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KEMBA Live!

3.0 (252 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Services - KEMBA Live!

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The venue itself is pretty nice with good acoustics. However, they falsely show their seating chart. I purchased tickets for an indoor concert. Having never been there, I checked out the 360 degree view of the venue on their website. Upstairs, you can see nice, theater style seats and bleachers behind them. I bought what was called Platinum seats, assuming I was in those theater style seats. When I got there, the seats I was given were behind the nice seats, at a long, bar height, long narrow table on stools (at least they had backs). I was told the nice seats were sold to local businesses for the whole year. This is a deceitful process. The unavailable seats should still show on the seating chart and be marked as already sold. We spoke to 6 other couples at our show that had made the same assumption.

Renee L.

So I generally like this venue but last couple shows the alcohol selection has sucked!! I like crown royal , and absolutely NOTHING SIMILIAR to this!! How about Seagrams, Captain Morgan's , but instead Jim beam or Jack:( yuckkkkkkk!! Had one drink I could barely get down.

themed drinks for The Rose!
Adri C.

Just another bar music venue with nothing special. The structure of the building makes it obvious that it wasn't built with the intention of being a good music venue and that the owners have no intention to make it better. The pit is in the middle of the audience area, and the camera people made it impossible for me to see. There are also pillars in the middle of the standing area and no designated line areas for merch. I have never seen such a disorganized line for merch at a concert. They allow way too many people for the capacity of the venue. Thankfully, I was able to get somewhat closer, but the crowd was as far back as the entrance, right outside the security check. The security is also over the top and rude, taking away people's fan made glow sticks, even when they said they wouldn't light them if it meant keeping them as a keepsake. It's cute that they made drinks The Rose themed, but one of them was very bad. Better off just serving regular well drinks that the bartenders know how to make. (No hate to the bartenders though, they were understaffed for the turnout of the concert.) Lastly, the bathrooms! The women's restroom is actually huge with at least a dozen stalls in a line. However, both times I've been here, the MAJORITY of them are out of order or otherwise nasty. I would come back here for an artist I really love, but otherwise I would steer clear.

Becca O.

I've been to a few different concert venues and I was a little worried it would be dirty, messy, etc. However, I really liked the set up of the venue with a pit and lawn hill for everyone. There are a few different vendor stations to grab a beer, I didn't see any food so eat before! Had a great time!

LNS always good
Jayme H.

It's been a minute since I visited Express Live... for obvious reasons. However, I was finally able to go for a show post-ish COVID. All Promowest venues require vaccination and I love that this one is a beautiful, not too big and not too small, outdoor venue. I saw Porter Robinson and for that show, the attendance wasn't too crazy (I imagine due vaccination requirements). I actually liked having a little space to dance. Staff were all wearing masks, for guests it was optional and encouraged. Bathrooms were clean and there wasn't a line out the door. Major Score! Overall, I think they're doing a great job handling the live music scene in Columbus right now. I love the variety of artists that come through here and the health and safety measures are very much appreciated. I'll be back soon!

Alexa N.

I've been here a few times for their outdoor concerts and overall a great little place to feel almost like a mini festival. There's plenty of parking lots around the area. The lines for security is always long, but it tends to move faster. It takes longer now that they have to check for covid vaccine cards and negative tests. They have a few bar areas to order drinks and those lines take a loooong time to move. There's also the bar kind of attached to Express Live and honestly there's barely ever a line! Go grab a drink there. Mikey's Late Night Slice tends to be there as a food option. They have porta potties outside or there is an indoor bathroom. I have been inside of Express Live for an indoor concert. It's just a normal concert hall with an upstairs which is nice for small people like me. Try an outdoor concert here if you can!

Dayglow
Jane G.

KEMBA is a solid music venue with plenty of space. I saw Dayglow here, and appreciated that he chose a venue that would accommodate his popularity while also honoring his indie fan base (choosing to not host his show at the Nationwide Arena, for example) and choosing a more intimate setting. However, the venue itself is nothing special and the sound design is somewhat lacking. Still a great spot, though.

View from accessible seating (benches, not wheelchair)

This review is mainly to help those with accessibility needs as I rarely see info about this online. I went to see Gregory Alan Isakov outside on June 18, 2024 and bought two seats in the accessible section. I had emailed ahead of time to make sure I could bring medical necessities, including a small snack. There was no issue at all and they were super accommodating. I also wore my neck fan because it was 90 degrees. They had one section dedicated to wheelchair users and their companions and I was so happy to see it was a great view and in the upper center. The restrooms were very near this area and while most are the trailer-type porta-potties they had two large wheelchair accessible ones. We were in the accessible section that was not for wheelchair users and it had several benches. We sat on the front bench so we had a good view as well. Everyone was really nice and accommodating, and at one point I noticed a medical emergency happening and the staff handled it quickly and quietly and efficiently. If you want merch you will have to brave the steeply slanted walkways down to the lowest level, but otherwise bathrooms and water and drinks are all available on the upper level where the ADA seating is. They were also allowing people to bring their own water bottles in as long as they were sealed and "cracked open" in front of them on the way in, FYI. I hadn't been to a concert since my brain surgery two years ago and I have a lot more medical needs now and was really nervous, but the whole experience was fantastic. The sound outside was great as well, and I think it helps that GAI always brings out a really respectful crowd. Would definitely go again!

a crowd at a concert
Tenzin G.

This is the smallest outdoor venue ever been to. It has a little lawn that can hold maybe a few thousand people and then the pit area is teeny tiny. If there's a super popular artist playing here... Get ready but I think that this venue is much better if there's a very low-key artist that you wanna go see!

Line in the rain

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Nice venue in the heart of Columbus. Sure, it's a corporate place but sight lines are good. Really enjoyed seeing Devo rock the joint!

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Ask the Community - KEMBA Live!

Does anyone know if they have coat check in these winter months?

Nope. I emailed to ask and they said if you wear a coat inside you'll need to hang onto it all night.

Is there a coat check?

No, there aren't.

My child needs a wheelchair for long periods of time, are the handicap sections have good viewing of the stage for someone sitting down? Thank you!

Yes, there is sitting/space available for wheelchairs.

Question, help: Does Express Live! In Columbus, Ohio allow Cell Phones at ALL Concerts?

Yes, you can take your cell phone.

It says they allow clear totes on their website anyone know what kind?

Same ones for stadiums. 12×6×12

Does this venue allow visitors to camp out on or near the area?

Not until 6am

View All 11 Questions

Review Highlights - KEMBA Live!

Biggest tip I can give is to go next door to A&R Music Bar to get your drinks and use the restroom.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

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