Since opening six years ago, Connexin Live has drawn a wealth of A-list artists to the city.
The venue, previously known as the Bonus Arena, has without a doubt proven to be a great addition to the city centre, helping put Hull on the map by attracting major touring musicians, comedians and other performers. As part of its most recent gig, Texas on September 3, it also unveiled its latest enhancement - the new Live Lounge.
For someone who is more akin to cramped, sweaty gigs to get as close to the act as possible, I've never thought of splashing the extra cash to have a VIP experience. The venue invited Hull Live down to try out the swanky new area, and eager to see how the other half live, I snapped up the chance.
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The Live Lounge package allows gig-goers to get into the venue early to get comfy and enjoy the amenities in a distinctively classy atmosphere. We arrived at about 6.30pm, the time when General Admission opened, and we saw the lengthy queue winding its way around the main doors.
However, those who had upgraded to the package were able to get in through Entrance C close to the Box Office, avoiding the queues.
The last time I was on the second floor of the venue was way back when at my graduation, but a member of staff was on hand to direct us to where we were going.
The £220,000 Live Lounge is the venue's biggest investment since it opened in 2018. The first thing we noticed was the atmospheric dark lighting with red LEDs, and that the place was booming with people taking full advantage of the early access. All the walls are decorated with photos from previous gigs throughout the lifetime of the venue.
Used to finding the cheapest boozer for pre-drinks before heading to a sticky-floored gig, this was a far cry from what I was used to. We grabbed a drink - in a proper pint glass - from the private bar and listened to the DJ playing some Stone Roses. A selection of premium beers, spirits, and cocktails are available, along with complimentary bar snacks.
There are dining options too with a "multi-course, small plate menu" served before the show if you're hungry. The Lounge also has its own cloakroom and merchandise reception, eliminating the need to visit the main concourses.
After a while, we took to our seats to watch the support act for the night - KT Tunstall - while the majority of people opted to stay within the Lounge to get their money's worth.
While it can be a bit of a nightmare to go for another drink at gigs once you're through the doors, this was quite a seamless refill.
Overall, the experience was quite the treat. I can imagine the Live Lounge package upgrade being a good present - my parents are hard of walking and don't like crowds, so I reckon they would huge appreciate the padded chair lifestyle for a treat.
As for the pair of us who were in our mid-twenties and used to slumming it at festivals, it was an interesting insight into how the other half live.
Tickets for the Live Lounge at future events at Connexin Live can be booked now
