A meetup suggested going as a group to the Seattle Chamber Music Society's (SCMS) summer festival at Benaroya. The tickets were 50% off via konnectklub, bringing the price down to the range of "I like music, but don't feel like paying top dollar for it." It worked out well--the seats were fine, and the acoustics for every seat in the house provide a good auditory experience; the angle to see the stage gets a been craning on the aisles, though. Daytime SCMS rehearsals are open and free, an option for those who like music during their lunch hour. No food or drinks are allowed in the theater, and the audience is reminded to keep noise to a minimum. Keep in mind, these dayime summer SCMS performances aren't exactly free concerts--the musicians ahead of the real show are working together to synchronize key aspects of the evening's performance and often play certain parts 6-7 times. That reptition and revision may be attractive for music lovers, but the casual listener may want a more seamless experience. Dress code for attendees is exactly what you would expect in Seattle: the scattered assemblage of gowns and suits far outnumbered by jeans, khakis, and even shorts. Benaroya is very upfront about this aspect, too: anything goes. Snacks are available, but little more is on offer than coffee, tea, and cookies. Highly recommend and will return. read more

Wonderful acoustics! I've been here a couple of times to hear the Seattle symphony. I've sat on the main floor and in the balcony and the acoustics are wonderful anywhere you sit. There is a cafe if you want to buy some food before the performance, and gelato across the street. Close to transportation, the train and bus stop right in front, and there are quite a few parking garages around the venue. read more

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Love it. I've sat in many different seats/locations, and the acoustics are simply wonderful. I do prefer them on the orchestral floor, myself, though I haven't sat in any of the "box" seats that wrap around the sides. I think I will try those next. Great performance choices. I always leave satisfied. read more

I really don't see a bad seat in the house. We purchased the cheapest tickets and were seated right up front. Awesome experience. Only drawback was the people who showed up in jeans and tennis shoes.....really?? read more

I normally don't write reviews of venues, especially for out of town shows this year as one stadium or arena looks the same as the other. I only write reviews if something specifically stands out (unless I have seen more than one show in said venue). A few things prompted me to write this review for the Morrissey show I saw earlier this evening (will write and post show review later in the afternoon). For starters it's a very nice, modern, new clean looking venue. Similar to the Center of Performing Arts in Vancouver, sans the mirrors. This is where the buck stops here. The place inside is dark, isles are not properly lit, the rows are not properly lit and it is hard to read the seat numbers with and without light. I kept losing my seat during the show and either sat in different rows, waited until the lights came on after each song or simply half way though gave up and just rushed the stage. I wasn't really sitting in my seat as I was emo dancing to Morrissey so might as well make my way up front. The bathroom layout is very awkward. A long hall with less than 12 stalls and a sink all the way on the other end. The security was over kill with police offers doing full pat downs and metal detector checks. Not sure if this was at the request of Morrissey or a regular thing at the venue. The show tickets look really ugly when printed. They could've made an effort to make it somewhat more stylish. Even those ticket fast tickets look better. The sound was really really good. It is a symphony hall, therefore, no excuse for any fault issues tonight. Very disorganized in which the line-up was conducted. No help from the staff inside during what was a cow hurdle of a shit storm trying to get in when the show had 40 minutes before start time. Outside the beauty for the little service things I have to knock off some points. read more

Fantastic music hall in the heart of downtown Seattle. I've been here dozens of times, and have sat in almost every section. If you're attending a Symphony performance, there's really not a bad seat in the house. The acoustics are incredible. I attended a Symphony rehearsal when I was in high school and was astounded that I was able to hear the side-conversations, even the whispers, of the musicians from row 30 in the audience. That's really good engineering. The Symphony itself is one of the best in the nation and attracts guest artists from all over the world. If you're interested in music history, most shows also have a pre-concert lecture on some of the feature pieces. The lecture, along with the program notes offer great background to the performance so you can appreciate the experience all the better. Another bonus is that they have TONS of restrooms. No more waiting in a line of 20 ladies during the intermission. Other venues could learn a thing or two--I'm looking at you 5th Avenue! read more

I've been here for 3 different events -- David Sedaris, Ira Glass, and Ina Garten. Now, that probably says something about me. Anyway, Benaroya is a beautiful place, particularly the foyer and areas outside the actual hall itself. The hall itself has an old historic feel to it. I've had no trouble seeing the stage, hearing the people talk, or anything. The seating is a little confusing with the numbers and sections so let the ushers help you! read more

I have been to Benaroya Hall for occasions of diversity spanning from the metropolitian orchestra playing Christmas Music for the annual Microsoft Ball to Gabe and Tycho of Penny Arcade unfolding the curtain to Rick Ross's Hustlin, to Jonathan Coulton singing Code Monkey to 6000 Open Glowing Gameboy DS's, to Weddings of friends old and dear. This amazingly well designed and maintained space is a gift to the diverse and eclectic Seattle Community and is managed in a way that makes it open to that community in a sense that many other Metropolitan areas could learn a thing or two about. read more

