Stage Ae
Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue Landmark & Historical Place Attraction 400 N Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212-5867, Estats Units
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Contact & Hours
400 N Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5867
http://www.stagepittsburgh.com/
Opening Hours
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday: 10:00-18:00
- Tuesday: 10:00-18:00
- Wednesday: 10:00-18:00
- Thursday: 10:00-18:00
- Friday: 10:00-18:00
- Saturday: Closed
Nearby Attractions
Reviews (139)
Quick Pass & Platinum seating are rip offs
First of all Quick Pass is a total rip off! Secondly, Platinum seating is in bleachers (that's right, high school bleachers) at the very back of the venue. And for this you pay a premium? Were it not that I wanted to see Skillet so badly and needed a place to park my 73 year old bones I would have been screaming for a refund.
Don't buy quick pass it's a scam
I bought the quick pass tickets. Thinking we would get in earlier than the general public. Well don't waste your money. It literally is a scam. Not only did they let the general public in at the same time. But the general public got in faster than we did. Plus the security staff was a-holes. Many 1 guy. Telling people who was out of the way in the walk way. They had to move. BUT BUT people who was actually blocking the walk way. They walked right pass them and said nothing. After my next concert. Don't know if I'll go back.
Not worth the headache
Power trip ego bouncers. Watched us like hawks because we were spending money at the bars. But let so many on the floor power shove and hit people to displace them while extremely intoxicated. Threw me and one friend out for being intoxicated and we clearly were not. Seating area sucks, staff sucks, you don't get what you pay for in this venue. I haven't been back since and probably won't ever go back regardless. I've been to close to 50 events there over the years and every year it's gotten worse. Crappy lawn area outside also. Most shows you can't understand the music because the sound engineer has everything out of wack. Over pricing, bad service, bad sound quality, and bad experiences make this a no stop on my yearly concert agenda. Sadly it was a nice venue many years ago.
This venue sucks I'll never go back
The security at this place is hot garbage. Power tripping jerks. I've been to many shows here and spent thousands of dollars. That is over I will never spend another penny there.
Bush concert
Bush knocked it out. Gavin Rossdale brings the energy like no other. Great job guys you did it again.
AE Stage plastic seats are terrible!
Bought 4 tickets in the reserved seating for Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. Music was fantastic, the plastic seats zip tied together were horrible! With two thirds of our population obese, we were sandwiches in like sardines. The zip ties would not allow any movement in the seats either way sideways or forward or back. Ruined the entire experience. My advice is to wait for the parking lot to close, bring a lawn chair and sit in the parking lot. Will never do this again!
Skip the skip the line pass
A nice venue, but save money on the quick pass unless you can get there super early. We did quick pass and got there at 520 for doors at 6pm and people without got in quicker. And the quick pass line was super long.
BS
Bought tickets for quick pass and they let other in before us! stage AE is ripping people off for money!!! Stage AE you should be ashamed of yourself for selling " quick passes " and letting everyone in before the " quick passes " comeplete BS
Do NOT buy platinum!!
I've never been to a concert where you pay 4x the price of general admission to sit in the very BACK behind the lawn on a stool. " Platinum " seats are by no means platinum. What a ripoff! When we purchased them we were under the impression we bought the seats in the middle in front of the lawn. I mean for $150 a ticket you would expect a little better. And I wasn't the only one. The three other couples we were next to all thought they bought the seats up close too. On top of that, the bar that is for platinum seats just had a line out the " tent " because everyone else could still use it. Besides the hard stool to sit on there was nothing great about our seats. And tall guys stood right in front of us so I didn't even have a great view of the stage but it didn't matter because I should have brought my binoculars to see anything. It was very disappointing to think you will have an amazing experience to just a mediocre one. I will NEVER pay for platinum seats again!!
One of my favorite venues
We've attended many shows at this venue; never had a bad time. The bag policy is a little annoying, but once you know you just deal with it. I understand why.
Treated like trash
This is the second time I was at stage AE. The first time was 3 years ago and was wonderful. Yesterday was a disgrace. The security staff are terrible, treating people like rats in an experiment. After having spent 7 1 / 2 hours waiting to get in, then the security allowing the crowd to squash so close there was no air flow... between acts... security announced they would provide water. Then only provided about 8 bottles to young women the older security had already been hitting on. I asked for a bottle for me & my 17 yr old daughter and was told it was gone. I asked if I could give them money to purchase one and was told to get it myself... there was no way to get through. They proceeded to bring out more water and still refused us. The lead act finally came out and security allowed a mosh pit to be created which caused at least a dozen people to have to be pulled out of the audience. My daughter was one of them. I was screaming to be pulled out with her, being ignored, while she was being pushed and told she had to go. I finally got out, being treated like a criminal, and we had to fight our way through the crowd... no assistance.. to the restroom where my daughter had a full panic attack.
nice venue, garbage treatment for humans
It's sad because my favorite band is coming this summer, and I have no desire to waste my money on a ticket, especially if it means NO BAGS. You do understand that there's no way for your typical woman at a concert to be prepared for a day in public with only a plastic ziplock bag, right? Where do cell phones go? Tampons? A credit card for an overpriced beer or some concert tees? A handful of ibuprofen? Last time I was there (and it's been quite awhile) there were literally people passing out around me right and left. I would think that without being able to bring a lick of personal belongings inside, this problem would only be exasperated. This used to be one of my favorite venues in the city. It's a real shame you treat your customers like common criminals. No one wants to waste their money on an experience like that. Get a clue from the 5, 000 bad reviews you have.
Great Venue
Great venue for semi-popular bands & oldies. The space is completely outdoor and is almost exclusively GA (standing room). People usually behave themselves and it is normally family-friendly space (but depends slightly on the artist).
Great venue for top acts
Have been to Stage AE to see an outdoor concert for Alice Cooper and have seen Ted Nugent & Alice Cooper indoors. Get there early if you want close to the stage. I won tickets to all the concerts! Parking is very close.
DO NOT FALL FOR PREMIUM SEATING
They charge you 4x the money but you are as far away from the stage as it gets. It is first come, first serve GENERAL ADMISSION so if you don't get there early, you don't even get a seat!! You're supposed to stand crammed in and around the people who got the seats at tables. Stage AE was selling overpriced tickets for an area they did not have room for. There were two other couples complaining as the staff tried to figure out where to fit us. We were all finally moved to a different section with seats but after 45 minutes of waiting around for answers... missed half the show... total rip off... they will not return my calls for a partial refund or even a gesture showing they give a sh!t about ripping people off.
