Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010

on January 10, 2011 at 12:01 am

Pollstar has announced their annual lists, including the top 100 worldwide club venues list based on ticket sales. Once again, it’s nice to see the 2,000-capacity Pageant included in the list, not only in the company of some very famous venues, but in the top five venues in the world, no less.

The full list of clubs in the ranking after the jump.

Of course, the catch here is that these rankings are all based on tickets sold and most importantly reported to Pollstar – not something all venues do. So it’s with that caveat that you have to read this list.

Regardless, it makes me proud to call The Pageant home about once a week on average throughout the year and see them doing well.

For all the music photographers out there, do you see any familiar venues on this list?

Pollstar’s 2010 Top 100 Worldwide Club-Venues

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There are 98 comments

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toddowyoung on 10 January, 2011 at 16:30
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Is your house on the list? Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues of 2010: http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-10…
- kimfucius_say on 10 January, 2011 at 16:37
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  @toddowyoung Interesting. Been to 6. STRONGLY disagree with CrocRock in Allentown, PA. Place is a hole. Electric Factory cool, HOBAC scary.
- ryanmuir on 10 January, 2011 at 16:41
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  @toddowyoung sorry, but its laughable that Terminal 5 is the **best** club in the world. invalidates the whole list
- koenphotography on 10 January, 2011 at 17:00
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  @toddowyoung Ancienne Belgique, just a little better than The Pageant. ;-) Did you ever shot a shaw at AB?
- earplugsrequird on 10 January, 2011 at 17:44
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  @toddowyoung oh yes. Mine is #2.
- earplugsrequird on 10 January, 2011 at 17:44
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  @toddowyoung oh yes. Mine is #2.
- Robert_Buckley on 10 January, 2011 at 18:21
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  RT @toddowyoung: Is your house on the list? Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues of 2010: http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-10…
- kyledehn on 10 January, 2011 at 18:29
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  @toddowyoung my work is number 53!
- Robert Buckley on 10 January, 2011 at 12:40
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  Hi Todd,
  
  AB Brussels at number 3! Great place – I plan to spend lots of time there in 2011! ;)
  
  Cheers,
  
  Robert
- dave on 24 October, 2011 at 18:38
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  ramshead live in baltimore md……stagehand and they keep me busy
  with local, regional and inter/national bands….thanks for the posat…
  number 25 in world,,,
Paul R. Giunta on 10 January, 2011 at 10:34
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Don’t know if I would say that club Nokia was the best club in L.A.

Also, no way would I consider the Wiltern a club.
- Todd on 10 January, 2011 at 10:37
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  There is no evaluation other than ticket sales there, so there’s no “best” anything. They probably classify “club” as below a specific capacity. For example, the Pageant is much more a theater-style venue.
B.Romain on 10 January, 2011 at 10:36
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Looks like I’m lucky to live in Belgium.
- Todd on 10 January, 2011 at 10:47
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  Got a link to any shows from Ancienne Belgique?
  - B.Romain on 10 January, 2011 at 10:59
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    Sure !
    
    Here’s the last one I shot :
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/profete/5226037124/in/set-72157624581206402/
    
    It’s right in the center of Brussels.
    This is not the biggest venue, but there are really interesting bands playing there sometimes, and the balconies are pretty interesting to shoot from.
Colby on 10 January, 2011 at 11:04
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I’m surprised that Showbox SoDo is on the list, the place is a warehouse. It doesn’t have very good acoustics but they can be as loud as they want since it’s in the warehouse district.
- Colby on 10 January, 2011 at 11:34
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  Neumos, Showbox & El Corazon are all really great clubs. It’s pretty flippin’ sweet to see these venues on the list honestly.
  - elisa on 16 January, 2011 at 20:28
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    interesting for sure the one’s on there from Seattle – I shoot at mostly all the ones here as well as the theatres – while I think great venues for music – not the best for light, lol – shooting in Seattle at anything less than the theatres, none of which made the list – is challenging to say the least – the El Corazon – may be the one of the most challenging venues to shoot in the city – the Shoxbox’s vary, and Neumo’s are no piece of cake either – but they do pack em in…interesting…
Lorraine on 10 January, 2011 at 12:02
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Terminal 5 gets a lot of big names, but I can’t stand going there because the sight lines are horrible unless you get there early on. Love Best Buy and Starland though, so glad to see them up at the top.
- Lorraine on 10 January, 2011 at 12:05
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  Meant to say the big names must obviously lead to higher ticket prices, hence the top placement.
Charles Dee Rice on 10 January, 2011 at 12:41
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Pretty odd criteria for a list, but hey statistics are whatever we make them, right? :D

