Avalon

Absolutely amazing. I had the best experience here and it was where I went EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT from 2000 — 2007. I miss it, but I know the space that is there now looks almost identical to what used to be there. Great memories and great friendships came from this place.

Avalon was my favorite club in Boston. I’ve seen Armin Van Buuren here probably 4 or 5 times. A couple other DJs, and some live shows too. The sound system is (was?) bumpin. Lots of fun. Where else can you see big name acts for $ 15?
There was always an unfortunate ratio of 3guidos:1normal person, and the guy: girl ratio was usually pretty high, but it was still fun.
I never drank much inside the club, just enough beforehand to get in and party.
The only thing that could’ve made Avalon better was for them to let people play past 2am. Quit serving alcohol, just let them play. I was at an Armin show where they pulled the plug on the speakers, so he turned his monitors and headphones all the way up and pointed them at the crowd. Lasted about a minute before they killed the power and turned on the lights.
Too bad it’s gone now.

Wow — Avalon is no longer, huh? This was my go-​to dance club in college. Luckily I had a couple friends who worked there and were able to get me on the list, thereby avoiding the $ 20 cover on Fridays. I went here to dance the night away both on Thursdays and Fridays, but I believe Fridays were Avaland, which opened up a couple other clubs next to Avalon so you could wander from room to room checking out the scene in each.
My girlfriends and I always had a blast here and I’d occasionally go with my boyfriend as well, otherwise there was a fair amount of often aggressive guys following us around and/​or full on coming up behind us and…“What the hell was that?!” Gross.
Anyway, this place had amazing DJs and great lighting and cool bathrooms and always made for a hot night. When the dancers weren’t up on the platforms I’d take advantage of the empty space and hop on up there after a Long Island or two. I was 19 – 20 when I came here and had my drinks confiscated on a couple of occasions — the bouncers were amazingly good at spotting my lack of a wristband through my long sleeved shirt pulled down over my arm. ;)
I never saw a live band here, but the dancing was awesome.

It was fun while it lasted: Friday nights («Avaland») were awesome much of the time. Entertaining crowds, famous DJs, great sound system.
I saw Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, Sasha & Digweed, and a bunch of others there, and always had a great time. Now Avalon is gone, but not forgotten ;)

Yucky.

I am really upset that Avalon is closing.
I know a lot of people don’t like the venue but I love it for rock shows. I’ve never been there for anything but because I can only imagine what an annoying white hat, under age, meat market it must be on dance nights.
I’ve also never bought a drink here. It’s kind of a don’t ask don’t tell policy, I don’t even want to know what astronomical price they’ll charge me for a Dixie cup full of well vodka and tonic, so I stay away.
Avalon is (soon to be was) one of the only mid-​size, semi-​comfortable, standing room places to see a rock show. I have seen more awesome shows here than I can count. I love seething mass of fans. I love the fact that you can shake and dance around if you want to. The lighting and sound are usually great, and at most of the shows I go to there is a really diverse crowed, not just the BU and Northeastern kids.
Boston has some crappy venues, so many in any other city I would give this place three stars. But because Avalon is one of a kind, and because The Roxy (until now) barely had any shows, I’m sticking with 4-​stars.
Bye bye Avalon, you’ll be missed by me!

Went to Avalon for the first time to catch Armin Van Buuren’s farewell gig since Avalon and Axis are closing for renos.
It was fantastic! The music was awesome, Armin totally rocked it out and I was quite impressed by Avalon as a club. Although, at midnight, I did question if it was a gay club when the go-​go dancers came out…
Nevertheless, the dance floor was massive, great positioning of bars and a very cool VIP section upstairs for private functions, birthdays, etc. Too bad their closing for renos, although I’m sure it will be awesome after they re-​open.
Best part about it? I got to see the #3 DJ in the world for just $ 15 and drinks weren’t too bad! But then again, I’m comparing Vancouver and NY standards…

Oh Avalon… the emotions you bring out in me.
While I’ve been to Avalon many times for various shows and dance nights, live music is definitely where it’s at and I’m sort of glad the clubbing aspect is being shut down here. The few times that I’ve enjoyed myself here have been at 21+ music events, not the club nights or anything «all ages». All ages makes me want to just spend the night sitting on a couch in the bathroom getting my drank on rather than actually being out in the crowd, an armpit in my mouth, being dry humped from behind by a Growing Up Gotti.
The drinks are stupidly overpriced. $ 11 for a Redbull & Effen in a dixie cup? Cmon now. If it were possible to get in without having my bag search or a pat down, it would be maybe a little more worth it if you could sneak a flask in. One of my favorite functions here is during the FNX music poll, the setup is perfect with Axis next door. My good times here are in direct relation to the crowd attending the event, no more all ages shows is the consensus I’ve come to. Last time I checked, I didn’t pay to have your little brother stepping on my heels and spilling my drink all over me.

