A guest blog post by Andrew Rosenbloom, Marketing Manager Davis & Warshow…

For as long as I’ve lived in Brooklyn (not that long really) – I have dwelled among scaffolding, sidewalk bridges, pedestrian detours and general eyesore that was the Atlantic Stadium Project.   But, last week that site has finally given way to the modern, free-form, freshly paved transit hub that is The Barclays Center… and I wasn’t about to miss its first big party.  Jay-Z opened up the arena with 8 sold-out shows and I was lucky enough to score a pair of tickets.

The neighborhood seems polarized about the Barclays Center.  Many owners of private residences surrounding the arena are unhappy to see their relatively quiet neighborhood overtaken by investors, builders and drunken fans, while building owners are happy for the excuse to hike up rental prices.  Small business owners are finding it tough to maintain their hardware shops and clothing boutiques amid rising prices, while bars and restaurants are flush with the cash of sports and music fans.

The hot + cold attitude seems fitting – the stadium has some incredible features, but other that, it just seems like a total mistake.

I personally think the stadium design looks really cool, though others complain that it looks like a rusty toaster.  One thing’s for sure, the entrance way is very unique with its large plaza grass-covered subway access and giant looping screen – it definitely draws visitors into the arena.

Visitors at the entrance way

Barclay’s hallways quickly reveal the stadiums greatest asset:  a plethora of local Brooklyn food haunts, all gathered in one place.  Habana Outpost, L & B Spumoni Gardens, Juniors, and Brooklyn Farmacy are all present among the food vendors.  The downside… the hallways at Barclays are too narrow to handle the traffic.  The food lines spill into the passageways, making it difficult to tour around, get to the bathroom, or get back to your seats.  And, don’t even get me started on the beer selection (or lack of) – Bud, Bud Light, and Stella??  This is Brooklyn!  Apparently the Craft Beer Revolution didn’t make its way to Bruce Ratner’s office.

Jammed up hallways around the food vendors

So, the stadium has its flaws.  Jay-z, however, was flawless.  The show was an upbeat tour through his catalog of hits and the crowd rapped along the whole way.  His stage set was the most impressive architectural feat on the stadium grounds that night.  An angled LED-covered stage had platforms cut out for Hov and his band with another mirrored platform ceiling over the stage.  Strobes, spots and lasers bounced off the stage and shot all over the room throughout the show.

Jay’s LED stage, as seen from the 2nd to last row in the farthest corner of the stadium

All told, the experience was a good one.  All stadiums are flawed and Barclays is no exception.  But, I’ll be back for sure.  After all, it’s just a short stroll down the block.

-Andrew