The Aztec Theatre

Been to many shows here and will continue to go. The Aztec gives that old fashioned feel while hosting some of the top bands in the world.

We were in town on vacation and decided to see Marlon Wayans at the Aztec. Show time was 8 p.m.on the tickets ($ 50 each with service fee from Live Nation), so we arrived around 7:15 thinking doors would open around 7:30 — 7:40. At 7:30 workers began walking the line offering VIP priority seating for an extra $ 15. We passed as it was an 8:00 show so obviously they would open the doors soon. Doors opened at 7:50 for an 8:00 show. The layout is awkward if you’ve never been, which we hadn’t, but that’s why there are attendants to help direct you. There were no attendants to help direct you. We hunted someone down to point us in the right direction and after minimal help we found our own seats and waited for the show to start… and waited… and waited. The 8:00 show started around 9:30.
The entry procedure was slow and unorganized, the wait for the show to start was ridiculous and the seating was very cramped. It would take a really special performer for me to come back to this theater because the rest of the experience put a huge damper on the enjoyment of the show.

I saw the Psychedelic Furs tonight as my introduction to this lovely little theater. Its a great venue for an act wanting to have a more intimate experience with their fans.
Pros: Nice décor, fairly easy process getting in and out of the venue, courteous staff.

I love the interior; this place looks nice. The live sound is great. I saw Geoff Tate’s Queensryche here. A well rum and coke is 6 bucks. Parking can expensive, like 10 bucks. You might avoid the traffic and parking hassles and take a bus to one of the park and ride places, like the 100 which comes from the Medical Center. I guess I cant get too mad about the parking and drink costs because I got the tickets for free, courtesy of the bartender at Barfly’s a bar at Broadway and 410.

Really beautiful and special theater. I’ve only seen shows here as GA and had a great view from every area but they really, really need to adjust their drink prices. Of course I expect absurd markup for drinks but their prices are outrageous. I can’t remember the exact amount but for two whiskeys the total was at least 30 dollars, closer to 36. Not even premium. Jameson maybe? It’s almost as if they are trying to discourage drinking.
Going to the Esquire before hand is a good tip, and that isn’t exactly a cheap bar either.

I saw the Psychedelic Furs here tonight. This was my first time in the building. I thought it was unique and cool. The staff was friendly and the sound was great. They had 5 bars open. The line was short in the women’s restroom as there were plenty of stalls for the amount of people. I didn’t see what the upstairs looks like. I paid $ 9 for a vodka and sprite.

I’ve always loved the architecture of the Aztec theater and you won’t find another place like it. I love what they did with the place and the sound system and, lightning are great plus the entry turns into a club afterwards. Only downside is expect to pay $ 10 -$ 17 for a drink. I mean come on $ 16.50 for a 17oz draft beer! I don’t even pay that much at a Spurs game. Best bet is to head around the corner ro the Esquire tavern and jave a fewbefore you walk in.

This has quickly become my favorite venue in San Antonio! The sound is great little to no hearing difficulties the following morning (even after a metal show). The general admission seating is staggered which is amazing, if you don’t want to be up front sweating in the pit you can stand back and still have a great unobstructed view of the stage!
Watch out SA big things will be happening at the Aztec!

Aztec is doing something right in my book! I am obsessed that they are bringing in r&b artist. First I saw Jazmine Sullivan which thank you thank you thank you!!! I love her and never thought I’d get to see her in San Antonio! Then months pass and you surprise me with Tori Kelly!
Each time I’ve been the crowd has been great and the service to get to our area was great. I’m excited to see what artist are next! Please keep bringing the new artist in! I’m loving it.

I had my first trip to the Aztec Theatre last week for the Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra concert. The lobby of the Aztec is really cool and looks like something straight out of an Indiana Jones film. The staff were very nice and helped us find out seats, however the seating was really weird. Instead of theater seats like at the Majestic they have chairs which are uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time, and if someone is sitting right in front of you they are blocking your view. The chairs are also situated shoulder to shoulder so be prepared to be really friendly with your neighbors. After intermission we talked to the staff and they were kind enough to let us sit in the back where the bar area is. This area was much more comfortable, had a clear view of the stage area and we finally had leg and shoulder room.

Have you seen the Aztec yet… What are you waiting for… IT IS AMAZING!!!
Step back into time to the days of the 20s art deco movie theatres, then add in the Aztec temple theme… oh this place sets the mood of a grandeur…
After my first and second visit in Mar 2014, I wasn’t quite sure how the lay out was going to work… but after a year of seeing some great shows at the venue… Trust me when I say this, we are blessed to have The Aztec here in San Antonio!!!
GO SEE A SHOW! Support your local venues that care about the bands and their fans!
Not long after they opened, Aztec teamed up with House of Blues which is helping to bring in more great shows that were passing up San Antonio… Thank you to both teams for doing this!
The balcony has assigned seats… so if you need to sit during a concert, that is where you need to go. Heads up or actually Heads down, the balcony is high and you will be looking down to the stage. On occasion, Aztec has cocktails tables available to reserve on the top floor level. The view is great from the tables so they are worth the extra dollars if you like to sit and be waited on by a server. There are two more levels before you get down to the floor level aka «Pit». Sometimes all the levels are General Admission, sometimes the levels are assigned, sometimes there are GA chairs available to sit on the two other levels while the floor is GA SOR. It just depends of the type of event you are going to. It is nice to have the option to change it up.
Aztec Lounge is really the Lobby area of the theatre. It has a dance floor, mood lighting, and the sometimes even a DJ for in between band sets and after show entertainment. On Fri & Sat night they used to be opened as a night club but not sure if that is still the case. Merch booth, Food booth, Beer booth can be found in the Lobby also… along with a few cocktail tables. Upstairs you will be able to find more cocktail tables along the overlook where can you watch the circus below. Also upstairs you will find at least one more bar open for the balcony patrons.
Two full bars are available just inside the venue. There is always a little line but I have never seen it get really bad. There are plenty of clean restrooms on both levels which is always a huge bonus for any venue.
In Mike’s review from Mar 14, Aztec was giving out wristbands to adults but I haven’t had a wristband in so long that I totally forgot about that. I remember that Buddy Guy line, it did take forever to inside the venue. Nowdays, I’m just walking right on in. Also, they moved the box office next door in the tourist office so you won’t be seeing lines like that again. He was also right describing the Indiana Jones feel. The staircases on both sides of the lobby going up the balcony make me just go AHHH. There is so much history here. I love just looking around at all the little details that make this place so special. We are so lucky to see Aztec live again!
Testament played Apr 2015 which seemed to have been the Aztec’s first true metal show so they weren’t quite sure what to expect or how handle it, but they did a decent job of trying to control the moshing and crowd surfing but there is always room for improvement… The sound was great! The stage was perfect for their set up… The other venues that might have hosted Testament would not have done this band justice… and I hope to see more of the hard rock and metal shows move over here instead of the other warehouse venues that have popped up around town over the past few years. Myself and friends all talked to the owners about how great the show was. We can’t wait to see what they get booked next! (IMO, Mastodon & Clutch should have been here!)
Let me say this again, please support this beautiful venue so we can keep it open for many years. Check out their schedule monthly and choose a show. They offer lots of variety… Let’s keep this beautiful jewel rocking!