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Originally Posted by garagebrothers
What hotels are close to the arena in Charlotte? Thanks!
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Like another commenter already said, most are off Bruton Smith Blvd, specifically Weddington Rd and Gateway Ln NW. It’s also worth mentioning that you want to be searching for restaurants/hotels in Concord, not Charlotte. Concord Mills is a large shopping mall in the immediate area.
I attached a screenshot I took of the area map, and so as to make sure no one else has to experience the bullshit that I did in 2016 (my dad decided that, after 26 years of living in the area, and at least half of that regularly attending shows at Blockbuster/Verizon Wireless/PNC Pavilion, he was going to go a “back way” that some idiot he works with told him to go- we sat in traffic for over TWO HOURS. Not moving. Only one lane in, and one lane out. Once I started getting DMB HUB setlist notifications and I knew for a fact we were missing the beginning of the concert, I lost my shit and made him park at an elementary school we had finally crept up to. This spot is indicated on the map with a yellow arrow. Second song has started, I take off running the solid mile and a half left to the pavilion. Third song starts, Seek Up, and for the first time ever I’m praying for an extra long Rashawn intro as I’m just getting to Will Call to pick up my tickets.... then I have to wait for my dad to catch up. Needless to say, we finally got to our seats as Seek Up was ending).
My point being: go one of the routes I highlighted in green, preferably the one I highlighted in green and blue. That way you will be coming down Tryon heading away from Charlotte Motor Speedway (that’s actually in Concord, but whatever), and you’ll make a left on Pavilion Blvd. Tryon is multiple lanes in each direction, and going into the concert that end of Pavilion Blvd has all 4/5 lanes open going one way into the parking lots, with road cones dividing the lanes for VIP parking, different lots, etc. Do not forget that the other end of Pavilion Blvd is only one lane in and one lane out, and neither will be moving, so spare yourself the rage and frustration.
Just a heads up- cops around here are real assholes.. They will arrest you for open container if you try to cross Pavilion Blvd with a solo cup, beer can, whatever. I’ve seen it happen countless times. They will stop you for jaywalking. They routinely set up roadblocks after big events in the direction that they know most people will be headed- so obviously don’t drink and drive. You’ll want to leave the same way you came in, btw. I know a couple people who have been arrested attending concerts at PNC for everything from public intoxication (inside the Pavilion, before the concert- the line for the ladies room was insanely long, so rather than piss herself, my friend ran into the men’s room to pee and came right back out... and was promptly taken to jail), aiding and abetting a drunk driver (didn’t even know that was a thing), the open container in the crosswalk thing, you name it. So just make sure you’re keeping your shit together.
Also, middle of summer here is HOT- 97 degrees with 100% humidity. Sucks the show isn’t in May this year.
You can usually bring in one unopened water bottle per person, and how much you get searched depends on the mood of the staff as you enter. If it rains and you’re in the lawn (or any of the uncovered upper seats), you will be drenched and the lawn immediately becomes a giant mud pit. The way they handle rain has been different every single time for me- Rob Zombie/Shinedown, they played right through despite a torrential downpour the entire show, at NIN the screens all went out, PNC tried to stop the show but almost everyone from the lawn jumped the railings and packed in under the roof... of course NIN goes into “rain rain, go away” (amazing)... another show they made everyone from the lawn go out to their cars.... Oh and the 11:00 curfew is STRICT. PNC is in a very residential area. Just like every other venue, getting out takes forever, food and alcohol is crazy expensive, and there’s no smoking except in designated areas outside of the pavilion, but everyone smokes anyway especially in the lawn.
WHEW. Sorry for the novel. Insomnia’s a bitch. I know I made PNC sound awful, but I felt like being prepared for the potential negatives could be helpful to any first timers. I have seen some AMAZING shows by DMB and various other bands through the years, and I will continue to go there for shows despite occasional bullshit... just not the back way 🤦🏻*♀️😂 see y’all there!