One of the BEST venues in the city. I mean, c'mon, just look at it! Plus, location, location, location, right!?! If you've never been to Benaroya, go there, ASAP. Pretty much always something good going on here in a given week, so if you keep an eye, you're bound to find something you're dying to see. Like live ukulele master! Thanks for listening! read more

At Benaroya Hall tonight hearing Natalie Merchant w/the Seattle Symphony! Breathtaking!! The acoustics are wonderful and delicate and full. A night here is so relaxing and engaging. I think it's time to think about getting season tickets! read more

Benaroya Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Exceptional music hall. The acoustics are fabulous. It's quite a beautiful work of architecture. When you buy your tickets, I recommend being up on one of the tiers. You'll have a little more elbow and leg room. And you won't be starring at the back of somebody's head. There's also a great coat check just before you go in. Arrive at least 15 minutes early and make your drink orders for intermission. You can get some eats in the lobby area--I don't recommend it. Just not good food. Not good. I've had the pleasure of seeing all kinds of great musicians here. Yo-yo Ma was by far my favorite. I tend to rotate my subscriptions each year to either Benaroya hall or the Pacific Northwest Ballet. read more

About average for a nice music venue, acoustics are okay, but not outstanding. Seats move around way too much, making everyone in the row feel movement, excessive movement. This must be fixed, as it is quite bothersome!!! the lobby does not have enough seating, and the food and bar areas are also quite crowded. read more

Had a good time at teh show, great venue but..... Wolfgang Puck???? more like Wolfgang Puke! read more

Culture! I like the setup. Order your intermission drinks before the show starts. read more

Elegant and stylish venue with fantastic acoustics! I saw a concert here last night and had a great experience. Beautiful seating and layout, and very friendly and helpful ushers and security. An usher even let me back into the theatre after the show was over to help me find something that I had dropped during the concert. Cocktails were good but overpriced, and they didn't have tequila, which was the only downside for me. read more

Benaroya Hall - Morrissey in Seattle - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I graduated from high school at Benaroya Hall, and always thought it was impressive in size and scale, but after attending one of my best friend's wedding receptions here, Benaroya leapt to a new level in my book. In all of it's wedding decorated glory, this hall was simply, wonderfully, and absolutely GORGEOUS. First of all - the windows are sky high, with light flooding in at all angles. One would think this wouldn't be the ideal venue for a wedding reception, well let me enlighten you. The head table paralleled the steps entering into the symphony hall, and cocktail hour was held on the balcony wrapping around the perimeter above. When the bride and groom made their first entrance, they entered on the top most balcony, giving them a supreme bird's eye view to smile and take a visual inventory of their guests. With dinner we migrated downstairs where two buffet tables lined the far walls, making for zero crowds or waiting in line - always awesome! Dancing commenced under the twinkling lights and sweeping white banners on a dance floor brought in for the occasion. The acoustics were excellent (as should be expected) and we danced the night away to Stevie Wonder & company...All in all a spectacular, impressive venue for a wedding - one I'll never forget! read more

Obviously, the acoustics (and Seattle Symphony within) were astounding. My view from my seat in Row T was good, not great. I blame my short stature and some tall hair in the row in front of me for that. I was a little surprised beverages weren't allowed inside, as some wine during the concert would have been a nice touch. It seems "Fraser" would require wine while viewing the symphony, and I try to base all my Seattle entertainment on that show ;-) Also, I was surprised they didn't really have ushers. Or if they did, there were few. It could have been an even better experience if many ushers guided you to your seat (complicated seating arrangements!), lit the way when it was dark, or policed people with camcorders and flash photography that was specifically prohibited. Overall, an amazing time though. And how could you go wrong with Brandi Carlile + Seattle Symphony?! read more

I amazed every time I come to an event here! The setting. Is spectacular, the staff knows their job, how to help and even anticipate needs. Problem solving if you should actually have a problem and always friendly! If your attending an event here, you will be impressed! read more

I've been here a couple times- for SciFi Themes with Seattle Orchestra, and for Terry Fator. Both times we sat in one of the side tier booths. Both great spots- even being right over the stage, but at that point you do lose advantage of seeing them straight on or when they turn to the other side. The sound is incredible, though. love this place- it's gorgeous, the staff is very friendly, and I really don't think there is a bad seat in the house. read more

Central location, nice facility, and 52 women's bathroom stalls! My coworker use to volunteer there and told me they doubled the women's bathrooms. WTG! Went there for graduation and the acoustics for those on stage was bad and echoing. I was wondering if the musicians have as hard of a time hearing things as we did. Nice facility and also came here for the SIFF VIP movie premiere last year. Lots of space and good sound for those sitting in the audience. read more

it's beautiful inside and out. I danced the night away during the waltz held once a year in there. It was very clean and the view from the windows were crystal clear. It's nice that they have a fountain near it. Bonus, a bus stop which plays violin music while waiting. The bathrooms are marbled and elegant. read more

