Newport Music Hall is a Columbus institution. I can't even count the number of shows I've been to over the last 30-odd years. Everybody is always friendly - they have a solid staff, no complaints. Is it clean? Not really. Is it loud? Deafeningly so. Are you gonna get beat up in the pit? Probably. Can you hear well basically anywhere in the venue? For sure. I have to get strategic with where j stand if j want to see, but I'm 5' tall so I'm used to that. If you're lucky enough to sit upstairs, that's the best view but it's not always open. From The Strokes to GWAR, the Newport has never let me down. Parking sort of sucks since it's across the street from OSU. I always ride share, but I'm sure there's a parking garage nearby. Campus rules apply - be smart, eyes up, don't stray or stay after midnight, and don't keep valuables in your car. read more

I had such a great time at the R&B Only event held at Newport Music Hall. It was my first time visiting and I had some friends with me during their first trip to cbus. There's a main, general admission area that doesn't have seating, making it great for those who want to dance the night away more easily. We sat upstairs in the balcony area. I liked that there was a bar up there as well! The bathrooms got SLAMMED about halfway through, so they weren't the cleanest, but I understand. Looking forward to going back for more concerts! read more

First time visiting there to see the Wombats it's a great old venue and you can feel the history. Despite its age the acoustics were amazing. Plenty of places to eat in the neighborhood parking and you're across the street from The Ohio State University which is a great walking campus. read more

Newport Music Hall - Wombats concert - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I've avoided going to shows here since I moved to Columbus because I've heard it's not the greatest venue. Well, one of my favorite artists was playing there, and I decided now was the time. Because I have limited mobility and it's a SRO venue, my hubby and I decided to try and time it so we got there close to when we thought the headliner would go on. The line was short since we showed up late, and we had no issues getting in. The smell of stale beer and other funk was immediately noticeable. We found a good spot to the left of the stage, away from the pit that seemed okay. Within minutes people started forcing their way into the small area (including tall people moving in front of me). That sucked. But as the show went on, thankfully a lot of those people left, and I could see again. The funky air was just gross to breathe in. But the thing that really got me was the sound. It was terrible!!! So muddy I couldn't understand him when he was singing or talking to the audience. Neither could my hubby. Other negatives is that the women's bathroom is located upstairs and only accessible by stairs. My hip pain was so bad, I was completely avoiding stairs, so I'm really glad I didn't need to use the facilities! Also, there is a small area to the right of the stage for those who are handicapped or have limited mobility. But the seating is very limited, and I was unable to get accessible tickets. After the show, a nice man that worked at the venue answered our questions about seating. So the area to the right is accessible seating, and the area to the left is VIP tables. There is no air conditioning, so I cannot even imagine how hot and miserable it would be in the summer! If you're sensitive to heat, I'd avoid it at all costs. It was warm and muggy when it was in the 60's! So yeah, I will not see a show here again unless it is one of my favorite artists and they aren't playing anywhere else within driving distance. And if it's in the summer, I will pass!!! read more

Cool dive club, went to see Dandy Warhold In March 2024, going to see the Hives next week if I can find someone willing to drive me from Dayton in exchange for a ticket. No seating and you have to use electronic tickets. And only s tiny purse or bag for keys/wallet/phone. Does anyone know if they have a standard closing time? I need to decide whethet I should get a place to stay over or just drive back after the show. Sound was decent. Video of band using iphone 15: https://youtu.be/ssGT0JXYMuo?feature=shared read more

Newport Music Hall - Dandy Warhols - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

What a blast I had here. First time going to this one to see a show. I caught Slaughter To Prevail and it was awesome. I didn't look at the drink prices since I don't drink, but the audio here was great. Perfect bass, great highs and mids. I heard everything perfect. Be careful of the mosh pit You might just see me in there. read more

Newport Music Hall - people walking on the sidewalk - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Newport is the best concert venue in Columbus. Located in a small and intimate, two-story space, the Newport has the best lineup of alternative and indie (yet well known artists) in the area. I've always felt safe going here, and any crazy concert goers are always taken care of swiftly and professionally. Pro tip: drink up beforehand so that you're not stuck paying for an $18 Black Cherry Truly. read more

Newport Music Hall - Flor - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

A great historical music venue, very little seating areas but they have attracted some really great bands over the years. The Last Waltz was an amazing collaboration of local musicians! read more

