Hmm, sounds like the negative reviews for Rimac Arena say that this is not a great venue for music shows.
But for a talk (like the one given by the Dalai Lama here), it is an amazing, small and intimate venue where you can be so much closer to the stage than you would be, say, at the Viejas Arena at SDSU.
The address on Yelp will lead you to the campus, but NOT to the arena so if you GPS it, it will just get you lost. in the middle of the campus. Rimac is on the north part of the campus and not that easy to find.
Here is a map in case you need it (probably will): <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmaps.ucsd.edu%2Fmapping%2Fviewer%2Fdefault.htm&s=e9cac8b80f800af47b42b7042e2cf9bebd2552367d00104b7019077a5a96bb00" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://maps.ucsd.edu/map…</a>
Use this address to get you to the right area on GPS:
9730 Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
That addy will take you the the Hopkins parking structure which is one of the closest parking to Rimac. Rimac is just the next building over.
Its a big campus and though theres a few signs pointing in general directions, they should be much more clear for people visiting the campus. I followed some arrows and then they disappear and from the roads, its not very clear which building is Rimac. Specially during the night, it was a effing nightmare.
They really need to put some sort of "special event" signage. There was all kinds of temporary signs around, but none for things that benefit those who don't go to school here or came from out of town. I assumed we were in the right area as I remember something about it being near a soccer field and we just waited to look for people. Once we saw some straight hoe outfits then we knew were near a concert.
We were almost late to the show.
The venue itself is just okay. The sound was fine as Bassnectar always makes sure he sounds great, but the bleachers werent the most comfy to actually sit for more than 10 minutes. (Yeah, we're those assholes who want to just sit sometimes) specially since we saw Bassnectar (YAY!) so my seat was buzzing hard and just make for a really numb ass.
There's a concession stand outside but $3 for a cup of water from a fountain with ice? Well, I guess it supports the school... They do search your bags and pockets and you can't bring in a bottle...
The thing though is they wouldn't allow gum, mints or chapstick....what?! So leave that in your car so you don't have to throw it or walk all the way back to parking! I don't know what that has to do with "safety" but I suppose I could over mint and moisturize myself in the excitement.
Saw a show there last night (death cab for cutie). Venue is small which is great. You really can't possibly be that far away from the stage no matter where you choose to sit/stand. Its UCSD so lot of awkward people around but a great venue nonetheless. Acoustics could have been a tiny bit better but besides that great venue
Review Source:This is for the venue and not the act itself (which rocked it!). BTW... the venue was in the field, not the arena... if that matters as well.
The lack of communication was awful. We parked at Hopkins and, as you are aware, the stage was really close to Hopkins. And despite the fact I have severe respiratory issues, I constantly had to climb the ramp and walk all around everywhere just to get back to my car. The rudeness of security was amazing too.
What blew my mind is how I wear a medic alert bracelet, have 2 inhalers and an o2 gage and was still given the run around when I was trying to exit. When we eventually made it to my car... it wasn't great. I was unable to enjoy my concert high and, instead, had to go through my asthma emergency routine.
Simply awful. Won't be back.
I was surprised to see so many poor ratings of Rimac. Granted, many of them have to do with the difficulty in finding the arena, but that's a given if you've never been to the campus and are trying to locate any building, even a 70,000 sq. ft. gym.
Anyway, clue in and find a map on the UCSD website before you head out. :) I can only say that I've seen two bands there, one of which was the Pixies and they were incredible. I do agree that if you sit in the bleachers and the place isn't jam-packed, it might give you a stale "big lots" feeling. So, get down in the crowd and be willing to partake in a little human lubrication, it'll be a great experience. :)
Also, Home Plate (bar & grill) is right outside of Rimac and they have great burgers and beers after your show. . . It can be a bit crowded, but it's worth it. They also have wine, but not any liquor I believe.
A speakeasy at the height of prohibition was probably easier to find than this place!!