Great venue - small purse!
Saw Ben Folds and Violent Femmes there. Great venue, outdoor and intimate at the same time! I was warned to not bring a large bag so I ended up just taking phone / wallet in my pockets, a good call! Really cool venue!
Violent Femmes
We saw Violent Femmes and Ben Folds. Savanna Conley opened. She was very good!! The venue is great. There is a floor section up front and then a grassy lawn general admission. There are no bad places to sit. It's a midsized venue, about a 5, 000 or so capacity. Very cool place. The weather was perfect. I recommend seeing shows here.
Nice venue
The gentleman who escorted us to the side stage was super friendly and allowed us to stay longer than the allotted number of songs in the set list.
Ladies-Small Purses Only!!
They have a strict small purse rule, no backpacks / larger bags unless clear. Good venue - nice bathrooms all over and two big bars with plenty of lines outside.
No purses allowed! ? !
Just went to a concert here and my evening with friends was thrown a curve ball because the security wouldn't let us in with purses. The management was rude and useless to help solve our problem and suggested that we hide the purses in a bush... wowowowow. Ticketmaster didn't have a warning when we bought the tickets so be warned! Only small strapped wallets or clear bags allowed.
Great outdoor venue!
Super time in the summer when the weather is good! The NFL bag rule is in effect so be careful about the size of the purse or bag you bring. You may not be able to take it in! Drinks are more reasonable than I expected, for a Downtown venue! Be ready to sit on the grass, take a jacket so you can sit on it even if the weather is nice. Unless you have VIP seats, there are no chairs.
Great Concert Venue
Get tickets online early because you will wait in a long line for General Admission. Good venue for Small Concert crowds. Security staff were a little heavy handed at the end of the night. I know they deal with a lot of drunk people but they could be a little move nice about it. Has an Upper Level with seats and its own bar & bathrooms which are well worth the price.
Total rip off
Paid 2000.00 for Ryder cup tickets for 2020 thinking they would be hard to come across. Find out I can get them anywhere for 800.00. Prime sport would not do the right thing to give me fair market value, instead they totally gauged me. Understand no cancel policy but they can better the price as it is significantly higher. I will never again use prime sport and will make be known on many sites as I don't want to see others getting ripped off. Be patient and shop.
Prepare to wait in line
Attended an indoor general admission concert and had to wait in line to get inside for over an hour in the winter. We missed the opening act and when we entered there was still a ton of people in line behind us. The venue itself was very good. We could see the stage and did not have to wait in long lines for beverages. The bathrooms were clean.
great spot for a show but often overpriced
i like this venue a lot for the actual concert. their beer selection could be better and the tickets are often over priced. this place even charges a convenience charge for buying tickets at the box office. after service charges online, you are basically buying 3 tickets to a show. it's still better than driving out to whatever the pavilion in Burgettstown is called nowadays so it has that going for it.
Good venue
We recently went for a Nothing More and we were a little apprehensive because of bad reviews. We took our time to go in so we didn't have to wait in line outside in the cold. We walked right in, we didn't take purses so that helped, didn't get pat down or anything. No major waits for bathrooms or drinks. Pretty good view from everywhere in building. Would go again.
Industrial style venue with balcony seating
I saw a Led Zeppelin tribute band called ZOSO and Aerosmith type band called Pandora's Box at Stage AE. Drinks are pricey so best to have several elsewhere before arriving. The balcony seats were good with hi-top tables and bathroom was nearby. Bar upstairs made access to drinks easy. The sound was loud and clear. I will go back again and see other acts there in the future.
Worst concert venue ever if general admission
Believe what you read you'll be standing in line so long because they don't open the doors oh wait did I say doors because they opened one door until 7 and concert starts at 8 so you always miss the whole First Act and you pay so much for the tickets that it's very infuriating as we were stuck in the Arctic cold this last weekend it Pittsburgh on top of that if you don't get down to the very front a few rows and you're not a giant you can't see in front of anyone in front of you I definitely would never go back to this and technically you should actually get your money back when they fail to even let all the people in before they start the concert that is BS
Worst Entrance Procedure Ever!
I recently went to Stage AE from out of town to see a country concert. As advertised, the doors opened at 7 PM and the line to get in was around the block. This was a show that was sold out in advance so they should have been prepared for how many people would be there. This was not the case - at 8 PM there was still a long line - 30 minutes! - to get in. We missed the opening act completely. The venue has NFL rules about admittance - which is fine if you have enough people to process your guests - this venue did not. Once in, the venue is fine - several bars, but the bathrooms are a bit of a nightmare to get to and from in the middle of the concert.
Horrible experience
Lost a cell phone within the building. No one was willing to look for it. I was told to call in the morning to see if " lost & found " could locate it. What a joke. I knew it was in the venue, but they wouldn't let me back inside to look for it. This place used to be great.
Once you are inside it's a good venue
Allow plenty of time because they only have two metal detectors. If you are planning on bringing a purse make sure it is no bigger than a number 10 envelope. There are no storage lockers which does not give you many options other than not going to the show if you Uber Once in the venue is good the sound is fine and is a great smaller hall
Awful service!!!
Some friends and I recently went to AE to see a George Clinton concert. Make sure if you have a purse that it's no bigger than a greeting card or they will suggest you throw it away. Very limited seating there, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. They have sections roped off as VIP seating that were empty for the entire show. They made sure no one sat in them! More interesting watching security remove people from seats. Just thought the seats should have been available for folks to sit in if they were empty all night.
Beautiful venue
Have seen many concerts here, indoor and out. On a nice night, best place outside in Pittsburgh. Great beer prices. Really nice bathrooms. If inside pay for a balcony seat so you don't have to stand all night. Easy parking, and in and out.
Great small venue
We saw the Avett Brothers here, wonderful small venue. Stood (and rarely sat on grassy hill) near back center, but saw everything quite well. Could have gotten closer, but nice to be further back yet hear fine. Good, not overwhelming acoustics for an outdoor concert. Lots of not terribly overpriced beer and wine. Bathrooms adequate up behind stage. Security a bit tight, women pay attention to the bag restrictions!
