Convention Center in Rupp Arena…

[BigBlue1992]

Just wondering because I’ve yet to hear why.. but does anyone know why they did away with all the restaurants and shops and stuff in the convention center in Rupp Arena? I assume they’re still not there? Is it because Central Bank took over?

The last game we went to against Kansas the year before last, we got there early and everything was being renovated but according to the internet it looks like they never really added anything.

We’ll be at the game Tuesday night and it sucks because that was always one of my favorite parts of going to the games was to sit in the convention center and listen to pregame.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wardlow]

It still looked pretty bare in there Saturday. There are a few places across the plaza like Pies and Pints. KSBar is a couple of minutes away. No one asks if you like Matt before you enter..

Others will know much more than me though, I don’t make it to Lexington very often.

 

[Stretch98]

The decision was made to focus on the best possible exposition and meeting facilities in the space and rely on the business community to create and grow the dining and shopping options in the surrounding area. Rather than have another bland generic food court like at any mall, they handed off that aspect to restaurant developers. There are now 50+ decent places to eat within walking distance, including many of the finest restaurants in all of Lexington.

 

[jmw23712]

Going to LexLive is the next closest experience. It’s not the same, but it’s as good as we’re going to get now that they made the convention center soulless.

 

[blue cincy]

Just wondering because I’ve yet to hear why.. but does anyone know why they did away with all the restaurants and shops and stuff in the convention center in Rupp Arena? I assume they’re still not there? Is it because Central Bank took over?

The last game we went to against Kansas the year before last, we got there early and everything was being renovated but according to the internet it looks like they never really added anything.

We’ll be at the game Tuesday night and it sucks because that was always one of my favorite parts of going to the games was to sit in the convention center and listen to pregame.

Thanks in advance!

Go across the street to Lex Live. Food good and such.

 

[Stretch98]

Not sure I get the "soulless" comment but to me, the sports bar at LexLive with several about 16' x 10' video screens, real menu choices and a wide selection of adult beverages kicks the sh** out of the dingy old food court in the convention center.

 

[BigBlue1992]

Appreciate the replies yall!

I used to go to about 3 or 4 games a year as I’m only about an hour and a half from Lexington but over the last several years being busy with work it’s hard to make it sometimes.

I figured it was because they wanted nicer restaurants and stuff in there. I do miss the old setup though.

Thanks again!

 

[NociHTTP]

I looked up some reviews on LexLive, and let's just say that it's not as great as some in here think.

 

[TheDude73]

It still looked pretty bare in there Saturday. There are a few places across the plaza like Pies and Pints. KSBar is a couple of minutes away. No one asks if you like Matt before you enter..

Others will know much more than me though, I don’t make it to Lexington very often.

KSBar is a dump. Service sucks.

I actually like the huge LexLive - plenty of space and great TVs. And for big games you're bound to see an ex-UK player or two in there before and after. I met MKG there last February while in town for a work trip. Just sitting at the bar with a buddy eating an app.

But to the OP, I HATE that they turned Rupp into a convention center. Dead. I loved going down those escalators to Yesterday's and all the shops and seeing the sea of blue everywhere. But the answer to your question can always be tied back to "money/profit". Someone saw a need and an opportunity to make money off of a convention center. No idea if they are actually succeeding because I don't live there to see any activity.

 

[TheDude73]

I looked up some reviews on LexLive, and let's just say that it's not as great as some in here think.

It's not, but it's leagues better than the craphole KSBar. Pies & Pints is usually my pregame go-to. LexLive is the after game night cap.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

KSBar is a dump. Service sucks.

I actually like the huge LexLive - plenty of space and great TVs. And for big games you're bound to see an ex-UK player or two in there before and after. I met MKG there last February while in town for a work trip. Just sitting at the bar with a buddy eating an app.

But to the OP, I HATE that they turned Rupp into a convention center. Dead. I loved going down those escalators to Yesterday's and all the shops and seeing the sea of blue everywhere. But the answer to your question can always be tied back to "money/profit". Someone saw a need and an opportunity to make money off of a convention center. No idea if they are actually succeeding because I don't live there to see any activity.

Yeah. Fun times n my childhood going to those shops and stores and food places. They had the museum there as well.

 

[Catluv]

I looked up some reviews on LexLive, and let's just say that it's not as great as some in here think.

Just curious how you come to the conclusion that LexLive is no good by some reviews but discount what other folks think. I went there with low expectations and was blown away by their burger. One of the best burgers I have had anywhere!!

