The Rapids Theatre

A really nice, intimate venue that can handle a decent-​sized crowd, has great acoustics, friendly staff, and a beautiful interior design. I attended a sold-​out show here recently and though the concert hall was completely filled, it did not feel crowded and everyone was respectful of personal space. My husband and I got there early to stand on the balcony which provides really great views with less of a crowd, and the sound quality is amazing. The historic décor is really beautiful and with good lighting from the performers, makes for a really spectacular concert experience. The women’s bathrooms were clean and large, though nothing fancy. There are two bars in the venue, a really large one on the main floor, and a smaller bar on the balcony. There was also a stand that sold pizza, popcorn, and other snacks, though sadly, no coffee. Yes, I am that person who asks for coffee at a metal concert! The bartenders and security staff were all very friendly and helpful. Though it’s an 80 minute drive from where I live, I’d gladly attend another concert at the Rapids Theater. It also seems like a nice wedding venue, though the surrounding area is a bit desolate. We had been hoping to grab a beer at a nearby bar before the show, but there isn’t much in the immediate area.

This venue is one of the best to see a concert at. I’ve been to at least 10 concerts here. The bar is great, maybe just a little understaffed during big shows. All the bartenders are moving to try to help customers as fast as they can. I will be back here to see my favorite bands…

This place is absolutely beautiful inside. It has old style, but looks brand new. The sound was great. The staff and security were pleasant and easy to deal with. It’s a bit of a drive for me coming from Rochester but if they have bands that I’d like to see I’ll go there again.

Just look up, and you’ll see… how beautiful this venue is. The ceiling is gorgeous.
We saw Flogging Molly at the Rapids. Quick entry, cheap drinks, plentiful bathroom stalls … not sure what else you could ask for.
$ 3 shots. $ 5 well drinks. $ 6 Labatt Blue??? We were perplexed at the last one, but no worries… we can make do with wells.

Decent venue, decent sound system, awful policies.
Went for a Hardwell concert (which was amazing, by the way), but they charge $ 4 for water (fair, whatever, that’s not the issue). I bought a bottle, and decided to just refill it in the bathroom with the tap.
A security guard goes in after me, grabs the bottle, and forces me to throw it out, stating that I have to buy water or I will get kicked out. Since when was it illegal to fill up a water bottle that I purchased with tap water?
Never going back here again.

Went there for the Danzig concert on ¹⁰⁄₁₇. Nice venue, spacious, great sound. Bathrooms were very clean. Bar service was prompt and courteous.
Only complaint was security. I had an easier time getting onto a plane with a gun in my checked luggage than I did getting into this place. Metal detectors, pat-​downs, signs everywhere warning of phone confiscation for taking pictures — really? People being turned away by security with iPhones — so we had to leave ours in the car. Security guards actually enforcing this rule. Ridiculous.

For being a concert venue, this place was surprisingly clean. I loved the $ 2 small popcorn! That’s cheaper than at the movies. The pizza looked like it was made earlier in the day and then burned. I passed on that. I liked how they offered various snack candies also. Their bar has a lot of counter space and the bathrooms had many stalls. I was shocked! This really helped getting into one once the crowd was at full bloom. The television monitors were helpful to see Blondie, since I am short I needed to watch only the screen at times. When I ordered several drinks, the bartender was about to make the drinks when someone else came up. He then made the other persons drinks and walked away without ever giving me my drinks. Sorry I’m not a blonde. I had to order again from another guy who made my drinks quickly and redeemed my bar service experience at this venue. The drinks had a lot of ice, but that is to be expected. I think it was $ 4 for whiskey with ginger ale. There’s also an ATM in case you’re low on your cash. There was plenty of parking around the theatre’s parking lot on the street. It was a good time.

Went there for a Blondie Concert, loved the space. It was spacious, and still has many of the original features.
But it also have many modern amenities, a large bar area and a very good stage for concerts.
I do hope other gorgeous, but neglected, buildings in this area of Niagara Falls get a similar treatment.

