I have been to far more shows at the Boardwalk than I would have liked to. Unfortunately, it's one of the only places in the Sacramento area where good bands will play. I usually like small, intimate venues, but they got it all wrong here. There's no ventilation, which means small and intimate becomes stuffy and sweaty rather quickly. It becomes hard to breathe in here even during the winter. In my experience, the staff has been rather unfriendly with a holier-than-thou attitude toward all patrons. Also, parking sucks. There are very few spots in the parking lot for the actual venue, so you're left to fend for yourself. I usually park in the Ralph's parking lot nearby and hope that my car doesn't get ticketed or towed. Oh yeah, the area it's in sucks too. Who wants to go to Orangevale to see a band play? Really, who wants to go to Orangevale at all? Mostly, I gave the Boardwalk two stars because somehow they still manage to land good bands. I have some fond memories of shows there, even if the fond memories weren't really thanks to the venue at all so much as the music. read more

Came here like 20 years ago haha jk prolly like when I was 15 yea but it was good I seen brotha lynch hung and tech nine. It was dope! read more

The Boardwalk - Bars Near Me - Orangevale, California

If you complain about this place, you suck. Seriously I've seen Unwritten Law here for $15 maybe, Ludo for $5, and various other awesome artists all for practically nothing! If you can't handle parking a few minutes away and walking there, some dirty bathrooms, or some heat at times, do everyone a favor and stay home! And I've always found the bouncers to be awesome and nice. Sure you can't come and go, get over it! Female bartender has a little attitude, get over it again! read more

Pros: This place plays awesome bands, and varied types of rock. Most times, tickets are very reasonably priced. The place is sort of small so it's more intimate a feeling with the bands, which is pretty awesome when you're seeing more major bands like Aiden, Cartel, or Paramore. Also, I have to disagree with previous reviewers who say it should be 21 and up. There's enough for you damn legal Sacramento folks to do, give us kids something to do. Have you already forgotten how freaking boring this place is for minors? Finally, they no longer bitch about moshing there. Cons: The security is sort of bitchy, even if they do let you mosh. If you need to make a phone call, they won't let you go outside if you're underage. If you're underage, you can't lean on the bar because it's pass the 21 and over tape line. The place is small, so it can be hard to get around in. Overall: Boardwalk rocks! read more

"Under the Boardwalk...................." Ya i basically felt like I was under a boardwalk here....and this place I feel is a place only for 18 year olds, so you older folk that go here beware for the youngsters/legal age limit boundary line!!!! Always live music here from random bands you may have heard of once but may never hear from again, but it is an intimate venue so they get credit for that but the acoustics need help and so does the decor. A little run down and just looks like one of those places that will never get clean...no matter how hard your scrub!! read more

Super fun venue with lots of local artists and a nice size dance floor. I like that the bar is in a different space than where the performances are, that way you can step away from the music and actually have a conversation with someone without the music being too loud. They also have an outdoor patio area that's pretty spacious and nice to have a drink on. Heads up there is not a lot of parking though, And the floor can be pretty slick sometimes so I don't suggest wearing high heel's here. Take it from first-hand experience. Aside from that the drinks are pretty cheap and all the staff are really nice and there's not a lot of drama that happens here. read more

