State Theatre Concerts

An intimate venue where you can see larger quality acts for a fraction of the price / headache of seeing them in an arena sized venue.\r \r There is the strange no-reentry rule for patrons under 21 years of age. The law states that no one under 21 is allowed reentry if the place is serving alcohol (the State Theatre is full liquor). It is a non-smoking venue (again, the law), just like you cant smoke at the St. Pete Times Forum, you cant smoke at the State Theatre. There is no designated smoking area, so patrons do have to leave the building to smoke. So that does create an awkward situation for both security and patrons between 18-20 who are legally old enough to smoke, but are not allowed to exit/reenter the building. They are very strict in enforcing a no drugs/underage drinking/fighting policy. \r \r Parking can be an issue. Downtown St Pete's parking laws change depending on whether there is a baseball game or not. If you park on central avenue east of 7th street, you are safe from parking tickets. If you park west of 7th street on central avenue, you will get a ticket (again depending on if there's a game). But here's the catch - there are two 7th streets on central avenue, 7th street south dead ends east of the venue, then 7th street north continues west of the venue. Best just to park east of 7th street south, because the parking patrol can never come to a consensus as to which 7th street they're going to enforce. The city of St Pete has intentionally made it very confusing to park downtown, in the process generating more revenue for the city. Pros: Loud and proud Cons: Not always the cleanest bathrooms more

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. more

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.\r 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. more

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. more

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 more