Great venue for music. Zakk Sabbath killed it as did Bonfire and Dark Chapel. Drink prices were too high as expected, but it's par for the course these days. read more

Oh, Newport music hall. You'll always have a special place in my heart! Did you know that it's the longest standing rock club in America? It was built in 1921 as State Theater, then became Agora Ballroom, but it has been Newport Music Hall, or more affectionately known as "The Newport", since before I was born. I've seen every type of artist there from Wu Tang to From First to Last (iykyk). My most recent visit was to see multi-grammy-award-winning band Snarky Puppy (one of my absolute favs). My friends and I were able to purchase a VIP section at the top in the corner, which made for great sound and ambiance, plus lots of dancing room. There are also stadium-style stairs to sit on, a wraparound balcony, and a full pit area with 2 bars on the second level. Nowadays they also have prime areas on the second level by the stage roped off with VIP tables for purchase also. Drinks are standard strong expensive concert drinks with all the basic options, but the bartenders are nice. The entryway usually holds a merch table on the left, with prom-style staircases on either side and a front balcony before you enter the concert room. The bathrooms are on the second level in the entryway, they're old and gritty, and haven't changed much since I was a kid. There's usually one stall and/or sink out of order. It's all part of the punk rock charm. If you're new to Columbus or visiting, it's worth checking out for a show that you like... imagine if those walls could talk. read more

Newport Music Hall - this place hasnt changed in decades! - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Came here for the Dashboard Confessional show and what a show it was! Pepper spray and all! Buying tickets was online and through Ticketmaster. We took an Uber to the venue and decided to seek shelter from the cold at the OSU student union which is right across the street from the venue. We then went back across the street and began our long wait in line. The line was very long and it felt like it only moved every 15 minutes. When we finally got to the door there was three different xray machines and lots of chaos. It then made sense why we waited in line so long - very disorganized. Lots of screaming and yelling where people need to go. Staff also checked IDs at the door if you were drinking and then someone else scanned your ticket. This was all done in a tiny little lobby. Their bag policy is ridiculous - good luck finding a clutch that will fit the 5x8x1 requirements. Another bummer is there is no coat check! Suffer in the cold when waiting outside forever or suffer inside carrying your coat. Thankfully, once we got through the mess the space opened up pretty nicely. The building looks historic and back in its time I can only imagine how beautiful it was. I was disappointed to see the building run down. The ceiling and walls were all painted black but you could see a tiny glimmer of what the ceiling used to look like. I was surprise with all the bars - even up in the balcony had two bar stations. Hard cider on tap too - score! I also did not realize they had a small food stand - the pizza smelt delicious! Bathrooms were terrible - the one upstairs had a couple stalls for the ladies and the line took forever! Best place for a concert - the balcony upstairs along the railing. You still get a great view of the stage and you get just a little personal space with the railing. There was even a place to put my worthless clutch along the railing. The only problem with the balcony railing is the savages who try to make their way right next to you when you have been standing there for two hours already. These people show up right as the band starts and think they can sneak into a spot that is nonexistent. We had to go in shifts to get a drink or use the bathroom while the two of us would stay back and box out anyone trying to take our friends spot. The people next to us were all working together to save one another's spots so other people wouldn't steal them. What a battle that was! The acoustics were good and Dashboard Confessional put on an amazing show! Too bad people in the pit were acting like fools and got into a fight. Police came and pepper sprayed the area. The spray made its way up and we all get a nice whiff of it. I am getting way too old for this nonsense - get me a seat and call it a day! read more

I am getting old man! Coming to a venue that's mostly standing room only for 5 hour concert is bad on the knees and feet! This place has lots of nooks and crannies where couples can nest, hoodlums can plot, and pot heads can light up. There is a balcony with bleachers straight away in the back if you are lucky to score a slab of concrete for your tush. A number of bars where you can get your drank on, also apparently also serving pizza slices to quell the inevitable munchies. Interesting crowd for Thievery Corporation. Which makes sense because they have been around for 20 years. Ol farts like me were plentiful, but also tons of newbies of all shapes and sizes. there was dancing all over. Mostly out of rhythm and sloppy but who cares! Warning what ever you do, don't reach down to examine the sticky substances on the bottom of your shoes. read more

Newport Music Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Teddy Swim Great time, brought back some good memories of the past. Concert was good. Bartenders moved the line quickly. No complaints. Will return. read more

