Absolutely incompetent. Do not attend any event here even if it's your favourite artist. Ableist staff as well. The sound quality is horrible. Staff were so rude and standoffish. Literally all the security have sticks up their freaking arses and act like you're causing them a huge annoyance for asking some bloody questions. They can't even do their jobs properly as I was able to pass through VIP with no wristband Like go get some counselling if the job is so stressful instead of putting all your trauma on innocent patrons. I would say get another job if you hate your job so much, but unfortunately no one would want to hire you and your non existent interpersonal skills. Acting so tough and macho at a Kpop concert is laughable. Even at a bigger venues like Rod Laver Arena or even The Forum, they are so friendly and can joke around with patrons and do such a great job at providing an awesome experience and night. Literally not a single braincell like mate, learn the difference between tickets and passout. Unfortunately that was the worst concert I have ever attended due to all the staff and security in blue and the grey and black. Hope you got off ruining my night though Venue also owned by some duds. DO NOT SUPPORT.

I had the best experience with staff here a few weeks ago, helping me with accessibility assistance while I have a broken leg & on crutches and still wanted to attend a show. The staff allowed me to park right near the venue and escorted me from my car to the designated disabled platform, and then back out again at the end of the night. All of the staff were so pleasant, kind, considerate and helpful from the moment I sent the first email. I really felt like they went above and beyond to ensure I could still have a good night. The platform was also in a good spot with a good line of sight to the stage! Thank you so much to everyone who helped me <3

Have been to many gigs here and have loved them all. Only issues are minor, space and exit strategies are terrible. Especially in covid times they lock the 4 big main doors and everyone shuffles out shoulder to shoulder at a snails pace. Merch stands weren't super accessible for me and I'm sure they do their best and it isn't the bands fault but I find the sound is not fantastic for vocals. Nothing against the singers in the slightest, Great voices, just bad acoustics. Otherwise, a great venue with great memories. Parked in an almost empty street 3 blocks down. Less than 5 min walk. Easy exit from the city back to Gtown.

Festival Hall is the worst music venue in Melbourne. The venue is generally over-sold which makes it impossible to get around. The toilets and bar are at the back of the venue so if you have gotten yourself into a position where you can actually see the band god help you if you need to go to the bathroom at any point. No pass outs are allowed, so we always need to time when we go into the venue accordingly. At the end of the gig they didn't let people out of the front entry doors, just the rear, which meant a very slow congested waddled exit On a positive note, the sound was on point for the recent Living End gig.

Festival Hall has been one of Melbourne's most recognisable and well-known entertainment venues for more than half a century, holding a variety of various concerts and events. I've attended a wide range of different concerts and events, but this was the first place I ever went to see live music, many years ago. I will always cherish Festival Hall because it is a wonderful setting that effortlessly ties to a variety of genres and cultures and appeals to all audiences.

The venue itself is not bad but the security team do a lot of unnecessary things such as stop allowing patrons taking water to the standing area or inside the venue. It's a fundamental human right to have access to water and it was disgusting to see people faint when they were trying to enjoy a show. Further, the security team treat everyone like a threat, which is so 2001 and exercise power like they own the place. That alone is reason enough to rate the venue down.

Easily the worst live music venue in Melbourne, if not Victoria. Hell, maybe even Australia. Just saw The Living End, who were amazing. But my god, the venue is shambolic. Patrons enter through a door next to the stage, so they have to fight through the crowd to get anywhere. The toilets are located down narrow, twisting hallways, and are blocked by the bar line. The whole joint smells like urine. Seriously, how they manage to book decent acts is beyond me.

Ive seen denzel curry and genesis owusu here. Seated area was a bit uncomfortable but not a big deal since youre standing for most of the time youre there. If youre up against the barricade, security doesnt pass out water in cups, but instead squirts water from water bottles into peoples mouths. Other venues ive been to simply pass out water in cups so i have no idea why they do this. Entering and leaving the venue is fine

Great venue. Really easy to make sure you’re getting in at the correct door. All seats are good seats here. I was worried initially booking the seat that we would be elevated and have to strain to see the stage but that wasn’t the case at all. The only negative is the high school gym seats but it means lots of people can be seated that can’t/dont want to stand. So really great spot :)

Water your pits, went to idles, full concert absolutly no water provided for the pit. I don't care about your political leanings and how it affects your treatment of alternative crowds heat exhaustion and dehydration will cause serious injury potentially even death and not taking actions to alleviate it will lead to someone getting seriously hurt.

