Busch Boulevard is office buildings and flex space near the I-71 and Route 161 interchange, which is not where you would go looking for a rock club with a balcony. The King of Clubs opened there anyway, on March 12, 2021, a little north of where the old Alrosa Villa stood. For a room that leans this hard toward rock and metal, the neighborhood history fits.
What you are walking into
Ricky and Angela Wolf opened the club, and both nights of the opening weekend sold out. The building is set up in tiers, with a main floor in front of a big stage and a balcony above that looks over both the stage and the floor. The venue lists its capacity at about 850, which puts it between the corner bars and the theaters.
There is a kitchen with a full food and drink menu, so dinner and the show can happen under one roof. Come hungry and eat before the opener.
What plays here
The calendar leans rock, hard rock and metal, from national touring bands to local headliners. It does not stop there. Hip hop and country bills show up too, so it is worth a look even if loud guitars are not your thing.
If you like what books here, our hard rock and rock pages are where to look next.
Getting there and parking
The address is 6252 Busch Boulevard, in the Busch business area just off I-71 near East Dublin-Granville Road. The venue describes it as about 10 minutes north of downtown, traffic permitting.
- Parking is free, in a lot the venue says is patrolled by security. On the north side, that is the whole pitch.
- From downtown or campus, it is a straight run up I-71.
- COTA buses run nearby on Busch Boulevard and Dublin-Granville Road, but for most people this is a driving trip.
- If you are drinking, line up a ride home before the headliner starts. Rideshare pickups in an office park can take a minute late at night.
Good to know
- Age limits vary by show, and some bills are open to younger fans with an adult. Your ticket spells out the rules for your night.
- Door times and bag rules are on your ticket too.
- If you would rather stay near campus, Newport Music Hall on High Street has a long history with the same kind of loud, sweaty tours.