The staff at this venue is absolutely top notch. The night before the concert that we drove several hours to see, there were intense storms that blew out the glass of the main door and blew the roof off of the building across the street. Most venues would have closed due to the damage. The Forge and their amazing staff overcame the difficulties posed, and went on with the concert. They used their side door instead of the front, and managed to keep everyone safe through the security check and everything all through the side door. Amazing to see how well they kept everything running smoothly.This is one of those clubs where the magic happens and raw, live music is created with pure talent and energy. The acoustics were really great. The stage is elevated so you can see the performers from every angle.A.D.A. accomodations are to the side of the stage and can be set up/ assisted by asking the employees or security as you come in.
The Forge is an excellent music venue. Last night I saw three female tribute bands for a low price. Sabbatha, Paradise Kitty, and Iron Maidens. The large amount of room on the first floor, great acoustics, and fantastic views offered at every part of balcony make this a place that I will return to in the future.
The bands were great. The sound engineer messed up the set HARD. Bass drowned out every other instrument. When I cant hear the drums, you have bass turned too high. I also bought 3 of the same beer, but I was charged $9, $10, and $11 for the same beer by different bartenders.
It was just okay! My friend and I decided to go just to have a night out. The cost was $18 for general admission. The show is not quite what we were expecting. We thought there would be guys dancing and sort of stripping which did happen but it was mostly women paying to get on stage individual lap dance time with the men. Although, this was fun to watch it got overwhelming after the first group of women. The whole pretend to be doctor skit was a negative for us. Overall, a money making performance even for those who paid for an upgrade in a ticket. The water bottle at the bar was $4 and not sure the cost of drinks we did not drink. Overall, the guys seemed into it and it was a good time. I think we probably would not go back but again a fun time for a birthday, bachelorette party or just a girls night out. Tip get there early the line was very long when we arrived and 40 mins early.
Really neat music venue, there is more space than I expected actually. The bar is pretty accessible even when packed. My only complaint was the bathrooms. I basically had to maneuver around the toilet cause the doors are so squished against them. There isnt much room. It does make getting in and out fast a priority though 😂 we had some food and it was really good, not bad priced. The acoustics were awesome and the place really rocks with the music. There is a parking garage a block up that isnt awfully priced. Otherwise the parking is a little rough. Overall this was a really neat venue. One of the better small ones Ive been too!
Came here for a show. Parking is tricky but free after 9pm. Drinks are incredibly strong. I got a Long Island and the bartender left almost no room for the Coke so I got a lot of alcohol in that but I also paid around 10 dollars for it. It is pretty small place so it gets crowded pretty fast. Staff and security is super nice though. There are also balconies inside. The restrooms were very dirty and there was water everywhere.
I had brought my two teenage daughters here for my 15 year Olds birthday too watch to watch Micro wrestling and was not let down at all! The staff kept everything running smoothly and safe! The crowd was also very fun and chill all and all excellent experience!
I’ve been to this venue a few times. There is a parking garage that’s nearby. It used to be free but the last time they charged a small fee. The venue itself is not as big as the Chicago ones, however I prefer this venue. You can get pretty close to the stage. It’s small enough where you can get a decent view from any spot in the room. The sound quality is good. Staff was very pleasant. They do have some restaurants that are walking distance.
I give this place a 1 because the stage is so small and the standing area . I also had VIP with early entry & meet and greet and the security told me I had to stand in line with the general admission. I paid 254 dollars just to stand in a general admission line and wasn’t granted early entry like it stated ! That wasn’t right . I will never go back here . The people was pushing each other to the point I couldn’t really breath and I have asthma . I wish security stepped in more for that . But Please I hope artist tries to keep shows in Chicago and not surrounding cities. They don’t know how anything is done here .
Visited the Forge for the first time to attend the Nile/Incantation tour in Feb 22. Really enjoyed the venue. The process of getting in was easy and streamlined. Felt good about the level of security at the venue throughout the show, and the sound was excellent. Would definitely go back in the future. Theres a nearby parking structure that allows for very inexpensive parking during the show as well (not owned by the Forge).
Not to bad of a venue. Its a mostly standing venue with a 2nd level balcony. Main area is large and open. Stage is a bit small so artists really have to plan out what to use there so it may not be an amazing backdrop to the artist and their setIf you are at the ba REMEMBER THIS you need to get the bartenders attention they are busy with many other patrons as well. Its a tad pricey for drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic.As with any venue they do sometimes run behind opening doors or show starting on time due to things not in the venues control but due to the artist and tech setting up and making sure all equipment is functioning for the show.
My review is a little biased due to age, performer and crowd. One of the only venues I havent made it to in Illinois, my ticket this time featured Afroman. 20 years ago, probably one hell of a good time. Last weekend, of the 500+ live events Ive attended over the years, it will rank in the top 10, of the worst shows Ive ever seen. For some, the first 3 1/2 hours of warmup acts seemed to please a portion of the diverse crowd. I understand the main attraction at smaller venues can be fashionably late but this cat didnt even pull up to the Forge until almost 11pm. He was billed as appx 930pm act. Could have been worse but the crowd definitely got more than restless. I know hes only got a handful of tracks still relatable 24 years after his rise to fame, but aside from bringing up 2 separate individuals to assist on 2 oddball songs he performed for maybe an hour. Afroman was everything I expected, just fantastic to see my younger days come alive on stage. Unless it was all pre-recorded, that man has a flawless voice. But with lots of filler (playing some rhythm guitar and some chatter for the crowd) it was felt throughout the venue as by the time he started wrapping up, with maybe 30 minutes left, I turned around to see the place nearly empty. Lets finish this by saying we were not allowed to even attempt to puff puff pass at the Forge for a performer that is only known for his cannabis fueled lyrics and lifestyle, these less than apt security individuals made it clear they would toss those that sparked up in their head out on Cass Ave. Rules are rules but come on people...
