Blackthorn 51

Much better clubs out there. Would only go if a band I have really have to see wasn’t playing anywhere close. Way too many opening bands on their shows, so the local bands can pay the headliner’s guarantee. You know the drill, show up two hours after the band you want to see is scheduled to start. Staff isn’t very friendly, just get in, pay, drink when they have time for you and leave. Sound is what keeps it from a 1 star review.

I’d be here every weekend if only I lived closer. Blackthorn 51’s an awesome venue in Queens. I had a great time here the night Armageddon played. The sound system was really loud (in a good way). That night, there was also a smoke machine and crazy stage lighting. It was the perfect space for a down and dirty metal show.
The drinks at the bar were decently priced and the bartenders were friendly. In fact, everyone at the club that night was friendly. People were very chill between acts and no one had a jerky attitude. People were there to catch live music and have a good time — and that’s it. I appreciate that.
But I’m not going to lie — it was a trek to get there. This was the only con for me. That night, I got there by car and did street parking. You can get to the Blackthorn by subway, but it’s a bit of a walk. I wouldn’t let that deter you though. It’s worth checking it out if you see a band or event that sounds interesting to you.

Decent place, good size, pple who worked there seemed nice, the bathrooms were pretty clean think the 1 toilet was broken n the other outta tp but the shots are $ 8 bucks n that kinda sucked.

I loved this place. From the owner to the doorman. The bartender, John and Nicky are 3 sweethearts. This place made me feel part of it, laid back and relax for good rock and local and abroad bands. Venue is small so you get to enjoy the band very closely regardless where you stand. Major credit cards accepted. They have Iron Maiden Trooper and AC/​DC Rock or Bust beers, that blew my mind, I couldn’t find a place that sold those beers. Overall this place is awesome. I certainly will come back here and bring my metalhead friends.

Someone needs to tell them that it is not 1985. Bands go on in a production line style. Way too loud when they play. The place is too small to have a PA that loud. Bartenders are snotty and uninterested. Prices for admission and drinks are too high. Basically a place for young bands to get their feet wet, and get ripped off by old guys wearing bad wigs.

LOUD!!! A decent-​ish metal club in the middle of nowhere Elmhurst. Went to see a favorite local band the other night. My ears were bleeding. It was excruciatingly painful to listen to music there. Fortunately, the band I went to see actually made adjustments but it was still ridiculously loud. The drinks were poured into little plastic cups but they were super strong so I’m ok with that. But they really need to fix their sound system in there. It’s unbearable.

I headed out to Blackthorn 51 a few weeks ago with some friends to see Sworn Enemy and Anaka. Prices are pretty standard for this part of Queens, about $ 6 for a beer and $ 20 for a ticket to get in. Despite the other reviews here, there was no mandatory coat check the night we went. No complaints with the sound system, either — when you’re listening to hardcore metal, the only volume is loud. The space isn’t all that large, but enough for a small mosh pit. I have no idea how they can host EDM events here on some other weekends, because there’s no real dance floor. Otherwise, I can always appreciate a live music venue in a borough that seems to be desperately short on them.

The club is pretty much located on Queen’s Highway in the middle of basically nowhere. It’s a one level decent space, but appears to have no proper dance floor. So, people were just standing around all night, & no one was dancing. DJay was a good rock DJ. The club’s been having a bunch of pretty good metal/​goth bands recently. So, for that I must give it points. But, it’s way out of the way, too far/​expensive in transportation from Manhattan. The sound system is extremely, uncomfortably loud. My ears were ringing for 3 days. You must get ear plugs to deal with it. Also, they had a «mandatory» coat check policy which I have never heard of in my life. So, basically they were commanding you to check your coat whether you wanted to or not, or else you weren’t «allowed» inside. The bouncers pretty much had a forceful, bulldog attitude at the door. The club was remnant of a small L’amours, & has a very outer borough (suburban type) vibe. Also, be warned that it is very hot inside like 80+ degrees, & humid as hell. Not good for big hair, or make-​up. The club seemed to attract a lot of biker type men who had really bad B.O. & needed to take a shower baaad, & w/​no ventilation, that’s not very pleasant… lol. Maybe, the club should invest in some good incense, & air freshener. Other than that, the drinks were basically like pricey Manhattan prices. The bands were all good that night. The stage lighting looked good. The crowd was decent, mainly rockers, metal heads, punks, & goths on the rock night. The location pretty much sucks. The train is about 10 mins., walking distance, & there’s a Q60 bus that stops 1 block away if you can get it. Otherwise a taxi runs about $ 35 to Man. There’s also a diner, & a McDonald’s close by. The rest of the neighborhood is surrounded by auto repair, & tire part shops, not very glamourous, & rather bleak. It’s a very weird, out of the way location to have a rock club. I think it’s good that they opened a new rock club for these genres of music. But, I would probably only come back if a really good band was playing that I wanted to see that wasn’t playing anywhere else in the city.

Great sound for live bands. There were some awesome rock bands tonight but why do they allow small children in this place? I don’t want to hang out with small children. This place is for adults.

