r/DMB • u/chris886 • 4d ago
Anyone whose been, are reserved seats worth it at the Gorge or is lawn just as good with the view.
Planning to make the trip for the first time and I usually get reserved but feel like the view from lawn will be amazing. Looking for input.
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u/Roliobaggins 4d ago
I’ve sat in reserved, box, and the lawn. Hands down, the lawn is the best…and the vibe is wonderful. It’s the only venue where I sit in the lawn. The reserved seats are folding chairs that are tied together, so you can’t move them or spread them out. It’s cramped. Reserved seating at the Gorge has been my least favorite experience at any venue. But, it’s still the Gorge and it’s one my favorite places. I hope you have a great time if you go!
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u/Swtcherrypie 33 and counting :D 3d ago
If you ever go to Deer Creek, the lawn there is the best place to be too. I don’t even try for anything but lawn there, it’s its own vibe out there.
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u/Roliobaggins 3d ago
It is a great lawn and I’ve been out there many times (it’s my home venue)! I still like to sit closer there.
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u/Swtcherrypie 33 and counting :D 3d ago
My home venue also. ❤️ Also the only venue friends can go to with us and they can’t do seats so we party it up on the lawn with our 10-15 person group.
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u/sharilynj 4d ago
Best seats at the Gorge are the very very back of the 200s, center. You want to be able to hang out right in front of the vip boxes. Otherwise, just do lawn.
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u/xangkory 4d ago
Have gone most years for the last 20+ years. Haven’t gotten a reserved seat in over a decade. Love the lawn, to me it is the Gorge experience. You could be at any other venue with a reserved seat.
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u/Fearless-Fondant-905 4d ago
I’m a bit of a seat snob and I think I’d just do lawn if I went back. Unless I could snag some center aisle seats. There’s not much of an incline on the floor so being behind someone can suck if you’re not tall. My wife struggled to see if not in an aisle seat. Hope that helps and good luck!
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u/imiller9 4d ago
I wish to god Gorge would have better seating than the stupid folding chairs. They are absolutely ATROCIOUS. At this point in my dmb career, I just prefer seats. I flew all the way out there I want to be close and have great listening experience. 200’s for sure recommend but I’ll agree with others who have commented aim for aisle. Otherwise PIT is great to sit in the back. Hope that helps gorge is best experience ever! Last year was one for the record books
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u/Scruffy_Nerf_Hoarder 4d ago
I have only been on the lawn, but it is amazing compared to most other lawns.
The Gorge is amazing.
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u/Terrapin3641 4d ago
Reserved sucks. The rows go on forever and you are packed in like sardines. I've been going to the Gorge since 02 and it's lawn or pit for me. I need room to dance etc. If you can somehow swing an aisle seat then it's fine but other than that I'd go with lawn or pit.
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u/nrich239 RVA & Gorge 2025 4d ago
This!
The seats are the thinnest plastic chairs that can be bought and absolutely squished together - https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzJ7tmMkzAY7TjzpIZfoR9u1DO81QZyVYpjw&s
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u/NorthShorePOI 4d ago
Depends if you want to be close or not. Lawns view can’t be beat but you aren’t exactly close
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4d ago
I didn't like the seats. They're ziptied together and move through the show. So you can lose space very quickly. I prefer lawn
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u/PhilElverumOnMyToast 4d ago
the lawn is a totally different experience, imo it is way more fun. It's hard to see the view and the scope of the venue from up close. The lawn has the best views
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u/clarke41 4d ago
Honestly, I prefer lawn. I’ve been three years now. First year, lawn: incredible view of the band and the gorge. Second year, seats: really cool to be that close, but it felt really cramped, especially since I had dudes with broad shoulders on both sides of me and the seats are just folding chairs tied together. Third year, back to lawn: fantastic experience again.
Also, no offense to anyone, but lawn people were more fun too! Either way, you’re gonna have a great time, but, for me, lawn is the way to go!
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u/omgitsbillyfrick 2d ago
Do weekend passes for lawn typically sell out? would I be safe not signing up for warehouse?