This really is a bad venue. Â I'd never been there before so had no flippin idea where I was going and the signage was horrible. Â And it's so far off the beaten path with twisty roads buzzing with campus police and probably a posted 5 mph speed limit.
So I finally deduce (yes I said deduce because there was a lot of trial and error and wrong turns and there really needn't be) where Rimac Arena is and this sign says to make a right. So I make a right at the point it says and it leads to the delivery entrance at the back of a building. Â But everybody BEHIND me was following me because they thought I knew where I was going and they were just as lost as me, so they ALL made the same mistake. Â Which created a big cluster F to get out. Â It was the NEXT NEXT right, silly me for taking a sign literally!!
Once you get into the garage, you seem to have to just be "in the know" where to go, there were no signs or anything saying you have to go to the 3rd floor to cross a bridge to get to the arena. Â STUPID! Â Just put up a friggin sign!! Â A bunch of us were pretty peeved because we had no idea where to go, we were running late and went to the 1st floor (where logic might tell us that's where you need to go) and then wandered around stupidly, getting angrier and angrier and asking people and adding more to our wandering zombie-like herd of lost souls (a lot of them had been behind me when I made the wrong turn earlier!!) until somebody "in the know" came and told us where to go. Â Just put a little sign in the elevator!! Â Next to the button!! 3rd Floor!!!
So now I finally make it to the venue. Â Horrible acoustics. Â Is that ringing in my ears a sign of a condition I should see my doctor about? Â No, that's just the opening band. Â And speaking of prohibition, no alcohol is allowed in the building so you can't bring a beer back with you to your seat and you can't watch the bands play and drink your beer. Â So I decide I don't really need a beer after all, I paid to see the bands not slurp a $10 beer in a beer garden. Â Which now I realize I should have been ecstatic for this archaic concept because apparently, usually there's no way to get back in once you decide you might want a beer. Â What a no brainer-- shall I stay and watch the bands that I've paid money and fees to see or leave the venue that took me an hour to find so I can have a really expensive Bud light?? Â I bet they scratch their heads each night perplexed at why they didn't make any money at the bar!!
So every time a great band comes to town, if they are playing Rimac, I won't go because going to a concert should not be as difficult as UCSD apparently wants it to be. Â Beware, they might start asking for a secret handshake soon or your first born to let you know how to find the place!!
I gave it 2 stars because they actually have some good bands play here, but that's about it. San Diego has sooooo many better options, why why why do bands keep booking here???
Two stars for the venue, not the bands. We went to Rimac last night for the Bad Religion/Rise Against concert. First of all, as many times as I've been to Rimac, I still get lost. Its super confusing to locate and not enough signs... plus right on UCSD's campus and too many potential run ins with pedistrians in my big ol' rig..
The music was blaring, nice and amplifyingly loud. Nice boom boom everywhere, even the stands shook. I could feel my heart shaking along with the speakers, that place was bumping. But they have a echo problem that throws off the quality of the songs. We tested the same songs in my system and they sounded so much cleaner and crisp.
Plus, no booze allowed which is lame. There's a bar around the corner, but it just wasn't close enough!
As for the bands, they get five stars..
I've passed on seeing many bands here because the venue is soooo bad. Â Yes, it is a basketball court. Â The acoustics are horrible.
I decided to give Rimac another chance last night for Interpol. Â The parking structure is new since I was a student at UCSD and it's nice that it's free. Â However, that's the only good thing. Â We parked on level 5 and followed the crowd of people that took the elevator down to level 1. Â oops. Â No exit. Â Then someone said exit on level 3. Â No, you can't go that way either. Â After spending 25 minutes trying to get out of the parking garage, we discovered the bridge to Rimac is level 7. Â No signage anywhere. Â Thanks UCSD, we just missed the opening band.