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Came to this venue for the first time to see MUNA (great show!!) and was pretty impressed with the physical space. Granted, everything could use an update, but in terms of seeing a good, intimate-feeling show for artists that pull decent crowds, I enjoyed my experience. We were up on the balcony, which the view is limited if you're standing - unless you're right up against the railing, you can't really see the stage, but it was far less crowded up there and we were able to sneak a solid spot with a good view! read more

Newport Music Hall - MUNA in Columbus at Newport Music Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

What brought me to Columbus for the first time? Guster. This band was playing at Newport Music Hall. I have been a Guster fan for years. It is the only band that will cause me to drive over the border to see a show. How do I feel about this venue? I'm mixed. Doors opened at 6 pm. I stood in line. A woman from the venue came and asked if I was thinking about drinking. I wasn't sure. Before I said anything, she looked at my purse and said that it was too big. It's funny that I went with a slightly bigger purse this year for the first time in my life. She said it can't be bigger than my hand (5" x 8" x 1"). She then said that this note was on my printed ticket, which was borderline passive-aggressive. I can say without being embarrassed that I didn't read my ticket that I had printed out over three months ago. When you are planning a road trip to the United States, reading the maximum purse dimensions allowed on your printed ticket is not top on my list. I asked whether this venue had an area where you could leave your purse in a secure area. Nope. She said to leave it where the newspaper stands were, just inside the main doors. Wow, that's horribly insecure! I left the lineup, headed to the parking lot across the street, left my purse locked up in my car, brought a few things of importance (mints, wallet, keys, and paper ticket), and walked back to the line up again. Getting back to the lineup, I didn't like how some folks were polled to sign a petition and others were not. Why be so choosy? The line finally moved just after 7 pm. It was quite the ordeal. You first get your ticket scanned. You have another lineup to show your dinky purse, if you have one now, to security. You then get the magnetic wand treatment. Finally, you get a lineup where you prove that you are old enough to drink alcohol and get a band slapped on your wrist to show it off when you hit the bar. I got so tired during this entire process that I decided not to indulge in an alcoholic drink and bypassed this final hurdle. When I finally walked in, I saw the merchandise tables. One was for the opening band, Satellite Mode. The other was for Guster. I liked how everything was nicely arranged. I also liked how one of the members of Satellite Mode was dressed in a shark outfit. This show was general admission. The show started at 8 pm. I looked at the floor and it's typical. It's a huge floor with no slant. It means that if you are short, you will likely not see much. Although I'd like to think that I'm tall for a woman, I don't like a floor at a concert venue that is perfectly flat. I went upstairs to the balcony. I knew that I would be happier taking photos and getting a decent view. I was right. The view was great upstairs. Before I planted myself upstairs, I went to visit the women's washroom. One word: horrible. The washroom door on the stall that I was about to enter opens swinging towards the toilet. The door stops a third of the way in, as it hits the toilet. I was lucky to squeeze my way in. However, my former 60-pound-heavier self would not have been so pleased. Who designs such ridiculousness?! Have the door swing outwards when you aren't in the stall so women have a chance to enter. It's not rocket science. Back to the show, I planted myself in a decent spot on the balcony and proceeded to stand there for over four hours. Both bands were amazing. The acoustics were amazing. The view on the balcony was perfect. I had a great time. Sadly, there is always someone who insists on smoking a joint during the show. This weed-lighting ceremony happened three times over the course of the evening. Just a note to said weed smoker: Not everyone wants you smoking up the joint, both literally and figuratively. How about having some respect for other patrons who are there for great music and perhaps don't want to smell your weed? Do it outside the venue. Naturally, staff at the venue could not track the culprit down. The venue was okay for this show. Newport is in the heart of the university district. There are late-night eats, such as Chipotle and Waffle House, within walking distance. Students can also afford to take in a show like this one. I'm not dying to go back to Newport Music Hall, as it's far from being my favourite concert venue. However, I know that I can survive a decent night of music here. (408) read more

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Love this venue!! I've come a few times before for CRU meetings on Sunday evenings but it had been some time. This venue is always busy! I see people lining up outside of it weekly! They get all kinds of cool bands to come perform here. I came on a Saturday evening to see Lecrae and Andy Mineo. Tickets aren't all that expensive here which is a perk. No issue getting in as we came pretty late, so we weren't stuck waiting outside. There were people all over the place! Upstairs and downstairs standing room only. The sound is great in there and you can see the stage well from any angle. They sell alcohol and Mikey's Late Night Slice. It's beautiful though. Look up at the ceiling and check out the architecture. Wow! It's definitely an older venue but it has a historical feel about it. read more