This was my first time at the Forge and had come for Tokischas show. Pretty small venue so I was able to get pretty close to the stage. Security at the beginning were thorough, which game me a sense of safety. What I have a problem with is the lack of enforcement of their venue policies. Their website states there is no photography or video allowed. I asked a security and they said a photo pass needed to be purchases but phones were allowed. I asked because I had a digital camera I wanted to use. There were at least 3 people at the front of the state thay had pretty bulky cameras thay would block the view point of the people behind. There were also 2 people (one with a large camera) sitting on the railing dividing GA and VIP and there was no security to make them get down. Was super annoying as we had all paid to see Tokischa, not some random peoples backs. NO AIR CONDITIONING, so it was pretty miserable for the 5 hours we were there for.
I saw Jelly Roll and Struggle Jennings perform here and I must say that it was one of the best performances Ive seen. The venue was perfect in size and the staff that were on the floor and behind the bar kept the patrons happy and the lines moving extremely well. I saw a well put together team of employees that are attentive and most accommodating. I work in the hospitality industry so these are things that keep me a lifelong customer.
Love the bands! We go to the forge about 3 or 4 times a year. ON THAT NOTE.3 stars because their security Is slacking. If you pay the extra money to sit up stairs you shouldnt have to worry about free loaders trying to steal your spot the very minute you get up or stand right by you.. The forge needs to block the upstairs off for the customers who pay extra for the better seats. Extremely aggravating.Also beer is 16oz can and they charge 11$ per beer. Like your at the football game or something. The smoking section could be bigger for sure if your a smoker.Other than that its decent.
Smaller than I expected on the main floor, but was pretty good size place with some second level seating available. Good venue, fun for an all ages show.
Security at the Mammoth WVH concert was right on top of things at this sold-out show! People were sitting in the VIP seating area, leaving those who paid a good price, with no seats. Security cleared everyone out quickly and respectfully. Great show and even better security! We had a blast!
Next to Eternity was fantastic! This venue was perfect for a live show. Drinks were a little pricey. I had a Malibu and pineapple which cost me $8.50 for a small cup with lots of ice. They dont make frozen blended drinks, I really wanted a frozen strawberry margarita. We had a soft pretzel, loaded cheese fries and chicken wings. The food was pretty good considering it was bar food! The wait staff was on point, and the bar tenders were super friendly. The sound inside was great! I would definitely come back to this venue again.
We had an awesome time at the forge for the Powerman 5000 concert. Everything from the staff including Taylor (bartender) and Peter who is the general manager along with the staff did a fantastic job. We experienced the best possible service you can possibly get at a small venue concert hosting a metal show. I will for sure be back.Kevin
Why do you have a phone if you don’t answer calls ? I’ve been calling for weeks. My tickets were refunded but the show is still being promoted and yall refuse to answer the phone whether it’s 10 AM or 10 PM. Customer service -10000/10
Smaller venue which means no bad spot to be! We had balcony seating and were right above the performer!Drinks were typical price for a small concert, but the bartender we had was incompetent! Told me she didnt have the alcohol I wanted, I had to point out the 2 bottles of it on the shelf. Then brought my drink that was supposed to have diet coke in it, and my drink was clear colored..... when I questioned it she told me it was diet! Ummmm no! She did remake my drink but I cant fathom how she thought I would be ok with carbonated water instead of diet soda and acted like I didnt know what i was talking about!
Best place to catch some great bands. Ive been to many venues, bigger and smaller, 100+ concerts. The Forge is my favorite place to see a show.
I drove 2 hours to get here for two shows last year and already have tickets for two more this year. Clean, updated place, great sound, nice bars and bathrooms. It sucks that the building layout has the pillars on the floor and on the stage but the bands make it work. I love the small intimate venues like this.
I brought my son there for the card show and trading day. He was amazed with how much pokemon cards there were. Its always enjoyable to spend time with your children.
1. Website said no smoking of any kind is allowed but lots of people were smoking and vaping inside.2. They wouldnt give me tap water and said theyre only allowed to give water by selling the $4 bottles. The bartender said theyd get in trouble for giving tap water. Not their fault, that is the fault of their boss. That is ridiculous and dangerous for any event, especially one that serves alcohol as its main commodity.3. The drink choices were slim and unvaried.4. The one drink I did get was $12 and 90% juice with little alcohol.5. Lots of staff didnt seem to know what was going on or what the rules were. Very disorganized.6. Strangely small with a bad layout.Worst venue I have ever been to.
Decent venue for concerts. It’s CASH ONLY so bring your money ahead of time otherwise you can pay the ATM fees if you use their ATM.I didn’t try the food but it looked decent.I’d go here again. I’m from Minneapolis, MN and drove here to see the Dead Daisies. Killer show & amazing band. Overall I had a good experience here. Give it a try.
First time there and I was grossed out and just disappointed. Very unorganized. They announced that the first 150 people get to wait in this bar area which I think they mopped the floor with mountain dew. My shoes were stuck to the ground to the point I pulled my foot out of my shoe! Then the bathrooms were filthy, no tp and just dirty. Im guessing they didnt clean up from Friday nights show.They shoved us all in the room after we waited in line for hours outside so then there was no line inside, just a mess of people. Really screwed over the people that got there super early to be able to get up front of the stage.They had a merchandise table set up that was definitely in the way of anyone trying to get to the bathroom or the bar from that side of the room. People were so rude and mean as I tried to make my way to the bathroom and back to where my bf was... just overall disappointed.Security staff and bartenders were really nice! That was a plus. Would have spend more money on drinks if I could access the bar...