Avett Brothers Concert
This venue would be wonderful for smaller crowds, but with a large crowd, it was not enjoyable. We waited in line for a long time while missing several of the opening songs. Our friend had to throw away her very small purse and stuff personal items in her pockets. Once inside the venue, security kept pressuring people to move when there truly wasn't anywhere else to go. Trying to simply find a space to stand prohibited us from being able to enjoy the music of one of our favorite bands. Highly disappointing!
Stage AE oversold
We went to see the Avett Brothers. The venue was oversold. You couldn't hear the band. The concert started and there was still a line around the venue. We got in about 20 minutes after the concert started and left about a half hour later.
Great venue for an outdoor concert... leave your purse at home though!
My friend and I came to Pittsburgh for a girls trip to see a couple of concerts. The soon-to-be legendary band, Greta Van Fleet was playing a sold-out show, but I managed to pay 5x the ticket price and score a couple of general admission tickets. It was a beautiful, hot day, about 90 degrees, but that didn't stop us from standing outside in the hot sun for over 3 hours before the doors opened to possibly get a prime spot right by the stage (it was totally worth it.... I was so close I could almost smell my favorite bass player's bare feet!). The venue had a full bar, but we opted for water and diet soda. Prices were not too bad. The weather cooperated, but if it were to rain, I wonder how pleasant the experience would have been. Since I was right up front on the left side of the stage, I did not see how crowded this sold out show was in other places of the venue, like the lawn. The one thing that was rather unpleasant (that was completely out of the control of the venue) was the number of crowd-surfers. Security did a great job of gently lowering them to the ground when they reached the front, but I was hit pretty hard a few times by the random body as the crowd surfers approached the front. Totally worth the bruises, though. Got to see my favorite band up close in a small venue which will probably never happen again... this band will be headlining arenas soon. Leave the purses at home, ladies..... we saw more than a few girls told they could not bring their tiny purse in the venue. I noticed one girl had a wallet-sized designer purse that she had the choice of disposing of it, or walking to her car and dropping it off. There were quite a few angry girls after that, but the rules are posted on the concert tickets, the venue's website, as well as several signs posted outside the venue. So don't take a chance and think that your 7 inch long purse is going to get in... it basically has to be the size of a dollar bill or smaller in order for security to let you in with it. If you must have a vessel to hold your phone, lipstick, money, etc, opt for a stretchy wrist wallet that will stretch to hold a phone, keys, and a couple of small items.
Boy George concert
The concert itself was great!!! Boy George sounded and looked amazing. And I know I should have checked the bag policy beforehand, however, the same small cross body purse I have taken there several times before no longer was acceptable. Ok, fine. However, when you get in there and see bags 3 times the size as the one you had to discard -what the hell is that? I saw several ladies with purses-one had a legit beach bag. If you are going to have a policy, then it needs to be enforced for EVERYONE not just a select few. And when I pointed the bigger bags out to security " oh it's probably for medical " _really? Really.
summer concert
Attended an outdoor concert here. Very happy with the location. Parking is easy. Set up is good wherever you are. All around a good time.
Always a Good Time
This venue is great! Inside or Out you can't go wrong! The acoustics are fine and as a woman I like how they have good bathroom options. Inside - lots of stalls - outside - good large trailers with full stalls with wash sinks and mirrors. Beers nice and cold. The last outdoor concert I attended was sold out and I had tickets!!! There was still plenty of room to walk on the grass without banging into attendees or stepping on their hands while they were sitting on the grass. Do not bring bags / purses to the venue. Follow the NFL rules.
Stage AE Summer Concert
Writing this review so you can be prepared. We assumed we could bring in folding chairs or blanket to sit on.... don't! We called ahead, glad we did. Read the purse policy, for some reason people didn't. A couple was let in with a blanket to get ripped on by security once seated. All that being sad, the venue was so nice and the concert was great. In Pittsburg for the first time and genuinely loved the city. So much to do and see. Stayed downtown that night but went back to the area to find # picklesburgh!
So Disappointed
I heard great things about this venue and stayed an extra night in town just to catch the Arcade Fire show. The bag policy is completely ridiculous - my zip-around wallet failed the size test and my sunglasses case barely made it through. The staff is incredibly rude and selectively enforced the big policy because there were plenty of women with crossbody bags or larger. Horrible experience - I'll never be back.
Lady's, leave your tiny purses at home
Stupid, inconsistent policy on purses. Two weeks ago my girlfriends purse was fine to enter, tonight no go. Just ate $100 and missed two fav bands. Never going back. Too bad for terrible venues, artists rely on touring revenue.
Crazy
After standing in line for this rap concert (probably the first mistake) for nearly 3 hours we finally got in and had a spot right up front against the railing. I am a smaller girl of about 120 pounds and went with a few friends. Once everyone got in, the whole crowd started pushing forward and I was pressed against the railing unable to breathe. I woke up the next morning with a bruise across my stomach. Then, I dropped my wallet and there was so little room I could not even bend down to get it. It was also hard to even dance because you could not lift your arms in the slightest. There were a lot of drugs and smoking, but that was probably just due to the genre, so just be aware of that. The artist was good and I loved the standing aspect of the venue, you are able to have more fun in some ways. But, there are a few downsides as stated. If you want personal space, the indoor venue is definitely not for you.
security
Went to see In this moment and Halestorm, great show, nice venue, again like everyone's complaint my wife had to throw away her purse because it was bigger then a freakin post card which is B S because we have gone to many concerts and never had that issue, show was about to start and I wasn't walking a mile back to the car. during the show of course we had a bunch of big guys who thought they were cool by pushing their way to the front, and starting fights, we had kids and when we told the security guards that these a holes were shoving and causing a problem, he (security) said they are allowed to that at that venue, so moshing, shoving, and pushing people who are just standing there trying to enjoy the show apparently is OK.. if you are going to have a venue without any seats you need to keep it safe for everyone otherwise put seats and leave a small portion without any seats for all the idiots that like to push and shove people all night. oh the other thing is I know you can't do anything about this, but this is for people who go to see shows, no one wants to watch a concert through your cell phone screen put your stupid phone down and enjoy the show, you record everything and then you go home and watch it, try the live experience you morons..
Good Venue for a Concert
Went to the In This Moment / Halestorm outdoor show on 05 / 07 / 2018. I enjoyed the concert and the venue was is good shape. The bands sounded very good and while the venue was crowded line for beverages and restrooms were not long. Only issue was the line was a bit long (15 + minutes to get in), even though I got there almost an hour after the doors opened. I have been to the venue multiple times for various events, both indoor and outdoor and have always enjoyed them prior to this visit as well.
