State Theatre

04/21/2008 Posted by blair17

i would not go see a show here ever again i just moved down to fl from Nj and got tickets to see a show there, apparently the rule is noone goes outside with and can reenter unless your 21, i think the "rule' makes no sence, last time i checked the only privaledge you have at 21 is to be at the bar. so the state theater wants you to stay inside a venue with no windows, no seats, and crowd of smelly sweaty people for a few hours with out catching one breath of air outside. Why there is an age limit on going outside is ridiculouse, Not only was the rule completly stupid but the people working did not to remedy how you felt but provoked you and i left before the show even started not because of the rule but because of they way they were talking to me... totally ruined my night Never go there again.

09/16/2007 Posted by abit

the venue is old (historic, in fact)...but it has been renovated due to active and earnest management over the past few years. it is a great indoor venue but sometimes the a/c cannot keep up with the amount of heat generated by "energetic" shows in the summer. there is a lack of seating due to fire laws...it's a show, you're "supposed" to stand. the bathrooms can get trashed, but that is generally due to those abusing them. the place is a great venue...there are not many like it left. as for karenstone, there is something to be said about the judgment of a 9 month pregnant mother bringing her 3 year old daughter to a venue like this. the majority of shows run to at least 11pm, are very loud and the state has been smoke-free only since the beginning of 2007 (this is due to it being an all-ages venue within city limits). the no-camera policy is ENFORCED (not inforced, as karen would lead you to believe) only upon band request and warnings/signs are posted. the "VIP/family area" is actually not a VIP or family area, but more of an overflow area that is plainly roped off during smaller shows...however, management and staff will kindly allow certain individuals (company employees, professional camera-persons, elderly or tour families) when they REQUEST permission. the reason for this is that with certain shows, minimal security is used to reduce costs for the band...as they pay for the security. if security is not present in that area, the state theater becomes liable should something unfortunate happen that may have been prevented with proper staffing. granted, there are usually "bad eggs" employed everywhere, but you will find that for the price you pay at the door, you are getting a bargain for a great, safe, indoor environment where four hundred kids can attend their shows without parent supervision due to the excellent staff. if you don't break the rules, don't start fights, respect others and don't break property, you have an excellent chance of enjoying yourself.

09/17/2006 Posted by karenstone

Staff at the State Theatre have no class or manners and do not know how to treat paying customers. The management need to learn how to deal with stressful situations and customer service or they will not have returning clients... Security needs to keep their hands off of the guests including women who are 9 months pregnant. As a family member of a headlining band, I was video taping my husband when a staff member came behind me and proceeded to rip the camera out of my hand while pulling me over the bench I was sitting on. This was all in front of my 3 year old daughter in addition to me being 39 weeks pregnant and a foot away from the edge of second story balcony... I realize that the staff did not know who I was (although I was sitting in the family VIP area) but, there is a way to inforce rules without violence or bad language. If the security guard would have just stated the no camera rule nicely and with a little professionalism, he would have found out quickly who I was and that I was aloud to be video taping my own family member preforming a show. I do not recommend the State Theatre to anyone who demands respect as a paying customer and expects to be treated with kindness.

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11/06/2002 Posted by crossbreedfreak

The State Theater is the best place to go and see local talent. If you live in the St. Pete/Tampa area and like hard rock music i strongly suggest you go check out the young talent at the State Theater

Pros: Cheap, Great Shows, Good People

Cons: Dirty Males Restrooms, Crouded, Hard to get up front