On the one hand, the venue itself is quite large and a good place for a dance night. On the other hand, the way they handle line control is absurd. You are in San Jose, there's no reason to create a fake sense of exclusivity. Nothing in San Jose is worth waiting in line. read more

Came here on a Thursday "Atomic Dance Party" night. Yikes. Looks / feels like the kind of place Buffalo Bill would enjoy. Bartenders were very friendly and attentive. Bouncers were squared away and handled a little fight between some Indian guys and a hipster. I've been told their theme changes every night so I'm interested in coming and checking it out. read more

This is one of the finest clubs in the state, great sound system, sound man, stage, bar and the staff are all helpful and friendly. The owner is old school Punk to tr he core, and treats the bands like family. I'm in Shattered Faith and we played there last night and it was a real treat. I can't wait to be invited back. read more

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Pros: Intimate venue Downtown location Near food and drink Two bars Cons: Very, very loud in there. I normally don't need to wear ear plugs. Way too HOT in there. It was like an oven up front by the stage. Don't clubs use air conditioners any more? it was ridiculous. Would be great if there were a few chairs and tables around. But I understand that less people fit in that way. To get to the bathroom, you have to push your way to the front near the stage. read more

The Ritz is one of those music venues that "gets it." Within one year's time of opening, this club has amassed some great new loyalty, as well as a reputation for booking a variety of exceptional music, in various genres. This is no one-trick pony. What I find refreshing is that this venue is ego-free. No bragging, no egos, and no various promoters all strutting their own names (like we've seen in various venues through the years). It is exactly what a music venue club should be - darkened with that air of mystery to newcomers, a very well thought out floor design, with two levels, so that any height person can see, with a stage that is high enough for audiences to see clearly when standing further back. At the back of the venue is a bit of a cubby area, raised up, with a better view of the overall club. There are two fully-loaded, well-lit bars, with knowledgable bartenders who keep the pouring pace quick and efficient, with decent prices. What I am most impressed with is the quality of artists that The Ritz is now bringing in. There is no favoritism here, they will have it all. This brings me back to the heydays of the legendary Keystone Palo Alto (and sister venues), which was a venue that you just went to no matter who was playing, because it would always be good. That's the feel that I am getting from The Ritz. From Reverend Horton Heat to The Melvins to The Addicts to Geographer, and even Danny Wood of NKOTB, and much more, this is proving to be an exciting year in live music for the downtown San Jose scene. I'm excited to see what else will be coming. Being downtown, the The Ritz is a safe venue to visit, in a good area, surrounded by several other types of venues and eateries. It is a great cornerstone addition to what was once, and now will be again, the center for a hopefully growing music scene in the South Bay. And finally... the staff is very professional, helpful and friendly. The lines are generally quick. The prices are affordable and decent for the different types of shows. The attending audiences have been a great mix of friendly music lovers. Definitely a fun venue to come to. Make sure to check it out. read more

Came here last night for diplo. I won a contest and got there..... this older heavy set lady was so mean who works at the ticket window, weren't letting people in. She even made the security to kick us out. Like brooooo......... if you hate your job then just quit. read more

This is what San Jose needs! Thank you for giving us a decent venue. Just saw a show last night had a blast! Great stage, good acoustics. The only thing I could see wrong with the joint is the bathrooms. Clean yes, but hard to get to and not enough stalls. Come and enjoy yourself! The bartenders are hot! Oh and they have two bars for convenience. read more

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We came for a Thrill Kill Cult show but were rather disappointed overall. Everything from logistics to the atmosphere of the place seemed off. Our tickets had a different time than on the doors for the venue. The drinks were mediocre and unoriginal. We stayed for 2.5 hours before the band even came on stage- almost left before it started. The final unfortunate element was that there was only one tiny, outdated bathroom for the entire venue. We would not recommend going to any shows here- no matter how much you like the band! read more

UGWA at the Ritz for only 10 bucks!!! Can't beat that with a stick. Fun entertaining the place is huge there a pool table and 2 bars. Shout out to the man in charge for hooking it up with a free drink token. read more

Cool little venue. But they really need to work on the sound system. Snow tha product performed and the music and mics kept getting shut off. Real bummer. Ruined a few good songs. read more

Always great to find a club with a large dance floor and good DJs for a goth/ synthpop event! Attended Satori last night and was really pleasantly surprised by the venue. It's a total plus that there is a separate area for the bar and people milling around so that the dance floor area can be used by those of us who came to dance! I'll totally be back for another Satori event and also to see a show - this is just the type of venue I like best for live music! Hopefully they put the A/C on when there is a concert, they didn't have it on yesterday (my only complaint). read more

Went and saw the El Vez Christmas show at this venue small venue lots of charm I thought it was a wonderful time

The sound for live bands SUCKS!!! It's not fair for the bands that play there to have have a sound where you can't hear what they singing or their instruments. I'm surprised no one ever complains! Your cover charge is ridiculous expensive for the sound quality & your bar is dirty!!! read more

Went there for the first time recently to see DJ Mark Farina. Nice staff, good pours in the drank, lots of space to dance! Hope to go back for more good music which seems to be lacking in San Jose read more

Lost my phone there but the manager was amazingly fast at getting back to me. Had it safe behind the bar. Classy. Thank you.