I saw an absolutely amazing concert here — Mother Mother, Blondfire and Awolnation for $ 25ish.
Ambiance — An anchor business in an otherwise bleak area, this relatively unassuming building has a gorgeous interior boasting high ceilings with traditionally painted plaster decals and a large, free standing bar. Raised side platforms on the main floor (yay for short people like me who would like to be in the «pit» but can’t see over anyone, I got right up next to the front rail and had a PERFECT view of the stage and was close enough to make eye contact with the band members) and a decently large balcony with seating and standing room (VIP only for our show) all provided great views and the open layout allowed ample standing room througout the place. Large enough to accomodate a decent sized crowd (1500ish) but still intimate.
Service/​Parking — Professional staff got us in quickly — they had one person checking ID’s, another giving wrist bands (or X’s for underaged patrons) and several lines once inside for security and ticket taking. I thought they moved the crowd very quickly (we got there maybe five minutes before the door opened, getting in the back of a line stretching around the building, and were inside in under 20 minutes. I did read later on FB several people missed Mother Mother’s entire set because the line stretched to massive proportions the closer it got to show time and the staff couldn’t keep up — get there before the doors open! There really just isn’t the space for more employee lines, even if they hired more people, so I can’t fault them for not having more people working — the theatre wasn’t set up with the modern day need to ID and search 70% of the patrons in mind. From what I saw, bartenders were quick bartenders but as drinks and water were a little pricey I didn’t sample (that is typical of ANY concert venue with few exceptions though). I came to see bands, not drink, and a pack of gum alleviated dry mouth for free. We found parking in the lot out back, but it was definitely approaching capacity — again, get here early or risk searching for parking elsewhere.
Sound — I thought the acoustics were great. I’m assuming the groups have their own «sound» guys and the bass was a bit too intense at several times where it overpowered everything else. All in all though well mixed — vocals were clear, every instrument was noticeable in the tapestry of sound.
A great, mid-​sized venue with excellent sound and reasonably priced tickets!

This place is like the little theater that could!
While it’s not located in the most vibrant neighborhood (today), it’s a real gem and a becon of hope and possibility amidst countless currently unloved heritage buildings!
I attended the Main Street Symposium that The Rapids Theater graciously hosted and was awestruck by the character and energy of the place itself. I showed up just as the presentations were getting underway so unfortunately didn’t have the chance yet to take everything in but I absolutely cannot wait to attend as many shows and events as possible at this local venue!
Support Niagara Falls today and in 2020 when the city is alive with culture and vitality you can say, «I remember when…»! Be a part of the progress and support local business!

I saw a show here on Saturday and while the Theater is indeed beautiful and the sound/​acoustics great, I was disappointed with the bar as the only drinks on tap are Labatts and Bud Light. Furthermore, they don’t let you buy tap water in a cup and instead make you cough up $ 4 for a bottle of water. I’m not even sure the legality of denying people tap water in a very crowded venue (what if I didn’t have any cash on me?), but whenever venues do that I leave with a very bad taste in my mouth. I’m happy to get a cup of water and leave a tip for the bartender, but to be forced to pay for bottles is just plain evil.
Anyway, back to the show: the music, stage set up and staff involved in the show were all professional and courteous. During one of the rowdier parts of the show, a security personnel gave one of the performers a piggy back ride, which is always fun to see staff get into the fun of the show and not just look mean the whole time. I’ll gladly be back here, but they would do well to make this place a touch more elegant. The bar wouldn’t be so bad if it had some more options and more staff working it during a show.

+ Great sound, balcony tables and bar
— Balcony men’s room closed; entrance to show far too slow.
Went here last night for the Papa Roach/​Stone Sour concert and had a great time.
I really like this place for seeing a rock band. The sound is always bang on and it’s a great size, not too big. Pretty much anywhere you are in the balcony, either sitting or standing, you get to see the band very well. They have tables and a convenient bar up there. Beer is $ 5, not bad for an event. The only problem is that the men’s room always seems to be closed in the balcony.
The big issue last night was that even though we arrived one hour after the doors opened, we had to wait outside in a long line-​up of people in the frigid temperatures (7 degrees). This was a poor set up. It took us a half hour to get inside. They only had one guy putting alcohol wrist bands on, and then another guy scanning the ticket. Towards the end, there was a separate line for women, but still, they could have managed it a lot better with having a couple more staff check everyone in.
They have a box office in the front of the building to buy or pickup your tickets. Just don’t buy them an hour before the show or you will have to wait a very long time in a separate purchasing line. I’m not sure why it takes them so darn long for you to buy a ticket at that time.
I find the best parking for the show to be by the Family Dollar lot across the street.

This venue makes for some great, intimate concerts. I caught Morrissey last Friday and let’s just say not only was it full to capacity, brimming with fans, the collective sh*t was lost when he came on stage and sang. Oh, Everyday is Like Sunday never sounded so glorious!
The venue has a good, liberally stocked bar and the bathrooms are clean.
However, the area where this venue is located is dead! A depressed economy with no other business in site. There is a nearby Burger King. But no where to hang out before and after the concert. Make sure you drive or hail a cab to leave because public transit fails.