KEMBA Live!

This was my first time attending this venue this past weekend and I really loved the whole aesthetic! I'm from the Cleveland area so I usually attend Blossom Music Center for outdoor concerts and I'm not a huge fan of the chaos there. KEMBA was so much better! You could see the stage really well from any spot in the venue, it was easy to get in and out of the venue and there is cheap parking that is directly across the street. As far as food goes - the only thing that I saw was Late Night Slice pizza. It was good pizza. Definitely very thin New York style pizza. There is the option of pepperoni or cheese for $6.50 per slice or $38 for an entire pie. The drinks were about the same price and selection of any concert venue. As for staff - they handled the crowds of people very well and kept everything running smoothly. While waiting to get into the venue the line was pretty long but the staff was able to split the line in two and open a second entrance at the back of the venue so they could filter everyone in much more easily. The staff at the drink stands were not paying attention towards the end of the night and I encountered many of them on their phones and not paying attention to people waiting in line. The only reason that I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the restrooms. It's very deceiving when walking to the bathroom. It looks like they are typical restrooms until you walk around the corner and there are only port-o-potties. They had a single outdoor sink type deal that didn't work very well and that was out of soap so you couldn't wash your hands after using the restroom. Improvement in that area would absolutely make this a 5 star venue!Also - I didn't have an issue as I was wearing a cross body bag but you are NOT allowed to have a backpack style bag regardless of the size. If it can be worn as a backpack then they will make you return it to your car. So just be aware when attending a show! And they are also a cashless venue which was kind of annoying just for the simple fact that they expect you to tip 20% on every drink purchase. Most people don't tip more than $1 per drink at a typical bar.

So I generally like this venue but last couple shows the alcohol selection has sucked!! I like crown royal , and absolutely NOTHING SIMILIAR to this!! How about Seagrams, Captain Morgan's , but instead Jim beam or Jack:( yuckkkkkkk!! Had one drink I could barely get down.

KEMBA is a solid music venue with plenty of space. I saw Dayglow here, and appreciated that he chose a venue that would accommodate his popularity while also honoring his indie fan base (choosing to not host his show at the Nationwide Arena, for example) and choosing a more intimate setting. However, the venue itself is nothing special and the sound design is somewhat lacking. Still a great spot, though.

Just another bar music venue with nothing special. The structure of the building makes it obvious that it wasn't built with the intention of being a good music venue and that the owners have no intention to make it better. The pit is in the middle of the audience area, and the camera people made it impossible for me to see. There are also pillars in the middle of the standing area and no designated line areas for merch. I have never seen such a disorganized line for merch at a concert. They allow way too many people for the capacity of the venue. Thankfully, I was able to get somewhat closer, but the crowd was as far back as the entrance, right outside the security check. The security is also over the top and rude, taking away people's fan made glow sticks, even when they said they wouldn't light them if it meant keeping them as a keepsake.It's cute that they made drinks The Rose themed, but one of them was very bad. Better off just serving regular well drinks that the bartenders know how to make. (No hate to the bartenders though, they were understaffed for the turnout of the concert.)Lastly, the bathrooms! The women's restroom is actually huge with at least a dozen stalls in a line. However, both times I've been here, the MAJORITY of them are out of order or otherwise nasty.I would come back here for an artist I really love, but otherwise I would steer clear.

I've been to a few different concert venues and I was a little worried it would be dirty, messy, etc. However, I really liked the set up of the venue with a pit and lawn hill for everyone. There are a few different vendor stations to grab a beer, I didn't see any food so eat before! Had a great time!

Train wreck and wont go back. Staff is clueless and lost. Bar is outrageous, $12 for single jack n coke, and no cash. I boycott places that don't take legal tender the US dollar, i was unaware going in. Screw convenience and pushing for more 'automated' tips. Seats were VERY small and VERY close together. Not sure of capacity but only saw one set of restrooms, which or course were busy and needed cleaned and refilled by intermission. Show, light and sound were all decent but the venue overall is a bust.

It's been a minute since I visited Express Live... for obvious reasons. However, I was finally able to go for a show post-ish COVID. All Promowest venues require vaccination and I love that this one is a beautiful, not too big and not too small, outdoor venue. I saw Porter Robinson and for that show, the attendance wasn't too crazy (I imagine due vaccination requirements). I actually liked having a little space to dance. Staff were all wearing masks, for guests it was optional and encouraged. Bathrooms were clean and there wasn't a line out the door. Major Score!Overall, I think they're doing a great job handling the live music scene in Columbus right now. I love the variety of artists that come through here and the health and safety measures are very much appreciated. I'll be back soon!

I've been here a few times for their outdoor concerts and overall a great little place to feel almost like a mini festival. There's plenty of parking lots around the area. The lines for security is always long, but it tends to move faster. It takes longer now that they have to check for covid vaccine cards and negative tests. They have a few bar areas to order drinks and those lines take a loooong time to move. There's also the bar kind of attached to Express Live and honestly there's barely ever a line! Go grab a drink there. Mikey's Late Night Slice tends to be there as a food option. They have porta potties outside or there is an indoor bathroom. I have been inside of Express Live for an indoor concert. It's just a normal concert hall with an upstairs which is nice for small people like me.Try an outdoor concert here if you can!

This review is mainly to help those with accessibility needs as I rarely see info about this online.I went to see Gregory Alan Isakov outside on June 18, 2024 and bought two seats in the accessible section.I had emailed ahead of time to make sure I could bring medical necessities, including a small snack. There was no issue at all and they were super accommodating. I also wore my neck fan because it was 90 degrees. They had one section dedicated to wheelchair users and their companions and I was so happy to see it was a great view and in the upper center. The restrooms were very near this area and while most are the trailer-type porta-potties they had two large wheelchair accessible ones. We were in the accessible section that was not for wheelchair users and it had several benches. We sat on the front bench so we had a good view as well. Everyone was really nice and accommodating, and at one point I noticed a medical emergency happening and the staff handled it quickly and quietly and efficiently. If you want merch you will have to brave the steeply slanted walkways down to the lowest level, but otherwise bathrooms and water and drinks are all available on the upper level where the ADA seating is.They were also allowing people to bring their own water bottles in as long as they were sealed and "cracked open" in front of them on the way in, FYI. I hadn't been to a concert since my brain surgery two years ago and I have a lot more medical needs now and was really nervous, but the whole experience was fantastic. The sound outside was great as well, and I think it helps that GAI always brings out a really respectful crowd. Would definitely go again!

drink prices were outrageous $5.95 for a single 16 oz bottle of water and $13.95 for a 24 oz can of bud light should be illegal to charge such prices, overbooked the venuethey left the outside doors open in the middle of winter so it was freezing cold inside