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Many critics said hockey couldn't survive in the South back in 1998 when the Nashville Predators joined the NHL, but the great Predators fans have proven them wrong.
When you attend a hockey game at Bridgestone Arena, you get a unique NHL game experience.
When Bridgestone Arena is at a packed house of just over 17,000, there are few places louder or more intimidating in the NHL. It gives the Predators a valuable home-ice advantage that some teams aren't lucky enough to enjoy.
What is FANFARE?
The FANFARE scale is our metric device for rating each stadium experience. It covers the following:
- Food & Beverage
- Atmosphere
- Neighborhood
- Fans
- Access
- Return on Investment
- Extras
Each area is rated from 0 to 5 stars with 5 being the best. The overall composite score is the "FANFARE Score".
Food & Beverage
2
You definitely won't have to worry about having limited options at the numerous concession stands when you attend a Predators game. From your basic concession items, to more unique things like corn dogs, Asian cuisine and chicken strip baskets, Bridgestone Arena has you covered.
Here's the problem with all of this. The food is very expensive for a hockey team without the prestige of the original six that includes teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. Even something as simple as nachos will set you back $6.
If you plan on having some adult beverages while attending the game, then expect to spend some money. A 10-ounce beer will cost you $8. These prices are pretty steep, but there are plenty of options.
Atmosphere
4
You're not going to find many arenas in the NHL with a better atmosphere. During my particular visit, it was a simple Monday night and the place was still rocking like it was a playoff game.
The truth is the marketing department for the Predators does an excellent job at getting the fans involved in the game by doing plenty of in-game contests and basically just keeping the place energetic.
The big screen hanging over the center of the ice is state-of-the-art with the crispest image a fan could ask for. The arena's sound system is right up there with it as one of the best in the NHL.
However, not everything is perfect about the atmosphere. The seating is very cramped with basically no arm space. If it's a capacity crowd, then odds are you're going to be fighting for the arm rest to keep your arms from cramping up.
Neighborhood
4
Bridgestone Arena is within short walking distance of Nashville's famous Broadway stretch that includes all of the tourist bars and nightclubs.
If you're a country music fan, you'll be in heaven when you find out that the Country Music Hall of Fame is right across the street.
Every big city has its bad parts, but Bridgestone Arena is in a fairly safe part of town that is near many bars and restaurants that keep the area flooded with tourists most of the time.
With that said, it wouldn't take too long to be in certain areas you wouldn't want to be hanging around in. It's pretty simple to avoid these areas, so you shouldn't have a problem.
Fans
5
The fans are truly what make Bridgestone Arena that electrifying place that it has become over the last 14 years. It's almost like being at a college basketball game with a crazy student section.
In fact, Bridgestone Arena has its own version of a "student section" entitled "Cell Block 303". It's located in Section 303, which is the upper deck. This group of fans leads all of the arena's numerous chants that usually include mocking the other team's goalie. They have their own Facebook page if you want to check them out!
As harsh at the fans come off to the other team, they're actually very hospitable. You may also think that Southerners don't know hockey, but that couldn't be more wrong.
Perhaps the most creative thing the fans have come up with is how they toot train whistles when fan-favorite Jordin Tootoo is on the ice.
Access
3
If you're a native to the Nashville area, then finding Bridgestone Arena couldn't be easier unless they dropped it in your front yard. However, if you're not familiar with downtown Nashville then it could be a headache figuring out all the one-way streets and whatnot.
There is also currently some construction going on in the surrounding area that could really throw you off. There's nothing is worse than an arrow telling you to go a direction you're not familiar with.
One thing that makes finding Bridgestone Arena easy for out-of-towners is the fact that the arena is fully visible from the Interstate and the southern Nashville skyline. You won't have trouble locating an area to park, but be prepared to pay. If a parking garage makes you more comfortable then there are several of those in the area as well.
Return on Investment
4
Upper bowl tickets usually range anywhere from $25-$30, but there are constantly promotions going on where you can get tickets for half of that. One example of that is "College Nights" which basically gives college students discounted tickets with their student I.D's. They offer around six of those per season and they run on Thursday nights.
Lower bowl tickets run at a wide range, but once again you can always find a deal that the promotions department is offering to fans.
There's really no better way to get a return on your investment than by getting opportunities to earn free stuff during the game. The biggest example of this has been a Predators staple for years. Whenever the Predators score four goals, every ticket-holding fan gets a free Wendy's Frosty.
