District 3 Arts and Events Venue

Address:	802 E Whiting St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
Phone:	+1 813-304-2411
Site:	district3.us
Rating:	3.4

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 15

TheBeyobe

I would not advise anyone to do business with this venue. The owner, Gary, is a bigoted, egotistical moron who cant control himself after a drink. He acted verbally and physically assaulted my business partner for no reason at all. He told me to DJ another hour after I was instructed to stop the music by the company that hired me. I told him I would need to get paid for that. He said okay so I plugged my equipment back up and turned on my computer. He became very aggressive because "The computer was taking too long", which wasnt true at all. It took me less than a minute to set back up and get my DJ program loaded. My partner asked if everything was okay once he saw that Gary started getting irate and Gary snapped. He charged at my partner, almost got physical with one of the event coordinators and threatened multiple guests with violence. I have only had two interactions with him and in both he displayed a level of disrespect that no adult should ever have to endure. This was not his event, we were not hired by him and we fulfilled all of our contractual obligations. The event coordinators and guests were very pleased with us and quite a few even made official police reports against the owner. I have been throwing events for years and have a glowing reputation with every venue owner Ive ever worked with and I have NEVER seen such a blatant lack of professionalism. But, according to certain staff, "Gary gets like that sometimes".

Jim Bial

Went to see Puddle of Mud last night. Doors open at 7, concert begins at 8. First band didnt get on stage until 8:45!! Puddle of Mud didnt get on stage until 11:10!!! Three plus hours of standing just to get the band on stage. At the bar my wife ordered one drink. I was handed a receipt to sign and thank God my wife noticed the total was $72 before I signed it!! During the main event, the lead singer could not be heard. If the music was playing, you could not hear his voice AT ALL. The lead singer was obviously aware, yet the concert pressed on.... Until some idiots got rowdy in the crowd up front. More than once. Then a fight broke out, after my wife and I were nearly trampled. Aside from my very positive initial feeling, believing this could be a really nice place to have concerts- this place failed in every aspect. After waiting 3+ hours just to get Puddle of Mud on stage, we left after the third song. We did not feel safe at all in this place. 1) eternal standing and waiting. 2) almost SERIOUSLY overcharged. 3) epuipment issues made listening annoying 4) threatened our personal safety. I will NEVER go back. Sad such a nice place sucks so bad.

Marissa Smith

I visited this venue for the first time to see Candlebox perform. While the band was phenomenal, I couldnt fully enjoy the experience due to the venue setup and the rude employees. Though the tickets said that the show started at 7:00, it was actually doors at 7:00. Long story short, it was two and a half hours after I arrived that I actually got to see the band. I was refused an alcoholic drink because I wasnt given a wristband at the door. After attempting to get a wristband, I was rudely told that if I left to get one, I wouldnt be allowed back in without a new ticket. The venue is significantly money driven as the venue was packed to the max with no room to wiggle, and smoking is permitted indoors. When youre standing next to somebody who is severely intoxicated as they wave a lit cigarette around, it detracts from what I had originally hoped would be a great experience. I have no intentions of returning to any events that this venue hosts.

Nicoletta Piacquaddio

Went to a show last Wednesday night. Opened a tab for my husband & myself. Had 3 or 4 different charges come through my bank. All different amounts. I assumed it was a mix up & would work itself out. The final amount of our bill was $85. However there is a pending charge of $61 that has totally screwed up my checking account & left me broke over this holiday weekend. I have tried calling District 3 about this & I just keep getting a voice mail recording. This is beyond frustrating! I have left messages made several attempts to straighten this out & nothing.

Wei Lue Tong

Inside looks like a warehouse and much less classy than the pictures suggest. The pictures show colorful, beautiful lightning but the actual feel is like walking down a seedy alleyway lit with neon signs. They try to sell "exposed brick" as rustic charm but the dents and missing chunks just scream trashy. Took 25 minutes to get a drink AFTER I got to the front of the bar. Drinks are Soho bar prices with much less actual alcohol.

Regan Zink

Went to see a show there. After standing in the rain for two hours past doors open the show was due to start at 8....by midnight nobody had taken the stage. The venue handled it poorly. I wouldnt work with any of these people after being lied to all night. 15 more minutes, 15 more minutes for 4 HOURS. Not even sure a band was there Felt like we got hoodwinked.

Will Mill

Beautiful, unique venue, great performing artists. But our fun night ended with the drunken belligerent club owner cursing and throwing the DJ out in the street. It was confusing and a little scary, needless to say the party was over right then. First and last visit here, the owner was unstable and acted violently.

VLEX BLVCK

Disgusted to hear of hateful, disrespectful and racist remarks from surly, ignorant staff to artists that work very hard and do nothing to deserve the negativity. Have never attended or played a show here, and I certainly never plan to now. If I could rate this venue lower than 1 star, Id jump at the chance.

Jonathan Alexander

The owner of this place made racist comments to couple friends of mine then physically assaulted them. These people dont deserve to be in business or any of your hard earned money. I hope district three gets shut down, an establishment run by such garbage, arrogant, racist people has no place in our city.

Cynthia Salinas

This place doesnt even deserve 1 star. Tried to celebrate a friends birthday in VIP and I couldnt believe how unorganized everything was. We received the worst service of my life. The workers are unbelievably rude. I wouldnt come back if everything was free.

Tee Dinero

Together as one Saturdays was awesome! Pretty big venue, good vibes, cheap drinks! My only reason for 4/5 is because of the $15 dollar a piece cover charge for me and my fiancée. I would think ladies would be free until at least 12am-1am like most venues!

Joyce White

The most exquisite events venue Ive ever visited! Watch out for their house party and concert events. No one does it better. Gary, the owner is very accommodating and has been in the business for years. If you meet him there, tell him Joyce sent you :)

Arielys Martinez

Violent and racist environment. Dont ever bother looking for a manager. Theirs is very ill mannered and unprofessional. They will bring out the race card, if they dont get what they want. This place is a waste of time/ money.

Tyler Murrell

My girls and I LOVE this place!! Hands down the nicest club in Tampa bay!!! Great location and great staff! Youll be blown away by how nice the club is. Awesome space for any type of wedding, corporate, celebratory event!

Kelli S.

We used to come to District 3 every month for their House of Soul event. This was an AMAZING spot to host that sort of event. Unfortunately those events are no longer taking place and I miss coming here :(