Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum Events

Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a sports and entertainment venue in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The venue is affectionally known as “The Joel” and has been open since 1989. It was named after Lawrence Joel, who was an Army medic from Winston-Salem who served in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The arena serves primarily as the home court for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons men’s and women’s basketball teams, although it’s also used for concerts, pro wrestling events, and other forms of entertainment. For basketball games, Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum has a capacity of over 14,600 fans.

Where are the Best Places to Sit at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

For basketball games at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, sections 107 and 119 offer the best seats, as these sections are located close to mid-court. Sections 106, 108, 118, and 120 are also excellent areas. On the second level of the arena, sections 230-232 and 210-212 provide the best vantage point, although with its circular design, there are no bad seats for basketball games at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Tips for Visiting Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

It’s worth noting that there isn’t exactly a hotbed of activity in the area immediately surrounding Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. While the Wake Forest campus is gorgeous, it’s located over a mile away from the arena. Downtown Winston-Salem is a few miles away in the other direction. That means visitors to the area will have to do a little driving if they want to check out some sites of interest before or after games. However, Winston-Salem does offer several museums, gardens, and historic sites, as well as plenty of shopping. The lack of activity around Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum also helps to minimize traffic and makes parking easy to find, so fans don’t need to rush or arrive too early to a game.

Food to Try at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

The food selection available at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is extensive, although the best option is Prissy Polly’s Pig Pickin’ BBQ, which is a local establishment. They offer pork sandwiches and several delicious side options, delivering the type of cooking people expect to find in the South. There are also BBQ chicken nachos and banana pudding available, both of which won’t disappoint. The standard options are also available, but nothing beats the local barbecue options available at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.