Sonar

I been here a few times over the past few years and always have some of the best times I do all year. It’s kind of like my yearly vacation. I can’t help but give this place a 5 star just due to good times.
This year was no different. I came here once again for the annual Maryland Deathfest for 4 days, 5÷24÷12 to 5÷27÷12. The place is a good venue for metal shows. It also contains 4 bars inside, a few atms, and a boys and girls room. I stuck to the beer and it ranged from $ 5 to $ 7 bucks, not bad.
During the last 3 days Saratoga St. is blocked off with two stages on oppisite ends. There are also more beer stands up, portable pots, food on the grill, and a heck of a lot more people.
The past 3 years I’ve seen a lot of bands I thought I’d never get a chance to see. Just to name a few: Asphyx, Autopsy, Electric Wizard, Cathedral, The Chasm, Impaled Nazarene, The Devil’s Blood, Inquisition, Morbid Saint, Absu, Church of Misery, Mortuary Drape and tons of others I forgot to mention.
Although the fest will no longer be here at the Sonar, I have full faith that the fest will be held somewhere that can accomadate the growing numbers.

What a #%!($ dive – and not in a good way! Let’s face it: A good dive is a good dive; this is not.
The only reason this place deserves one star is because the bartender and door staff were *truly excellent,* and the sound system was good. Otherwise, people are not kidding when they say that it smells like the entire world’s sewer, is filthy, has disgusting bathrooms, and is hot – even on a 50 degree day.
I attended a concert here on the smaller club stage room, and when walking through, I had a hard time picking up my feet because the floor was so sticky.
But, really, I have to say again how friendly and helpful the staff were.
Unless a friend plays here again, I’ll never go back to the SoNOT!

Sonar is one of my favorite places to see a band play. I especially like it when they use the side room in the back (in the Talking Head club) — makes the show much more intimate. (I’ve not been to see many bands on the main stage, so I am partial to this area). I’ve been to one of the indie dance parties on Friday and wasn’t very impressed at all, so I’d only suggest seeing a band here. On Saturday nights there can be a mixed crowd– many different people from different backgrounds, so that’s always appreciated as well.
Also, the beer isn’t overpriced, which is also appreciated. Bartenders are nice as well.

I’ve seen many shows at Sonar. From GWAR to local bands with friends in them, and most of my experiences have been good ones. An awesome part of going to Sonar is the FREE parking lot across te street in a massive lot. It’s Baltimore though, lock your car!
It’s probably my favorite MD/​DC/​VA concert venue besides the 9:30 Club. There are three areas total which makes it unique in itself. The «main stage» room which is the largest area, the «club stage» room, and the «talking head club» which is a smaller, loungie type of room. All of which have bars and bathrooms. The main area has small food/​water table. I believe that everything you can purchase you can only use cash. A lot of times opening bands or just other ones on the same ticket will be playing simultaneously on the smaller stage. This is cool for big events with multiple bands, since you an walk back and forth and get to experience a ton of stuff happening. Really fun.
The worst thing is going to see a show in the main room when it’s hot outside. If you’re not near a fan you might die of heat exhaustion. I wish I was kidding. Hydrate, eat, and dress appropriately, because if you don’t you’re going to suffer. It’s INCREDIBLY hot in there. One time I almost passed out before having to go out the back door to the street and get some water.
The main area is big enough so that you can comfortable be near the main stage. You’ll always have a pretty good view since the room isn’t huge, but it has to hold at least a couple hundred people. There are some bleacher like seats on the far side if you want to sit and rest.
Sonar is a great place to check out any band and I hope it stays open for years to come!

If you’re looking for a smaller concert venue, Sonar is the place to go! It has an underground feeling and is all black inside. It does have a dirty/​hardcore feel to it, but many types of genres have played there. I have been to almost every venue in Baltimore and I must say Sonar is my favorite. While it can feel a little cramped at times, the space is open enough that you can easily tuck yourself into a corner to get a few feet of space around you from other people.
The main factor, in my opinion, when seeing a show is the sound. Places like Ramshead Live and really ruin a show by butchering the sound. Sonar has never messed up the sound on any band that I have seen.
Sonar as 2 bars in the main room and service at both of them has always been speedy and accurate. Also, there are multiple bathrooms so there is usually no wait to use them! While the parking lot can look a little shady, it is easy to park right across from the venue.
On the negative side, the ventilation could use an update. I’ve been to shows where they use smoke machines and I had to spend a good chunk of my time outside because I couldn’t see or breathe. Besides this detail, Sonar is the way to go!

This club reminds me a lot of another club that I frequent in San Diego, SOMA. It’s got that same grungy/​punk rock vibe to it. However, since you can drink cocktails and beer here (yay Yeungling!) I’m automatically upgrading to 4 star fan status.
Also noted while I was there seeing Brand New — sound was great, staff wasn’t dickish, bathrooms were borderline gross.
I felt right at home rawking out here and would definitely check out other shows if I was in the Baltimore area.