Much improved, nearly perfect sound since they invested in a pro-quality going through. Lighting has gotten better too over the last 12 to 18 months. I woud like to see it used more dynamically as most bands are static. Nearly every band/performer are top-notch entertainers and the variety of genres is impressive. I always leave satisfied wether there are 50 or 500 patrons for the evening. They been expermenting to draw more folks, and that is fun in itself. Front band shows are interesting too, if very cramped - but is cool since the patrons are cool. Bartenders, security and other staff are great - short wait for drinks 90% of the time. Sometimes there is a long line to get in if everyone brings there tickets only by phone. Paper still works and is scanned nearly instantly. I wish they had room to have two lines on these nights, pre-paid with paper tickets or cash for one, and another for the phone users ;-) read more

Saw Mark Farina here. Acoustics were awful. Sounded like I was in a cave. Coat check was closed. And what kind of third-world concert venue only takes cash for tickets? At least they don't gouge you for drinks like most clubs do. Plus one star for $8 vodka soda. But won't be coming back. read more

Been here a few times with friends they could be some fun cover bands and it's always packed on Friday night. It's always lots of fun. The bartender's are friendly but I wish they had more bathrooms. Especially since there pouring out a lot of drinks. There's nothing worse being in a nightclub and having to wait in line for so long. Eventually after they're waiting so long I don't want to buy another drink! read more

Great drinks and environment (depends what you going for) the bar is open which is nice but very limited seating.

Here's the fucking thing. Jello Biafra concert. My 17-yo transgender son lives and breathes by this person. Has memorized every single painful album and even the tediously horrible spoken word shit. Has even named his rescue kitten after Jello. Now I'm stuck calling Jello for this indoor cat for 20 years probably. Back in the day, I was a Clash and Sex Pistols girl, so realistically? I tolerate fucking Jello every fucking time I pick up my son for visitation. But that's it. But when my son purchase tickets to Jello's concert in San Jose with his own money he'd earned taking care of convalescent patients I felt honorbound to go, especially since my son said Jello would be off to Europe on a year-long tour and this was his last chance to see him. So we went and I totally understand as a grown-up them turning us away because my son was underage BUT NOT REFUNDING THIS BOY HIS MONEY?? That he'd fucking earned probably taking care of YOUR old people?? Fuck you for not returning his money. You're earned a place on my Arya's Kill List, and my kind? Live long. read more

I normally come when there r shows. My first time without n it pissed me off. The bartenders throw away my drink.... I turn around to talk to my friend n they throw it away without asking me so they could get back to there convention..... read more

With most of our local bars and venues closing its rad to have the ritz pumping out so many awesome shows. The staff is killer. The bartenders are all really cool and the security not only keeps me safe but also keeps me laughing. Also, any place that has a $1 beer night is ok in my book. read more

This is truly the best venue for live music and heavy pours. The dance floor is large, the bar is long, the acoustics are nice and the bartenders take care of you. read more

Came here for the first time last night to see Fu Manchu. Always a great show!! It was barely at half capacity, but I am not complaining! The place is super clean and the staff are friendly. Drinks were reasonable and there are two bars. A small one up front and the main one in back near the stage. The layout is pretty cool and the bathrooms were clean. Had a great time and I will for sure be back for some more good shows. It is nice to have a nice clean music venue to see some good bands. read more

Love this place. Had such a fantastic time this weekend. Great group and great venue. Drinks were great and the music was fantastic. I do suggest, however, to have more seating. Besides that it was great! I'll be back for more. read more

Nice place to dance and have a good time. Love coming for Satori nights. Drinks are inexpensive, which is an added bonus

First time going here yesterday for DJ Sosupersam and I must say I really like the venue! This is definitely something that downtown San Jose needed. A good sized venue for DJs and local bands to perform. Not much negatives to say except that they could use adjustments/upgrades to their sound system. I like the fact that we were able to go in and out of the venue with a hand stamp. 2 full bars, and a good amount of space to dance. I hope they book more DJs in the future! Can't wait to go back. read more

Not a bad spot considering many music venues and bars are being shut down due to the ridiculous city's decision and new policies.

