The Senator Theatre

Absolutely awful sound system, poorly laid out venue, expensive concession, bad acoustics, arrogant/​opportunistic security personnel, and upstairs section is a joke. Avoid at all costs is not worth a penny to see a show here.

First time to this venue, we live about an hour away. One of our favorites were playing here so we decide to make the trip. Where to begin with this s$&t hole… First, if you want to sit in the downstairs seating area, you can’t have alcohol with you, which means if one of you is the DD and the other is drinking, you have to go upstairs alone to the makeshift bar which is on fold tables to get your beer, slam it and head back down. The other person could go with you, but if you want to hold your seats, someone has to stay. Referencing another Unilocaler who said «everyone working here are college brotards». This couldn’t be more true. Bathrooms were disgusting, the seats were falling apart, the place is basically in shambles. OH! They also don’t take credit cards. So, when you take the trek upstairs, get your wristband to drink, wait in line to get said drink, order and pull out your card, the brotards say «sorry cash only, you can get cash a couple of blocks from here at Bank of America» So, you walk across the homeless ridden park to b of a only to realize there is no atm machine!
I could keep going but this would be the longest Unilocal review in history. We won’t be back, if you are thinking of going here for a show, do yourself a favor and wait for the next date.

Worst place I have ever been to. I will never go here again. The staff is disrespectful and rude. Do not waste your money going here, it’s completely not worth it. Absolutely horrendous vicinity.

This was my first time here. We bought tickets to see The Devil Makes Three. I like the set up. When you first walk in is looks really dirty but has that old theater smell. When you really look around, especially up at the ceiling, you see just how amazing this place it. The beautifully carved and painted ceiling and the chandelier. There are two levels for seating, which was nice. They served beer, but the choices were crappy or really crappy beer fir $ 4. Sorry, Sierra Nevada and Bud is not worth $ 4. I’d gladly pay more for better beer. People where actually leaving the venue drunk.
The show was great!

This was my first time at a show at the Senator in Chico. Showed up to see one of my favorite bands, Devil Makes Three. Was so excited for months for this show. Once we walked in the venue it was immediately clear this place was not set up for live music shows. Having the upstairs be the 21+ area is an awful idea. It was packed and disgusting. There is no bar and all they were selling was Bud and «Pale Ale» (which sold out immediately.)The kegs weren’t refrigerated at all, just lined up along the back wall behind the folding tables they were using as a bar. The place was a mess. No decent bathrooms. Lines around the block to get in. Sound quality sucked. People sucked. Homeless everywhere including right outside the door lined up with pit bulls. My boots stuck to the carpet upstairs with every step. I rarely leave shows but this was disgusting and there was no way we could stay. Really disappointed and would never go back. Yuck! Close it down until someone has the cash to fix it up properly. No more live music. I felt bad for the artists to have to play in suck a crappy place.

Too bad that the place is in such disarray and I can’t believe that it is allowed to continue to be a venue when there are giant holes in the ceiling and plaster seems like it can fall on your head at any moment. The carpeting is disqustiong to the point where I am sure cleaning it would do no good. The shows do occasionally get me inside, but it is definately not because of the venue.

all though it offers solid acoustics, and small-​town like charm, it is SCREAMING for an update– inside and out. The venue needs to be more inviting, and have more modern amenities. A decent bar, and a concession stand should be first on their list. Speaking of which, beers and snacks are dirt cheap compared to most places.
I’d gladly see a concert again here again.

Great location in the heart of Chico. Venue is not all that big but it does have two floors. A lot of great artists are always dropping by which is awesome. Saw Andre Nickatina there and boy was that a show to remember security was pretty rough but it made for a safe show and people still got drunk or w.e. Great fun and easy to sneak into… if you have to hahaha

First time there… it was ok… not a big as I thought it was going to be. But it was fun and I will be going there again.

The worst venue EVER!!! Small, run down, in total disrepair. They couldn’t even get there $#it together well enough to get a beer, you would think with the Sierra Nevada Brewery down the street it would be awesome, but sadly not. When you enter for a show the security is disgusting college brotards. The town of Chico itself is just sad, it could be so much better, it seems like its a cluster of businesses run by college rejects, all the Restaurants and bars were like crappy frat rooms.

My first time in Chico Saw a show (several bands play) here. The staff was great. The venue, not so much. It was dirty and run down looking. The sound for the music was horrible. We couldn’t hear anything. The crowd were some of the worst people I have ever been around. This place has potential but currently it is the worst venue I’ve ever been to. I will never go back her. Nor will I be back to Chico.

This is a great place to see a show, the only problem it is so big that acoustics are kind of messed up at times. The security is laxed once you are in and it is always a good time. I have seen Gwar, Hank 3, NOFX, The Funk, G and many other shows.

I just attended the Snoop Dogg concert and the place reminded me of a abandoned run down hotel. The Sound og music, as well was not really good too. All and all I felt they can clean the place up and bring it back to life. Had fun tho.

Small but cozy. Saw Rob Zombie and it was really good!!! Crowd was great and the atmoshpere was cool. Drawback is you have to drink beer in a certain area.

This is basically your only choice to see a show if you’re in Chico. My old band played here years ago, with Will Haven and some other Sacto fools. Kinda reminds me of the Edge in Palo Alto, but a bit nicer. So, it is what it is, and I suggest you appreciate ANY venues that put on live music, since anyone and everyone is trying to shut them down: (

Actually this is not a theatre at all, but a really cool place to see a show.
Snoop was in town.
It was freezing in there, but the acoustics are ok and its an intimate enough of a setting to where you don’t feel ripped off by the ticket price.
We’ll be back and with down coats if its a Wintertime show.