The atmosphere was good, they sold the drinks quickly, the problem was that at 12 midnight, the party was over and that's it, everyone had to leave, I didn't really like that part, because it's supposed to be until 2 at the latest. but until 12 it was a bit bad and
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Jerome Peterson
Favorite place in Santa Cruz to catch a show, by far. Great location. Friendly staff. Couldn’t ask for a better place to catch a show.
Atmosphere: 5
Justin
This was a great experience me and my group went on a day with some not so popular bands performing so it was pretty chill and crowd still had a good vibe even though there wasn't very many people.
Darla B
They need more security and need to learn how to run a venue and keep people
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
wiley Hutchinson
Brought back memories I’ve never even had lol ?Vegetarian options: Pokebowl!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brooklyn H.
The Catalyst in Santa Cruz is amazing but last time I went there recently during a concert I used the womens restroom in the The Catalyst and I had a pretty bad experience as I was using the restroom next to the stall I was in there was two girls inside one stall making sexual noises it clearly did seem like they were having sex as for this reason I personally won't be coming back to the The Catalyst at least not until they step up their security at all times around the womens restroom as this kind of event should have never had happened in the concert venue in the first place.
Kelley W.
I have gone to the Catalyst for years, especially to see Y & T as we did this last weekend. It has always been a fun venue, not crazy crowded and no fight to get a drink. This last weekend however, was quite the opposite. They were sold out, awesome! However, we found out later that they were still selling tickets even though it was "sold out". Our friends bought tickets at the window and were told that it was sold out and if they wanted tickets, they could, but would have to pay more than the original price. Um, hello Fire Marshall. It was more crowded than I have ever seen it. You could not move. There were people everywhere including on the stairways that were the only way people could get down on the floor. The bar situation was dire. The bar when you first come in used to be fully used and no problem to get a drink. Now, apparently, you are squished into a very small space for "21" and up to get a drink. There is no rhyme or reason for lines. No one knows what line does what and people just push in. I gave up, twice. The bar down on the floor had ONE person manning it. They also did not sell water at that bar. No sign saying this until you got to the front of the "line" and asked for it. If you wanted it, you had to go back up to the other bar. While the show was on, it was easier to get a drink. How do they not have a Beer only line? I was not able to attend last years, but I was told that they were letting younger folks in and there were ropes to divide people according to age. I heard that people were tripping over the ropes. I guess it didn't work out because it was not like this the other night. I did hear that they are now letting in 16 and up. I guess this is true due to the unfortunate display of puppy love that I observed in front of me until I couldn't take it any more and moved. Catalyst, we love you, please get it together.
Randy Collins
Fun place to see a
Atmosphere: 5
Alex Valenzuela
As always, Death Angel put on a superb performance. They never disappoint. I was kind of disappointed that Forbidden was removed from the lineup although the three opening bands, Phantom Witch, Exmortus and Warbringer more than made up for it. Awesome performances from all of them. Lots of great fans out there. Good selection of alcohol and prices weren't bad at all.
Just wanted to say that the staff were incredibly helpful and kind. I'd seen a review on here saying they were the opposite, and just wanted to share my experience. I showed up late to a show there after the opener had finished, as I usually plan to do because I'm in chronic pain and the longer I sit/stand the worse my back pain gets, so I try to miss the opener to minimize the pain I'll be in for the band I came to see. Anyway I came in a power wheelchair, but they didn't have a good setup or elevator for that, and it turns out I should've shown up 10 minutes early to be let in first with the other disabled patrons. But anyway. It was my mistake really, but the staff were so incredibly kind and helpful, they helped my friend find a spot where I could sit and let me park my powerchair somewhere safe. Not only that, but the manager gave me a free ticket to ANY show in the next year just because he felt bad for the inconvenience. Really blew me away!Other than that, the venue is pretty nice. I always love intimate venues like this where you can get closer to the artists you're coming to see. It does get a little hot and humid in there though lol. Overall I had an incredible experience for my first time there.Royal Blood!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Chris S.
Great place to attend concerts. Place does get a little stuffy but ambiance is great.
