Topic: Venue review: Humphrey's By the Bay
Mods...feel free to move if the wrong place. And maybe a new major Topic if venue reviews (regardless of artist) are of interest.
Humphrey's was a great spot for a show (my first there last night for the Dukes of September, see the concert review).
Its outdoors on the bay in San Diego, easy to get to, and you cant beat San Diego weather in June (or any month with 28 or more days).
Basics: about 1200 seats, all plastic folding chairs, but not as uncomfortable as the metal ones can be. Excellent sound (from the front row at least), though that may be as much Donald Fagen as the venue itself, which is just a stage with a curtain behind it. A few full bars, so the lines didnt get too disgusting, and waitress service in the seats.
Parking: Easy in and out, helped by the fact that a lot of concert goers spend the night at the hotel.
Entering/Security: Almost no line to get in, and almost no security for you stealth tapers. Girls handbags and all backpacks were given a cursory once over, but no wands, no patdowns. Security in the aisles/front row was excellent for those of you who hate the crowd packing the front of the stage after you paid $$$$ for seats.
The Bonus: For those who save their pennies or for whom they have a "can't miss" band, they have a few packages with Dinner/Premium or Junior suites/Front row (for premium) or first few rows (junior suites). (Too small for Joe these days, dammit!) Total cost for 2 was about $750 for the premium suite and front row seats, dead center. Sounds huge at first and certainly not priced for a casual night out, but considering that the rooms are large/clean/comfortable and right next to the show, dinner is pretty to very good, and you get San Diego, its not outrageous, particularly if its a band that you'd pay $250+ to a scalper for a primo seat Hell...Waters pre-sale tickets were $225 each, and you could still wind up middle of the house. If second row is as good as first for you (it is for sure if Im sitting...and rarely standing...in front of you!) then the junior package at about $100 less (I think) is great...the premium room was a bit oversized unless you have a family/group with you.
Id definitely go again for a special band or special occasion, though Id probably go the junior package, and definitely go for any other band I like, just getting tix and dinner.
