Madison Square Garden
Category: Stadiums & Arenas [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Fashion District2 Penn Plz
New York, NY 10121 (212) 465-4459
- Nearest Transit:
34th St-7th Ave (1, 2, 3)
33rd Street (PATH)
34th St-8th Ave (A, C, E)
- Good for Kids: Yes
48 Reviews for Madison Square Garden
Madison Square garden is a good place to see a concert. It's easy to get to on public transportation and a few years back they redid the sound system. And it's much better. One time I saw Billy Joel here and it was amazing.
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World's Most Famous Arena always is a good time whether its a sporting event,concert or circus.
I have been to numerous concerts like Dave Matthews Band,U2 and in 2 weeks the free Coldplay show.
I used to bring my younger brother every April to see the circus. Good times.
Its a legendary venue in America and I am glad as of right now they are NOT moving it across the street since that deal fell though last winter.
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Oh, MSG, we've have some good times. Concerts, Knicks games, Rangers games, dog shows. What have we not done together.
You are usually good to me, like last night at Van Halen. Sometimes you are unkind, like when you didn't serve alcohol at the Beastie Boys Concerts. Overall, you are a good venue.
I will grant you four stars. (You lose one for not serving beer that one time.)
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The most famous arena on earth. What more do you need to know? If I got a nickel everytime I saw Ringling Brothers here, I would be RICH BITCH! MSG is my mecca. So many memories. Don't get me started on the shows I've seen here:
Jay-Z
Michael Jackson
Mariah Carey
Sean Paul
I'm STILL upset that I never saw Dave Matthews Band, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis and Biggie there. I'm REALLY upset I never got to see Michael Jordan shit on the Knicks here. That is the hardest to let go. *sob*
It's pretty simple; If you don't like Madison Square Garden, move your wack-ass out of NYC. Just shake your hating bitch-ass to the Izod Center.
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I just saw the Verve here and I had one of the best times of my life. MSG housed my favorite artist for two amazing shows. I don't care if you are falling apart Madison Square Garden, you are sacred ground to me.
http://youtube.com/wat...
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When I discuss Madison Square Garden it's almost always in the context of the New York Rangers (third generation Rangers fan...nice to meet you). The setup of the stadium is great. You can be really high up and still feel close enough to the ice. The Garden brings out the best in people...even if the "best" means throwing off your shirt and dancing around (yay Rangers fans). Food/drinks are on the expensive side, but when you get swept up in the Garden vibe then who really cares how empty your wallet gets...I sure don't!
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I was very impressed with the layout of MSG since I was expecting a lot less. Having grown up watching the Bulls and Knicks spar during those timid moments playoff time were my favorite. To see the expressions on the fans of New York losing was priceless, but now I live here. =P
I saw the Knicks play the Timberwolves a few months back and had courtside seats, but was really blown away by how the nosebleed sections weren't even that bad. Since my tix were free, it was well worth the visit. It's nice to order from a server and have them bring you food during a more organized sport (unlike baseball stadiums where 5-10 people could be touching your hot dog and cups while passing things down).
MSG has a great aura once you're in. I wouldn't mind watching other performances in this venue in the future.
Check it out!
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I don't know how to exactly describe that feeling of excitement when thousands of people are rocking to the music of Linkin Park, or cheering for the Knicks or listening to the die-hard fans of the Rangers dissect the move of Sean Avery (behind me) but that buzz of excitement and solidarity is totally contagious. Sometimes, it's the event or sometimes it's the crowd, but it's a great place to see a concert or a sports event. I love Madison Square Garden! It's a great stadium and venue for all sorts of events. Sure, the bathrooms could use a face lift and the concession stands could use more variety... but, MSG is perfect for this city!
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The only garden without flowers is a great place for memories.
I've seen the Knicks lose here and the Rangers kick ass. Every time I come here I have a good time. The food and gifts are expensive but I don't mind, I'm having fun. This is a great place to see a band. I've seen Billy Joel, AC/DC, Muse etc. and every time was great. Basically if your performing in M.S.G., whether it be sports, music, circus etc., your a big shot in my book.
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It is an older stadium, so expect old fashioned bathrooms. There are 4 levels here and it is pretty nice. We took about 10 sets of escalators going up and it was kind of tiring. I'm use to Oakland Coliseum that's why.
