Does Riverbend really s***?

[Duffett]

O.K. I asked once but didn't get a lot of replies, so I don't think I worded it properly.

So basically I heard nightmares rumors about riverbend when it rains and the lawn is a muddy mess and the bathrooms flood. Any truth to these rumors? I am thinking about buying tickets from a scalper but don't want to if this venues really does s***. Plus pay the inflated rates.

I also heard that they do have awesome tailgates though. Should I just go for the tailgate and skip the concert?

Please help a desperate Buffett fan. I can only go to one concert this summer and I want it to be a good one. I live in Toledo Ohio.

[nycparrothead]

Does Riverbend really s***?

It's in Ohio.... Nuff said...

[RinglingRingling]

Does Riverbend really s***?

It's in Ohio.... Nuff said...

watch it midget...

[nycparrothead]

Does Riverbend really s***?

It's in Ohio.... Nuff said...

watch it midget...

Are you going to deny it?

[RinglingRingling]

Does Riverbend really s***?

It's in Ohio.... Nuff said...

watch it midget...

Are you going to deny it?

let's put it this way... given a choice between having you as a seat buddy during last year's concert at Riverbend, and the cute blonde and her girlfriend...

let's just say my "RB Sucks" meter didn't tremble for a minute.

[DonnaKayDunbar]

I've always had a great time at Riverbend. When I lived up that way I made the RB show when I was able.

Yes, it rained, yes it was muddy, but who cares?
We had a great time on the muddy sloped lawn.

[RinglingRingling]

I've always had a great time at Riverbend. When I lived up that way I made the RB show when I was able.

Yes, it rained, yes it was muddy, but who cares?
We had a great time on the muddy sloped lawn.

Imagine how much fun you could have had with Shane in your party...

[jvman16]

Riverbend 2003 was my first Buffett show. The tailgate was awesome. If it rained it would have still been awesome. We were on the lawn, center stage and right behind the seats. There was some MINOR pushing and shoving. Eventually we just moved a little bit back and to the side and it was much less crowded. What sucked for me was the sound. I could deal with watching the show on the monitors but the sound was totally horrible. My advice if your on the lawn. Get in early and position yourself near the speakers.

[PartofthePhlock]

O.K. I asked once but didn't get a lot of replies, so I don't think I worded it properly.

So basically I heard nightmares rumors about riverbend when it rains and the lawn is a muddy mess and the bathrooms flood. Any truth to these rumors? I am thinking about buying tickets from a scalper but don't want to if this venues really does s***. Plus pay the inflated rates.

I also heard that they do have awesome tailgates though. Should I just go for the tailgate and skip the concert?

Please help a desperate Buffett fan. I can only go to one concert this summer and I want it to be a good one. I live in Toledo Ohio.

Duffett,

HI, I live is Cincinnati and I have been to many concerts at Riverbend (yes, every Buffett concert for sure). I am going to give it to you straight.....Riverbend DOES have it's drawbacks, do they out weigh the positive? Only you can decide.

First off, Riverbend got it's name from being on the river - yes it is on right on the Ohio River; it is just a small stroll to waters edge. So with that in mind when it rains hard for several days the river rises....a couple days of thunderstorms can bring the river up several feet and it does creep into the pavilion area. The more it rains the more seats are covered.
The bathrooms do get wet, but I am not sure if it is plumbing issues from the rising water or the fact that water is carried in by little feet combined with the extreme use of the facilities. My experience has been that in late in the concert at every venue there is moisture on the floors. If you are worried about dung floating past your feet, I don't think that is a reality at Riverbend (I've never experienced it) , but then ya never know, I try not to leave my seat so I don't miss a bit of the concert. NOTE: If the water starts to rise into the pavilion they will cancel the concert. Usually in August, the rain is not the problem (that is ususally the June concerts) August is so hot and humid here that most of the moisture if from spilt drinks and persperation.


Now, for the sound and view.

The view from the lawn is pretty limited, there are these big steel girders holding up the roof of the pavilion. The roof slants pretty steep and tha causes the view from the lawn to be limited since the lawn is on the side of a hill. However, as someone previously mentioned, if you get there early enough to get up close the view is no problem. Your best bet is to score some pavilion seats.

Sound inside the pavilion is very good there is a little feedback (if you pay close attention you will notice) because there are speakers in front and behind you. On the lawn, the sound is not as good. If Jimmy talks it is hard to tell what he says, partially due to the enormous group of people around you singing and chattering. The music you hear fine and of course we all know all the words so we sing along. On the lawn, I think you can hear better at the top of the lawn than at the bottom near the pavilion....this may be because there are less neighbors or because there are speakers at the top of the lawn too. We all have our own opinions.


Now you have heard the facts..... now the plain truth about why you should attend. The tailgate if phuntastic! Everyone is friendly and fun. The energy level in the pavilion and on the lawn during the concert is intense and charismatic; that it only enhances the experience. I think this is partially due to the fact that Cincinnati is where Parrot Head was born. But I have to tell you there are some awesome folks that come from near and far to share the event and they just add to the excitement.

