We have been to the arena many times over the years and sat in almost every block. Late last year, we went to experience the Beautiful North Suite to watch Louis Tomlinson on Faith in the Future World Tour.
The Beautiful North Suite is a super suite which has been created as part of the £50m plans to refurbish the arena. The box itself was created by knocking through three normal boxes to create the large super-suite which has a capacity for 34 people in total.
I was was directed to the VIP entrance and greeted by arena staff who asked for my details and if I had my ticket. I confirmed I hadn’t but had the emails, and she said it was fine and asked if I’d like my ticket as they printed them off, just in case.
Ticket in hand I was escorted in to the new VIP area (guests in a suite or who have booked The Mezz Restaurant and Bar package enter through their own designated entrance) and offered a glass of champagne. The area is lovely, with lots of music memorabilia on the walls it has very chilled and laid back feel. A fitting way to start your evening.
There were very few people in there as doors had only opened 15 minutes prior. I finished my drink, was offered another, and asked if I wanted to go to my suite.
I was then escorted through the arena by a member of staff who was very friendly, champagne in hand, to near block 114/115, where The Beautiful North Suite is located.
Upon arrival, I was introduced to suite attendant Sophie, who welcomed me and took me inside, showing me where she’d set me up to eat, which had a phenomenal view of the arena bowl and stage. She then explained that there was only a further six people booked into the suite that night ( it can hold up to 34 people).
I was told that due to so few people in the suite, I could ignore the number on my ticket and sit anywhere on the balcony.
She brought me a drink and explained the menu and drink; it’s essentially like tapas. You get everything on it.
And any drink that does not have a price on it on the menu is included.
I was the only person in the suite until the end of the first support act, Rachel Chinouriri, who was wonderful, and you can see her headlining venues like this in a few years. So I got to chat well with Sophie, who told me more about the suite.
By the second act, The Academics, a band I’d go see again, the suite had more occupants, but Sophie had spaced us all out so that we weren’t on top of each other, and it felt incredibly private.
I moved to the balcony as Louis came on, with a fresh drink from Sophie. His set was phenomenal. He knows how to put on a show and made a huge space like the AO arena feel like a very intimate gig as he’s a master at being able to connect with his audience.
Once the gig ended, she gave me a wristband for access to the afterparty in the Electric Lounge and told me how to get there. She also gave me the last bit of the menu a bottle of water, and the “one for the road” sandwich.
Making my way to the electric Lounge was easy enough, just had to keep showing the wristband.
Once in there I was warmly welcomed and there as DJ and saxophone player. The only downside is drinks in here are not included in the package and you have to pay which is a huge oversite in my opinion given the service being offered.
Over all, it was an amazing evening, great music from Louis and a wonderful time in the suite courtesy of Sophie who was so welcoming and made it such a wonderful evening to relax and enjoy all of Louis’s amazing songs.
You can find out more about The Beautiful North Suite here!
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