Lucas Oil Live | Entertainment Venue — Attraction in Gainesville

The concert I attended was absolutely amazing, but the experience of attending was not something I would care to repeat. I checked the bag policy before I went, because I know a lot of places are strict about size, but I could find nothing on the website about it. I nevertheless brought a small, crossbody purse which I have taken to multiple other venues with size restrictions.

Upon arrival, there were signs everywhere about bag size - I don't know why this wasn't as prominently displayed on the website so people can prepare before arriving. The attendant said my purse was fine, but my mother's was too big, and that we could either take it back to the car or check it at the concierge. We elected to check it, and then went back to go through security. The security attendant instantly said my bag was too big, that it was an inch "over the line" and that I had to go check it too. I said the attendant outside said it was fine, and he said he's the final authority on what's fine or not. I asked him if he could explain why this extra inch might matter, and he was rude and completely unhelpful, just insisting that he said it was too big, he was the authority, and that I would have to go check it. I did, and the concierge was also confused to see me back, as she had agreed my bag was the required size. There were also several attendants outside security who agreed the bag was fine and that I should have been let in, but they didn't have final say, apparently, only this one rude man did.

As a customer, I did not appreciate being spoken to as if I were a criminal, particularly when other authorities said the bag was fine, and I would encourage the venue to train staff to hold to one standard to avoid confusion and rudeness. It would also be nice if someone could explain this bag policy and why it's so strict that an inch "over the line" might be disruptive. I saw many people inside with larger bags than mine, so it seems like this is more based on the individual whim of the attendant rather than any firm policy.

Nevertheless, I tried to forget the experience and enjoy the concert, which I largely did. However, there were several security guards wandering around the venue and patrolling the aisles, I presume to catch people filming, but there were several people filming that they seemed to just ignore. They kept walking back and forth in front of my seat, and would frequently meet and chat with each other, which was very distracting while trying to enjoy the concert. As I said, I am not sure what they were actually doing since a lot of people were filming and I never saw them taken to task for it. It seemed like the large presence of security and attendants were just a way to inconvenience customers rather than provide any sort of service.

I don't like leaving negative reviews, but the staff do need to be trained on customer service, and how strictly they should enforce their policies, and who has final say. I still cannot imagine why the size of the bag would matter that much, particularly since it was searched anyway so they can see I'm not bringing in anything I shouldn't be. It seems more like an excuse to enable petty authoritarianism from the staff than for any real safety concern. As someone who works in customer service, I would never dream of speaking to anyone the way I was spoken to. I will not be returning to this venue due to the rudeness of the staff, and I do not recommend it to others. If customers are treated as criminals, they cannot expect...

The facility is fabulous, the bag policy not so much. The bag policy is: Clear bags up to 12x12x6 inches or a clutch of 4.5x6.5 inches. I’ve carried a small clutch wallet/phone holder to every concert venue we’ve been to in 2.5 years and never been denied entry. Those include: AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field (Ranger Stadium) American Airlines Center, Dos Equis Pavillion, Texas Trust CU Theater (formerly Verizon Theater,) Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Choctaw Grand Theater, BOK Center, OKC Civic Center and a few other outdoor music festivals that have had bag policies and checks at the gate. I am happy to open it and show the contents any time. Last night I was denied entry by the 4.5x6.5 laminated card-wielding associates. One of them finally called over a supervisor who also measured the three bags in our party and could have technically turned us all away. But after explaining the reason was to prevent people carrying guns in, with a little persuasion from my guy, she realized how ridiculous it was to assume that I could carry a gun in that “bag.” She let me and one other in with our clutches but one friend still had to return her small shoulder bag to the car. That friend had actually checked online before the concert to see what the policy was and found nothing. Hopefully you can see the problems here. The security employees were spending more time arguing and turning away patrons than they would have to look in every bag. They could cut their security detail substantially by implementing a reasonable search policy and doing away with their laminated cards. I understand the Winstar wants to differentiate itself from all the other venues but this bag policy is not the way to do it. The venue is beautiful and spacious and the sound is excellent but a more reasonable, patron-friendly bag policy needs to be implemented. PS: yes, I could just acquiesce and use the clear bag when I go to Winstar events but sometimes reasonableness and practicality need to be demanded. Afterall they don’t check anything that comes into the Casino which is equally...

There have only been a few concerts I've left early and this one of them. The venue looks great from the outside. Ample parking outside and in the garage. I like the red and green lights in the garage stalls to show where the vacant lots are located. It's a short walk to the entrance and there is a way to get in without being exposed to the elements. Inside looks nice and it was easy getting through security and finding out seats. And that's where the the good comments end. The way the seating is designed is terrible and doesn't leave much room to navigate, especially when others are in their seats. The seats were uncomfortable for the amount you pay for the tickets, but okay. The venue did have a good field of view from any of the seats but there is a catch, everyone must remain seated so everyone can see. That's a reasonable sacrifice to make but it only works if everyone does it. There is the problem. But not everyone is cool. In fact some are really big as@#$%! Unfortunately, we did have not one or even two but rather five people stand in front and block the views of at least three rows behind them. Essentially, they created a wall. One man that was seated directly behind them asked them to please stay down but as you world imagine, they blew him off. If it was once, okay but to block the show for at least a dozen or so people is rather selfish. These tickets were north of a hundred bucks each, so you can imagine how frustrating it is for the concerts goers not not be able to see the show. Heck you can listen to your favorite artist on Pandora and accomplish the same thing. One man got up and left out of frustration followed by another couple and then us. When the usher asked how the show was going, I told him. The other couple also confirmed my story and says they would get sometime in security, which did nothing except tell me to write a review. So here it is. Save yourself the trip from Dallas if you're going to spend that kind of money on a concert. They may have good headliners but that doesn't mean you will get...