There are a lot of bathrooms, however they are really small....really. Good enough for 4 people!
A good thing about MSG is that there are no long lines to get anything. Even at half time, we were able to get some beer really quick.
The Knicks won in dramatic fashion but the fans are not like the Warriors. I wanted to hear the 'fire isiah!' but they played good that night against Chris 'The Raptor' Bosh of the Raptors...
good experience though. I like!
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MSG is at the same place in life where the dinosaurs were a few years before the meteor impact.
Seriously, the place blows. I dont get the positive reviews. Have these people never been to the Prudential Center in Newark, the Bell Centre in Montreal, the BankAtlantic Center in South Florida, the Wachovia Center in Philly, the HSBC arena in Buffalo, the Fleet Center in Boston, the........oh screw it.......pretty much anywhere else other than maybe Nasseu Coliseum (a.k.a. the ultimate hole)?
If you look at all the positive reviews below, the thing in common that stands out is how great "U2" or "Billy Joel" or "The Rolling Stones" were when they saw them at MSG. Well yeah, those acts are going to kick azz no matter where they play, but I thought it important to not confuse the REVIEW OF THE "EVENT" with the REVIEW OF THE BUILDING which is supposed to be reviewed. With that in mind................................
The best thing MSG has going for it is the fact it stands atop one Penn Station, which makes it extremely efficient to get to from virtually anywhere. But folks.....it's all downhill from there. This place looks and feels like a place that was build over 40 years ago, and there's good reason for that, because it's a place that WAS BUILT OVER 40 YEARS AGO. The gates up to your seating area are outdated and take a while to gain entrace to or exit from the building. The concourse is of that old fashioned design that didnt consider just how long lines would be for food and beer and bathrooms at a well-attended NYC event. The only way to avoid the lines is to sit in the very lower level. There you have attendants take your order and bring the food to you. It's all very elitist, but it's pretty cool as you dont miss any of the game. Of the food, howver, it's not very good even by arena standards. It's bland arena food like shriveled up hotdogs etc... The one bright light I've found are the knishes, which although a bit salty, are actually pretty darn good.
All in all, it's a shame the recent arena proposal got shot down, and it now looks like they are simply going to "update and modernize" MSG instead of building a new arena.
Lipstick on a pig ladies and gentlemen, lipstick....on..... a...... pig.
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Madison square garden is really nice and they do have a good amount of actual loyal knicks fans. too bad the knicks are kinda horrible now. i'm originally from San Francisco, so i'm more of a warrior fan myself, but as just a venue this place is pretty clean and organized.
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So amazing! So amazing! I don't know how to describe it. I would gladly overpay again to watch a game at MSG with the locals. Especially if it was NYR vs. NYI. The game was exciting, the fans were insane. There were no children on the video board. There was a lot of controlled (and uncontrolled) chaos. Anyway, no seat is a bad seat. And the program for hockey is action packed.
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The energy and fanfare in a sold out concert at MSG is unlike anywhere else. The only times I've been before were for Knicks and Liberty games where the players looked like tiny ants from my nosebleed seats. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the Foo Fighters concert last night. While MSG is pretty impersonal, the band made ideal use of the multipurpose arena by moving to the rear of the floor to do an acoustic set on a stage that dramatically dropped down from the ceiling.
They get docked a big 2 stars for the lack of security. No metal detectors (even the Greenday concert in dinky BINGHAMTON had metal detectors!), no bag searching, nada. 20,000 people pouring into an arena unsearched? Not a good idea.
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I had season tickets to the Knicks and Rangers for the majority of my life and yes, I know I'm one of the luckiest, most fortunate people for it. I spent roughly 4 out of 7 days a week at the Garden, it was my home away from home. I can honestly say one of my best nights in my life was in 1994 and the Cup came home. I can also say that in 1978 was one of the worst nights of my life when thost Mf'ers from Montreal swept us to win the cup.
I was there when Potvin broke Ulf Nielsen's leg, when McNabb and 3 other Bruins went into the stans and took on the crowd. I was there for Phil Esposito reitrement night and for Ron Greschner's birthday, his first season with the team; I was in awe in regards to all of the banners hanging around the arena.
