SNHU Arena – Manchester, NH
Pre-show Spots
- Industry East – Open 5pm-12am, about 8-minute walk to venue.
- Thirsty Moose Taphouse – Casual bar fare, 0.2 miles from venue.
- Strange Brew Tavern – Craft beers, pub food, live music. 0.3 miles from venue.
- Republic Brewing – Phish events all weekend.
- Shaskeen Pub – Irish Pub with Phish Pre-Party.
Late-night Food
- Red Arrow Diner – Iconic spot open since 1922, 0.6 miles away.
- The Goat Bar and Grill – Open until 1am every night, short walk from venue.
- Margarita’s – Open until 1am Fri & Sat, midnight Sunday.
Aftershows
Petersen Events Center – Pittsburgh, PA
Pre-show Spots
- Butterjoint – .7 miles from venue, eclectic cozy vibe.
- The Porch at Schenley – .7 miles from venue, fresh American cuisine.
- Hemingway’s Cafe – 10 min walk, lively college bar.
- Gene’s Place – Quaint bar, .4 miles from venue.
- Union Grill Oakland – .7 miles from venue, cozy and casual.
Post Show
- Smiling Moose – 1.6 miles from venue, fun vibe, pierogi with onion jam recommended.
- Primanti Bros – .3 miles from venue, iconic sandwiches. Open until midnight.
Aftershows
Beer & Liquor
- Liberty Beer – 1.5 miles from venue.
Moody Center – Austin, TX
Pre-show & Aftershows
- Zack Morgan and Friends at Antone’s – Pre Phish party.
- Touch of Trey Plays Phish & Dead – Outdoor beer garden walking distance, best pregame spot.
- HeartByrne – Talking Heads tribute, top Phish aftershow each night.
- Flying Mojito Bros DJ set – Free afterparty at Devil May Care.
What to Do During the Day
- Austin Eater – Food guide.
- Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake Trail, Mount Bonnell, Deep Eddy Pool, McKinney Falls State Park – Outdoor musts.
Places to Stay
- Austin Motel, South Congress Hotel, Carpenter Hotel, San Jose Hotel, Hotel Van Zandt – Cool spots.
- DoubleTree Hilton Garden Suites, La Quinta – Close by.
- Baller: St Cecilia, The Line, The Fairmont, The W, The Loren, The Four Seasons.
Folsom Field Stadium – Boulder, CO
Pre-show & Eats
- Hiking at Chautauqua, grab bites at Dining Hall or General Store.
- Best Brewery: Vibe – Sanitas, For Beer – Vision Quest
- Pre-show: Rosetta Hall rooftop
- Sandwich: Blackbelly Cuban
- Breakfast burritos: Santo
- Diner/Mexican: The Parkway
- Elevated Chipotle: Illegal Pete’s
- Beleza Coffee Bar – Local Phishhead-owned roasters, support the scene!
- Trek Light Gear – Boulder-based Phishhead-owned shop, great gear & vibe.
Aftershow Drinks
- Dark Horse, The Sink, or Sundown Saloon.
Dispensaries
The Schottenstein Center – Columbus, OH
Pre-show Spots
- The O on Lane – 352 W Lane Ave, lively bar/kitchen, ~0.6 miles from venue.
- Varsity Club – Historic game day bar, .5 miles from venue.
- Thirsty Scholar – Laid back vibe, .5 miles from venue.
- Library Bar – Cozy, diverse clientele, .9 miles from venue.
Post Show
- Ledo’s – N High St hangout, streaming Phish Columbus 1999 show.
Aftershows
Late-night Food
- Mikey’s Late Night Slice – Open until 2:30am.
- Buckeye Donuts – Open all night.
Parking & Maps
Forest Hills Stadium – Queens, NY
Getting There
- Take public transit. The LIRR stops almost directly in front of the venue. From Manhattan or Long Island, this is your best option. You can plan with the TrainTime App.
- The E, M, F, and R subway lines stop one block away at 71st/Forest Hills.
