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Agora Theater
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
5000 Euclid AveCleveland, OH 44103
(216) 881-2221
- Good for Kids:
- No
8 reviews for Agora Theater
8 reviews in English
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Review from Kelly M.
12/10/2011
I couldn't tell you how many shows I've been to here. So pissed that the HOB basically killed the Agora's business with the exception of a handful of shows a year. The one thing that really made the Agora awesome is that you could buy tickets at the box office with only a dollar service charger per ticket! Hell, I'd go buy tickets for multiple shows and most of the time they'd just waive the charge after the first set. It cold be worse, Live Nation could run this venue.
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Review from Kevin S.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2006 3 photos
Possibly the best place I've ever seen a show, but it could have been the psychic influence of The Buzzard, the symbol and spirit of cool-kid WMMS radio. For a teenager from the farm country west of Cleveland, driving into the big gritty city to see some seedy or up-and-coming or on-its-way down band at the Agora was as grown up as it gets. You would see people with leather pants and ulterior motives, and the smell of marijuana and debauchery and decline clung to everyone.
It's still a great venue and as my delightful friend Maria points out, the hang-out bar is a great place to get away from the lame filler songs, while the seating arrangement and club floor make this a perfectly designed venue. I love that damn sign out front too.
That personal history is mixed with rock history, as evidenced by the Agora's role as the centerpiece of a once burgeonging chain of rock clubs and it's reputation as one of the best venues in the country, not to mention the big acts that broke here, makes this a Cleveland treasure, at least for me. -
Review from Rob S.
9/3/2009
Word on the street says that this place is dead, which is a shame, because this concert hall is great. Like the Goldilocks preferred porridge of rock and roll, it was neither too big or too small; it was just right. Hopefully we haven't heard the last of the Agora.
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Review from m. m.
Philadelphia, PA
12/30/2010
Recently caught the Paul Di'Anno show here. My experience was about 3.5 stars but because it's the holiday season I rounded up for a generous 4. On the positive side, the club has good sound, books decent acts and keeps ticket prices reasonably low in view of all the tacked-on Ticketmaster "fees" (not the venue's fault). They booked at least one excellent local band as an opener (Lick the Blade) and did not pad the bill with about six openers all playing for 20 minutes apiece as some venues do. Restrooms were decent and most of the employees (including parking lot guys, door lady and "security") were pleasant to deal with. The layout of the club was a little odd, as the bar is in an area separate from the music listening room and there are raised areas with tables on both sides, one of which seemed to be for anyone to sit in and the other perhaps a VIP area (?). Despite the confusing layout (and steps that were dark and a little weird to navigate with drinks in your hands or even in your tummy), I had no problem getting close to the stage. Also there weren't any silly restrictions on bringing your beer bottle down on the floor stage front, as I've sometimes run across at clubs laid out with the bar separate from the floor.
The biggest minus of this venue is that it's located in a very dead area of town. There don't seem to be any other businesses operating at night in the vicinity, no places to get food, no other cozy little bars, etc. Perhaps it's busier in the daylight but it seemed like the last outpost of civilization after dark. You park in the back lot, which faces out on an industrial-type street, and walk down a long covered walkway to get to the actual club, rather than parking in the front by the neon sign and having any sort of street scene going on. Also, this is a small and perhaps minor point, but I didn't appreciate the bartender girl who sold me a 4.50 drink for which I gave her five dollars and she just went, "Thank you!" and rushed off down the bar, keeping the extra 50 cents without asking. Hey lady, if you'd given me my change or at least offered, I was going to give you a dollar tip and probably buy another beer or two, but after you pulled that stunt I did neither. -
Review from Maria D.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2005
I like this venue and wish San Francisco had one that was similar. Basically, the "dance floor" and "hang out" area are separate so if you don't care about the opening band, you can go chill with your friends and when you want to actually watch the band you can go be on the floor and rock out. I saw some good shows here.
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Review from Justin V.
11/6/2007
I saw the Flaming Lips play here a while back. Cool venue, especially if the band you were going to see isn't all that popular. If you want to get close, you can do so pretty easily, but if you want to be chill, you can grab a table near the balcony overhang. Drink prices are pretty low. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot to do around the venue.
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Review from Colleen B.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2006
I have so many fond memories of the Agora, it really is a great club, large enough to get away & have a conversation or get totally immersed in the band. Seriously, one of the best places I have ever seen a show.
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Review from Julia B.
Chicago, IL
12/7/2005
Great place to see a show! THey have a nice bar area where you can hang out and wait for your favorite artist to play! They have a bar and a nice little sitting area. The sound was really good at the show I was at and I would the tickets weren't an arm and a leg!