Worst design for concerts
You would think a newer place for concerts in Pittsburgh would be nice. EPIC FAIL. If you can see your band anywhere else, do it there.
RUDE SECURITY WITH RIDICULOUS PURSE POLICY
I had a small crossbody and it was too large, I've been to hundreds of venues and have never had a ridiculous purse policy as here, had to ditch an expensive purse and jiggle wallet and phone all night. So many girls throwing their purses away. If such an aggressive security measures and going to be in place why not have a coat check? They had metal detectors and were checking inside bags, I do not see the reason for them not to be allowed bigger than a birthday card. Yes!! I can see no large bags or backpacks, but my purse was 5 inches by 10. And they were rude about it, I'm sure they're sick of all the complaining customers.
Dont buy VIP
Never buy a VIP ticket... stood in ine for an hour to hear 3 newish songs and get a glimpse of the band. Also... not a fan of standing for entire concert.
Favorite Pittsburgh Venue
As an avid concert goer, I have visited stage ae multiple times over the years for concerts outdoors, inside, and at the club (indoors but utilizes a smaller stage) seeing various artists from bastille to most recently a day to remember. I have never had an extremely bad experience here. While on occasion security is rude and refuses to hand out water on hot days, there has never been anything to make me dislike this venue. Outdoor shows are by far my favorite, and waiting in line outside is not only a must to get close, but an overall good experience to have. Indoors doesn't have the best acoustics, but its not as bad as some of the other venues in the area. It can get very hot and crowded indoors, so if you've got a problem with that I'd recommend getting there early to get to the front, or staying in the back out of the crowd. Overall, I love this venue and will continue to go here as long as they continue to host great artists.
Aggressive Security, Rude Event Staff, Billed Acts didn't play
I had the worst concert experience of my life at the Datsik show on 2 / 10 / 18. I will never go see another show at this venue, and I am telling my extensive network of electronic music fans to avoid it as well. Here is a list of why you should too. Problems: 1. There is no coat check, so everyone attending was forced to either leave their coats in the car or wear a winter coat to a rave. 2. The line to get inside curved around the entire building, and took roughly 30 minutes to get through. This was a problem, as everyone was underdressed because of the lack of a coat check. 3. Security was rude, aggressive, and arbitrary. After waiting for 30 minutes in sleet / rain and 36 degree weather, I was given the most extensive security check of my life. They checked every tiny pocket on every article of clothing I owned. When they didn't find anything they felt the need to flex their authority, and told me that I wasn't allowed to bring my light toy in (despite the posted rules on Stage AE's website saying nothing of the sort). They told me I could throw it out or take it back to my car and wait in line again. It's a $120 piece of equipment, so I elected to bring it back to my car and wait through the line again. 4. My second time waiting in line to get in (still freezing cold, wearing nothing but a tanktop and pants because of the lack of coat check) took even longer than the first, about 45 minutes. When I reached security again, I was given the same aggressive treatment. After another invasive search that turned up nothing, they told me I wasn't allowed to wear my belt in, because it had too many pockets. I refused to freeze in the dangerously cold temperatures again, and asked to speak to a manager. It took fifteen minutes for someone to verify that my empty cloth built wasn't a security risk. 5. The billed act I was most excited to see did not perform. When I asked event staff why I was told to " screw off ", in much more explicit language. There was never any explanation for Cookie Monsta not performing. Do yourself a favor and avoid going to Stage AE for any electronic show. They don't respect people who listen to electronic music, they are just trying to take our money. There's no reason to treat well behaved paying customers that way. I go to 3-5 shows a month, and 3-5 festivals every year. This venue will never get another cent from me.
Could not see the act that I paid good money to see
Saw the Poppy. Computer tour here.... Great Show.. TERRIBLE VENUE.... had to stand about 20 rows at the back and could not see anything happening during the show... and the act was less than 25 feet away... for the love of god install risers or a stage. Why is there no balcony section or riser type viewing area surrounding a pit? Venue making the acts look bad... Part of the Poppy Tour invites the audience to watch the " programming " On the giant Tele-Screens they tour with, and you could not see ANY OF IT. Screw this place... Build a stage that people in the back can see the act. I get the " modern " open design but design is not " smart " enough to accommodate shows of this kind. I've seen backwoods middle of nowhere bars that accommodate fans and acts better... You'd think the money American Outfitters poured into this place that they would have taken into account the ability of fans to see a basic show... And I mean a basic show... Nope. Market Research suggests you tear this garbage hole down and try a better design... a-ss-hats..
Great Venue for a show
I finally had the chance recently to attend a concert here recently and was really shocked by how well shows here work. Other than the long line in the freezing cold to get in, the layout of the joint works extremely well. If you want to get close, get on the floor; if you want to hang back, the balcony is perfect and offers great sight lines. There really is no bad place to sit or stand in this place which is great. The bars are easily accessible, bathrooms sufficient for the crowd size and the acoustics and lighting (most of which are band provided granted) were all intense and perfect. The only reason for four stars instead of five is once you know the " VIP " rows aren't sold, why not let people actually sit there? It doesn't make sense to leave the first two rows in the balcony empty. For the band, I'm sure it looks bad as well. A minor complaint, for sure, but one I consider valid as well.
Charity Night
We thought it was a decent venue, it had a bar and a chill area which wasn't too busy. The headline act The Clarks were pretty mundane but the third act on invited guests to jam and they were really good.
Horrible concert venue
Two weeks ago I took my boyfriend to see Luke Combs here for his birthday. I couldn't believe how poorly organized this venue was. The concert was supposed to start at 7 and did not actually start until 8:30. Which worked out in a way because you had to wait in line for over an hour in the cold to get in. Once you finally got to the front of the line they then told you you couldn't bring your purse in unless it was a certain size (a small clutch). We couldn't run it back to the hotel as it was a cab ride away so like many other girls there so had to empty my entire purse into my pockets and throw out my bag. There was zero mention of this on my ticket or on the ticket master website that sold them. They also wouldn't allow you to come back and get your purse after - apparently they threw them in the dumpster. By the time we got in we had missed the first act entirely and most of the second. Luke Combs was great; which made up for some of it. But I would not recommend going to this venue to anyone and will not be returning myself.