So mad I tweeted at the band. Drive an hour+ from San Francisco to see a show that the ticket said started at 7. Get there at 7:30 and the bouncers won't let anyone in. There's a line. I ask the bouncer what's up and he says they're not letting anyone in till 8. I ask why because I just drove an hour and a half and I'd like to use the restroom. Dude told me to walk two blocks and find a porta potty. WTF. Sigh. read more

The Ritz is cool, but hot. Meaning....There is no air in there, and to go to the dance floor means "Sauna Central", so I typically stay at the back of the room where it's a bit cooler. One of the gal bartenders made me a martini and it only went half way up the glass. Stingy. Then, I went to the bar at the entrance and they make WAY better drinks there. The employees aren't very friendly, and I only go to The Ritz when I absolutely love the band that's playing there. Nice dance area, dimly lit, and it's okay. Turn up the A/C, tell your employees to smile, and make a real drink, and you are good. read more

Great little spot. We bought our tickets in advance-waited in a short line. Bouncer and lady behind window really cool. Once inside- Good sized place with two different bars. Bartenders really cool and fast. That's a solid five stars, not having to wait for 10 minutes for a drink. Smoke area, one coed bathroom in the front and regular men/woman bathrooms in the back by stage. Sounds system was good! Even though I'm supposed to be reviewing the actual bar, the bands were pretty awesome too. We had a great time! Went there 9-10-16 read more

Not a good venue. I came to see Snow Tha Product perform here. The drinks are very expensive and watered down. I swear a "drink" they gave me was pure ginger ale. I am a lightweight and was sober with 3 drinks. My friend has like 6 margaritas and was so sober she drove us home. They also overcharged her card by $15. Snow Tha Product did a great job performing, but the venue kept cutting her music off which made her really upset. She threw a cake into the crowd and then the venue asked her to leave because she was causing a "riot" Don't book people if you can't even provide sound for them. This venue sucked. Also, they have a female bouncer patting girls down... I have never been patted down anywhere and I have been to tons of bars and clubs.. Oakland, SF, Las Vegas, LA, Santa Cruz, probably totaling over 50 bars/clubs. And by patting I mean groping. Yes your breasts will be groped by the female bouncer. Damn near pushed my titty out of my bra. Not cool. read more

This place will host UGWA pro wrestling show about 3-6 times per year Today last Sunday of October, 2017. 5pm today is that show. Go UGWA ! read more

I live just down the street and have always been eyeing this place since it became The Ritz. Recently a friend invited me to the Melvins show here and of course I jumped at the offer. I was looking for any excuse to check the place out. I was pleasantly surprised at first, and I enjoyed everything about the venue for the first band... Dusted angel I believe it was. And then the melvins came on, I'm not a huge fan but I always have a good time hanging out by the mosh pit. There I was enjoying my night probably half way thru the melvins set, when a large person in the occurring mosh pit pushed me backwards full force into another big guy, then they both strattled me and told me to calm down and literally dragged me out the door between the two of them. I offered no resistance as I hadn't done anything in the first place. out the door they sent me, no explanation or anything. NANCYS get your shit together. Telling everyone to steer clear of this place read more

Im very sad. The whole reason i came out tonight was to hear Different strokes, a strokes cover band, turns out they changed the line up without updatomg their facebook page. Wasted $15 on shitty band that im not sure what they were doing. Still to advertuse one band and have another in its place.... shame on you Ritz. read more

Super fun, great sound, great drinks, and amazing lineups. I def recommend checking this place out.

The sound quality was horrible, vocals were unintelligible. BELIEVE THE OTHER REVIEWS REGARDING THE POOR SOUND QUALITY. It seemed as if the sound people increased the volume to mask the poor acoustics, but this only made it worse and added more distortion. Even the most talented performers, will sound like crap at the Ritz. Seriously, if you enjoy live music.... This is NOT the venue. You will be disappointed. read more

An OK place. Good to have a decent-size live music venue in San Jose. However, there seems to be a lack of diversity in band bookings and just overall. It's like the majority of their events are tailored only for a certain crowd. Also, why is it so dark in there? Everything is painted flat black, which isn't very inviting, especially if you're there for something other than to see a live band. Some of the bartenders could also use some lessons in customer service. read more

Love the new venue set up, love how they have a bar in the front and inside. You can get drinks pretty fast on a busy night and the bartenders are cool not snobby or anything. Nice big dancefloor. Always good times at the Ritz read more

Unfriendly staff, manager too busy to talk. Wrote them an email, no response. read more