Leaving Molson Ampitheatre in TO

BC18033

I seem to recall from the last time I saw PJ in at the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto, it was a hassle to get out there -- impossible to catch a cab, long lines, traffic jam, etc. We walked back almost all the way back to our hotel, before getting a taxi. Is that right? Anyone have any suggestions for getting out there in a somewhat timely fashion? Places to stay that are really close?
I'm driving from Detroit to go to the show next month with my wife who will be 5 months pregnant and would like to avoid a really late night and long wait/walk back to the hotel. Closest place I could find looks like it's about 2 mile walk. not bad usually, but a haul at midnight when you're pregnant.
Thanks.

Holden

Yeah, you are definitely right about it being a hassle to get out of there. The problem is, its far from the subway line, and the street car to get back to the subway station can only hold so many people. Your also near the lake, so I don't know if there are too many hotels around in that area...someone might know tho. They might have a taxi stand on one of the exits. I would call the venue and see.

benjs

And some more good news - it happens to be the the first day that the Ex (place where the Amphitheatre venue is in) is open.

satanman

benjs wrote:

And some more good news - it happens to be the the first day that the Ex (place where the Amphitheatre venue is in) is open.

sweet cluster fuck

Bump30

Seriously people....who cares....you will have just seen the greatest band in the world!!

I'll be at that concert and I guarantee you won't hear any complains out of me!!

JimmyV

bump30 wrote:

Seriously people....who cares....you will have just seen the greatest band in the world!!

I'll be at that concert and I guarantee you won't hear any complains out of me!!

The OP has a pregnant wife. Getting her out of there is a big priority and a worry.

We are staying at the Radisson Admiral about a mile away on the lake. We figured that was as far as we'd be able to stumble in a pinch after the show and was close to Rogers Centre for the Red Sox.

MG79478

BC18033 wrote:

I seem to recall from the last time I saw PJ in at the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto, it was a hassle to get out there -- impossible to catch a cab, long lines, traffic jam, etc. We walked back almost all the way back to our hotel, before getting a taxi. Is that right? Anyone have any suggestions for getting out there in a somewhat timely fashion? Places to stay that are really close?
I'm driving from Detroit to go to the show next month with my wife who will be 5 months pregnant and would like to avoid a really late night and long wait/walk back to the hotel. Closest place I could find looks like it's about 2 mile walk. not bad usually, but a haul at midnight when you're pregnant.
Thanks.

When the house lights come on, and YL or RITFW are starting.... leave. You can listen to that last song on the bootleg.

That is the great thing about PJ closing with the same song most nights, who cares if you miss it? Hopefully they don't make it an indifference night!

Or offer a cab driver an extra $20 to wait for you at a certain spot after the show. Don't actually give him the $20 until you are in the cab on your way home.

mjb

You gotta bolt during the encore - with that said, with it being the first night of the Ex it is still gonna be super tough. There are other exits from the Ex grounds that lead you into a residential area where it "may" be possible to find a cab. If you don't, it is only a 10-20 min walk out to King where you should be able to find a cab. I understand your concern. My wife was 9 mos pregnant during the eV solo shows at Massey Hall. We actually had to leave Night 2. She is your top priority. You can try and arrange to have a car pick you up (like an airport taxi service) if $ is not a huge issue. I am usually super anxious about getting out, but for this one I am just gonna forget it and walk the midway after. I'll stick around until things clear out. Good luck.

mikesbri

Do not park in the Ontario Place/Molson Amp parking lot. You will be stuck in there for a couple of hours without moving. And with CNE going on there is even less parking available since the rides and games take up all the parking. This is going to be a mess. But its all for PJ so I can deal with it.

JaneNY

Holden wrote:

Yeah, you are definitely right about it being a hassle to get out of there. The problem is, its far from the subway line, and the street car to get back to the subway station can only hold so many people. Your also near the lake, so I don't know if there are too many hotels around in that area...someone might know tho. They might have a taxi stand on one of the exits. I would call the venue and see.

