Allstate Arena

Last month my sister was given free tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters, so she thought it would be something fun & different for my nephews over winter break. The older one is in basketball and is a huge fan of all games…
She invited me along and I don’t pass on opportunities to spend time with my stud muffins. We’d never seen the Globetrotters before, so we really didn’t know what to expect…
I had not been to Allstate Arena in some time, but have seen countless concerts & games here…
I like that Allstate is a smaller venue, especially compared to United Center… And it’s only about a 20 min. drive away… Parking is close to Venue, but also costs $ 20…
Do I think that’s steep? For the location I do…
I expect to pay a lot for parking at venue’s in the city and have, not sure why it’s pricey here… parking at most venues is almost always cash only, so be sure to bring some…
Traffic was not chaotic the night we were here. Probably due to the amount of people attending this event… Security was a breeze, they didn’t check anything but our tickets. Seating is not complicated to find, although we were told the section we were looking for was restricted /​closed, even though it was listed on our tickets. The employee went out of her way to accommodate us, and ended up placing us in better seats. Honestly, it was not a full house. But people were asked to move because they were sitting in seats that didn’t belong to them… I saw this often.
There was also a woman standing in my view trying to video the show… I had to politely ask her to sit down… I swear I saw her young daughter give me the evil eye…
The one thing I did notice, that I hadn’t noticed before, is alot of garbage/​wrappers in the stairwells… maybe this is to be expected with crowds, but its not pleasant to see and workers should be on top of this. Concession prices are high, but I’m not really shocked by this. they are high at every venue I’ve been to.
Again, for the location, you’d think they’d charge less, but they don’t.
A hotdog $ 6, Cheeseburger $ 7…everything is ala carte as you’d expect…
I do like the acoustics here, no complaints. Multiple large screens too.
All in all, I like the more intimate feel of Allstate Arena… and will continue to come back. its AOK.
As far as the show. I think my 8 yr. old nephew summed it up perfectly… and in his unedited written words:
«OK so uth uth… In the globe trotters game I was a first timer and it was good until it lost its magic and was not that good anymore after the 1^st quarter it was not so interesting anymore it just seemed like the same thing over and over again They were cracking jokes and doing things that make me not so much laugh anymore because in the first quarter they made me laugh and then in the end it only made me chuckle a littlllle bit. That is why it got boring.»
He asked if he could write a review for this and KUDO’S to HIM! ;)
He did a fine job if I do say so myself!

This place gets 5 stars. I’m not sure how you could give it a rating of anything less than that.
It’s a free-​king arena. It will be crowned, there will be a traffic jam when you leave, there will be a cost for parking, and finally you will pay way to much for food and delicious beer.
May I remind you it’s an arena, its everything you expect, nothing more nothing less.

Allstate arena is clean but very difficult to get around to your seat. It’s best to arrive early in order to find your seat as you may have to go a round about way to find it if you’re in the higher balcony. Parking is $ 25.

Was here for trans Siberian orchestra. They were awesome. Yet the parking situation was.a.MESS.

I recall Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Macho Man Randy Savage always talking about how they were gonna destroy someone whenever the came to the Rosemont Horizon (now Allstate Arena) in Chicago. I never got a chance to see those guys throw down live and in person, but got a chance to come and see the likes of Sheamus, Roman Reigns, Brie Bella, Bray Wyatt and numerous others at the WWE Holiday Tour Live Event and it was pretty good. Screaming kids and adults were totally into the matches as was myself. Beer prices were pretty much off the chain as a 16oz aluminum can of bud light/​budweiser came out to $ 9 each… WTF!!!
The arena doesn’t seem too big as I know it houses the DePaul Blue Demons and Chicago Wolves home games. The place looks like it can use some updating as the chairs are pretty worn and it just looked like an upholstering should take place all around. Decent venue

Went to see tso. The concert was beyond amazing, excellent, 5 stars.
But the parking situation was horrible. First have to pay. That day the weather was awful and the parking lot wasn’t plowed at all. No path from the parking lot to the vennu plowed. My poor mom had to walk in that and I was afraid she would fall. I didn’t see any signs for a drop off area of any kind. Just insanity. Pure insanity. Is there even handicap parking? Plus a rule for one should be a rule for all. I had my kindle in my purse, cause thats where it always is. And I had to go put it back in my car. Yet the people in front of me had a tablet and a small video camera. What the hell. This was my first time seeing tsi. And they are excellent performers. But allstate arena was lacking. Next year I guess I will have to come in and get a lay of the land so I won’t feel so lost.

Over few years, I have been to this place for so many different events. Concerts, a circus, flea markets, carnivals — that’s just to name a few! There’s always something to do at this place. Its easy to find and parking is never a hassle. A fun place to go for any event.

