I've seen some good music here but customer service is seriously lacking. In addition to just a generally unfriendly vibe every time I've gone - If you advertise a show for one price but the ticket agency has it for a different *higher* price you don't say "oh. well, i don't know. i don't think it was ever that price. i don't' know what to tell you." Bullshit. Your website and the site for the ticket agency both read the lower price. That price should be honored. Shows are generally inexpensive so before anybody goes on thinking I'm just being cheap, let me be clear, it's not about the money for me, it's about the principle. Good bands, variable sound quality, decent beer. Just watch the price nonsense and don't expect much in the way of helpful behavior. Take note Catalyst, you can do better. Some of us are adults who don't appreciate the flippant brush offs and surly outlook and will take our money elsewhere. read more

Just to note, I've only been here once to see one of my favorite bands Amon Amarth perform back at the end of September. So this review is purely based on that experience. And to help better paint the picture of what this experience looked like, Amon Amarth is a Swedish death metal band.. just so you know the type of crowd that brought out. So given that Catalyst is a concert venue Santa Cruz, you already know that more than half this place is going to be filled with characters. With that said, I wasn't shocked to see the range of the folks that was here. A lot of crazy passionate people on stimulants and just want to rage all night. But amongst them, there are normal folks too who just want to enjoy good music. The place is one large open room with a small roped off area towards the back for the bar and people w/ alky beverages. Plus side to that is that you won't get alcohol spilled all over you if you're on the floor. You will however probably get splashed by people throwing water. However when the room is packed, the temperature rises up to like 90 degrees so that water is a blessing! For those of you who are 21+, not 6" tall and big and burly, and don't want to get crushed on the floor mosh pit, there is a small second floor balcony that has a separate bar. Here's a view of the stage from the balcony. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-catalyst-santa-cruz-2?select=Rfgcumop2stzsa2XRdAB7g#Rfgcumop2stzsa2XRdAB7g If you get there early enough, you can snag one of the rare seats at the balcony level. If you do get those rare seats, a server will come and take any drink orders here and there. She comes left often (and may forget your drink) during the concert though. Drinks are cheap and there's a $10 minimum to use your credit card. The sound system is RIDICULOUS. I was one of those lucky people to be seated at the balcony level. This also meant I was close to the speakers above me. I did remember a point during the concert where suddenly my left ear's hearing just went duller... and though it's been a month since this concert, my hearing has just not been the same (although my doc says there's no permanent damage somehow..) Screw it, next time I'm sucking it up and bringing ear plugs. Moral of this review: **Bring ear plugs if you want to hear normally afterwards. Especially if you're getting older to where your hearing just doesn't bounce back right away like it did in your early 20s. The joys of getting older. **Wear steel toed boots if you're going to be on the floor and don't want blackened toes at the end of the night. **Wear clothes you are ok sweating through and having everyone else's sweat all over. read more

The Catalyst - View of the stage from second floor balcony (Amon Amarth concert 9/26/14) - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I just saw OF here last night and had a great experience. I read these reviews and was apprehensive about the venue. The doors opened on time and got in, through security and standing to see the show by 8:30. The venue was way bigger than I expected I thought I was getting myself into a matchbox type of situation but I was pleasantly surprised because the venue was VERY big and unless someone who was very tall was standing in front of you, it was easy to see the stage. Every person who worked there that I came in contact with was very pleasant and the security was on top of their shit promptly breaking up several fights that broke out. I had a great experience here and would most definitely come here again. read more

The Catalyst - Tyler, The Creator on 5/18 - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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What else could you want or need?? Amazing sound, badass atmosphere! Bartenders were friendly and quick! Once in a lifetime experience!

This place is legendary. For such a tiny town as Santa Cruz, this venue brings in INCREDIBLE TALENT. The sound and lights were just revamped during the covid shut down so it's more enjoyable than ever before! I've been coming here for 10+ years and it's the best it's ever been. The staff is awesome, they gracefully handle the chaos that comes with having big shows and big names come through. If you love music and getting to experience something special, you'll love the catalyst. read more

Served drinks at 12:40 and aggressively told us to leave by 12:45 on a saturday night . Turned on the lights. Very rude.

