Sean S.
Yelp
As a person who's lived in San Francisco for 15 years and the Bay Area almost all of his life, seeing Chase Center with 3.5 stars is pretty befuddling. Chase Center is truly a 5 star experience. Okay, it's actually a 4.5 star experience because they carry Pepsi products instead of Coke (the goat) but I am going to round up for the sake of boosting Chase's score.
I've been to every major arena in the area -- the Tank in San Jose, Oakland Arena (formerly Oracle), Golden 1 Center, and even went to the brand new Intuit Dome in Inglewood -- and Chase Center is still the best, most consistent experience I've had for a venue this size. Whether attending a basketball game or a concert I have always found the space and its amenities to be nothing short of excellent. The seats are comfortable, and having sat everywhere from the 15th row of the lower level to the very top up against the wall, I can confirm there isn't a bad seat in the house. Of course the experience is different, and it's nice having access to the special lounges in the closer lower section, but the uppers have their charm too, and a night at Chase is always a good night.
The food is also the best of any arena I've ever been to. Not just the food itself, but the layout and presentation is next to none. You're at a big sporting event so it's not going to be cheap, but considering the quality and speed I think the prices are very fair. If you can afford it I highly recommend the lobster roll from Sam's Chowder House. It's $30 but comes loaded with lobster on a soft buttery bread and is a very tasty, protein-forward choice that rivals any other in-arena options. For a cheaper meal you can't go wrong with a slice of pizza from Tony G's or a basket of surprisingly tasty, peppery, and plentiful chicken tenders with fries. There is even a place that specializes specifically in desserts that offers cookies, brownies, cotton candy, kettle corn, and a donut ice cream sundae. Coming to Chase Center is FUN!
On the more technical side, getting into the venue is always quick and easy, and the layout of the bathrooms and water fountains makes trips around the arena a breeze. Chase Center is also the first place I ever encountered a soda fountain at an arena, where you can buy one soda cup for $10 and drink all night long. Even though I wish it was Coke instead of Pepsi, that's a helluva deal, and something I always look forward to when I make it to an event at the best arena in the Bay.