It was great seeing a recent band play but this has got to be the worst venue I’ve been to, the standing area was way too overcrowded. No doubt the venue were just greedy in selling way more tickets than what the capacity is as there was no room to move! Absolutely squashed in like sardines. P.s also caught Covid

Could not be any more grateful to be meeting God at this place week after week. Will forever be thankful for the church we have come to know for five years now, the friends we have come to do life with, and the relationship we have built with Jesus. Thank you our Hillsong Church, home indeed!

Great venue, I saw my first band here over 20 years ago, the drinks que was ridiculous and once getting to the bar the cause was clear, poorly trained staff struggling with basic till functions, concert, sound and lighting was amazing though, go Iggy pop and happy birthday.

sooo loud even from outside the venue! the lining up at different doors thing was a bit confused and nerve-wracking as my friends and i were split up but once we got in it was good!! there was a bit of a crowd crush as we were leaving but it ended up okay

On the whole, a pretty decent venue. The sound was good, the layout a little weird.... We stood in the general admission which was great but i felt bad for the people seated at the sides, would have been a bad view and I believe no alcohol

Went to see Iggy Pop and had a brilliant time for my first Festival Hall concert. The staff are laid back and up for a chat, there are plenty of bars which are easy to access and priced at about 10 dollars a beer and 12 dollars for a pre

Great venue, don't get me wrong. Saw my first gig here and now my most recent. However I came late for the headliner and was near the exit/entrance all night, ten minutes before the gig finished they fenced off the exit and beefed up the

3 is a bit harsh. It has real history and is a nice 5K venue for things like Royal Blood - which was awesome. But, it has those moulded chairs in the seating area. Nobody in their right mind uses those anymore. Needs to change to flip up

Pros: sound is good (should have more bass) Bar and toilet facilities are good. Watched Tiesto (twice 10 years apart) both incredible nights. Cons: ventilation and air conditioning sucks, big time. It becomes like a furnace in there.

The venue had limited viewing options, no extra screen if you were sitting on the side. The stage was also very small and the microphone wasn’t very loud making it hard to hear at times. Very difficult to find the different gates.

Festival hall is now the home of Hillsongs Church Melbourne city campus. It has changed in a good way since the new Interim Global Senior Pastor Phil & Lucinda Dooley have taken over. They appear much more vibrant and real.

Great atmosphere. Staff were extremely helpful when trying to find the right entrance. There is a cloakroom on site. Seats on the sides are not the most comfortable, but when the show starts, you don't notice anymore

Venue was ok but the female toilets are very far away and very difficult to get to, almost got crushed by the crowd just walking there. Venue was very overcrowded. The security guards were quite rude.

Rustic, reminded me of an old school country dance all. Wait to enter and gates and doors were confusing not a lot of communication from staff, searing poorly labelled. Card purchases only no cash.

Excellent place to head into too for a concert, the place is great. Location is really easy to get to with public transport and even if you get dropped off or picked up super easy to get around.

Fantastic venue with excellent visibility to the stage. Huge and open, so avoid the usual cramped feeling at shows, but still maintains the intimacy that gets lost at arena shows.

Still very old and sad interior .. but brings back memories and when the bad is great like The Living End .. who cares about the plastic dirty old chairs and sticking toilets.

Absolute rubbish place the security was so mean not letting you bring water in and always telling you to put your bag in the locker and stuff very mean securities

Attended a concert recently, the sound system definitely needs some upgrades and improvement. Luckily the singer and his fantastic band performed incredibly well.

Great live venue. Awesome to be able to visit a place my parents went in their youth. Drink prices not too brutal. Dunnys could do with an upgrade/more of them.

Will never hate this venue, the og rave venue, perfect size and always such a fun time! Glad they didn't sell it off to developers, it such an iconic venue.

Good spot and easy to get too from the West, if footscray Road is open!!! Well run event, without any issues. Strange bar setup, but seemed to work.

Toilets were disgusting and the bar was in a little crack den downstairs without any TVs or anything to show you what's happening upstairs on stage

This is a great small but spacious venue for an intimate little concert with performers/artists. I liked the vibe and their friendly staff.

Terrible venue, but so Melbourne. I saw so many iconic 70s, 80's, 90's bands there. I'd hate it if it changed. Gabba Gabba Hey!

Used to be... well magic. It's still a good venue but the fact that hilling own it, really leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Seats were a bit small. Arena was easy to navigate and the staff were super helpful and friendly.

Few minutes walk from station. Decent enough venue. Would go again

Great venue for live music! More intimate than the stadiums….

Thank you...i love this place...nature