Belly Up

Reviews 3

WA

Walter Macalma

Over the past decade Ive seen just about everything from Folk to rock, hip-hop, rap to alternative, local bands to national acts, general admission and seated shows and a few things that stand out about Belly Up is its location. I still consider it North Countys crown jewel of concert venues. Its half the distance to anything close to its quality for anyone in North County. Ive probably come here 3 dozen times in the last decade. This side of the train tracks is supposed to be the quiet neighborhood side of Solana Beach, its not supposed to have a brewery nearby, or have a rocking concert venue, which by the way stays surprisingly quiet for the local residents, all the other places close earlier on show nights. Im amazed at how quiet things are outside, they do a great job with the acoustics and the people on the back patio, their nose travels down the train gulley to be washed out, again keeping things quiet. The parking is always difficult, great if you get street, but if you get rear parking which stretches almost the whole block it can be a walk, just get here early, pregame at Saddle bar or Culture and find primo parking so you dont have that worry. Security is pretty good, a solid amount for non capacity shows, but lacking when its sold out and the band/genre calls for some rebellion. Ive never seen things get too crazy, I mean its Solana Beach. Ive been kicked out before so I know they do their job, but to be honest I did deserve to get kicked out, I had over indulged in the sweet embrace of whiskeys golden grains of sunshine. I slept it off in the truck waiting for my friends to drive everyone home. I distinctly recall being warned by security twice to leave or hed call the cops. They in no way over served me because back then I loved to pre-party and I was notorious of hopping from place to place. The venue is well insultaed with lots of wood, a nice long bar and even a large shark suspended above it. The décor is very woodys surfer-esque. The upper lofts and booths are mainly for reserved seating, 1st come 1st serve while the GA stays below. The walk ways are usually full since most anywhere you can see the band so youll often see people just watching from the bar, a no no for those of using actually drinking. Move along son, the bar is for drinking or ordering. Prices are reasonable, full selection of everything except top shelf spirits, a few, only a few craft beers. How is it in this day and age do places not just have a dozen, especially with how much product they push. Protip: Bring your jacket, they do coat check, so those winter nights out with your lady at a show, you dont have to overheat and be uncomfortable. Bathrooms are only ok, they can be a mess with people going in and out, especially when people drink watered down beer and a bunch of it and end up going all night long. . Ive certainly seen much worse. The back patio is open and mainly used for smokers, its also a strange place because it never fails that some drunk weirdo comes up to be, when I was a smoker and tries bumming or talking to me, regardless of who Im with. Im glad I dont smoke anymore and catch full enjoy events without needing that fix. Its a great venue with decent lighting and good sound, you can get pretty close even at rowdy shows and for smaller seated shows it can have a very private feel. Ill be here for another decade checking out up and coming artists to the big acts just because its unlike any other place. Not too small to not get a big draw, but also draws big acts. They can be difficult to reach via phone, so e-mail is better. Sign up for their newsletter for updates, news and lineup changes. My favorite shows have been bands versus, groups and acts because the bass and beat doesnt project as well as insturments. Tip: Go with cash, because the bar is understaffed and they dont keep tabs open. Part of that is a 3 hour show, unlike a bar where you could leave that thing open until close.

AM

Amy Wright

Belly Up, I want to love you. I really truly do! You bring amazing artist to San Diego thats + 4 start. You have one of the best sound systems around + 3 stars. Youre already at 7 stars... But here is where it gets complicated. You nickel and dime us to death! You charge a service charge when we buy tickets from YOUR website! What is that nonsense about? If you want to charge more for tickets then be honest about it and raise the ticket prices. Charging a service charge is a sneaky way to squeeze more money out of people. $5.75 service charge is lame, Im using my paper, my printer ink and you dont have to pay an employee to help me. Why are you charging me another $5.75 per ticket? - 2 stars. Now lets talk about your beer prices. $6.50 for a draft Sierra Nevada, add in a $1 tip and it $7.50 for a beer? Theres a market around the corner from my house that sells a 6 pack of Sierra for $6.99. I can get 6 12-ounce bottles for what you want to charge me for one beer. A Keg of Sierra is $156 at Bev Mo, Im sure your wholesale prices are better then that but for the sake of this review I wall assume you pay $156 per keg. According to Google you can get about 200 glasses of beer out of a keg. If you sell 200 beers at $6.50 each thats $1300. If I subtract out the cost of a keg youre making $1144 per keg. - 3 stars. You had 7 stars when this review started, how did you move down to 2 so quickly? Now lets talk about your bar tenders, I have yet to encounter a bartender who made any effort to be nice. I know yall are busy but if someone was gonna pay me $6.50 for a beer I would sake their hand! - 1 star. Then the not taking cards at the bar then expecting me to pay $2 to use your ATM! Your waitresses can take cards but not the bar tenders? Again with the bleeding me dry! -1 star Belly Up I really want to love you since you get such great music but youre down to ZERO starts! I will say your cocktail waitresses are always friendly and nice so Ill give you + 1 star for them. And you are in the high rent district so I expect that your prices will be slightly higher then in other places so Ill give you + 1 star for that.

HE

Heather Willens

- Affordable tickets through their own website -- meaning SMALL service charge - Easy access, just down the hill from the 5 off ramp and down the main drag of solana beach - Free Parking! and lots of it! - Free coat check! - GREAT sound quality. wow. - A space thats pretty big but feels intimate: large floor space to dance dance dance, plenty of seating areas to chill, even a raised area to view stage from above - Staff who do their job but are respectful. I didnt realize i was taking photos in a handicap access area and i was politely asked to keep it clear - Diversity of bookings. I always thought this was a mainstream rock venue. never in a million years would i have thought id see electronic music here - 2 large bar areas on opposite ends from each other. the space is mapped out smartly - Good vibes. appears to attract a more chill clientele. and people who actually DANCE