 

[TheDude73]

Yeah. Fun times n my childhood going to those shops and stores and food places. They had the museum there as well.

Yep, I bought a rectangular framed Rupp photo with a nice layout and all the championships (pre-2012) at that one shop down by the food court seating.

Yesterday's was the best, though. Never ate there, but always had pre-game drinks and sometimes pool. But the best part was the sea of blue coming and going on those escalators. Then trying to chug that last massive can of beer at the Rupp doors in front of the State Trooper.

 

[BlueSince92]

It's boring now. Back when it was cool I randomly walked into Tiffany shopping there. The Tiffany.

 

[Col. Angus]

I miss the old food court because all the shops and food was RIGHT THERE. Escalators indoors. Ain’t gotta go outside and walk down the ****in street.

Was an awful choice for convenience. The mall and food court ****in ruled.

 

[NociHTTP]

Just curious how you come to the conclusion that LexLive is no good by some reviews but discount what other folks think. I went there with low expectations and was blown away by their burger. One of the best burgers I have had anywhere!!

Your comment makes no sense, and you strike me as someone easily impressed. The bad reviews confirm that things are not as great as some here say they are. That simple enough for you? And there is far more to going out to eat than "getting a burger". I factor in the environment, the service, the price, all those sorts of things. Maybe try reading some reviews yourself?

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

Once upon a time there was nothing like dining at deSha's on game day.

 

[Stretch98]

I looked up some reviews on LexLive, and let's just say that it's not as great as some in here think.

The only dining review that my friends and I care much about is our own and the sports bar in LexLive has worked for us. To be sure, there are far better restaurants in Lexington. They are not catering to gourmet diners. On the other hand, the video experience in there is world class and the food is fine for a convenient meal before or after an event in Rupp. It is directly opposite the High Street entrance which is the best access to our seats and we park at a church on High which is a straight shot to the car. It is a pretty amazing facility design-wise and they spared no expense. You should check it out and form your own opinion like we did.

 

[KAB Cats]

I like Lex Live but I miss the vibe of the mall pregame. It was always electric for big games. I assume no one went other than about 20 days a year though.

 

[KAB Cats]

I looked up some reviews on LexLive, and let's just say that it's not as great as some in here think.

Yea you go there to drink beer, eat shitty bar food and watch sports. You don’t need a review for that.

 

[CastleRubric]

I like Lex Live but I miss the vibe of the mall pregame. It was always electric for big games. I assume no one went other than about 20 days a year though.

What was the mall pregame you're talking about?

Like something at faytette mall?
UK
Band or something?

 

[Padsfs07]

I looked up some reviews on LexLive, and let's just say that it's not as great as some in here think.

I’ve never had a bad experience there. If you stick with something simple like a burger or the tacos, you’d be fine. Also they have massive TVs with sports on and drinks. The service was really bad when they first opened so a lot of the reviews were about that, similar to the Parlour right now.

I go to the movie theatre there too. It’s really nice.

 

[chroix]

What was the mall pregame you're talking about?

Like something at faytette mall?
UK
Band or something?

There was a mall that was attached. When I lived there it had dwindled down to not a lot. Orvis was in there. A few other shops. Food court was just a sad shell. Always felt like high odds for food poisoning to me.

 

[KAB Cats]

There was a mall that was attached. When I lived there it had dwindled down to not a lot. Orvis was in there. A few other shops. Food court was just a sad shell. Always felt like high odds for food poisoning to me.

Yea you didn’t go for food. You go for beer, talk with opposing fans, go to the UK store… also, that hole in the wall pool hall and then you head to the hotel upstairs to get another beer.

That was the best

 

[BigBlue1992]

What was the mall pregame you're talking about?

Like something at faytette mall?
UK
Band or something?

In the hours before Rupp Arena allowed people into the actual arena, people would sit in the mall area with restaurants, shops, and whatever and could listen to Cameron Mills and those guys do pregame. It was awesome! It was one of the highlights of going to the game in my opinion. It was hard to get a seat so you’d have to get there early but you could just park and wouldn’t have to worry about driving anymore until after the game because it was all connected to Rupp.

 

[CastleRubric]

There was a mall that was attached. When I lived there it had dwindled down to not a lot. Orvis was in there. A few other shops. Food court was just a sad shell. Always felt like high odds for food poisoning to me.

Ahhhh
I do remember moving here about five years ago and Rupp started renovating soon after.

