Shelter

Came here with a friend for a concert. My first time here and I really enjoyed it. The space is in a basement but very intimate and not too much room for a lot of people like a stadium but that's good! The bar was stocked with goodies. I heard the bar used to be in the middle and it was awkward but it was a nice bar to the side. We were 10 feet away from the stage and lived the show!

After the concert was over the employees used the fence to shoo away the attendees.

For this to be my first time at the shelter , which is like to add that I had no clue this was the basement of ST. Andrews. However me and my partner went to see Ab-Soul and I had a blast. The bartender was so cool n the drinks was just alright. The bathroom was clean and I really enjoyed that they had air on . 10/10 I'm my b

Went in for happy hour and to get out of the cold before the show upstairs at Saint Andrews. There was no place to sit, so we just stood with our drinks. It looks like a good place to see a band. The prices on the drinks are what you would expect for a bar in a concert hall. The bartenders were pretty cool.

So much fun at the silent disco! They also had a dj in the basement (shelter) playing music. When you check in they give you headphones with three channels. Each color represents a different channel. I mainly stayed on the EDM channel and I took off the headphones a bit to listen to the dj downstairs. It was super fun and exciting, we loved it! It was a private party and we each had 3 free drink tickets, with certain drinks only. They gave free pop and water out without a ticket, which was awesome. We sat on the stage. Would definetely come back for a concert.

I dig the whole aesthetic of the Shelter ... walking in, down the stairs, how the whole space looks... but man, it's just not an enjoyable place to see a show, at least for me. It's just hard for me to find joy standing in a crowd so tight that I can't move my arms, with people shitting their pants nonstop. Hey, people, just 'cause you're in a crowd doesn't give you the right to let loose. That smell lingers in a warm room.

So a lot of that was pretty petty complaining...

My only real complaint about the Shelter is its stage. Despite being only about three rows from the front of the "stage," I couldn't really see much more than I could from ten or more rows back -- essentially, first row or bust. Since the band doesn't seem to play on any sort of platform (or, if they do, a small ass one), it's hard to really get any sort of decent view.

A plus, outside of its look, is the bar -- while I didn't get anything when I was there, it's super close to the stage, and there's a lot to choose from, like upstairs.

I might see a show at the Shelter again if it's a band I want to see bad enough again, but I'd choose to see a show at St. Andrews over Shelter any day.

Very intimate spot to see bands! The stage is small so no room for large props or theatrics. Great place to go be able to see bands up close. If you do not like small crowded places, I would not recommend. It is in the basement of St Andrews Hall and unless you stand in the back, it will most likely be shoulder to shoulder.

If I'm seeing a show at the Shelter, I know it's going to be a great night. The Shelter is located in the basement of Saint Andrews Hall. I love this venue because it's so small and intimate. It's almost like seeing one of your favorite bands perform in your friend's basement with lots of storytelling, audience interaction and engagement. Think MTV Unplugged session if you're old enough to remember. It's an awesome experience. Every time I've come here the crowd is amazingly chill and relaxed. Everyone seemed to be respectful of each other's space and didn't push and shove to get in front of you like I've seen at other venues especially Royal Oak Music Theatre and Masonic. You enter from behind the building. They check you in and give you wrist bands if you're drinking and then you descend down the stairs to The Shelter. They sell merch in the back and there is a bar in the middle with a decent selection of craft beers like Soft Parade, M43, Atwater Dirty Blonde and Vanilla Java Porter. They also have mixed drinks. Most beers and mixed drinks are around $10, and you can buy bags of chips and candy for $2 - $3. I saw Sir Sly here and he put on an amazing show! Decently large crowd of people here for Sir Sly. Great sound and acoustics and loved how down to earth he was, telling stories and insight about what influenced his songs and album. I also saw Big Data here for $10 with a Groupon deal. There was only a handful of people here for this one but it was a great time. The opener Castle Comer, an Australian band was great too...so charismatic, funny, and engaging. After the show Big Data and Castle Comer came out to meet fans, sign albums, and take pics. So in essence they have free meet and greets. Venue has the same small intimate vibe that El Club has, another one of my favorite places to catch a show. This is a venue where you'll have a story about how you saw such and such band who are huge now. Prices for shows are usually pretty cheap too. Love the Shelter and can't wait to return for another show soon.

First timer here!

I went to see a show last night at The Shelter for the first time. This is general admission, no chairs, first come first serve kind of place. So, if you are five foot tall get there a tad early to grab the 'front row seating'.

This venue is definitely intimate. You are a good 3-5 feet from the performer if you are up close. I have seen mosh pits start pinning people into the stage. If you aren't a fan, stick around on the side.

I really enjoyed this venue. The security are laid back. Trust me. Talk to them for a bit and know that they are there to protect you and others from injury.

This facility is pretty clean pre showing. I have not used their bathroom neither so I can't speak of what may have gone in there!

I would definitely see another show at this venue in the future.

I loved the Shelter! I finally found a show that I wanted to go to there (Fozzy) and I loved the whole atmosphere and ease of getting in and out.

Be sure to look around for the cheapest parking. The garage across the street was $10 to park, however, we saw the lot diagonal from the Shelter that was $20 before we saw that one and parked there.

I really like this venue for a show! It's a lot more intimate than St. Andrew's and a little easier to order drinks, although they seemed really expensive here for some reason. A double Redbull and vodka was running $12! Seems steep but whatever. The acoustics are solid here too and the bathroom was clean. I'm looking forward tot he next show here.

* A Note About Security
All that aside, I have a bitch to pitch with the security company. I was here to see Atlas Genius...needless to say it was going to be a relaxed chill happy show. In other words, it wasn't going to be like the opening seen from 8 Mile on this particular night. I carry a small pocket knife with me everywhere I go. I had forgotten to leave it in the car which was a ways away from the venue. When I was searched, the woman searching me took it out and said I couldn't bring it inside and to take it back to my car.
Me - "OK, I totally understand but my car isn't nearby so let me go stash it somewhere safe really quickly Miss."
Her - "No that's OK, I'll just keep it right here for you, just find me after the show so I can give it back to you."
Me - Are you sure? I can just go hide it somewhere safe."
Her - "You're going to hide it lol, no, I'll hold on to it for you, but I need to search you more since you had a pocket knife in your pocket!"
Me - "OK I understand."

I kid you not...she was in my pockets getting a good handful, down my arms and legs, hands up in my crotch both front and back sides...twice!!
Her - "You're OK."
Me - "Um not really but OK...and you're going to remember me so I can get my knife back, right?"
Her - "Yup!"

I went and saw a great show and then walking out stopped and asked her if I could please have my knife back
Her - "I don't know what you're talking about."
Me - "But you told me you'd hold onto my knife for me."
Her - "Someone must've taken it."
Me - "But I thought you didn't know what I was talking about?! You're seriously going to steal my knife like that?"
Her - "Sorry sir, it's gone...there's nothing I can do."

I'm not one to start a confrontation with someone who's clearly on a power trip and obviously not an honest person. Karma will take care of the rest!
She was a super shady lady...just learn from my mistake. She must've needed my pocket knife more than I did I guess. It's just a shame that there are people that are so unscrupulous.