Don't pay for the Prime Sport experience
We paid $100 each for a Primesport pre-game experience before a Steeler's game. I will never pay for this again. You get free food and drinks. I ate some nachos and drank a pepsi. They had corn hole to play, and there were a few other fans there. Jason Gildon was the player we got to meet, that was the best part. Steely McBeam was there too, but once you take a picture with him, there isn't much else you can do with a mascot! You can go into this place for free during a pre-game. You just have to purchase your own drinks, and you don't get to meet the player or take pictures with the mascot. I will just do that next time. They have tables and places to sit and watch big screens of some of the NFL broadcasts. There is also a band playing on the outdoor stage. All of that is free.
save your money
was there 9-29-17 for Marilyn Manson. Doors opened at 7pm - was still in line at 8:30 PM. No indication, signage etc of what can and cannot be brought in. Finally make it close to the gate and are forced to seperate into male and female lines. Hubby was in side gate a good 15 minutes before me. upon approaching gate I was informed my purse was too big. The lady at the gate was telling women to throw their purses away, hided them in the bushes, back to their care etc. I took mine back to hotel, 1 / 2 mile walk and returned to be rudely told to go to the end of the line. Missed the opening act. Harrassed my husband who had to re-enter due to not wanting me to walk back to hotel alone. I am a 53 year old female and understand policies, but i dont understand why the policy wasn't posted. I waited almost 2 hours in line - had this policy been posted around the outside of the venue or had someone been walking around informing us I could have taken my 8x8 pusre back earlier. obviously someone caused this 4x6 inch policy - possibly fight inside venue? Venue has gone downhill since last time their. Stage AE has no problem selling alcohol to inebriated people. This was evident as several people had to be removed due to falling down drunk. Also, they allow people to wheel wagons full of beer around outside the venue while people are waiting in line. Will not return as venue is chaotic, security is rude and overall experience was awlful, missed opening act and manson was awful. Obvious the crowd was frustrated or drunk. Dont waste your money
Great music venue
This was a great outdoor music venue. We went to see Bastille. Every spot had a good view of the band. It was so cool to see Heinz stadium next door. It was beautiful weather and the acoustics were good. The area around also has a lot to do- lots of trendy bars and restaurants, parks, etc. Drinks were rather expensive but not worse than other venues I've gone to. No seating so wear comfortable shoes!
Venue Going Down Hill
Venue is really going downhill. Horrible management and enforcement of policies - when they actually have them. Unsafe with the supervisors who lack any common sense. Stay away.
ど迫力
セキュリティは男女別のラインで、傘や大きなバッグは持ち込みできません。車に戻って置いてくるかゴミ箱に捨てるように言われます。ゲート入ってすぐの所でビール、グッズ等を売ってます。近くに駐車場がたくさんあります。夜遅くに終演でしたが、周辺は明るく駐車場まで歩いて行けました。
Love this venue for an up close personal experience
For $27, you get an up close and personal experience, without being over crowded. The staff was excellent, no issues whatsoever, very easy in and out, local scene is awesome with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. This won't be my last trip here.
Great concerts
Great concerts at a reasonable price (as long as you don't pay all the fees charged online). Acoustics are fantastic... no echo. Parking can be an issue if the Pirates or Steelers are playing though. I saw In This Moment perform.
Good Place to see a Concert
Been to so many concerts here: Buck Cherry, Return to Forever, Cheap Trick, Boston, Counting Crows, Sublime, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Devo, and even attended as a volunteer pouring for New Holland during the Pittsburgh Craft Beer Fest. Always had a great time be it an outdoor show or an indoor event. Last night I saw Gaelic Storm. I've seen them a number of times and they have never disappointed. Great show! But every show has been good at Stage AE (with the exception of the Slightly Stupid concert who didn't take the stage until after 10:00 pm on a " school night "). The venue is the perfect size for live act. Not a bad seat / view anywhere. I always have a good time there and the atmosphere is just perfect. Something about the place just screams, " Lets rock and roll! " Last year my girlfriend, at the age of 55, body surfed during the Sublime concert and is so proud to tell about it! And somehow, without even trying or with predetermined intent, I always end up in the first or second row by the end of the concert. I've got tickets to see Todd Rundgren in April and the Bare Naked Ladies with the Violent Femmes in May. Looking forward to more rocking good times. My only knock on the place is that the drinks are expensive and you're not permitted to bring drinks in from the outside. My advice is to pre-lube either on your tailgate or at one of the venues outside of the place and simply enjoy the concert and ignore the concession stands inside. If enough people did that, perhaps they would bring their prices down to a more reasonable cost.
First trip, and I would go back!
My husband and I went to Counting Crows and Toad the Wet Sprocket. GREAT show. The venue is very small, standing room only up front and grass to sit in behind that. It has decent bathrooms, beer is expensive, so is bottled water. I was able to get up front to see Toad The Wet Sprocket and I was able to meet the lead singer- they gathered by the t-shirt tent afterwards. There really isn't a bad seat in the house, like someone else said, unless you are behind a tall person. I would definitely get tickets for concerts here in the future. We parked in the city and took the T over, because there was a Pirates game that night, as well.
Great Venue & Location
Stage AE has been a great addition to live music venues in Pittsburgh. The location on Pittsburgh's North Shore is central and easy to get to. Lot's of available paid parking and a few steps from the new T stop. They have been booking an impressive selection of bands since they opened the doors. The venue has three different setups; a small indoor club stage, a larger indoor auditorium setup and an outdoor stage. The sound for all three setups is great and each gives you the ability to see the artist up close. Drinks are expensive like a Steelers game but that was expected. The nice thing is they offer BIG drinks to save you trips to the bar. Also, the bartenders are pretty efficient so not too many long lines.
Worst concert venue I've ever been to
I went to stage AE to see the Uproar tour recently. (My favorite Christian band was part of the tour). I don't drink alcohol, let's just say that to start... I have been to concert venues all over the tri state area and have never been treated so badly in my life. The other reviews aren't lying when they say that the people at the gate love to play games about letting people in. I had to walk back to my car twice which was 2 blocks away. After the first time, they decided to tell me I couldn't take my camera in because it had a detachable lens-it had been in my hands the entire time... Then after I went back the 3rd time, they made me throw my brand new pepper spray away (I am a woman ALONE in downtown Pittsburgh that still has to walk back to my car in the dark ALONE 2 blocks away!!!) They were not helpful or sympathetic in the least. I actually think they enjoyed making me miserable. The guy beside me had to leave jis keychain at the garbage because he couldnt take it in... It was ridiculous! There is no place for them to hold things that they decide a person can't take in. It sure seemed like they got a huge kick out of sending me away twice. Needless to say I finally was able to enter after I threw it away IN TEARS nonetheless, from the frustration! They turned what was supposed to be a fun night into a nightmare. Be prepared to be hassled at the gate is my advice to you! The staff was rude, nasty, and very mean.
