The Mission Ballroom — Attraction in Denver

Last weekend, November 24th and 25th, I had the immense pleasure of attending two back to back concerts at Mission Ballroom for the very first time.

I had heard great things about Mission, I have been an active member of the EDM scene for several years, and those who live in the area may very well know that Denver is basically the bass capital of America. Countless shows, pop-ups, events and more happen with artists passing through constantly, and one of the places I have seen Denver frequented - Mission Ballroom.

Since April, tickets went on sale for an EDM artist known by “Eptic”. I bought the tickets right away and let the anticipation begin. Little did I know, there was so much more to enjoy than just the concert itself.

I often find myself planning ahead, so I asked people around the community what I needed to know about going to Mission for the first time.

I was provided bountiful information about parking, venue information and more.

When my friends and I (who also experienced this venue for the first time) arrived, we were pleasantly surprised that the venue had event parking very close. Which, if you are in Denver in November- such as this last weekend, was essential because it was very cold outside. There was a fee of $20, a fee if split between 4 people (like the amount of people in the car I was in) is $5 per way and a price that I would gladly pay each time I attend. Especially considering the alternative of parking further away or having to hassle with Uber/Lyft when we already had a designated driver.

I also heard there was an inexpensive coat check. My boyfriend and I both opted for this route, as neither of us intended to freeze our butts off, even for the short walk. To our surprise, both of us had an orderly coat check for the low cost of $6.

Not only that, but the attendants seemed to pick up that it was our first time at the venue, and we were coming back the next day for Eptic. They showed us they were more than happy that we were attending 2 night in their venue and gave each of us a drink token. They let us know this could be redeemed for any drink of choice, whether that was top shelf or even a double! Honestly, it set the night on a high note.

The venue, while sold out night one of attendance, and nearly sold out on night two, still had a very spacious feel. The floor was pretty packed, but the upper section gave for a very comfortable feel as did other areas throughout.

I also noticed that there were several bars to choose from, and often the upper bars had little to no lines at all.

Something I really appreciated about the venue was that there were multiple bathrooms, and they were very clean. The upper bathrooms had something that I have yet to see in very many venues- gender-neutral bathrooms with floor to ceiling doors and walls. I WISH this was something more venues opted for. In case this makes you feel uneasy, there was an attendant on the outside of the door, but I had no problems at all.

If I had to describe what this venue was like from being inside of it two times, I’d say it’s like an indoor Red Rocks that has a floor/ pit. That is the vibe it gave out with its upper seating that were more like deep steps rather than traditional theater seating.

The staff were gracious, kind and amazing. I asked someone at coat check how I could give props to the venue because I was so impressed. So here I am, telling you that if you have thought about going to Mission, but haven’t had the honor to yet, it is 10/10 worth the night out there. I will definitely be coming back next time I make it from Nebraska!

PS - If you do opt for coat check, take the amazing advice I was given and go pick up your items the last 30 minutes to hour of the evening being over. It will save you a long wait post-show. But as I said, I like to plan ahead. :)

Thank you so so SO much Mission Ballroom staff and security! Your locals are...

I went to my first show here on Saturday, March 1, 2025, I can honestly say it will be my last. The show started at seven and at 10:15, I went with my boyfriend to get a round of drinks from the bar, the bartender sold us a double tall IPA and a tall vodka press, he said “enjoy your drinks” as he slid the drinks across the counter. At which time the lights all came on. I asked “is the show over?” He said “yes, it was actually supposed to end 15 minutes ago”. I was dumbfounded that he just sold us the extra large drinks knowing that, but we proceeded to try and drink the drinks as quickly as we could. The staff started telling us we needed to get out, the show was over, so we proceeded to walk downstairs, to get my coat from coat check, after coat check we were walking over to the merchandise counter, still try to drink the very large drinks, as quickly as we could. This one security guard saw us and started to yell at us “GET OUT, THE SHOW’S OVER, TIME TO LEAVE!” I explained “we were just sold the drinks and we were trying to finish them and that there was no reason to be rude”, but he persisted with his screaming, as we were walking to the merchandise counter. He yelled “ARE YOU EVEN GOING TO BUY ANYTHING?!, ARE YOU, ARE YOU?” I said “I don’t know we haven’t even gotten to look at any of it yet”. He yelled “YOU’RE THE LAST PEOPLE HERE!”(we weren’t there were people at the merchandise counter and still walking out). “GET OUT!!”. At which point we just gave up threw the drinks away, drinks that cost us $40+, and left because were being so disrespected. I have gone to many shows throughout the years and I have NEVER been treated so poorly by ANY person at ANY venue. This brown haired man, with a severely un-groomed beard, a leg brace and crutches, should not work in anything hospitality related, because that type of behavior is/was simply unacceptable. The venue itself is unsafe and immoral for selling alcohol up until the minute the show as over. I’ve never been to a Venue that doesn’t do a last call, for this EXACT reason. I’m not sure if it’s even legal, I will be looking into that and reporting them if I find out that it isn’t. It’s a good thing we were not driving, because that is not okay to sell people drinks and then immediately demand they “chug them”. We ended up tossing the drinks 3/4 full, because we couldn’t and that waste of money, in combination with the terrible treatment made for an experience I will not forget and not in a good way. I have been telling lots of people about this poor experience and will continue to do so, anytime someone mentions Mission Ballroom. I had planned on going to a show in April, but not anymore, not after that. Mission Ballroom, do...

I purchased VIP tickets to Gareth Emery on 4/5 the show was amazing however the " VIP Experience" left much to be desired. There was zero instruction on arrival. The ticket included an exclusive entrance that was no where to be found. When checking ID's at the door and trying to let them know we have VIP to see where we should go I was given attitude and told they just need to see my ID. After going through security and showing our ticket we are again given no guidance left to wander around upstairs it took asking TEN people to figure out where we needed to be. Out those ten maybe two of them were kind, one bartender upstairs sent us to the west bar inside when we asked for where we should be. The next bartender said they're " just bartenders" finally we find a security women in the far back corner who kindly instructs to go back down stairs and look for the big "?" to speak with the box office that is tucked off to the side and not obvious if this is your first time to the venue.

The bartender who served us our $42 2 seltzers and 2 waters was only nice after given a cash tip. There is no reason why your staff should not be trained to direct people to box office it takes maybe 2 minutes to give this direction. For there to be ZERO guidance or elevated entrance experience when paying a premium is appalling. It took at minimum thirty minutes of walking around and asking any employee I could find for guidance.

To top it off we had 2 other VIP guest show up late have to be given the same direction to come back and force their way into our section that we had been in for over an hour squishing us up against the people next to us. For a VIP experience having someone staffed to guide people to their seats would have avoided all of this.

I also had 3 drinks split on me throughout the show, the only thing worth while about this ticket was the view for the amazing LSRCITY show which was once in a lifetime. I would NEVER pay for VIP for a show at Mission Ballroom again unless they make some changes. It's a shame because the venue it's self is amazing and has so much potential. Oh & don't bother paying for parking through AXS for their personal lot the lot across the street is cheaper and a shorter walk. I would be happy to update my review if a manager could reach out to make this right. When paying for a VIP Experience you are paying a premium rate for a premium experience instead I found myself in the position of doing MORE work then had I had...