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I've been to Newport a few times over the past 10 years and I've never had much a problem. The shows I went to were always fun and enjoyable. I moved away for about 4 years and recently came back. This past weekend I purchased tickets to a show through Ticketmaster and this time around, it was a much different story. The show I purchased tickets to was scheduled for a busy Saturday night. The line to get in was exceptionally long but that was to be expected. Once the doors opened, it wasn't long before I was handing over my ID and walking up to 2 ladies for them to check my bag. Oh wait - Here we go! Apparently my bag was about 1 inch too big and I was told I had to leave it on the floor by the entrance where it was subject to theft or I had to leave. The staff members were extremely rude about the predicament I was in. They were quick to say that if I've ever been to a show in Columbus, I should know the rules. Well, news flash ladies. I'm new to the neighborhood! Ticketmaster (where I bought the tickets) said nothing about a bag size restriction and I had no reason to visit Newport's website to check these details. I even went as far as asking to speak to the manager. Well, he wasn't very helpful either. He didn't even speak to my friends and I. He just yelled at us from across the room saying he didn't have time for this. Management huh? Wowza! After going all the way back home in the rain to drop off my bag (there were 2 other ppl also having to now drop off bags) and trekking back to the venue, low and behold, I get in and see SEVERAL ladies with bags way bigger than the one I had. Look! I don't mind rules but if you can't make an exception for me, you better not make an exception for anyone else. If you're gunna be a stickler, be a stickler to everyone! The number of ladies I saw with bags way bigger than mine was ridiculous. The one positive of the service this night was that the door guy didn't make us wait in the line again. He let us right back in. Obviously, the show was fantastic but that's due to the artist being amazing (Thanks Tash Sultana)!! Tip for the biz: Work with the platforms selling your tickets to include information regarding this policy. Maybe even have someone scanning the line informing people of your policy so they don't wait for hours and have to turn around. Maybe, set up some lockers in your waiting area and make a profit off the ladies that bring a larger bag. Just a few ideas for you! read more

Newport Music Hall - Tash Sultana at Newport, great show!! - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I went here for the first time to see Surfaces live in concert. It was a Thursday night and I went with two of my friends. When I first walked into the venue I noticed that it was smaller but in a good way, because it felt more personal. The venue was shaped in a U with the stage being front and center. There was a lower level with an open floor for standing right in front of the stage and then there was more standing around the outside. There was also an upstairs that had almost bleacher like seating and again it curved around with more standing room. We sat upstairs in the bleacher like seating area directly in front of the stage, but there was really no bad spot to sit or stand to watch the show. I liked where we sat because we were up top and had a good diagonal view down onto the stage so no one was in front of us blocking our view. The small venue made for a great concert, it was super easy to hear the music and the place had great acoustics. It was really easy to get in and out of the venue and I didn't feel that it was overly crowded with it all being general admission. It was very easy to get drinks at the concessions and the bathrooms weren't overcrowded which was a plus for me. All in all I thought this was a great concert venue and I would definitely go to another concert here again in the future. read more

Newport Music Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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It's a standard mid-size neighborhood venue featuring a standing room only main area and a few balconies for those who want to watch from above. Relatively well kept and in good shape. Exorbitant bar/drink fees. Near some good food and pre-show drink options. Security---I'll just say I've seen almost a hundred shows in almost as many venues and have never had an issue with security and did here. But, given the situation perhaps they handled it better than others would have (I think it comes down to a misunderstanding all things considered). read more

I had heard good things about the Newport for years from my brother. Lastnight was my first experience seeing a show there. I was not let down. We saw We Banjo 3 and it was a sold our show. We battled the freezing weather in the line outside, but once we entered the venue we had a great time. The crowd was great, whether down on the floor or in the balcony. The security rThe bar tenders were professional and quick in getting our beers for security personnel and ticket checkers worked us through the entrance quickly. I will be back! read more

Newport Music Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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It is what it is and I like it. Everytime I attend a concert there I can't help but feel rather nostalgic and reminisce about the many shows I've attended there over the decades. We Uber to avoid the lack of parking. I get tickets in advance to avoid will call. I'm quite short, so I appreciate the upper level which allows me to view the performer unabstructed. As with most venues these days you will want to be sure to check their policy about what size of bags are permitted to save you a trip back to the car. read more