Would that have been the timeframe for the mall?

I remember ballroom style spaces and some food back then

 

[CastleRubric]

In the hours before Rupp Arena allowed people into the actual arena, people would sit in the mall area with restaurants, shops, and whatever and could listen to Cameron Mills and those guys do pregame. It was awesome! It was one of the highlights of going to the game in my opinion. It was hard to get a seat so you’d have to get there early but you could just park and wouldn’t have to worry about driving anymore until after the game because it was all connected to Rupp.

I think I JUST missed that edition of Rupp - or - got here RIGHT before it was renovated

 

[oldsports_]

The only dining review that my friends and I care much about is our own and the sports bar in LexLive has worked for us. To be sure, there are far better restaurants in Lexington. They are not catering to gourmet diners. On the other hand, the video experience in there is world class and the food is fine for a convenient meal before or after an event in Rupp. It is directly opposite the High Street entrance which is the best access to our seats and we park at a church on High which is a straight shot to the car. It is a pretty amazing facility design-wise and they spared no expense. You should check it out and form your own opinion like we did.

4.1* out of 5 review. Not shabby at all.
It's turrible I'm telling ya, just turrible!
BTW, Pope is turrible, Williams is turrible, Pope is turrible too.

 

[BigBlue1992]

I think I JUST missed that edition of Rupp - or - got here RIGHT before it was renovated

Yep that’s probably about right! I hadn’t gone to a game since like 2018 and the next time was the year before last and it was all there in 2018 but not the last time I went.

 

[Emarc]

Any old folks remember “the magic pan?” Served crepes where pool hall eventually went in food court.

 

[Kybluedude]

Kentucky Korner was always a good place to kill time. Yesterday’s was a dark pregame spot. Always wondered what it was like on non game nights. Did they have every night regulars?

 

[NociHTTP]

The only dining review that my friends and I care much about is our own and the sports bar in LexLive has worked for us. To be sure, there are far better restaurants in Lexington. They are not catering to gourmet diners. On the other hand, the video experience in there is world class and the food is fine for a convenient meal before or after an event in Rupp. It is directly opposite the High Street entrance which is the best access to our seats and we park at a church on High which is a straight shot to the car. It is a pretty amazing facility design-wise and they spared no expense. You should check it out and form your own opinion like we did.

No thanks. Reviews are there for a reason. I've been burned too many times over the years with your mindset. Things are too expensive to go around being a guinea pig.

 

[NociHTTP]

I used to love going to Tally Ho's when it was at the original location. Last time we went to a Tally Ho's (after Pope's introduction) the girl at the register couldn't correctly count back change from a $20 bill.

 

[KAB Cats]

No thanks. Reviews are there for a reason. I've been burned too many times over the years with your mindset. Things are too expensive to go around being a guinea pig.

You’re literally talking to people who have probably been there a lot.

I’d share my pregame secrets but then people would show up.

Like the upstairs bar at Lex Live.

Shh

 

[blubo]

Yep, I bought a rectangular framed Rupp photo with a nice layout and all the championships (pre-2012) at that one shop down by the food court seating.

Yesterday's was the best, though. Never ate there, but always had pre-game drinks and sometimes pool. But the best part was the sea of blue coming and going on those escalators. Then trying to chug that last massive can of beer at the Rupp doors in front of the State Trooper.

the beer was very reasonably priced too as i remember

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Yeah. Fun times n my childhood going to those shops and stores and food places. They had the museum there as well.

Hadn’t thought about the museum for a while.

That was a must visit for out of towners back in the day.

Now our pregame goto is Nic and Norman’s.

Take an Uber there about an hour and a half before the game. Then walk over to Rupp.

 

[Col. Angus]

Yea you go there to drink beer

With your pinky up

 

[KAB Cats]

With your pinky up

Only way I drink my Dylan Mulvaney branded Budweiser

 

[TheDude73]

Hadn’t thought about the museum for a while.

That was a must visit for out of towners back in the day.

Now our pregame goto is Nic and Norman’s.

Take an Uber there about an hour and a half before the game. Then walk over to Rupp.

Nic & Norman's makes the best old fashioned I've ever had in my life. I sat there one night last year and that bartender fed me 4 of them. Thankfully, my hotel was just around the corner...

 

[KAB Cats]

Anyone know if Grey Goose is still around? Haven’t tried in a few years. That was another solid pregame spot because can park there and get out easy