Unpleasant experience
I found this venue to be very unpleasant, which is sad because it is small and would be a nice place to see a band if it were run a little differently. To get in you must go through a full security pat down and have your bag searched. Not a cursory search like you experience at other venues or games-- they actually go through all the items in your bag. I'm not sure what the size limit is on bags you can carry in, but it's not very big. We could not even take in a blanket to sit on. The only option is to sit directly on the grass, I guess you would be allowed to sit on a jacket if that item of clothing made it through the security check. Yes, all of these rules are posted on a sign outside the gate. Unfortunately most of the parking is far away, so it's a long way back to the car and then back to the gate to ditch your bag and blanket. There were many bags and blankets left behind outside the gates for people to pick up after the event -- if you were lucky and it was still there afterwards, because they were just out in the open and no one was watching them. Once inside you can stand in the fenced in concrete area or sit in the grass. Again, NO BLANKETS. You are sitting on the hard ground with nothing between you and the dirt. The restrooms are like airplane lavatories. We didn't even bother trying to get any beverages as the lines were so long. The security is ridiculous -- we saw a young man escorted out by two security guards and a cop simply because he danced his way up the aisle to his spot in the grass. The place is too strict security-wise to be fun for young people, and too uncomfortable to be fun for middle-aged people, so I'm not sure who they are trying to attract here. As nice as it was to be so close to the music, I would never go back.
Very Average Venue
This venue has zero character. They literally put a steel box on a corner of a big parking lot and planted some grass for outdoor shows. The acoustics are below average, there are no seats inside or out and they do not allow you to bring in a blanket to sit in the grass. I assume this is because they stuff so many people in such a small area that putting a blanket down would limit the places to stand even further. The traffic after a crowded show is an absolute nightmare. It seems like there was no thought put into this facility besides building it cheaply. They do get many good acts, but if you can see them at a better facility with some ambiance do it. There are much better places to see good music!
Concert experience
My 2 daughters and I went to the Austin mahone concert last night and It was the most horrible experience they ever had! They had the VIP package so I wasn't with them i had to go in and show my id and stuff and was allowed to stay until the concert started and buy tshirts. then i walked accross street to eat dinner but I got a phone call from my 17 year old daughter that 2 girls we elbowing and kicking her and her 12 year old sister in the face, ribs and legs!!!! They told security and he just shrugged his shoulders and said there was nothing he could do so he removed my 2 from the concert and left the 2 bullies in there!!!!! I arrived at the venue a minute latter and Roger from security would not let me in until I told him to call the police my children were just assaulted in there! The police came and said they couldn't find the girls and would not let my 2 girls show them where they were so nothing was done about it. Mike the security guard (no one would give us his last name) Was arrogant and rude to me and my friend and we are in our 40s (not young mouthy teenagers). When we asked for help. While we were talking to police I asked if I could go get my 2 crying daughters a drink they said " not without a ticket " !!!!! I pulled money out of my pocket and asked her if she could please get it and she said no! So my oldest daughter had to go back in to buy a drink while security guarded the door and mike stared dirty looks at us and police could do nothing. NEVER AGAIN WILL WE Ever go to stage as or trust landmark security to provide safety!!
I should get dinner with that thorough pat down
I have been to Stage AE several times since it has opened and I always enjoy the music. What I don't enjoy is being molested prior to entering the venue. The security people need to be a little less vigilant. I have been to many venues across the country and I have never been so thoroughly examined in my life. Virtually every part of my body was searched except for my crotch. Even my pack of cigarettes was examined by a guy's finger all the way to the bottom. Those fingers that searched dozens of people before me were now down in my pack of smokes. Disgusting.
Security more uptight than TSA. Threw away my medication needed for my bladder disease
I have been to this venue twice now. The first time the experience was pretty great, though it did take a bit of time to get in past security. There's not really a bad view in the place. They have good drinks, but are of course pricey. The second time I went, the line wrapped around the city block and it took over an hour to get in. Once I arrived at security, the worker when through every single item in my purse. She seemed perplexed by hand sanitizer, and that was just the start. She threw away my medications (Aleve and Prelief) that I use for treating my bladder disease, I'm guessing because they were over the counter and not in prescription bottles with my name on it. She then gave me a full pat down that seemed more thorough than that of TSA. I'm honestly curious as to whether or not this is actually legal, especially since I don't see anything regarding medications on the prohibited items list. I hope that Stage AE figures out their security issues because it is a big problem for myself and many others I've noticed. Their website has a list of prohibited items: " What can't I bring to a show with me? " For the safety of both concert patrons and our staff, we do not allow the following items: Blankets Strollers iPads or tablets Food Selfie sticks Drink Bottles or cans Coolers Lawn chairs Umbrellas Hula Hoops GoPros Recording devices Fireworks Candles Laser pointers Incendiary devices Inline skates Skateboards Bicycles Pets Helmets Oversized bags or backpacks of any kind Carabiners Any form of weapon, including knives, mace and / or pepper spray Anything with spikes / studs on them (shoes, bracelets, rings, clothing, etc.) Battery operated glow sticks and glow balls - Call to inquire
Awesome Concert Experiences
I have been to 2 indoor and 3 outdoor shows at Stage AE. *The doors open 1 hour before the opening act begins. There can be a long line and there is a thorough bag / purse search and pat down. If you want to stand in the front you'll want to arrive early. *Due to city noise laws (or something) the shows end at 11 pm. *Outside there is a concrete pit area by the stage, a middle VIP section with tables, and the grass lawn. Sometimes, but not always, you can bring a blanket to sit in the grass (call ahead to ask). Usually everyone is standing in either area. The outdoor shows are awesome - the downtown view, the acoustics, Heinz Field just behind, the rivers. *Inside there is the pit area, an upper area (maybe 4 feet higher) by the bar that is less crowded usually, and seats in a balcony. Unless there are really tall people in front of you, the views from all areas are great. The lights, acoustics, etc. are great! *Their website usually provides information about whether the show is inside or outside. *There are plenty of bathroom stalls, which are normally clean. *For both indoor and outdoor shows there is a designated smoking area. *The bar prices are decent and the selection is pretty good. It can get a little crowded sometimes, but it's not too bad. *It is located on the North Shore within walking distance of many parking lots / garages, the T, and downtown busses. Parking can be expensive or more difficult during Pittsburgh Pirate games at PNC Park. *There are usually a few security people roaming, watching, doing their jobs which makes me feel safe. *Overall it is a great venue and I will definitely be back!