Blackthorn 51 is one of the few places in the NYC area that supports live music. It is a venue that fills the gap left by places like Lamour, Cat Club, Limelight, Don Hill and Sundance. Great bands and now features national acts. What more do you need?
The sound is amazing. Top notch and on par with more established clubs. The soundman Mike Mangan does a great job. SOS.
Staff is there and does a great job as well. Hey its not the Holiday Inn, but if you want a beer. You get it. Prices are in line with the rest of the world.
I have played there many times and compared to other places and promoters they are there for you.
Great Club, great music, great bands, great people. They get my vote!

I’m giving this establishment one star only because there isn’t an option To leave zero stars. My poor experience was brought upon immediately after my arrival. I play in a touring band we were «greeted» by the bar tender who rudely told us we couldn’t load in until doors open. Understandable, but cut the attitude. I then engaged in conversation with the owner/“promoter”, Nikki. Nikki is the one who looks like he is stuck in 1993 as a guns and roses tribute band roadie. But I digress; it was not his attire that led my opinion in a negative direction. Nikki treated us like we were a local band full of 12 year olds and it was our first gig. He followed that bs up by telling us we weren’t making him money and we would not be paid. After that ordeal was over, he told us we had to pay for our water while we play on stage and couldn’t bring in any outside food or drink. Again, understandable, but cut the attitude. He also gave our drummer a hard time for being under 21 and almost didn’t let him in. (Which would’ve been fantastic) And if that didn’t sway you from entering this establishment, one of the bands we were touring with had someone attempt multiple times to break Into their van in broad daylight. Right on 51^st st. Don’t get me wrong, the venue was clean and has the potential to be a hopping joint and The sound guy mark was really cool. But Nikki will never get my money ever again, that is for sure.

I came here for a drum ‘n bass event on a Friday night.
The sound is pretty good, and they have a good pint deal at the bar. Low-​key crowd and lots of space to dance and rock out.
It’s a little out of the way from the subway, but it’s obviously a haven for great shows.

Fist to sit down you have to order from the waitress and have 2 drinks minimum (it wasn’t like this last time I’ve been there). Ok, if the waitress weren’t sitting with bent legs on top of the bar like a 15 year old dancing to the music. She took like 10 minutes to look around, if we weren’t waiving like desperate she wouldn’t even see us. When my friends got there she was rude reminding them to don’t order from the bar and to order two drinks. And then, the best of the night: the band I was there to watch was treated incredibly bad by the venue, and decided to walk away before hitting the stage. Blackthorn has to learn how to treat people, be sure I won’t be coming back that soon.

Great venue, awesome sound guys. But the bartender made my experience here awful. I bought 5+ drinks and tipped every time since there was barely anyone buying drinks. The drinks were too expensive for the quality and the quantity for queens and Brendan the bartender did not give me any incentives to keep buying more drinks. I would not recommend drinking here.

Great place to see a band. Mostly metal bands. The bar has drink specials as well. Place is a good time with friends. I must say the sound is very good here. The place is very clean too. Great place to be at and watch some great bands

Went there for a fashion show/​party. Reeally enjoyed the fashion show. I dont drink so i cant comment on that. Had a red bull though. Standard $ 4. Like the outdoor area and the stage is pretty cool. Has seating in vip and surrounding walls. Im tall thogh, hit my head on a ledge by a seat, ill b ok. Cool place will come back, and sit somewhere else.

Nice place to see metal & punk/​goth music. Came a couple times to see a friend’s band perform; the sound system works VERY well so you may want to wear earplugs so you don’t completely lose your hearing. Staff is friendly & no one objected when we were doing photography for the band. They also make a decent appletini, though I didn’t finish the one my friend got for me since I don’t really drink. The stage is awesome & the ladies room is small but well lighted. If you have a band performance to attend, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here though it seems you can’t put anyone on a list & will have to pay the $ 10. Just beware of the walk from the Q58 bus; it’s much easier to walk or drive here than take public transit to get right to the front door.

Lame beyond belief, story is tinted too. Avoid this grubby establishment,

From time the I went to the bar and asked the bartender and asked for a drink on tap and was told they don’t work, that should have been a sign. I guess they make their money by booking local artist and bands and being a club on the weekends. Idk, part of me doesn’t even know what to say about this place. just pass. We’ve all been to places like Arena. You know that friend who’s an aspiring artist asks you to come out to his gig/​show and usually it’s at a rundown/​mediocre bar venue… well that’s arenas.

Your friend in a band is going to book this place and think its the gig of a life time. The truth is your about to get economically Pearl Harbored at this joint.
A nice space with good sound but always empty, hot & loud. Admission is 10 dollars and a beer is 5 – 6 bucks depending.3 dollar PBR’s for economically challenged hipsters or degenerate drunks who just can’t wait til your friends band is done with their set. Pre game aggressively, drink as little as possible there and minimize your time inside. The brass poles all over the place show what the place was when it was actually profitable. They could do more with this is they weren’t so damn greedy or broke, but they just have created an unfun monster that serves only as an excuse to coerce your friends into seeing your band. You really need to be a pretty good friend to put yourself through this.