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Categories: Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: West EndDelmar Loop (MetroLink)
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Ever since Mississippi Nights closed down, the Pageant has taken over as my fav spot in town for concerts.
Every part of The Pageant has good views of the stage. The balcony (21+ only) has plenty of room even when an event is sold out. Halo Bar is a nice place to hang out before the actual doors to the Pageant open. Yes drinks can be a little pricey, but that's to be expected at any concert with nationally touring bands.
I've been to many a concert venues to see/hear live music. The Pageant is hands down one of the best when it comes to acoustics. There must have been some acoustic engineering done here when they revamped it. Because given its size, you'd expect it to sound muddy (like shit) like many of the old run down theaters and ballrooms in Chicago do.
When a touring act I want to see has a show at the Riviera in Chicago and happens to have a weekend show at the Pageant, it's well worth the 300 mile trek to see them. I've done this at least a dozen times. In addition to the acoustics being superb, the drinks aren't overpriced and the crowds not as rowdy in St. Louis.
I couldn't have discovered the Pageant sooner. Seeing the Flaming Lips on their last 3 amazing tours at the Pageant was definitely a treat.
This place is really hit or miss with me. I went to a Ludo concert recently (last week, actually), and it was pretty good. I especially loved that for this particular night, at least, it was non-smoking.
The drinks were too expensive for my taste (5.50 for a beer? Call me cheap, but i'll pass). Get here early so you can have a table, or you'll be standing all night.
The Halo bar is pretty cool. Sometimes the band will come in there for an interview of sorts. Coheed and Cambria did this, and it was pretty sweet.
The sound is spotty. It seems to really depend on the act.
Coheed = awful sound.
Ludo = good sound.
Jason Mraz = good sound.
Muse = good sound.
I've been to roughly a dozen venues throughout the midwest and a couple more in TX since moving. The Pageant is without doubt the best venue I've ever been to. The sound is usually incredible but it depends on the band. When I saw Muse here the sound was incredible and they somehow managed to turn up the volume on the last song. When I saw Deftones here the sound wasn't nearly as good but then again I've heard that Deftones are generally pretty terrible at live performances.
The fact that there is a bar on both levels is a plus. And St. Louis natives can stop at the box office and get reserved seating (for the price of GA) on the balcony level with waitor/waitress service. The rest of the seating is very limited and first come first serve.
Not a great venue. Not terrible, but certainly not great. And a bit overrated, imo.
My last experience here at the of Montreal concert was poor. I had the worst seats in the house probably. I now know to get there early so that I won't have a seat in which I'll have to stand up just to be able to have a good view of the band. The acoustics at that particular show were pretty bad too.
However, previous shows there were much better. And why is the balcony always empty?
totally corporate venue, but that being said, it's one of the best places in STL to see a show. It's a really good place, but it kind of has a big box retailer kind of vibe to it, which is my only real issue with the place.
The Pageant is the best place in St. Louis to see a concert, which makes me kind of sad. Not that there's anything wrong with The Pageant, it was completely remodeled a few years ago and it's perfectly nice inside; I just which we had more options. But since we don't, I guess The Pageant will have to do.
The Pageant is large enough that a mid-sized band with a fairly sizeable following's fans can fit inside for a concert without much problem. This issue with The Pageant is that if the band you wish to see there is bigger than a middle-of-the-road band, you're going to have to deal with the crowd, and for some reason ($$), at The Pageant, they love to pack in the bodies. So, because of poor planning (and b/c STL doesn't have a real mid-sized venue) you may be stuck missing large portions of the show standing in line at either the bathroom or the bar. If you make it to the bar, the drinks are "concert priced," meaning you'll pay about $8 for a 16 oz beer, same as at the ballpark.
The good thing about The Pageant is that once inside, there really isn't a bad seat in the house, especially if you purchase a seat in the balcony (which I recommend). Actually, the balcony is pretty much the only way to go. You won't end up losing your seat, there's usually a waitress who comes around to take drink orders, and you can keep an eye on the bathroom and wait until the line dies down.
It takes a really good band, or a free ticket for me to go to the Pageant. Since the first time I went there, I felt like the management of space was off. It's a pretty large venue, but somehow can still feel cramped because of the way things are compartmentalized.
There is the section near the bar, and you better make sure that hand-stamp doesn't wear off while you're washing your hands, because it will be checked every time you re-enter the area. Then there's the standing room closer to the stage where the under-21 crowd has to hang out. Sometimes there are tables set up near the bar area, which is nice. I like being able to sit at a table during a show. There is a balcony, but there often not anybody up there, and I'm not really sure if it's because it's off limits or because nobody wants to go up there.
With the closure of Mississippi Nights, bands with a certain range of popularity play here. Sometimes this makes sense, and sometimes it makes for a venue that seems a little too empty. Not that this is necessarily the fault of the venue. I just wish we had a better range of venue sizes here. I think a lot of bands often skip St. Louis because of this.
