The Riverside Camping Association

First off let me get this off my chest. I am NOT a member, nor would I ever become one. I came as a guest of the band ONLY. This is not a place I wish to be associated with. I care about my health and if you care about yours you would read on…
This is a member only club which means even as an invited guest of the band we were forced to stand in the vestibule area until another member was willing to let us in. Despite the fact that several times the door was opened from the inside and the «doorman» knew we were there and on the list.
Walking in you are almost knocked over by the overwhelming smell and cloud of smoke. There was no escaping it. I could hardly breathe and I’m 40+ in relatively good health. My eyes were red and watery, as were my friends. By the end of the night our voices had changed because of the suffocation from the smoke. For two days after the show we both suffered. How can this even be legal to subject nonsmokers to such a unhealthy environment?
Secondly I didn’t plan on drinking and brought bottled water. Apparently that is not something you can bring in. Throwing it away in the trash can immediately inside the door was not allowed. I had to exit the building in 33 degree weather to throw it away in a trashcan OUTSIDE of their building — their rules.
Thirdly we were explained that we could NOT order drinks but instead had to get a member order them if we wanted them. Thank goodness we didn’t plan on drinking because we knew no one. We were a guests of the featured bands. It was bad enough that we had to stand in the vestibule for several minutes at the mercy of strangers who were members to let us in.
We were told however that we could order food at the bar. A member got us a menu and I squeezed into an empty spot at the bar (standing) to place a food order. 10 minutes, a few hand gestures and several excuse me’s later and I still wasn’t served. Despite the fact that the bartender was standing a few feet in front of me and the people to the left and right to me got served. Why you ask? Finally a member told me you can’t order there, you have to go along to the side and wait in a line. Nice.
Seriously who thought up these crazy make no sense rules?!?
Food order was put in and was told my name would be called then I would have to walk completely to the opposite side of the long building to get my order. The band was good but the acoustics in here were terrible, how was I ever to hear? I never heard my name. By the time I walked across the room my food was cold, but wasn’t really worth eating anyway. Frozen deep fried crap, but at least it was cheap. The noise and smoke were overwhelming, even the food tasted like cigarette smoke. As it was my friend and I had to text each other from across the table because we were unable to converse because of the noise level. This was not a concert, it was a band in a bar, you should be able to hear yourself talk. This building is just not set up for this kind of entertainment.
When it was all said and done we couldn’t leave fast enough, hacking of course. We didn’t even stay for the entire show. It would have been impossible without a hospitalization. Even the band was complaining that their voices were effected by all the smoke. I can’t image a person with breathing difficulties ever stepping foot in this place. But why would anyone? I just don’t understand the appeal of a smoky, no ambience, bad acoustics, room full of church basement tables with bad décor. And people pay for memberships? I’ll never understand…