Chantel M.

I think this is my first or second time EVER in the Van Andel arena, and let me tell you... I despise this space. Yesterday, we went to Disney on Ice, what was supposed to be a fun mommy daughter day with a friend quickly devolved into a layer of Dante's Inferno. I wish I was exaggerating. It started off fine enough. We found free street parking a few blocks away, SCORE! We took the skywalk across and attempted to pass through security when a rude security guard singled out my friend and declared she could not pass because her small purse were not the correct dimensions to pass through. Never mind that we were 5 minutes from the show starting. Never mind that other people with similar looking sized purses were passing through unscathed. My friend asked if she could empty her cloth purse, fold it up in her pocket to enter and they rudely reiterated the rules and said that was unacceptable. My friend and I put her bag into the "measurement box" and it FIT. They said it wasn't allowed because the cloth bag folded up on itself and that's not allowed. Our children were getting antsy and the show had already started by the time management showed up to say that it is against Van Andel policy to bring in a bag of that size. She said it was clearly marked everywhere (though there was no sign at the entrance). Then, when my friend pointed out that others were bringing in much larger bags without issue, she was told, by JJ the manager, that she was a LIAR and not being truthful and that THOSE were diaper bags??!! Okay... All this fuss ended when my friend decided after spending lots of money on these stupid Disney on Ice tickets, to throw away her purse she bought in Spain. So we could finally see the show as the only other alternative was to walk the blocks back to our car to store it and we were already made 10 minutes late when we should've been 5 minutes early. The woman checking us in, was also mean and rude. She told my friend that we were "having a bad day." My friend, needed to take all the items she had removed from her purse that she was basically forced to throw away in order for us to go see this sh*t show of lower caliber ice skaters dressed as Disney characters. My friend was searching for the tickets on her phone and we had to find our own seating section because NONE of the staff was helpful and everyone working there looked grumpy and bitter about having this security job where you work on Saturday's. Finally, we are inside. This place is a concrete jungle with steep steps to the nose bleed section (tickets we could afford at $145 for four of us). We were late and the vibe was ruined by these security employees enforcing their power for no understandable reason. We are trying to find our seats. It's dark. I put my phone flashlight on and stumble up the stairs with my 5 year old and my friend's 4 year old and then need to squeeze my way past the other customers to find our middle reserved seats. I was terrified that I was going to fall. The nosebleed section is stacked up on each other without guard rails and the aisle is thin and there is NOTHING to hold onto and balance with. I literally thought I may tumble to my death for this hell trip matinee. Finally, we go to sit, and my hips touch both of the freaking arms on the chair and I had to squeeze my body in. Now, people, I am a size 10-12. Overweight, but not obese. I was rubbing elbows with strangers. This truly was hell. I paid to be demeaned by staff, accused of lying when pointing out injustices that were clearly happening, forced to part with personal property, feared for my life finding my seat and then almost didn't fit into the seat itself! All for the privilege of paying $145 to watch skaters skate to Disney tunes. Cool. Because we were late, the kids didn't know what was going on, and my daughter wanted to leave by the intermission. I cajoled her to stay with stating I would buy her $10 popcorn. As I'm waiting in line I ordered two miller lights, two waters and one popcorn. I paid $60 for those concessions. My mouth almost dropped to the floor after I paid and they did not even have a drink holder for me. So now, I'm walking, taking baby steps, and stating loudly in the hallway of chaos, "Please don't bump into me, I just spent $60 and cannot spill this precious alcohol!" Finally, I somehow made it to my seating and nursed my wounded ego back to health with the healing elixirs of beer. It will be a cold day in hell, before I choose to return to the Van Andel for anything. I don't care if Jesus Christ himself is giving a speech about how to transcend the evils of this world. Today, capitalism failed me so hard. We spent over $200 to be treated worse than cattle. As a customer, I will not willingly EVER return to a place that operates like a police state. If you wonder what fascism feels like, head over to the Van Andel for a show and bring the wrong sized purse. Hard Pass. I want a refund for that part of my life I can't get back.

Justin W.

