by Clement Creeley on went here on a friday night since a friend wanted to check out a party "promoted" by an asian group (i loathe asian promoted parties, why must parties be segrated by nationalities?). it was dead, poorly put together, they held people outside the spot to create the illusion that there was actually life inside. reality: it was dead. i coudlve thrown a better party in my living room.
by Bryan k. on Its pretty packed on the weekends. Leave your cellphone in the car cuz the security doesn't allow cellphones with cameras. When its crowded its crowded. Finding a seat is quite the task. You dont wanna stand in front of people either. Majority of patrons look like gangster cholos. So dont be doggin nobody. the girls are ok. more towards the ghetto side but they work the hardest for their money. THe occasional hot ass babe comes on. the drinks are reasonably priced. they say two drink minimum but on a crowded night they have no way of enforcing. but i think you need to drinks to make the ladies look better. $10 dances are reasonable. once again get them ghetto booties. they give the best dances. and remember its 10 per song. she wont stop til you tell her. overall, its okay.
by Teodoro Else on I had forgot that before the Rocket Dog fundraiser / DYL, I had been to the El Rio to see one of my absolute bands, Babyland. I'm basing this review on that night several years ago, and thusly of the El Rio as a place to see music. If the band you're seeing has a strong draw, and you're on the fence, it might be a good idea to pass. Babyland doesn't have that great of a draw, and yet, the room that they were stuffed into was packed to the freaking walls, with the stage right next to the outside door. So to get in or out, you had to squeeze past the more rabid / enthusiastic crowd. I don't recall there being a stage of any significant height, so the view from the back's not great, although I am hazy on this point and might be wrong. The overall effect is an excessively cramped feeling. Hopefully this has changed in more recent years? The venue might work better for bands with a smaller draw or low-key sets.
