Rocket Ride at Toyota Center

Official Review by Vik Vij, Stadium Journey Correspondent

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The first thing I think of when I go to the Toyota Center, the home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, is entertainment.

Sure, I’m both an NBA as well as a Rockets fan, and I love watching sports, especially live. But the first thing that jumps out at me at the Toyota Center is entertainment. The organization does an incredible job of making games fun for the fans.

There are mascots and cheerleaders throwing t-shirts into the stands at nearly every time out. There are exciting halftime shows beyond just seeing acrobats balancing plates on their noses.

At the game I attended recently, the Rockets were celebrating the “birthday” of their mascot, Clutch. The team brought in mascots from around the league, including the mascots from Denver, Indiana and Phoenix. The result was a t-shirt throwing, crowd pleasing extravaganza.

The next thing that comes to mind is that there are no bad seats in Toyota Center. I was lucky enough to have great seats for the game I attended, but in all honesty, there are no bad seats in the house. I’ve sat in the upper deck, in the corners and courtside.

All seats have good sight lines and are spacious. There are cup holders at nearly every seat. The legroom is ample. In short, the Toyota Center makes attending games much more enjoyable from a physical standpoint.

Food & Beverage   5/5

Toyota Center offers margaritas, numerous national and local beers and mixed drinks at the bars located on the first deck. Try a Shiner Bock, one of Texas’ finest beers. Beers cost between seven and ten dollars. Margaritas are around ten and drinks range from eight to twelve. The options are nearly limitless.

As for food, the ball park standards such as burgers, nachos and hotdogs are there. But this is Texas. Try the Bar-B-Q or the deli sandwiches.

Atmosphere   4/5

Not only is this a great place to watch a game, Toyota Center is a good place to have a good time. There are so many things going on during time outs, half time and before and after the games. You can measure your hands against a print of Yao Ming on the wall in the upper deck. Fans are always into the games, and the giveaways don’t hurt the excitement. Frequently, before games, a live band plays outside the stadium.

Neighborhood   5/5

There are so many options in downtown Houston. Restaurants, bars, clubs. They are all there. Any kind of place is available. Want to go upscale? Try 3 Forks Steakhouse or Vic and Anthony’s. Chinese? Try Yao’s. BBQ? Pappas’s Brothers. A drafthouse? Check out the Flying Saucer. Oldschool drinker? The Hearsay. Anything and everything is available.

As Toyota Center is in downtown Houston, other entertainment, food and bar options are through the roof. One of the best locations for all of the above is the Houston Pavilion.

Home to Houston superstar Yao Ming’s own restaurant (1201 Fannin Street), as well as a steakhouse, ice cream parlor, seafood restaurant, bowling alley and Irish pub, the Pavilion is only a few blocks away from Toyota Center. The possibilities are endless. The House of Blues, a wine bar and a piano bar are also part of the Pavilion.

Either before or after (or both) a Rocket’s game, the Pavilion provides countless options for a night out. At Yao’s, you can enjoy Chinese food and sushi, as well as drinks from a full bar. Also, late night, the tables are moved out and a dance floor emerges. DJ’s spin house music and the drinks flow. Price are reasonable. Most entrees are between ten and eighteen dollars. Sushi rolls are around ten dollars. Drinks are between four and eight dollars.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar (1201 Fannin) is another great option for a great night out after a Rocket’s game. Imagine dueling pianos, a lively atmosphere and crowds singing along. That’s Pete’s. There is a full bar and drinks are between three and eight dollars. The entertainment is free. And plentiful.

Another option is the new Discovery Green. Also only blocks away from Toyota Center, Discovery Green is a large park in downtown Houston. There are restaurants and coffee shops; a dog park and water. People are encouraged to picnic.

Finally, as Toyota Center is centrally located in downtown, there are numerous other options. A short ride away from Midtown or the new Washington Corridor, bars and restaurants of any kind are only moments away. Factor in the bars and restaurants in downtown, attending a game at Toyota Center can a jumping off point to a truly memorable night in Houston.

Fans   5/5

The fans are rowdy (the Red Rowdies) and knowledgeable. They are also hungry for success. The two championships in the 1990’s were only the beginning, Houston fans hope. Having a talented roster and competing for the playoffs is not enough, and the fans know it. They expect success. Fan favorite players such as Yao Ming, Luis Scola and Shane Battier drive the fans wild.

Access   5/5

Access to Toyota Center is good. Located in downtown, numerous highways allow fans to come from all over Houston. The Houston light rail is also an option. Parking is spacious and easy. In fact, only blocks away from Toyota Center is a parking garage owned by Houston legend Hakeem Olajuwon. For $5, you can park in the Dream’s garage, so to speak.

Return on Investment   4/5

Some tickets are expensive, but most tickets are affordable. The organization offers many “Guy’s Night Out” or “Family Night” plans with food, drink and tickets, as well as souvenirs for an affordable price. Most food options are in line with other stadiums.

Extras   4/5

This is the most entertaining stadium option in a city full of them. Bonus points for location and countless options for all kinds of entertainment before and after the game.

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