That's my 25 cents worth, I Hope it helps. If you have more questions contact PM me.

Fins Up!
POTP
<stepping off soapbox>

PS: Keep this in mind, there is always going to be someone that isn't happy with the venue or concert experience for their own set of reasons.

[blank1127]

Okay, first I must say I haven't been to Riverbend for 3 years. That's due to the fact that the last time I went, I had several items stolen off my car and a drunk guy split open my chin with his face on the lawn. Even after all that, I'd be willing to go back, but the people I went with aren't, so that's my situation.

Anyway, I never noticed the bathrooms were any worse than those at my local venue, although the only time it rained was after the concert ended and I spent the whole time under a vacant tent. If you get a lawn spot early you can get a good view of the stage, although once the show starts the crowd tends to shift around. Everything previously said about the tailgating is true! It rocks! Kinda like a little piece of Woodstock except not as much nudity and granola. Security at the gate 3 years ago was pretty much non-existent so if you wanted to cram a camera or bottle of whatever down your pants you would have been pretty safe.

Now in an effort to head off any flaming by all you Buckeyes, I must reiterate, I had 1 bad experience at Riverbend and 2 great ones. However, that last concert was the worst experience I've had at Buffett, including being rained on 3 times at Indy. But I could never hold any ill feelings toward the state that has Cedar Point. End of story.

[Capt.Flock]

How can any concert venue s*** when Bubba is playing there?
On the cereal side of this question. All venues have their good points and bad points. With Cincy it might not be the best venue to watch and hear the concert in the lawn section but what makes up for this is the atmosphere the crowd brings to the concert. Oh yeah,the tailgating is one the best. To get the best lawn seat get in the venue as soon as it opens or go all the way in back. Watching from the back was a new experience for me last year and it was a great experience for several different reasons. One, I had a pretty good view of the stage. The second was it gave me a different perspective on the whole stage and crowd interaction. Watching from the back a drunken parrothead also had room to breath.
I have never been in the pavilion so I cannot comment on that aspect but will be able to after this year .
To answer your question does Riverbend s*** depends on what you make of it. If you don't have pavilion and expect the to have best view of the stage you might come to conclusion that it sucks but this could be said for almost any place. However I think Riverbend is a must for any parrothead.
I am little bias though for any place that Bubba plays in Cincy since it was the first place I saw him. (Kings Island anybody)

[RinglingRingling]

Okay, first I must say I haven't been to Riverbend for 3 years. That's due to the fact that the last time I went, I had several items stolen off my car and a drunk guy split open my chin with his face on the lawn. Even after all that, I'd be willing to go back, but the people I went with aren't, so that's my situation.

Anyway, I never noticed the bathrooms were any worse than those at my local venue, although the only time it rained was after the concert ended and I spent the whole time under a vacant tent. If you get a lawn spot early you can get a good view of the stage, although once the show starts the crowd tends to shift around. Everything previously said about the tailgating is true! It rocks! Kinda like a little piece of Woodstock except not as much nudity and granola. Security at the gate 3 years ago was pretty much non-existent so if you wanted to cram a camera or bottle of whatever down your pants you would have been pretty safe.

Now in an effort to head off any flaming by all you Buckeyes, I must reiterate, I had 1 bad experience at Riverbend and 2 great ones. However, that last concert was the worst experience I've had at Buffett, including being rained on 3 times at Indy. But I could never hold any ill feelings toward the state that has Cedar Point. End of story.

actually, it's ok. Unlike some venues where the lots are one big square, Riverbend is strung out among many lots. While that doesn't mean that the individual lots don't have fun, it never really seemed to catch that "critical mass" that happens at Alpine or other venues where I have seen Jimmy play.

[Duffett]

Thanks Everyone. I think we are a go. If nothing else just for the tailgaiting. So my next question is where is the best place to stay and is there a trolley/shuttle service incase we are unable to drive after the concert?

[Boatdrunk....]

I have been an avid reader for many months now, but this is my first post. I really didn't have anything to say until now.

I am from Cincinnati and have been to Riverbend many times over the years. I started out on the lawn and now will only go to any concert if I have pavillon seats.

The lawn at Riverbend will get muddy after it rains, but I guess it does everywhere except in Boston where the lawn is composed of sand. Great idea! The view and sound from the lawn is not as good as the pavillon. Actually, I would say it verges on the not so good. So, I would get there early to stake out your spot. The bathrooms are like any other venues' bathrooms. The actual builtin bathrooms can get crowded, thats why they bring in lots of extra porta-lets, so going is not usually a problem if you know where to go. As for the flooding, one year the bathrooms did have a couple of inches of standing water in them, but that was immediately after a thundershower that dropped a couple of inches of rain. This has happened at several other non-Buffett concerts at Riverbend.