Melany T.
Great just hella loud I felt like my heart was gon come out my chest . Really fun tho!
C L.
I love music. I go to probably 100+ shows a year and I have lived in Santa Cruz for close to 30 years now and I SO wish the Catalyst management would do their jobs and elevate the vibe in their establishment because it DESPERATELY needs help. Where do I begin?? The bathrooms: Good lord. The soap dispensers, if they even have soap in them are laying on the counter on their side. Paper seems to be scarce ALWAYS. You'd be hard pressed to find TP or paper towels on any given night. FILTHY conditions even at the beginning of the night, guaranteed. DO BETTER! On any night at Moe's the bathrooms are cleaner than a Japanese subway, and always stocked. Come on - really- you can do this. Remodel them entirely. They nasty. The staff. The bartenders are generally cool, but getting a drink- yeah, plan to wait for over 30 mins and miss way too much of the set. The audience areas probably haven't been updated in 30+ years too- sticky floors, no ventilation whatsoever, and they corral the non-drinkers in the center and the 21+ crowd is shoved to the sides or upstairs in the tiny balcony. We are the adults. Corral the children, please?? Everyone smokes in there and there is no ventilation. People pass out from the heat regularly. I've seen it. SO LAME! SEO- I just looked up a show on Google to look at tickets and y'all need SEO help. The result for the Catalyst, buried between third party ticket scammers and I kid you not, results from AARP, Ebay and Expedia for the show were all above the actual Catalyst link, which sat at position ***53*** in the list. 53! PAY FOR YOUR OWN DAMN SEO! This results in so many people purchasing WAY above face value because the actual Catalyst results are buried. Your bouncers are mean. I don't go there unless its a show I really want to see. I'll drive to SF to see bands rather than in my hometown and go to the dirty Catalyst. OH, and you don't even own this Yelp page, so obviously nothing will be done, read or attended to. Way to represent music in our town. You are making PLENTY of $$$$$ to treat your customers right, but you don't. You had all of Covid to invest in updating your property like Moe's Alley did but you did NOTHING. What a damn shame. Step it up, bros.
The atmosphere was good, they sold the drinks quickly, the problem was that at 12 midnight, the party was over and that's it, everyone had to leave, I didn't really like that part, because it's supposed to be until 2 at the latest. but until 12 it was a bit bad and
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Favorite place in Santa Cruz to catch a show, by far. Great location. Friendly staff. Couldn’t ask for a better place to catch a show.
Atmosphere: 5
This was a great experience me and my group went on a day with some not so popular bands performing so it was pretty chill and crowd still had a good vibe even though there wasn't very many people.
They need more security and need to learn how to run a venue and keep people
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Brought back memories I’ve never even had lol ?Vegetarian options: Pokebowl!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Catalyst in Santa Cruz is amazing but last time I went there recently during a concert I used the womens restroom in the The Catalyst and I had a pretty bad experience as I was using the restroom next to the stall I was in there was two girls inside one stall making sexual noises it clearly did seem like they were having sex as for this reason I personally won't be coming back to the The Catalyst at least not until they step up their security at all times around the womens restroom as this kind of event should have never had happened in the concert venue in the first place.
I have gone to the Catalyst for years, especially to see Y & T as we did this last weekend. It has always been a fun venue, not crazy crowded and no fight to get a drink. This last weekend however, was quite the opposite. They were sold out, awesome! However, we found out later that they were still selling tickets even though it was "sold out". Our friends bought tickets at the window and were told that it was sold out and if they wanted tickets, they could, but would have to pay more than the original price. Um, hello Fire Marshall. It was more crowded than I have ever seen it. You could not move. There were people everywhere including on the stairways that were the only way people could get down on the floor. The bar situation was dire. The bar when you first come in used to be fully used and no problem to get a drink. Now, apparently, you are squished into a very small space for "21" and up to get a drink. There is no rhyme or reason for lines. No one knows what line does what and people just push in. I gave up, twice. The bar down on the floor had ONE person manning it. They also did not sell water at that bar. No sign saying this until you got to the front of the "line" and asked for it. If you wanted it, you had to go back up to the other bar. While the show was on, it was easier to get a drink. How do they not have a Beer only line? I was not able to attend last years, but I was told that they were letting younger folks in and there were ropes to divide people according to age. I heard that people were tripping over the ropes. I guess it didn't work out because it was not like this the other night. I did hear that they are now letting in 16 and up. I guess this is true due to the unfortunate display of puppy love that I observed in front of me until I couldn't take it any more and moved. Catalyst, we love you, please get it together.
