Before I even began my review i did indeed read the "guidelines" for writing reviews and they were actually very helpful, because it seems that my review should start there. With the "Yelp" guidelines for writing reviews. I have copied and pasted below the most poignant part of the guidelines that really hit home after my experience at Disco Rodeo. "General Guidelines Yelp allows users to contribute different kinds of content, including reviews, photos, events, votes, quick tips, private messages, and more. Playing nice isn't rocket science, but just in case, we've put together these general guidelines." **I'd like to start my review of this establishment with a review of the review guidelines. Yes, specifically the part that states "Playing nice isn't rocket science." Clearly playing nice IS rocket science because i didn't find it very nice when a very large man approached me, stuck his finger in my face and began ripping off my glow stick necklaces and bracelets. .....your welcome for the free boob grab that you received. I'm curious what the requirements...if any....are for being a "Crowd controller." I would actually find it quite amusing to hear of exactly the "Job Title" those individuals are donned with. I would suggest to the "manager Glen" that he work harder to train (again if there is any training involved for this job...if not i would suggest implementing some) his staff for these types of events. Considering that Disco Rodeo caters to large crowds of eager concert goers only there to enjoy the live version of their favorite artists' work, one would assume that the paying customers attending the events aren't there to spend their time with the Disco Rodeo Staff. Meaning I didn't intend to be abrasively approached in the venue, groped, yelled at, fingers shoved in my face, invalidly accused of breaking the rules WITHOUT actually given a chance to just hear in a normal volume what i was being accused of, before i was maliciously told to "follow me outside," (which in actuality i should have done because the Raleigh Police department would have offered more respect and COMPETENCE, than the yellow-shirted individual that Disco Rodeo calls an employee was giving.) I would advise the individual that is in charge of passing out, what seems like to anyone that can just show up for the job, yellow-STAFF-crowd control t-shirts to maybe take a second to ask their potential new employee some questions. From here i refer to the second part of the *Yelp guidelines... "Inappropriate content: Colorful language and imagery is fine, but there's no need for threats, harassment, lewdness, hate speech, and other displays of bigotry." yep....threats, harassment, lewdness, hate speech, and other displays of bigotry...*Yelp you can not narrow our guidelines for review if the qualities and characteristics listed above are exactly what the staff at Disco Rodeo displayed. Just because you weigh 400 lbs. and are 6ft tall doesn't give you the right to disrespect and rudely disrespect a 100 lb 5'5" paying customer (that given the chance most likely would pack much more of a mean punch...just based on common sense,morale, and ethics alone). And no worries the bloody swollen lip you gave me when yanking my arm and ripping off my necklace and punching me in the face is healing up just fine with an ice pack. When i can actually locate the phone number and/or email address of your supervisor i'll be sending over those pictures. And actually if my search for your manager which you told me "wasn't on duty" doesn't actually exist i'm sure the Raleigh Police Department and my Lawyer will be very much interested in the photos of my bloody lip and my description and summary of your lack of judgment, mistreatment of customers, abuse of privileges and clearly your well beyond poor job performance. It sure was one hell of a performance...and i'm not talking about the artist on stage. read more

ZERO STARS!!!!! I would like to add to the horrible experiences I am reading on this page. I went to bassnectar on 9/22 and was treated like a total ass hole. I was bum rushed from behind picked up over the balcony by some large man in a yellow shirt and told to come with him that no laser pointers are allowed. Rather than just taking my laser he begins to threaten me that if I do not give him my ID that he is going to call the cops. First of all I don't think it is illegal to posses or use a laser for that matter, and this was my first time to this venue so I was not aware. Forget about reading the signs they supposedly posted on the front door, you could not see them becuase of the massive crowd waiting in line to get will call and purchase tickets which is another terrible way to conduct business. My friends were in line for hours waiting to get their tickets they had already purchased and around 11 they split the line by last name, how stupid, so people waiting forever had to wait even longer. The temperature in this place was ridiculas, people were smoking out the bathroom, and what really blew my mind is no ATM machine becuase they want to charge you a crazy fee just to ge money to spend on their overpriced water and beer. I will NEVER EVER EVER go to another show here again, I do not care who rolls through there. I was treated like a criminal and all I did was shine a laser on the roof at a damn bassnectar show. I am sorry Lorin but I had a miserable time at this show when usually I have the best time of my life. I was told that I was trying to fight security which is bullshit I am a small guy and three bouncers literally carried me out and left me with no ride, no shirt, and would not call me a cab. If anyone finds out who the manager is that I need to talkt to who will give a shit about what happend, probably not one, then please let me know. Thanks and rage on! I'm sorry but when you get kicked out of a bassnectar concert for having glowsticks and laser pointers something is wrong in the world! read more