There's nothing like a live hockey game and there's nothing like a game at MSQ.
In addition to having season tickets to both teams, my usher became the head of all of the ushers at MSG, so from when I was 11 to about 16 or so, whatever act or event that came through MSG, I was able to attend and attend for free (he'd hook me up, get my past security and then bring me down to the first 10 rows). I saw everything - every single concert you can imagine during the early-to-mid eighties, to the epic Big East Championships between Chris Mullen St Johns v Patrick Ewing's G'town to Pearl Washington's Syracuse.....to even the Westminster Dog shows....
I love MSG....
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2 tickets to the Cornell v. BU hockey game: $120
2 jerseys & 2 hats: $190
1,000s of Cornell fans screaming, "Screw BU" in unison: Priceless
Fans screaming advice to the players: Um... Confusing.
Hockey is not my game. What does "Clean out the box" Cycle it" & "Cover the point" mean?
Other fans wore shirts that read: I did my time in the line (See photo).
No comprendre. Someone want to school me?
In return, I'll advise you to bring lots of cash for your priceless experience.
Snapple costs $4.50. Cotton candy with a novelty NY Rangers holiday hat $10.
Methinks the MSG management might be Cornell fans, too... They rolled out a long red carpet for Cornell honorees, while BU honorees were invited to step onto the ice directly. The latter group included Dave Silk & Mike Eruzione.
Closer to the ice, in rows A-E, fans sit on padded folding chairs. It would have been a tight, uncomfortable fit if not for the generous BU fans to our left - The couple had 2 extra seats & offered us one for our bags. Thank you, again!
To our right, we conversed with a proud Cornell father from the Jersey Shore. His son was photographing the game for the school newspaper. Congratulations, Class of 2008!
Stadium is massive. That night, the game attracted 18,200 attendees. Well lit, well ventilated -- Unlike the hallways outside, but that's not where you should be spending most of your time anyway. Are you really standing on line for overpriced snacks?
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Hey, cab driver.... are you sure this is the Madison Square Garden..or should I say....the Garden??!??
And it was.
The exterior of the venue was nothing what I expected it to be. I was expecting it to look a normal stadium...like a Staples Center or Oakland Arena... But no....This place was attached to Borders. That was odd. I was also expecting it to be more secluded, and it wasn't. It was right next to the rest of the buildings on that busy street.
Although, being inside the Garden gave me a different feeling, where the mecca of basketball took place. Being able to watch a basketball game in there was spectacular, even though the Celtics whooped the Knicks. It didn't matter. Just KNOWING that I was in the Garden was good enough. Also, almost all of the Giants were there. That was pretty cool since they're going to be in the Superbowl. Every time, a Giants player would be on the big screen, all of the fans were go ballistic and roar "GIANNNTS!". Kinda funny how most of the fans that were there to watch their Knicks play....wore a Giants jersey instead. Oh, and they had WAMU ATM machines throughout the arena... It was heaven! When do you ever see that??!?! Like...NEVER!!! I was sooo happy to save me a $1.75.
Anyway, it was a great experience, and I can now scratch this off of my "to do" list in life. Next is.... to go skydiving??? Let's see about that.....
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My friend calls me last week and asked if I want to go see the Knicks and the Clippers play Madison and I say sure.
We live in LA and she won the tix plus 2 rt tixs from LAX to JFK and two nights hotel stay....Cool!
I have been to NYC several times but I had never been the the very famous MSG. I read the reviews so knew what to expect.
The stadium is very old school and that makes it more charming but it definitely has seen better days. What is really nice is that it seems like there is really not a bad seat in the house.
I had a great time and was able to get a photo of my friend and I on the floor.
What happened to the Knicks? Oh yeah...I read the reviews.
[btw I am a Clippers season ticket holder so I feel your pain]
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SIMPLY -
GREAT ARENA, though outside doesn't look like much. This is a MUST to watch the circus, concerts, and sporting events
KNICKS SUCK
ONE OF THE WORSE OWNERS EVER - JIMBO DOLAN
PACKED - even with there is no game playing, the street around MSG is usually crowed because of the many hubs around there - Penn Station, etc., etc.
A must visit if in Nyc.
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Didn't get to go inside. Just lookin at it is amazing. The World's Most Famous Arena. Amazing Sports History.
