I attended a convention here during the summer. The arena proprietors will not allow parking in their adjacent above-ground parking lot on Fridays, even for convention delegates. I had 3 disabled women with me and we had to park nearly a block away in an approved parking lot. One of the women had to walk using a crutch & slowly make her way over the numerous railroad tracks to get to the conv. ctr. There is an elevator and a stairway which allows for getting over a train if it is present (which it was for a long period) but if there are 5,000 people arriving for an event, which there was & always is at a convention center, it takes FOREVER waiting in the lines. I nearly fell as the sloping sidewalk curbs between the tracks & the areana are not painted, and I witnessed another woman who did fall. The trains are a frequent distraction even while inside the center as they can still be heard passing by. There is very, and I mean very, little leg-room in the seats at the Arena. If someone needs to get out to go to the restroom, everyone in the entire row must stand up to allow the person through. The arena was very hot at times during the day and many people had to use books or hand-held fans to cool themselves. Not a great experience at Rabobank.
Rabobank is actually 2 buildings - the theater and arena. The theater is dated but does the job. The arena is great for hockey but has terrible acoustics for music. I attended one concert here. I would not pay to do so again. It isn't worth the money for the quality of sound - it sounded like being inside a tunnel. The seats in the upper level are cramped but in the lower level are comfortable.
While the theatre is smaller and more intimate and gives a good view, the arena in contrast is not always so user-friendly. There are numerous flights of stairs if you aren't in the lowest level, making it difficult for anyone with a disability that doesn't include a wheelchair.The food concessions are expensive and not always good value and the price of beer is over the top. I suppose it restricts the amount of drinking anyone can do. However the queue for the toilets is enough to stop anyone drinking. It's not unusual to find twenty people in front at the ladies for a very limited amount of stalls. Plan ahead!Parking behind the Rabobank is okay and generally not too expensive.
Seats are not great, very crammed together. Best large venue locations in Bakersfield though. Air conditioning works well which is important in that area. Parking can be iffy. Like all venues the concessions are steep.
Our seats were great in the convention center, but the sound seemed a bit 'off' - last time they were here we sat in the balcony in the center and the sound was amazing, so not sure if it was because we were so close or too much to the side, but it was sometimes hard to make out the words. SNC were great, they really put on a great show.
I attended the circus here. The arena seats were very comfortable. Parking was ample. Although there was a huge crowd it did not seem congested going in and out.
Rabobank Arena.Is located downtown.In the great City of Bakersfield,Ca.Just under two hours.Driving distance.North of Los Angeles.Ive only attented live rock concerts.At Rabo Arena..Being built. As a basketball and ice hockey arena.For both local pro teams.Even arena football.Venue host.Several childrens shows on ice.WWF Wrestling events and so much more.As for concerts.The seating.All the way around the main floor.Is an awsome view.To the performing stage.Which is always at one end of the arena.The acoustics sound.In this place.Is top notch.I love it.Under five minutes from home.Oh yeah.One little down side.Is the parking.On the left side.Adjacent to the arena.Is the convention center.Front of the convention center.Are several disabled parking spaces.Curb side parking is available.On the on both sides of the street.In front of the venue.And on the both sides of street.That runs along the right side of Rabobank.Just under 75ft.Right behind the arena.Are working railroad tracks.So CAUTION.Across the tracks.Is the main parking lot area.For the arena.To sum it up.In my opinion.The Rabobank Arena of Bakersfield,Ca.Is a full blown arena.Awsome venue for live concerts.Check it out....... Carlos.J-Bakersfield,Ca.
It's one of the biggest and nicest places for big events and conventions in town. Very centric, right in downtown, close by many hotels and restaurants. A lot of great concerts and events happen here.
Saw the Guns and Hoses hockey game and then the Condors. The place was wild! The kids in the audience had a great time dancing and jumping up and down. The games were really entertaining. A great place to take a family for a fun night of hockey.
Rabobank arena was to be a premier venue for entertainment in Kern County. However, each time I have attended an event there, have been disappointed. The acoustics are horrible, with reverb in the higher level seats. The seats are small with no leg room at all. I am short and my knees were touching the back of the seats in front of me. My husband at 6'3''could never attend anything there comfortably. The seats are so close together, if feels like the builders were trying to cram as many seats in the space as possible. I would much rather see a show at the Fox.