The Basement

Address:	391 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Phone:	+1 614-461-5483
Site:	promowestlive.com
Rating:	4.2

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

Holy Juan

The Basement is, by far, the worst commercial concert venue in Columbus. The Basement was originally a dance club. When that failed, they should have filled the entire area with concrete and been done with it, but instead, they turned it into a concert venue. The first thing you will notice upon entering the basement is that the layout is more suitable for a 50 yard dash than a concert. The bar is “L” shaped and when I say “L” shaped I really mean “l” shaped. Large, 24” x 24” pillars hold up the ceiling and create a visual maze for anyone trying to watch the show from anywhere but right in front of the stage. In front of the stage, there is room for about 75 people. Those 75 people have a great view of the stage and probably have a great experience. The problem is that the Basement will sell 400 tickets and the other 325 are screwed. There is some viewing of the stage off to the side, but that is a no standing area because of fire codes. If The Basement has one thing going for it, it’s that it’s mostly concrete and mostly (hopefully) flame resistant. The placement of the sound board at the end of the bar blocks a good portion of the stage viewing. It’s not the sound guy’s fault so don’t blame him. The Basement realizes that it is a horrible concert venue so they installed a single camera at the stage that plays on the televisions behind the bar. Please note, the camera they had installed was top of the line back in 2006. I think they bought the televisions behind the bar about 10 years earlier than that. When you want them to put a television on that shows the stage, they have to flip a switch on a little box connected to the back of the television that says TV on one side and GAME on the other. Please join me in a little prayer… “Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, Great God above. Please see it in Your heart that someday when The Basement venue is empty without a living soul to be harmed, that You will, In your Grace, cause those obnoxious pillars to collapse and fill the entire Basement with rubble so that it can never again be used as a concert venue. In Your Name we pray.” The bartenders are nice. The bathrooms are filled with previous concert venue stickers and fun graffiti. These are the only two redeeming qualities of The Basement. Avoid.

Mark Stavnicky

I didnt like this venue very much. The sound was pretty good, but the show I went to was very crowded and if you dont get there early and get a spot up front, or youre not 65" there is hardly any way to see the performer. The layout is pretty terrible. There are several large pillars holding up the ceiling (because you are in a basement) that obstruct your view. And there are only 3 pockets to view the stage which fill fast. To view the front of the stage there is very limited seating in a pit, then behind that there is space to stand, but bar backs right up to it. You can maybe fit 6 rows of people before you hit the bar. And the stage is NOT raised up any. I arrived an hour before the opener went on and couldnt see anything. So just a warning, if you want to see a show here, arrive early or youre left to wander around the back of the club trying to catch a glimpse of the stage. I wont go back to The Basement for a show.

Sarah Guerrero

Ok the venue is really cool. We saw Bumpin Uglies, balyhoo and should have seen passifire. However, my husband got kicked out of the show for wanting to show love and support to the bands! The supposed "dancefloor" was packed shoulder to shoulder with people who didnt show any love to the bands. No dancing or movement. It was weird and honestly made me feel bad for the performers who I assume would much rather see people moving around! I think this venue would be better if the "dancefloor" was reserved for people who, oh I dont know, wanna dance maybe? Id love to see another show here but not with the uptight Columbus crowd at that show! Dont pay to see bands you dont like enough to move your spirit and definitely dont show hate to people who are having fun at a reggae show! Irie vibes to the performers and "The Basement" should consider reserving the dancefloor for actual people whod like to dance!!!!!

Carey Karnemaat

Was at the Luke Pell concert 5/13/2017 security was on point tonight. They followed protocol during an incident where a guest had to be carried out of the floor and outside. The guest was given a warning after the guest repeatedly pushed, hit people in the head with their phone, and was belligerent. Security was called out a second time as the guest began pushing, hitting and pulling hair. Security was professional and had a legitamate reason to pull the guest from the venue. Thanks for being apart of us having a great night and keeping us safe, keep up the great work guys.

edward martin

This is a very interesting place. It is big enough to hold quite a few people, but small enough to be an intimate setting for a singer to hold a show. This venue looks pretty much like a basement with seats along the wall and a bar and for what is used as the stage looks almost like a dock but is very intimate so people can stand along the side and down inside the dock and everybody has a terrific view, or sit in the seats along the wall and listen to the live music. It is really a great place.

Jasmin Yarbrough

The venue is really small its literally a basement but it was perfect for the Kalin and Myles concert I mean was it was burning up and I had stand super close to people for hours. It was perfect because I felt like they got to interact with us more since it was a smaller venue. I also loved how they gave out free water that was ice cold after because I was dehydrated and about to lose my voice.

A Private User

Um... Dont know what u guys r talking about but I personally LOVE the basement. Yes it is a small venue but that is how some people like it. The music experience is so much more personal that way. I hate those big cliché concerts w/ bands that have nothing to say. If you want ur music to be intimate and personal then The Basement is THE place.

Aaron Joiner

Probably my favorite small music venue in Columbus. The staff are professional and properly trained. The bar is stocked and slightly expensive but its a music venue. The atmosphere has an underground New York club vibe, yet its one of the cleanest venues Ive ever been to. Great place to see up and coming artists.

Tammy Dearwester-Hicks

Restrooms were disgusting. The whole place nasty. Drinks were to strong, not made right. No food. Not like I would eat there anyway. Very disappointed. Drove hundreds of miles to get there to see a band. Never again.

Bands Make Me Dance

I went to the We Are Harlot concert here last night and it was great! Even after arriving 35 minutes late due to traffic I was still close and we even had a meet and greet with the band after. I love it here :)

SubtleFeud

Great place to see a live show, as well as perform live. Great acoustics, recorded a show with a video camera and sound qualities were amazing. Awesome staff, a must to check out for anybody