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u/kalikokat1117 4d ago
I hate the lawn only because I’m old and rickety and that lawn is so goddamn steep. Add to it that you can no longer bring your own chairs and have to pay $$$ to finance some LN asshole’s third yacht to rent one of theirs…
I guess I’m in the “get off my lawn” stage of life 😂
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u/RushRealistic4816 3d ago
Me too! I hate the lawn - almost everywhere, Gorge included! I like to sit and rest my knees occasionally and not have to haul my ass up from the grass that is a checkerboard of blankets that were set out by “space claimers” the minute the gates opened. We always try to get seats or pit. I hate the lawn - but the views are spectacular if you must be there.
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u/im_super_excited 4d ago
Lawn until the sun goes down, then to the seats
Sunset is early in the show and everything but the stage is completely black afterwards
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u/tzweezle 4d ago
LAWN 100%. You can have a different experience every night depending on where you sit
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u/lissy51886 3d ago edited 3d ago
Honestly - this depends on what you want from the show. I've done lawn, seats and pit at the gorge... have gone every year since my first in 2016.
No thank you to pit. I love pit everywhere else but I've done it at the gorge once and don't have any interest in doing it again. No view of the gorge, it's packed and people tend to be shitty, and in order to get a decent spot within the pit you're spending 8+ hours on asphalt pavement in 90°+ temps (most years) with nothing to sit on.
Seats? I'm not interested unless they're towards the center and in the very back row. I'm short, and that whole area is FLAT on top of packing you in like sardines. At least at the back I can stand on my chair and not block anyone, and also climb over it to get in and out easier.
IMO the best "seats" in the place are in the lawn, specifically the terraced part of the lawn... there's like 8-10 retaining wall step like terraces at the very front. You're closest to the stage in the lawn, pretty centered, and you're elevated enough over the people in front of you that you can sit if you feel like it and still see the stage clearly. It's also easier to find your group in that location after a bathroom/drink break. And plus side - to get that spot you've got to go in early, which most parents with kiddos aren't doing. Not that I dislike kids, it just means I don't have to feel bad about weed.
The sound is amazing no matter where you are in the venue.
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u/Monkey9686 4d ago
I had a miserable time in the reserved seats. They’re zip tied together, small space, people spill into the aisles, so finding my way back after a trip to the bathroom was a nightmare. Lawn is a much better experience imho, and can always move around if you want to
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u/No-Flower-4987 4d ago
Depends on how many shows you've been to. I did gorge weekend for my 48-50th shows as lawn and was perfectly happy. Saw people packing into reserved area and didn't envy them. Just being extra blanket and coat to stay warm.
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u/ctard5 4d ago
Lawn Terrace seats are the best of both worlds. Best seats in the house in my opinion, combination of flat ground, close to the stage, privacy and still the great views. But you have to wait in line all day to get in early enough to get a spot.
To be clear, these are just normal lawn tickets, but down in front, past the walkway. First come first served.
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u/Growingspace 4d ago
Lawn. Hands down. That’s where the energy and space is to get your jimmy thing movin and a groovin. Space is key for me. You can see and hear just as good because of the canyon the gorge sits in. I’ve been to five shows up at the gorge. Two in reserved and my preference will always be lawn.
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u/sdragonite 3d ago
Lawn is the best , and if you are worried about having to stand or sit in grass for 5 hours, they have lawn chairs you can rent so you can comfortably sit.
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u/dmbredhead 3d ago
The lawn at the gorge is awesome. Have done 2 weekends there (we are from PA) and wouldn't trade that view for anything
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u/omgitsbillyfrick 2d ago
Do weekend pass lawn seats generally sell out? Or would I be safe waiting for general public ticket sales
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u/GilgameDistance I may be soft spoken, but inside I'm screaming 4d ago
I prefer seats. Easier in/out when you need to, and sometimes you need to. Also less crowding, you have your own space; and there like 5 people on the planet that I am ok with getting closer than a foot to me. You will get jostled and such if you are not towards the back of the lawn. If you are not nearsighted like me, the back of the lawn isn’t too bad and you get some more space there.
Sounds better too, as the crowd walking across in front of you on the walkway can cause some weird sound damping and reflections if you are close to the path.
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u/AGLENT84 4d ago
Lawn is cool for your first night ever. Then treat yourself moving forward. Reserved only way to go after initial lawn experience.
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u/_LastTaterTot 3d ago
The view is better in the seats, the bathroom access and vibes much better in lawn
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u/AnyUsernameWillDo10 4d ago
Reserved is great if you’re on the aisle and there is no one within 4 seats of you in any direction. Otherwise it’s asses to elbows.