Never in my adult life have I ever been treated so poorly. The upstairs bartender informed me that she could not accept card at her bar. She advised me to go downstairs and get drinks. My boyfriend was saving our table so I went downstairs and ordered two beers. I attempted to walk back to our seats when the security guard stopped me and informed me that I wasn't allowed to bring my beers out of the bar area. I simply tried to explain that the bartender informed me to come down here to grab drinks when he cut me off and said "I don't give a fuck what she said, I'm not a bartender. I'm a security guard and I'm telling you that you aren't fucking taking these beers out of the bar area." I had to call my boyfriend and tell him that the security guard won't let me leave with the drinks. My boyfriend came downstairs and in turn lost our table that we were trying to save for us to figure out what the issue is. He tells my boyfriend to tell me to shut up and stop screaming. I'm a 38 year old grown woman simply trying to speak to a guy AS A CONCERT IS HAPPENING. Of course my voice is a bit raised. Management: I don't know who the hell youre hiring for security but I will never ever be back. read more

I had my first experience at the Catalyst a couple of months ago watching a country concert. While the venue is pretty small so that you can see the band pretty much anywhere in the room I got to say the segregation of the 21+ and the all-ages area was strange and off-putting. The 21+ bar area didn't go all the way up to the stage so you're kind of left corralled to the left of the stage. My last grimace is that on a tuesday night the ticket said the show started at 8pm, I was assuming that would be the headliner---again because it was TUESDAY, alas that was the opening band started, which meant at around midnight I was hopping to go having had work the next day. I wish the ticket had stated this more clearly is my main complaint. I would definitely go back if the band was right, the person who books the shows definitely has a knack for finding some great headliners. The venue itself is pretty meh. read more

Went here to see Cash Cash, Party Favor and Tritonal on 1 October. Omg, I am a bit critical, but this place gets 5 stars!!! My guy (a bit of a raver) had just gone to Beyond Wonderland the weekend before and his praise of the place means even more for that very reason. Pros: This place was bigger than I expected, tix were $25/each!!, visuals were better than Beyond he said (hella good!!), DJs were great for opening stuff, crowd was great and polite, no smells of pot inside, no smoking inside, drinks were pretty cheap ($12 for an 805 and Whiskey on the rocks), bartenders were pretty nice, had the cutest little old lady in the bathroom hold the door closed for me while I peed, bathrooms were pretty clean, facility itself was pretty clean, all around an absolutely excellent first impression Santa Cruz and first edm event. Cons: Line was long, but moved very fast!, No re-entry for under 21ers (but didn't affect me because I am not underage) Bottom line: We are soo going back :) Highly, highly recommend!! :) read more

Last night was my second trip to The Catalyst; we saw Pepper. About 4 years ago I came here to see the Gza and Brother Ali. I live about a 45-an hour long drive from Santa Cruz, but I feel the drive is worth it to see good music. This place is pretty cool.. full bar.. they serve food..and the layout is not bad. Its kind of nice that they have balconies. Good place to see a show. read more

The Catalyst - Pepper!! January 24, 2009 - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Not from a show goer perspective but a client perspective. Unless you are a big show they will put in very minimal effort. Misspellings, false promises, and low priority treatment. read more

this place has a fantastic cross section of artists from many genres. Indie rock, electronica, reggae, rap and other styles can be enjoyed here in the course of any month. read more

This venue works for downtown Santa Cruz. It doesn't have a lot of character, but it's well-maintained. Came here from SF to see Cut Copy. They delivered a good show. The lighting is impressive. The sound was a little too loud. We were sitting upstairs for a bit. Then we ended up downstairs. Crowd is lively and into the music. They sell pizza and drinks like Gatorade. We had a problem getting tickets early. Advance tickets online or at venue come with service charges. But if you get tix at door when door opens for show, you don't pay service charges. Basically, we didn't know the best way to save from paying service charges and we didn't save. And when I tried to get tix early at venue, they charged me 3 times because the guy tried getting me tix, but the tix wouldn't print out. So I had to square away the 3 extra charges. I ended up buying an online ticket. UCSC students or anyone who loves live music would enjoy this venue. It's just as good as ones in big cities. read more

The Catalyst - Cut copy - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I enjoy this venue as it is large enough for a crowd, but small enough to not feel overwhelming. Drinks are expensive, as any venue is, but they also have pizza to offer. If you aren't into getting tossed around, there is a balcony above to stand and watch the show. One piece of advice, maybe steer clear if you are not interested in other people's herbal leftovers, as every show I have ever attended here has been full of stoners. read more

