Lisa H.
Yelp
Prologue:
J and I went to a concert here a couple of days ago. Initially I thought Terminal West was a cousin of Terminal 5 in NYC (another music venue) but it looks like they aren't relatives.
Plus Stuff:
+Parking was pretty inexpensive ($5), and a friendly attendant guided us to lot B. The stroll to the venue was only about a minute or two. The website FAQ tells me that there is free parking in "Lot 9" further away if you want to increase your step count.
+I expected to be sweaty so I didn't bring my jacket. To my surprise, it was almost cold in Terminal West. Easily removable layers might be smart during the chillier months, and also take into account the type of music you'll be listening to (dancey? more chill?).
+The space has a very modern cool vibe.
+The merchandise table was located in Stationside, the restaurant attached to Terminal West. The Ticketfly ticket printout had a 10% off coupon for your meal. Although we didn't have dinner here, it's nice to have that option.
+Speaking of tickets, the ticket provider is Ticketfly, not Ticketbastard. I wasn't the one who actually purchased the tickets, but I'm sure Tickefly is a zillion times better.
+I went to put a poster in the car, and the door guy kindly let me back in though it seems like technically there's no re-admittance.
+The space is cozy for a music venue. J and I walked in and wondered "Is this it?" Massive and impersonal can't be used to describe this venue.
+If you drink beer, Terminal West has a huge selection of craft beers in cars. There are two bars in the main area, and then you could get drinks in Stationside,
+There is complimentary self-serve water on the bar, hooray!
+The bathrooms were not dirty, and I didn't have to wait in line to snag a stall.
+Fun fact from the website: apparently Terminal West was a former "100 year old iron and steel foundry originally used to manufacture plows as a part of the King Plow Company."
Minus Stuff:
-We wished there was more seating available. Our joints aren't always up to the task of standing for hours, and comfy shoes and NSAIDs can only do so much to combat a concrete floor. There were maybe two seats at the bar I was at and a couple upstairs on the minuscule balcony but those were already occupied.
-The sound was extremely loud for one of the opening bands. Earplugs were quite handy to have. It was also strange since the sound wasn't deafening for the subsequent acts. So your volume may vary.
-I smelled cigarette smoke here and there from my spot by the bar. I guess where I was faced the exit to the smoking patio. Luckily the smoking died down as the show went on.
-This has nothing to do with Terminal West, but why are people always going back and forth during a performance? I hate when people walk by you constantly. Don't you just want to focus on the performance and absorbing the music being made for you? I could go on with general gripes about concerts in general, but I'll refrain.
Epilogue:
J and I had an excellent experience, and I'd come back for another show. Be like me and sign up for Terminal West's e-mail list!