A good thing (for me) is that a lot of shows lately have been non-smoking. I think this is something determined by the band playing, but it works for me. The prices of drinks aren't astronomical, but they are a bit high.
The sound is usually decent, but it does have its off nights.
The Pageant is a great place to go see a show. Now, with Mississippi Nights closed it is basically the only place that I'll see a show if a band or comedian comes through that I like.
The Pageant has a lot to offer. In the back, you have the bar and then stair stepped seating on your way down to the stage. Between there is the pit, the place right next to the stage where you can stand, dance, and do what you please, just so long as it doesn't get you kicked out of the show for doing something utterly ridiculous.
Each time I've seen a concert or comedy show at the Pageant I have always enjoyed myself, even before I was old enough to sit in the seating area. Of course when I turned the magical age I was able to stand up in the area where all the cool kids go to go. The best thing about sitting up there is the face you get a better view of the show without as much obstruction from crazy tall people standing in front of you.
The Pageant is a great place to see a show. Some of the best that I've seen there are The Flaming Lips, The Killers, and The Strokes. There isn't a bad seat in the house and you can always get close enough to the band to actually see them.
I love this place. Quite adaptable to different show and crowd types.
No venue in this second hand smoke-laden town can earn 5 stars, though.
This is the next best thing (for now) for watching live music in St. Louis, after the demise of Mississippi Nights a few years back. I used to like to hang out in the pit during shows, but I've realized that commandeering one of the tall tables off to the side gets you a server to bring your drinks.
The drink prices are slightly higher (not too much), but expected for the venue.
I genuinely like The Pageant, but I do have one complaint: the security staff here is too pushy. Not the in-house bouncers, but the uniformed security guards. One wouldn't let me in because I had an old, plastic bottle opener on my key chain. So I had to throw it away. She said I could hold someone hostage with that. Maybe she was joking, but it was a bad joke.
I saw DJ Shadow here a while ago and really enjoyed it!! Nice place to see a show. My only gripe is that since I am over 21 and had a drink in hand at all times (like I do when at shows) I was not allowed to the front. They had a roped off special area for those of us that can drink. Please don't punish me and make me put my glasses on to see just because I am spending more money on alcohol at your fine venue. But the best part is when we walked out there was a dude selling brats on the street. He has the right idea!! A perfect ending to a drunken night in U city.
I've seen more concerts than I can count here, and I've never been disappointed. The Pageant always draws in a mix of great acts--some household names and other more "indie" bands.
The sound is generally impeccable. I did recently see Modest Mouse and there were some problems with feedback, but they got the problem fixed quickly.
I also like the venue itself. You can have a totally intimate experience on the floor near the stage, or relax a bit more in the seats in the balcony. They also have plenty of seating, though you do have to arrive early to nab one.
I'm mostly impressed with the professionalism the Pageant exudes. They are really good about separating the underage crowd from the over-21s (I guess that might not be a high point for teens! ). This isn't a place you have to worry about some 16-year-old puking on your shoes. You really can just enjoy the band you want to see.
Everything from the merch store to the bars is run perfectly. I couldn't be happier with venue, and I'm sure I will be there many more times!
I've been to a number of concerts at this venue and have always had a great time. The Pageant has a cozy feel to it. Even though it houses hundreds of people, there isn't really a bad seat in the house. They tend to host smaller type bands and up and coming artists. Most concerts I go to in St. Louis end up being at the Pageant.
The sound is great for a smaller venue. But it gets really loud, especially on the floor, so it might be wise to bring ear plugs. The speakers are larger than I am.
Depending on who is playing or performing, movement might be a little constrained because the isles tend to fill up. If confined places aren't your thing, you may want to reconsider visiting. Other than that, as a college student I love going to the Pageant.
Clean, well-run, good ventilation, decent acoustics, good views, easy to get a drink, and user friendly. And they get pretty good talent.
I saw Ween there recently. I'm a big Ween fan and I've seen Ween in about 10 different venues in the Midwest. If they asked me where I want to see them again, I'd say the Pageant.
Hm. I'm surprised by the mediocre reviews of The Pageant because I really liked the place. It sort of reminds me of Park West in Chicago with their relaxed table seating and open floor area, but it honestly seems even more intimate than that. Which I like. I also like that I can walk here from my house, which definitely scores extra points in my book. I had no issues with security, the waitstaff was attentive and the sound and crowd were great--maybe I just got lucky at the Neko Case show? Who knows. For now, though, The Pageant is a solid 4-star venue that I'll happily visit again.
Great live music venue. They have managed to bring in some amazing acts to the Pageant in the past couple years. Last year I saw Brandi Carlile, The Swell Season (the people from Once), and Nickel Creek there. The Pageant is a fairly large venue but can feel intimate if you are sitting close to the stage or standing up close. Don't stand in the back if you can help it - the acoustics can kind of suck back there.
If you want a seat, get there early, especially if its a sold out show. By the time the doors open, its too late to get there and get a seat. There will be a line.
They often (maybe even always) charge an extra fee if you are under 21, and you must be over 21 to sit upstairs.
