The Paramount opens in Huntington

The Paramount in Huntington isn't just unlike any other Long Island concert venue -- its combination of retro-industrial aesthetics and modern-day technology makes it unique in the entire theater-heavy New York area.

Between all the exposed bricks, the large steel I-beams that make up the main bars and the various zones that have their own sound design, the Paramount's impressive features may rival the musical acts onstage.

Co-owners Brian Doyle, Stephen Ubertini and Dominic Catoggio recently offered a private tour to show off the theater they have spent two years planning and building.

Here is a behind-the-scenes guide to the Paramount:

BEST SEATS

Well, that's a personal choice. The Paramount has four distinct seating-standing areas, and which one you like best will depend on the concert experience you want.

The main floor general admission area is big and gives remarkably unobstructed views from the entire space, since there are no pillars supporting the mezzanine. For some shows there will be seats on the floor.

The loge areas on the mezzanine will be sold as reserved seating and are much closer to the stage than in other venues because they are only 14 feet off the main floor. (If you're looking for the best sound, you should try sitting close to the mixing board, in front of the center section of the mezzanine, since, Doyle said, they placed it in what tests showed was the venue's acoustic sweet spot.)

The back bar area at the top of the venue will be standing room only, but it still offers great views of the stage and its own set of speakers, so if you're looking to get your drink on and socialize with the show in the background, that may be your spot.

"I'm looking forward to people finding their own favorite spot," Doyle said. "I don't know where mine is yet."

FOOD

There is none. "We want people to get dinner before the show," Doyle said. "There are plenty of great restaurants in the area. We want people to experience that." (There aren't any food-preparation areas in the whole building. Even artists will get food catered by an area restaurant, as part of the Paramount's desire to showcase Huntington, Doyle said.)

GETTING THERE

In addition to the public parking lots near the popular stretch of New York Avenue, the Paramount will sponsor a free trolley that will run from the North Lot of the Huntington Long Island Rail Road station, at the corner of New York Avenue and Church Street, to the venue and back from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on show nights.

DON'T MISS

As you're climbing the stairway to, um, the mezzanine, check out the lyrics from Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs that were copied to the walls by the Paramount's workers and their friends and families.

Also on the tagging front, the bathroom walls and ceilings were done by area graffiti artists. There's also a nice view of New York Avenue from the new second-story window at the Paramount, which, Ubertini said, gets closed off during shows to keep the noise level down.

There's also a speakeasy-themed secret bar in the Paramount, available only to Founder's Club members ($2,500 annually), who also get early access to a special seating area in the main theater.

Upcoming shows

Sept. 28 Rusted Root

Sept. 30 Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Oct. 1 Third Eye Blind with U.S. Royalty

Oct. 4 The B-52s

Oct. 8 Blue Öyster Cult with Uriah Heep

Oct. 11 Bush with Chevelle and Filter

Oct. 12 Jack's Mannequin with Motion City Soundtrack and Co. of Thieves

Oct. 14 The Script

Oct. 15 Warren Haynes Band

Oct. 21 B.B. King

Oct. 22 "Weird Al" Yankovic

Oct. 23 NOFX with Anti-Flag

Oct. 25 All Time Low with The Ready Set and He Is We

Oct. 26 Dirty Heads with Outasight

Oct. 28 Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience

Oct. 29 Amos Lee with Pieta Brown

Oct. 30 Panic! At The Disco with Patrick Stump and Foxy Shazam

Nov. 2 Willie Nelson

Nov. 5 Pixies with Surfer Blood

Nov. 12 Goo Goo Dolls with Ryan Star

Nov. 13 Anthrax with Testament and Death Angel

Nov. 16 Ray Davies with The 88

Nov. 18 Peter Murphy with She Wants Revenge

Nov. 22 Reel Big Fish with Streetlight Mani-festo, Lionize and Rodeo Ruby Love

Nov. 27-28 Brand New

Nov. 30 As I Lay Dying with Of Mice & Men, The Ghost Inside, Iwrestledabearonce, Sylosis

The details

INFO Tickets available at Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com. New box office opens Friday at 370 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-673-7300