BankNH Pavilion

BillTex · 08-20-2025, 07:01 AM

Good morning,

Searched and could not find any threads.
Going to bankNH Pavilion to see Bonnie Raitt + Jimmy Vaughan . Never been there before.

Any tips on parking, vendors, etc?

Thanks,

Bill

I.C.Isles · 08-20-2025, 07:40 AM

If you don’t like waiting a long time to get out when you leave, it is worth paying for upgraded parking.

Cheaper and better food if you eat at a local restaurant before going to show.

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

thinkxingu · 08-20-2025, 08:01 AM

Bags need to be checked, so that entrance line is always much longer. If you/your wife can swing the night without a bag, you'll save time getting in. Clear bags help.

You can bring refillable bottles in, but the non-alcoholic drinks aren't terribly priced (haven't bought alcohol there, but I'm guessing it's expensive). Good-sized lemonades and berry refreshers from the Sawyers stand are like $7.

There's some decent live music and stuff to see inside before sitting, so we like to get there a little early.

While exiting takes FOREVER with regular parking, I just can't justify the extra $20 (that pays for lemonade and berry refreshers and McD's on the way home*!), so we just plan to chill, usually listening to the songs we heard at the show while waiting.

As mentioned above, eat somewhere great before—the food here is meh.

*McD's in Meredith is always JAMMED after a show, so relax and enjoy the ride!

Finally, having been to hundreds of shows while working for Tweeter, I've come to appreciate the Pavilion as one of the very best venues around. Sound quantity is excellent, it's fairly intimate, the location is great, performers love to perform there, etc. So get there early and enjoy it all, including whatever opening acts there are.

Cheers!

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

MeredithMan · 08-20-2025, 08:57 AM

We typically go at least once per season, (depending on the acts that year, of course). We always get seats in Section 2...parallel to the sound board. In that area, you're up off the floor, (mosh pit), and have a great view of the stage. We try to get seats in the right-hand area of section 2, (as you face the stage), as it is easier to get out for bathroom, leaving etc.

As others have said, eat before-hand. The food there is "meh" at best, and it's crazy expensive. The drinks are crazy expensive as well. We spring for the upgraded parking in the Tailgate Lot and bring a cooler of sandwiches and drinks and hang out for an hour or so before the event starts. Much more enjoyable than paying a ton of money for crappy chicken nuggets or pizza.

Having been stuck in the exit logjam many times, we now leave about 15-20 mins before they finish and getting out is a breeze.

BroadHopper · 08-20-2025, 09:03 AM

All of the above are great tips. It is better to arrive early, bring your own victuals and have a tailgate party! Because of open container law, don't make your drinks 'obvious'. I met many great folks in the parking lots!

You can't bring beach chairs any more, you need to rent chairs for $15 if you bought lawn tickets.

Dining out before a venue before, is hit or miss. Plan on eating outside of town such as Concord, Rochester or Ashland. Tilton, Meredith, Laconia or Gilford will be packed! One place I do know that may be doable is the NAZBAR.

codeman671 · 08-20-2025, 09:35 AM

We love seeing shows at BNH. Being 10 minutes from our home it's so convenient. In the past we pay for upgraded parking as it's not worth the hassle/wait. If Uber/Lyft become more available around, we would just do that. This season has been a bit different, we have been getting our friends season tickets, and he lives at Misty Harbor, so we park there for free and walk in the side VIP entrance. Its great! We have seen 3 shows this season.

As far as food, we usually sit upstairs in the Club, and the food isn't great. I miss the braised beef poutine they used to have.... Now the food is just crap.

thinkxingu · 08-20-2025, 09:43 AM

Two reactions to tips above:

1. Every show I've seen there has been worth staying for the whole thing. If waiting to get out is a problem, pay the money. Enjoy the whole show, though, especially since many artists do special things at the end. For example, Zac Brown Band did an extra Jimmy Buffet song at the show the night he passed...a few minutes after a ton of people started leaving.

2. The parking lot is awful—super dry, totally in sun, dusty (especially this year). Tailgating is much less fun here than elsewhere, but can be fun if the weather/moisture cooperates.

Just my thoughts!

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

chachee52 · 08-20-2025, 01:49 PM

I will have to disagree on one thing that keeps getting brought up. The exiting the venue. I have said for years, it's one of the quickest exits out of all the big venues (GreatWoods, Gillette, Harbor Lights, ect). I have literally left my seat, got to my car, and back to my house in about 30 min. I live on the Belmont side of Gilford. I think that's pretty good.
All the other stuff is correct, the price of alcohol is insane. Something like $22 for a Bud (I can't drink beer) and this year they stopped selling Hard ciders, but have all the hard Selzer stuff, which I don't like.
Food depends on what you get and when. Tacos at the beginning of the night seem to be good, mid show when they are running out of food and not making more, not so much. chicken fingers are standard, and the pizza I think is good as well.
I don't like the new rule about not being able to bring your own chairs to the lawn. We bought nice chairs specifically for that venue to bring in, small and easy to carry, and then they put the you have to rent our rule in. For the same price as a lawn ticket and chair you can jsut get a regular seat.
I've sat all over the venue, don't think there is a bad seat there.
Have fun!!!

