Avant Gardner — Attraction in New York

I am writing after an absolutely terrible experience from last night's (Thursday, August 21, 2025) show at the "Great" Hall seeing The Interrupters and Bouncing Souls (notice how I didn't say Sublime, the headliner -- I refused to stay one second longer than I needed to).

First and foremost, your security team needs to be HIGHLY educated when it comes to ADA compliance. Your venue states that you cannot bring in prescription meds unless it has your name on it - fine. Totally respectable. However, nothing in the venue's literature states that you cannot bring in a factory sealed travel-friendly amount of over the counter medication that, for me, is necessary to live a normal existence (and is not prescribed by a doctor, because why would it be if I can get it over the counter?).

I complied with the security and showed them my bag. I disclosed up front that I had a factory sealed bottle of ibuprofen (only 12 in a container) that is necessary for me as a tool to enjoy the show. They told me repeatedly they would not let me in, but I said this is something I need, as someone who is heavily reliant on OTC pain meds to live a normal life with my long-lasting struggle of having endometriosis and adenomyosis. I had to tell the "security" (which honestly just seemed like they were ALL on a power trip and needs to be fired) in great, gorey detail as to why I needed this to safely enjoy the show. Without it, I would pass out from severe pain and probably ruin the show for guests around me. Bleeding profusely and in severe pain, I want to still live my life like a normal human being.

Being ridiculed for having TWO diseases is not just morally incorrect - it's illegal. The security telling me I needed to speak to a medic (which I wouldn't trust anyway since none of them were on the ball with any patron in the crowd needing assistance) for ibuprofen is not accessibility. I would like to be able to enjoy shows however I can even if I have diseases. That's what ADA compliance is all about.

One security guard stepped in after seeing me start to cry and said "Ok, we'll make an exception for you but normally we cannot do this" to which the other security guard said "Well, you got your stupid pass to go in now, hope you're happy" which is completely wrong and honestly so rude and again, not ADA compliant. To put it plain and simple, these "policies" at this venue do not protect disabled/sick guests such as myself, and some staff seem to enjoy the power trip.

Because of all of this back and forth between a rude and non-ADA compliant security screening, I lost my father trying to get in the line and was separated from him. I saw him at the front of the line, and I asked an older security guard if I can please meet up with my dad as I would like to see him and be with him. He said "You want to see your daddy? There he is. You're looking at him. Happy to see your daddy?" I told him that was extremely rude and off putting and completely uncalled for, and he said "you'll be with him inside shortly. You don't need to be with your daddy right now." A) Yes, I would like to be with my father as he is my support person when I am not feeling well, which at this point, I certainly was not feeling well (physically OR mentally), and B) What human degrades a young female like this and condescends them like that?

The venue was unsafe, oversold, and security (while all were on a power trip) were useless and nowhere to be found. In what way is there 1 or 2 security guards MAX at the barricade at a venue where there's 3000+ people at a punk show where people will 100% need to get medical assistance or get pulled out of the crowd?

All in all, I hope to all things holy a band I love never plays here again. I felt violated, embarrassed, and deeply disturbed to see how this place is run. Plus, it's odd how you let people in with weed, vapes, and more but a few factory sealed ibuprofen was worth your venue getting slapped with ADA...

Disability rights need serious work here. I was denied entry with an empty hydro pack—even after explaining I have a documented medical condition that puts me at risk of seizures during heat or sensory overload. I spoke to over 10 staff, and while some tried to help, the venue had no consistent policy and made me cross a massive crowd repeatedly to get water.

I saw other people inside with hydration packs, so the enforcement felt arbitrary and honestly discriminatory. This kind of treatment is exhausting and dangerous for those of us with invisible disabilities. I shouldn’t have to beg to stay safe.

If you’re going to enforce policies, enforce them fairly—and train your staff on basic ADA compliance and how to support guests with medical needs.

Beautiful venue & great show, but pretty frustrating when I was just there to have a good time:(

This review now reflects a second humiliating experience. After a prior disability-related discrimination incident, Avant Gardner’s legal team issued me a formal apology. They confirmed that the August 1 Subtronics event would serve as a goodwill gesture.

