Nothing and I don't think you're being a jerk. It's different and was always going to present difficulties for some more than others. I'm not expecting the FO to do anything. I am just trying to point out for the crowd here that is saying its easy, just find a lot, park, and walk to the stadium that for many that is a more difficult proposition that it appears.
I'm in the same boat. Saw a few CBJ games in the first few years. Seen a handful of shows at the concert venue there. Never been to Huntington Park. I'm moderately familiar with the area but not overly so. It will be very new to me to be spending any time there. Don't know the bars or restaurants either.
I've been to exactly 3 CBJ games, ~5 Clippers games, one concert, and zero bars. The closest I've come to the AD with any regularity is the North Market.
When I was scheduled for the construction tour I had to put "Arena District" into Google maps to figure out where it is.
My tally: Zero CBJ games Zero Clippers games Zero concerts Been to a circus or two at Nationwide with the kids North Market lots of times, but that’s about it. Dated someone who lived in the Short North, back in the day. Got my car towed one night when I left it parked overnight on the wrong side of the street. And I have been to a Gallery Hop or two. So there’s that. Thing is, I know there’s adequate parking. But figuring out my preferred routine is going to take a while.
I'm a Clippers and Blue Jackets fan (do some writing about the former, actually on their media email lists). Feel free to ask me anything about the Arena District. Heck. I've seen both iterations of the Destroyers. Only team I missed seeing completely is the Landsharks (oh, and the Blue Jackets' short-lived USHL team).
I took my final drone flight before the opener last night. I saw at least 20 people walk into the stadium as if they owed it. People with kids and dogs but clearly no common sense...the stadium is an active construction site. I'm surprised how many points of entry were open. The security guard was very friendly, especially when you consider the number of people he had to ask to leave in the short time I was there. The turf damage in the corners has been repaired. I can post some pictures if anyone wants to see them.
This southwest Middletown,Ohio guy has been to Cosi,watched Middletown High School basketball teams in state tournaments and season ticket holder for the Crew since '96. If I stop being a season ticket holder with the Crew,I won't be back in Columbus!
As someone who has a general distaste for the Arena District's vibes but goes to a few games a year & has lunch at North Market regularly, I get it. I think I said this in another thread but didn't make the point I was trying to make. I don't like most Arena District bars and from what I know of a lot of people who tailgate in the lot most don't either. That being said, if you were comfortable making the walk from Hendoc's to your seat before (1.4 miles legally), then the following venues are a closer walk than that & not in the arena district: Wolf's Ridge Taproom Pub Mahone Alley Bar & the rest of that Gay St. corridor Jackie O's (yet to open) Bernard's Flatiron Tavern (haven't been, can't vouch)
I would like to add, whatever your game day plan is. Walking by Wario's Beef & Pork on Nationwide Blvd around your pregame meal time sounds like a solid plan
I'm going to have a vegetarian guest with me on opening day. Since he's coming a long ways I'd like to be accommodating to his ridiculous preferences. Can someone suggest a place in that area where he might indulge his revolting tastes for crap like black bean burgers and that kind of thing?
Thanks, I've been dying to see what sort of progress has been made on the roof. There's such a huge hole in my daily routine now that the stadium cams are gone. Thanks, too, for the update on the replacement of the corner turf pieces.
This is the old Sandman's as I recall. They do a pretty good cheesesteak. I do want to try the roast pork. That's the "other" famous sandwich in Philly--roast pork with broccoli rabe--that folks who aren't from Philly do not hear much about. But it's as iconic as hoagies or cheesesteaks, especially from DiNic's in the Reading Terminal Market. Note to @Bill Archer they have a vegetarian sandwich with falafel.