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I would give this venue 0 stars. I've been going to concerts all over Columbus for years at many venues. This is by far the worst one in town. I went to see half*alive, and they oversold the tickets. The place was overcrowded to where I people were pushing up against each other. Someone's ass was up against my waist. The view of the stage is awful. The stage is far too low for a place with this many people. The only way to see the stage is to watch it through someone recording on their phone. I was really looking forward to seeing the band, but this place made me want the concert to be over. Now I can't support the artists I like, because the organizers don't know how to give concertgoers a decent experience. Colossal waste of time and money. Never coming back to this venue. read more

Newport Music Hall is required attendance for any music fan in Columbus. It's held many important acts over the years. This often has been the place to see a band while they have yet to become famous. It also hosts a number of has beens and cult favorites. The facilities are kinda shitty but it's the memories of their favorite bands that attendees value. I have seen acts here like Gwar and Marilyn Manson. It's got a large amount of grungy and metal acts. There's also many poppier artists too. It seems every year or so the 90's boy band Hanson comes, along with their now plump cat lady fans. The facilities needless to say to anyone who's been there, are fucking terrible. It's known for poor acoustics. The bathrooms can also be very sick at the end of a show. It has some great features though. There's Mikey's Late Night Slice inside. I would for sure recommend seeing a show at Newport. It's not as nice as Nationwide or the Schotteinstein but it has character. This is also good for catching up and coming artists before they get big and charge you hundreds for shows. read more

Newport Music Hall - Marquee - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Went by myself and view from upper balcony was amazing. Acoustics were surprisingly good and clear but I also brought my earplugs. Didn't eat or drink anything there. Parking at the garage across the street was pricey at $16 so will probably try to not do that again. read more

My husband and I have been here to watch Badfish here, the Sublime tribute band, 3 out of 4 years now; we couldn't go to their show in 2017 as our daughter had been born just a couple months prior. We had a great time, as always. Crowd was fun, band was great and Late Night Slice serves pizza here! We'd seen this band from the front row the last 2 times, so this time we wanted to check the band's out from the second story. It was a lot of fun up there too... we're in our 30's so it was nice being out of the way of the people who wanted to mosh, and it was way less crowded. Also being upstairs puts you closer to the restrooms I wouldn't recommend to go in, but they also have a bar upstairs where the line is shorter! Dark, grunge place to watch some kickass bands, it's a staple here on High St. read more

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I came here this past Saturday for a Jimmy Eat World concert http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pg36MIVm_J09Qw5yHHk0bw?select=3sirym73jKA3fh2ggD0XPA. I got in the line outside a quarter after 5pm, and the show was set to start at 7pm. There were already about 50 people in front of me, and by the time the doors opened, there were probably at least 300+ people behind me http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pg36MIVm_J09Qw5yHHk0bw?userid=2fN8mN7uUjOw-QqtcgYqXQ. Newport Music Hall is small and cozy. I like the overall setup, with the pit, the elevated sides with rails, and the balcony above that borders the pit, but the acoustics in the music hall are pretty bad. Then again, I was in the 2nd row from the front, so it may just have been bad positioning. Also, people bring in beer into the pit, and the entire floor was disgustingly sticky by the end of the concert. read more

Newport Music Hall - Line 15min before opening - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I got to see band called Sevendust (7D). Best concert I've ever been to! Put on an awesome show and the place is so awesome and so were the people there! Best thing for us was all we had to do was walk out on the side of the building and allowed to smoke cigs! read more

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Place is absolutely disgusting. Dust everywhere. Rich history, but I need a shower after just walking in.

I was here for a concert when I was 21. Second time I was 43. I really like this place. It is so beautiful on the inside. You can get really close to the bands on stage. They have a nice selection of alcoholic beverages. I interacted with three different employees and all were very friendly and welcoming. The pizza that is served here is so delicious (kind of expensive though). Plenty of room for a mosh pit. Very little seating though. It is mainly standing room only (there are a couple long benches). When you walk in, you definitely know it is a music Hall with all of the upcoming events posters around. I was not able to view the upstairs concert area as it was closed. The women's restroom is upstairs and it was clean. The restroom also had upcoming events plastered all over the walls. I had fun looking at the flyers and learning about new bands. read more

