Yes, I am lacking in the remote idea of a creative title these days. Yes, I realize I should be better than what I am in that department. However, I would be smitten if I didn't state that this title is pretty self explanatory. I finally (okay the area only has been operable since September, but given I went in mid-November, it seemed like years) got to go to the new Fiserv Forum. Most will remember this as the new Bucks arena in Milwaukee. For myself, it's the new ray of hope that kept the Bucks from going to Seattle (Seriously NBA, just give that city a stupid expansion team and quit the stupid relocation idea for every team.) I was on board with a new arena right from the off and was so glad that they got the arena. Below is what I think of the arena itself, the Bucks product, the concessions, and a feature of the arena district.
The arena from the outside seems like a great concept. Much ado about the roof about this arena was made but no one could tell it from the outside. From the outside, you look at a brightly lit arena with a very cool exterior. As you get closer to it, you see a masterwork in construction. The inside however, it can be a bit confusing to start if you haven't been there. You have to go different places to get to the upper level but it is easy as time goes on. The arena itself, it's much wider than the old Bradley Center. This is such a better idea because I didn't have to act small to get through a line anywhere (and yes that'll be a complaint I have for Lambeau Field.) I am glad for the wide concourses. So this is a massive plus to me. Now what do I think of the food/drinks?
The food is massively so much better than anything the Bradley Center had to offer. I personally had chicken, fries, ice cream and a hamburger through the game and it is so much better than anything the Bradley Center had. Yes it may have been with a slightly higher price but I am willing to pay for that with a better product, which is evident with the Fiserv Forum food. The drinks vary with what you want, but it is typically Coke products and it has a vast array of different alcoholic stands for those drinks. However, do expect regular arena prices for any of that. Now was about the product on the court itself?
The Bucks played Chicago on this Friday night, which was nationally televised by ESPN. The Bucks started very poorly, with Chicago getting as much as a 22-point lead in the first half. However, the Bucks in the second half turned the script on the Bulls and ended up winning by 20 plus points. The Bucks starting in the Fiserv Forum is made to happen as this is a place that the Bucks want to bring basketball back to high marks in the city of Milwaukee and to where they can compete for a championship. It has been a good year thus far to start for Milwaukee and they intend to keep it going for years to come. But the arena comes with one more separate twist, and that is outside.
The arena district is a bunch of different stores, restaurants and bars along with corporate space to do this with the arena around. This is similar to what Green Bay has going on, what St. Louis did with the Cardinals and what others are now doing around the nation. The Bucks came with the idea, which has stuck with the public and will look amazing when it is full with businesses and people. I think it is a fantastic idea for the people of Milwaukee to have things all year round and when there is a concert, Bucks game, Marquette game or different things going on to be able to see all around the arena and the district around this. I feel this is a very important part to the growth of Fiserv Forum going forward.
All in all, the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee has struck gold with Fiserv Forum. This will be a huge boom for the Bucks on the court and the fans because of the amount of amenities and the ability to be part of the process for the Bucks, or a concert or different things. It's a huge part to the downtown area because of the district that will be terrific when it is full. I feel Milwaukee and the Bucks should feel amazing going forward with this new arena and should be very glad that this got done.