Best acoustics I've ever heard. There are no bad seats here. Wonderfully laid out, bright and airy, immaculate, comfortable ... a delightful space in every way. Can you bring back the peanut butter-filled pretzels at the lobby refreshment stand, or let me know what brand they are so I can buy them? Love those ... read more

The Benaroya Hall is a beautiful building. The big windows and the chihuly glass art inside. I love the fountain in the courtyard on 2nd and University. And the music playing outside. I theatre it self is nice, very open, you can look around you at the other audience members, but you are below the stage which I don't like as much. But I guess there is no one blocking your view. I don't like how the main doors open up to a bus stop. Where starbucks and wolfgang puck and that cute little shop is. That sidewalk is always so dirty there, I don't even like waiting for the bus out front. So 4 stars for the good architecture and chihuly glass work, but minus 1 star for the dirtiness on 3rd avenue, out front of Benaroya. read more

I love, love, LOVE Benaroya Hall. I've been to many different symphony halls across the country, and this is the most beautiful one I have had the pleasure of being in. It is elegant and grand, and makes me feel like I'm in a different time and place whenever I'm here. The acoustics of the hall itself are outstanding and the sound melts and melds around you. read more

Buying tickets, it always seems like the venue is more spread out than it really is. I purchased a ticket in row JJ and the sound quality and view were perfectly fine. Even the seats on the far sides seemed to be acceptably centered for the best possible experience. However the lower price does result in a slightly less overwhelming sound. We sat in one of the front rows for Messiah last year and it was spectacular. The one thing I miss most about attending musical performances is that delicious silence after the final note. It lingers for a few seconds before people erupt into applause. As a performer and audience member, it's much more satisfying to let that last note ring to a silent room and let the beauty of it sink in. Now a days, people are much too eager to jump the gun and ruin my afterglow. read more

Looks like it belongs in Los Angeles. But I'll have to admit that it adds a lot to a Third Avenue that prior to the construction of Benaroya Hall was getting very down at the ears. Nice to hear a waft of classical music--although it has become more and more pop-sounding--for those people waiting to catch a bus on Third Avenue. The acoustics are supposedly very good--but I have a "tin ear" but such things. Have been to only three concerts or recitals here since it opened, the first marred by a gentlemen who obviously was not there for the experience of a live classical recital: he thumbed through a magazine, loudly, the whole time, rarely looking up. It was a wonderful idea to build a symphony hall right in the heart of downtown. The Nordstrom Recital Hall is for recitals--chamber music, principally. The Grand Lobby is glitzy-ritzy. Behind Benaroya Hall is a (smallish) Garden of Remembrance, with its dark granite wall dedicated to war veterans and its discreetly placed, well manicured shrubbery and gently cascading pools of water--all fairly close to an entrance to the Metro Tunnel. And across Second Avenue is the post-modernist Robert Venturi (with its giddy art deco references, etc.) addition to the Seattle Art Museum. read more

I want to go to the symphony! I keep saying I'm going to, and I still haven't made it. I've seen a few of comedy shows (Chris Rock, Bill Maher, and Cosby) here actually, and I have really enjoyed it every time. It's really pretty, and the sound is perfect. read more

if i had a choice to see a live concert i would definitely choose something that's a bit louder that was plugged into an amp that didn't involve sitting but the wife loves classicical music so i had to go. saw beethovens emperor with andre watts last saturday which had its sleepy moments but it had some head swiveling ones which is always nice. it was also nice to see that they had cafeteria style dining that made us wish we ate there instead before the show because the food looked real good. one of the stations was called Puck which i'll assume belongs to wolfgang. overall its a beautiful venue with great acoustics. after the show i thought of a few people that i'd like to see play that would sound amazing live in the Ben. read more

Benaroya Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Occasion: Korean Fantasy Orchestra Great venue! It's very clean and well taken care of. The state still has some of it's original construction, but most of the seating has gone through a renovation. The side seating in the booths aren't placed to well so if you do not mind slightly turning your neck through the event you should be fine. I would recommend the higher levels front rows so you have a straight shot at the stage. Great sound displacement through the whole center. One of the only negs is parking, but it's Seattle, what do you expect? read more

I love this hall. Just gets better more I visit. It's an architectural amazement. Sounds of all types of performers gets improved. Just love this place. It's a gem. read more

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Great place to catch a show and wind down with some wine. You need a babysitter for this one! Gorgeous building! read more

