Concert Guru

Located off of the gaming floor at Resorts World Catskills, the indoor 2,500 seat Epicenter is the live performance venue within the main casino/hotel building that has hosted multiple events.

Live music has included the likes of Clint Black, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, and Rick Springfield. Stand-up comedy acts have included Sebastian Maniscalco, Kevin James, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, and Jerry Seinfeld (the inaugural act to open the Epicenter).  Boxing matches are fairly sporadic, though not nearly on the same level of Vegas-quality bouts.

This event center is about as basic as venues come, with a very "this is just an oversized conference room" feel to it, with carpeted floors and office-type chairs for seating.

Entering the main area, there is typically a merch table between the sets of doors.  There is also a drinks cart located to the left side.  Bathrooms are located to the right of the doors before entering the venue itself, as well as more across the hallway from the entrance to Epicenter, next to the RW Food Hall.  Additionally, following the hallway on the left past the drink cart will lead you outside to a smoking area (smoking is not allowed anywhere in the casino/hotel building).

Tickets are scanned before entering the venue itself, so you're free to come and go as you please throughout the building until show time.

Upon entering the venue floor, seating is pretty straightforward.  The layout of seating is a simple layout of rows, with ample room in the walkways between sections and on the sides.  On each side of the stage you'll find a drinks cart on either side.  There are also VIP "sky boxes" located in the back, which are accessed from the 2nd floor poker rooms/conference area.

Across from the main entrance is the RW Food Hall, for a quick bite before the show (think food court fare). There are also multiple restaurants on the ground floor around the casino.  24/7 Bistro, down the hallway past the hotel check-in desks, provides standard diner fare.  Lotus provides authentic Chinese fare (located on the gaming floor).  Good Friends also provides authentic Asian fare (located on the gaming floor).  Dos Gatos Cantina (classic Mexican food) is also located in the nearby Alder hotel (a short walk outside).  There are also multiple bars located on the gaming floor.

*Guru Tip*:  Cellaio, an Italian inspired steakhouse, whose menu is curated by renowned restaurateur Scott Conant (also a judge on Food Network's Chopped), is highly recommended for a pre-show meal, located around the corner from the 24/7 Bistro. (I personally recommend the 16 oz. ribeye.)  Be forewarned, though, Cellaio is the most expensive dining option at Resorts Word Catskills!  Expect to spend $200+ per couple for dinner.

Sadly, for the $1 billion spent on building this entire casino complex, this event center is very lackluster.  While it's good enough for a stand-up comedy show, the entire carpeted Epicenter gives off a slightly old school vibe because of the lighting fixtures, mixed with the aforementioned conference room feeling (they do have movable divider doors to use this space for conferences as well).  For the likes of older acts, staying seated works fine, though for more "lively" acts, it doesn't really feel like a place you'd be excited to see a show and dance around in.  Admittedly, I haven't attended a boxing event here, though I feel like it would be just as "meh" to sit there and watch because of the conference room vibe to it, even if the seating is a standard boxing ring with seats around it.

Overall, this is one of the most underwhelming places I've been to, for any type of event.  It's good enough for what it is, but don't expect, say, Kenny Chesney, to be playing here...ever. (Comparatively speaking, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, which only cost $300 more the RW Catskills, has a full-blown arena large enough to be the home of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun and hosts concerts to the likes of Dave Matthews Band.)

Scores

Getting There: 10/10

Located just off of Route 17 (future Interstate 86) in Monticello, NY, approximately 90 minutes north of NYC.  (The exit for Resorts World Catskills is only two exits before the exit for Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.)  Very easy to get to, with two lanes entering and exiting.  The traffic circle when leaving to get back onto Route 17 is slightly confusing if it's your first time here, so be sure to use caution.  Additionally, charter bus trips are organized from NYC, with the bus lounge being located right next to Epicenter.

Cleanliness: 10/10

There isn't much to be said about cleanliness of the Epicenter. It is always spotless, and all of the restrooms are kept very clean.

Production Quality: 5/10

While there's certainly nothing to complain about in regards to sound quality or lighting for its needs, it certainly doesn't come close to the quality found at ampitheaters or arenas.  Really it's just standard stage lighting and speakers.

Food/Drink Options: 5/10

While there are multiple choices for food throughout the casino/hotel complex in different price ranges, none are located within the confines of the Epicenter, though none are very far walks from it.  The drinks offered at the drink carts within the Epicenter typically contain the same small assortment of drinks at all of them.  A couple of beers, sodas, water, and canned mixed drinks, usually.

Parking: 10/10

There is a parking garage attached to the main casino/hotel.  When exiting the elevators from the parking garage, make two right turns and Epicenter will be on your right side a short walk away.  There is also ample outdoor parking between the main building at the nearby Alder Hotel.  Traffic is pretty much non-existent all the time, which makes leaving an event very fast and stress-free.  Additionally, a large portion of crowds typically head to the casino or to their hotel rooms after a show, which makes leaving the parking area even easier. 

Other Amenities: 5/10

There is free wi-fi throughout the Epicenter/casino/hotel complex.  Cell service rarely, if ever, works in the parking garage, but is otherwise not a concern on the entire property.  If gambling is up your alley, this is a full casino, including table games of all types and plenty of slot machines.  Live local bands also perform on the gaming floor.  The main hotel is very nice and the rooms are spacious and comfortable.  The biggest perk is definitely being able to just walk to the elevators to go to your hotel room after an event at Epicenter.  However, for holidays and special events, room prices are greatly overpriced for the location of this casino/hotel/event center (think $500+ for New Years Ever up in the lower Catskill mountains).

Overall: 3/10 

While the above scores might indicate otherwise, when it comes down to the Epicenter itself for a concert, it's probably the last place I'd choose to go.  It's definitely clean and easy to get in and out of of, and while good enough for slower, oldies type of music or a comedy show, it isn't nearly large enough, or of good enough quality for current bands to choose to come to, which is why events are becoming more and more rare here (currently only a cover artist of Elvis, another of Barry Manilow, and The Drifters are the only ones on the current schedule).  Additionally, the only other food options nearby are located one exit up Route 17, and consist mainly of a small handful of fast food restaurants.  One perk to being a member of their loyalty program, however, is that tickets for events are often given away for free based on your gambling tier status, if you're a pretty constant visitor.  The location of the much larger concert-quality Bethel Woods Center for the Arts ampitheater, located just 16 miles away, is also another big factor why any "big name" events during the Memorial Day to Labor Day period are rare to come by at the Epicenter.