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my friend and I went to see a concert and it was in the little room of the catalyst. towards the back there is a low ledge and we were sitting on it. in the back, away from everybody. some girls literally had to get escorted due to fighting keep that in mind. we were sitting on the only ledge there. many people had sat down there drinks on the ledge and left. we were singing having fun when one of the security guards comes up to us with a flashlight takes the bottle of a look next to us and walks away. we kept singing we were like ok. he then came back and started screaming at us. this room is tiny and the music is blasting so I tried to signal to him I can't hear u and why r u telling us to leave. he got really mad. literally put his head against my 17 year old friends head. it was literally scary for both of us we're so confused. we were obviously trying to defend ourselves. after he got all close we both were not ok with that so we were yelling trying to say what did we do why r we being kicked out we were down from the ledge. then the security guard literally picks up my friend and carry's her out. he literally flashed her by pulling on her shirt. she physically could not move. I followed her out asking the other workers what just happened and saying were minors that was not ok. luckily some girl recorded what happened and was asking my friend if she was ok. clearly others were concerned. my friend is 4'11 and there was no need for a grown man to hold her like that. absolutely not ok. once we were out I got pissed started yelling at the people because we payed 60$ and didn't even get to see the performer this all happened before. when we're out they all laughed at us when my friend almost threw up cuz she was so scared. they told us our parents should have raised us better and all thi stuff. literally grown men talking to 17 year old girls like this. completely not ok. this guy needs to be fired he clearly had a misrable life feeling the need to grab and hold innocent girls fistgusting. never going back literally made me feel so unsafe that SECUIRTY would do this. Keep in mind we were completely sober just trying to enjoy the show. Night ruined read more

This place is a pretty big event place, since we've been here a couple times. But last night for, JBoog's concert was pretty chill and fun!! Thank, goodness the restrooms weren't, has dirty as I expected. Hahaha. Since they're was a lady, cleaning and helping with the which ones where free. Wouldn't mind coming here again. read more

The Catalyst - JBoog - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I was trying to see atmosphere and Ellen at the front desk is awesome. I have loved atmosphere since I was in high school and I had gotten off work late so the tickets were sold out. She was awesome and let me get a ticket. The staff here really care and want people to have fun time. Couldn't recommend it more read more

Seen some amazing shows at the Catalyst...311, a local band called Jetlag ( blows my mind they didn't become huge), the Epoxies, Norman Jean, Reggie and The Full Effect....the list goes on and on. Sure, they haven't really done any work to fancy up the venue, but thats part of its charm. It's like a much more desirable " Gaslighters Music Hall in Gilroy" but located in downtown Santa Cruz. If you live in the South Bay, make the trek out to see a band you like, or rapper ( andre nickatina plays here often) , hit Streetlight beforehand and they have a superb selection of hard to find CD's.... read more

Typical rent a cop security guards walking around with a napoleon complex here. But, what can you expect at a live venue. I went to a 16 and up show here last Thursday to see Alkaline Trio. Surprisingly, it wasn't a sold out show. So, there was tons of space. My favorite thing a About this venue is the 21 and up area. It really helps me to feel like I'm not at an all ages show. read more

Just went back to see a friend play here, and was reminded how much I dug this place back in college. It's still great. There's an upstair club and a downstairs atrium, so two events can occur simultaneously. Great acts still cruise through, the price is good, drinks are reasonable and it's right on Pacific. What's not to enjoy? read more

Eventbrite had posted that Brooke Candy would be playing with the garden and we bought three tickets because Brooke Candy is also obviously a headliner not the garden so Brooke Candy was actually an in London doing her CD release party we didn't know that purchased three tickets and they had advertised all the way to the day of the concert through the day of the concert that Brooke Candy would be there I have been to over 50 shows there I'm a major producer I will tell all three million of my fans to give you guys a thumbs down because to sell tickets on a name that isn't even there she was in London at the time is fraud and no refund policy that's fraud why don't you just post that Metallica's playing hey and then tool is going to play oh yeah why don't we post that Jimi Hendrix is playing losers read more

Always a great time!! I've seen shows here since the 90's and it's always been a class A venue. Whatever bullshit popping up now is just that- bullshit. read more

Literally some Yelper took one star off for another customer making out near her during a performance. Wut? Did you expect the venue to be all, "UGH. Get a room. You have to leave." It's a bar and if you are gonna be a princess about it, don't go to bars. Also, "bcus" is spelled "because." ************************ Anyways, I recently came to The Catalyst to see Gregory Issac Isakov. So, one, the parking situation in Santa Cruz is almost always super awesome. Street parking is plentiful and cheap. First of all, the bartenders can sling. All I ask for in a dive bar feeling music venue is bartenders who can make cheap drinks at a lightning speed. These guys and gals handle the crowds extremely well. They are only ever rude when someone is standing there for an eternity and then can't decide what they want. Second, I really appreciated the restroom attendant making sure the restrooms stayed stocked and fairly clean during large events. I love that the venue space is very intimate feeling. You can get really close to the stage and the mixing and sound is very decent. Great mix of artists booked. read more

