Who we are

Water Street Music Hall is Rochester's largest and oldest concert venue. WSMH offers two rooms - the Hall (1,000 cap) and the Club (350 cap). Water Street was originally opened in 1976 under the name The Country Warehouse. After a few name changes, Water Street Music Hall was born and has brought hundreds of large artists including Phish, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Ashanti, David Byrne, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Iggy Pop, Jack Harlow, Sublime, St. Vincent, King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard, Maroon 5, Weezer, and many many more. With decades of history, the picturesque downtown location on the Genesee River, is short walking distances to multiple breweries and restaurants with easy access to public transportation and the greatest live music attractions in the city.

Water Street Music Hall has everything for the perfect concert experience

the warehouse water street music hall

History of Water Street:

Original Postcard for Venue

The Kind Brothers Band

THE WAREHOUSE (1976-1991)

Also known as the country warehouse, the first club opened here on Water St. was country themed, and hosted acts such as Phish, 10,000 Maniacs, as well as many other shows both local and national. It was hailed as the largest country bar east of the Mississippi.

barenaked ladies water street
courtney love water street

Blue Oyster Cult

Horizontal Boogie Bar (1992-1999)

In 1992, Water Street reopened for the first time. During its tenure as the Horizontal Boogie Bar, we hosted many iconic shows such as George Clinton, The Ramones, Mighty Mighty Bosstones(Multiple articles about this event, the floor collapsed during the show) Courtney Love, and hundreds of other artists

Article about the floor collapsing during a Bosstones show.

Ramones DVD recorded here, looking for recording/video

CLUB PIRANHA (1999-2001)

In 1999, Water Street opened up a nightclub on the club side of the building. 3 stories including the basement, 3 dance floors, and amazing lights and sound. On any given night, a dozen Dj’s would play. When we add the hall side to the mix giving us a 4th dance floor, acts like Josh Wink, Plastic Man, Paul Oakenfold, Skrillex and many more would draw 1,500 people. 

Please email askwaterstreet@gmail.com with any pics/more info.

Water Street Music Hall (1999-Present)

This is the era in which Water Street held some of its most well attended and iconic shows. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, David Byrne, Iggy Pop, Trapt, Sublime,Sasha and Digweed, & St. Vincent (to name just a few) have all graced the Water Street stage. Recently, Water Street Music Hall has reopened under new ownership and management, and has resumed hosting shows both in the hall and club sides of the venue. Recent shows have included nationally touring acts such as Jack Harlow, Pusha T, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard as well as a slew of local shows at The Club at Water Street.