I used the streetcar after NIN a couple months ago. Its not like only one street car comes. They pretty much come every few minutes and it goes to Union station. I would never drive to Molson if I could avoid it, after having done it a time or two. Plus its cheap - $2.75CAD one way, or you can get a day pass and use it on street car and subway all day.

You could also take the Go train to Union- costs a little more, not as frequent, but its another choice to avoid driving plus there's no stops between Ontario Place and Union. With the street card it does stop (obviously) quite a few times on the route.

Dead Man Walking

I've been going to concerts at the amp for as long as I can remember. We park at the bottom of Bathurst st and Queens Quay. you can find a decent lot for $5 and the walk is about 10 minutes at a slow pace...And yes, I have been there wit ha pregnant wife also. I can tell you from experience, it's like herding cows trying to get out of that place. If you're not in a hurry to go anywhere after, I suggest you relax in your seats for 15 before heading out. Pregnant women seem to get very claustrophobic.

foodboy

i have been going to shows down there for over 35 years and the best thing to do is if you do park in the molson amphitheatre parking lot be sure to park near one of the exits.what has been mentioned prviously is definitely get out of your seats before the last song and make your way near to the exit where you can still watch but be the first ones out. the other alternative is to park on some of the lots on strahan ave (its the street that runs north and south outside the front gates of the exhibition)its a bit more of a walk but may be a better logistical way out. there are other lots outside the exhibition grounds as well . but getting a spot is tricky so i advise to get there earlier and sometime s you have to wait for an opening . there are no hotels in that direct vicinity,so you may as well find somehere comfortable to stay somewhere in the downtown core. if you need any suggestions let me know. i ve lived here my whole life and know the city inside out.where to eat etc.

foodboy

also if you are driving to the show don t get caught on the lakeshore road as you near the venue as if you want to park in other lots you need to stay in the right hand lanes to exit to the off ground parking lots otherwise you are going to be stuck on lakeshore road with very little areas to turn around.this is going eastbound.once you start to see the main gates or princess gates try to exit as there are a couple of streets ot front that abut parking lots .you will see what i mean

faceintheclouds

or u could just leave her at home








jk

pearljamdude420

i went there last time PJ played this venue. the venue sucks imo, not only is it very hard to get out of, there is not much for hotels within walking distance either. we had to walk for what seemed like 2 miles to catch a cab, cause there was none in sight at the venue.

pj should not play this venue, i even think the acoustics inside the venue are not very good, and the rampways they have it set up and the food tents and shit in the amp, suck real bad, i remember long long lines for drinks, and its one of the worst amp i have ever been in. usualy i like most outdoor venues like alpine valley, riverbend in cincy etc. but toronto amp sucks imo.

why they dont choose to play the hockey arena downtown instead , air canada center? that venue is mmuch better, and is easy to get around by subway as well. and close to hotels etc.

uglybabo

pearljamdude420 wrote:

why they dont choose to play the hockey arena downtown instead , air canada center? that venue is mmuch better, and is easy to get around by subway as well. and close to hotels etc.

I think that the Air Canada Centre is closed for the month of August.

The amphitheatre is a mess and the end of the show - since you can only exit from the one side. I'd agree if you're not in a rush to remain seated during the mass exodus.

goldenegg

pearljamdude420 wrote:

i went there last time PJ played this venue. the venue sucks imo, not only is it very hard to get out of, there is not much for hotels within walking distance either. we had to walk for what seemed like 2 miles to catch a cab, cause there was none in sight at the venue.

pj should not play this venue, i even think the acoustics inside the venue are not very good, and the rampways they have it set up and the food tents and shit in the amp, suck real bad, i remember long long lines for drinks, and its one of the worst amp i have ever been in. usualy i like most outdoor venues like alpine valley, riverbend in cincy etc. but toronto amp sucks imo.

why they dont choose to play the hockey arena downtown instead , air canada center? that venue is mmuch better, and is easy to get around by subway as well. and close to hotels etc.