I came here to see The Green. It's a decent sized venue with nothing obstructing views of the stage. Upon entering the venue, you can purchase pizza before the show, which I thought was a nice addition. And further inside, where the show is, you can purchase alcohol at 2 of their bars. Staff was pretty friendly. I'd come back to catch another show. read more

Older, not the most beautiful or type of venue you would find in the city like San Francisco, but every now and than amazing bands come thru and it is worth the visit. Easy to get to, no fuss, they serve alcohol but usually only in certain areas of the venue. Make a day and have a food/beer tour followed by a fun show. Must if you want to feel like a local! read more

I love the vibe here! Nice people, cool bartenders, a raised stage, lots of dancing space, and there's a nice breeze that flows through the crowd that doesn't leave you suffocating during sold out concerts. The bathroom needs some t.l.c. I love the reggae lineups! Like the governator says, "I'll be bakk!" Peace and love the catalyst! read more

The Catalyst - Steel Pulse @ The Catalyst on 11/5/10 - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Came to see The Wild Wild, Miner, and Cayucas. Pretty plain as far as venues go, but staff was kind. Ladies bathroom was freakin nasty though. The entire floor was wet with who knows what. Only bummer was that I wasn't 21 yet and my friend was 25, so when she wanted to go get cash from the ATM, I couldn't go with her or they wouldn't let me back in. Luckily our friend had finished his set so he could go with her - women shouldn't have to be out alone in the dark of night like that. Oh, well. It was fine. Nothing crazy, nothing spectacular. read more

The Catalyst - The Wild Wild. - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I love the artists, great shows! But the young boy checking vaccine info was extremely disrespectful when I showed all three of my vaccines with my military ID, which clearly showed my full name and picture. He took one look and started yelling calling it a fake ID. I understand being uneducated and naive but he was immediately confrontational and disrespectful for no reason. read more

I purchased tickets to an event on Halloween, the guidelines didn't specify till a week later that is was a vaccinated only show. My sister who also purchased tickets messaged the venue through Facebook verifying that. She asked for a refund, and got her refund in a timely manner. I messaged the venue to do the same. Four different times. They have yet to respond to my messages. I also called the venue about five or six times before the event because my messages had not been responded to, even left a voicemail. Zero response. I finally got a call through to them today when some dick answered the phone and told me it was not a vaccinated only show, and proceeded to tell me in a smart ass tone about how they were even offering on site Covid rapid tests. I read the messages between the venue and my sister and someone definitely told her it was a vaccinated only show, no exceptions. I am pissed and still waiting for a refund. Get your shit together Catalyst. read more

I miss the Catalyst. It was always fun to go there for a show, and if you weren't feeling the opening band there is so much room in there that you can get away from the music for a change of scenery. I love the spacious atrium and the upstairs pool table/lounge area. Even under new ownership, the place hasn't lost its charm. The breakfasts there are pretty decent too, if you can block out thoughts of what was going on there the night before. My only criticism of the place is that the sound isnt really up to par with what I would like in a club such as this. The dance hall has some kind of echo chamber effect...I dont know what it is... But the diversity of bands this place books is awesome, and I love how bands will skip over a big city like San Jose to play in Santa Cruz at the Catalyst. read more

The Catalyst - Big B chicken pickin' on the Banjo at Giant Robot, 7/3/04. You know its the Catalyst because of that annoying digital clock. - Music Venues Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Went here for the Sammy J performance, and I was in pain from what had happened during the day, but I couldn't miss Sammy J performing, so Im glad that they had couches! I enjoyed the concert while sitting on the couch and being comfy! Minus 1 star for a disgusting bathroom. Didn't drink since I drove, but for a small venue, I like it bcus you get a more intimate feel with the performer, rather than a big venue where you don't get to connect. Parking was fairly easy, since it was night time. So we found parking around the corner / the back of the venue. Street parking. Free after a certain time. How great. I probably wouldn't come here again unless I want that intimate performance feel with an artist. I'll stick to staying in SJ rather than driving on the windy hwy 17. Also another minus one star because this couple was just making out in my ear while I was trying to enjoy the show. Yeah, go get a room.. read more