There's no food, but if you want, you can order food into the Halo bar (while you are waiting for a show to start). They even have menus behind the bar for local restaurants that deliver (or where you can take out nearby) - like Pi or Thai Country.
This is a really good place to see a show. I've been here several times, and the only complaints I have are with parking... but that's to be expected. It's a small venue, but every seat in the house is a good seat. The staff is usually on top of things, and the place attracts some great acts.
I don't think there's a bad view in the house, and the sound is great.
Favorite venue in town.
Interesting venue. Scary, violent security staff (B&D Security) and way, way too corporate for my liking. The Halo Bar is equally lame with a staff that I'd describe as asshole-ish if I were being nice...
It's a shame there are so few decent venues left..
St. Louis sucks for getting good shows and the Pageant is slightly a step above some of the corporate venues like the House of Blues, so I will give them that. This basically is like a crap version of the theater style venues like the Metro in Chicago. The Pageant isn't all bad, but its faults far outweigh its merits.
Let's get the good over with first. The Pageant, once you actually get in and sit down, is not a bad place to see a large show. It's a good atmosphere when there's a packed house and in general the seating is comfortable. I don't really care to see shows in this way, but it is what it is and the sound system ain't bad. I've definitely heard better in theaters this size, but it's okay, definitely not a liability.
Now, I don't mind some security, but getting into the Pageant is like getting into the airport. It's incredibly ridiculous, unnecessary, and over the top when it comes to security. I went there a couple weeks ago for the Explosions in the Sky show and you'd think it was Gangbanger Jamboree or something from the level of security at the place. I'm sure there's a LOT of kids going to the Explosions show packing, guys. After getting patted down, I was placed into one of two lines, the one for over 21's. Check the ID, get the special over 21 stamp. Okay, fine. But when I try to go upstairs, which is an over 21 area, I get ID'ed again!!! WTF, man, you just checked behind my ballsack and went over my ID with your special light to give me a SPECIAL STAMP which said I was over 21, why the hell are you ID'ing me again? To add insult to injury, they ID'ed me ONE MORE TIME when I tried to get an overpriced beer at the bar upstairs (yes, the bar in the restricted area).
What the hell, guys, that is insane. And don't try and tell me you are just doing your job, you have to get by 15 dudes just to by a brew and that is too much work. Just make the venue 21 and over only if that's how ridiculous it has to be. Or don't sell alcohol at all ages shows, whatever. Just don't make it like trying to pass customs to get a drink. The upside is that the actual security guards and bouncers once you get past all the nonsense are actually quite pleasant most nights and pretty lenient for a hoity-toity venue like this. HOB bouncers are like Gestapo compared to these guys, so I don't really understand what people are complaining about there.
What can I say, I moved up here from more of an industry town, but the calendar at the Pageant is below average at best. They have the same bands come through every few months and rarely get the killer tours to come through town. They need some better promoters, probably.
If they would ease up on security (or at least streamline it) and get a better calendar, this could be a 4 star venue, but as is, it's pretty much a huge disappointment. Also, the attached Halo Bar is basically hipster hell and absolutely not recommended for any purpose.
Great concert venue! I like the set up with the tables up a little higher surrounding the dance floor. Very nice.
I love the pageant. Its the biggest venue I go to. It does get crowded if its sold out or close to it. but I have never had a bad spot there. I have been there over 20 times in the past two years alone. But if you wanna get picky, when looking at the stage my personal opinion is stay to the right, you see more than when you are on the left. Especially if you are up in the rows and not in the pit.
There aren't a huge amount of shows coming through St. Louis. But if your favorite band is coming through (aka if you are me) then they're probably coming to the pageant. The drinks aren't crazy expensive (although I recommend grabbing a few ahead of time), the ticket prices are moderate, and the set-up is pretty great. I can't say I've been to a bad show there. There aren't too many places inside where you can't see the stage and the sound system is pretty good. Its a great place to go see a show.
It seems so corporate and huge. I don't like going to shows and sometimes not being able to see the act. But if it's a small show or not sold-out, then it's a great place to go.
Well, what can you really say about The Pageant? If the band you like is playing there, do you really have the option of not visiting? I guess it becomes a battle of how much you like the band vs. how little you like the venue. The Pageant gets some great entertainment (such as Lewis Black and Dave Attell). The set up is nice, as I have yet to attend a show where I didn't have at least a decent seat (I could always see who was playing). Drinks are pricey and the bouncers have some serious control issues (ie- I'm making up for being picked on in school!). Why anyone would visit Halo I have not a clue...so basically, it's not my favorite location. Do I really have that much of a choice, though? If that's where the bands play, that's where the people will be.
It's not like you really have a great selection of places to go... fortunately it's good. I've seen many amazing shows here....
Great place to see a show. Big enough to get big name acts, but small enough to always feel intimate. Most shows are open seating, so if you care enough, come early and you can get a spot where you can reach out and touch the band if you want to.
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Category: Music Venues
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