BillTex · 08-21-2025, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachee52

I will have to disagree on one thing that keeps getting brought up. The exiting the venue. I have said for years, it's one of the quickest exits out of all the big venues (GreatWoods, Gillette, Harbor Lights, ect). I have literally left my seat, got to my car, and back to my house in about 30 min. I live on the Belmont side of Gilford. I think that's pretty good.
All the other stuff is correct, the price of alcohol is insane. Something like $22 for a Bud (I can't drink beer) and this year they stopped selling Hard ciders, but have all the hard Selzer stuff, which I don't like.
Food depends on what you get and when. Tacos at the beginning of the night seem to be good, mid show when they are running out of food and not making more, not so much. chicken fingers are standard, and the pizza I think is good as well.
I don't like the new rule about not being able to bring your own chairs to the lawn. We bought nice chairs specifically for that venue to bring in, small and easy to carry, and then they put the you have to rent our rule in. For the same price as a lawn ticket and chair you can jsut get a regular seat.
I've sat all over the venue, don't think there is a bad seat there.
Have fun!!!

Do you park in the “regular” lot or “upgrade” lot?

Seems like the majority recommends the upgrade lot.

Thank you,
Bill

WinnisquamZ · 08-21-2025, 08:26 AM

Upgrade lot allows you to leave the venue much quicker then the dirt lots

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

jetskier · 08-21-2025, 08:57 AM

Hi all,

We always pay for the upgraded parking. The lots get priority exiting at the end of the show and they are closer to the venue.

The food at the pavilion has become really bad (the shows are good).

Also, it would be great if they could install some fans for those really steamy nights under the roof.

Jetskier

chachee52 · 08-21-2025, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Do you park in the “regular” lot or “upgrade” lot?

Seems like the majority recommends the upgrade lot.

Thank you,
Bill

I have never paid for the upgraded lot. Have always parked in the regular lots at every venue I have ever gone to.
Funny story. My sister's husband paid for the VIP lot at GreatWoods one time and I actually got out fast than he did. It was something like an extra $50. He was pissed!!!

BillTex · 08-21-2025, 01:59 PM

Is the upgraded parking something you do ahead of time, or at arrival?

Thank you

codeman671 · 08-21-2025, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Is the upgraded parking something you do ahead of time, or at arrival?

Thank you

You need to book your parking in advance.

BillTex · 08-21-2025, 03:01 PM

Which lot is best east or west? We will be coming from freedom.

Ez out west-is that the one?

codeman671 · 08-21-2025, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Which lot is best east or west? We will be coming from freedom.

Ez out west-is that the one?

Most of the parking is accessed through the west entrance. I usually go with one of the higher-level parking lots for a faster escape. The 2 entrances aren't really that far apart by car, only 5-7 minutes so either would work.

BillTex · 08-21-2025, 04:45 PM

i have never seen such a confusing array of parking?! Is “easy out” the one we want?
Name: D12F0C46-2220-4049-8CA8-A4636875B918.jpg
Views: 694
Size: 91.3 KB

Chubby · 08-21-2025, 05:10 PM

I've never waited long to exit. If the parking in here gives you stress... don't go to a Patriots game. There's no excuse for the horrible food. Get a beer early because they are warm by 30 minutes into the shows. Have fun.

BillTex · 08-21-2025, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chubby

I've never waited long to exit. If the parking in here gives you stress... don't go to a Patriots game. There's no excuse for the horrible food. Get a beer early because they are warm by 30 minutes into the shows. Have fun.

not stresse…but if i can make our night better for $20.

Not an nfl fan.

FlyingScot · 08-21-2025, 08:48 PM

If driving via Meredith, I recommend picking up lobster rolls at Tamarack, and eating them in the car after parking at show (but check your arrival time with Tamarack closing 7PM(?))

It's funny on the parking, I think nothing of dropping whatever it takes for primo seats, but I cannot bring myself to drop $20 on primo parking. My hangup, hopefully not yours, maybe I'll try next time)

thinkxingu · 08-21-2025, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I think nothing of dropping whatever it takes for primo seats, but I cannot bring myself to drop $20 on primo parking.

Yup!

