ARAMARK at Alpine Valley Music Theater Review

Alpine Valley is beautiful. The lines into the place are inconsistent with other larger venues. They simply do not have it dialed. It took an hour and 30 to get in. Then- the parking lot exodus was a night changer. We had a bus with 30 people. Supposedly, we were in the bus express lane to get out. It took an hour and 45 minutes before our bus could actually move 15mph on the road. Management needs to adjust or they should sell to someone who can actually run the place.

I have a love/hate relationship with Alpine. It's such a cool location and there's a lot of history and potential, but the owners don't make improvements to make the experience more enjoyable. Need more ticket scanners and security checking bags/wanding. More bathrooms, concessions, lighting, handicapped accessibility, security in the reserved seating, and FFS make more exits! It's a friggin field, why are there only 2 lines to leave the parking lot? If I was rich, I would buy this venue and make it so epic, update everything and book different genre's every weekend in the summer. Live Nation blows balls!

Awesome place parking lit hard to get out of though

I went to see The Who and it was so...good. We had great seats. It was the best concert I've ever been too

I've seen Dave Matthews band here three out of my four DMB concerts. Looking forward to seeing DMB once again this summer! Alpine Valley Is a gorgeous amphitheater with great seating, even on the lawn! I highly recommend seeing DMB here rather than at Marcus Amphitheatre when they visit Summerfest.

Friendly security guards. Smart people. However next time please have ice cream vendors!

It's a beautiful venue, no doubt about it. I saw "Dead and Company" there for my first visit. The sound is good no matter where you sit. The view depends on your willingness to spend or your cunning getting to the front of the Lawn Seats. The ticket price for a lawn seat was very reasonable. Parking is also reasonable, but access out is an issue. We bought Priority Parking passes and it was a really good idea. Parking Lot tailgating is encouraged because the concessions prices inside are insane. $16.25 for domestic 24 oz. cans. Security is tight, but not overwhelming. Some patting and bag checks, they're mostly looking for weapons and overt stupidity. See your favorite bands here and be happy!

Go early to tailgate with your friends. So fun. But bring your own sanitizer cuz there isn t any! Speakers should be added so grass seat purchasers can have a better experience. Food and drinks are pricey but a can of beer is $15 and it s 25oz. PortOJohns inside and out do not have sanitizer or wash stations. I know I m repeating myself but 30,000 fans don t get to wash their hands!

This was by far the worst venue I've ever been to. Couldn't see the act or hear them. Over sold the show. I don't care if your favorite band you always wanted to see is coming here and it's free. I wouldn't waste my time

Great venue for concerts. It takes a while to get in the lot for parking so be prepared to wait. Plenty of restrooms and concessions.

Farm Aid was great. Great sound system great screens. Very high prices for alcohol drinks. Side shows consist of drunks rolling down the hillside.

It was an amazing experience, the sound was awesome!!

Biggest rape on alcoholic drinks. They do a poor job on Saturdays when it's crowded. Would not go back

Beautiful place hope they have more shows in the future

We had lawn tickets for the recent Hootie and the Blowfish concert, and upgraded to premier parking. The venue itself is really quite nice, and we had beautiful weather for our outdoor seats. There were a few problems that would prevent me from going back 1) the sheer number of stumbling drunks, 2) Porta-potties are plentiful but only located at the top of the property, and 3) it takes FOREVER (1.5 hours) to exit the property after the concert even with premier parking.

I love this venue and have been coming here for years. They've let it get a bit run down.

This was our first time seeing Jimmy Buffet and we couldn't have been more disappointed. It took two hours to get into the parking lot. And another hour to get through the gate. Once we got inside we were met with 30 minute lines for the bathroom and beer which was $17. Then we found out the venue was over sold. There were so many people we couldn't even get into the grass area to see the stage. We left without ever seeing the show. I'll never go back.

This place was bomb. The were more people at this place then I've ever seen in one spot in my life, great show... Expensive beer though. Went to see a grateful dead and company show. It was crazy to try and leave with everyone leaving at the same time. People were partying in the parking lot everywhere. Looked like some where planning on camping out for the night. Over all i had i great time. Even in the parking lot. I would recommend leaving early if you want to get out. Everyone trying to leave at once sucked

Lots of hills! If going for a concert, grab a seat early!!

The venue is great. My only complaint is the steep walk down to the stage. Very few handrails and the walk back up the steep incline with no lights for guidance. I had many older people falling down in front of me.

Great venue that never sold out its naming rights and it shows in modest signage and ambiance presentation.

Excellent. Porta potty needs some attention throughout the night though.

I went to a Buffet concert where they jam you in so tight (tent must touch your car, ) you can't even wander from tent to tent with out cutting right through the middle of someone's party... they left TONS of open grass area. Also, they packed in way too many people, well over capacity and you could not see or hear the concert since there was no lawn left at all. Money hungry Alpine will never see me again.

Phishhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Excellent time and awesome venue!