How did I get here?! Kids, I was rolling the old skull eggs in a nutty fashion when I woke up on the floor - toes pointed at the rafters. I guess the feller at the last watering hole slipped me a mickey. Why I oughta...! Any-whoot. I was way off track when I came to in this here satanic hell hole. I felt as if I was writhing in the floor of a portable commode. Sister, my head felt like I ate a whole deli of knuckle sandwiches! With all the pulsing lights and the thump, thump, thumping of modern kid musics I was all set to eat my own shoe! But the nut jobs round this place were aces and helped yours truly out to the old cement shoe street (that's the sidewalk for you squares). Back in my day we'd kick the fudge out of an old rummy like me, but ah the good old days, right? Twenty two scadoo! Any-whoooot. I skipped the hooch and started hoofing back south to Monterey proper. Kids, don't drink and drive and for the love of lettuce stop trying to run me down on the old PCH! I shaved off a good portion of shoe leather on this outing and brother let me tell you, keep your wits about you! Doing some horse under a bridge or getting the old Saturday night rub down on the outskirts of a shanty town ain't nothing compared to a youngster these days with all their electrics and Internets. I think some of these kids were hoped up on goofballs and riding the old Mickey Finn! read more

I've come here countless times for all kinds of shows. I've never been disappointed with the service or events that I've been to. Building is easy to find near great stores and places for food. There's parking all around so that's never an issue either. Definitely will return! read more

Arrived at the venue @ approx 8:15pm ahead of the posted start time of 8:30pm per the instructions on the confirmation and email printed ticket. When we arrived, the band was already playing. When we entered the balcony area for the "Balcony Reserved" tickets I had purchased (at additional cost), I discovered that not only didn't I have a reserved seat, but there were NO SEATS AT ALL available in the balcony area, they were all filled. When I brought this to the attention of the security staff, they informed me that they don't know what happened and that we would have to leave the balcony area. He didn't even want look at the ticket I was trying to show him to prove I purchased 2 seats there. His only response was "You need to leave right now". In fact, nobody at the venue seemed to care that there were no seats available in the balcony. I was unable to locate a manager and nobody would even provide me with the name of the manager. My girlfriend (who just had knee surgery and needed to sit down) and I were relegated to standing at the rear of the venue near the entrance/exit as the floor was completely full by this time. Because of her condition, we were forced to leave after only a few songs. On the way out, I asked someone at the door what time the event started that evening and they said 8:00pm. When I tried to show them the start time of 8:30pm on the ticket, without even looking at it he said "call e-tix". Totally indifferent/incompetent staff at the Catalyst and incorrect showtime information provided by e-tix, which precipitated the whole mess. read more

great place to go, just one of the staff members, i don't know her name, she's blonde, didn't let me go upstairs even though all the other security does, i have a messed up left leg and i have to do PT for the rest of my life, so i tried to go sit at my seat (where note i have my prescription glasses, and bags) and she denied be access even after multiple attempts to get in, kinda disappointed, don't know if i'll come back read more

First time being to this venue in a few years grew up in the area and was used to the super rude venue staff and bartenders was surprised at how the present crew is so different, almost everyone was super nice and polite, different from the crews of the past. there was one super rude chubby Hispanic security guard, he had a raiders hat in so it made sense. Bartenders were super cool had a lot of fun. read more

I go here for a lot of punk shows... this place is small but decent.. they sell pizza and it has a bar... i really like this venue... staff is friendly. The Queers and The Dickies is why i went that night read more

I have seen so many of my favorites here. Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, Jboog, Thrive, Expendables, Supervilllians, Trevor Hall, Anuhea, Micah Brown before he was in Iration. I have even seen Iration. Most recent was NST and the Soul Sauce and Lee Scratch Perry. This is my go to concert venue. I love that they have the Atrium and the bigger room for much larger concerts. Personally the atrium is my favorite I can't believe the spots I get for some of my favorite bands. I'm now 27 I spent my 21st birthday here watching The Supervilllians. It's always easy to find parking here. I can't wait to come back. I really want to see Shaggy. read more

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Just got let down at 10:20 by 21yr old. This venue closes early . Would have loved to pay $30 to watch Grinns.

Tons of dance floors and a big time maze when you are either rolling, high AF, or balls drunk. They do a great job controlling the sound actually. I dont know how they do it so well but if there is music at every area you never get any cross over at another floor. The atrium was even pounding so loud it could perform CPR on you if you needed it to. Drinks were $7 at the Freakers Ball the weekend of Halloween even though tickets were already like $35 to get in. But... LOVED it. 10/10 will party there again read more