Was smaller inside than I thought it would be, but the layout was very simple and we packed in like sardines. Lots of nearby parking for reasonable prices. There is like a shelf around some of the pillars on the floor, so it was a great spot to set drinks or brace for when the pit opens up next to you. I had such an enjoyable time and it was more stress free than some of the large venues. I will definitely be looking for more shows at this location.
Great venue and great people. I saw ILL NINO on 6/28/24 and they were amazing as always. Only a block from Harrahs casino. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Awesome bands, Mammoth and Nita rocked the house. Its not my favorite venue very hard to see bands if you dont have vip seats
Great place to see a show. We spent extra to sit in reserved seats upstairs, Section F. Pretty good sound, sightlines were excellent. Stools to sit on and a place to put a drink or food. Restrooms were clean and easy to get to. The bar drink selection was a bit limited, but the lines werent long. Contrary to other reviews, the bar did take credit cards. Well be back!!
What can I say? Its a good place to see bands up and close. Ive been there multiple times and it never disappoints.
This venue is terrible and disorganized. It’s also misleading because it advertised that the first 150 people get in at 5pm so we went early, thinking it would be worth the wait, we were so wrong! It turned out to be pointless and a waste of time! This is what happens if you go early: wait outside for about 40 minutes, open doors around 5:20, go through security, walk up some steep stairs, and go into a holding area with horrible sticky floor (that literally your shoes stick to the floor the entire time). In this holding area, everyone forms another line and just waits until 7pm when finally security lets you go in to the venue. Yes, technically you get to go in the building early, but not in early to the venue so we felt misled and annoyed. You are better off just arriving right before the doors open.
Ive been to this venue close to ten times now and am definitely a fan. While there isnt a parking structure or lot attach d to the building, there is one on the adjacent block, and its cheap too, usually about $3 or sometimes free (depending on what time youre there). This place has great accoustics and most of the bands Ive seen there sound really good. They do support phone scanning of tickets, even though the email that you will receive says that you must print them.
A very tiny venue, but I was actually impressed by the fact that after someone had thrown up in the middle of the floor, the cleaning crew moved the crowd out of the way well enough to get it fully cleaned it up. We were then able to enjoy the rest of the concert without issue. Props to the kid who had to clean it up with a mop, paper towels, & his bare hands. The only big problem that took away a star is that there isnt enough air circulation, so even when it was chilly outside it was boiling hot inside. I would recommend that they get better or bigger ceiling fans, and/or add additional fans to the walls on the sides in order to help get some of that air moving around better.
There for the sold-out Mammoth WVH/Nita Strauss show. First, pay attention to the FB page! The Forge put out that they were letting the first 150 ticket holders in at 5pm (for a 7pm doors show) into their Icon lounge. The Icon entrance they used was on N. Chicago St, around the corner from the main entrance. We walked over after we had dinner across the street around 5:30p and there were maybe 50 people in the lounge. The lounge is just a room with a bar, nothing special. Beers are $10, so a bit pricey, for sure. Since we were in the lounge, they let us into the venue about 10 minutes early. The Icon connects to the second floor balcony of the Forge. We could have grabbed stools at the balcony, but decided to hit the main floor. We ended up about 2-3 rows back. VIP ticket holders were let in 15 minutes early, so they were all up front. Venue is small, so no worries about being close. There are some obstructed sight lines from the balcony for speaker columns. And there is are columns on the stage that can block part of the stage. I dont think this is generally a big issue, but Nita Strausss keyboard player was on the opposite side of the column, so we could not see her at all. Stage is high, so thats great. We didnt try to get any drinks, but its doable, though your wading through the crowd. Got warm in there too. Sound was okay. Nitas sound wasnt as clear as it should have been (hard to hear her soloing), but Mammoth was a bit better. All-in-all, a nice, small place to see a show.
Its a small but quality setting for a concert, the crowd was diverse the bar had all the necessary drinks. Police and security made their presence known so anything were to happen I believe it would be swiftly defused
As of Rap performers, I would NOT attend this place for it. Had 2 rap shows here and both of them were rescheduled due to whatever reasons. Not professional at all. Was supposed to see The Diplomats Feb. 24 was rescheduled for April. Now fighting with Ticketweb for a refund. DO NOT ATTEND rap concerts here.
Great prices for the tickets. Nice bar but, a Lil expensive. ZACK was awesome , the whole show was the best I have seen In a long time. Will be back.
Great venue. Small enough to be intimate but large enough to hold really great sound!!! First time I was ever here and I was really impressed.
Good, intimate venue for Machine Heads sold out final tour. Parking facility one block away had plenty of free parking. Juliets across the street had fantastic pre-show bar food (we had the sausage and peppers and bacon-wrapped dates 😉) The Forge Baristas were very responsive and cycled throughout the evening. Security had a strong presence as well. Upstairs, there is available bench seating around the perimeter and stools at the balcony which made watching the concert more enjoyable for many who viewed from above. All in all, a good place to host a metal show.
Great experience, fast process to get into the venue, fast bar service, also had enough bathrooms for a large crowd which is important.
I took all 3 of my daughters here at The Forge recently to see Saint Asonia. It was my first time here and I really had a good time. Drinks are easy to get and its nice to get up close to the band. Would highly recommend going!
Went and saw afroman...well didnt see him, just saw about 20 opening bands. After 5 hrs he still didnt take the stage, so I left. About 20 other people left too. Very disappointed.
Great live venue 👌 staff is always friendly and welcoming the sound is great 👍
Awesome venue. A good experience every time Ive been. Ignore the babies crying about the space. Yes, it is tight when its a big artist. But, that adds to the fun. If you cant handle being close or being by people moving, dont go to a rock/metal show.
