Red Rocks: Inside the Venue

Navigating the Venue

When you first get inside the venue, we recommend going to your seats first, especially if you're sitting in general admission. This way you can get the best seats possible and familiarize yourself with your seats to make your life easier for the rest of the night. You can also reserve your spot with a blanket before getting concessions, going to the bathroom or buying merch.

If you're looking for more detailed information about concession stands, you can find that information on our Red Rocks Food and Drink guide. We update that page seasonally so it's always up-to-date

Merch

There are three merch tents located in Red Rocks. The first being at the top plaza right by the Top Circle Entrance. The second is located at the bottom of the venue located by the South Gate. Finally, the third is by the North Gate. The lines for merch are usually longest before the show. This makes sense, because nobody wants to miss any of the performance, and they see the merch tents right as they walk inside the venue. That being said, if you expect to purchase any merch, we recommend entering the venue at door time so you have plenty of time to get in line and make your purchase. Also, you don’t want to get there too late while the line is wrapped around the venue and possibly miss out on your favorite items because they could sell out. To see exactly where the merch tents are, take a look at the Red Rocks Amenity Map.

Smoking

Red Rocks does allow smoking in designated smoking areas. These areas are located on the stairs to either side of the seating area between Rows 30 and 70. Smoking in your seats is strictly prohibited and grounds for expulsion from the event. We recommend adhering to these rules, as venue personnel can be extremely strict about this. You can find the designated smoking areas on our the Red Rocks Amenity Map.

Marijuana is prohibited in Red Rocks, though that is sometimes only loosely enforced. Many patrons ignore this rule and indulge in their seats.

Bathrooms

One of the most underrated parts of the concert experience at Red Rocks is the bathrooms. The last thing anybody wants to do is miss out on their favorite artist or their favorite song because they were waiting in line for the bathrooms. For a detailed map showing where the bathrooms are located in the venue, check out the Red Rocks Amenity Map towards the top of this page!

Typically, the fastest bathroom lines at Red Rocks are to the left of the stage (When you're facing the stage) just down the steps. The men's room is usually much shorter than the women's, but these lines usually move very quickly.

The best bathrooms are located in the visitor center, located on the north end of the top concourse. Lines are usually pretty short, because not many people know they are there. Plus they are especially luxurious as far as amphitheatre bathrooms go. On your way out of the bathroom, it's extremely easy to make a quick stop and get some more concessions on your way back to your seats as well.

If you go down the stairs to the right of the stage (as you're facing the stage), the bathrooms down there are gender neutral. There are several of them along this concourse. These lines are typically a bit shorter because they are further away from the seating area. That being said, even though these lines are shorter, it takes just as long to visit them because you have to get to them. It's best to tackle two birds with one stone and go to these bathrooms while you are getting concessions or buying merch.

Finally, if you are seated close to the top or back of the amphitheatre, there are bathrooms below the top concourse. Just head up to the concourse and make your way downstairs at the very back of the venue, on the left (Facing away from the stage, as if you were the artist performing on stage). The bathrooms are located inside in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Beware though, when it's cold these lines are much longer because they are inside and many people use the bathrooms as an excuse to seek shelter and warmth!

The Show

Now that you know everything there is to know about the pre-show secrets. Let's get down to the main purpose of your trip to Red Rocks. The Show!

Enjoy it. Soak it in. Take a moment to turn around and look at the moon rising between the venue's natural walls. Absorb the views of an incredible show with the Denver skyline lighting up the horizon. The beauty and the acoustics of Red Rocks are unmatched. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take every second you can to have fun and enjoy every part of it. It's always great to get photos and videos of the venue. But the best times are had when your phone is in your pocket, and you get to enjoy your favorite songs with your favorite people. The magic of Red Rocks is that it brings communities of people together over the shared love for live music and live events.

Whether you're up close or in the very back, every show at Red Rocks is an incredible one. If it's hot, cold, wet, or dry, nobody ever says they had a bad time at Red Rocks.

Red Rocks' Curfew is 11:00 PM, as enforced by the city of Morrison. Most shows end between 10:45 PM and 11:00 PM. When the show concludes, most people will rush to the exits to escape the traffic that overtakes Red Rocks Park. No different from leaving any other venue, it's a mass rush to the gates and to their vehicles. Who can get an Uber or Lyft first, before surge pricing really kicks in. Unfortunately, we don't have much a of a secret to avoid this other than leaving early, and we don't recommend that. Red Rocks is an experience that should be enjoyed to the fullest. So, hopefully if you follow all of our advice about pre-show planning, you'll be well-prepared to get out of the park easily and without a hitch, concluding a perfect night with a perfect ending.

Red Rocks Tickets

Now that you know what a show at Red Rocks looks like, what are you waiting for? It's time to buy tickets. Check out our Red Rocks tickets page, where you can browse events and find the perfect tickets for you!