How Annoying Are Parking, Seating At F&m Bank Amphitheater In Long Beach? We Checked It Out

When I pulled into nan parking batch adjacent Long Beach’s F&M Bank Amphitheater pinch conscionable 30 minutes until nan opening of nan show connected a caller Friday, my bosom raced.

“Do you deliberation we’ll make it successful time?” I asked my boyfriend, worried.

We were heading to Ice Cube and Mike Epps’ “Everyday’s Friday” performance and drama show — a ceremony of nan cult classical “Friday” movie franchise — truthful a immense turnout was guaranteed. And ever since F&M Bank Amphitheater opened earlier this summer, my societal media feeds person been flooded pinch complaints astir Long Beach’s caller impermanent waterfront venue. Concertgoers person cited uncomfortable seating, sky-high parking rates and agelong shuttle hold times.

Those comments swirled successful my caput arsenic I hustled toward nan shuttle pickup statement adjacent nan Pike Outlets. But to my astonishment and relief, a autobus arrived wrong a fewer minutes. After a astir 15-minute thrust done mild traffic, we made it to nan venue conscionable successful clip to spot Epps tease a fewer assemblage members during his opening drama segment.

The 11,000-seat F&M Bank Amphitheater has gotten a batch of buzz successful nan 2 months it’s been open, pinch conversations surrounding its funding, noise concerns successful nan neighborhood and nan purpose of nan venue for nan metropolis of Long Beach. My ngo was simply to spot what it’s for illustration to acquisition a show. The verdict? If you’re not expecting luxury and you get pinch a patient dose of patience, it’s a treat.

Here’s a rundown, starting pinch getting to nan amphitheater. Because nan venue doesn’t person its ain parking lot, nan options are rideshare, nan bus, e-scooters, bikes (with retention disposable astatine nan venue), taking a water taxi ($5 per way) aliases paying $55 for reserved spaces, past taking nan free shuttle.

Walking wrong felt little for illustration entering a impermanent venue and much for illustration stepping into a mini euphony festival. The pathway toward nan information checkpoint was adorned pinch a agleam absurd mural, hanging lights and swaying thenar trees. A show of lowriders greeted america alongside a monolithic mural of iconic scenes from nan movie “Friday,” including Cube and Chris Tucker’s legendary “Dammnnnn” moment. Deeper into nan grounds, fans delighted successful interactive creation installations — from a replica of Pinky’s Records & Discs to Craig’s beforehand porch. Nearby were moreover much classical lowriders that drivers made bounce and creation for nan crowd. The layout made nan abstraction consciousness much expansive and interactive than conscionable watching a performance.

The freely F&M Bank Amphitheater felt for illustration a mini euphony show pinch nutrient trucks, creation installations and more.

(Daniel Rojas)

Food trucks and bars were scattered throughout, serving up tacos, burgers, basking dogs and different hand-held bites. I ordered a smashburger pinch fries — which was decent though nan statement moved slow — and paired it pinch a cocktail, which was moderately priced by L.A. standards ($19 for premium liquor). Grab-and-go beers and seltzers were easy accessible though I didn’t spot immoderate refillable h2o stations astir nan venue.

And a awesome point to statement is nan venue’s only restrooms are Porta Potties. I was instantly grateful that I’d brought manus sanitizer arsenic location weren’t immoderate hand-washing stations adjacent nan entrance. Fortunately, a 2nd portable toilet area deeper wrong nan venue had moving sinks and held up good passim nan show.

Thousands of fans attended nan “Everyday’s Friday” event, which celebrated nan “Friday” movie franchise.

(Daniel Rojas)

Much for illustration shows astatine nan Hollywood Bowl, nan performance kicked disconnected a fewer minutes aft 7 p.m. With our burgers and margaritas successful hand, my fellow and I nestled into our seats successful nan halfway 300 section, which gave america a clear, unobstructed position of nan stage. Thanks to nan gradual bleacher-style seating, almost each spot successful nan location offers a awesome vantage point. The existent seats were difficult and mildly uncomfortable, but we didn’t mind this because we stood up for astir of nan show. Some attendees opted to bent retired astatine 1 of nan galore picnic tables radiated astir nan venue.

By nan clip Houston rap fable Scarface — who’s known for his usage of dense bass — deed nan shape I realized conscionable really crisp nan sound value was. Even erstwhile we near our seats for a speedy bath break, I could still perceive nan euphony clearly. The sound mixed pinch lasers and immersive backdrop visuals of scenes from nan films elevated nan show experience.

Thanks to nan gradual bleacher-style seating, almost each spot successful nan venue offers a awesome vantage constituent of nan stage.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

It’s difficult to disregard nan picturesque views of nan harbor and famed Queen Mary, peculiarly astatine sunset. (On definite performance days, nan Queen Mary offers free admission.) It felt for illustration nan cleanable mounting for a show that celebrated nan beloved film, its soundtrack and astir importantly West Coast hip-hop culture.

About two-thirds into Ice Cube’s set, I noticed mini groups of group sneaking toward nan exit. Mindful of nan online scary stories astir post-show delays, my fellow and I decided to duck retired early to hit nan rush. By nan clip we made it outside, group were already power-walking toward an expanding line. Security seemed scrambled, first directing a ample crowd of america to nan acold broadside of nan pickup zone, which sparked disorder and frustration, past waving america back. Unlike nan Hollywood Bowl, which has fleets of shuttles fresh to go, F&M Bank Amphitheater’s shuttle cognition felt a spot leaner. Still, a autobus arrived wrong 10 minutes, and contempt initially driving to nan incorrect drop-off spot, nan driver quickly course-corrected and sewage america backmost connected track.

V.I.P Records, a shop that helped motorboat nan careers of artists for illustration Snoop Dogg and Warren G, had a booth astatine nan event.

(Daniel Rojas)

As an avid concertgoer, I enjoyed nan wide acquisition astatine nan F&M Amphitheater. It delivered connected each nan cardinal elements I look for successful a show: pristine sound, engaging visuals and a seamless entry. While nan venue still has immoderate post-show shuttle kinks to soft retired — an expected increasing symptom for a caller abstraction — it successfully turns a impermanent layout into a lively intermezo venue that could soon germinate into a imperishable “Long Beach Bowl.” For euphony lovers and promoters alike, that’s worthy celebrating.