Pretty cool venue.You have two floors and for the most part the upper floor can see the whole stage below. This also creates a real personal experience for anyone going to see a concert cus youll be right up near the artist anywhere you are seating.Prices are well bar prices. So bring some extra cashThey had clean bathrooms and food available.
I wonder if bands no how much money their losing by playing this venue. Their was an issue with the server, the owner was notified and did nothing about it.
Ive been coming here for years. Its been under a few different owners, but now theyve really hit their stride. I saw 4 extremely talented local bands last night and Im grateful that places like the forge keep local music alive!
Great little concert place perfect size where there is still a good size croud but not too claustrophobic. Saw Mushroomhead and the stage was perfect and you could see all of the performance perfectly from just about anywhere in the building. I would definitely recommend seeing a show here if they have one that youre interested in. The neighborhood is also pretty safe and not too sketchy. Tho most of the parking near the venue is quarter meter parking
Niiice Venue, and a great space for a party or concert. Great acoustics too!I like it!!!!
Ive been going here for so many years. All of the Staff are helpful, friendly, and ensure events are safe. They have food, drinks, and live entertainment and Ive never had a bad experience here. The sound quality is pretty good I think the gain could be raised a bit more.We brought our youngest son here for his first concert to see Saliva a few years back and he was invited on stage for click click boom and sang along. The band gave him some merch and made his first concert one to always remember.
They’re expensive like $11 for a pint of coors light and they have this one guy bartender with an attitude problem so recommend you pregame
The set up was decent, as we were participating in the Star Wars Day (Joliet), however, I was disappointed not only to wait for a period of time (enough time for me to sit, watch another family sit and order, and walk back out to find my husband), before being acknowledged. It was a nice set up, for the cost and food to take advantage of the crowds in town. I am sitting here after my husband left 5 min ago, writing this review, without a ticket to pay, or a drink refill offered. The music is decent, though.
I’ve never paid $10 for a tiny beer in my life. They severely allowed it to be overbooked so that half the people who bought tickets couldn’t see a thing. They had no video screens or differing levels of elevation to help with this.
Nice little venue, good food, parking easy... getting a 3 star review because I paid 75 extra per ticket to sit up top(2 purchased) and theyre not doing security and allowing ANYONE to come sit up here as they please. Completely ridiculous and feel like they conned me out of an extra 150... wouldnt really recommend this to anyone venue. Artists playing were great... Overtime and CRUCIFIX tour, will also let the artists know about it too considering I have VIP.
Awesome place. Great entertainmentDrinks are somewhat pricey. Otherwise a great place for a concert.
Loved this venue through its many incarnations. Since it’s been the Forge, they’ve scored some decently big names for a venue this size. I’ve so far seen Lacuna Coil, Geoff Tate’s Operation Mindcrime, Corrosion of Conformity, Black Label Society, Death Angel, Testament, and Exodus. It’s pretty cool seeing big names in a small, club-like setting.
The best experience for a sound and up close concert experience.....fro. every angle. Never a bad spot to view, not a bad place to hear...the acoustic sounds are beautiful and the experience was awesome
Great atmosphere just plain awesome, if you like live music you should make sure you go here!!!🤟
Parking was easy, will call window easy, getting super expensive drinks difficult. Human sardine experience for sure, but the sound quality here is pretty frickin good. Navigating to the bathrooms sucked especially after the bush light drinker chucked ALL over the 1st stall, smelled up the whole place. Staff was on it right away. 5 stars for the security and house staff that has to deal with that. 5 stars for the beer cart girl that we hung out with all night. Well be back 🤘🤘
Who cancels a show one hour before?? I feel like this venue knew Pleasure P and Jay Holiday canceled weeks ago. This is unacceptable.
It was a fun venue. The only thing is the small stage for the EDM event we went to upstairs does not have a coat check so just keep that in mind, it also gets VERY hot up there so dress light or in layers you can easily carry. Bathrooms are single stall so plan ahead for that. The bartender was alone so it took a bit for the drink order. Overall a decent venue could improve here and there.
This place absolutely oversold the recent Exodus show. It was shoulder to shoulder with NO room to move. Completely unacceptable and a safety hazard to say the least. While the enjoyment of the show suffered greatly, I’m thankful there wasn’t a fire. Wouldn’t be surprised if half the audience got severely injured. The City of Joliet needs to investigate. This is NOT the first time this owner has oversold shows by a dangerous amount.
Very cool venue! We saw Night Songs & Night Snake (80s cover bands). The bands were great, and really hyped up the crowd. The venue is neat it has a ground floor with open area and tables... It also has vip seating upstairs. The bar was stocked with essentials and had food. We didnt eat but the options were nice for the venue. There are a bunch of columns on the ground floor that can be in the way depending on where you stand... But the key is to make your way around them. I would go back to this venue again.
We have been to this venue numerous times for shows. Always a great experience. Went to see Struggle Jennings last night. Near middle of his show there was a DJ playing in upstairs vip area. DJ sound was louder than Struggle! Reserved seating upstairs also needs to be marked better to avoid issues. Every time someone else is sitting in our paid seats. Still had a great time& always look forward to future shows!
This place is owned by the most incompetent people to own a small venue. How hard is it to not oversell the venue. Maybe once they get somebody killed as a result of going over capacity, theyll learn their lesson. But I doubt it.
Advertising for specialty drinks for the spirits with the spirits event was false. No haunted house. No muddled blueberry drink. No graham cracker crust for the other specialty drink. It seems every advertised item was not there. Simple horrible bait and switch tactic to increase foot traffic in their space which only pisses customers off!
