first direct arena Review

If you like sitting down to your events then it's ok but for metalheads/rock fans we prefer to stand also the venue know how to make money off fans on the food and drinks stands

Been here for a few gigs and it's a spot on arena, you always feel like you're really close to the stage, well select out and we'll situated, probably one of my favourite venues, I just wish I could get one of those VIP boxes!!! Couple of photos from the various gigs I've been to there, never felt cramped or anything whilst being stood, which is nice!!

Expensive drinks and poor bar management considering such a big event was on. Would benefit from people constantly pouring drinks for the queue size that was present

Nice venue but food and drink is ridiculously over priced

Not allowed to take sweets in because of the promoters. SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weller was outstanding and great view from our seats. Went VIP and enjoyed our meal

Enjoyed our first show here - Mrs Brown, friendly & organised venue

Superb arena, Shame the bar is open during the performance. People getting up to get drinks kinda ruins the performance.

Great layout easy access everywhere but the drinks prices are shocking!

Excellent place, ideal if you can get standing, or on level 1 or 2 anything else is to high

A great load in venue with loading dock access for trucks, great seating and storage but it's kind of small

Great venue really enjoyed our visit, easy to find and good facilities. A great size venue for watching your fav band or performer. Your not too far from the stage no matter where your sat.

Had a great night, I do how ever think the drink prices are high and when you have your tickets too it's an expensive do

Great place for a show, easy in and easy out. Good views from just about everywhere. Car park is across the road (Merrion Centre).

The show was AMAZING but the staff let it down massively directing people to wrong seats and stinking attitudes!!!

Fabulous place for events. Many a happy evening here.

Disappointed!
An evening ruined right from the off.
Arrived with time to spare for the Whitney Houston hologram tour and took our seats immediately. When it became apparent that the event was not going to start on time (no announcement, but no sign that the stage was getting ready), we attempted to buy a drink for the bar. We noticed that 'card only' lanes were operating but no 'cash' lanes were open. We asked for help as we had forgotten our cards but were told that it's 'card only' or nothing! Another option suggested was 'why don't you try asking a total stranger if they'll buy you a drink'. We couldn't believe our ears.
We returned to our seats and waited for a long time for the concert to start. The ticket stated 'doors open at 6.30, event starts at 7.30' the event started at 8.45. No communication from the arena.
Due to this excessive waiting time, we ventured out to use the toilets and walked past the bar en-route. We tried again to get a drink and was moved from queue to queue. Suddenly one person behind the bar began taking cash! What a shambles. Not sure the bar staff knew what was going on.
The concert itself was great but because of the bad organisation and unhelpful staff it ruined the mood for the evening.

Reasonable the burgers are rubbish and the coffee a wee bit better very expensive multistorey car Park I think the charges where too pay for the arena as well. Don't book seats on the floor they are tiny and hard so tiny 2 people had to move and have the staff take apart the way they are fixed to be able to sit.

Not a bad seat in the house. Cracking venue for bands and boxing! Also very efficient bar service!

Nice arena
I feel security could be tighter as the guy with the beeper didn't no who had bleeped through the first bit of security

Good venue but take a lot of money with you very expensive for drinks and snacks

Great place for a convert. Even though we were on the second tier the biew was still good. Sound was very good, much better than high up in Sheffield Arena.

Firstly there is a secure car park 4 mins walk that only cost 5 quid for the whole night. Ideal for a gig. The venue is modern and fan shaped so never side onto the stage like sat at a motorpoint, straining you neck. Quite steep raking of seats. Even a really short person should get good sightlines. But most importantly the sound system was very very very good. P.s. I would have given five, but I got there sat down watched and left. Didn t use any of the facilities

Saw Stone Sour. First ever visit, top notch place for an arena. Considering that it was snowing and very cold, the security had to do the checks even though everyone was freezing but they were still friendly.

Went to see Emeli Sande here, gig was amazing and the venue was excellent with parking facilities just across the road and the venue itself intimate but large capacity.....much better than various arenas.

This is a complaint about Richard Oldale! Terrible customer service, extremely cocky and not pleasant to deal with. Refused to show me his name badge but he seams to be the bar manager in the VIP area. He certainly has made the experience extremely unpleasant and is not something I would be willing to spend money on again. I hope something is done with man because he is a job role which does not suit the way he deals with VIP clients who spend a lot of money. The general security staff are more equipped to deal with clients than this man is. Hope this helps with future service to clients and customers

Ate a hot dog and didn't die. Parking was easy to access but a nightmare to escape. Good acoustics but a bit of a weird setup for an arena.

My daughter has been looked after extremely well during her visit to the Shawn Mendes concert.
Security is impressively tight - which can only be a good thing as well.
Would definitely recommend this place for a concert.

Sound is great and layout is very good. Nice modern building too

Decent venue but not capable of catering for capacity.

Great venue and great visibility from pretty much anywhere.

Excellent venue, helpfull staff showing you around the venue and wonderfull atmosphere.

Being disabled, using a walking stick, i was dreading going to a concert here with my teenage daughter after reading the reviews. I was helped by the friendly staff, used the diabled entrance, the lift and the staff even moved my seat to an end of isle seat, so i could sit more comfortably. Thank you, i had a great night, mum and daughter time.

Love the Arena. No matter where you are seated you'll have a great view!

Strange layout but amazing atmosphere for the boxing.

Not enough leg room. I'm 6'3" and found the 2 hour show extremely uncomfortable

Exceptional venue for concerts. Comfy seats good views around the stadium air con escalators to all floors and bars on three levels.

Very clean, friendly security, friendly Staff, very well organised events - feeling safe here

Went to see Europe's Giants! Excellent vibe, well organised.. but always remember to take a taxi as the car parks are a nightmare to get out of! Great Evening!

Our seats were around 16 rows from what seemed to be a miniature stage. Couldn't see who sang or said what. Couldn't see who did what dance. Lots of people (especialky children) talking, laughing, shouting, getting up snd chi own and walking around or swapping places). It was like I paid to go to that arena to listen to the radio.
Very cold place.... and this was in summer!!
Don't think I'll be going there again. Not worth the money !!!

Good facilities, bars are a little pricey but to be expected at a place like this

really good arena, no complaints at all, brill layout.

Went. To see Jane McDonald,arena was great .plenty of security and searches .though staff didn't seem to know there seating areas well .

Good fun nice private little gig laughed a lot great comedians!

First time visiting very organised, clean and friendly

Went to see little mix 14.10.17 queued for a very long time in one of about 8 queues, however, when the staff FINALLY opened the doors, tonnes of people that hadn't queued were allowed to push in from the sides! This meant that despite queuing near the front we were late being let in and missed most of the opening act! Poor management and the "crowd management" on the day were no use whatsoever! Little mix were amazing...the arena and staff and management however are a shambles

Easily walked to fry Train station, good facilities.

Great arena, well laid out, friendly staff and good facilities

Easy to find and access by the escalators. Security Staff helpful and friendly. Good seats in block 102 however unable to see anything that wasn't in the front of the stage. Appreciate the problems but productions need to be aware that so many seats are affected. Great night.