I tend to avoid arena shows but every so often a band or event will come to town that I am forced to come here for. Despite thinking I would have a hard time seeing the performer I ended up having a perfect view. Yeah sure it looked like ants holding instruments but I still enjoyed myself. I have chronic foot pain in my right foot so it is always a wonderful when I am at a venue with seats. Parking at Allstate is something to avoid because traffic after the show will be similar to the kind you might experience when the Apocalypse happens.

I am only giving this place 3 stars & not less because they host WWE events.
I came here not to long ago for a WWE pay-​per-​view event. I parked in the lot because it’s too far to park across the street especially when the parking price is pretty much the same. To park in the Allstate Arena lot it is $ 20. The parking is cash only which is a little bit of an inconvenience.
Once inside it will take you about twenty minutes to reach your seat because the halls are very narrow & all of the people just crowd into them. Once you get to your seat the experience can be better or it could be just as bad. The stadium style seats are very small & very uncomfortable. It is apparent that they tried to cram as many seats into this stadium as possible. If you have floor seats they provide you with fold-​able chair that have a little bit more room. The experience on the floor is awesome but even in the upper levels the stadium is laid out well enough that you will still have a good view.
The sound in here is what is really good. The sound for all of the wrestling events here sound awesome.
Overall the concession prices are high but that is to be expected. The parking isn’t cheap & once again that is to be expected. I would come here again for a WWE event but other than that I probably wouldn’t want to come here.

This is among my least favorite venues to see concerts, but probably above the United Center. In addition to your overpriced concert ticket, you will pay an additional $ 20 to park here for a nightmare exit after the overpriced concert. I don’t mind Wolves games here because they rarely sell out, at least not when I’ve been there, I’ve also been to a few DePaul basketball games… again, not a sell out kind of game. Sometimes I have no choice but to go here for concerts because this might be the only venue they’re at. I was here last night, before that probably about 6 years ago… I also remembered that both of my graduation ceremonies from DePaul University were here as well.
I try not to buy food at these places because it’s always overpriced. I don’t recall beer prices either this past visit because I didn’t look but I’m assuming both are probably outrageous.
The sound isn’t too bad here… the seats, even in the upper section aren’t horrible either. It’s NEVER easy to exit a concert venue, but the set up in the lot and the out to the street are just ridiculously bad. There ARE other lots in the area which are cheaper, but you have to walk to them, and cross Mannheim Ave. to get there. That won’t keep me from returning though… sometimes you just don’t have an option!

The Old Rosemont Horizon. Would go see The DePaul Blue Demons Basketball team play here on the regular back in the day.
parking is like $ 10 – 20.
The Grateful Dead got banned here in the late 80s for the wildness/​fun in there Parking lot. Hosted Prince’s ‘LoveSexy’ World CenterStage Tour.
The Popcorn is not so bad.

Let’s be honest, we all go hear for the music and it’s great location. They always feature quality acts and you can almost always find affordable tickets somewhere in here. We went to see new kids on the block, nelly, tlc.
Like all other venues in the area it is over priced.
Layout awful, seats uncomfortable, crowded events leave you feeling sardine like.
I won’t stay away I just will go see expensive events at different venues where I won’t feel like herded cattle.

3.5 Stars
It’s been a while since the last time I have been to Allstate Arena. In fact it may have still been called Rosemont Arena at that time. Even though it hasn’t changed too much from what I can tell.
I have seen the Depaul Blue Demon’s play here when they were really good and I have seen the Stones play here as well. I have just seen the Who and I have to say that it was pretty enjoyable.
We had no problem with getting in and finding our seats. It helps to figure your seating out before you arrive. This way you don’t have to keep asking someone where your seats are. Right? I felt that security was more lax than a normal event. As we walked through the gates and they scanned our tickets we weren’t even checked for contraband or weapons or stuff like that. Maybe they felt that because it was The Who, they had nothing to be concerned about.
The venue for the day was The Who and Joan Jet and the Black Hearts who opened up for The Who. The sound was pretty good and even though we had seats in the nose bleed section of the back upper deck. We had no problem viewing the stage because of the giant a$$ screens on both sides and in the middle behind the stage. The acoustics were pretty good as well although Roger and Pete still mumble at times.
I stick with my 3.5 stars as this is a good alternative to seeing a concert without having to travel into the city.
Tip: Take a limo if you don’t want to drive in and worry about parking.

This isn’t the United Center. Why is it $ 20 (cash only) to park here?!
A lot of the prices here are ridiculous. Water is $ 5?!
Only good thing is that there really isn’t a bad seat here. Even in the nosebleeds you can see and hear everything clearly.
Fix the parking and concessions and maybe I’ll come here for concerts more often. Lots of concerts in the city where I can take the train or pay less for parking.