Total bullshit. I'm sorry, Disco Rodeo, but you had me hating you at "hello." The design is flawed, to begin with. There's a huge, raised, country-esque dancefloor in the middle of the venue. And that wouldn't be so bad, except it's slightly elevated, so when people are standing on it, of course, the crowd behind them won't be able to see jack. It has railings around the sides of it, but you GET YELLED AT when you lean up against them, or try to sit on them. Like a fucking 3 year old child, you get SCOLDED. Secondly, you can't bring in any water. You have to buy their overpriced Dasani shit. Excuse me, but..fuck that. The first show I saw here was The Flaming Lips, and that was (needless to say) amazing. However, they will not allow cameras inside the area, and for some ridiculous reason, have nazi bouncers in orange shirts patrolling nonstop during the concert. It made it pretty hard to sneak photos of Wayne when I had to keep looking over my shoulder to make sure some goon didn't take my camera away. The second (and hopefully last) show I saw was Interpol, and that entire experience has been blocked from my memory because some douche bag and his 30-something wife wouldn't let me squeeze over to sit down in front of them in the balcony area. There was a huge amount of room and when another skinny chick like myself tried for it, he actually grabbed at her and her boyfriend had to keep that jackass in check. Disco Rodeo. If you like douche bags, overpriced water, control freak nazi/bouncers, being choked by second hand smoke and poor ventilation, this is the place for you. read more

The "Ritz"? I can think of a better four letter word that this venue should be named. This is the worst venue I've ever been to... so bad that I left early and didn't enjoy even a minute of it. I drove 3 hours to see Bastille and only watched 3 songs. Pros:.... Cons: limited parking (thank god we got there 2 hours early) the AC is "broken" or so they say (I watched 3 people pass out, and as someone else said..they seem way too prepared for this to happen?? Come on guys, I know you can afford to fix this) seems like they over sold tickets sounded horrible CASH ONLY?! it's 2014 people, and no I'm not using your jank ATM so you can rip me off for a bottle of water, which I desperately needed after standing outside in the 93 degree heat and then being crammed inside a building which had to be at least 100 degrees. I want my money back! If you have horrible conditions in your building I want to know before I drive 3 hours to your venue. If I were in Bastille I would have left. I will never go to this venue again, even if my all time favorite artist is there. I felt very unsafe the entire time. I feel as though some sort of codes were being broken and I wonder what a fire marshal would say if they walked in! read more

I attended the Bastille show and thoroughly enjoyed both bands. The sound in the facility is very good. That being said, I was extremely disappointed in the accommodations. It was about 5000 degrees in the place and with it being that hot, free water is a must! I saw people dropping left and right due to the heat, and my partner and I had to listen mostly from outside to avoid passing out. I paid $80 plus to attend this show. I suggest using some of the ticket money to take care of patrons with an AC unit that can handle a crowd like that (which is small compared to other venues). I probably will not return, but wanted to provide feedback Also, the email link on the website is not functioning and the info email address provided kicks back unable to deliver. read more

Been to the Ritz a few times now - absolutely love the vibe of this place. Parking is easy, entrance is fast, and the staff is very friendly and welcoming, and they do a good job keeping the place clean! Last time I went I even splurged on VIP seats and it was awesome! Had a great view and a cocktail server. The Ritz has gotten some really good bands coming through, and I'm glad they are able to attract those type of artists to Raleigh. PRO TIP: there's bars and bathrooms on the far side of the venue that are usually less crowded because most people go to the ones at the entrance. Keep bringing the bands and I'll keep coming back!! read more

If you go here, understand that they have a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol according to the state of North Carolina. But of course, that is not posted anywhere. That being said if you have kid who bumps into your drink they will lie and say your kid took a sip and throw you out. Yet, they don't have any place to set down your drink in case you need to adjustor even use the restroom. Rude as hell and absolute jerks. Will never do anything at their venue again read more

This place is a dirty warehouse with an upstairs and people to match. I went to the show this past weekend June 3 and the first band New Breed was amazing but the headliner couldn't finish the show due to fighting in the crowd no security except for outside traffic patrol totally unsafe. read more

Dun gud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #zedsdead