I'm surprised that this place hasn't been condemned as a fire hazard! It's very cramped inside and I fear if anything major was to go down that a stampede towards the door would be absolutely horrible!! I'm 4'11'' and I would be trampled....being that short as well also makes it hard to see anything here. Went to The Boardwalk last Saturday to meet some friends and see some live local music, it was spurr of the moment and we hadn't bought tickets. We got there and the door guy said that they were all sold out, luckily another guy walked past us into the place and said "we could take a couple more" So the door guy put wrist bands on us and told us how lucky we were. I thought that was pretty cool of them, and it was nice to have a door guy be generally cool...not a jerk cuz he's basically the "gate keeper" So we get inside and the guy who takes your money and stamps your hand noticed my Marilyn Monroe tee and said that he liked it. I told him thanks and that I liked his shirt. (It read "Boardwalk Security") lol I figured it never hurts to be nice, especially when they didn't have to let you in!! He told me that his whole house was Marilyn and (It was really loud and hard to hear) but I believe he said his wife loves Marilyn Monroe. (I also waved goodbye to that guy when we left....k, so I'm nice...sue me haha) I've now been to Boardwalk twice and to sum it up...hot, cramped, sweaty and loud. It is a place to hear some loud music, but when my bf and all his friends have ruined their hearing by playing in bands and working around heavy equip. all their lives it makes it harder than normal to have any type of conversation. I will be attending the Kate Voegele show in June and I'm pretty sure since she is not metal that it won't be too severely cramped and squished. I whole different type of crowd... I'm just surprised that this place has been around for so long, I think some improvements could be made...but hey, I guess if it works for ya... It was a little funny cuz one of our friends I guess had asked if one of the tv's could be switched to the San Jose Sharks game and they told him they don't get cable...I noticed Entertainment Tonight was on during the night haha I don't really recommend this place if you don't have the time to get there really early to guarantee that your up close and personal with the stage....especially if your short. I was in the bar area between tons of tall people who had no problem blocking me or just generally knocking me over (ok, almost) But it is nice to have such a famous venue in my home town of Orangevale that everyone from just starting out bands to big time/big names play. Feels good to get recognized by "Oh Orangevale...isn't the Boardwalk out there?!" other than..."Wait, where?!" only if you've noticed the sign off of I-80 do you know it lol The good 'ol "OV" ;) read more

A interesting musical establishment. One filled with guitars on the ceiling, shitty stage lighting, expensive drinks (bud light was 3.75), and much more. But theres a energy in the place that gets you in a good mood, regardless of its 'rough around the edges' look. Its worn-in, its stuffy, its a bit smelly, but its pretty awesome. Some good local bands play there from time to time. Recently saw In This Moment and Nonpoint. They put on a good show. Got some drinks in me and moshed a bit. Nonpoint played "5 Minutes Alone" by Pantera. After that i was in love with the Boardwalk. A good mixture of people come here which is nice to see. Even the handicapped are kickin back and having a good time!! There is a "ATM" if you can call it that. The man who works the front has a ATM setup. You just slide your card and punch your pin in. It spits out a receipt and he gives you money from the register or you take it to the bartender. Either way yo get your money and its safe...i think. Id definitely come back. Had a good time there! read more

Having spent four years in Okinawa, I was spoiled on the local rock music scene, made up mostly of groups of younger musicians that were either Okinawan or were touring down from mainland Japan. Many of the venues were small live houses that consisted of little more than a bar with a table and chair set-up, a stage and sound system. But I grew to love them, and were some of my favorite hang-outs (see www.7thheavenkoza.com for my long-time watering hole). I wanted to find my niche in northern California, someplace I could sit, drink some beer and listen to some decent rock and metal bands. My first foray into the Boardwalk was back in February of 2008, with a Saturday line-up of Tyr, Turisas, and Ensiferum that I had pre-paid tickets for. From the scheduled line-up, I was astonished to see how many metal bands actually stop at the Boardwalk during their North American tours for a show or two. Considering the location, the Boardwalk is a decent venue. It's not pretty though; the building exterior itself is humble. People expecting style over substance, this is not your scene. Interior wise, it's not bad. What did draw my attention were the numerous guitars hung from the ceiling, each signed by a band or musician that had played there, and I recognized many of them. The bar section is somewhat small compared to the rest of the building, but has a decent selection. But I recall that to consume alcohol, you have to remain in the bar section, and on concert nights, the seating/bar space is very limited. It is a first come, first serve sort of deal; I lost my seat early in the night to move closer to the show itself. I've read a lot of complaints regarding the management and the staff; but to be honest, I'm not sure what people are expecting. Security seemed professional, and were friendly (even struck up a conversation with one of them, a former Air Force brat). The bartenders were little gruff, but I tend to expect that from any place that draws a significant crowd on the weekends. Part of the staff's perceived attitude might stem from the teen crowd that files in for the shows. As with any place, no one should expect the staff to treat them with respect if they cannot respect the staff in return. Bottom line, I enjoyed this place. This is what I would call a "live house": a place to enjoy music and toss back a few drinks. For what it is, I appreciate it! read more

