M&S Bank Arena — Attraction in Liverpool

I had an awful experience at M and S Bank Arena in Liverpool. I brought a bag and was shouted at, that I shouldn't have brought a bag. The man in the security team was extremely harsh when he said this. He is called Mike Old. He said that it was stated on the website that I bought the tickets from that you can't bring a bag as big as mine. I thought it would be fine. It’s only a regular bag. I have taken this bag to lots of other venues with no problems. I asked if they had a locker for my bag, he said they didn't. I hardly had anything in my bag, he didn't even check. Just flat out said that I couldn't come in.

I checked with an outside desk nearby; they said that they didn't have a locker. So, I put my bag on the ground near the venue. I thought I'd just get it after the show. Mike Old then shouted at me, 'are you stupid? That would be an unattended bag'. So, this meant that I couldn't leave it outside or take it inside. Taking it to my hotel would've meant I would miss most, or possibly all, of the show.

I went to talk with my parents at the entrance gate, from outside the gate, about what to do. I said for them just to see the show without me. They said for me to just to see the show without one of them. We were deciding who would miss the concert to sort out the bag issue. We thought that if one of us had the bag and is away from the venue, then the other two could see the show. My dad came out from behind the gate and took my bag away.

After this ridiculous ordeal. I hardly saw any of the show and what I did see I couldn’t enjoy. Mike Old didn't need to ruin the show and the experience. All over a silly bag. He certainly doesn’t need to shout at people the way he does.

Clearly the bag rules weren't mentioned in a precise way on the ticket websites, as other people brought bags too. When I left the venue, I saw lots of bags in a bin. With some audience members pulling them out.

I didn't want to see the concert without my dad, but I couldn't find him. This no phones rule, where you have to put your phone in a sealed box, is awful. It's such a shame. I love Bob Dylan as well. I had been really excited about this. I travelled from London to go to this concert. To stay in a hotel and see Liverpool was part of the trip too. This experience just made everything feel awful.

I saw Bob Dylan a couple of years ago in Bournemouth. That venue in Bournemouth had the same rules about phones in place. While I'm not a fan of this rule, the staff in Bournemouth were nice and it was good there. It doesn’t need to be so awful. I was very surprised and shocked by the behaviour at M and S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

I asked a member of staff after the show for an email to complain about my experience that night. They gave me a phone number and told me the name of the man I wanted to complain about. This member of staff I was talking with at that point, apologised on behalf of the venue for what I had gone through. They also apologised on behalf of the city of Liverpool. That was nice of them. Really though, Mike Old should be the one to apologise. For his appalling behaviour was completely out of order.

When I called the number I was given, the man who answered the phone, was the man who was horrible at the concert venue. It was terrible. It was scary. He said, 'hello security, Mike speaking'. I asked if he'd put me though to complaints. He wouldn't put me through to complaints. He just said that this is security. I put the phone down.

With all of this, I haven't been able to get in touch with M and S Bank Arena to talk about what happened. I think that the managers should know this story, to prevent this happening to anyone else.

M and S Bank Arena are letting their customers down by having Mike Old work there and having this ridiculous entry system to the venue. Don't go to M and S Bank Arena...

Having been to a few business conferences and exhibitions at the arena, it was great to experience the venue for leisure. . The family and I went to see the Harlem Globetrotters World Tour at the arena during the school half-term. . Firstly, if you're familiar with the area the arena is situated on the king's dock which is adjacent to the world famous Royal Albert Dock. The arena is striking to look at and towers over the skyline - very easy to find but if you are struggling just head for the Liverpool eye (big wheel), which can be found right outside the entrance. . Secondly, if you are driving there are plenty of carparks close by but be aware of payment options. Several carparks on the docks only accept cash and don't provide change. So if you want to pay by card the Q parks located at Liverpool One and John Lewis may be a better choice but they are both located on the opposite side of the strand (main road). Liverpool One Q park is my favourite choice, but they are both similar. . The arena itself is as expected inside but I think the layout and viewing blocks are one of the best around offering fantastic views of the main arena / stage. . The facilities were very clean and there are plenty of toilets so there is no queuing for the loo during intervals. The food offering is typically predictable and expensive but it's same in all these venues. My only complaint was the service at the kiosk. Not only was this quite slow, our server clearly didn't want to be there and was unwilling to provide an extra straw for my child's bottle of water, which was incredibly stingy given the cost of £2.30 a bottle. I think the server was just being stubborn but their excuse was that they were 'running low on straws' (perhaps they didnt clock the box of hundreds of straws that was on display behind them....mmmm.... I wonder). Needless to say this was one minor blip in what otherwise was a fantastic experience and excellent venue. I would definitely...

The M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool is a top-tier venue that delivers an exceptional live entertainment experience. Located right on the scenic Liverpool waterfront, it boasts a sleek, modern design and a prime setting that’s easy to access whether you’re a local or a visitor.

I attended a concert here recently and was impressed by how well-managed and welcoming the arena was from the moment I arrived. Entry was quick, security checks were smooth, and staff members were friendly and professional throughout the evening.

Inside, the arena is clean, spacious, and well-organized. The seating layout provides excellent views from most sections, and the acoustics are surprisingly good for a multi-purpose venue of this size. Whether you’re sitting closer to the stage or further back, the sound quality remains balanced and clear. The lighting and visuals for the performance were also top-notch.

One of the highlights is the venue’s location next to the famous Albert Dock and Wheel of Liverpool. It makes the whole experience even more enjoyable, offering plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels nearby if you want to make a full evening of it. Public transport options and nearby parking make getting there relatively hassle-free, although parking prices can be steep during major events.

Amenities within the arena include multiple bars and food stalls, all reasonably well-stocked, though expect typical event pricing. Restrooms were clean, with short wait times even during intermission.

Accessibility is clearly a priority here, with good provisions for guests with disabilities, including lifts, wide walkways, and accessible seating options.

Overall, M&S Bank Arena stands out as one of the best entertainment venues in the North of England. It combines excellent facilities, great staff, and a vibrant waterfront location. Whether you’re coming for a concert, comedy show, or sports event, this venue promises a memorable night out. Highly...