- Driving is possible but should be a last resort. There is no dedicated parking lot. Avoid parking inside Forest Hills Gardens (the residential neighborhood around the stadium), as you risk a boot and a $180 cash fine. Paid garages are available along Queens Boulevard.
- Rideshares will drop you a few blocks away since local streets close to cars in the afternoon.
Curfew
- Strict 10pm curfew — shows will likely start early and end promptly at 10pm.
Pre-show Spots
- Dirty Pierre’s – Tiny bar in Station Square right near the train station. Packed but classic. Go early for a seat. Menu
- The Station House – Bigger with outdoor seating and cocktails, very close to the venue. Order on Grubhub or Toast
- 5 Burros – Dive-y Mexican place with strong margaritas on Austin St.
- Mojo – Mexican-fusion with a little more polish than 5 Burros (no active website found).
- Tacombi – Consistent taco spot with outdoor tables, part of a small franchise.
- Nemo’s Beer Bar – About a half-mile from the stadium. Andrew the owner is a big Phish head and may webcast shows. (no official site found)
- Mighty Quinn’s BBQ – Dependable NYC BBQ with generous seating. (no Forest Hills-specific site found)
- Queens Bully – Big BBQ bar with a good beer selection. (no Forest Hills-specific site found)
- Cobblestone’s – Gastropub with a big beer garden atmosphere. (no Forest Hills-specific site found)
Venue Tips
- Expect soft turf areas outside the actual stadium, with local food vendors and bars. Look for a FHS sandwich at Stacked Sandwich Stop if available. (no consistent website found)
- No bad seats here — Forest Hills Stadium is considered one of the best outdoor venues in NYC.
- Respect the neighborhood. Entry/exit is sometimes managed through lanes, and neighbors have complained in past seasons about noise and fans.
Things to Do Nearby
- Flushing Meadows Park for a nice walk.
- Forest Park for shady trails.
- New York Hall of Science (commonly known as Queens Science Museum).
- Explore other NYC neighborhoods, but allow extra travel time since inter-borough subway transfers can be unpredictable.
Big Thanks
Huge thanks to Brian Weinstein from the Attendance Bias Podcast for sharing this awesome Forest Hills intel! If you’d like to support his show, you can buy him a coffee — and be sure to check out his Phish show recaps and interviews. 🎧
North Charleston Coliseum – Charleston, SC
Pre-show Spots
- Tattooed Moose – Duck fat fries, killer sandwiches, pub vibe with patio in Park Circle.
- EVO Pizzeria – Wood-fired pies, local ingredients, long-time Park Circle staple.
- Dashi – Asian-Latin fusion, known for bao buns and tacos.
- Rusty Bull Brewing – Craft beer, live music, food trucks, and axe throwing just minutes from the venue.
- Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse – Rodizio-style dining just 0.8 miles from the venue.
Late-night Food
- The Royal American – Kitchen open till 1am, rustic bar with live bands downtown.
- Rebel Taqueria – Tacos, tequila, and live music in North Charleston.
Aftershows
- Charleston Pour House – Premier after-party hub, multiple stages and Phish scene staple.
- Commonhouse Aleworks – Hosting the Bouncing Around the Brews Phish pre-party & vendor market on Sunday, July 13th from 12–4pm. Featuring live music from Guilt Ridden Troubadour, plus vendors like Grateful Fred, Charleston Dye Lab, Type 2 Designs, and more. Location: 4831 O’Hear Ave, Park Circle.
Venue Tips
- The North Charleston Coliseum is a cashless venue – bring cards or mobile payment.
- Expect traffic. Ride shares are available but lines can get long post-show. Plan ahead.
- Venue concessions include standard fare plus Papa Johns and McKenzie’s Cakes.
- Bag policies and security checks are enforced. Check rules ahead on the venue’s website.
Things to Do in Charleston
- International African American Museum – A landmark cultural destination downtown.
- Drayton Hall – Unrestored plantation with deep historic significance.
