Annnnnd also Cinematic Orchestra Nov 15, 2008 8:00PM :)

that isn't a pretentious article at all. I've never been there, noone i like is ever playing.

What's prententious about it? Bleeker street sucks and they've just given it hope. I was there when it opened because they were giving away free drinks and it actually does have nice and comfortable atmosphere with interesting music.

music is interesting. the space sucks. poor site lines and poorly designed seating arrangements, plus the ceiling low and speakers, lights, and cables block and chance of having projections on the walls, which is way max richter had to sadly go without. nice idea and concept. poor execution.

Le poisson rouge is the white light of bleeker, it's only savior in perilous times.

do these guys offer complimentary collar popping service?

Seemed a bit pricey and there was really lame unprofessional video guy at the Matmos show (plagued by video problems).

The sounds is actually really good, but having to hover by the doors in a mad dash to snag a table (which happened at Gregor Samsa) was a drag. The space isn't designed all that great, poor sightlines like someone above said and not much ambiance.

Unless some act is playing there you just have to see I'd stick w/ Joe's Pub.

Would anyone happen to know if the advanced tickets for Lykke Li are sold out? The Brown Paper Tickets link seems to say so, but I'm not really familar with that site.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producerevent/37772?prod_id=8035

1-bleeker st is beyond saving
2-the setup of the venue is bad from start to finish... entrance is a mess due to stupid railing on the stairs, creepy stick your hand in a crack hand dryers in the bathroom, and as mentioned above mad dash into the room with no set q at the door.
3-bar is pretentious and overpriced and service was shit even when we sat at the bar....people who walked up not only got the attitude but had to wait even longer to get a drink.
4-I dont care if you do know about music and are speaking of the finer points of the performance and past times you have seen the act YOU ARE STILL FUCKING TALKING, SHUT UP (summed up assholes galore like the rest of bleeker st)

verdict:this place will get more NYU centric and bleeker st B&T by the week

Ouch. I've never known anyone to get so bent out of shape about hand dryers and I don't see anything stupid about the railings on the stairs - both sides lead down to the gallery/bar outside the performance space. The sound system is amazing - clear and rich - and there's a complete lack any outdoor/street/subway noise. Yes, drinks are pricey but nothing you wouldn't expect at other venues around the city, and at least they're not served in plastic cups. I got great service at the bar. As for the verdict, I don't think B&T have much interest in post-rock, indie classical and experimental acts they've got lined up. Unlike the previous post, I'm pretty confident this place will thrive.

I've only been there once (for Max Richter), but I found it to be very good compared to other venues: I ordered drinks at the bar from 2 different bartenders, and they were both cool. The crowd was silent throughout the entire show. The sound was great. Yes, the drinks were a little bit on the pricey side, but this isn't a dive bar, either.

The seating arrangement was the one problem I had. Doors opened at 7 (opener was at 8), and when I got there at 7:30, 90% of the seats were either occupied or spoken for. I expected there to be a lot more seats/tables. I waited at the bar, expecting to be there (standing) for the whole show, but the staff started bringing out more chairs at that point. I think they must've run out because I noticed 10-15 people who were still standing by the time he started at 9. Next time I'll plan on arriving when the doors open & have to deal with the chaos described by the other posters. Because the stage was elevated, I didn't notice people having trouble with sight lines.

Overall, a very good experience for a new venue. Hopefully they'll work out the kinks.

and love that they're not going through ticketmaster!

we went to Poisson Rouge to hear Max Richter and came away amazed!! by the opening set by Bruce Brubaker. Brubaker played piano pieces by Phil Glass and and Alvan Curran -- he called that "extreme piano." It ROCKED. I never heard anybody play the piano with that much intennsity and feeling.

I think Poisson R is going to reveal a lot of amazing musical secrets...