Okay, so Ligaya’s review inspired me to write this… but mine is based only on GAY nights as that’s all I’ve attended.
I as well, had never really enjoyed Avalon until I heard it was being leveled. Like I said, I’ve only been to Avalon for ‘gay’ nights which was traditionally Sunday nights but was extended to Saturday nights this summer.
Avalon has never been my ‘scene’ since I feel uncomfortable around shirtless twinks and perfect-​body muscle men who dance up on boxes in a haze of strobe lights and glow sticks. But, this was the ONE club where the dancing was wild and the fun could go all night… but really it couldn’t since 2am in Boston means go to bed.
This was the ONE place that portrayed the stereotype of a gay club with loud music, waves of bodies, flashing lights, and shame flowing from every corner. Once I heard it was closing for good, I spent more Saturday nights at Avalon… and to tell you the truth, I had fun.
Avalon still isn’t my ‘scene’ but I can appreciate the variety it has to offer the Boston gay scene. I’m truly disappointed to see yet another gay destination call it quits in the city that lead marriage equality.

I know, three stars, but HEAR ME OUT. I thought about writing a review for Avalon so many times, but I never had the heart to bash something so badly. Just not a fan of the mega clubs unless the DJ is beyond righteous. I’m a house head, and I’ve actually danced with abandon here but that doesn’t make the groping and bumping acceptable.
I should admit that since I’d heard they’re leveling the strip I’ve had these intense waves of nostalgia for this place as a concert venue. I’ve seen a lot of really awesome shows here from rock to reggae to hip-​hop and electronica. The sound has been solid, lines long and bouncers always gruff, list girl adorable and accommodating.
They had that oxygen bar for a bit which was a total joke. And the bartenders are so slammed they’re spinning. But I’ve soberly been pulled onto one of their lower platforms to shake it and there were so many frantically moving, fake ID toting, fake blonde girls around me I melded into the blurs of light and stayed incognito. Just how I prefer it.

Ok so I went there on a Saturday night 2 weeks ago… it is now gay on Saturdays and the music was incredible!!! They played Pink. Melanie C … I was in heaven.
Hot men, hot bartenders, fun dancers, air conditioning… what is not to like?

Scene: Women’s Room
Me (to bathroom bartender): You must see a lot of wang, huh?
Bartender: Excuse me?
Me: Doesn’t your bar connect to the men’s room as well? Or is it just us ladies that can get wasted in the bathroom?
Bartender: No, it’s just you ladies.
Me: So no wang.
Bartender: I wish. :winks:
Avalon is a decent concert venue. I’m so used to seeing bands in Cambridge (Mid East, Lizard, TT’s). that places like this make me feel like I’m in a Ricky Martin video. I totally disagree with Holly S. about the bathroom. The women’s room was the coolest, least smelly place in the venue. Then again, I guess it depends on the concert/​club night. I’ve never been here for clubbing purposes.
It’s a mixed group of people that come in. obviously depending on the show. But of all the venues in the greater Boston area. I can safely say. the best air drums EVER can be seen here.

Located in the center of Lansdowne Street, a strip with many bars and clubs. A place to hit up if you are into trance and house. Many DJ venues are hosted here along with other concerts.
For a normal club night Thursday is International aka (Asian) night, Friday is normal along with Saturday. Since Boston is a college town and it is so close to Boston University and Northeastern to name a few of course there are many college kids in the crowd.
Very much a club scene, there is a cover to get into this place. Shoes and collared shirts are required. Lines can be long, but there is a VIP list you can get on.

I’ve only been here for their «gay nights» and I think I might have had something that resembled fun once.
It’s a bunch of shirtless twinks, loud techno music, and the occasional stumbling drunk drag queen. The cover is usually between $ 10-​$ 20 and the drinks are super expensive.
Will I still occasionally go there? Yes.
Why? Because I’m on a constant mission to get Jeffrey H. laid.

Another one of my former employers. It’s not a horrible place, but it needs some fixing up. The only thing I enjoyed about this place is the fact that I worked there. The staff are all great people.
I enjoyed working the night club evenings but even moreso the concerts. (casual attire) It’s funny watching all the kids between the ages of 15 – 20 trying to sneak in a spiked apple juice and getting caught with it then making up some lame exscuse that it wasnt theres and blah blah blah.
The security know what theyre doing, regardless of what bad experience you people may have had there. If you’re being an idiot, you’re going to be removed. Plain and simple.
I’m not a fan of the music during the club nights, but they do get creative with their themes. Like «Nerd Night» was pretty nifty. The pricing on the drinks is ridiculous though, I felt bad for the cusomters blowing so much cash on really crappy drinks. Especially since most of the mixers have bugs in them… and the limes/​lemons/​cherries are old and moldy. and they still use them (no lie)
Pity theyre going to be tearing the place down soon. I was just getting used to the leaky piping and poor air ventilation.
Well if you’re a super tanned italian club guy with a blow out and popped collar or a plastic gucci girl with TP stuck to your pumps and you feel like blowing $ 100 in less than an hour. This place is for you.
Mmp-​tss! Mmp-​tss! Mmp-​tss!

