Orpheum

This is a pretty awesome venue for shows but beware… that bar tab will be killer. They charge premium prices for drinks so be prepared… but do tip the bartenders well because they are awesome.

The Orpheum is the best club in Ybor. Awesome management!

Seemed security was not there to make sure everyone was having a good time. Felt like I was doing something wrong even though I was not. Tried to talk calmly to try to figure out what «rule» I broke but instead they felt like kicking out a paying customer. We are non violent good people and 2 of the security guys wanted to just yell and puff up their chests to provoke something. I’ve worked in the music business for 18 years and have never seen anger like I did at Orpheum Ybor. I had 2 very close friends tell me that they won’t go there either for the same reason. They are also very nice non violent people. Hmmm, maybe just go see shows at cool venues.

The Orpheum is located towards the end of 7^th street in the Ybor district of Tampa. I have attended two different shows at this location and both of them happen to be Norma Jean in March and September. The venue is large and has plenty of standing room. There is a balcony for guests to walk up to in order to grab a seat and watch the show. There is a small space in the back of the theater for merch tables to be setup with 3 tables or so and is separated by a half wall. The bar is located by the doors and dance/​concert floor located passed that.
The lighting and vantage points from the concert floor were perfect no matter where I would stand. There are some poles that are located throughout the floor which can be dangerous, but the back pole is where I normally rest up against to listen to the music and view the mosh pit happening in front of me. TIP: If you stand by the back pole you will be safe from the mosh pit about 95% of the time. There is another pole by the front of the stage towards the left. I was up front singing along and jumping like a fool when Norma Jean came on and I witnessed a stage diver jump off in a flip motion and pinned a man with 2 cameras against the pole. It looked incredibly painful and he ended up dropping a camera that I was able to salvage for him. Stay to the left of the pole in the front if you want to be out of the pit and not get hit. I did however get kicked in the face by another stage diver so BEWARE LOL.
The bathroom wasn’t too bad, but the door remains open during the concert and the urinals are visible to the crowd which is a bit uncomfortable when walking up. Security does a great job throwing out rowdy guests and they crack down hard on underage drinking. There is no smoking inside and that made it very nice. It is extremely loud so I recommend brining ear plugs if you have sensitive hearing. The concert floor gets pretty messy though from drunk dumb dumbs bringing full beers in the center to jump around. I left wearing a few beers. It would have been nice to actually save those poor guys :)

Best dive venue in Ybor to experience live bands up close and with an overall decent sound system.
I went to the Amity Affliction /​Chelsea Grin show on 10÷17÷15 and (in contrast to other reviews) had a great time. I made a point of interacting with all the bar/​security staff and have no complaints. The best aspect of the venue is the closeness to the bands that it provides. The stage was wide open for fans to climb on and stage dive into the crowd. Only once did security intervene, when perhaps a dozen kids were on stage with Amity, and at that only by waving to encourage them to jump into the crowd. Good luck getting on stage with your fav band at Amalie Arena, etc. so I can appreciate venues such as this and what they provide.
The sound system showed some age and was not the best tuned for anything but direct stage front. Also I found drinks a bit overpriced for a venue of its kind. Overall I will be glad to go back and easily give the place 4 stars.

The people who work there are rude and abusive. I hope they die.

This place gets a lot of great bands, but every single concert I’ve seen here has been marred by a sound system that’s way too loud at a level that will permanently damage your hearing. Rather than selling earplugs, as this place did when I saw Peter Murphy, why not turn the volume down to a level that is healthy and safe for peoples’ ears? If I was a band appearing at this venue, I would demand that the sound level not be set painfully high. I refuse to attend another concert here until this problem is addressed.

Staff sucks. Drink prices suck. Dirty. Dingy. Door men are fascists.
Will not see another concert here.

