The Coach House Concert Hall

33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, USA

Address:	33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, USA
Phone:	+1 949-496-8930
Site:	thecoachhouse.com
Rating:	3.7

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

A Private User

I saw the Mad Caddies here, and they were outstanding. Any other time it would have been an epic show. Of course, any other time they wouldnt have been playing in the place live music goes to die. I should have known something was up when, after following incorrect directions for 20 minutes, we finally found the Coach House tucked into a small strip mall off a side street. But I was optimistic. The ample parking right outside the door was the next clue, but I was just too excited . Maybe its just an LA thing, I thought to myself. When I walked through those doors and was greeted with the sight of row after row of tables extending from the back of the venue right up to the FOOT OF THE STAGE, though, I couldnt tell myself everything was going to be okay anymore. The "crowd" was a group of almost youngish to middle aged folks with slack faces and dead eyes. They sat around their tables (all of which were perpendicular to the stage, to prevent the discomfort of actually having to look at the band you came to see) studiously avoiding glancing sideways to see the band they just payed to watch playing 5 feet away from them. You see, The Coach House is not just a music venue, its a dining experience! The owners, in a misguided attempt to create some super hybrid of bar, restaurant and venue, ended up with little more than a 4-as*ed monkey. The food is overpriced, the wiatresses yell at anyone standing in a group because theyre constantly carrying around food during a performance, and the bar has all of zero beers on tap. Dont worry though, you can feel free to spend $5 on a budweiser or $7 for a shot of liquor from a plastic bottle. And if you want to open up a tab, its just as easy as finding a waitress to come to the bar or find you any time you want a new drink. It wasnt all bad though. They were nice enough to open up about 30 square feet directly to stage left for anyone who didnt want to sit quietly during the show. Sure the band was facing the other direction, but at least we had that. Thank god there were about 25 people there who actually knew how to enjoy a show, or the night would have been a total loss (Im told we were lucky too--a friendly bartender informed me that most of the time they dont even allow that much free space. Tables everywhere). Dont worry though, we didnt have too much fun. They were sure to post a bouncer there to pull out anyone seen to be enjoying themselves too much. Why the owners couldnt clear out maybe 8 or 9 of their 20ish empty tables is beyond me, but there you go. This is a venue for music fans who hate live music. Never go.

A Private User

Where do I begin.... I have been to this venu three times, so I feel I have given this establishment more than enough chanches to improve their standing with me personally. Unfortunately, last sturday night, they yet again failed miserably. after paying $40.00 for my sister and I to simply walk through the door. We were informed by an incredibly rude waitress that the seating was by reservation only. Mind you, we arrived as the doors opened. (because due to our past experiences of having to try to see the band from the standing room only back corner on a previous visit ) I went to the man in charge of seating and asked him if there was any way he could make an exception and seat us for dinner and the show, which he kindly did. Unfortunately it was on the side of the stage right next to an exit door that was opened durring at least half the night so we were freezing. My sister got a broken chair. We opted for the chicken strip appetizer and got 4 chicken strips that resembeled the texture of a mc donalds chicken nugget served with only an option for ranch dip costing $10.00. The entrees as well as the drinks were very small and overpriced. I personally witnessed the managment treating a customer very rudely. Lastly, the best part, they did not maintenence the ladies room once from the time I got there there were no toilet liners and when the one roll of tp per stall ran out apparently they couldnt be bothered to replace it. We spent over $150.00 that evening, and the bands were awesome, but for that amount of money there should be a f@#$ing toilet seat liner and toilet paper in the bathroom and we should have at least been able to get a buzz which we did not. I can not immagine how they stay in business other than for the location, I drove an hr from riverside for this show and let me tell you this bar would never survive here. They are trying to have a rock n roll / trashy redneck vibe yet charge like a yuppy vegas bar. pleaseeeeee! ugghhh. I see cover band shows all over southern california and by far this is the worst and most overpriced venu.

A Private User

Or be related to them, or have gone to high school with them.. I went to the Coach House for the first time last Saturday to see One Drop and Tribal Seeds. Paid $26 for the ticket. Was this show 18 and over or something? Because I saw children there and what couldve only been several sets of parents of the band. Thats totally cool but the rest of the crowd was comprised of young trekkies, and kids who apparently mosh to reggae!! I couldnt get a drink from the female bartender, and several people offered me their place in line because they noticed it as well. It took mere seconds once I went over to the male bartender. Meanwhile, I went out of one of the OPEN doors near the carpeted (?) dancefloor to access the other side of the room and was stopped by a plain clothes guy who looked like he just walked off the pier. He told me I couldnt go outside with my drink, which at that point was a few ice cubes. I lost the drink, went outside to the other OPEN DOOR and was blocked by some reggaecop in a rented uniform who yelled, "No In-n-Outs!" Maybe you should keep the doors in a closed position then? Its pretty obvious I PAID for a ticket. But I guess I can see why single pretty girls of drinking age who just want to dance, rather than mosh, to some reggae WOULD be a threat to a big carpeted picnic palace like the Coach House. Will NEVER go here again, no matter WHO is playing..

A Private User

After reading the horrible reviews here - I was very skeptical about attending a concert. But, I wanted to see Todd Snider and this was my best bet. I am so glad I went! The workers from the door man to the watresses were friendly and helpful. Our waitress was a young, attractive female who really cared about us. The special was pot roast & it was delicious! The drinks were cheap and STRONG! I drank bourbon/coke and it tasted like they forgot the coke! My only complaint was in the second opening act. I was unaware of the "two opening acts" policy. The first opening act was worth the price of tickets alone! An artist named David Jacobs-Strain who played the guitar unlike I have heard before. The second opening act, Merchants of Moonshine, were not my cup of tea and I couldnt wait for them to get off the stage. When Todd Snider got on stage it was unbelievable! He even brought a band with him and I am so happy I was there to take it all in. Great seats, terrific sound, and a wonderful concert! The complaint of no re-entry is odd as our seat-mates were smokers and had the freedom to come and go as they pleased. This place is steeped in history! There are no longer places like this to enjoy an intimate concert. It is reminiscent of the Golden Bear in HB. I plan to go back and am so glad I ignored the negative reviews.