I agree. The Molson Amp is my least favorite venue in the city. Where they should really play is The Dakota Tavern ... but that has as much chance of happening as PJ playing in my living room. Anyways, doesn't really matter to me as I'm no longer living in TO, so I'm be missing this show.

In regards to the original topic of this thread, having the Ex open on the same day as the show definitely makes parking a much bigger headache than it normally is. To the OP, take the suggestion of others and leave early. I'd actually recommend leaving right after the first encore. Unfortunately I can't recommend a good place to park, because there really isn't much that will easily accommodate your wife. If you can get to the venue early, park there as it'll get you to your car quicker once you leave the show.

For others attending the show, there's a streetcar which runs from Union Station to the venue. While there can be a long line to get on it after the show, it's much better than waiting in that wonderful TO traffic :-)

BC18033

wow. thanks for all the great info/ideas. We really appreciate it. we'll see everyone in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to it.

Drowned Out

03 was the biggest clusterfuck gongshow of traffic I've ever seen. we were picked up in the parking lot, and sat there for hours....just to crawl out into stopped-dead traffic in what seemed to be the entire downtown core, in the middle of the night....was it during the ex last time too? I don't remember...but it was ridiculous...

I'm thinking hanging around the area for a while sounds like the best plan for me....
Are there beer gardens at the ex? gotta be...
Also, I remember beers on a patio, inside Ontario Place before the 03 show, next to a marina.....listened to soundcheck there, blissfully unaware that the lineup we saw outside was not to buy tickets, but to pick up 10C tickets ( :shock: )....It was a cool spot; if it's still there, I wouldn't mind sitting there while the crowd dies down, but I don't know if I'll find it again ...or if it's open that late.



oh...and to the OP: good luck with the wife! my ex was 7 mos. pregnant during the 05 tour. I can imagine your apprehension if the Amphitheatre is normally anything like it was in 03...I think I'd def leave during the encore if the baby's due date is anywhere near the 21st! I also remember being funnelled thru some pretty cramped corridors n whatnot...as was mentioned, probably a bit claustrophobic for a pregnant lady! her feet will be sore and swollen from the show too, be prepared for foot rub duty Be careful, and have fun

RD171825

pearljamdude420 wrote:

i went there last time PJ played this venue. the venue sucks imo, not only is it very hard to get out of, there is not much for hotels within walking distance either. we had to walk for what seemed like 2 miles to catch a cab, cause there was none in sight at the venue.

pj should not play this venue, i even think the acoustics inside the venue are not very good, and the rampways they have it set up and the food tents and shit in the amp, suck real bad, i remember long long lines for drinks, and its one of the worst amp i have ever been in. usualy i like most outdoor venues like alpine valley, riverbend in cincy etc. but toronto amp sucks imo.

why they dont choose to play the hockey arena downtown instead , air canada center? that venue is mmuch better, and is easy to get around by subway as well. and close to hotels etc.

Waaa Waaa Waaa... want a tissue.

benjs

RD171825 wrote:

pearljamdude420 wrote:

i went there last time PJ played this venue. the venue sucks imo, not only is it very hard to get out of, there is not much for hotels within walking distance either. we had to walk for what seemed like 2 miles to catch a cab, cause there was none in sight at the venue.

pj should not play this venue, i even think the acoustics inside the venue are not very good, and the rampways they have it set up and the food tents and shit in the amp, suck real bad, i remember long long lines for drinks, and its one of the worst amp i have ever been in. usualy i like most outdoor venues like alpine valley, riverbend in cincy etc. but toronto amp sucks imo.

why they dont choose to play the hockey arena downtown instead , air canada center? that venue is mmuch better, and is easy to get around by subway as well. and close to hotels etc.

Waaa Waaa Waaa... want a tissue.

He gave a legitimate argument with good facts based on personal experience to back it up - I don't think your response was called for. The ACC DOES have better acoustics, better location, great proximity to public transit. Having been to both venues many times, would by no means call myself an audiophile, but I don't think it's debatable which venue, if outdoors vs. indoors isn't an issue, is superior.