed from the venue... read more

One of my favorite concert venues truly a great place I highly recommend seeing one of your favorite bands here

The Palladium isn't bad but honestly I hate going all the way out to Worcester to catch my metal shows. At least the shows are decently priced ($17-$25). Unfortunately, they don't have a coat check area so during those long winter months, it really sucks. Apart from that, I don't really have anything bad to say about it. The place is pretty old and It would be nice if they renovated, but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. The bottom line is that The Palladium is the best place to catch a metal show in Massachusetts and until that changes, I'm here to stay... read more

I've been going to the Palladium since I was 14 and I don't intend to stop anytime soon. However, the place (and its bathrooms) could do with upgrades! read more

Went here for a NYE show. The show was great, but this venue is not my favorite. They had a "no re-entrance after 11:30" rule, so you could not go outside to smoke. People were lighting up inside. There were only 3 bartenders working and they seem to pick favorites. The security is just kids and they aren't very effective. The building was very drafty and cold... Even with over 100 people jumping around and dancing. Probably will not return to this venue. read more

Absolute worst venue of all time. Overselling shows is not a way to be inviting of people coming back. On top of it all, bar service? Terrible. Security service once you get past the front door? Terrible. General admission room? Terrible. Sound? Pedestrian at best. Congrats on booking sold out shows but your venue is garbage. read more