Good Concert Venue
Whether inside or outside (be sure to check your ticket so you are prepared if it's outside), this is a really good venue. The only thing that sucks is that they won't allow you to bring an umbrella inside even if it's an indoor concert, so if it's pouring you're just screwed. Also, no blankets for outdoor concerts, so plan on extra ponchos or garbage bags folded up to sit on if the ground is wet.
A little disappointed
The Stage A & E is very intimate, which makes it great for seeing and hearing the entertainment. However, if you have general admission tickets it is standing room only and a small section of bleacher seats.
First Visit to Stage AE
I was gifted tickets for Motherś Day to see the well known Pittsburgh band The Clarkś. I invited a friend to go with me for a Mom's night out. My tickets were printed and it said the doors open at 6PM. Very little info was on the tickets or website. The show actually started at 7:30 PM. I attempted to find out if there were restrictions about sizes of bags since so many places do have restrictions. Nothing on the tickets or website. I knew there was lawn seating, from other TA reviews some folks shared you were not allowed to bring anything to sit on. Security as you entered, purses checked, patted down & it did not seem that there was a limit on a size for purses. We found a spot in the grass toward the back, our choice, since it was still sunny out, we wanted to be in the shade. Sound wise it was good, not too loud. They do have several stands with beverages and food items. As some have mentioned, a bottle of water was $3.50, which is the norm at venues but it is annoying when you know you can buy a case of water for the price of one bottle. Sad that they can't even give you a bottle without a cap, so you have to be careful you don't knock your bottle over and spill it. The show itself was enjoyable. But it would of been more comfortable if you could of sat on a beach towel or something. I would advise calling and confirming actual start times. There are several parking lots near by. You may need to plan ahead a bit since it is near Heinz Field and PNC Park since football and baseball games could impact the parking. Overall the evening was enjoyable for two momś out for the evening. But it could of been more comfortable if we could of sat on a something, just felt itchy in the grass. The questions included in this review format ask if it is a suitable for children and families? As much as I enjoyed the music part of the show, the opening band dropped that lovely word beginning with F. Then shortly after that two daughters of one of the band members joined them for a few songs. I personally don't consider that suitable for families and children. But that is just me, it wasn't necessary and there were a fair amount of young children there. I guess it is a matter of personal opinion.
Twenty one pilots concert
Great place for a spring / summer concert. You can see the band well from different areas. Our 16 year old teens enjoyed sweating being smashed in the mosh pit. We stood way in the back with other parents and could see well. Our 12 year old and her friend stood about 50 feet in front of us. In the future I would feel comfortable letting the older teens go into here with us going to a nearby restaurant. There are many right outside of the concert area. I felt the security did a good job. I saw they did escort someone out. I did see them walking around. I did see some mysterious clouds of smoke come from some areas of the crowd which I expected. I educated my kids about the possibility of drugs being there / offered beforehand. Overall I really enjoyed the outdoor concert and feel it is a safe place to go.
Creaky 63-year-old concert goer
Well, I guess I am getting too old for standing on concrete in the middle of young throng of pot smoking kids drinking large alcoholic drinks for four hours. Loved Dawes and Hozier but will never venture there again no matter how great the outdoor acoustics are. Free subway from downtown was a plus. I am sure the young folks had an awesome evening. Oh to be 25 again!
Great size
There are a few great things to say about Stage AE, but also some bad things. The good: Doors opened at the time the tickets said they would. The size of the indoor venue was perfect IMO. No matter where you are you have a fantastic view. I really wish I knew how to get box seats because we wanted them so badly. The sound quality was great and it took no time at all to walk to the concessions and make your way back to your spot. I didn't deal with any rude security guards personally. The bad: First off, while waiting in line there were a couple security guards and a cop talking to each other behind the gated area and they were very vulgar and at one point started yelling at some guy on our side of the gate calling him a certain profanity and another which I'll just say is considered a homophobic slur, which I found wildly inappropriate no matter who you are or what your job is. When the doors were opened at 7 we were subjected to a search. I left my purse in the car because I wasn't sure if it would be allowed, so all I had were my keys, a small wallet, and my phone. They wouldn't let me bring in my carabiner clip on my keys because it was " too big " so they made me leave it on a ledge and the girl said " I can't guarantee it'll still be there " but luckily it was when we left. I just thought it was so stupid considering how my keys were more of a weapon than the key ring itself. By the way, there were multiple ladies with very small purses that were permitted. Then the concert never started for over an hour. So not only was I in line for an hour and a half, but then I had to wait almost another 90 minutes for the show to start. The whole point of waiting in line was to be near the front and that's where I was, right in front, but due to having to wait so long for the show to start I had to give up my spot to go sit because my feet and back hurt so bad (note: where comfy shoes!!) So it was totally pointless to wait in line. After the first act I was dying of thirst so I went to buy water and luckily I had read reviews so I knew how expensive it was but really I just want to say how ridiculous it is to pay $7 for two bottled waters and not even be able to keep the caps. Like, what?? I can buy three cases of water for that price. It just proved how greedy they are and care more about money than you having a good time. I didn't even dare check out the alcohol prices. It was also very warm inside, and people were starting to sweat within minutes. My biggest problem with the venue actually really doesn't have to do with the venue itself, but rather the people there. I've never been around so many rude, self centered, and disrespectful people in my life. I don't know if it's a Pittsburgh thing, or what, but the other people at the venue were purposely rude to other people and I'm actually really surprised no one turned violent over the stuff I saw going on. So fair warning to people who don't like to be around other people like that.
Horrible set up
I took my 10 year old daughter to hear R5 and will never go to this place for a concert again. First off, I did not get general admission PIT tickets, because I didn't want to stand and the lady at the box office suggested not to with a 10 year old. Well, we had general admission lawn seats and stood the whole time. This is definitely not like other venues where I've had lawn seats. We stood in line to get in and stood the whole concert. Then, they have plenty of areas for drinks, but only ONE stand to get food and the line was crazy long! I was told they usually have food inside, but this tour needed more space, so the inside was not open. Well shame on Stage AE for not bringing in food trucks or setting up a tent with grills. So, tic tacs was our dinner. Not a good set up and definitely not a place to take your pre teen or teenager. No posters either! How do you have young kids and teenagers at a concert and tell them they can't bring in posters? Crazy!