The tailgating is wild, but unlike other venues, the parking is spread out and they are very strict about no tailgating in the actual Riverbend lots. So, the tailgaters park across the street and nobody has bothered them in the past. The best place is right across the street from the OLD Coney main entrance. Since the concert is on a Sunday this year, I would advise getting there early to get a primo tailgating spot.

Oh, by the way, I have seen Buffett at Kings Island.......

[cartmill72]

I wrote an article for my blog last year about my favorite (or least favorite) Buffett venues.

http://homepage.mac.com/scartmill/iblog ... index.html

Riverbend, as you will see, receives both a B+ and a D from me. I wouldn't set on the lawn for a Buffett show there ever again even if lawn seats were all that remained and they were given to me. (I know this will draw some criticism)

At any rate, the venue is pretty special for a variety of other reasons.

You'll just have to draw your own conclusions. Its different for everyone.

[Got Margaritas?]

Love the new avatar and picture signature DKD (Patron Saint of Photoshop)!!
Sorry for the topic hijacking!
You may now return to your previously scheduled discussion!

[MR.B]

In a nut shell if you don't have pavillion seat Riverbend BLOWS. I have been to 44 JB shows in many venues. The tailgating at Riverbend is Ok even though it is in several small lots. Everyone I have meet in the parking Lots has been great. My first show at Riverbend was in 97 or 98 we had lawn seats . After a good day of tailgating we proceed to the show with 8 Parrotheads carrying 2 blankets. As we approach the gate we notice there are hundreds of blankets pilled up at the entrance (this is not good) WE get to the entrance and he guy at the gate tells us no blankets, being 30 min till show time are 2 join the pile. WE make it to the lawn and stake our area with bodies not a blanket and 3 of us make a beer run , well needless to say we never make it back because the once ou left you couldn't make it back. I swore I would never go back unless I had pavillion the next year we had pavilloin and it was great. The problem with Riverbend
is that it is a small place that actuall holds about 15,000 but they tell you no blankets and they jam 20,000 in there and if your on the lawn you can't move and don't you dare leave your spot because you will never get back. IF YOU DON'T HAVE PAVILLION STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PartofthePhlock]

Riverbend used to let you bring in blankets, food and un-opened water, but since 911 they don't let you bring in anything. Funny because at the last concert in Nashville, I walked thru all security points holding a bottle of Jack. Last year they wouldn't let me take unopened water into Riverbend.

Here is some Riverbend info and item restrictions.


General Info | Item Restrictions

Tailgating is never allowed on Riverbend's property or the surrounding lots. This includes drinking alcoholic beverages, which is not permitted under Ohio law. It also includes grilling out, which creates a safety concern and disrupts foot and auto traffic flow. Management appreciates your cooperation.

Gates open 90 minutes prior to showtime (unless otherwise noted.)

Ample parking is available in all surrounding lots labeled event parking. Parking cost is included in the price of the ticket.

Ohio law prohibits bringing alcoholic beverages onto Riverbend's property or the surrounding lots. A wide array of food and beverages are available at concession stands. Alcoholic beverages are sold up to 30 minutes prior to the end of concerts.

Please refrain from smoking in the Pavilion at all times.

All acts, dates, times and prices are subject to change without notice.

All performances go on rain or shine, and no refunds or exchanges will be issued in the event of rain.

All Gold Circle & Pavilion seats are under cover. The Lawn is not.

The shaded portions of sections PIT through 600 on the seating chart represent the Gold Circle.

All Gold Circle & Pavilion tickets are assigned seating. Lawn tickets are not.

Folding lawn chairs are for rent at most shows. For some events, no lawn chairs may be brought in or rented. Call 513-232-6220 for specific show info.

The following items are NORMALLY permitted at Riverbend.
*** FOR BUFFETT THESE ARE NO PERMITTED ****

(Restrictions vary by show - Please call 24-48 hours prior to the show for more info: 513-232-6220 )

Commercially Sealed Bottled Water In Plastic Containers (No Other Beverages) - most shows<
Non-Flash Disposable Cameras - most shows
Blankets - most shows
Lawn Chairs - some shows


These items are never permitted inside Riverbend...

Coolers
Backpacks or oversized bags
Aerosol Spray Cans (Insect Repellant, Hairspray, Etc.)
Alcoholic Beverages
Glass Or Metal Containers
Weapons
Wrenches, Pliers
Laser Pointers
Fireworks
Professional Cameras, Or Any Other Recording Device - Audio Or Visual

[Quiet and Shy]

Welcome! Boatdrunk...

I enjoyed the Riverbend pavilion last year...thought the traffic management post-concert was beyond stupid...the traffic lights were not re-timed (Duh!) so it took 3-4 times longer to get out than was necessary.

[citcat]

Funny because at the last concert in Nashville, I walked thru all security poings holding a bottle of Jack.

That's because Jack is made in Tennessee. heheh
And we take our Jack seriously.