I could personally write a history of this nightclub having spent a good part of the nineties dancing and shmoozing here. My roommate warned me before I headed out last night that the last four times he went it was all dudes. The last time I went three months ago that was true too, and it was Brazilian night to boot. So I went there with my wife and friend and in the line theres like fifteen guys and three women. Well once we got inside that ratio was pretty much actually better than what we found inside. But besides that the music was good and I ran into a former bartender from the Palace and we all enjoyed ourselves, even with the skewed ratio of male to female everybody was relatively calm and I did’nt see one fight or anything.
Just wanted to add an update, I think this place has closed for awhile and may never reopen as a club, but maybe a lounge/​music venue only. Another great club that expired because of the inexplicable decline of commonsense and decent behavior… oh yeah thats right I forget that the intelligent and civilized tend to breed in very small numbers while the sweaty, ignorant, uncouth lower echelon members of this world are flooding the streets.

Does it mean you’re old when you want to go to a concert with seating, because if that’s the case, then I am old and proud.
My boyfriend and I go to a lot of shows, and this is BY FAR the worst place to see one in my opinion. They have a massive amount of security staff, which isn’t bad, except they are constantly running around through the crowd and will knock into you. Also, I am morally opposed to shows that end at like 10 for a dance night to start. STUPID DANCE PARTIES! We saw The Decemberists the other night, and as much as I think they are great, I don’t think I will go there again unless a band comes through that I can’t live without seeing… it’s always supercrowded, and is it me or are crowds that go there stupid? I think part of it is all ages shows. I love giving kids the chance to see bands, and I was all over it as a kid, but holy lord. Give your money where you can to the smaller venues.

«If you want to see your favorite band, don’t see them at Avalon,» I was going to write a few weeks ago after seeing The Black Keys. It was deservedly crowded, but the bulk of the standing area is in a long, low pit designed for club nights and I don’t want to get stuck in the thick of it. Instead, I found myself all the way at the back, by a railing, with passersby designating me official guy to walk around to try and trample their drunken way to the bar to get a drink they’ll only end up passing me 5 minutes later to release. Or not. The point is, I was annoyed that I couldn’t get any closer to the band, or the bar, or an area clear of constant foot traffic.
But then I saw And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead last week and had an entirely different experience. With a smaller crowd, Avalon is quite comfortable, with a great sound system, room on the stage for the band to really rock out, a cool, if expensive, bar to lean back on, and, most importantly, elbowroom. In fact, with fewer people, Avalon can almost seem too big.
Perhaps the best part is at the end of the show when you’re descended upon by bouncers who sweep you up like so much trash and funnel you out the door without time to finish your one for the road. Thanks, Avalon, you make me feel oh so welcome.

America dances here.
Unfortunately, America also gets date-​raped here.

First of all, Lansdowne St = Dane Cook’s «Just Wanna Dance» sketch.
Avalon…where do I begin. Hotspot for 18 – 20 yr old glowstick waving, spikey haired, tight T-​shirt wearing, meatheads to pick up chicks in midriff bearing tank tops and stilettos. Clearly, I judge them.
I will not deny the fact that I spent a lot of Thursday nights here in college. Yes, that was me on the speakers in 2001. I’m assuming people were mocking me then, so I don’t feel TOO bad about kind of obviously tearing down the scene here now.
However, being a fan of all types of dance music (yes, that includes techno/​trance or whatever they play here), I am able to stop making fun of the clientele (usually) and shake it on the dance floor, where my old habits of throwing elbows and avoiding the sidelines of creepy guys emerge. Last night though, I was caught off-​guard. You might not believe this, but some dude actually said to me, «Hi, would you like to dance with me?»
Whoa. Whatever happened to the standard «sneaking up on a girl from behind» approach? Was this a fluke or have all club patrons decided to act civilized? Seeing that it was my friend’s birthday and no one else with us likes to tear it up like we do, I politely declined the offer to bump n grind since that would leave her alone on the dance floor. But I made sure to let him know that the fact that he ASKED was much appreciated, and he should let the rest of the male gender in on this tip.
So, Avalon is fun if you can accept all of the ridiculousness that comes with the club scene. The drinks are not strong enough for the price, and our male companions had to shell out an additional $ 15 just to get in.
As a venue, it’s decent but it depends on the show. If you are there to see some wannabe-​punk-​but-​really-​pop band, steer clear of the floor unless you want to be pushed around and hit in the head by crowd-​surfing teenagers. Sitting on the speakers is your best bet. I’d recommend seeing any band here that attracts maybe a more mature crowd.