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

4 for Boating · 08-21-2025, 11:19 PM

We typically do the MB Tractor lot. Last concert was $30 and well worth it for us. Paved (no dust) with plenty of room to tailgate and you are out in under 15 min. However for some concerts that are close to full capacity, I think it goes for $40. (Example: Dave Matthews Band) In this case if you do not get there early enough, the overflow for this lot is a paved lot in back of the lawn area. Also fast out but not as fast as the upper lot.

map · Yesterday, 02:39 PM

I live right up the road and never been there. Won’t do lawn seats. Too old to deal with that especially if it rains. Not to mention I can watch a screen at home (tv). Then there’s the ticket prices which seem crazy to me. Third I would never have the patience to wait 2 hours to get out of the parking lot. Some people say they leave before the concert is over so they can get out of the parking lot.

I could care less about eating or drinking during a concert. I go to hear music.

I like the Flying Monkey and Hampton Ballroom for concerts. Decent ticket prices, air conditioning, etc.

This said? Maybe one day I’ll go, who knows?

08-20-2025, 07:01 AM	#1
BillTex Senior Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Freedom (state of mind) Posts: 60 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	BankNH Pavilion Good morning, Searched and could not find any threads. Going to bankNH Pavilion to see Bonnie Raitt + Jimmy Vaughan . Never been there before. Any tips on parking, vendors, etc? Thanks, Bill

08-20-2025, 09:03 AM	#5
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,597 Thanks: 3,237 Thanked 1,112 Times in 799 Posts	All of the above are great tips. It is better to arrive early, bring your own victuals and have a tailgate party! Because of open container law, don't make your drinks 'obvious'. I met many great folks in the parking lots! You can't bring beach chairs any more, you need to rent chairs for $15 if you bought lawn tickets. Dining out before a venue before, is hit or miss. Plan on eating outside of town such as Concord, Rochester or Ashland. Tilton, Meredith, Laconia or Gilford will be packed! One place I do know that may be doable is the NAZBAR. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-21-2025, 08:57 AM	#11
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 854 Thanks: 57 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	Suggestions Hi all, We always pay for the upgraded parking. The lots get priority exiting at the end of the show and they are closer to the venue. The food at the pavilion has become really bad (the shows are good). Also, it would be great if they could install some fans for those really steamy nights under the roof. Jetskier

08-21-2025, 05:10 PM	#18
Chubby Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 27 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Parking etc. I've never waited long to exit. If the parking in here gives you stress... don't go to a Patriots game. There's no excuse for the horrible food. Get a beer early because they are warm by 30 minutes into the shows. Have fun.

08-21-2025, 11:19 PM	#22
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 231 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 26 Posts	Mb We typically do the MB Tractor lot. Last concert was $30 and well worth it for us. Paved (no dust) with plenty of room to tailgate and you are out in under 15 min. However for some concerts that are close to full capacity, I think it goes for $40. (Example: Dave Matthews Band) In this case if you do not get there early enough, the overflow for this lot is a paved lot in back of the lawn area. Also fast out but not as fast as the upper lot.

08-20-2025, 07:40 AM	#2
I.C.Isles Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 58 Thanks: 60 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	If you don’t like waiting a long time to get out when you leave, it is worth paying for upgraded parking. Cheaper and better food if you eat at a local restaurant before going to show. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-20-2025, 08:01 AM	#3
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,357 Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,111 Times in 1,306 Posts	Bags need to be checked, so that entrance line is always much longer. If you/your wife can swing the night without a bag, you'll save time getting in. Clear bags help. You can bring refillable bottles in, but the non-alcoholic drinks aren't terribly priced (haven't bought alcohol there, but I'm guessing it's expensive). Good-sized lemonades and berry refreshers from the Sawyers stand are like $7. There's some decent live music and stuff to see inside before sitting, so we like to get there a little early. While exiting takes FOREVER with regular parking, I just can't justify the extra $20 (that pays for lemonade and berry refreshers and McD's on the way home!), so we just plan to chill, usually listening to the songs we heard at the show while waiting. As mentioned above, eat somewhere great before—the food here is meh. McD's in Meredith is always JAMMED after a show, so relax and enjoy the ride! Finally, having been to hundreds of shows while working for Tweeter, I've come to appreciate the Pavilion as one of the very best venues around. Sound quantity is excellent, it's fairly intimate, the location is great, performers love to perform there, etc. So get there early and enjoy it all, including whatever opening acts there are. Cheers! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

08-20-2025, 08:57 AM	#4
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 972 Thanks: 263 Thanked 820 Times in 337 Posts	We typically go at least once per season, (depending on the acts that year, of course). We always get seats in Section 2...parallel to the sound board. In that area, you're up off the floor, (mosh pit), and have a great view of the stage. We try to get seats in the right-hand area of section 2, (as you face the stage), as it is easier to get out for bathroom, leaving etc. As others have said, eat before-hand. The food there is "meh" at best, and it's crazy expensive. The drinks are crazy expensive as well. We spring for the upgraded parking in the Tailgate Lot and bring a cooler of sandwiches and drinks and hang out for an hour or so before the event starts. Much more enjoyable than paying a ton of money for crappy chicken nuggets or pizza. Having been stuck in the exit logjam many times, we now leave about 15-20 mins before they finish and getting out is a breeze.