Its a small venue, and I love that. Theres a small section to go out and have a cig break. Sound is ok it is actually not bad. Ive been to other places where the sound just tra el well all the way to the bar.Tip your bar tenders. 🤘
The Forge was great, Misfire was an amazing experience to see. Shout out to Dan Stapinski for the invite.
The venue itself is really nice if your just down to party and go to a concert but I wouldnt recommend the drinks. Super expensive and I probably had one of the worst vodka tonics ever here twice. BUT we always enjoy the drive here and the show.
Place is way too small. They definitely oversold tickets. I felt like a sardine being shoulder to shoulder with no place to move. Places like this have occupancy limits for a reason. God forbid if there was an emergency.
Decent place, smaller than I imagined, everyone was super nice,served drinks( lil on the expensive side and food.+ I truly had an unforgettable experience All the bands were pretty good, but the headline Tommy Vext was absolutely out of this world and so inspirational. It was a pleasure watching him perform, listening to his stories throughout life and things hes going through atm. It was definitely an honor meeting him and getting a picture with him. Tommy Thank you! Thank you Forge as well;)
Last night was the Chaos and Carnage show. Drove 7 hours looking forward to the bands. This venue is horrible. They packed way to many people in there. Couldn’t walk to the bar or merchandise tables. This place is so unorganized. The upstairs only the people who paid for the chairs against the rails were the only ones who could see the stage, because the railing is solid and sits too high. Worst venue I’ve ever been to.
Always good shows coming through, their facebook is well updated & security crew upon entry is efficient & considerate (no pat-downs on females). bathrooms seem to always be clean. i never eat/drink here; but im here for the music, not the concessions.
We went to see Bang Yongguk in concert at The Forge this past week and the venue was so cool! Not super large but cozy and with lots of cool lighting effects. It was also easy to find and there was cheap parking available within easy walking distance.
Over sold the event. Having 1000 people standing on top of each other for hours and cant see the show is not ideal
We saw Blacktop Mojo here. The place is basically a large bar but open and spacious. We were able to get very close to the stage. Within walking distance to the casino.
Great place for a show! Friendly staff, good acoustics, even really decent bar food. The perfect size for enough of a crowd to get loud but not down in the sea of humanity. The only thing marring the experience was that the security person in the balcony was extremely overbearing and honestly came off as almost harassing patrons by constantly checking wristbands and hovering around. Not sure what was up with it but it was off putting enough that its worth a mention. Otherwise it was a fantastic experience all around.
Very cool place! Upstairs bartenders werent all that friendly or quick though, however, would definitely go back just for the simple fact it has a great layout to see a concert.
I’ve been performing at the Forge for over 3 years now and I’ve never had such amazing service until I met Paige. She was extremely courteous and professional! Good Work!
Love this place. ACAL rocked it! This was my childrens first concert, and everybody was so kind and protective. Even when the concert was over it was an easy exit to the car. Drinks are pretty pricey but thats what you get for convenience.
Amazing structure on the inside. Looks way bigger inside than she does outside. Hope to visit again soon tbh. Shout out to Teresa!
I don’t know who is running the Sunday local artist shows, but they are losing the venue money. They continually make artists perform before their scheduled time slot and cut acts short. I bought tickets to see “Michael the Author” on schedule to go at 8:30 for a 30 minute set. They had him perform at 6:55 because that’s what the manager said, and then they cut his act in half saying the next group had to go. Fans were still on their way and several missed the show. The person running the Sunday show is lying to everyone and just collecting ticket sales and missing out on bar sales and repeat, happy customers. If you are a new artist, perform somewhere else, you will not have a good experience here. The backstage was not accessible, no sound checks aloud or mic checks, no practice run available to artists. The artists are treated the worst and the fans arent given a second thought. There are no breaks between songs, they play them one after another and even cut the instrumentals out to shorten the time. They made the artist sing over their own track. They would not budge on the music or the times despite having fans on the way. They wanted to close early and get out of there, might as well as not schedule a show. This venue could be so good with great shows and good turnout on what would typically be a slow day, and instead due to mismanagement they are losing money. If they only wanted 2 songs played they shouldve informed the performers from the start and told them accurate start times. The security guards and the bartenders were very helpful and efficient at their jobs, just the manager ruining what should’ve been an awesome night and turning it into a horrible one. I guess they only care about the big name metal bands and couldn’t care less about local artists from what I saw and experienced on Sunday. Local artists might as well as “Forget the Forge” because they will forget you.
Nice place for concert. place is disgusting though. the floors are sticky before the concert started. ens bathroom realy bad. but they dont care about sanitation be abuse its all about the buck.
Love catching shows here - because of the small venue size you get to be more intimate with the artists. Staff is always pleasant and helpful when I go, food and drinks are pretty good too considering the price point. Definitely a dope venue to vibe at!
Great place to see Bands its open and has a second floor and the sound is great inside
The venue has 4 pillars in the middle of the floor to block a lot of views. It was way too crowded and exits were not clearly marked, didn’t really feel safe. Floors were sticky. Sound wasn’t great. Parking was close and affordable, prob the only good thing to say about it.
The Forge is the premier venue for this area. Staff is amazing, especially Theresa, Eric and Mike. Love coming here for shows!!! D is the best bartender ever! If youre going to a metal show around this area, this is the place!
The columns block some of the sightlines, but a decent club other than that.
I was there for the Mayhem and Midnight show last week. I live in Madison, WI, so this was my first time at the venue. Great show and great venue. I actually met the owner and he was a really nice dude. If I lived closer I would be visiting this place weekly.
Best venue to play at ever, always looking forward to playing shows there!! Friendly staff, amazing treatment, and all around memorable times forever.Adam- Drummer of Careless Sanctions
We went to see PRIMAL MOON play. The show was awesome.