Terrible and unorganized staff. I was at the Orpheum to see a concert. They opened over an hour late.
The staff just kept walking up and down the street looking at us. We received no information as to why we’re waiting so long. Someone came by right before the doors were SUPPOSED to open and told us to get out our tickets and IDs. Waited an additional 30 minutes and nothing happened. Then someone came by and told us all to stand up. Waited an additional 15 minutes and nothing happened. Someone came by and took our tickets/​checked our IDs. Waited an additional 10 minutes and nothing else happened. Wow. I’ve never had it this bad at a venue before.
FINALLY we were let inside. After the time the show was supposed to start, I might add. The venue is very small and the setup doesn’t lend itself to good acoustics.
Bottom line: I wouldn’t attend any event at this venue again. Not worth the headache for the mediocre sound quality.

Not a bad venue in my opinion. We had to wait like an hour outside, but I don’t think it was the Orpheum’s fault. And the staff kept everything pretty organized while we waited. There is a bar right as you enter. Open area in front of the stage and the VIP area up the stairs to the right.
We were not overly crowded which was nice. Had a great view of the stage. Sound was good, crowd was great (except for those pushy ass mofos who kept trying to push their way to the front) and the show was awesome! I wanted to order a drink from the bar, but the bartender said there was a $ 25 minimum for credit card purchases. So I had to use the ATM in the corner WTF and got hit w/​the service fees.
I will definitely keep an eye on their events calendar for future shows.

Sink or swim is a part of everyone, it lives on for sure. Incestuous from doors open to long after they closed. Tried and true as far as getting laid and wasted goes, and there’s more to getting laid and wasted than just stupid sloppiness, it’s about becoming your subconscious. Consciousness has a hold over the vast majority of time and space – and for good reason – but when the opportunity presents itself, a dive into the endless depths of your eternal self is just what the doctor ordered. My wife does not agree, to say the least, but how I feel after a black out, is human. Thoroughly relevant, plugged in and human. Nothing else does it. Losing control is a perilous and difficult ordeal, but there’s no self-​awareness without it. And it’s a personal thing, I realize, because nobody has the patience to watch that car wreck happen to the one that they could love, but it’s part of the bargain. All will be revealed, as they say, and you can keep it sealed for what amounts to some time. So sink or swim, why don’t you? It was an exuberance of hormonal madness, facilitated by disgusting well drinks by the dozen. No body was forcing people to pack the place, it was just a lingering tip of Greco-​Roman bacchanalia being spread across the next greatest American city. Mind you, I have no clue what the place is like now. I hear it has moved. Maybe it’s cool.

The Orpheum is one of my favorite venues in Tampa. I love the intimacy that the place brings and the fact that they book some amazing up and coming bands.
When you first enter the place a large square shaped bar sits right in front of you. I usually bypass that area. The servers and patrons look nice and all but I’m more interested in reserving my place on the dance floor.
The dance floor is situated right in front of the stage. It is usually sticky from… well, I’m not sure. People who can’t hold their alcohol? If you can find a nice spot that is free of gumminess then you are one of the lucky ones.
The stage is elevated nicely so that you can easily see the band from wherever you are located. Behind the dance floor (and to the side) is a second floor with a balcony. I’ve never attended a show where people were upstairs, so I’m not sure how you get up there. There is also a smaller bar located at the back of the dance floor.
Acoustic wise, I don’t really notice Orpheum being any better (or worse) than most of the smaller clubs in the area. Perhaps some audiophiles can shed some better light on that than me.
Bottom line: if there is a band playing you like, go see them.

The Orpheum is a place that I go to see shows. You cannot really call them «concerts» because the venue is so small.
There is a large wrap around bar in front of the entrance, a stage on one wall, across from the stage is a balcony with the best seats in the house, and two other smaller bars (one upstairs and one downstairs).
I must say that the stage is elevated enough to see the people on the stage well from anywhere in the building, which is nice.
I cannot speak for the crowd here or the various nights, because… well to be honest, I would not come here for anything other than to see a specific band. Even though the sound is terrible at the Orpheum, sometimes you just need to suck it up and go because you never know when they will be on tour again.
For example; I just saw Front 242 here. The crowd was great. All old like me, mostly dudes, and little drama. Sound is always terrible, but the band was phenomenal regardless. The balcony is the best seat in the house, and there are plenty of open spaces, because everyone wants to elbow each other in the face at floor level. Also, on floor leve, you will not be able to see over the cell phone taking photos and video the entire time. Kids these days… grumble.
I would prefer to drink a fifth of Mad Dog from the corner store than order a drink here. Drink before you enter or sneak in a flask.