08-20-2025, 09:35 AM	#6
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 222 Thanked 823 Times in 494 Posts	We love seeing shows at BNH. Being 10 minutes from our home it's so convenient. In the past we pay for upgraded parking as it's not worth the hassle/wait. If Uber/Lyft become more available around, we would just do that. This season has been a bit different, we have been getting our friends season tickets, and he lives at Misty Harbor, so we park there for free and walk in the side VIP entrance. Its great! We have seen 3 shows this season. As far as food, we usually sit upstairs in the Club, and the food isn't great. I miss the braised beef poutine they used to have.... Now the food is just crap.

08-20-2025, 09:43 AM	#7
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,357 Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,111 Times in 1,306 Posts	Two reactions to tips above: 1. Every show I've seen there has been worth staying for the whole thing. If waiting to get out is a problem, pay the money. Enjoy the whole show, though, especially since many artists do special things at the end. For example, Zac Brown Band did an extra Jimmy Buffet song at the show the night he passed...a few minutes after a ton of people started leaving. 2. The parking lot is awful—super dry, totally in sun, dusty (especially this year). Tailgating is much less fun here than elsewhere, but can be fun if the weather/moisture cooperates. Just my thoughts! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

08-20-2025, 01:49 PM	#8
chachee52 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 466 Thanks: 6 Thanked 95 Times in 74 Posts	I will have to disagree on one thing that keeps getting brought up. The exiting the venue. I have said for years, it's one of the quickest exits out of all the big venues (GreatWoods, Gillette, Harbor Lights, ect). I have literally left my seat, got to my car, and back to my house in about 30 min. I live on the Belmont side of Gilford. I think that's pretty good. All the other stuff is correct, the price of alcohol is insane. Something like $22 for a Bud (I can't drink beer) and this year they stopped selling Hard ciders, but have all the hard Selzer stuff, which I don't like. Food depends on what you get and when. Tacos at the beginning of the night seem to be good, mid show when they are running out of food and not making more, not so much. chicken fingers are standard, and the pizza I think is good as well. I don't like the new rule about not being able to bring your own chairs to the lawn. We bought nice chairs specifically for that venue to bring in, small and easy to carry, and then they put the you have to rent our rule in. For the same price as a lawn ticket and chair you can jsut get a regular seat. I've sat all over the venue, don't think there is a bad seat there. Have fun!!!

08-21-2025, 08:26 AM	#10
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,093 Thanks: 214 Thanked 671 Times in 445 Posts	Upgrade lot allows you to leave the venue much quicker then the dirt lots Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-21-2025, 01:59 PM	#13
BillTex Senior Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Freedom (state of mind) Posts: 60 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	Is the upgraded parking something you do ahead of time, or at arrival? Thank you

08-21-2025, 03:01 PM	#15
BillTex Senior Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Freedom (state of mind) Posts: 60 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	Which lot is best east or west? We will be coming from freedom. Ez out west-is that the one?

08-21-2025, 04:45 PM	#17
BillTex Senior Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Freedom (state of mind) Posts: 60 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	i have never seen such a confusing array of parking?! Is “easy out” the one we want?

08-21-2025, 08:48 PM	#20
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 1,333 Thanked 1,035 Times in 641 Posts	If driving via Meredith, I recommend picking up lobster rolls at Tamarack, and eating them in the car after parking at show (but check your arrival time with Tamarack closing 7PM(?)) It's funny on the parking, I think nothing of dropping whatever it takes for primo seats, but I cannot bring myself to drop $20 on primo parking. My hangup, hopefully not yours, maybe I'll try next time)

Yesterday, 02:39 PM	#23
map Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: The Weirs Posts: 227 Thanks: 185 Thanked 66 Times in 49 Posts	I live right up the road and never been there. Won’t do lawn seats. Too old to deal with that especially if it rains. Not to mention I can watch a screen at home (tv). Then there’s the ticket prices which seem crazy to me. Third I would never have the patience to wait 2 hours to get out of the parking lot. Some people say they leave before the concert is over so they can get out of the parking lot. I could care less about eating or drinking during a concert. I go to hear music. I like the Flying Monkey and Hampton Ballroom for concerts. Decent ticket prices, air conditioning, etc. This said? Maybe one day I’ll go, who knows?