Saw Dave Matthews there this summer with my son. Amazing Show!! Amazing venue!! Well thought out and fully capable of serving the thousands of concert goers in attendance. Hope to see another shiw there soon!!

loved the tailgating and the hill seats. did not like the entry way into venue huge crowd with no direction. Beer was $$$ but we knew that.
Please please please get more bathrooms!!

Worst. Convert venue. Ever. Horribly understaffed. The event that I and my family tried to get into, Jimmy Buffet, was clearly overbooked. We couldn't even get into the show after waiting in line for an hour and finding out there was nowhere to even sit down (at an outdoor venue!). Never going back.

We went to Farm Aide. The music was fabulous, but the actual venue is awful and dangerous. I don't know how they can get Insurance. We saw at least 3 people fall. Some paths are at 45 degree angles and also tilted sideways. It also was raining. We got tickets under the roof but most people were sitting in the rain. Again. The music was fantastic and the cause was great.

The traffic going to this place sucks! They need a better system to get people in the place. Can't even get to your own house living by this!

Was recently at this venue for Farm Aid. Despite the poor weather, the music itself was very good, and the venue set-up was fair.

HOWEVER

I am giving this venue one star primarily because of the price gouging and poor communication by live nation about what you may and may not bring into the venue. The incredibly vague language on the website led to a lot of confusion about what you were allowed to bring in & how much :

"Food in a clear, 1-gallon zip lock bag" unclear as to how much you can bring in. With the outrageous prices for food at this venue, bringing in food is a game-changer. Would have been nice to know our limitations.

"Water up to 1 gallon in a factory sealed or empty bottle"
I brought in an empty aluminum water bottle with the intention of filling it up at a water fountain. However, was told at the gate that aluminum bottles were not allowed and I needed to either throw it away or bring it back to the car (and subsequently wait in an hours-long line to get back in). This was downright enraging as the website said that you could bring in an empty bottle. In fact, it specifically said aluminum bottles are allowed (see photo below - from venue website).

As this was a 12+ hour concert, bringing in food and water is essential, especially with the high concession prices. I would not recommend this venue or any other live nation venue and I will certainly not be supporting live nation going forward.

well that's just it I love Alpine Valley is a music venue it's a beautiful place and a lot of fun. My problem is with the price of refreshments. That's why I didn't get a 5-star when you're paying from 15 to $18 just for one beer you're a little upset that's mentioned the price of a water was $7-9 for a bottle of water.

Zac Brown Band was at 7, we got there at 3. The party was just getting going. Easy traffic control, good interactions with people, staff was great. Got in line at 5, waiting was orderly. Staff came through with instructions twice, made it easy and clear. They let us in at 6, we found our seats and prep for the show finished up and we lainched on an evening of fun. Excellent experience.

Due to completely overselling for the Jimmy Buffett concert on 7/20/19, we feel completely ripped off!! Greed over safety is not ok!!

Fantastic venue, musically. Nice to have covered seats for some of the audience. Could use extra stairs instead of ramps at some very steep inclines. And the prices? Live Nation, you continue to suck! Concertgoers should bring their own, stay in the parking lots as long as you can, and boycott the ridiculous prices.

It's nice having access to the VIP lounge before and after the show and during set break. Center section of the pavilion yields perfect sight lines and sound. Would not want to be in lawn as the hill is pretty steep. Overall I enjoy Alpine Valley as a music venue.

Hate the incline on the lawn it makes it hard to dance but we always have an awesome time sux the didnt allow vebderos in the parking lot fir the dead and co shows but stipl had a blast

I used to have such a love for this place untill security got to big for there own good.
I understand and appreciate the importance for it but when it over-spills onto the innocent then the problem you are trying to fix is far from that but exacerbated.

They cram too many people in for a concert. The way it is built, walking is extremely difficult because of the steepness of the slope. If you are handicapped, forget it. Worst concert venue I have ever been to.

Duh!! It's ALPINE. THIS VENUE MAY BE OUTDATED IN SOME AREAS BUT IT MAKES UP FOR IT IN CHARM. Seriously...it is impossible not to have a good time here unless you trip too hard or something haha

Tough inclines, but easy to navigate. Enough porta potties that the lines didn't get too long. Easy access to food and drinks. parking wasn't bad either, though we left early to avoid the traffic, after previous reviews complained about it.

Other than $16 beers it was good. Free parking and its clean.. food is lacking and expensive so don't go hungry. - it's no gorge but for a midwest amphitheatre it's pretty good

We saw The Who in September 2019. Best concert they had an orchestra backing them. Beers were $15 but they re 24 ounces. So that s comparable with ski areas and sports arenas. It was easy to get in and out of the parking area. Heard it s not so easy with bigger crowds though.

Getting through the gate was a nightmare. Very poor planning of gate design. The design of the venue itself is dangerous. I witnessed many falls including those that were trying to be careful and acting responsibly.

Grew up here in the mid 80's! Best place to see and hear any show.

I've been to Alpine Valley for shows at least 15 times. Coming from Chicago it can be my favorite venue on the right days... it all depends on rain. The line to get and out is really long and a bit annoying, but its worth it once you get inside. Plan on tailgating first, but responsibly.