Was their February 18,2023 for the Lunay concert and I dropped my cell phone inside I tried asking the security to let me search but I got kicked out cause once I leave the venue I cant get in without ticket but how when my cell phone is lost in their ? So security wouldnt let me get in nor speak to a manager and totally disrespected the female I attended the venue with because she said they going to find it and keep it cause their in need of money he replied you lucky your a female I would of put my hands on you like a man. Ive tried calling the number since Sunday afternoon till now and no one answers my find my device is pinned inside the venue but now 24hrs device is out of battery and still pinned inside
An amazing place and the security staff honestly the nicest and sweetest people ever especially the lady at the door last night she was amazing i believe her name was laurel(sry if i spelled that wrong) and honestly the whole atmosphere was just amazing i had bought tickets to see citizen soilder and was honestly a great venue to get to see one of my favorite bands.
My favorite venue. Gage and the security team were very nice and wished us a safe ride home While we were leaving a friends set in the Icon lounge. Thank you guys for the hospitality always!! 🫶🏼
Review based strictly upon the venue itself; the food and drink is a bit pricey, but it could have been due to the fact the facility was hosting a concert. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere that The Forge provided when I saw Marianas Trench last night.The sound is crisp and heavy with bass without breaking your head (props to the sound crew!) with lighting that varies greatly and is cleanly and precisely executed (props to the lighting crew!). The space is intimate with a general area in front of the stage including a balcony area that offers those that prefer sitting to standing.The bathrooms (at least for the Mens lavatory) are perfectly spacious as well as clean! There is a bar both up and downstairs that offer meals and appetizers in their amenities and the balcony area offers a commanding view of the stage from nearly any angle.If you feel like relaxing you can trade a stool from the balcony railing for an area on the open couches that line the walls upstairs without missing the performance as they have monitors showing you whats happening on stage in real-time (genius).Above all though, the staff are absolutely superlative! Not only are the security friendly and willing to help you out, but the same goes with the bartenders. They are all hospitable and aim to help you accomplish what you set out to do for the evening, to have an extraordinary time!!
Well it was a big crowd for a wed. Night to see Steele Panther. Standing room only but I had a sit and walk, walker as I cant stand too long and could of been told there was a place for wheelchairs. The crowd kept bumping into me but I eventually moved by the wall so nobody had to walk behind me. Bathroom was clean and that was great. Staff was great. Bartenders were great.
What a nice venue there is a parking garage, just a streetlight away. They have food and drinks. Bathroom sucked dirty and too small.
Clutch show was oversold and we were wall to wall shoulders. IT was hell trying to get to the bathroom or to the bar. The merch table couldnt really support lines once the crowd arrived. Pretty disorganized. The show we saw was amazing, all my issues are with the venue specifically. Sound quality was decent at least.
A great experience! Respect the personal and the same comes back to you. The bands have been great picks. Go have fun and go often! Its the place to be on weekends. It just keeps getting better and better. Just go enjoy yourself!
Everytime Ive been to The Forge has been solid. Bartenders are quick, live music is good, and security guys Ive never seen get a big head and be a douche to anyone
Ive been coming here for concerts for well over ten years, since they were mojoes. The shows themselves are great. Sound kinda sucks and beers are stupid expensive but I guess thats normal for venues. And they gotta learn to to oversell shows eventually, Ive been nuts to butts with too many of both nuts and butts
Lower level (cheapest price tickets) seating is definitely not the greatest due to the cheap folding chairs used. Not comfortable in the slightest.Upper level (highest priced tickets) are actually the best for comfortable seating and better views of stage.Food is actually pretty decent for bar food. The food prices are actually pretty decent as well.Bars on both levels, though draft beers available only on lower level.Bathrooms also available on both levels.No in-and-out access even for a second. Once you enter, you will need to pay admission again to re-enter.
I had a great time at a sold out show. Despite the crowds I was able to find a bathroom without too much trouble. To my surprise food was sold if you could push past all the people to get to the counter. I didnt make it to the merch tables because of the crowds but shirts were available. I was happy to see a fenced in smoking section because I wouldnt want to get in the pit with a bunch of angry metalheads going crazy from nicotine withdrawal. The balcony had great views I felt like I was like 15 feet away from GWAR but didnt have to battle it out with the more physical fans in front of the stage.
The Forge is one of the best music venues I have visited in the Chicago area. Very clean, courteous service. The security staff are friendly, the wait staff is top notch. The food is very good. I had the burger and fries, I am a picky eater and I can tell you it was one of the best burgers I ever had. With the mirrors over the bar, you can sit at the bar, eat your meal and not miss any action on stage. Its a very safe venue, the security staff make their presence known. Great experience. One word to describe this place: Professional
Small great venue to see bands. Parking is close by. They do have a menu but i didnt eat there but it looked perfectly fine for something like this.
PA system is under-sized. I mean yes, every thing seems to be mixed very well and theres a decent amount of detail and such, but I dont like how they control the stage volume where everything from the stage is so quiet you cant hear their amps and the PA system does all of the work, but fall short in my opinion. It just doesnt put out a whole lot of low-mid gut punch. I mean they have a decent set of subs that do what youre supposed to do but theres a lower mid-range thats just totally not there... the sound though it was pristine was pretty stale and lifeless. Im sure the PA system is technically sized appropriately for the space, but trust me it needs to be a little more robust to really move that air in a way that makes you believe youre standing in front of a Mesa Cab or ampeg 8x10.Also if I was City Safety official I would look at those welded bars at the bottom of the stairs that partially block the front exit when coming from the main floor. The show I was at which was pretty much a sold out, we were all emptying out the front but there was a pretty major choke point because of those fixed welded bars that are at the bottom of the stairs, really prevents people from getting out quickly.If there was ever a real emergency at this place where people would need to exit quickly I would not want to be in that situation. Im sure everything is built to code but sometimes building code doesnt go far enough and doesnt cover all contingencies.I say this as someone who has worked on sound crews in various places and I have a background in sound engineering.That said Ill probably come here again. Not very many metal venues in the Chicagoland area which is a real shame!