I see The Marquee (AZ) at #16! I’m usually shooting there about once a month.

Totally surreal to see my hometown (Asheville NC) made… well, any list at all! ;) Guess that place is growing up.
kimberly on 10 January, 2011 at 13:41
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Joe’s Pub?! That place is so tiiiiiny!
Creative Photography on 10 January, 2011 at 16:30
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Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010 http://bit.ly/eHpUTO
Todd Owyoung on 10 January, 2011 at 16:30
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Is your house on the list? Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues of 2010: http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
Colby on 10 January, 2011 at 16:42
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Whoa! @showboxsea @Neumos & El Corazon all make the Pollstar top 100 venues http://bit.ly/egUi51 cc: @toddowyoung
Rich Orris on 10 January, 2011 at 16:54
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Asheville's own @ThePeel came in at #27 on Pollstar's 2010 Top 100 Worldwide Clubs! http://bit.ly/fVu1hE #avlent
yoruhana on 10 January, 2011 at 16:59
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RT @toddowyoung: Is your house on the list? Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues of 2010: http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
Karen on 10 January, 2011 at 17:28
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@LincolnHall RT @toddowyoung Is your house on the list? Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues of 2010: http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
koenphotography on 10 January, 2011 at 17:56
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@stubru AB door Pollstar verkozen tot 3de beste club ter wereld van 2010 http://bit.ly/fSGDbJ
Lorraine Schwartz on 10 January, 2011 at 17:59
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@starlandnj #14 in the country :) http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
robert buckley on 10 January, 2011 at 18:21
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RT @toddowyoung: Is your house on the list? Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues of 2010: http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
robert buckley on 10 January, 2011 at 18:26
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AB Brussels listed as number 3 in the Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010! http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
David Gabrys on 10 January, 2011 at 22:03
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Thanks for sharing! First Ave in Minneapolis made the top 10! I live right around the corner from this incredible club. This weekend I shot photos of the exterior with my Mamiya 645 using 120mm B&W film. I’ll share photos with you once I scan them.
starlandballroom on 11 January, 2011 at 02:01
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RT @starstruck76: @starlandnj #14 in the country :) http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
Jill :) on 11 January, 2011 at 02:02
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RT @starstruck76: @starlandnj #14 in the country :) http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
Kerri Lynn Kurtz on 11 January, 2011 at 02:20
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RT @starstruck76: @starlandnj #14 in the country :) http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
Pete Casellini on 11 January, 2011 at 03:46
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I don't know who made this list, but it sucks. http://bit.ly/fSGDbJ
cycleture on 11 January, 2011 at 04:04
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RT @toddowyoung Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010 http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
The Count on 11 January, 2011 at 15:46
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Congratulations to the Pageant #STL for ranking #5 on Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Venues list! http://tinyurl.com/4nlfras
AlexSlander Da Great on 11 January, 2011 at 16:47
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RT @urbanSTL Congratulations to the Pageant #STL for ranking #5 on Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Venues list! http://tinyurl.com/4nlfras
Wolfgang Heisel on 12 January, 2011 at 13:42
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Das kölner E-Werk hat es auf die Top 100 der meisbesuchtesten Locations von pollstar geschafft . http://bit.ly/e2aA4e
Ken Grand-Pierre on 13 January, 2011 at 20:08
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Every NYC venue is one I regularly shoot at! :)