Went to See Mod Sun last night (3/24/15). All the staff was friendly. Bartender was great. It was a small crowd...maybe 125-150 people. We were easily the oldest people there by 15+ years. Crowd was young and having a good time. Bathrooms were clean enough. My expectations were exceeded based on all the previous dismal reviews. 16 oz Sierra Nevada was $5, which seemed fine. read more

Really cool place with a bunch of diverse range of music.. It is a bar however, which means it gets hot really fast when there's a show going on. Drinks are good although they didn't have cream for a White Russian.. I was surprised they had food, typical bar food, but still satisfied me until the end of the show. Been coming here since high school so it's more of a throwback spot for me.. Never had a bad experience.. Just beware the heat! read more

Define the word "Dive" = Boardwalk. It's dirty, hot, if you stand near the stage you will feel like you're in a sauna. If it's a good show there's a line outside, the place is filthy, and it gets the job done. Drinks are expensive, it's Also see: Places around Sacramento that never, ever change. Mixed crowds depending on the bands but not matter what it def. brings some crazies out of the woodwork. ...and young people that think they're the @#$! in baggy pants. read more

At first glance, The Boardwalk looks like an old, dingy, hole in the wall bar. And, it stays that way. Only thing is...I love hole in the wall bars. It's dark, old and wonderful. The bartenders are friendly and heavy handed. The best thing about The Boardwalk is that they get some great bands through there. I've seen some great punk and psychobilly bands at this venue and have never paid more than $10 at the door. Who wants to go to Downtown Sac and park in a shady neighborhood where you get yelled at by homeless people, pay an outrageous cover charge while getting gangbanged by the bartenders for a decent drink?!! read more

Walked in with low expectations but to my surprise was actually pretty impressed. Looked grimy from the outside and that perception did not change when I stepped inside BUT it is what it is and for the $14 cover, you can't complain. Summer Survivors Tour tore this place to shreds.. Not only did all the bands bring the enthusiasm needed (Rings of Saturn, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit, Conducting From The Grave) but the sound quality was superb for the venue's size. Another huge thing that is a must for a small venue like The Boardwalk is good AC and insulation, which they definitely had going. Security was pretty chill too, let fans mosh and act a fool without getting hyphy.... Respect. Only things that really sucked were: No in and out privileges even for people of age No beer on tap.... WTF?!?! Venue is located in a crap neighborhood with no places to throw the after party read more

If you're looking to be up, close and personal with any rock band, then you must get over to The Boardwalk. It's a small and intimate venue that allows fans to have the time of their lives and even get a chance to chat with their favorite entertainer. After eight years of attending concerts at The Boardwalk, I've never had a bad time. The crowd varies depending on the band, which is awesome for those fans that love to converse about music. Be aware of the younger crowd if you are older, the bar is for sure your safe haven to avoid the mosh pit. read more

Went to a few concerts here. The place has now become a hole in the wall but it's still putting on good shows

Pretty much the only music venue in town that has any bands worth seeing. The venue gives local artists a chance to play on big bills. Some people talk about underages?? Has anyone been to retro?? It's like Sunday school. And the only reason The Boardwalk is packed is because it has good shows! One of the last great music venues in Sacramento read more

It's kind of a mixed bag It's definitely rough around the edges. But they do get some killer bands up on their tiny stage. And they also support local musicians; although, I've certainly heard rumors. Regardless, this is definitely a spot worth checking out - Their bar is small and average priced, their security is usually OK (subjective), and their overall setup is fine (mediocre acoustics). read more

The shows are fairly cheap, you can park in a parking lot for FREE thats super close, and yes its a bar. The place is a little small and it can get hot in there, but overall its not a bad place to see a show. read more

As a music venue, this place has become a joke. They treat the bands like crap, and profit off of them without fairly compensating them for their time and hard work. I have see this happen to several of my friends' bands here. I will not be supporting this venue with my money, and will be urging all of my musician friends to take their talent elsewhere. Don't bother with the Boardwalk. read more