Instead, we were met with retaliation.

At the gate, a security guard named Ericka said: “We’ve been waiting for you all night,” and then attempted to deny entry to my partner, who has Type 1 diabetes, over a sealed container of glucose tablets.

She couldn’t define what “two doses” meant, yet insisted that was all he was allowed. We were forced to empty our bags completely onto a table, after explaining the role glucose tablets play in preventing medical emergencies. This aggressive, prolonged search was not standard—I’ve attended this venue before, and nothing close to this happened. Other guests are waved through while we were interrogated.

Ericka also fixated on a skincare bottle (previously permitted), treating us like threats instead of ticketed guests.

Even worse, we were told in writing that disabled patrons must proactively locate staff to explain their needs. That’s not accessibility—that’s institutional retaliation for asserting our rights.

Ericka then mocked us, sarcastically asking if we needed disabled seating, despite us clearly stating that our disabilities are not mobility-related. Her behavior wasn’t just unprofessional. It was dehumanizing.

Eventually, a paramedic confirmed the glucose tablets were medically appropriate, and a higher-level staff member overruled the escalation. But by then, the harm was done.

This was not a misunderstanding. This was the second time this venue failed to uphold even basic dignity—after already admitting fault.

And I stood there, watching my partner—who never asked for this disease—be shamed and policed for carrying what he needs to survive.

Disability retaliation isn’t just unethical. It’s illegal. Two shows. Two escalations. And two reminders that this venue does not treat disabled guests as fully human.

It’s sad that two great sets and a beautiful venue were overshadowed by these incidents.

Ask yourself: How would you feel if your child were told they could only bring a limited amount of life-saving medicine? Because that’s exactly what...

First thing first, overselling tickets is getting out of control. During popular shows, the venue is just way too crowded to do anything. It used to be just fine.

Some ID check staff seems to enjoy giving people hard times (NOT all of them). I respect Brooklyn Mirage for being very strict on fake IDs, but there were two times I got checked and rudely treated because I had a valid visa on an expired passport, which by their policy, is actually good to go.

I lost my passport earlier this year, and while I was waiting for my new passport, I had to use my expired passport. Luckily, I found a US visa that’s still valid on it and I was using the valid visa to fly domestically and attend events.

I know it’s tricky from the staff perspective looking at an expired passport. I also acknowledge that even if I can get on a plane with this valid visa, it doesn’t automatically mean that I can get in Mirage with this too, so I totally understand their first reaction might be a NO. However, they could put it more nicely instead of yelling at me saying I have to leave, IMMEDIATELY, like I’m some kind of criminal.

I had this experience twice this year, and both times I had to talk to the supervisor of the day. Interestingly, both supervisors told me without a second thought that a valid visa is good, and they eventually let me in. Thank you supervisor Christian and Winston. You guys are the best.

By the way, before I entered, I double checked with them if they were just giving me an exception entry, but they told me firmly that a valid visa on an expired passport has no problem at all.

I’m not usually a complaining person and given my expired passport situation, I’m not even mad if they don’t let me in. I just wish I could be treated more respectfully. If staff aren’t sure about certain things, they can ask me nicely to talk to the supervisor and I will happily do so. Instead, they spoke to me with a super cold and even somewhat angry face. “Leave, now. Go get something else”. Right before I could explain anything, I was literally forced to leave the checkpoint. Man, I have been to countless venues but this attitude is like no others.

That being said, the only two supervisors that I met are very nice and reasonable people. They listened to my situation very patiently. I only have love for them. Big shout out.

Again, I don’t want to complain too much here because I suppose staff training might not cover rare cases like mine and people do make mistakes, but I think it’s a bottom line that customers are treated more like people, not animals. Just a reminder, we each pay $100+ ticket every night to give you guys jobs. I even had a vip season pass last year to support the venue. Much as I love Brooklyn Mirage, I just don’t quite understand the power tripping situation here at the ID check.

Complaints aside, I have to say this venue still holds quite a special place in my heart with good memories. The screen is fire even by today’s standards. The lineups turn weekends into festivals. I have enjoyed some of my favorite shows here. I wish it gets better everyday.

And I’ll keep bringing my...