You leave Predators games feeling a sense of fulfillment and having your hockey craving satisfied.
Extras
4
A major extra point goes to the world famous Country Music Hall of Fame being right across the street. That spells convenience for tourists.
An extra point goes to how great of a job the arena does at getting the younger ones involved in the game. The mascot, whose name is "Gnash", rappels from the rafters or rides in hot on a four-wheeler, and the kids always love that.
Since Bridgestone Arena is in Music City, a live band performing during both intermissions is an added bonus. They play on a stage over one of the tunnels.
Finally, if you're a big hockey fan then odds are you're going to want to know the scores around the league. Instead of possibly missing the one or two updates, Bridgestone Arena has four smaller scoreboards that constantly give you scores.
Crowd Reviews
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Predators
Total Score: 4.57
- Food & Beverage: 4
- Atmosphere 4
- Neighborhood: 5
- Fans: 5
- Access: 4
- RoI: 5
- Extras: 5
Bridgestone Arena is a multi-use facility that is home to the Nashville Predators, and is located in the heart of downtown Nashville on Broadway at Fifth Avenue. The arena was completed in 1996. The Predators began play in the arena in 1998, their inaugural season.
The arena is versatile in its configuration, with a seating capacity of 17,113 for hockey and 20, 000 for concerts and basketball. Additionally, the arena has a 5,145 seat Music Theater that provides an intimate venue for plays and smaller concerts. The arena also boasts an acoustically designed rehearsal hall below the main arena level where touring acts can perform a full concert rehearsal. The arena was designed with excellent acoustics on the main level, and the arena has been designed in such a way as to bring the upper level seats as close to the main floor as possible without compromising comfort or safety. Sight lines are good at all levels.
In addition to hockey, the arena hosts numerous concerts and events throughout the year, from top country and rock acts to the Ringling Brothers Circus and various Country Music Association events. The arena has also been home to the NCAA Men's Southeast Region first round games on five different occasions as well as hosting the conference tournaments in basketball for both the SEC and Ohio Valley Conference men and women.
Visitors to the arena enter off Broadway or Demonbreun St. and step into the main concourse. The wide concourse allows for ease of movement around the main level of the arena, and features a main pro shop and several smaller pro shops that sell Predator merchandise. There are numerous concession stands around the arena, with the fare typical of most arenas such as hamburgers, subs, hot dogs, pizza, and chicken fingers. The main concourse has numerous kiosks that vend a limited number of domestic beers as well as two full service bars that offer domestic beer, several imports, wine, and mixed drinks. Prices are not out of the ordinary for food, ranging from $4-6 for most items. A 24 oz. domestic beer is $8.50. The same amenities are also located on the upper level of the arena.
The arena also offers 72 private suites that include a private restroom in each; a 42 " flat panel television; access to the Suite Level Club for premium dining; and concierge service, to name a few of the amenities. There is an all inclusive "Fan Zone" in the attack twice end of the arena that provides the ticket holder with a lower bowl seat, a fully catered buffet with carving station, and unlimited soft drinks, wine, and domestic beer.
Bridgestone Arena is designed to provide a great entertainment venue, both from a spectator's perspective and from the total fan experience, and it exceeds expectations on both counts.
As mentioned, the arena is located in the heart of downtown at 5th Ave. and Broadway. This is a prime spot for both tourists and locals to come for good music and nightlife. Diagonally across the street from the arena, at 422 Broadway, is Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, a world renowned venue for country music and the place from which many stars, such as Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, and Waylon Jennings got their start. You don't go to Tootsie's for the food, you go for the music, the cold beer, and the history. This is a must see spot for first timers to Nashville, and it is not uncommon to see members of visiting hockey teams in Tootsie's the night before a game.
At the other end of the spectrum is the Palm Restaurant, located across the street from the arena at 140 Fifth Ave. The Palm is part of the national chain of high end steak houses, and it is not uncommon to run into coaches from the Predators as well as the visiting team in the Palm. The food at the Palm is excellent, and their specialty is steak and exceptional customer service. Expect to spend $30-50 per diner on the meal, depending on the entrÊe selected. All other menu items are a la carte, and portions are usually enough for two people. Desserts are exceptional, and there is an extensive selection of wines and a full bar. The size of the tab at the Palm can go up rapidly depending on the amount of wine consumed with dinner, but in moderation, it is not unreasonable.
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