We ALWAYS have a great experience here, hence we see 90% of our concerts at this chosen venue!! excellent seating upstairs (VIP) and just makes for a nice, overall VERY intimate concert going experience, being the venue is not HUGE like the rest....club capacity is only like 1,500 so you can actually SEE the band you came to see :)
Awesome acoustics at this venue. I saw Phil Andalmo perform here and it was great. The sound was perfect, just like his performance. Its a small venue which makes the experience even better because youre so up close to the stage. They also have a balcony with a bar upstairs. They serve for as well and have an ATM inside.
They offer food as well as drink! Thats a big bonus if you are a person that frequents shows. They are a decent size so it didnt feel crammed and I like that they had tables to sit at if you didnt want to stand. The sound was great as well. I had a great time!
Recently under new ownership, the new owners have put a lot of money into the venue. With new renovations it is now a premiere venue for music attractions. Very clean place with friendly staff. A great place to see a band. Owners are doing a great job of pulling bigger acts into the venue. Well done!
Im literally here now and because they oversold our section and they had to fit people into balcony seating, Im now in partially obstructed seating pushed over, when I got here and waited outside 40 mins to sit in my balcony section. Just a shrug from staff, which is disappointing; a free cocktail or a verbal apology wouldnt be much for the venue to apologize. We were very excited to try this venue prior to this.
ITS MOST DEFINITELY THE PLACE TO HOST AN CONCERT AND ITS ATMOSPHERE IS ON 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Nice space, two levels,large high stage with a decent sound system and cool stage lighting. Plenty of bar space and roaming servers that are polite and attentive. Nice bathrooms and overall on the first level the club is accessible via wheelchair. For the bands that are playing theres a good load in and load out system. As far as parking goes this club is on a busy street so there are parking garages nearby and plentiful. There is also a lot of off-street parking. theres also a kitchen I didnt try the food but it seemed okay by looking. The area also boasts several restaurants nearby as well as a Casino three blocks away. The forge is a pretty cool place thumbs up for sure. Oh and I went to see a touring band that had a local band open up for them there was a great crowd with no cover charge I was quite surprised by the free admission. This club showcases Talent from National touring bands to local bands and up-and-comers. Theres also a private club in the upstairs I didnt try to access that. I believe the section is available for people to rent or use as a VIP section I do know theres a bar in there as well. This is a large size Club overall. The upper level is a balcony that looks down over the main level and Stage its really nice and theres a bar in the upper level as well as roaming servers. Theres a large Dance Floor area and off to the sides on the upper and lower levels are tables and couches.
Awesome venue to experience music.
The sound is good in this venue. But there is not good seating unless you pay extra for your tickets. Im disabled and did not know this. I can not stand for any length of time. I ended up listening to the concert upstairs stitting on some beer covered cushions against the far wall. Unless you are on the rail upstairs paying extra for stools or are really tall, visibility is difficult for short people like me. And be prepared to dress for a really hot venue. Aside of these issues the venue is clean. It has great national acts that come through. And the sound is good. But if youre a short woman like me I advise you to wear 6 inch heels to be able to see the bands.
Great sound system for live music and a great stage to perform on! The Staff is awesome to work with and professional.....tho the Green Room smells of OLD Worn out sofas nobody wants!! Can we spend a few bucks for a place that the performers can eat and hang out?
Just saw Bodysnatcher, Emmure, and We Came As Romans on 10/15. Absolutely love this venue. Craziest show Ive been to in years!
Worst FOH engineer ever. 20 minutes of straight feedback for the opening act and he didnt seem to be concerned at all. Musicians were repeatedly asking for monitor adjustments and he may have reacted on the third request. Really embarrassing for the venue.
Great place to see live concerts. I have been to this place several times, under several names, and enjoy that they bring these hard rock bands to the area. However, I do think the price of drinks was highway robbery. $8 for a well vodka mixed drink in a 12oz cup with ice? I guess thats the price you pay when coming from a smaller town. We also had a 40 minute wait when we ordered appetizers for food. We were patient, but still a little long of a wait for nachos.. So, to sum things up as honest as I can be, I can totally recommend this as a concert venue, but go to get up on the rail and enjoy the shows! And if you do decide to dine and drink, please have patience and extra cash!
Loved this place! Such a personal venue and the rock in roll is loud!!! Friendly staff and decent security its great watching them bounce drunk people on there heads. The food is good and the beer is cold which earns it 5 stars in my opinion who doesnt like cold beer 🍺? Communists thats who and they have no place at the forge. Anyways Popevil and sevendust are both coming up and I will be there for both shows. O ticket prices are pretty fair too.
Friendly staff. Small venue which provided great acoustics. They serve food. Awesome spot for metal shows. If you are into live music and your favorite band is playing here, you will not be disappointed. Place is not pretentious or up scale. Just the way you would want it for some good ol rock n roll music.
This venue is amazing to see bands in. The stage is at a good height so everything is visible even if you dont get a super good spot. While I was at this venue, I got dehydrated and nearly passed out, and a security guard lifted me over the bar, brought me to the side, and gave me some water. This place goes above and beyond and so do the staff. Best venue Ive ever been to.