Newport Music Hall - Us at the concert. - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Legendary Columbus venue. The lineup that has played here is legendary. I've been coming here for years and have seen many great shows. They seem to have improved getting people through the line when the doors open. There's a bar upstairs and downstairs with a Mikey's Late Night Slice once you walk in. The place could use an update though. If you've seen shows at Express Live and then come here, it's night and day. That's probably the charm of the venue but it is dated and the floors creek as you walk around upstairs. I'm not sure if they still do this, but if you wait around behind the venue, the artists will come out and greet fans. Update or not, I'll continue to go as long as they continue to book great talent. read more

I've been coming here for well over 20 years and it's definitely a staple on the OSU campus for live music. While at times the interior of the place can seem dated, it's still a perfect midsize venue to catch national acts at. There's a Mikey's Late Night inside and plenty of parking in the area. Acoustics are great, bar service is also up to par. Tickets are fairly priced with the exception of Ticketmaster's ridiculous fees. read more

This has to be perhaps the worst concert venue I've ever had the displeasure to attend. Bands were great, venue was dreadful. They packed us in like livestock, there were no seats, so unless you're 7 feet tall, don't expect to see the band. There was a small ledge on one side that we sat on (like 5 of us) and when the headliner came out three of us stood up to see and after a 1/2 hour a harpy descended on us to scold us for standing on it. The whole hall is shabby AF and they're worried about this ledge? For real? Get some priorities. Like maybe overpacking the venue and violating the fire code. Stay away unless they resurrect your favorite dead musician. There's always a better place to see your living band. read more

Oh, Newport Music Hall what a complex relationship we have. You've afforded me the ability to watch some of my favorite artists, ranging from neo-soul to emo-rock.There is a parking garage close by that always has availability making it incredibly easy to park and walk to your front door. Mikey's Late Night Slice sits inside your walls, making it very convenient to attend mid-week concerts, arriving straight from work and still grab something tasty to munch on with plenty of time to spare as I prepare to "get on down with my funky feet." The doors almost always open on time and to date, not a band has cancelled on me. Yet... I'm not sure how much longer this relationship is going to last. I mean, I still love music, but the subpar restrooms, the things that are broken that never get fixed, the security that don't always secure things, the raggedy chairs in the handicap section - I just don't know how much longer i can overlook these things. Maybe I'm just too old now. I realize you're in the middle of the campus, really I do, but even college kids deserve properly working toilets right? Who am I kidding? We both know I'll be back. The concert line just keeps calling me mane. And isn't that what we are all here for? The singers, drummers, guitarists, saxophone man, the melodious beats that thumps in our hearts! WE WON'T LET THE MUSIC DIE! I guess you're alright in my book Newport Music Hall. You're pretty alright. read more

I've been to a lot of shows here despite the fact that I really don't care for this venue. Why? Ultimately, I'm not going to pass on a good show or a band I like just because the venue stinks. Columbus is a town where because there are a few lacking institutions, mediocrity flourishes in a way that would never be tolerated in other cities. Unfortunately, music venues fit precisely into that category here, and the fact that they sell equally mediocre and overpriced pizza inside should not distract you from the fact that this place SHOULD be better than it really is. The building's aesthetic is theoretically cool (it's a theater turned into a rock club!), but I've seen a lot of these kinds of venues elsewhere (the Aladdin and Baghdad Theaters in Portland come to mind, but hey, lots of other cities lock it down too), and they're uniformly better done. The inside is kind of falling apart, which is hidden a bit by how dark they keep it, but it's been treated about as well as a dorm room. They've preserved nothing apart from a bit of the decorative work on the ceiling. But who cares about how it looks? (Some people, but it's a small point). What about how it sounds inside? It sounds awful. A&R Bar has the exact same problem (unsurprising, it's owned by the same company), where the sound system never manages to sound good. I caught Lake Street Dive last night and the keys were inaudible for most of the show because they were so poorly balanced. In general, the bass always wins in this place, which depending on who you're listening to can kill the music. Same thing happened when I saw Lucius a couple of years ago. I also get the sense it's poorly managed. Last night's show was supposed to be doors open at 7:00. We got there at 8 and the line was still halfway down the block, so it took us over a half hour to get inside. The opener got to play exactly three songs, and the poor sound quality really stood out; I assume they had to rush him out so the main act would play close to on-time. read more