This place is awesome. Came all the way from California for two nights of Phish and what a great sounding room for live music. The staff were all super kind. The concourse moved well and had lots of room. The bathroom lines move quickly and let's just say they let Phish fans be Phish fans. Y'all are way better than the minor league hockey arena in Ontario California

Billy L.

I love the Van Andel Arena for various events. It's smaller than some of the Detroit venues I'm used to, but it's so convenient with the skywalk from various hotels. We literally walked from the Amway Grand Hotel in 20 degree weather without wearing coats and never stepped outside. Since this is a smaller venue, it's much easier to find your seat and find the restrooms. As it is with most venues nowadays you aren't allowed to bring in bags and your ticket is on your phone. You do not have to remove your jacket and you do go through a metal detector. We were in town to watch the PBR bull riding event, which is always exciting

Melissa B.

I've been to Van Andel a handful of times at this point and it's so nice to have an arena in Grand Rapids. We get bigger arena concert tours without having to drive to Detroit or Chicago and tickets are usually reasonable and fairly priced compared to those cities. I love that the Grand Rapids Gold (NBA team Denver Nuggets G-league affiliate) play here now. A HUGE upgrade from when they were playing at the DeltaPlex. I've only sat in the lower bowl for events I've been to here so I cannot speak for upper level seating but the seats are comfortable and cushy and it feels like you have enough room. The negatives: this arena needs some updates. The concourse is pretty dreary and it reminds me of the 90s/early 2000s. The concession options are not great. Also sometimes the sound is not great and it's hard to hear what the announcer is saying. I've had multiple times where I had to lean over to my friend to ask what was said and we both had no clue because it's so muffled.

Eileen B.

It's a great place to have a concert. We saw Mercy me and we had great seats and felt close to the bands with the big screens. Lots of restrooms and food areas. It's in a great location next to lots of restaurants and parking.

Tara S.

Recently saw Avenged Sevenfold here at Van Andel. We had a great experience! The concert was amazing, and our seats were amazing! The venue was really easy to get in and out of. Parking downtown can be a pain, but there are many options nearby. It's nice you can get DoorDash to your seats. Saw Tool years ago at this arena as well. One of my favorite venues to see concerts.

Joseph H.

For the Grand Rapids area this is the big arena where you will see all the main stream events. We have gone a few times to see bands like the Lumineers and Willy Nelson. We have found that the sound is hit or miss, and the seats aren't super comfortable but it's a smaller arena with a more intimate seating range even if you choose something in the back. The employees are great and the service is always wonderful. They usually have a single stand serving some local beers but it's kind of a nuisance to locate it and then stand in the massive line. Wish they would source locally and serve Grand Rapids beer. Hate all those commercial beers. If I'm gonna pay 8 dollars a beer I want it to actually be good and help the local economy. Overall, it's a great little arena that houses some amazing events for its size and location.

Ree T.

I had a great time at the arena. Getting to parking was easy and the cost of parking for the event was reasonable. Be aware that the venue doesn't allow you to take a purse in. I saw enough people heading back to their vehicle to know I needed to lock mine in the vehicle. Security check was easy. Be aware a bottle of water is $7. There were not enough ushers to direct to seating yet once you figure out the layout and signs you can find your seat. The seats were probably not meant to be sat in over 2 hours and I was there close to 4. The sound was amazing and I had a great view of the stage without being on the floor and without having to watch the big screens. Exiting the event took a while. It took 25 minutes to get out of the parking garage. All in all a great venue.

Mark G.

What an unbelievable experience. After driving in what should have been a 2 1/2 hour drive ended up being almost 4 hours. We arrived to the Panic! At the Disco concert under a winter weather warning. Seriously, a massive snowstorm that dumped about 8-12 inches of snow. The arena was open about 90 minutes before the show which was great because we were also frozen. Security was quick but thorough, we passed through and quickly found our seats. That was the first time I had been at the arena and I was impressed. The seats were upper level but the sound quality was incredible. I would definitely drive 8 hours round trip in what amounted to a blizzard to watch a concert there again. So worth it.