Hollywood Bowl, first timer

[BeyGon]

Yes, never been, seems like I have lived in SoCal forever but never been, my wife got tickets to see Billy Joel this Thursday so that's it. I will go. I think we will stay up there so we can party somewhat.

[craigster59]

There's a nice little picnic area to enjoy some snacks and a bottle of wine. Depending on where your seats are you might think about binocs and seat cushions. Think concrete benches, gets uncomfortable after awhile.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by craigster59

There's a nice little picnic area to enjoy some snacks and a bottle of wine. Depending on where your seats are you might think about binocs and seat cushions. Think concrete benches, gets uncomfortable after awhile.

Yeah, I looked up the seats she got, maybe the 100 yard line. Can we take wine into that place?

[craigster59]

Can't bring in wine. Just get your groove in the picnic area before the concert. They have concessions on all levels, lines aren't usually long. Also it's built into the hillside so the seats are pretty steep.

[Hugh R]

Stay somewhere and take a taxi. They park cars 50 deep and it can take an hour or more to get out.

[Cdnone1]

You can take wine into the Bowl. You can take picnic baskets with wine, beer, whatever you like
Steve

[Nostril Cheese]

I've seen Yes, Radiohead and countless others there. Awesome sound for an outdoor venue. And yes, dont park there. There's bus services that can take you there after parking well away.

[look 171]

You can bring in wine. I see people do it all the time when we use to go the some of the summer concerts. Bring a jacket, because it can get cold in there. Parking is the pits and getting there is also. Traffic hads gotten worst in the past few years. I grew up a few miles from there. Bunch of great restaurants on Vermont, which is about a miles from the entry. A little less crowded.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Stay somewhere and take a taxi. They park cars 50 deep and it can take an hour or more to get out.

Good advice here. Last time I was there, we stayed in a nearby hotel and walked in. Another good idea is to buy the very best seats you can afford. The Bowl is much bigger than you might imagine, and being close to the stage is a real plus. I once saw Tom Petty there, and was sitting so far back that the stage was just a blob of light off in the distance. I had to watch the giant video screens thru binoculars to see anything! Also, the further back you are, the more people are partying. They pay good money for seats, and then just talk and fool around thru the whole show. The sound is pretty good no matter where you sit though.

[varmint]

used to live within earshot of the bowl and went all the time. the chuck jones tribute concerts were a favorite.

parking/traffic is a nightmare.

dress casual. no one cares what anyone looks like.

the wine is not that expensive when compared to beer at dodger stadium.

one of the benefits of sitting way back on the lawn is getting a contact high from all the people smoking.

[BeyGon]

We got a hotel pretty close, we can walk in. Different ideas on the wine, the tickets say NO so we will just buy it there. I don't want to have to guzzle a bottle at the gate. This isn't the old days.

[5String43]

Re parking: There are two small parking lots on the far side of Highland from the main lot, lots C and D. They are the hot tip. But you have to approach them from the south or the east.

[URL="http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/getting-to-the-bowl/other-options"]

Either that or arrange for concierge parking, or whatever they call it these days. As for eats, yeah, you can take wine in without problem. Better, though to make reservations at one of the restaurants there. They're Patina Group properties, so pretty darned good.

[glewis80SC]

Double check on the wine..."leased" events no booze inside the gate, Joel is probably leased. Still can have picnic/wine before entering the gate. Yes on seat pads, yes on shuttle service or taxi.
Great venue. My fire station is right down the street on Cahuenga, FS76, you will probably see us we always get one or two calls there during shows.

[Joe Bob]

Go early, traffic sucks.

[Cajundaddy]

Great venue for shows and we go several times every year. We park off site and use one of the shuttles. Saw Journey, Steve Miller Band, and Tower of Power last weekend and it was great. Sleeves for later in the evening are recommended. seat cushion rentals are available so you don't have to schlep them around.

We like to sit one section behind the mixing desk. Always a fun night.

[scottmandue]

Big yes on walk, taxi, bus to get in... parking is the big downside to the bowl... otherwise it is great.

A million years ago I went to the playboy jazz festival before it got insanely popular (back then they were giving tickets away... not there is a waiting list). Like you said we guzzled some wine before going in... it was a Looong (all day) concert so I went up to get a couple sodas... they were selling bottles of wine ($10 for a $5 bottle but not unexpected.) So bottle of wine and two sodas and we were set for the rest of the day.

However that was a long time ago and I don't know what the alcohol situation is now.

[craigster59]

I never knew you could bring in wine, but just for the L.A. Philharmonic shows. They do have a few good ones coming up, Chris Isaak and Chris Botti who I've seen separately and are both great showman. Also John Legend performing Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" in it's entirety with the L.A. Phil. Have to check those out.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

I don't want to have to guzzle a bottle at the gate. This isn't the old days.

LOL...many folks still doing just that! The walkway leading up to the gate is usually littered with tons of bottles & cans from people tanking up on the way in

BTW, turn around at some point during the show...there's an interesting lighting effect all along the back wall.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by rcooled

LOL...many folks still doing just that! The walkway leading up to the gate is usually littered with tons of bottles & cans from people tanking up on the way in

BTW, turn around at some point during the show...there's an interesting lighting effect all along the back wall.

I checked the seats she got, we may be sitting on that back wall

[craigster59]

How was the concert?