Fantastic, underrated spot for local shows, as well as haunting grounds for famed bands. I've seen Pepper, Long Beach Dub All Stars, and a plethora of other bands passing through to probably way better venues. Nostalgia alert - I drank my very first beer in this parking lot. 17 years old and a freshman at Sac State. The band of choice that night was Earshot (wonder what happened to those guys...), and I was told to chug a Budlight before we went in. How I got drunk off this single beer is beyond me, but I was told I had a great time that night. Ah, college memories. read more

The bar itself is really shabby and out in the middle of a questionable neighborhood. I was actually afraid to walk from my car to the place. However, the people working there were friendly enough. On the plus side, tickets to the concert we went to were relatively cheap, and because the place was small and a little bit more personal, it was easier to get close to the bandmembers and actually see them from a decent distance. I would give the place three stars just for that alone. They really get a lot of good bands coming through the place and if it weren't for the Boardwalk, I don't know if I would have had the opportunity to see them at all. read more

At a special show and literally sat at the bar half an hour where people who came after me were helped first. I will not be back.

I have to agree with everybody's complaints about boardwalk staff... I've been to countless shows here, and the staff are pretty pompous. BUT - I will continue going to shows here because Claude the sound guy really knows how to make bands sound great. I dont go for the bar, for the shitty cafeteria food, or to marvel at douchey event staff's ability to be helpful. I go for the music, and it always sounds really good. Plus shows rarely sell out, maybe because people hate the staff so much? read more

I like this place the I had an allergic reaction to vodka here and the bartender did everything he could to help and even made sure to gt me to my crowed so they can get me the attention I needed when I returned later he gave me a hug and welcomed us all back :) Thankyou read more

*Updated* Came here again to see Chunk! No Captain Chunk, and the sound was way better! The music was clear and I had a much better experience this time around. Goes to show you should always try to give things second chances. Came here to see Alesana last night and my god the sound here is horrendous! Everything was turned up full blast, couldn't hear any vocals, just pure noise, could barely make out which songs were being played. It was very disappointing to see one of my favorite bands sound so bad. read more

I have been going to The Boardwalk for over 4 years now and I have always loved going to see all the shows and it has allowed me to meet so many amazing people. However the place is a little dirty looking and it does need a little re-vamping to make it look like the place to be. I used to love coming here but lately the bands playing aren't what they were and whenever I DO end up going it takes up to 4 or 5 hours for the main act to play so I end up being there until 3 AM instead of midnight. If this place was re-vamped and changed for the better I would go again. Not how I remember it being 4 years ago. read more

I went here recently for a friends show and I got four words that sums up why this place blows: THEY CHARGE FOR WATER! It's $2 bucks or if you're really super slick, you can go to the bathroom and drink out of the faucet. Yuck! read more

This place has gone way down hill! I used to feel decently safe, despite some sketchy people & situations BUT last night a friend of mine was singled out by security. I saw a security guard take his security shirt off & grab my friend from behind, harshly tossing him around & punching him in the back of the head & the face. My friend is about 6 feet tall & weighs a whopping 145 pounds & I was just standing there, watching people "dance" (bump into each other). I have no clue why he would single my friend out. Super sketchy that he would take his work shirt off before tossing him around & punching him in the face. I'm making sure everyone I know knows this story; I would hate for anyone else I love to be treated this way. I hope this place gets it together or gets shut down. read more

If I ever can avoid this place, I will... Unless David Bowie, Prince and 2 of the Beatles come back to life to do a concert together, I doubt I will ever end up at "The Boardwalk" again. A. There's no beach, why is it called "The Boardwalk"? It's called a "Porch"... which you can not leave at any point during the show. "There are rules!" 2ndly. You must wait in line before the show. C. The BAR is SO frickin small. 3. There are a GRAND total of about 8 stools in the whole venue. (It is not handicapped friendly, there are no seats or areas for a wheelchair or handicapped person that can't stand because all of the stools are taken by the first 5 people in line. Even when we got there an hour early to make sure it could accomodate our guests, the beyotchy woman running the joint said, "I told you to get here at 7, you'll just have to come back to wait in line like everyone else or have someone wait outside." 4th. You are trapped in the bar with your drink. It is great that 18 and unders can go here, but that's why we already have wrist bands and hand stamps, to verify that you are legal. Psh. So silly. Though the size does lend to the more "intimate" experience, it is not really an experience I'd like to share again... everyone seemed creepy/different/off-putting... I'm a city kid. This po-dunk town/ middle of nowhere stuff is not for me. Lame, to say the least. Other than that, the music was great. read more