This is my first time reviewing the Allstate but I’ve been to dozens of shows over the last 20 years (since it was the Rosemont Horizon) or so and dozens more sporting events — primarily the wolves and DePaul basketball.
This venue has always been one of my favorites. The Allstate is a bigger venue than most, with only the United Center and Soldier Field being bigger venues with an occasional Wrigley Field show. That being said, there’s really not a bad seat in the house. Many concerts I’ve attended I’ve sat in the back on top and have never had any issues seeing or hearing the show. The Venue is typically clean and organized and relatively easy to navigate.
The only draw down is getting out of the parking lot after a show. But I can’t fault the arena — 20,000 people leaving any space at one time will cause a traffic jam. Also, the 20 dollar cash only fee to park is a little bit of a bummer.
For my most recent concert — I saw The Who this week for their 50^th anniversary tour and it was awesome! I’ll obviously return for future games and shows.

I like this place because it’s not overwhelmingly huge, but it is kind of old and the food/​beverage prices are ridiculous. Who do you think you are, Allstate? And who do you think I am, a rich lady?
Yes, I am rich with love, family and friends, but not rich enough for $ 8 fries thankyouverymuch.

I have been here for a Wolves game and a concert. Allstate is so outdated. It needs some updating STAT. I felt like I went back in time… possibly the 70’s. The seats are tiny, you basically are sitting on top of the person next to you. They only have 2 kinds of beer on draft (Bud and Bud Light). Boring. And they are expensive, of course. All of the concessions are way overpriced.
Parking was $ 20 (cash only). If you go to a popular event, getting out can take forever.
On the good side, the staff was very friendly and super nice. Other than that, I have been to way better arenas.

And I thought the concession prices at Sox park were bad.
Does Rosemont think they’re downtown Chicago? Because charging $ 20 parking (cash only, of course) sure makes it seem that way. Yeah yeah, traffic flow coming in and going out is a giant clusterf*ck, but there’s 20,000 people leaving a venue, so you’ve gotta expect that. I have seen many events here: Wolves hockey games, a Poison/​Def Leppard concert, and at least half a dozen Trans-​Siberian Orchestra shows. From these experiences, I have to say that the sound system is superb, and the lighting/​AV rigs are usually top-​notch. Seating is decent, and the ushers do a great job of blocking out light from the concourse for dark concerts, while still keeping it safe for guests by shining a flashlight on the stairs.
The Allstate Arena was about to get a solid 4* from me, until on my way out the door I noticed a sign at a concession stand: large draft beer — $ 10.25. Are. You. Kidding me? I outright refuse to buy beer at Sox games anymore because they’ve escalated past $ 8.50, so when I saw that beers here were upwards of $ 10, I honestly wanted to punch a baby. A ‘yard’ of margarita (which is actually only like a foot, those goddamn liars) was something like $ 15, which I obviously didn’t buy because I’m not stupid, rich, or masochistic. I don’t even want to know how much a pretzel or slice of pizza cost, since it would only make me weep for humanity.
Protip: drink in the parking lot beforehand with some BYOB, and save yourself a considerable amount of money. Works for me everytime.

I’ve been to Allstate Arena a number of times — last year for Trans-​Siberian Orchestra. Last evening, we had tickets for Andrea Bocelli. We planned the whole day around this concert and headed to Rosemont at 4pm to enjoy other activities in the area. If you’re headed to the Arena for a concert BE AWARE — there is horrific traffic that completely surrounds this venue and it will take you 3 times longer than normal to get there, plan accordingly! We headed to the concert from Balmoral and I-​294 (less than 3 miles away) at 715pm (plenty of time to arrive for the 8pm start time) and it took 1:45 minutes to get there because of construction and congestion. Major 2 and 3 lane roads merging into one lane — we could have walked from where we started and made it to the concert on time.
We arrived in our seats just in time for the intermission — having missed the entire first half of the concert. I also called the arena at 8:22pm to see if the performance had started and they said «we are very aware of the traffic situation and the concert hasn’t started yet» — which we found out was a lie once we arrived.
It would have been helpful for Allstate Arena to post this relevant information to their website or social media pages so people can plan accordingly — but the only announcements are intended to sell more tickets. You’ve been warned!

2.5, for the venue alone. I honestly don’t know how Andrea Bocelli concert was scheduled here. It was completely sold out, it’s small, they have circuses (I didn’t spell that correctly, did I?!) and an 35+ piece orchestra in the same place as circus animals? Don’t get me wrong, I love animals, had a pooch myself for 9 yrs, but you get what I’m trying to say.
This was not the place for a huge orchestra and a world renowned Bocelli. Acoustics probably not meant for such a crammed in small stadium that really has no appeal. I will say, however, the ushers and people that work here are efficient and friendly. They get 5 stars. Bocelli, well, he gets standing ovations!