Richmond's Allianz Amphitheater: What to know before you go
Allianz Amphitheater — Richmond's newest, 7,500-seat music venue — opens this weekend.
Why it matters: We got a sneak peek into what concertgoers can expect at the 30-plus shows planned through October, starting with Rick Springfield on Saturday.
The big picture: The general admission entrance is off Fifth Street, where you'll walk down a long-ish bridge before entering the venue.
The bathrooms are immediately to the left, and the first line of bars, which are stationed throughout the amphitheater's perimeter, are to the right.
The entire venue is cashless, and doesn't have wristbands for people 21 and up — which means you'll have to show ID every time you get alcohol.
Zoom in: The bars are stocked with liquor including Tito's Vodka and Grey Goose and will offer canned wines, beer like Modelo and Michelob Ultra — and local ones from Starr Hill — and White Claw and Smirnoff seltzers.
You'll also have the chance to get a shaker cup cocktail, such as a cherry bourbon lemonade, strawberry vodka lemonade and a watermelon chili marg.
Some NA options include: a sparkling ginger peach iced tea and a watermelon Red Bull with strawberry lemonade.
If you go: Drink prices vary depending on the event, per organizers, but beers will start at $5.
The food: There will be 12 different food trucks cycling in and out throughout the season, a spokesperson tells Axios.
They'll include Goatocado, Smokie Joe's BBQ, Timber Pizza, Four Brothers, Scoop O Dough and more.
Getting there: The Amphitheater has a map of places to park that are within a 15-minute walk of the venue.
Per the organizers, the closest Pulse bus stop is a 13-minute walk away, but the GRTC has a stop at Second Street and Brown's Island via Route 87, which runs every hour.
We'd personally Uber (drop off at the Seventh Street roundabout by the CoStar building) or park across the bridge in Southside and walk over.
What's allowed:
Clear bags smaller than 12" by 6" by 12"
Non-clear bags smaller than 6" by 9"
Small blankets
Factory-sealed water bottles
What's not allowed:
Weapons, empty containers, aerosols over 5 ounces, outdoor food or drink, hula hoops, flashlights, music instruments or outside chairs (you can rent one for $15).
What we're watching: Most of the shows are around sunset, but after the community preview Wednesday night, people took to social media to critique the lack of shade.
They also wondered whether the bathroom situation would work during a sold-out show.
Fun fact: Mayor Avula tells Axios if he wasn't going to be out of town when Counting Crows (July 12) and Dave Matthews Band (July 15 and 16) perform, those are the concerts he'd get tickets to.
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