Let’s start with the good: They book really good shows. The air conditioning works really well. The sound system is solid. I really like that this place is a bit dingy and dive-​y, it keeps the club kids at other Ybor bars. The prices on drinks are usually on the cheap side. Bouncers are relatively friendly and nice.
The so-​so: On a show night, the doors might open on time and sometimes 30 to 45 minutes late… understandable sometimes, no big deal. When the doors do open, it takes an incredible amount of time to get in… Not so much fun. The folks on the door are very nice though. Also, bring your haz-​mat suit for the bathrooms. Again, I love a good dive bar, but the toilets at the Orpheum can border on third-​world status. It’s impressively disgusting.
The disappointing: I really want to like the Orpheum, but getting a drink is next-​to-​impossible, making it the most frustrating venue in town. The bartenders on busy nights seem to be in training, with what appears to be two bartenders for a sold-​out show. If the doorman allows, we just pop next door and have a few beers and come back. It’s sad that it is quicker to go next door than wait for service. I’ve been on non-​show nights and it is still a hassle to get a drink.
Going to the Orpheum to see your favourite band is just fine. It’s not so terrible that I won’t return. My advice would be to have your drinks elsewhere prior to the Orpheum, don’t expect to show up for the opening acts and expect to wait a long time for a drink. A few improvements and this place would be one of my favourite spots.

Let’s see, I’ve never seen a show here so far. I’ve been a handful of times on Friday or Saturday nights.
Go here for one thing and one thing only. To dance.

Friendly door people
Attentive bartenders
Great booking
Great sound
Eyehategod and Floor in the same month? OK!
Kill Your Boss

FLOOR ROCKS! I heart them in a big way and that’s why I was here.
Typical alt music bar — sticky floors and a scary looking but super friendly door guy :) I did not at all feel like I might get knifed in or near the bar — hurray!

The Oprheum, in Ybor is a cool place to go watch a show. As a MOM-​ager of my son’s band Act of Mercy (shameless plug — go see them, they’re awesome) I am there quite frequently. The stage is enormous, the dance floor is huge. There are lots of places to gather all around the venue for a quick drink or some gossip on the sidelines. The bar tenders are very attentive and very cordial. Most of the staff has been here for years and it’s kind of like «going home». They recognize you, you recognize them. Everyone is very cool.
Is it a fancy place? No. The venue is sort of dive-​ish, but that’s part of its charm. It’s not a sexy club, by any means, but it’s a great place to check out the local music scene they often host. They frequently open their doors to «All Age Shows» which I know some of you adults may find a bit annoying, having to share your domain with the little kiddies who can’t drink yet… but I think it’s kind of a cool thing that they do that. It gives kids an opportunity to party, dance and hear great music in a safe environment. They aren’t bugging you… so just let them do their thing.
The Oprheum lays claim to something that most venues have done away with and that is showcasing the newest local talent for the past 10 years. They have given local musicians a venue to play where they can be discovered and have featured a lot of now widely known talent and the best emerging new artists. Not many clubs want to take a chance on these newer bands, preferring to host already established talent. But the Orpheum gives these new bands a voice and to me, as a huge supporter of local music and new talent, that’s not a thing I take lightly.
Check out a sampling of some of the artists that have graced the Orpheum stage in the past 10 years. It’s pretty impressive. Many of them got their start right here… and to me, that speaks volumes about the kind of place the Oprheum is.
They are willing to take a gamble on up and coming artists. I will always be a huge supporter of clubs/​venues who are willing to give these new bands a place to be seen other than YouTube. For $ 10 tickets, seeing 3 or more live bands on any given weeknight is a steal.
Saturday nights at the Orpheum are awesome. The best nights, because it is their Retro Night. So, while there is tons of new talent, there is also a divine mix of indie rock, brit pop, death disco, electro clash, hip hop, and retro 80′s, You really never know what you are going to be walking into, but one thing is guaranteed… it will always be eclectic fun. So dress casual and funky. Costumey or classy. Just be prepared to be open minded and have a great time in a place where you can truly let your hair down. $ 10 sink or swim at the bar. It’s a good time.
The last Monday of the month? Soul night. From their website:
SOUL! is the Orpheum’s monthly dance party for lovers of rare grooves. This party takes place every last Monday of the month, combining classic funk, soul, and even neo-​soul music. SOUL! gives the listener everything from Motown to P-​Funk with some added twists. If you’re one of the grown folks we’re gonna take you back. If you’re one of the young folks, we’re gonna show you where lots of your favorite hip hop was sampled from. Most SOUL! Nights are held down by DJs Funk Jesus and Gregg Schmidt with a healthy sprinkling of guest DJs. The vibe is always wild and drinks are always 2 for 1. Come check us out. It ain’t nothing but a party ya’ll.
And for real? It’s a blast if you are part of the 30 and over crowd… and a true education for the youngsters. (Hey, you mean someone made a song that sounds like Blurred Lines before Robin Thicke? Yaaaasss, child. Yes, indeed.)
My only complaint… the bathrooms. Please… fix them up a little. Get doors that actually lock. Keep them a little tidier. That’s all I ask of you. However, I refuse to remove a star for that. They do WAY too much right to slap them on the wrist for this one transgression.
In short, the Oprheum kind of reminds me of the drunk Uncle everyone has in their family. You talk a lot of smack about how ridiculous he is, but deep down inside, you kinda love being around him because you know it always means a good time. It’s a guilty pleasure.
Bar snobs need not apply. True music lovers? This place is for you.
PS: One last note. Bring cash. There is a $ 25 minimum on debit cards. But, drinks here are really inexpensive. You’ll be buying a lot of them to reach that minimum. They do allow you to run a tab though, in order to meet that minimum, so that’s nice. There is an ATM available on site. Smart move.

