Liverpool Echo Arena

cant fault this really... easy to walk to from liverpool stations, car parks etc.
MASSIVE! plus lots of doors to enter all round at different parts of the stadium so never feels a rush or crushed to queue. No queues infact! even for a fully booked show. Really nice staff.
Only prob i had was bing pretty far back and looking right the whole time I couldnt see much, I have learned now that to go to anything at a huge stadium you HAVE to get early seats at the front main section.
If its a 'singer' then its not to bad.. but if its a stage show etc you wont see much from further away. Even with a large screen up behind you still cant see much.
Some people complained of only seeing the hand rail bar on the stairs.  I was very lucky to be sat just at the point where the rail had a gap for people to walk through.
didn't eat the food but had a drink of flavoured water in a bottle, £2.. not too bad really as some places charge a lot more.

I parked near L1 and took only a short walk to get to the stadium and of a night its beautiful down there on the dockside so it was a lovely stroll.

overall though great stadium! will book seats EARLY next time haha

it is the best place ever and when concerts are on its always cool and fab!!!!!

I think this a great venue. It big without being vast! The arrival of this has aslo meant a great improvement of places to eat and drink around the docks. Going to an event here is really an enjoyable evening out.

liverpool has been waiting for this venue for years an it was worth the wait from any seat you get a brillrent veiw of the stage,the staff are very helpful and the toilets are spotless and theres plenty of them so no need to spent the whole intervill queueing.Theres a huge car park next to the venue an its situated right on the waterfront so if you arrive early theres plenty to see an do,and when you leave after a late show the area is lit up beautifully,I have been to this arena several times and never had any problems, its also child friendly with a area to leave your prams an bags secure for free, some venues charge you to mind your property.All the seats are easy to find an everywhere is well sign posted I would happily recommend this venue to anyone as it chatters for all ages.

If monkeysock thinks this is the worst venue in England he can't have been to any others.
Very good brand new venue, well worth going to. It has issues getting away after the gig, but where doesn't. Staff are helpful, humourous and you'll have a good night out. There are going to be a lot more big names coming to this venue.

Worst venue in England. Only had two bars open for the whole of standing, resulting in huge queues lasting nearly 15 minutes.

Staff were aggressive and rude.

Acoustics on the floor weren’t up to much either.

glad that liverpool has now got its own arena. I have visited many times, venue is really good where ever you sit you can see what is going on.

staff are very friendly and helpful. Parking is on site and after the shows finish staff ensure car parks empty quickly

well worth a trip

This year, 2008, Liverpool is the European Capital of Culture. So having this arena open on the 12th of January was a major coup for this special year. I was at this event and have been to many others since then. I have also been to many other arenas and stadia all over the country so was keen to see how this one would stand up.

It is a welcome addition to Liverpool’s skyline, and very modern and minimalist, but attractive looking in its design. The views from around it are great, sitting by the river Mersey on a summer’s evening is highly recommended and there are hotels, bars and restaurants nearby for both before and after the show.

It was also great to have somewhere to go to see shows other than the Philharmonic Hall (as much as I love that place). Most big shows we had to go to either the MEN or Manchester or the NEC in Birmingham which was a trek and tedious as well as meaning it priced some people out of going at all as they had to factor in the extra costs of travel and possibly accommodation. In the summer, our annual Summer Pops events were held at the same location, but in a marquee; this is more secure and comfortable for everyone. It is also providing jobs and income for local people which is great.

I shall now outline the customer experience on an average show.

When you get to the door, tickets are checked manually although I think they should get scanners like they have at most other venues as there are often problems of fraud with big, popular or expensive shows like Coldplay who are on later this year. Bags are sometimes checked and the stewards are friendly and professional.

The concourse itself is on one level and it goes around in a circle. There are no cashpoints and they do not take cards so remember to get cash out before you go!! There are merchandise stalls, toilets and both kiosks and vending machines for food and drink. The disabled toilets do not operate a RADAR scheme though meaning anyone and everyone can and does use these toilets.

There are also no seats on the concourse so if you need or want to sit down you will need to go into the arena bowl itself and go to your seats. The stewards are good at directing you, and during the show they are proactive without being in the way.

The sound quality is good although I think the 02 Arena is better in terms of acoustics because they have special padding on the seats to help with this. The seats themselves are comfy and there is lots of legroom. The lighting is well done as well and I have enjoyed every show I have been to.

Leaving the arena it is very hard to get a taxi so you either need to ring one or walk into town for one. There is traffic for at least 1/2 an hour after the show but I guess that is normal. There is a bus station over the road though so it is easy to get to and you should be fine to catch the last bus home from there too.

This is what Liverpool has been waiting for finally a nice place to see some fantastic shows.

The Echo Arena was what Liverpool was waiting for! When you are watching an artist perform there, the atmosphere is just wonderful! The Echo Arena hosted the MTV EMA’s this year, and I’m sure it was amazing!!

Great venue.Lots of different events and concerts staged here. Good transport links. In a very good location on the banks of the Mersey.. Loved it.

Excellent venue to see proper gigs. The acoustics are good because the venue isn’t too big. If you have stand up tickets you have a great view but even the seats on the upper tier at the back have a good view and the atmosphere is always good. The beer is expensive as it normally is in these places.
It’s better if you don’t use the multi storey as it takes hours to get out of it. There is off street parking nearby but obviously this isn’t secure. Also be wary of people claiming that you can park on business car parks and charging you for the pleasure.

Have been here three times now since it opened and I have to say I’m pretty impressed. Nice big car park easy to get in and out of, although I recommend you pay for your parking ticket before you leave the car park to go to the venue as there is a queue on your way out! Good seating for all concerts so far, and adequately priced food. Very helpful staff. Smaller than the MEN but just as nice!

Ive been here 4 times since its opened and am planning on going in dec to see coldplay, i think its amazing liverpool has a big arena that is attracting some big acts.

They best i have seen there so far is Dancing on ice it was just so well presented.There where plenty of staff all the way around to help you to your seat and help you if you got lost.
As with most arena ther food and drink was more on the over priced side but still nice.There are plenty of toilets tho and that was great.
one thing to watch out for is parking, always takes us about an hour to get out…after a late night it can be a bit annying but each time we go it gets better.

The first time I went here I went to see Shayne Ward. Then I went to see Boyzone’s reunion tour. I completely enjoyed both times. It’s smaller than the M.E.N, but I found it much more personal, as I was sitting near the back both times, but could still here and see quite clearly. The facilities there are very well kept and the merchandise stalls are very easy to see. The staff were very helpful , and showed us to our seats. I would recommend going here for events. It is also nice to have something like this in Liverpool.

I went here to see Oasis in October 2008. I loved it! It’s just what Liverpool needed, in my opinion. It’s big and the atmosphere during the concert was incredible. I was very impressed during my visit. The toilets were clean and the general cleanliness of the arena was to be commended. It’s easy to find your way around and the seats were relatively comfortable. There is also wireless internet available, althought I’m not sure if there is a charge for this. There are facilities to purchase food and drink, which are pricey, but it’s to be expected. Really pleased this arena has been built.

Opened in time for 2008 Capital of Culture. Fantastic arena which now hosts many different concerts.

A great arena for concerts. Brilliant location great parking facilities and great building. We found this venue really easy to get out of after the concert which is sometimes a pain at other venues. Loads of atmosphere outside the venue and people selling food and drink outside and a restaurant and hotel near the venue.

What an arena! finally liverpool can attract and host some of the biggest acts and events!

loved the atmosphere and the location is great!