Nugget Event Center - Sparks, Nevada

Bradley N.

Fantastic festival of barbecue ribs. With so many vendors it is hard to decide which ones to try.

This year we tried Montana BBQ, Porky Chicks, Lighting BBQ and Just North of Memphis.

Porky Chicks was the smallest sample, three smallish ribs. The ribs had a deep smoke ring, jerky like, fatty and the silver skin was left on.

Montana BBQ sampler had three and a half ribs. The ribs had a light smoke and fell off the bone.

Lighting BBQ sampler had three ribs. The ribs were moist, off the bone texture and had the silver skin still on.

Just North of Memphis sampler was the largest with four and a half ribs. The ribs were moist, tooth tender (meat stuck to the bone but would pull right off) and had a nice smoke ring.

Pictures attached

Jessie F.

The Nugget provides 2 food trucks before the show starts that accept cards & cash and 1 beverage truck that is cash only. Entrance is a bit of a bottleneck, I would suggest large signs saying "No Bags" and "Bag Searches " because people had to continually change lines. It was a little difficult to find our section for seats, but I finally found an employee who was kind enough to get us there. Be aware that there are floor seats, mid section seats, and upper level with stadium seats (you'll need cushions or those stadium seats with a back). We attended at the end of the season, and it was a bit cold that night. I was so glad I brought a blanket, and we had multiple layers on. Our seats were perfect for us section 205 row F. Close to Beverage stand and the Jonny on the spot restroom area, which even had portable hand washing sinks. I would suggest some better direction and lighting for this area. You had to figure out the unspecified lines. You had to walk out the same way in, trying to get past everyone waiting to come in. Still, we were grateful for the area. Drinks were ridiculous in pricing, $5 water, $9 tall can of beer, and $12-$15 for liquor. I wouldn't recommend the daiquiri. It's an all in one bottled mix, too cheap of quality for the cost. This was our first time, and we had a blast. I was thrilled seeing STYX , a childhood favorite. I will be looking forward to the next season of concerts.

Cody H.

Jason Aldean put on a great show considering how the venue seen very unprepared and unorganized. spent most of Jason Andean‘s performance waiting in line for alcohol. The ushers did not know how to set people we went to one side back to the other. we also spent over an hour just trying to get out of the parking garage. no line control. I am hoping my next concert there will be better. If not, I will no longer visit this venue.
The nugget needs to address these issues or it will just keep going downhill

Duane

Awesome stage, and Toby didn't disappoint. Then again, he never does.

Any seat is a good seat. I suggest sitting in the 200 or 300 section. If you sit in the 100 section, you'll be standing the entire concert. I bought seats for the 200 section and we didn't have to stand once in order to watch the concert, and we had an excellent view over all the person's standing in the 100 section. The 300 section remained seated as well.

The only downside I can say is that parking can be an issue. There's a lot of construction going on and parking is very limited.

Tammie W.

Saw Jason Aldean last Friday night at the Nugget Event Center in Sparks. The weather was perfect. Sounded good. Parking was a problem. 8,500 people and not as many parking spots.

Thea S.

Great outdoor concert venue. It's not too big. Even the nosebleed seats aren't bad! The only downside can be parking. Just get to downtown Sparks 2 hours early, and you should find a decent spot. Then go to dinner first.

Edward Z.

A fairly small venue with excellent seating and stage views. Well worth the two plus hour drive. I will drive the distance again. I did not see a bad seat anywhere.

Matt J.

This was our first time to this venue and we were not that impressed with the seating or the crazy prices for drinks and merch (I get it that the venue has no control over artist merch prices but it was crazy expensive). The venue really needs more standing areas, and they should really replace the uncomfortable bleachers with some actual seats. This is not the county fair, and bleachers are so mid-20th century.

The drink prices were absolutely insane, especially for a casino-connected venue. Water for $5? Canned cocktails for $9? Mixed drinks for $15? This is not New York. STOP IT!

Merch: T-shirts and tank tops for Matchbox Twenty for $50? That is just highway robbery. These were the most expensive t-shirts we've ever seen at a concert and we go to 30-40 concerts/year.

The venue itself is okay but it's really awkward that there are apartment balconies looking down on the venue, and you can see the TV screens in those apartments. Rob Thomas (lead singer of Matchbox Twenty) even mentioned how distracting it was.

I doubt we'll go out of our way to see more concerts here unless it's a top-tier band/artist. It's just not worth it.