Need better access for handicapped to get to their seats and back out

Let us park early(1pm) and tailgate all day. Lots of friendly security and venue workers were all very nice and helpful. Lots of clean parta-pottys in all the parking lots. Got right in and right out from lot after show.

Once you get in everything is great but leaving the show The parking lot was hard to leave.

The music was great- my husband didn't drink and to find a non alcoholic beverages was almost impossible. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I will not be going back due to that. We even left the concert early and finished listening to it out by our car. Thankful we're brought our own porta potty.

Just find level ground if you are standing for any time and you will have a great time

Awesome venue for a concert. The parking was good, it was easy to get into, and lots of space.

The best outdoor venue I've ever attended! Tailgating before the shows is an awesome time, the sound is surprisingly great from all areas (even the lawn seating), and there's plenty of room to spread out and enjoy yourself. Phish and Dave Matthews Band frequent the theatre, among many other great bands! Prices are usually reasonable, and security is fairly non-nonchalant.

Where else can you tailgate for hours and then see an AMAZING concert??

Great music venue, I only wish they would have more concerts there.

As a music venue it is great.. the operations end could use some work. They let u bring in some food and a bottle of water.. but they take the lid when you enter..traffic management could be better and $15 for a beer is robbery, even for a tall boy.. $20 for a mixed drink.. save ur money and tailgate ahead of time.. Zac Brown Band sounded great though...

Always good time but the better your seats are the worse your bathroom situation.

One of the greatest outdoor venues to see live music.

I'm happy to see that Alpine valley has started to host concerts again. working here has always been a headache and it can be a total mess if it rains. You're still a good outdoor venue that is fairly well run and host some great shows.

We got there bright and early for Farm Aid, ending up in the third row of vehicles. At just after 9am, people were drinking and having a blast.

I felt the crowds were handled pretty well by staff, all things considered. It was rain all day, making the hills a bit of a death trap when trying to find seating or moving around at all. Still, it was funny watching people fall since only pride was hurt.

I believe they brought in more bathrooms for this event, as most reviews complained about the very long wait at previous concerts and there really wasn't too much waiting here. They got nasty near the end, but no surprise there.

Big screens made it easy to view the concert from far away and great sound made you still feel like part of experience even in the furthest seats. I do believe that another screen or two could have been added by the concession area, but I get that they'd want to keep that area more accessible.

Extremely expensive to purchase any drinks there, but it's a concert, so what are you gonna do? Plus, trying to stay upright on the slippery grass on a steep hill was plenty difficult on its own, so didn't feel like adding more booze to the mix.

Food was decent, but wish there had been more variety.

I really wanted to stay for the whole thing, but we left early to avoid what we imagined would be an insanely long wait to get out of the lot. As I had read many reviews about it taking up to three hours, we decided to head out before Neil Young. Broke my heart, but we are not familiar with the area and did mot want to try to navigate through obscene traffic. Absolutely the roght decision.

Sinse Dave Matthews was my very first concert, it was great seeing him again.

All in all an incredible ecperience crazy crowded and the rain sucked, but they can't control the weather.

Steepest descent at a music venue that I have ever experienced. Sound was excellent and the access & exit were easy. Loved the food truck options.

Too much tobacco and "other" smoke. Ruined an otherwise wonderful performance by The Who.

Great Venue. The sound isn't as good on the right side facing the stage as it is in the center or far back on the lawn.

The drive in and out leave something to be desired. Also the lack of hand washing stations or at least hand sanitizer in the port a pots was disappointing. I'd go again but get there much earlier and always leave before the show is over.

The most fun a human can experience always a super positive vibe you could go alone and leave with many friends a definite must you have not;)

While I enjoy the venue the unlimited amount of alcohol available creates problems. Adults start acting like children on the uneven ground, spinning around with lighted glasses, stumbling around, and falling down. It would be better if alcohol was eliminated from the venue.

Farm Aid 2019:
Horrible location with poor logistics for trying to contain 40,000 people. With rain, it only worsens the unsafe conditions of the inclines and declines of the terrain.

Wifi is awful, not any better with the app...because the wifi is awful...you are in a valley. Lost and found customer service was great.

Sound for Jimmy Buffet was terrible!Could not see stage as everyone was STANDING!!!! cigarette and marijuana smoke in face all night .parking diaster will never attend another concert there again!

Awesome spot to see a concert! Drink prices are outrageous

WAY oversold Buffett concert. Couldn't see or hear or find a place to sit. Safety of concert goers was not a concern either. Entrance gate went from 3 lines to 2 because of one drunk person. That added to the lines backing up even further. Seems they were only interested in getting as much money as they could, not giving the attendees a good experience.

Huge open air concert stadium with great sound no matter where you sit.

Love this place. Little problem getting in but great show.

I attended the Jimmy Buffett concert and it was the worst concert I ve been to. They over sold the concert. There was no place to sit in the lawn area, the bathroom lines were extremely long and the sound system was nonexistent in the concession area. I will not go back!!!

Great show! Thanks to all the artists that participated and for making the rain bareable.

Most fun you can have at a concert! Especially when Jimmy Buffett comes to town!