I can attest that Terminal 5 being so lucrative makes sense. Its right off the edge of midtown, spacious enough for a lot of people, ALWAYS holds all ages gigs, and is a big favorite to those outside of the city (though oddly enough not many people here in the city find it to be an enjoyable place).
The Music Box on 13 January, 2011 at 20:49
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The Music Box has been ranked #18 in the top 100 Worldwide Club Venues by Pollstar! Thank you for all your support… http://fb.me/IinNoeGK
Steven White on 13 January, 2011 at 20:56
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Pollstar's 2010 list of the top 100 Club-Sized Music Venues (based on ticket sales). http://t.co/2lWjF4P
kmeron on 14 January, 2011 at 07:57
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owww nice, my dear ancienne belgique in brussels, one of the 2 venues im going the most at =D
2000 people when soldout, incredible audience full of passion and all and a nice list of gigs, very happy for them! (the latest yeasayer or jonsi live album was recorded there for example), i love shooting at this place!
an idea of what it looked like during pendulum?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frf_kmeron/5055006824/in/set-72157625101777906/

yes, it WAS absolutely massive =D
Dodie Stephens on 14 January, 2011 at 14:52
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Impressive! The Orange Peel ranked #27 in @Pollstars Top 100 Venues in the world. The world. http://bit.ly/fZ7t0T @thepeel #music
Dimitri Van Roy on 15 January, 2011 at 09:05
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Best Selling Club Venues, based on ticket sales. #3 AB, Brussels. Best European venue in list packed with US venues http://bit.ly/e2aA4e
Julien Tuerlinckx on 17 January, 2011 at 12:08
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Ancienne Belgique 3rd venue in the world where the most tickets were sold in 2010 http://tinyurl.com/4nlfras How reliable is this ranking?
Studio Brussel on 17 January, 2011 at 13:16
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Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Stefan Van De Velde on 17 January, 2011 at 13:17
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Lottevdw on 17 January, 2011 at 13:18
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
LeFtO on 17 January, 2011 at 13:19
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Carl Hermans on 17 January, 2011 at 13:21
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RT @stubru – Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Max le Daron on 17 January, 2011 at 13:22
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Fre Wollants on 17 January, 2011 at 13:22
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“@stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://t.co/bYQ7wVh” en terecht.
Toon Debonne on 17 January, 2011 at 13:25
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
luscious on 17 January, 2011 at 13:45
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Mijn favoriet!// RT @stubru Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
David Dalemans on 17 January, 2011 at 13:52
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Aloha Girl on 17 January, 2011 at 13:54
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Michael Ilegems on 17 January, 2011 at 13:55
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Frederic on 17 January, 2011 at 13:56
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Isha Schraepen on 17 January, 2011 at 14:00
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Jeroen De Jong on 17 January, 2011 at 14:06
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Brussels AB in top 3 best venues worldwide : http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
liejoek on 17 January, 2011 at 14:10
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Emelie Van De Vreken on 17 January, 2011 at 14:15
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
marc vdb on 17 January, 2011 at 14:18
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Robbie Nevens on 17 January, 2011 at 14:28
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Leen Taelemans on 17 January, 2011 at 14:30
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
michiellaporte on 17 January, 2011 at 14:42
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Florence M. kreature on 17 January, 2011 at 14:48
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wtf @ABconcerts 3è du classement mondial des Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010?! http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Jochen De Vos on 17 January, 2011 at 14:57
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Het staat éindelijk vast: @abconcerts is officieel de beste concertzaal van het Europese vasteland. http://bit.ly/fmkL0b #muziek #hulde
Lore Lernou on 17 January, 2011 at 14:59
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Terecht RT @jochentje Het staat éindelijk vast @abconcerts is officieel de beste concertzaal van het Europese vasteland http://bit.ly/fmkL0b
Chillem on 17 January, 2011 at 15:12
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Lt Collet on 17 January, 2011 at 15:27