I came here last Saturday night for a night of fun with a friend and my boyfriend. My boyfriend’s friend was having a birthday gathering, so we were with a large crowd of people. It was a great deal of fun for my first ever «sink or swim.»
Staff: The bartenders at the front of the venue were killing it. One woman in particular looked FANTASTIC, rushed around serving everyone two drinks at a time and did it with a smile. She did it even if she didn’t get a tip. You could tell her mission was to simply make a bunch of drunk, sweaty people happy. We loved her and my boyfriend tipped her generously as a result. A male bartender at the back of the venue was the complete opposite. He routinely ignored people who weren’t ordering top-​shelf drinks. He glared when we asked for water to chase our drinks with. He made us wait and repeatedly served other people instead of us. Rude.
Venue: The venue itself is dingy, but it’s spacious. It’s fun. I like the grunge feel of the place, but the dance floor was very slippery. Be careful when dancing. A friend dipped me, and I slipped and fell. Embarrassing, but it was probably because I was also pretty drunk and unprepared. Either way, don’t wear heels here. I recommended non-​slip flats of some sort. Seriously, it’s that much of a hazard.
The bathrooms were also pretty grody. It was flooded at one point during the night, and I avoided using it at all costs. I waited until we left and went to WaWa to use the bathroom. It was crowded, smelly and filthy. I would be afraid of catching something in here.
The Music: Ah yes, the music. I had a great time listening to remixed versions of Top 40 hits, YouTube Hits (The Fox), older pop songs and ‘80s rock. It was a lot of fun. There was never a moment I didn’t want to dance. They played a good variety that seemed to appease everyone on the dance floor. I liked that the most about The Orpheum.
The Drinks: The drinks were a wee-​bit weak, but that’s okay. I had eight tequila and sprites, and I did pretty well for I think $ 12. These drinks are definitely better than other cheap deals, and you aren’t getting the bottom of the bottom shelf mixers. It’s more of a middle ground, and I’m okay with that despite being a liquor and beer snob.
Would I come back? I think so! I would return for another night of sink or swim, but next time I am buying the VIP top-​shelf band.

I’ve loved this place since the old location. The new spot is even better though. Great event venue with the friendliest staff and bartenders in Ybor. I didn’t see a pool table in the new spot, but that’s OK because there is a pool hall across the street with regulation-​size tables!