I love going to Sonar! It has some of the best shows around. And I love the fact that it is easy to get to right off of 83 and free parking! Hardly anyone has free parking anymore!
I also love them because they are one of the few places around tha carries Sparks, which is one of my favorite drinks and I can’t find it anywhere!
The staff is usually very friendly and some are hilarious.
There has been a time or two that I have gone where the show was scheduled for the smaller room and everyone was packed in there with nothing going on in the larger room, so I never understood why they wouldn’t just move the show into there. Oh well. Still love going there!

This has been my favorite place to see a show in baltimore for some time. You go there and you will automatically know if this is your crowd but that depends on the show because it can be a heavy metal show or an indie hip hop show. what i enjoy the most have been the dance parties. Three rooms with there own stages and bar. Free parking, very dark setting, loud music, strong drinks that won’t break your pocket, and your going to be a bit too close to some people because some shows get packed. Not a fancy spot with everything but the bare minimal for a good time. bring a friend or two and check out any upcoming shows you might like.

I can’t believe there are bad reviews for Sonar — this is one of my favorite venues! In fact, unless a show is playing at Sonar or the Ottobar, I don’t even consider going.
Sonar is set up for 3 different rooms. Generally with larger shows, you’ll see them in the biggest room. (Gogol Bordello played the big room, as did Alkaline Trio) The smaller room is where they have dance parties and smaller shows (Electric Six played the smaller room) They have bars all over the place so you’re never without a drink and they always have water and cups in an obvious place for free. (Earplugs are available at the bar for $ 1.00, by the way.)
Contrary to some of the other reviews, I’ve NEVER been penalized for going out and then coming back in. As far as I know that rule is only in effect if you’re younger than 21 and that applies to most venues.
Their online ticketing is generally pretty awesome. For most shows they post how many tickets they have left on twitter and their website is comprehensive. I think they do a great job of managing this venue and they provide a variety of shows and events.
I’ve never had a bad night at Sonar (Well — there was that time I had two long islands and I MIGHT have slept by my toilet that night) and I think that if you’ve had a bad experience there you should consider trying it again. I’ve been to Sonar for several events over the last 5 years and I’ve never had a bad experience.

I’ve never been locked in a venue for 12 hours straight like I was at Sonar this weekend. For a $ 50 ticket, one should be able to come and go. The bathroom situation was dismal and no water was available. Evidently, the week before, there’d been $ 2 Pabst all weekend, but this event, sponsored by Pabst, Sonar charged $ 5 for PBR, and took down all signage that PBR sent advertising the lower price.
This would be a great place to see shows, but management fucked it all up for a quick buck.

I recently attended a 2 day festival at this venue. On day two the club management decided that they would not allow show goers in and out privileges. Mmm-​ok, fine. (a ploy to sell more alcohol)
Then the club decided to stop serving water (during the 12 hour show). Water went from being free in the early afternoon to $ 4 per bottle. Then the mgmt/​staff denied water sales completely and advised patrons to drink from the taps in the toilets. The Club advertised $ 3 beer and Charged $ 5. The bathrooms had no paper towels, no toilet paper and pools of urine on the floors. The bar staff was rude even when tipped and the 2 ATM machines were out of order/​not working. (and it was a cash bar)
Not fine, horrific.
Sonar is the most poorly managed venue I’ve attended in 25 plus years of attending rock/​punk shows. It’s a shame, the venue itself o.k. from a lights and sound perspective, but it’s unfortunate that the Owners/​Managers have ruined it by treating the most valued asset of the club poorly. it’s patrons.
Avoid Sonar at all costs.

I love my city and Sonar gave my city a bad name.
As the other reviews recount in more detail, during Insubordination Fest, the management decided to raise beer prices, lock everyone in (well, I guess you could leave, they just wouldn’t let you back in, even with a ticket) without adequate access to water or food.
The closest I will ever go to this place again will be the Farmer’s Market*.
*Which rocks btw

I’ve been to many shows here over the years, and every single time I ask myself why. Ram’s Head Live is much better then this sh*t hole.

Like some other reviewers, I was at Sonar this past weekend for a two-​day rock-​n-​roll festival. This was the third year that the festival was held at Sonar.
Day 1 — Much higher beer prices than in prior years. ($ 5 PBRs and Natty Bohs? C’mon.) Nasty suprise but not entirely surprising given the sort of venue that Sonar is. At dinner time, my husband and I went to eat at a sushi place on Charles Street and then returned to see the remaining bands. For the past three years, this has been an important feature of the festival because Sonar itself doesn’t serve food (although it did allow a third-​party vendor to sell hot dogs and hamburgers). So, Day 1: no complaints except for the exorbitant beer prices, which is kinda a big complaint for someone coming in with a particular budget in mind, come to think about it.
So, Sonar might have gotten 2 stars from me, because Day 1 wasn’t completely terrible, and the main stage area was much better air-​conditioned than in years past. However. .. .
Day 2 — The bars ran out of the «cheap» beer within two hours. Sonar also instituted two brand-​new policies: no reentry and no tap water. I guess management didn’t anticipate that increasing prices on beer would suppress demand (Econ 101). So instead, Sonar essentially created a captive audience and charged $ 3 for water on a 95-​degree day (only one of the rooms has a/​c). Unconscionable. This tactic destroyed any goodwill that Sonar had created previously. I feel badly for the bartenders who had to enforce their management’s misguided policies.

