Water Street Music Hall — Attraction in City of Rochester

I've been to a lot of concerts and events at a lot of different venues, and I have fond memories at Water Street Music Hall from years ago. However, April 12, 2025, the Bossman Dlow concert was hands down the worst show I've ever experienced due to the egregious lack of management or professionalism from Waterstreet. Doors were to open at 7pm, but even with an early access ticket, nobody was allowed access until after 7pm. I was in the first dozen or so people in the venue, I asked where I was supposed to go for meet and greet tickets. I had to go through a chain of 3-4 people over a span of 20 minutes before I got an answer. Staff and security was just as confused about everything as the patrons. During the long wait, it got so overcrowded that it was impossible to access the bar for water or the even the bathroom. It got extremely hot and uncomfortable without water so I asked if I could cool off and just come back in for the meet and greet but was told no, so I stood at the door for air. A large amount of people started leaving while the performance was still going on and I did not feel safe staying in that area but there was too many people exiting to get back in. It was extremely unorganized and overwhelming so I left. I'm incredibly disappointed to say that I would not recommend Waterstreet Music...

Terribly managed! Fond past memories, but never going back. Ad said doors open at 7, show starts at 7- who does that? So, I called beforehand and was told bar would open around 6 PM. Arrived 6:15 PM, doors didn't open until after 7 PM as the line outside, in the cold, grew and people were getting frustrated- security came out several times and claimed the facility wasn't ready/the band hadn't finished sound check and even tried to have adults form 2 straight lines (give me a break). Once inside, we were directed into the small bar area, essentially not allowed to enter the main venue. No communication whatsoever as several employees were milling around not answering a very perplexed crowds questions. Once "allowed" in main venue, trying to get a drink was a nightmare. Too few bartenders who only work the center area of a very large bar. Many comments from fellow fans about a "really bad start to a live music show". Sound is good from band up to area where balcony starts from above. As you move back sound quality poor and it ends up being a big floor of people talking instead of really enjoying the music. I'm in my 60's, have seen countless bands, at a huge variety of venues and this place ranks with Darien Lake (also used to be cool) as the worst...

I have a soft spot in my heart for this venue as a band I was in played there multiple times in the 80s when it was called the Warehouse. I'm pretty easy going and not a complainer but I was very disappointed with how the venue was run when I saw the sold out Sam Grisman Project on 3/7/25.

The doors were supposed to open at 7 pm which did not happen as a long line of ticket holders waited in the cold. We purchased VIP seating tickets for an extra $10 per ticket which promised tables and our own bathroom on the balcony level. Talk about bait and switch....there were no tables or chairs set up and the disgustingly filthy bathroom was closed. We moved some tables and chairs from the adjoining room but basically the balcony ended up being many rows deep of standing people so if you weren't in front of the balcony railing, you couldn't see the stage. The place was so crowded you had to wonder if they were over the legal limit of patron capacity. In addition, there was not nearly enough bartenders. My friend waited in line for half of the Grisman Projects set to buy a beer. Also, the smoke became pretty intolerable by the end of the night.

Overall, it was a really poor experience and I will not be spending my money to ever see a show...