The Sound — Attraction in Del Mar

I really wanted to like this place, especially since I bought tickets to 4 shows before stepping foot in the venue, but I just don’t. First off it is completely devoid of any character or personality - the opposite of places like Belly Up and Observatory North Park - imagine an abandoned ride inside Disney’s future world. It’s just gray cement everywhere with some futuristic lights.

There are a ton of bars - a friend commented that it felt like the place was made for drinks first, music second. But here’s the thing, the drinks are horrible! All cans of beer and seltzer are gigantic (24oz) and since you’re holding them at a show, the drink eventually gets hot! Hot IPA - NOT OK, lol. You want a mixed drink? They have liquor and they can mix it with soda - no whiskey and Coke though, they only have Pepsi. And if you don’t drink? Well, sugary soda and water are your options. They should just call the bars Diabetes.

The music sounds fine IF you are on the floor in front of the stage. If the show is sold out, it’s really uncomfortable in this venue. People get agro when you try to find room on the floor so you’re forced to stand off to the side of the stage and it sounds terrible over there.

Overall, I am really disappointed in this place and the WORST part - shows that would normally be at the Observatory are now here, and I love the Observatory.

A couple things I think could make this venue a little better - cover the big gray walls with colorful murals and hire a bartender to revamp your cocktail (and mocktail) selection. Even some cans of Lacroix would be an improvement! Parking should be free,...

Nice venue with decent viewpoints and sound. Were I to come again (and I will) I'd upgrade to a balcony seat to get a better scene than the main floor which can be general admission or seated with a people-obstructed view (no qualms if that's your vibe). Posted time is when the show begins. Doors open an hour prior. If you want front rows for general admission I would get there two hours ahead (hour in line outside, inside for an hour before the show). Was here in early November so the AC wasn't "like a meat locker" as I've heard. I suspect they blast the AC in the summer months. Food is meh (hot dogs and nachos) are ala movie-theater prices ($15-20). Their bars (maybe four?) are mostly beer in tall cans ($15-22 per) and their main bar, not a full bar mind you (just vodka and tequila), is high-end pricey (2x Grey Goose vodka and Red Bulls, doubles [2x single oz pours], ran $58. They gotcha by the cajones here. Restrooms after the show were packed and had lines out the door so plan a visit ahead of time. Merch tables had long lines but fairly efficient with, on this night, four attendants. Add a couple more and there would have been more sales (I thought I'd get a poster after the show but the line was bonkers). One thing I did notice was that the layout is pretty convoluted, not a basic rectilinear layout. Access points were narrow (two-doors wide), limited, and made me wonder how egress would go if there were a stage fire. Don't bring anything except yourself and a card for paying for parking ($15, card preferred) and...

Totally forgot to give this Venue a 5 Star rating.. The venue was extremely organized and the “Goth Babe” concert was a blast! I was visiting from Bakersfield California and drove up to see goth babe on 09/28/2024

My experience here was amazing! I had such a great time the location is also so good it’s just 2 mile away from the beach so it was amazing seeing the ocean from the venue . it was also so much fun to be in Del Mar in general the vibes and the atmosphere is just so amazing something out of this world ..

My 2 minor complaints would have to be the front where I was the floor had something sticky on it and was on my shoes the whole concert . The crowd was very friendly until one girl rammed her drunk self (to be expected lol) into me and my friend and basically put us behind her because she wanted to be front row even tho we were paid VIP for that I think VIP section does need to be closed off tho in my opinion, especially if you pay extra to be up there !

overall i had a blast and the night was extremely memorable! The Aces and Goth Babe sound awesome live I had no issues with the concert loved every single minute of it on 09/28/2024 a night I’ll never forget 💙 I really loved this venue the food was very good here as well I forgot to snag a photo of my meal in here , the beer wasn’t that pricy but we had like 4 each so I ended up paying around 80-90ish if I can remember because I did get a little drunk towards the end after 4 tall cans.

Oh and the staff was awesome they know how to do there job ! Top...