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We went to see Interpol at MSG last night and the show was just...blah. The sound was kind of echoey and not in a good way. We had great seats but it still felt like the bands were playing on a different planet. What is the point of seeing music here? You might as well be watching it on a screen.
Also, what's the deal, Interpol fans? Are you really too cool to dance to their best songs? Really, you are? Half of you are older than my dad and the rest are dressed like Hot Topic and Urban Outfitters had a love child that threw up all over you. You are not too cool to dance, okay?
I knew the show was going to be lame when I found out they were playing in an arena. I should have turned around and walked out the door when I saw the disturbingly high number of soccer moms bumbling around. Instead I stayed and now I'm kind of starting to hate one of my formerly favorite bands.
But I digress. Madison Square Garden is probably a great place to watch basketball games, if you're into that. The seats are really well padded and the bathrooms aren't horrifying. But paying like $7 for a Bud Light (UGH) in a plastic bottle is beyond ridiculous and the sound system kind of blows.
Never again.
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Stadiums blow for concerts, but I went to see Bruce Springsteen here and obviously had an awesome time. Obviously because it's Springsteen. And I actually didn't mind paying $7.25 for a 16-oz Bud Lite, because a) that's a pretty big size, b) it came in a cup with a straw hole so I could drink beer through a straw and that's fun, and c) I got two and double-fisting is also fun. Fortunately or unfortunately, security is horrifying lax! I considered smuggling in a flask but didn't want mine confiscated, but they took only the most fleeting glance into my giant bag and waved me through. I could have had anything in there! Crazy. But good for drinkers who don't want to pay through the nose for beer.
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I won't say I'm the most knowledgable about these types of places but this one seems easy to navigate but it does seem like things are so far away. I guess that is typical but I can still say I don't like it can't I?
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\m/ ^___^ \m/
That's me, rocking out at the Christina Aguilera concert this past March. Yeah, I was there. And yeah, I was wearing my New Kids on the Block Magic Summer Tour concert tshirt.
Don't hate.
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I generally stay away from concerts at Madison Square Garden. However, I went to Z100's Jingle Ball last year and I am going again this year. The whole thing is more of a spectacle so MSG works for that. I saw Jethro Tull there when I was a freshman in college and I went to a charity event with Billy Joel, Don Henley and Sting (he played all Police songs). I had a good seat at the charity event because I paid $150 per ticket which was well before $150 per ticket became the norm.
I am not sure if I have ever been to a sporting event at the Garden. It might be fun to attend the Big East tournment but I always forget about it and it is a hard ticket to come by.
For me there is no real reason to go to the Garden when I can get to the Meadowlands easier.
I love Madison Square Garden. It is THE place to see a sporting event or a big concert. It kills me that the Knicks stink now that I'm an adult and can afford to go and see them a lot, but there's no better atmosphere for a big game. And just seeing the Frazier, Ewing etc. banners makes me feel good.
And some of my favorite concert experiences ever took place here- U2 3 times, Muse, etc. Great audio for a big arena- sounds great all the way up to the 400's.
Concessions- yeah they are overpriced, but what arena or stadium around here isn't. Seriously, you can get a damn tasty pulled pork with onion straws and coleslaw here. Compare it to the food at Giants Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium and the Izod Center, and IMO MSG wins.
Depends on the event...
Cool place and built for a crowd. Concerts are great here but getting in and and standing in long lines in the winter ain't to fun!!
I've gone to many concerts and games in this place!!!
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I'm not a big fan of huge arenas and I've only been to MSG once for a music concert, not a sports event. I saw Nine Inch Nails there way back in 2000. The band was great and the sound was alright, not the best ever. But, I felt too disconnected by being in such a huge space. My seats were okay.
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Exceptionally annoying to have to walk around. Damn, that thing is big. I;d rate it higher if I liked big concerts or big sporting events, but I don't like either, so it should remain grateful for the three stars I am giving it. What can I say, I'm generous like that.
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There is no greater place on Earth to see a hockey game....or concert or basketball game...or even circus! Its not called the Worlds Most famous Arena for nothing. Heck! it even has its own television station.
LETS GO RANGERS!
