Manchester's AO Arena is the largest indoor arena in Europe - and has welcomed the world's biggest stars since first opening in 1995 from the likes of Lady Gaga and Beyonce to Take That and Noel Gallagher and most recently Peter Kay. While the AO Arena itself has a maximum capacity of 21,000, there are also a raft of VIP areas, boxes and bars where revellers can take full advantage of the entertainment.
If you've ever wandered around inside the arena and thought "how do I get into that bar?" or "can I afford a private box", then wonder no more. We've taken a full tour around the vast arena to nosy into every VIP area, box and bar.
We've found out just how you can get into all the different areas, and exactly how much it will cost you. We've also had a peek in the arena's newest VIP area - The Beautiful North - which has been created as part of the £50m plans to refurbish the arena in the months ahead.
Read more : I compared cheap Aldi and Lidl champagne to posh Moet and M&S and there was a big winner
Ultimately, the major renovations will also include a new VIP entrance for all guests set to launch in the spring. While by the end of the year we can expect a new mezzanine level being created with a whole new way of watching shows with a super-luxurious setting and an increase in capacity to 24,000.
In the meantime, here is a look at all the current VIP areas and how you get into them at the AO Arena.
AO Electric Lounge
If you've seen the "champagne experience" package on sale when looking to buy tickets for a show - then this is the bar that you will be heading in to. The AO Electric Lounge is in an upper room close to the main entrance to the arena, and opens 30 minutes before doors open to the public for each show.
Champagne experiences vary in price depending on the show - starting from £120 up to £350. For that price you get entrance to the AO Electric Lounge pre-show for a sharing platter and a glass of champagne, as well as "really good seats" inside the arena to watch the show.
It's all been recently refurbished with snazzy green neons and leather booth seating - while the windows look out across the main concourse so you can watch as the crowds build for the show you're heading to.
If you're an AO Arena member, you can also get access to this bar - and it is open until midnight post-show for members and suite holders to continue their revels.
AO Arena memberships are priced from £3,850 to £4,400 for the year. That membership fee guarantees you the right to buy four seats at every show announced with a two week window to buy.
Heineken Sky Lounge
Accessed via an unassuming private entrance at Arena Point, this bar boasts absolutely stunning views over the city centre which you can enjoy from the floor to ceiling windows as you sip your pre-show drinks.
Access to the Sky Lounge is open to anyone with a ticket - by paying an "upgrade" fee from between £35 to £50 depending on the show. For that fee you get your own dedicated fast track entrance, and can head inside the AO Arena 30 minutes before normal doors.
You get one free drink of your choice here, but can then stay in this bar up to the main act coming onto stage.
This bar is also available to be booked for private events and parties - it really is a super stunning space with a view right down Deansgate.
The Beautiful North
This is the AO Arena’s new exclusive “super suite” complete with its own hosts, private bar, food service, toilets and a brilliant view of the stage from its own balcony seating area.
This space only opened in September, and entrance is via an annual membership. This will cost you £15,000 per person plus VAT - and for that figure you get to attend 50 shows of your choice over the course of the year, and all food and drink is included in that price.
You can buy only six seats maximum on one membership, so this space is already proving popular with corporate clients who use it as a way to send staff to entertain clients and also network with other corporates.
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.
Private Suites/boxes
Having your own private box at the AO Arena is the ultimate status symbol - and naturally it comes with the heftiest price tage of all the VIP areas. Boxes start in price from an eye-watering £126,000 per year - but that includes tickets for every show at the arena.
There are 15 of these private suites that are "contracted annually". While the AO Arena also keeps three boxes which they make available for "ad hoc" bookings - this might be if you want to book a box for a special occasion or birthday.
Each box has the capacity for around 14-16 people. Your annual £126,000 fee guarantees you your tickets to the shows - but then you have to approve your own food and drink for each show, or can pay for packages in advance.
Boxes start from £126,000 per year but that includes every show and then you approve your own food and drink for each show or can pay for each package.
Virgin Red Room
This is one of the snazziest private boxes with a wall of music memorabilia and full red glitter wall. And it's also the one private box that the general public DO have a good chance of getting in to, if you're signed up to the Virgin Red app that is.
This is a free app where you collect points on your purchases for everything from train travel to takeaways and flights. If you save enough points you can then use these for concert tickets and access to the box.
The Virgin Red Room itself is exclusively for Virgin Red members and boasts extraordinary views of the stage. The private suite seats up to 16 guests, and boasts a private pay bar and waiter service to deliver drinks or food to your seat.
There’s also a private cloakroom and ensuite bathroom, along with a Virgin Red glitter wall for all your mid-gig selfies. Virgin Red members can spend Virgin Points to unlock 2x tickets to the Virgin Red Room for various concerts and events. 2x tickets for a concert start from 10,000 Virgin Points.
Gallery boxes
Look to the highest point of the arena, and you may spot the Gallery Boxes that are available to book for a unique and intimate experience for up to six people.
There are four of these boxes right at the top of the arena. If you book in here, you get your own private suite host to look after you, and you can order the likes of pizzas and nachos to come to your box.
These boxes are priced from £800 - £1500 and prove popular for families and friends booking for a special occasion. You pay for your food and drinks on top of that price - but it will mean no queuing for your food and drink orders.
How do you register an interest for the VIP spaces?
If that is enough to entice you to splash some cash on a VIP experience at the AO Arena in 2023, you might be wondering how you actually apply for them.
Champagne experience tickets are available when purchasing most show tickets via the AOarena.com website or ticket agents like Ticketmaster.
But for all other premium experiences, like AO membership, applying for a private suite or membership of Beautiful North, you will need to call or email the Arena direct on 0161 950 1069 or hospitality@aoarena.com
