The lounge is clean and offers plenty of food and drink selection with easy access to your ground level seats, but the older gentleman that's been cutting and serving the meat everyone wants since the place has been open is slower than molasses and there's always an excruciating wait. Unless the game is on of course. And if you know him you'll get nice cuts and portions of meats, but don't let him see your anxious and tired of waiting because he'll serve you up a plate of fat that will make not want to come back to his line. Horrible service at the most popular table and why you don't get all 5 stars. Time someone has a talk with him because those seats aren't cheap.
This is definitely the way to go if you want to go to an event and really be treated like a true VIP. The drinks are top shelf, the food is absolutely delicious with such unique selections, from shrimp/oysters, fresh prime rib, pizza, fruit, sandwiches, pasta, and the desserts are divine! There is plenty of space to enjoy the atmosphere before, during and even after the game. The bathrooms are beautiful, clean and there is never a wait. The special entrance is perfect and you're able to walk right to your seats from the exit by the glass. Getting seats that have this access can be a little on the pricey side (over $300 - $500 a ticket) depending on the game but the experience is so worth it!
It's always great after a Bolts win
Doesn't get any better than that for before or during the hockey game.
Gorgeous renovations!
Beautiful ambiance.
I had a great time at Amalie Arena. Hubby and I flew out to Florida for the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game, and our experience as visiting fans was very positive. We were welcomed by many fans, engaged in fun banter with others, and were harrassed by none. I want to thank all the local fans for being so kind and welcoming! The arena is located smack-dab in downtown Tampa, meaning traffic and parking is a nightmare. Leave super early before game time to make sure you can find a place to park and get in the arena before puck drop! We were driving from Orlando, and had no idea what to do when we arrived. Luckily, we noticed two Lightning fans in the car next to us at a stoplight, and got their attention and asked them where to park. The guy recommended the Embassy Suites, which had $20 valet parking (cash only). We followed him to the garage and it was super easy in and out, and a short walk that was only a few blocks from the arena. Getting inside was also efficient and fast. There are security lines with metal detectors and bag searches, and the mobile ticketing makes it easy to keep track of your tickets. Once inside, the arena felt a little dated, but the concourse was well laid out and spacious with tons of food options. I had splurged on 5th row seats behind the VGK team bench, right by the team tunnel. I was hoping to get some fist bumps, but the arena left a large tarp and overhang that they pulled out whenever the team walked by. What a bummer. It was removed during game play, so no worries that your view will be blocked when the action is taking place. I was in early to watch the pre-game warmups, which is always fun. The glass here is super clear, it looks brand new. I'm used to scuffed glass, but it was almost crystal clear. The jumbotron is HUGE and has amazing clarity. I wish every hockey barn had a jumbotron like Amalie Arena! The seats were roomy and comfortable, but we were in the "high dollar" lower bowl seats. The in-game entertainment was okay, but pales in comparison to my home team's arena. We also noticed the local fans were really quiet until about the last 10 minutes of the third period when it was clear their team was going to win. Not a lot of cheering until then, which is something we aren't used to. I did enjoy their mascot Thunder Bug, so cute and happy to pose for photos with opposing fans. And there's a Tesla Coil in the rafters that MAKES REAL LIGHTNING STRIKES to start each period. It is SO COOL to see indoor lightning! All in all, this is a friendly, fun arena to see a hockey game as a fan of the visiting team.
Growing up in a suburb of Detroit, I never thought I would be a Tampa Bay fans. Flash forward to this hockey season, and I have both Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ondrej Palau on my fantasy hockey team! Throughout the fantasy season, I have become a huge Bolts fan, and I was incredibly fortunate enough to be able to experience a game at Amalie Arena. My experience was amazing, the atmosphere was incredible. We never had to wait in long lines, got in and out quickly. Our seats were comfortable, and with a t-shirt and jeans I was not cold! Prices at the shops were reasonable, and the shirt that I got is nice quality. I definitely will be going to Amalie Arena again! Go Bolts!
Built as a hockey venue, it serves its function perfectly: excellent site lines, no bad seats. And plenty of comfortable concessions and seating away from and near the action. HOWEVER, this is not the place for a concert. Its acoustics are non-existent. Its surfaces reflect sounds and create a perfectly-defined environment of noise, reverb, echo---auditory mush. Reviewers are not dishonest, though: I've regularly read of people "seeing" Bruce Springsteen here, "seeing" Jimmy Buffett here, etc. No one--with all legitimacy--has ever claimed to "hear" any of them!
We went to the Blackhawks lightning game right before covid hit. The stadium is nice. There are some bars outside that serve food and drinks. The drinks inside the stadium were ridiculously expensive. We got three drinks and it was almost $70. There were a lot of Blackhawks fans at this game :-)