Lindsey Sterling Concert
Went to watch the concert last night and thought doors were to open at 6, but we were in long line outside of venue for an hour, then when we got inside there was limited seating for general admission tickets in the balcony and seats that were available were bleacher type seats which were terribly uncomfortable for any lengthy period of time. There was standing room only in front of the stage and after standing for an hour, that was the last thing that I wanted to do. I was able to find a seat, but was so uncomfortable that my back was sore from sitting there for the almost 4 hrs that we were there. My grandson and his friend could not find a seat, so went down to in front of the stage and watched from there in the group of people standing to watch. There was cushioned seating for season ticket holders and half of those seats were not even being used. I do not know how many people were there in attendance, but know it was over 1178 as that was the number on our tickets. I, also, felt it was a fire hazard with all those people crammed into such a small space and limited access to exits. That being said, the concert was quite enjoyable.
Steelers Tailgate at Stage AE a Disapointment!
Went to the Steelers-Bengals at Heinz Field on November 1st and decided to go to the Steelers Tailgate at Stage AE. The Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles both have similar areas at their home games where fans can go before the game to enjoy some food and drink, listen to some live music and maybe even play some games and win some prizes. These areas are fun; the Steelers Tailgate at Stage AE, not so much. Even though it opened at 9AM for a 1PM game and I arrived around 10AM, there wasn't really anything happening; no food or drink, no games and no music! Finally, at 10:30AM, a guy dressed like a Pope gave a Steelers version of The Lord's Prayer and then a cover band started performing. The band was actually pretty good, performing tunes by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp, among others. Food and drink finally went on sale at 11AM, which is also when the Heinz Field gates opened. My advice: if you have a ticket for a Steelers home game, skip the Steelers Tailgate at Stage AE and head right for Heinz Field.
June 19, Fuel and Everclear
What a wonderful, new outdoor music venue. Stands for Stage American Eagle. The sound is excellent, primarily general admission, was lucky to have VIP seating with a season ticket holder, which has tables, chairs, table service, etc. In front of stage it's concrete, then VIP tables, then lawn. behind the VIP section. Great location and nice venue. Highly recommend. Lawn area towards back probably more comfortable if standing a while.
Nothing started on time so u could drink, $$$$$
Nice, little expensive, there is 15 parking, but close even with a Pirates Game next door, very good views of the stage seating is very limited, there is a VIP, Balcony, Sponsered. Have to know some company or sports team insider,
Killer Venue!
I have seen a bunch of shows at Stage AE, and I think it has been a great addition to the " downtown scene. " It provides a nice size for a lot of significant bands and artists who come through, and the artist draw is very good (eg, G Love, Breaking Benjamin, Above & Beyond, Incubus, are just some that I've seen). There is both and indoor and an outdoor venue. The former is used thoughout the winter months while the latter is opened when the weather gets nicer. Inside the bar can be tight and there is no coat check... Soutions? 1) Make your way to the upper level (sometimes a vip ticket is required) where the bar is less crowded. 2) Parking is ample around the venue so leave your coat and belonging in your car and high tail it in. The outdoor area is deceiving from the outside. It's actually very sizable and accomodating. The acoustics in both venues is really good. It's nice that it's on the North Shore of Pittsburgh as 1) it's easy to access from the surrounding Pgh area (unlike First Niagra Pavillion), and 2) there is a lot to do both before and after the concert (clubs, restaurants, etc). Overall, excellent place to see a show!
Decent Concert Venue with a Few Rough Patches
Been to a few shows at Stage AE - both indoors and out. Here's my take. Overall, it's not a bad place to see a show. Sound acoustics are good and the place has decent sight lines (both in and out). I do like the lawn outside - especially for those who don't want to brave the crowded mosh pit area directly in front of the stage. Drinks are reasonable and even the outside bathrooms are clean and air-conditioned. Sound volume is not out of control - which makes concerts much more enjoyable. The outside also affords nice views of the city. Parking is not an issue so long as you get there early. Plenty of paid lots around. Like any GA concert where people become very territorial, there's always issues with having a friend save your place in line, so you'd be best coming as a group at the same time. GA shows can be like the Wild West at times and lines form early. People get very prickly when you attempt to cut, even if legit. As for what I don't like. Well - they claim to be a non-smoking facility yet hundreds of people light up wherever and whenever they want (even in front of security). Clearly, this is a policy that is not enforced - and it should be. Yes, when people get drunk and stoned they like to smoke, I get it. But it can be a real bummer for us nonsmokers who are forced to breath in the second-hand smoke. Also, many Stage AE concerts are attended by younger folks (under 21). During summer, temps can get very hot and folks are always clamoring to secure a spot as close to the stage as possible. This is the nature of GA shows. Problem is, once you're in the densely packed pit, you will always have trouble getting in and out. As a result, people can't go to purchase water - and many teens become dehydrated or simply faint. Stage AE would rather have you buy their water (which is understandable) - and their policy clearly prohibits people from bringing in their own beverages and / or water bottles. I think they should reconsider this policy on very hot days, because they know all too well that people are just not going to take the time to stand in line to get water during a GA show (especially when doors open) when they're rushing to get a good spot. And because of front pit overcrowding, getting in or out becomes a huge challenge and tempers will always flare when a patron attempts to return to their previous spot. So many don't even try and pay the price later on when they're ready to collapse from heat exhaustion. In Stage AEs defense, they were spraying water onto the crowd and the security were allowing people to drink water from the hoses (in cups). To me, this indicates a larger issue that should be resolved, especially during hot weather when Stage AE is responsible for the well-being of show attendees. Now Stage AE may claim that people should be hydrated before they arrive and that they offer multiple options for people to purchase water on site (which is all true), but the nature of GA shows and the sheer volume of people in the pit makes this an unreasonable expectation. One option would be to set up a few places in the pit where water can be purchased, or use roaming water vendors. They wouldn't have to do this all the time, but certainly when the temperature exceeds a certain level. Otherwise, it's a good place to see a show - although it would be even better if they enforced the non-smoking rule and had a better front pit beverage solution on hot days.