Superb Arena (The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome))

Member Name: wastingtime

Product:	The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome)
Date:	02/10/08 (414 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything you could want indoors

Disadvantages: Very busy

It is nice to go somewhere and to come away thinking 'wow', The o2 arena, formerly the Millenium Dome, does just that. Being a Northerner I have had no reason to go down to London to see it but I am really pleased that I did.

I really had no idea what to expect, we had years of it trying to be all sorts and nothing really stuck - so I really was fascinated as to what it would be like.

First things first, getting there couldn't be simpler, it has a train station right next to it, North Grenwich, which links to Central Londons main tube stations. Trains go regulary and run late, so if you wanted to go out for a few drinks, or perhaps a meal - or in my case, go and see a concert there is no concern about if you are going to get back on time.

Once again, being a Northerner, the only place I have been that I could even begin to compare to the o2 is The MEN in Manchester, and the principle is roughly the same, only the o2 have it down to a fine art, first of all their are all the restaurants, which I will list quickly:

American Bar & Grill (Cocktail bar and American BBQ)
Starbucks
Gaucho
Pizza Express
S&M (british cafe)
RAAN (Cocktails and contempory English)
Tapa Tapa (Tapas restaurant)
Thai Silk (Thai and Cocktails)
Slug and lettuce
Rodzido Rico
Wasabi
Franki and Bennys
Inc Club
Inc Brasserie
Jimmy Monaco's
Water Margin
Zizzi
Nando's
Spur, Steak and Grill
Las Iguanas
Ha Ha Bar and Grill
The 108, corporate hire area.

This is all in their entertainment avenue and it is all undercover. I think lots of people will go down to the o2 just for something to eat and drink as it really is a superb space.

Their is a VUE cinema as well which boasts the biggest screen in the UK, once again I think that is a wonderful thing to have and really adds to the list of reasons to go.

Then the arena itself, the capacity is 20,000 and although thats massive it still feels strangely intimate, anyone who has been to the MEN or any other similar venues will know what to expect.

Once your inside there are still more places to get something to eat and drink:

Nestle - hot chocolate and the like
Soundbites Grill - fast food
Becks Vier Bar
Two Degrees bar
o2 Blueroom, a vip barexclusive to o2 customers
Sandwich Filling Station
Chop Chop Stir Fry
Carve Up - sandwich bar
Salt and Vinegar Fish n Chips
Base Pizzeria

My last note is to the staff, they were really friendly and helpful, they helped us to find which bit of the arena we needed to be in, and when I saw a lady spill her drink all over the steps I informed them - they acted immediately and were very nice about it.

If you go on the site, http://www.theo2.co.uk/index.php and find someone you want to see, even if it isn't local to you, make the effort, you won't be dissapointed! If you are local then go down and have something to eat and think yourself fortunate you have such a place on your doorstep.

Chris

Summary: Everyone should come visit here at least once.