val air ballroom

Val Air Ballroom dates back to 1939. It has (thankfully) been updated multiple times over the years. Electrical and plumbing all work. Seating and visibility for the shows is appropriate. Staff know their jobs, but nothing stellar in their performance. The entertainment that has been provided there over the years satisfy the interests of many (not all). Parking is satisfactory. Admission practices, (ticketing, security) are all venue-appropriate, handled efficiently, and courteously. I would not hesitate to attend an event at this venue.

I did not like that it was a huge ballroom. It felt very much like a scene from a high school dance in an eighty's movie. The sound was a little goofy and the place looked empty in spite of probably 500 attendees.

Good venue for concert. Beverages were expensive! Parking seemed limited, but more parking across the street.

The Val Air Ballroom has been around for years and years. An old structure thats withheld the hands of time still holds concerts and various musicians have entertained within these walls. Not a huge hall and the ventilation system needs to be revamped for large crowds. A fun atmosphere and the locals who organize the shows do a really good job of it.

I don't get why people have put 5 stars.....have they actually been to this place? This place is absolutely disgusting. The place was really outdated I have never been to a place in such disrepair. The bathrooms were the worst part....they were absolutely disgusting. I think out of four sinks only one was working properly and all of the hand dryers were broken so you had to wait to use the towel dispenser. I felt it was a total waste of my money....the sound in there was TERRIBLE. I have never been to a venue that sounded that bad. This place needs to have some major repairs and remodeling done before I will ever go back again....I don't care who is playing. I guess I will take my money to minnesota's venues since they are in the same driving distance for me and are way better. I think it is really sad because Iowa needs to have a nice venue but this is not it. I still can't believe that some of the big headliners even want to play at this place. On the positive side....I do have to say I felt safe with the security they had there. They did pat downs and made you empty your pockets out before you were able to enter. After all the crazy stuff going on now a days I am glad they do that.

Once again great show. I love taking my kids to shows here. We will ne back for the lamb of god show. I enjoy the shows it would be great if half way thru the show you turn the air on. It does it awful hot in the crowd. Also wish you would let us keep the lids for our water. Once we get in the crowd we don't come out. Other than that its a great place to see shows

My job hosted an employee holiday party there a couple of years ago. The place is small and a little outdated.

I have gone to the Val Air Ballroom for many years. There is always space on the huge dance floor to dance expressively. There are plenty of tables to sit at if you come a little early. Call ahead to see what their schedule is. Tickets for a concert or special event can be expensive, but if you inquire ahead of time, you can plan for a wonderful time. My husband and I went there on our first date and had the time of our lives dancing like Fred and Ginger!

I have been to several concerts at the Val Air Ballroom and it's a great place! The sound is always great, the drinks are always cold, and the crowd is always fun!!

They always have interesting bands for many different taste

This place is long and narrow, but for the concert I saw, it was relatively uncrowded. I saw Staind, Halestorm, and Cavo perform there, and I was able to get so close that I could've gave Aaron Lewis a high-five. Val Air might need a decent renovation on the inside, though. Also, bring cash because the bar doesnt take CCs.

Standard standing room concert venue, but also has a bar off to the side with lot's of seating, and room in the back if you don't want to be smothered by the crowd. Probably the best concert venue in DM.

i live within a block of this concert venue. Why bother paying the high price for a ticket? I have been able to hear every loud music concert from the comfort of my living room for the past 10+ years. Every down beat, every vibration, everything. Can't get a good night sleep until one hour or two after the concert (and music) finally finish. The Val Air Ballroom started out as an outdoor concert stage constructed where an industrial factory was starting to be constructed and was abandoned. In the 1950s, Mr. Archer turned the stage into an indoor ballroom and big band/acoustic concert venue. The Ballroom needs to be renovated with 21st century sound proofing in order to actually be able to survive the digital music concerts that are occuring now. The current owners refuse to do this. They would rather raise the ticket prices and charge for parking in order to pay off the noise violation tickets they do receive.

Went to see Marilyn Manson and had my purse searched and was frisked head to toe both front and back. My husband brought the camera and they told him to leave, but he explained that we didn't have a car there (we took a taxi) so instead she took the memory card out and kept it during the show. What upsets me about this is that numerous people were taking pictures with their phones as well as small digital cameras just like our Cybershot. Why didn't someone take their memory cards?! And why is it ok to take pics with your phone, but not with your camera? I don't get it. Another thing that made me angry is that on their website it states that there is a designated smoking area. What it doesn't state is that it's only open at designated times for a designated time period...like 10 minutes! Unfortunately for me, being a smoker, the only time it was open was after the opening act and before Marilyn took the stage!! Guess I should've joined the rest of the smokers on the floor who were lighting up left and right...and not just cigarettes!!! It would take a pretty big name to bring me back here again. Oh yeah, and the beer selection sucks; Bud Light, Coors Light or Heinekin. We opted for the latter. It's all $5/can.

experienced the Val Air for the first time a couple weekends ago... great dance floor, tables for the non-movers and shakers. option to stand right up front by the band and feel the vibes. so much fun!