Rhyl Events Arena, East Parade, Rhyl LL18 3AG
Rhyl is a new venue for James and looks to be an interesting one for those of us who are going there on 8th July. Situated on the North Wales coast, Rhyl is around 70 miles from Manchester, and a 90 minute drive. Many of us who grew up around Manchester in the 1970s and 1980s will have memories of school trips out to Rhyl and next-door Prestatyn but the towns have experienced something of a decline in recent years, although there have been attempts to regenerate it, and the Events Arena is one of those newer, open air attractions which has brought much-needed revenue into the town.
Unlike some of the prettier and more tourist-friendly rural towns further into Wales, Rhyl is very much a standard town, with the usual array of chain shops and pubs – rather like Llandudno, for those who went there. If we have a sunny day, the beach is directly behind the arena and you can walk along the promenade.
The venue is an attractive, circular, open air arena, enclosed from the sea front by a wall and surrounded by gardens and seating areas.
Getting there
Car – Postcode for the venue is LL18 3AG and there are several car parks nearby, but check their closing times. Prices are around £7 for the day, but some are free after 5pm so only pay til then.
Rhyl Central Car Park (v close to venue) – DO NOT USE – CLOSES 9PM
White Rose Shopping Car Park – DO NOT USE – CLOSES 6PM
East Parade – LL18 3SG – open car park next to the Travelodge – 2 mins walk
Sky Tower Car Park – LL18 1HF – large 2m height car park on sea front by Sky Tower – 7 mins walk
Morley Road – LL18 3LR – large open car park near to station – 9 mins walk
West Kinmel Street – LL18 1DA – large open car park near to station – 14 min walk
Train – Rhyl station has direct trains from Manchester and Chester but the last train leaves before the end of the gig and therefore you will need to either have a lift back or accommodation. The station is about 10 minutes walk from the arena, along the High Street to the sea front.
Accommodation – most of the available accommodation in the town is now booked up, but if you check Booking.com for nearby Prestatyn, Mold, Denbigh, Colwyn Bay or Llandudno, there should be more to choose from there.
Eat and Drink
Lots of the usual places to eat – McDonalds, Costa, Subway, KFC, Greggs etc, along the High Street in the town, along with ice cream and smaller cafes along the sea front. Previous gig reviews have mentioned catering within the venue being of good quality, if a bit pricey.
Near to the Premier Inn, on West Parade, there are lots of takeaways and the Cookhouse & Pub, which looks to be a sit-down café and pub with breakfast from 7am and a pub food menu. The Corner Café is another nearby café doing breakfast and café food til 8pm.
The best place for a meet up looks to be a pub, carvery and restaurant called The Sun Verge, LL18 3AF, which is right next to the venue, on the sea front and by the Travelodge and the East Parade Car Park, with seating outside and inside.
There are also several pubs in the central High Street area – The Sussex is the town’s Wetherspoons and The George is another nearby pub, along with smaller bars dotted around.
Things to do
As you would expect, there are lots of amusement arcades and seaside attractions – walk along the prom or visit the SeaQuarium close to the venue – or even bring your swimming costume and go to the revamped Rhyl Sun Centre!
Google Map of the town, with the venue, recommended parking, along with a few of the pubs mentioned
James Fanzone 
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