The Newport is my favorite concert venue in Columbus. There seems to be a layer of rock and roll filth on every surface. I watch bands anxiously wondering if this is the show that the dirt on the ceiling finally comes down. I'm not sure what the smell is, but it always seems to be there. Despite these qualities, I love it. A good scrub wood just take away the rock and roll charm. It is the "longest continuously running rock club in America," so they must be doing something right. Being short, I prefer standing on the side against the rail or in the balcony. My rules here are: Don't go to the bar (too expensive) Don't go to the bathroom (the no bar rule helps this) Bottom line: If you like to rock out you'll love the energy here. read more

Newport Music Hall - View from the balcony. - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Bang for your buck: 8/10 Quality: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Ambiance/Location: 8.5/10 Overall: 9/10 It's hard to review the Newport, and yet, here we are. Together we've seen several shows here now ranging from some pretty famous to some pretty obscure artists. In essence, the Newport is a good place to see a show. It's intimate, which is a way of saying both the acoustics are great, and you're liable to get into a fist fight because someone-has-bumped-into-me-for-the-last-time-so-help-me-god. It has nearby parking in a well-lit on-campus garage. It has security that gives the illusion of you being so secure by running their hands into places on your body that in other realms of society would be a crime. It even has Mikey's! What the Newport also has though is the vibes of a historic building in disrepair. It's truly a cool spot, but it has vibes of being one show away from collapsing. The bathrooms are constantly dirty, lacking supplies, missing crucial elements like stall doors and soap dispensers, and for the lucky ladies, are all the way upstairs so you can miss some of the show! But the Newport is intimate. It lets you feel up close and personal to the artists you love and the bands you came to hear. There's no arena seating here. And so, despite all of its flaws, we'll keep coming back. read more

I love seeing shows here. It's small enough to feel intimate but big enough to get a good energy from the crowd. The location is great - close to lots of campus bars but also just a short walk from Short North for the slight older crowd (sadly, me.) I usually cab it there, but I believe there are parking garages nearby. They are able to bring some big names as well as some lesser-known/niche acts. The sound is always really great and instead of trying to cram up front with the masses I like to stake out a spot right behind the sound guy for an elevated view above the crowd (and easy access to the booze). read more

What can I add? The Newport has been around forever; it was the Agora into the '80s. It's a great place to see a band: big enough for a fairly popular band, small enough to still feel intimate. I usually stand behind the soundboard, for a better view and less crushing. There are many good spots in this place, though. The bathrooms aren't great, but hey, try to go beforehand... The most recent show I saw was The Airborne Toxic Event, and they made the place come alive. I've been many times before, and will definitely be back. Once it gets much bigger than this, a venue looses interest for me- too many people, too far from the stage, etc. Parking across the street in the OSU garage is easy and fairly cheap. read more

Newport has improved tremendously from the last visit I made probably about 8 years ago. Had the chance to see Cuco and 2 opening acts last month. It was extremely secure, pretty clean and ran so smoothly the unexpectedly long line felt like it took no time to file in to watch an amazing show. There were many hired security members observing the event, metal detectors at the door as well. read more

I'm happy to have this venue close enough to see acts touring to this size audience. I've seen plenty of music here that sound better than last night. The venue can not be blamed. That's why there's sound check. If your sound team can't adapt to the venue, then the band itself is in for bad reviews their entire tour. I do blame the venue for air circulation. If doors and vents cannot be open for noise ordinance, then solve it internally. Nice and comfortable at the start when front and stage doors are open. Then it got cooking in there. Add in a Mikey's Late Night Slice pizza oven, and hundreds of body heat, and it gets hot. Fans in place but not on. Stage is very small and crowded for a 4 piece band, let alone 5. PA speakers crowd stage left & right instead of hang from any permanent rigging. I saw no rear spotlights, so lighting is all done from overhead front and rear stage. The rest must be brought by the band. Drink prices are adequate. Higher than a bar, but not coliseum or stadium priced. Pizza is available. The venue architecture has two stone staircases that lead upstairs to the mezzanine, bar, and women's bathroom. A spilled drink made the stone slick and dangerous. Downstairs is a wide open concrete floor with slightly elevated areas on the sides. Handicapped, and reserved seating is front stage left. Seating is concrete 2'X2' stairs in the rear mezzanine only. Get there early if you want a seat, and never get up. Same if you want a spot at the railing. Wear comfortable shoes to stand for a while(outside in line & show). Staff was friendly, and respectful. There is a pat down screening before you get your drink wristband, or ticket scanned for entry. Maybe Ive gotten older, but the venue could improve easily enough. read more

Newport Music Hall - Theory of a Deadman 8/9/2018 - Music Venues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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