They trapped people inside for a day long fest and charged money for water. The owner was also seen treating his dog like crap. Please don’t support them.

The big plus of this venue are definitely that there is a ton of parking nearby. I also recall that the bartenders and security staff are pretty nice.
My less-​than-​glowing review of Sonar is mostly based on the low ceilings and wide set-​up with giant pillars in the middle of the standing area. This means 2 things: it gets hot quickly and it’s tough to breathe if the place is packed, and there are major obstructed views.
My review is also certainly tainted by a poorly promoted little festival called Traffic Jam that was held there last summer. You paid $ 60.00 to get in to an all-​day festival, but could not leave after that, and there were no food vendors. And unlike 9:30 Club, State Theatre, or even the sad little Recher in Towson, they do not offer food inside. Makes perfect sense.
I have also seen Lotus perform their 2009 Halloween show at Sonar. The entire band was dressed up as incarnations of David Bowie, and this ridiculously awesome show was 3+ hours long. I listen to it now on my iPod and I still can’t believe how awesome it was. Anyway, I would see them perform in a cardboard box, but that doesn’t make the venue any better.

«Oh my gosh, I’m so thirsty for water but if I move I’ll never get back to a spot where I can see between these massive pillars!» …is what every single person is thinking during a summer time concert at Sonar. And also, «I really wish this big sweaty guy behind me would stop puddling on MY t-​shirt!»
I would NOT go to sonar during the summer ever again. This place gets sweltering, like pass-​the-​eff-​out, hot and they seem to have a lot of trouble ventilating it. I have been to more than a few shows here that I didn’t even enjoy because all I could think about was finding a pocket of breathable air. To their credit they always have free water out for large shows, I can’t stand it when venues force you to buy $ 4 bottled water.
There are two sides to Sonar. Go left and you hit a huge room for concerts which also has a long bar in the back, go right and you find a the lounge with pool, sofas, and smaller bar. I frequented Sonar when smoking was still allowed in the small lounge and the poor ventilation made the tiny lounge space pretty unbearable. That shouldn’t be a problem anymore but I believe cover in the lounge is $ 10– too much for what you get in there. Drinks are fairly priced for the area.
That being said, Sonar books pretty decent bands sometimes, however, finding a good place in the crowd to enjoy the show can be tricky due to structural elements of the room (i.e. load bearing concrete pillars). The neighborhood is a little iffy but then again, the majority of Baltimore can be rough around the edges.
Go to Sonar if you want to see a performer that isn’t around B-​more often… if they return more frequently, wait and catch them at the Ramshead or 9:30 club in DC.

I like it a lot. You can buy tickets at the door, no sweat and it takes a lot for it to be sold out… like New Found Glory in April, which i was REALLY upset about. But that’s okay. Anyways, theres many places you can stand and you can get really close to the stage. So close that Gabe Saporta jumped into people’s arms right in front of me. You can touch without a dumb fence in the way and bouncers like we get at 9:30. The people working are nice and sweet.
So you know how when you’re 13 and your parents have to take you? Or… when you’re 17 and you still don’t have your permit and you decided to just go with your Aunt??? There’s a place for them! To the left of the stage there’s like these steps to put your coats and purses down with your moms and dads. You can stand there with your friends too if you want.
But the downside to the Sonar, is that parking is limited and when you leave you can’t come back in. That is what’s so great about 9:30 club, how you can leave and come back in, because of those X’s on the back of your hands! But at Sonar, if your friend’s a smoker, he has to go outside and he can’t come back in, leaving you all alone making your way to the front so you can sweat and touch Gabe Saporta.

Overall a pretty cool venue /​club. I have been coming here for concerts and Taxlo parties (lately not so much Taxlo) for years. The place is huge and there are multiple bars which is nice. There is also a parking lot right across from the entrance to the club so usually it’s not too hard to find a place to park.
Saw The Dodos here last night which was great but I kept noticing throughout the show that we could hear the show going on next door (in Talking Head) through the walls. Definitely something they should look into fixing.
Only thing that I would say I don’t like about this place is it draws a really weird/​trashy Baltimore scene and a lot of under 21 kids who can be really annoying but whatever, there are going to be annoying people anywhere you go…

I was at Sonar for all three days of Deathfest and enjoyed myself wholeheartedly. It was very close to my hotel, the beer was VERY reasonably priced, and the bartenders were all just great.
Often, so was the security team and door guys… BUT!!! on two separate occasions I saw security MACE patrons for what seemed to be non-​violent offenses. I am not exactly sure what made one guy get maced in the back barroom because I didn’t see it, but whatever it was did not seem like a mace-​worthy offense since one would think there would be far more mêlée before the mace comes out and we noticed nothing. Another guy was maced for simply attempting to get inside with a stolen wristband. With as many huge dudes as they employed for this festival, there really could have been a better way to deal with things.
On the sound: Overall, it was pretty damned decent, though it had its ups and downs. All of the headliners and larger acts sounded fucking great, it just seemed to flounder a bit for the bands earlier in the day.