Here's the thing about the boardwalk. If you go here to see small local bands, it is a crappy little place. You need to keep your eye on the music section of the paper. When a really good band that has potential to hit it big comes to town, they could end up here. That's when this place rocks. Saw 4 bands here last night. (Flyleaf, Kill Hannah, Sick Puppies, Resident Hero.... All were awesome.) Good size club. There was enough security around that seemed pretty safe. A fight broke out in the bar area and they were all over it. Both guys were thrown out within five seconds and into the arms of waiting sheriffs officers. I don't mind the drinking area being separate. If I had a kid going to a show here, I wouldn't want the booze mixed in the crowd. But it get kind of hard to see the stage from the bar area. Too many poles in the way. The best part of this venue, is that the band members hang out in the crowd after their set. There's no place else for them to go. So the band that just rocked the place is sitting in the bar next to you having a beer. Very cool. p.s. to the Sac state frat boys that go to rock concerts. Let me tell you about how to act at a concert. you don't impress people by jumping in the mosh pit and trying to knock people over. The mosh it is to dance, not throw punches. can't you figure this out. Going home without bruises is o.k. You've probably never heard of these bands before in the first place. So, lay off the roids, pull your hat up a little bit, relax and enjoy the show. Please. ****Update****** Came here again for a show last Saturday. Finger Eleven headlined, So Called Tragedy opened for them. Both were good bands that impressed. The funniest thing I ever saw in my life happened. The lead singer for so called tragedy decides he's going to stage dive. He makes a quick move towards the front of the stage, plants a foot on the speaker, and launches himself at least 8 feet in the air, he becomes horizontal and does a slight roll in mid air to fly through the room face up. As he descends towards the crowd, every one in the place takes one step away from him, he smacks the ground with a thud I could hear over the music. He lays there for a moment, He sings the next verse while lying on the ground. He then limps up to the stage to finish the song. I almost pissed my pants it was so funny. They did a good job and really rocked. This place is good for concerts and the occasional injured lead singer. read more

Been to several concerts over the years here. Last night we saw Saving Abel. Definitely had a good time but I can say that man I am deaf. The music was beyond deafening. I get it, its a concert, but still crazy loud. The bathrooms were completely atrocious and they charged for water. The pricing is pretty much a joke. The tickets were "$15 in advance on the website, $18 day off at door" ...except that online they charge $3/ticket for processing. So it's the same price either way. The money isn't the issue, just that it's not honest pricing. I doubt we'll be going back unless its a completely kickass band we just CANNOT miss. read more

Out of all the venues I've gone to for live music in the Sacto area, this is by far one of the better ones. I also feel like I have to come to the Boardwalk's defense against some of the utterly absurd complaints by some reviewers. It baffles me that some people still go to dive venues then have the gall to complain about the conditions. Yes, it's going to be crowded and hot. Yes, the music is going to be loud. No, they are not going to have tables and chairs for you to sit at. No, they are not going to have toilets clean enough to eat off of. Some pluses about the Boardwalk: It's all ages. This is a GOOD thing. I'm over 21 but I loathe places that exclude 20 and unders. That takes a huge chunk out of the crowd and to me, more people equals more fun. I guess I'm just comfortable enough around people younger than me to not be bothered by their presence. Cool setup. I really enjoy the atmosphere of the Boardwalk. It's a got a decent enough sized floor, big enough for a good pit. It's got a cool vibe to it with the blacklight calendar boards and the guitars lining the ceiling. There's a bar on the side and contrary to what some people are saying you CAN see the stage from there. Sure, it's a little crowded and you have to stay in the designated area but that's not that uncommon for all ages venues. Besides, I've had enough beer spilled on me by people trying to drink while standing on the age of the pit to just not care about something like that. Drinks really aren't that badly priced. They're a little more than what I'm used to paying but compared to some of the upscale bars and clubs around the Sac area, they're not bad. Negatives about the Boardwalk: Not many but a couple. There's no ins and outs for under 18's and if you're of age you can only keep to the porch outside. However, if you're sly enough you can usually sneak off the end of the porch and get back in without too much trouble. Next time don't ask the bouncer and just go. The staff at any venue are going to be hit and miss depending on the night and who's working. I've had a couple good experiences with the staff at the Boardwalk and a couple bad experiences. My belief is don't give them any reason to dislike you and they won't. Be a pretentious prick and whine about having to stay on the porch and you'll probably get similar treatment back. Last time I was there the staff were really nice and let my friend back in after the show and helped him look for his keys. I think people are being unfair towards the Boardwalk. I think a lot of them expected something else and were annoyed that they did indeed end up in a dive venue. And some of these negative reviews are just asinine... like complaining about the lack of minorities in the crowd. Why does that matter and how is it the Boardwalk's fault?? As long as you remember this is a dive venue and know what to expect you'll most likely have a good time. The Boardwalk is one of the few all ages venues in the Sacramento area that has been keeping the good bands coming to this neck of the woods for years now and I'll always have respect for them for that. read more