No beer inside. Â We decide to try to buy a soda. Â Cash only. Â Damn, of course we didn't bring any cash. Â No in/out privileges, so of course we can't even walk over to the bar outside Rimac to get a drink now. Â We're stuck slurping water out of the drinking fountains. Â :(
Ahh, this place sucks. Â :(
Never again is what I swore.....the time before............................and, yes, I have been back twice since my last review. Â I just cannot seem to understand why an amazing band would ever play here. Â I always say I'm never going back, but then there is a show I just HAVE to see. Â The main problem, really, is the lack of ventilation or air circulation....I feel faint every time I go...and I find myself weak toward the end of a show. Â Next, the stage seems really low-lying...I have to stand on my tip toes just to see the heads of the performers. Â And, even worse, the sound is pretty distorted. Â Parking is ok, due to the garages, but really it is a pain to get to this venue....it is a bit off the beaten track and I get the feeling it only really caters to UCSD students. Â Finally, this is not a place to get your party on...the venue is dry. Â Since the last show I was at, they have put a bar just outside the venue, but with no in/out privileges, this doesn't do a whole lot of good. Â The show I was at previously was for a radio show, and they offered a whole beer garden, but it was pouring and you had to walk through a courtyard just to get there....and the line ran all the way around a corridor. Seeing shows here is really just no fun. Â Oh well, I'll probably be back.
Review Source:Why, why why.....do bands book shows here?
A dry venue? Â Weak! Â No in-out privileges, but there's a bar immediately outside the venue? Â That blows the whole "it is a college campus so its dry" theory. Â And, some events at the RIMAC Arena do sell alcohol!! Â
A gymnasium? Â Really? Â Who on earth thinks this is a good place for a show? Â Thievery & Massive Attack - this venue did you NO justice! Â
Signage? Good luck trying to find this place if you enter the campus from La Jolla Village Drive. Â We saw tons of cabs stopped on the side of the road, asking walking students how to get there. Â What a mess!
I've seen various artists ranging from hip-hop, to Bob Dylan, to random rock bands here - bands I've also seen in other venues. Â The common denominator is that EVERY SHOW SUCKED AT RIMAC.
That was the last dollar I will ever spend at RIMAC Arena unless Bob Marley himself comes back from the grave and plays at this venue. Â And even then, I'd have second thoughts.
Eh.
I've never really been a fan of seeing shows at Rimac Arena. I mean, when you wanna check out a hot show and you're REALLY excited about it... it's hard to get upset about the venue. You just wanna catch the performance. This was the case last night for the big Flight of the Conchords show at UCSD. Been wanting to see those cats for years, and finally, they brought their tour through San Diego. The show could have been at the Miramar Landfill for all I cared... I just wanted to see the best musical comedy duo since Tenacious D up close and personal, and it happened to be on this particular college campus.
The show was great, but I despise the layout of Rimac. It's primarily used to house the UCSD basketball teams (both men and women), and it doubles as a large concert venue for bands and artists with a big draw. Unfortunately, the space yields some terrible acoustics. I don't think shows were necessarily top of mind during construction of this venue, and it's apparent by the vast amount of metal pillars and various other adornments that cause the sound to bounce all over the place. I think they could spend some of that trust fund loot to throw some egg crates on the walls to absorb the sound, but that's just me. You know when you see a show in a gymnasium, and for a moment, you totally forget that you're in some sweaty sports venue? Well, that's not the case here. You're well aware that you're in a basketball arena, for sure.
You really have to commend the staff at UCSD for doing so many great things for the students enrolled here, though. Seems like they have a different music festival going on every month (Sungod, for example). However, I just wish they could warm up the arena somehow. It'd be like doing yoga in the middle of Time's Square. Sure, the yoga would awesome... but it'd be really tough to get the full experience because you're in the middle of a bustling intersection. Like that yoga comparison, it's hard to fully get into 'show mode' here.
But coming full circle, sometimes you have to make sacrifices to see some of your favorite bands. It's unfortunate that our city doesn't have more 'real' music venues in town for an act of this caliber. Uncomfortable bench seating in a college sports hall hardly does the trick for me.
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