Great music venue. Was there for Testament (Exodus/Death Angel)Staff friendly. Security was on point..No issues. Wild time...good acoustics for smaller venue.Will be back for future shows
Been here many times. Balcony seating isnt the best, unless you have the front row. I wish there were more places to sit on the main floor. Beer selection is good, have never eaten here. Its a decent place to catch an intimate concert.
Good place. Great music most times. Bar prices arent bad. Plenty of standing room, not much sitting room unless you pay balcony price. You can pay cash at the door for most shows. Wear extra layers in the winter. Rock on! 🤘
This venue has made a lot of progress from what it used to be. The venue is clean and the staff is friendly- including security. Everything is organized and the event ran smoothly. Along with that, they also had servers going around taking drink and food orders as well - you were able to eat during the concert, too. The sound was good - there were times when the vocals were hard to hear, but overall, The Forge is a decent music venue.
The old moe joes the tree its no wonder they keep changing....Extremely disappointed in venue for the death angel/exodus/testament show. Trying to view the actual show was a joke unless you were upfront or first seat along balcony. Sound was muddy and horrible could not hear vocals of any band. Place was hot as hell to with no air circulation....Id be hard pressed to actually go there again to see a show. Kitchen was closed and the surrounding area was less desirable.
Great venue for shows. Great and friendly staff, good food. Pretty much anywhere in the venue youre close to the stage with a good view. My only complaint about the venue is the handicapped seating. They have the handicap section pushed off to the side and its just some fold out chairs on the ground where you have to sit behind standing crowds. The sound in the handicap section is not very good either since youre pushed way off of the side right in front of the speaker. If you cant stand for 4 or 5 hours because of your handicap you sometimes have to sit where you cant even see.
I wish I could give this place negative stars. A friends band was scheduled to play a show here a few weeks ago and after unloading all the gear, they were told that the sound guy didnt know how to do live sound. Uh...should probably get a different job then.
Great Place To See Some Rock N Roll! Cheap tickets at most shows! This place is for people who dont expect a luxurious venue! You most likely have a chance to get close to the stage at times and listen to some loud raunchy Rock n Roll music!
Excellent venue with two floors of bar, table service, lounge areas, and floor space the atmosphere is spectacular for concert viewing. The food is so much more than could ever be expected, and is also available during lunch hours. Disability friendly.
Place is nice, kind of small for a concert I attended. The problem with a small venue for a metal concert is the loudness of the place. I can see people saying its a rock concert, its suppose to be loud! Yeah it is, but not to the point of ear drum rupture. Overall cool place, not expensive on drinks, and wouldnt mind going again to see another rock/metal concert.
Excellent Company with Dignity and Respect to our Country. The Staff were warm and welcoming to everyone involved with this Concert. They keep the crowd in order to assure that nobody was injured, free parking, very clean and easy to access. I would highly recommend this concert hall to anyone, they also have catering for your special events. In the heart of Joliet Illinois. Five Stars. 🇺🇸
Nice venue but they have a no re-entry policy, which sucks. I accidently left my ID in the car but they would not allow me to go get it even though I literally had just walked through the door. So they marked my hands so I couldnt purchase any alcoholic beverages even though Im almost 30 years old. It was a real bummer.
Just left a great show and had an amazing time. I upgraded my rating from a 4🌟 to a perfect 5🌟. Everything was spectacular and I cannot wait to return.Previous Review 4 Years ago:I went here for the first time yesterday. Everything about this place is meets quality standards for a hot artist to put on a show. Its not big enough for a big time major record signed artist, but for a local artist who is trying to make a name, this place has everything set in place for you to suceed.Now I will state why I did not give 5 stars. First off, this venue is located in down town Joliet. I have nothing against Joliet, its just the town is in ruins. I used to live not far from here, so I know. Its nobodies fault but the owners, for decideding to open their business here. Coming to this area only brings back bad memories and I only decided to come to support my boi.Secondly, I did not appreciate how expnsive the drinks was. This is not downtown Chicago and they was charging $9 for a beer. What made it worst is they did not even sell pitchers of beer. Also they did not have any servers on duty. That just seemed pretty petty, and made me feel unwelcomed. It resulted in the entire show being a total bummer.Lastly the acoustious during the show was ungodly. I feel like I can only blame the DJ for the atrosity. I pretty sure if you replace whoever who was responsible with a quality Sound engineer, everything would be on point from a pure sound velocity.Ulltimatly I did give 4 stars. I did not try any food but they said it was really good. This place has alot of potential.
The food was really good. My waitress was so cute and attentive. The music was pure Rock. Loved Code Red Riot, Faith in the Fallen and Gemini Syndrome. Great line up. Hope to see them again.
I was pleasantly surprised with this venue and look forward to attending more events here. There are many mainstream acts that play this venue in addition to local/regional ones as well. Setup inside very similar to House of Blues Chicago. Not really a bad seat/spot in the place, but getting a reserved seat always worth it if you can get one upstairs along the rails. It was great to see security checking for tickets in seats as well. They serve food as well which admittedly was funny to see people on the floor up front being served at the barricade lol. Overall great experience for the show. Very loud in there and they sell earplugs for $3 which was great.
Updated nicely since my last visit. Socially distanced seating was nice. But the sound during the concert was terrible. Could not hear the vocals over the music. Pretty expensive for section seating with speakers in my face and horrible sound.
- Address:22 W Cass St, Joliet, IL 60432, United States
- Site:http://www.theforgelive.com/
- Phone:+1 815-280-5246
- On-site services:Yes
- Live performances:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
- Bar on site:Yes
- Restaurant:Yes
- Toilets:Yes
- Credit cards:Yes
- Debit cards:Yes
- NFC mobile payments:Yes
- Credit cards:Yes
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