Riverside Municipal Auditorium

I went here in December of 2023. They have definitely upgraded it since the last time I was there. The people working the event did their jobs and were friendly. They were there to help and answer any questions that people did have. Not my favorite venue to go to but if it was someone that I really wanted to see I would go. The only issue I really had is the parking situation. Downtown Riverside parking really is horrible especially during the holiday season due to the Festival of Lights.But I got to see a group that I have wanted to see since high school. Aqua.

The RMA! Seen quite a few acts here over the years have yet to review it. This is a tricky one. Like any music venue, how good of time you have isn't dependent on the artist you went to see. One of the other big factors is the crowd. Located down the street from the Mission Inn, the RMA is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a gorgeous building inside and out. There's ample FREE parking after 5pm which is definitely a plus. Security moves fast when the doors open thanks to metal detection tech they have. Check the list of prohibited items before you go to save yourself a headache. RMA capacity is 1400 but even when they sell out there's room to breathe. There's also seats if you get tired of standing. First come first serve though. Oh. The crowd? Definitely hit or miss. They sell those massively large cups of beer here so I've seen over serving going on. I've broken up a couple fights due to alcohol and/or folks taking others enjoyment the wrong way lol. Security will respond and 86 folks as needed though. A good crowd you'll have a great time. A drunk crowd...well just watch out. Sound though, always excellent.There's a lot to like about the RMA. Free parking on the streets after a certain hour or the nearby strip where Heroes is. Gorgeous venue, easy entry and great sound. The hit or miss crowd can suck the enjoyment out of the room depending on how much alcohol they drink but I guess that's a lot of places. That said, recommended!

I've walked by this venue a tons of times while visiting my now wife back in her UCR days as well as when visiting some IE friends. I've always thought it was a great looking building having no idea that it was actually a really well known concert venue. And I was happy to see the great outward aesthetic continued on the inside.The GA area of the venue is massive. At least compared to most of the venues I go to in Los Angeles. And the balcony is super wide so there are plenty of options for those of us that prefer to sit down. I also appreciated (at least at my show) that those of us in the balcony understood that maybe we didn't want to stand the whole show. My knees appreciated that. And even that far back in the venue, the sound was great. The views were also perfect. I didn't have to worry about anyone taller than me blocking my view or constantly being tossed around by other concert goers doing what they just sometimes do. All in all it was just a great concert going experience.Staff was also very friendly and helpful. From the security checkpoint all through to the end of the show, whenever I had to interact with them they were pleasant and happy to help. In all, the venue was a great experience. It's a far drive for me in Los Angeles, but I could definitely see myself making this a special event venue in the future.

Came here last weekend for The Used concert, With Dead American and another opener, missed their name. (Apologies to the band)The Used are good, was not familiar with Dead American, but the show was cool and the venue was really cool. The Riverside Municipal Auditorium looks like an old Mission or Church from back in the day. Mission style Architecture and just some real old world charm. They have a cool outdoor patio area for Drinks and hanging out before the show as well as a General Admission floor and Balcony area. The venue all around is very cool and I am glad to see these kinds of places still rockin it today. The place is pretty small, they pack it in though, but I like the smaller venues where there aren't 10's of thousands of people. Easy to get to from LA (although a drive) but better than LA traffic too. Got into the show fast and out even faster.There are tons of parking options very close to the venue and you can find free parking as well, just be careful with the street signs.While you are there, check out old town Riverside or downtown Riverside, a bunch or cool things to look at and do in the area. One recommendation is to check out Tio's Taco's, grab some food and then walk through and look at all the art, amazing what he did with essentially trash.I would recommend the Riverside Municipal Auditorium for a show and just in general, looking forward to another show there soon.Enjoy!

The food definitely can be worked on. and the A/C needs to be looked into. The sound system is not the greatest, but totally fine. There isn't a bad seat in the house. The building is gorgeous.

I'm here at the nekrogoblikon and dethklock show. I've never been here till now and how amazing this venue is and their employees! First place that hasn't made me feel unwelcomed. I would definitely come back here in a heart beat!Thank you for making this colorblind Individual feel welcomed!

I'll be honest. I have never heard of this place and live a good hour away from Riverside, but it was the only show Amon Amarth were playing in California as a headliner before leaving the US. So, me and my son went to catch some viking rock. At least for this show, they offered general admission standing floor and balcony seats. I'm getting old, so we got seats.It's a small auditorium, so the balcony seats were still great. I don't know what the drink prices are like because I didn't feel great and was driving so far home I didn't want to drink at all (a first for a concert). Surprisingly, there are not only tons of cheap little lots around, but tons of street parking. I parked right across the street in a spot that was a loading zone for a couple hours on a weekday. I couldn't believe my luck. We got on what seemed like a short line only to learn that was a VIP entrance and cost an extra $40 per person if you wanted to enter. Lame! Of course the end of the one regular line started right by this VIP entrance and then took forever to wind all the way around the block again. Of course the venue had workers soliciting people to pay the extra money to not wait on line. We finally got in, and then we had to go down to the basement for merch which was like two large flights of stairs. The one merch line was as long as the line to get in, so that also took forever. We almost gave up. Finally with our shirts, we headed back up what seemed like three or four flights to get to the balcony entrance. The opening band had already started, and we got there wicked early. So, if you are going leave a good amount of time to get in, get merch, and get any drinks you want. They have ushers but the woman ended up seating us in the wrong seats. So eventually, we had to move. They also had completely broken seats in the balcony. One couple in front of us sat down and the guy hit the floor. The seat was completely disconnected. I don't know where they sat him in the sold out venue. Sound was good. The audience was good. And all the seats are good. The bad? Besides the lines for everything is there was like seriously no air conditioning. My son was uncomfortable the entire time. I, myself, felt hot and dizzy a lot of the time from how stuffy and steamy this metal show had gotten with all the moshing below and a sold out crowd. Anyway, not a bad space to see a show. Hope your seat isn't broken and arrive early. I doubt I'll be back, as it seemed like I was driving back home from a halfway point between Los Angeles and San Diego. With no traffic it was still over an hour home late at night. Plus, I'm sure anyone who does play here also generally plays somewhere closer to me. But, if you are local and go, just know it will be hot and get there significantly early to deal with the line waits.

Okay absolutely loved this venue wasn't sure cause it's Riverside but omg it's so clean and literally everyone from door to wristband and bar were so helpful the outside courtyard is awesome. The sound was really great too

This is a really nice venue. Beautiful building and lay out. I love the GA layout on the main floor. There is an open area in front of the stage for people who want to try and be up front, and those who want to dance or pit. Further back is open seating, so if you just want to sit back and relax you can do that too. Lines for everything are LONG so plan your night accordingly. This place could really use a couple more restrooms.

Went to a show on 10/16/24. The food sucks. Cold pretzels in a case that reads "Hot Pretzels." Popcorn that was probably made 8 hours before the show. A female bartender that was seriously unhappy and as slow as molasses. The sound system is loud but muddled. My first Radio Shack stereo was as loud and much clearer. However the barback Donny was awesome! He was moving twice as fast as the bartenders and willing to answer questions for customers. He was keeping up with both bartenders needs and wanted to do a good job. Hey managers, you need to take care of this kid. The place is owned by the City of Riverside but operated by Live Nation. They can and should do better.