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RT @flexyflow: wtf @ABconcerts 3è du classement mondial des Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010?! http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Bart Van Belle on 17 January, 2011 at 15:39
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
jefhollebecq on 17 January, 2011 at 15:46
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
jvdh on 17 January, 2011 at 15:54
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Michel D'Urso on 17 January, 2011 at 16:01
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L'Ancienne Belgique est 3ème au Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues http://bit.ly/e2aA4e (via @ABconcerts)
Maïté Abram on 17 January, 2011 at 16:02
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RT @micheldurso: L'Ancienne Belgique est 3ème au Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues http://bit.ly/e2aA4e (via @ABconcerts)
Gregory Schoonjans on 17 January, 2011 at 16:30
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RT @micheldurso: L'Ancienne Belgique est 3ème au Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues http://bit.ly/e2aA4e (via @ABconcerts)
de_jokke on 17 January, 2011 at 18:54
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Emmy on 17 January, 2011 at 22:05
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@agirlnamedfia Look! http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
Ellen on 18 January, 2011 at 12:10
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RT @stubru: Proficiat @ABconcerts! De Ancienne Belgique is verkozen tot 3e beste muziekclub ter wereld: http://bit.ly/fXAP8c
Warzée Philippe on 19 January, 2011 at 08:01
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L'AB s'offre la 3e place dans le Top Pollstar des salles de concert RT @toddowyoung Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues 2010 http://bit.ly/fl5H3q
Nico Prat on 19 January, 2011 at 12:50
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Classement des 100 meilleures salles de concert du monde. L'Ancienne Belgique (Bruxelles) est sur le podium http://ow.ly/3Go7b
Clément Poursain on 19 January, 2011 at 12:52
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YA PAS LA FLECHE D'OR, TRO ABUSÉ RT @nicoprat: Classement des 100 meilleures salles de concert du monde. http://ow.ly/3Go7b
Mathias Parent on 19 January, 2011 at 12:54
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RT @nicoprat: Classement des 100 meilleures salles de concert du monde. L'Ancienne Belgique (Bruxelles) est sur le podium http://ow.ly/3Go7b
Mickael Choisi on 19 January, 2011 at 12:55
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RT @nicoprat : Les 100 meilleures salles de concert du monde. L'Ancienne Belgique (Bruxelles) est sur le podium http://ow.ly/3Go7b
aka Bridget Jones. on 19 January, 2011 at 12:55
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L'AB en 3ème position, fuck. http://ishootshows.com/2011/01/10/top-100-worldwide-club-venues-2010/
Serge Boucher on 29 January, 2011 at 10:30
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My favourite venue just ranked third in Pollstar's worldwide Top100. Hooray for @ABconcerts http://bit.ly/fmkL0b
robert meijerink on 1 February, 2011 at 13:57
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benieuwd waarom Terminal 5 deze prijs heeft gewonnen, iemand hier geweest? AB Brussel eindigde derde in deze lijst http://bit.ly/e2aA4e
Matt on 1 February, 2011 at 15:36
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Terminal 5 is an absolutely terrible venue, the worst in NYC in my opinion. Overcrowded, terrible sound, bad sight lines, impossible to move around, useless balconies. A cool roof deck that had nothing to do with actual concert or music.

Every band plays there and it really pisses me off. Bowery presents gives bands such a great deal to play there it cant be passed up.

This list is an absolute joke to have Terminal 5 at the top. Was this paid for by Bowery Presents? Just because they get top acts does NOT make it a good venue. Terminal 5 is not even in the top 10 venues in NYC. The World??? you have got be kidding me.

Whoever compiled this needs to either get off the Bowery Presents payroll or get out more.
- Matt on 1 February, 2011 at 15:39
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  Clearly did not see it was based on ticket sales. That makes sense (take mouth insert foot). Sorry Pollstar.
  
  Still a terrible Venue.
Music: National hero » The Word Magazine on 28 March, 2011 at 05:39
Reply

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Tony DiFranco on 11 October, 2011 at 16:11
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The Pageant was voted one of the top five concert venues in the world… Upcoming shows include Chickenfoot (sold… http://t.co/gn0j6l9g
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Music: National hero - The Word Magazine on 22 February, 2012 at 08:05
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[…] year can’t be wrong either. The 233.450 tickets sold in 2010 have earned the AB the third spot in Pollstar’s annual list of Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues, making it the only European venue in the top 50. The backstage zone in front of the production […]
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Reply

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