- Charleston Harbor Tours – Scenic boat rides with skyline views and dolphins.
- The Angel Oak – One of the oldest living trees in America, free to visit.
- Shem Creek – Kayak, eat seafood, and spot dolphins near Mount Pleasant.
Pro Tip
North Charleston and Park Circle embrace the Phish crowd. Expect vendor markets, themed specials, and lots of friendly energy throughout the weekend.
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) – Saratoga Springs, NY
Bag Policy: Clear bags only (max 12″ x 6″ x 12″) or small clutches (max 6″ x 9″). Strictly enforced.
Ticketing: Mobile tickets only — download in advance.
Security: Security checks can be slow. Expect metal detectors and possible wanding. One fan warns: “SPAC security at the entrance needs to CHILL THE EFF OUT and get people inside much faster!!”
Pro Tip: Arrive early. Parking lots open around 4:30pm, gates at 6:00pm, show starts at 7:30pm.
Ticketing: Mobile tickets only — download in advance.
Security: Security checks can be slow. Expect metal detectors and possible wanding. One fan warns: “SPAC security at the entrance needs to CHILL THE EFF OUT and get people inside much faster!!”
Pro Tip: Arrive early. Parking lots open around 4:30pm, gates at 6:00pm, show starts at 7:30pm.
Parking & Getting There
- Main Lot: $10 per car, card-only payment.
- Traffic: Expect delays. Lots fill quickly and some fans park up to a mile away.
- Rideshare: Dedicated Uber/Lyft drop-off in Route 50 East Lot.
- Tailgating: Popular tradition in pine-shaded lots — bring chairs, coolers, and solo cups. Friendly vibe and art vendors common.
- Lawn Tip: Get there early. Best sound/view is in the lower third. Some hike in on trails to avoid lot traffic.
Sound & Sightlines
- Reserved: Excellent sound and sightlines.
- Lawn: Good sound in mid-lawn but views obstructed further back. Settle on a sloped area for better acoustics. Pavilion roof can block visuals.
- Overflow Zones: Fans sometimes gather near the Hall of Springs or Geyser Creek for remote listening with great ambient sound.
Concessions & Amenities
- Cashless: All concessions and vendors are card-only.
- Food: You can bring your own — food must be in a 1-gallon clear Ziploc. One sealed water bottle (up to 1 gal) is allowed per person.
- Chairs: New for 2025 — no outside chairs allowed at Live Nation shows. Chair rentals available inside; bring a blanket if you prefer sitting low.
- Restrooms: Permanent bathrooms available (cleaner than porta-potties). Worth the walk.
Nearby Food & Drink
- 58 Roosevelt Bar & Grill – Casual spot near the venue (0.4 miles).
- Putnam’s at The Gideon Putnam – Upscale dining inside the state park.
- PJ’s BAR-B-QSA – Classic roadside BBQ close by. (Note: Their website indicates the restaurant has closed.)
- Dive Presents Pint Sized – Craft beers, outdoor space, live music (33 Phila St).
- Downtown Scene: Dozens of bars and restaurants within walking distance from town center. Use the Railroad Run path.
- Overnight Stay: Local favorites include The Inn at Saratoga and Lee’s for budget lodging near the Tent City scene.
Phish-Related Happenings
- Fan Meetups: Local events at venues like Putnam Place; check Facebook for updates.
- Tent City: Lee’s Park on Route 9P becomes a pop-up festival: campsites, vendors, music, and late-night hangs.
- Shakedown: Usually located in the main lot across Route 50 — vendors, live jams, and food galore. For more information, you can refer to: Shakedown Street (vending area) – Wikipedia and SPAC Shakedown/Logistics Tips Summer ’25 – Phish.net Forum.
- State Park: Explore Saratoga Spa State Park before the show: mineral springs, disc golf, and trails galore.
Aftershows
- Putnam Place – Regular Phish after-parties with cover bands and DJs.
- Downtown Bars: Many keep the party going late — Pint Sized, Hamlet & Ghost, and Druthers Brewing are top options.