Fun place to see a
Atmosphere: 5
As always, Death Angel put on a superb performance. They never disappoint. I was kind of disappointed that Forbidden was removed from the lineup although the three opening bands, Phantom Witch, Exmortus and Warbringer more than made up for it. Awesome performances from all of them. Lots of great fans out there. Good selection of alcohol and prices weren't bad at all.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Saw The Pharcyde and it was
Atmosphere: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great venue for metal
Atmosphere: 5
Just wanted to say that the staff were incredibly helpful and kind. I'd seen a review on here saying they were the opposite, and just wanted to share my experience. I showed up late to a show there after the opener had finished, as I usually plan to do because I'm in chronic pain and the longer I sit/stand the worse my back pain gets, so I try to miss the opener to minimize the pain I'll be in for the band I came to see. Anyway I came in a power wheelchair, but they didn't have a good setup or elevator for that, and it turns out I should've shown up 10 minutes early to be let in first with the other disabled patrons. But anyway. It was my mistake really, but the staff were so incredibly kind and helpful, they helped my friend find a spot where I could sit and let me park my powerchair somewhere safe. Not only that, but the manager gave me a free ticket to ANY show in the next year just because he felt bad for the inconvenience. Really blew me away!Other than that, the venue is pretty nice. I always love intimate venues like this where you can get closer to the artists you're coming to see. It does get a little hot and humid in there though lol. Overall I had an incredible experience for my first time there.Royal Blood!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great place to attend concerts. Place does get a little stuffy but ambiance is great.
Great just hella loud I felt like my heart was gon come out my chest . Really fun tho!
I love music. I go to probably 100+ shows a year and I have lived in Santa Cruz for close to 30 years now and I SO wish the Catalyst management would do their jobs and elevate the vibe in their establishment because it DESPERATELY needs help. Where do I begin?? The bathrooms: Good lord. The soap dispensers, if they even have soap in them are laying on the counter on their side. Paper seems to be scarce ALWAYS. You'd be hard pressed to find TP or paper towels on any given night. FILTHY conditions even at the beginning of the night, guaranteed. DO BETTER! On any night at Moe's the bathrooms are cleaner than a Japanese subway, and always stocked. Come on - really- you can do this. Remodel them entirely. They nasty. The staff. The bartenders are generally cool, but getting a drink- yeah, plan to wait for over 30 mins and miss way too much of the set. The audience areas probably haven't been updated in 30+ years too- sticky floors, no ventilation whatsoever, and they corral the non-drinkers in the center and the 21+ crowd is shoved to the sides or upstairs in the tiny balcony. We are the adults. Corral the children, please?? Everyone smokes in there and there is no ventilation. People pass out from the heat regularly. I've seen it. SO LAME! SEO- I just looked up a show on Google to look at tickets and y'all need SEO help. The result for the Catalyst, buried between third party ticket scammers and I kid you not, results from AARP, Ebay and Expedia for the show were all above the actual Catalyst link, which sat at position ***53*** in the list. 53! PAY FOR YOUR OWN DAMN SEO! This results in so many people purchasing WAY above face value because the actual Catalyst results are buried. Your bouncers are mean. I don't go there unless its a show I really want to see. I'll drive to SF to see bands rather than in my hometown and go to the dirty Catalyst. OH, and you don't even own this Yelp page, so obviously nothing will be done, read or attended to. Way to represent music in our town. You are making PLENTY of $$$$$ to treat your customers right, but you don't. You had all of Covid to invest in updating your property like Moe's Alley did but you did NOTHING. What a damn shame. Step it up, bros.