What was the MGM Music Hall before?
A Time Machine for Movie Magic (and Occasional Explosions)
Before it became Boston’s premier spot for concerts that make your eardrums hum with joy, the MGM Music Hall was basically Hollywood’s secret backyard. Picture this: a cavernous soundstage where film crews once shot scenes involving exploding pizzas, CGI squirrels in tiny cowboy hats, and at least one rom-com where the lead tripped over a CGI curb. This was the former home of MGM’s New England studio—a place where “lights, camera, action” happened daily, unless someone forgot the coffee.
From Silver Screen Shenanigans to Sonic Shenanigans
In its past life, the venue wasn’t just about movies. It moonlighted as a:
- Sound wizard’s playground (ever wondered how a kazoo orchestra sounds in Dolby Atmos?),
- Actor therapy zone (method acting for tomato-throwing scenes is harder than it looks),
- Prop graveyard (RIP to the 200 fake potted plants from a single garden scene).
Rumor has it the walls still whisper lines from forgotten scripts, like *“I will never financially recover from this”* and *“Does this CGI dinosaur make my resume look big?”*.
A Building with More Rebrands Than a TikTok Influencer
Over the years, the space transformed faster than a Marvel hero mid-battle. After Hollywood packed up its inflatable dinosaurs, the venue flirted with being a corporate event hub, a pop-up escape room (*“Find the Oscar statue in 10 minutes or the director cries”*), and briefly, a storage unit for suspiciously shiny alien props. But its true calling? Becoming a music hall where the only explosions now are from guitar solos and overpriced arena nachos.
Some say if you listen closely during the encore, you can still hear a faint *“That’s a wrap!”* echoing from the rafters—or maybe it’s just the sound engineer cursing at a rogue microphone. Either way, the MGM Music Hall’s past is as gloriously weird as a disco-ball spaceship, and honestly, we’re here for it.
Can you bring a bag into MGM Music Hall?
Let’s cut to the chase: Yes, but only if your bag hasn’t been secretly training to become a hot air balloon. MGM Music Hall’s bag policy is stricter than a drum solo at 3 a.m.—small, sleek, and *absolutely* not plotting to smuggle in a sousaphone. Officially, bags must be under 12” x 12” x 6” (think clutch, not couch). Exceptions? Maybe if your bag’s name is “Mary Poppins’ Carpet Bag” and it’s invited to audition for *Bandstand: The Musical*.
What bags make security side-eye you like a rogue kazoo solo?
- Backpacks: Unless you’re a turtle, no shells allowed. Period.
- Oversized totes: If it can double as a sleeping bag for a yeti, leave it.
- Mystery duffels: “What’s inside?” is a question best answered *outside*.
Pro tip: Clear bags are the VIPs of bagdom here. They’re like the acoustic version of luggage—transparent, unobtrusive, and unlikely to trigger a security interpretive dance routine. If you show up with a murky, cavernous satchel, prepare for a *“Let Me See What You’ve Got”* performance starring you, a flashlight, and 37 impatient strangers behind you.
And hey, if you’re tempted to test the rules, ask yourself: “Is this bag worth missing the opening act for?” Because nothing kills concert vibes faster than a sprint back to your car/hotel/alternate dimension to stash your rogue luggage. Keep it small, keep it simple, and for the love of all that’s musical, don’t let your bag upstage the headliner.
Where to park at MGM Music Hall?
The Garage of Mild Perplexity (a.k.a. The Venue Garage)
Ah, the MGM Music Hall parking garage—a labyrinth of concrete, hope, and occasional existential doubt. Located at 2 Lansdowne Street, this multi-level wonderland is your most straightforward option… if you ignore the fact that “straightforward” here means “competing with 1,000 other drivers playing a high-stakes game of *Tetris*.” Pro tips:
- Arrive early unless you enjoy the thrill of circling floors like a confused hawk.
- Bring cash or a credit card that hasn’t maxed out on merch yet.
- Boldly embrace the chaos—your parking spot might be sandwiched between a minivan and a tour bus named “Daisy.”
Off-Site Lots: The “Adventure Time” Option
Prefer to live dangerously? Nearby lots and garages in the Fenway area offer parking with a side of ”let’s see if I remember where I left my car.” Check out the Brookline Lot or the 500 Boylston Garage—just budget an extra 15 minutes for:
- A brisk walk past bewildered pigeons.
- A chance to hum the *Mission: Impossible* theme while dodging scooters.
- The existential question: *“Did I pay the meter, or is this how my credit score dies?”*
Valet Parking: For the “Fancy Pants” Crowd
Want to feel like a rockstar (or at least someone who *owns* socks without holes)? Valet parking is available, where friendly attendants whisk your car away to a mystical land called “Probably Not a Tow Zone.” Downsides include:
- Paying roughly the same price as a vinyl record from the merch table.
- Pretending you’re cool handing your keys to a stranger. *“Treat her well… she’s sensitive about parallel parking.”*
The “I’d Rather Not” Strategy
If parking feels as appealing as a mosh pit at a yodeling concert, ride-sharing or public transit are your spirit animals. The T’s Green Line (Kenmore Station) drops you off closer than your Uber driver’s questionable playlist. Plus, you’ll avoid the post-show parking garage exodus, which rivals the intensity of a *Hunger Games* cornucopia scene. Bonus: No need to explain why there’s a inflatable guitar in your backseat.
Can you drink at MGM Music Hall?
Yes, but only if you promise not to spill your $18 margarita on the person headbanging next to you. MGM Music Hall is less of a “BYOB hidden flask” venue and more of a “let’s overpay for a vodka soda while pretending we’re in a Coen brothers movie” kind of place. The bars here are as plentiful as awkward dance moves at a dad rock concert, serving everything from craft beer to neon-colored cocktails that glow under the stage lights (perfect for locating your drink after you’ve forgotten where you stood).
The Liquid Symphony: What’s on Tap?
- Concert Water™ (a.k.a. domestic beer)
- Liquid Courage (whiskey neat, for when the opening act is a yodeling TikTok influencer)
- Sparkly Sugar Grenades (sweet cocktails that’ll have you buzzing harder than the amp feedback)
- Non-Alcoholic Options (for those who want to remember the lyrics they screamed wrong)
The Fine Print (Because Lawyers Exist)
You can drink here, but you cannot challenge the lead singer to a tequila-shot duel mid-show. ID checks are stricter than a bouncer’s poker face, and two-drink limits per transaction apply during peak “I definitely know this chorus” hours. Pro tip: Hydrate like a cactus pre-gaming in the desert—water bottles are pricey, and the only thing worse than a hangover is paying $6 for Dasani.
Remember, MGM Music Hall’s drink policy boils down to: “Yes, but act like you’ve been in public before.” So sip wisely, tip your bartender, and maybe avoid the neon drink if you’re seated in the front row. Spotlights are unforgiving.