My boyfriend and I attended a concert here last night . Although the show was good... everything else was less than spectacular. He ordered vip tickets for the show which we were supposed to have seating for which we did not! Got there ..no one told us we needed a special wrist band even though our tickets said vip.. so we tried to find seating and the guys said we had the wrong wrist band . After going back to the front to discuss this... we went to look for a seat and it was full??? They oversell the section for more money and no where to sit? So poor!!!! The acoustics in this place was also not good.... could barely hear the wonderful performers!! Bartenders were a mess... I used to be one myself... so the amount of chaos and lack of hygiene was foul! We live down the street and have never been ... so what a shame that it was such a mess! read more

I realized my review deserved an update since I dropped by for a show a couple months back and they have in fact improved the sound of the room. It's still not very easy to get to, and the layout could use an overhaul, but it's easily a 3 star "a-ok" in my book. I'll probably get to another show or two there this year and perhaps they will keep the improvements coming. read more

I came here for the first time to watch my friend perform. We had purchased tickets in advance And when we got there, we weren't allowed to step inside without showing our ID's first. Security doesn't even read my id. It could've been a mans id. Then we were told we had to pay a $10 cover because 12 people had already arrived and our tickets didn't even say that on there. Inside, there's probably 15 people. We get a beer at the bar and it's 10:30 and we're told the bar is closing becAuse performers did not show up. So my boyfriend and I had to pay $10 each to be inside for 10 min plus we each purchased a beer and we couldn't even finish it. When I told the bartender I was upset, he didn't do anything to satisfy us. We weren't offered a refund or anything. Because of the poor hospitality and customer service, we will not be back. read more

If you are an adult don't go here to see a band you can't leave the property and go to your car I'll go anywhere and come back . I think this club is more for kids under 18 I can't stand being treated like a kid when I pay money to see a band. I saw GBH here and Angry Samoans. Good shows but fucked up bouncers. read more

If you don't mind all ages showing, then this is the BEST place in the Sacramento area for a Rock Show. Hand down !!!!!!! It's a bit small, but it has a very cool, old, intiment feel to it. They play a variety of rock music. My favorite bands tend to fall under August burns red, Emarosa, Chelsea grin...........Iwrestledabearonce, eyes set to kill....U Must come here if you crave Live Underground Funk..........p.s. ignore the lil' ones. I almost detached a few jaws....sometimes this place has a lotta 16 year olds...haha read more

omg, this night at the boardwalk was ridiculous! went to see a show, was there for like four hours and the main act never came out till like after 2 am!!!! not cool. anyway the venue itself is kinda rundown looking and needs a face lift. the inside is bigger then it would appear from the outside. the have a separate bar area for 21 and over and large main floor to watch different acts. totally overpriced drinks. sketchy neighborhood. i guess i would visit again if there was a cool act, otherwise, I'm not missing anything special here. read more

Packed crowd, way in the back and can't hear a thing. Here to see some stand up comics. It's tough to enjoy the show when you can't hear it.