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The arena was great, its just a well built, very cool place to go to whatever. I've been to Knicks and rangers games here, and they are both extremely fun, sporting events always bring out the loudest in people. Its actually smaller than you'd think, but its nice nonetheless. Everything you'd expect from an arena: 5 dollar hot dogs, old, uncomfortable seats, stinky bathrooms, and huge amounts of people going in one direction.
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I don't have to put down any words, dammit.
The World's Most Famous Arena, & also (arguably) the loudest. When the Knicks or Rangers make a big play in a clutch playoff game, you feel like you're standing behind a jumbo jet readying for take-off.
But incidentally, not a very good place to see a concert, but then again I'm not a fan of arena shows.
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No matter where I have sat in this theatre, I have always been able to see - whether being in the nosebleed section for U2 or a side section for a Knicks game. Granted, the lobby area is run down, but who cares when you are seeing such great talent? And, you do not have to wait to long to exit because miraculously, those escalators move people pretty fast.
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The Police here was something I didn't want to pass up. Stu, Andy and Sting are the quintessential trio in rock, possibly ever. Now, I've seen a lot of shows and typically enjoy the crowd at MSG but this time it was just too hokey for my tastes. I should have expected the sing-along but didn't think it was going to be right in my grill and all around me. Stupid me. Regardless, as a band they are still tight as hell, attributing all of the rhythm and tempo to Mr Steward Copeland. Sting is Sting - Andy is a very underrated guitarist but Stu makes the band. the pop compositions were fine, some arrangements were taken off-tempo and some improv - my favorite tune for the evening being a longer, more reggae version of "Driven to Tears" - not a song I even enjoy on their studio albums but fantastic Fri night. they played all the hits but my favorites and they all sounded fine but I wish they would have played "Man in a Suitcase" or "Canary in a Coalmine"....oh, well that's life I guess. Overall a C or C-.
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It's been called the Mecca of Basketball. It's sometimes called Broadway. It's MSG! MSG is quite easy to get to (especially by subway), the food is relatively cheap ($4 for nachos w/ cheese and $5 for beer), and the crowd is awesome! If only you could bring this type of crowd enthusiasm to LA...
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There is all too much going on there, and I love it. It fits so many people; even if I get nosebleed seats, I'm still satisfied with my view. I actually felt like I saw less when I actually got floor seats... I saw Gwen twice and Madonna once there and MSG made for a great venue.
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One of the best stages in the country for a sporting event. When the Knicks are playing well (been awhile) and even when they're not, this place shines. I've seen concerts here too and while they are always good, they lack any intimacy as the venue is just a little too big.
Good times though - just bring some $$$$.
Madison Square Garden can be the most scintillating place in the city one day and one of the most ghetto the next. The place is situated above the other end of Penn Station and tends to be another hangout for a wannabe Port Authority with plenty of hagglers for money and guys scalping tickets. Once inside, the place is semi-impressive depending on the layout of the arena. If its for a basketball game, the place is so-so if you've seen other arenas around the country. For concerts, this place is awesome and the stage can be put together in such a way where the crowd can get a really solid look at the act.
I've never been crazy about the food here let alone any arena / stadium . The vendors are over priced and the food is less stellar than what can be found outside. BEWARE: Do not leave the arena under any circumstances as you will not be allowed back in. A friend going to Gray's Papaya learned the hard way that a Knicks ticket was sacrificed for a hot dog $4 cheaper than the arena version. Speaking of hot dogs, I once ate a hot dog here with a cup of their chili and suffered from one of the worst bouts of food poisoning I've ever had. For a couple of nights in a row, I was the girl from the Exorcist. All I could think of during the head spinning and projectile vomiting, was that I'd never eat here again. Now give me that Gray's Papaya dog.
Music is life, you can't escape it no matter how hard you try...it's everywhere. I've decided to embrace it. I found myself going to a John Mayer concert in MSG on Feb 28...it was packed. Matter of fact, sold out. There were people and their grandmothers waiting to see John Mayer play. As a new fan, I was more relaxed. I striked up a conversation with a fan. I wanted to see what all the fess was about.
At the end of the concert, I was also sold. If you haven't checked out John Mayer, do yourself a favor and check out his summer tour starting in June. Set aside about $50-60, let go of your hang ups about good music and bad music. Trust me, it's great music.
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