Knitting Factory

Reviews 3

BR

Brandon FakeName

Everything about the Knitting Factory could be awesome; the location, the layout and the experience for music fans has the potential to be among the best concert venues in all of the inland northwest. Unfortunately, abysmal management creates a terrible experience for music fans. And the worst part, the managers of the Knitting Factory just dont care. After my experience at the May 9th Flogging Molly show, I will be voting a hearty "no" with my wallet. The doors were advertised to be open at 6:30 PM. The exterior doors were indeed opened but we were herded like cattle into a narrow hallway where we waited for approximately 40 minutes to get into the actual venue. My thought was, "get all these people into the venue where they can buy food and drinks," thus maximizing profit for the Knitting Factory. Alas, this was the first sign of trouble; the Knitting factory managers do not give a shiznitt about its patrons having a good experience. A Patron Services manager, later identified as Ed Richardson, yelled an advisory notice at the waiting crowd, "Just know, at this show you will be touched!" What? Im not a mosh pit kind of guy. Im looking to watch a concert - am I going to be assaulted? Is the show over-sold? Why does the Knitting Fctory only tell me this AFTER Ive purchased my tickets? Once inside, my party of two grabbed a table, sat down and looked forward to getting the festivities started. We wanted to order food, which is advertised by the Knitting Factory as available inside the concert area. Sadly, there was just one waitress for hundreds of people. We tried to order from the bar but we were told, "Look for the girl in the red hat - shes your waitress." We did not receive a visit from the Girl in the Red Hat but sought her out by the register. I placed an order with the Girl in the Red Hat and she said, "If your food doesnt show up in 30 minutes, come find me." I had to pre-pay for this potentially elusive meal, which made me uneasy. My concern was warranted, as the meal showed up 45 minutes later and quite cold. I asked for refund for the substandard meal and that was refused. We ultimately tried to just settle in and enjoy the show but people were permitted to stand all around our table, blocking our view of the stage. So, we couldnt sit down at our table and watch the show, and couldnt stand up for fear of losing our table. Seriously? No paper towels in the bathrooms, extremely over-priced drinks and an overriding attitude amongst the Knitting Fctorys employees of, "If you dont like it, I dont care." Given all the problems, we simply left the show before even seeing Flogging Molly. On our way out, we encountered Ed Richardson again. He asked why we were leaving and we explained it was simply the sub-par guest experience. He stated, as a consumer, he also likes to know that his dollar is being spent wisely. He handed me his card and said goodbye. Given all of these experiences, especially considering the ticket and drink prices, I can only state that I will never again attend a concert at the Knitting Factory. (Id actually appreciate a refund, as well.) I recommend others find a different venue to patronize, as well.

MO

Morgan Coyle

If I could give the knitting factory zero stars I would. I was kicked out because the security thought I was on drugs. Guess what, they were right. Someone drugged me. I was tested the next morning and come to find out I was ruffied. I was kicked out in Spokane by myself, incoherent and do not remember what the hell happened at all. I dont remember being kicked out, but my friends were there trying to convince the gaurds that I wasnt on any drugs because as far as we all knew, I wasnt. The next thing I remember is waking up in a closed down newspaper factory by myself with bruises all up and down my arms, aching knees, and cuts all over my body, and cops surrounding me. I was then handcuffed and taken to jail because I had no explanation why I was in a locked up building on the third story, several blocks away from the venue, not to mention why I was bloody all over the place. I was then taken to spend the night in jail. My rape kit has not been fully cultured yet but I hope to god that I wasnt raped. The doctors told me that based off the bruises on my wrists formed in the shape of fingers rapping around them both, and the cuts all over every part and every side of my body, I was dragged on a concrete grate or gravel. I would like to thank the knitting factory for various parts of this experience. They are obviously such "great" security for kicking people out on drugs, yet allowing people in with drugs to drug other people. They are obviously unaware of their surroundings and the people that they allow into their venue. They noticed my pupil size, and kicked me out to be on the streets by myself to an area that I do not know to well. I was not causing a scene, a ruckus, or breaking any rules besides being intoxicated, unknowingly against my own will. They should have realized that they threw me out on the street with shorts and a shirt on with no jacket, no phone, and no help. Thank you knitting factory for allowing someone to take advantage of me and experience my first assault, night in jail, and receive a temporary MIP that you better believe I am fighting. Thanks for allowing me to spend $30 on my ticket for a show I didnt get to watch, $500 bail fee to get out of jail, and for making me miss multiple days of classes. People ask me where I got so beat up, and I cant get my mind off of it. I will be haunted with this experience for the rest of my life.

A

A Private User

I had to jump in here and stick up for this place after reading so many negative reviews and then going to see a hometown show for Myles Kennedy and his band Alter Bridge. First off, you wont see me complaining about spending a mere 25 bucks to see one of my favorite bands. Many of the complaints about the Knitting Factory are that its crowded and there is limited seating for the old farts upstairs. Well, I cant think of a single show Ive been to where I even wanted to sit down, nor can I think of a show where the fans werent packed against the stage anyway... even if there was an entire field behind them to stand in. Being over 21 gives you the freedom to move upstairs or down, the drinks come quickly if you choose the right time to go after them and Ive never been to a public event where they didnt molest you on beer prices, so dont take it personally. As long as you show up with a little buzz you wont need to stand in much of a line or feel the need to leave...which, Ive read, you cant do and expect to get back in. Even between sets in a packed house the restroom breaks cycle pretty quickly. Admittedly, reading the other reviews prepared me for a small venue which youre not allowed to dick off in and thats good information to show up with. My only problems involved the people behind me who were vertically challanged (the spectators, not the staff) and immediately rude. It was the staff who urged me to find a place to be unobstructive to others and if they were at all short with me about doing so I imagine it comes from having to deal with the handful of whiny patrons complaining about their petty issues (the ones who get on here to write scathing reviews). As far as the show goes, it was louder than you need it to be (perfect) and, thankfully, Myles incredible range and lyrics could be heard and not drowned out by the rumble of rock and roll surrounding him. So what Im trying to say is; as long as youre going to see a good/great band and youre a fan whos there to see the type of music that gets you on your feet (and are under 6-3") you really should have no problem enjoying this place as much as my friends and I did. Cant wait for another reason to come back.

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