Benaroya Hall is a match made in heaven whether you are a musician or have no taste in music at all! I imminently was swept back into the late 1700's once Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" was ringing in my ear when the seattle symphony didnt even begin playing! The venue possessed a sophisticated mannerism; it was fancy, and it made me feel fancy when I do not have an ounce of fanciness in me. The acoustics were on point and each strike of a string instrument's bow resonated throughout the whole room. The orchestra was remarkable and played beautifully as always; I was especially impressed with their perfect unity and harmonics. It was like Jesus riding on a unicorn over a rainbow into a sea of babies. But thats what you'd expect of an orchestra with a reputation for impeccable musical composition! I've been first chair violinist for five years, taught beginners how to play any string instrument in the orchestra for three, and played solos in numerous performances. But the symphony exceeded my standards of how music should sound like because they carry a richness, a passion that portrays the innate beauty of music through every note they play. There is a finesse and wisdom that is carried through them; from their pianissimo to their fortissississimo! And from start to finish, it can throttle someone with entrenched bitterness to get up on their feet and applaud with eyes full of tears. read more

After three symphony visits, I'm not impressed. Acoustically the sound was dead. Architecturally, it's a hulk of a building, weirdly positioned to lose any impact in or outside of it. Once you find out that the gorgeous and acoustically excellent Music Hall or Fox Theater on 7th Ave was offered to the symphony, you may want to cry. Instead of a 2,000 seat icon we have a dull building, dead sound and bum fights outside to greet patrons. The Music Hall was demolished and instead we have this. BFD. read more

I came here for the first time to watch the Move on Live Tour. I figured what a fun way to experience Benaroya Hall. There is ample parking available in the garage underneath the building. You have to enter the garage on Second Avenue just south of Union Street. The parking fee is $15. It's a bit steep but it's typical for the downtown area. I had purchased seats in the Second Tier Box, Seats C-7 and C-8. They were comfortable. However it does block out a bit of the left side of the stage. It wasn't too big of an issue because I rarely have to see anything on that very corner of the stage. Being in the box seats makes it easier to get in and out should you need the bathroom or when it came time to leave the venue at the end of the show. Wine and beer can be purchased prior to the show. However you can't bring it inside the auditorium with you, which is understandable. The place is impeccably clean! Even the restrooms are quite clean as well. The ushers are very friendly and quite helpful. One even went as far to give us a bit of history on the place. I found the conversation quite enjoyable. I will definitely be back here for other events. I do highly recommend grabbing a drink or two at other venues close by to wait out the traffic of trying to get out of the parking garage. read more

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I saw an amazing show here last night with Brandi Carlile and the Seattle Symphony. The acoustics were pretty amazing, and Brandi will be releasing a live album from a couple of recent shows at Benaroya. Sound carries well here, and the balcony set up is better for viewing than some of the older theaters around town. If you're going for acoustics and comfort, Benaroya and Paramount are at the top of the list. If you want to go to a rustic place, other theaters may have more history... read more

I went to Benaroya Hall 10/4/13 for the Fiona Apple/Blake Mills show. Some notes... 1. Don't trust the driving directions the iPhone provides. It lies. 2. Buy a parking pass with your tickets. It's just easier, especially if you haven't been there before. The area is filled with one-way streets and construction... very confusing. Just pay the extra money and stress less. 3. You can wear whatever, as long as your business is covered. Some people were in full-formal outfits... no judgement, but really not necessary. 4. The front row is pretty rad, but it REALLY sucked to be crowded by photographers. I was front row aisle and there were like 6 photogs up in my grill during the beginning of the show. 5. Oh yeah, be sneaky about pictures. I was trying to take a picture of the empty stage like 30 minutes before the show started, and was told to put my phone away. What??? 6. I got no cell reception inside the hall. Brace yourself for that. 7. The interior is friggin beautiful. 8. Good sized seats. Bigger folks should stick to the aisle if possible (I can say that because I am one), for the arm room. 9. I can't say I was blown away by the acoustics. Maybe because it was the front row? Decent amount of microphone feedback, considering. 10. Be careful about sneaking your own drinks in. They weren't checking bags or anything, but I bought a 7UP at the Target down the road and the carbonation sound was pretty embarrassing. read more

Great performances! Great music! Lousy food choices. Restaurants outside close before the main act even starts. The snacks that are available the rest of the time are horrible, candy bars are the best I could find. read more

All the excellent reviews of this beautiful Hall say it all. There's not much I can add. We usually see the Seattle Mens' Chorus here and we LOVE this venue, for all the reasons listed below. However, hubby and I recently discovered the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, which is a 540-seat auditorium right above the main Benaroya auditorium. This smaller Illsey hall is for more intimate concerts. We saw Marc Cohn and Aaron Neville here the past month. This is a marvelous hall!!!! Despite having seats in the rear for both concerts, the rows are tiered and angled such that every seat, regardless how far from the stage, affords an EXCELLENT unobstructed view (even with a tall guy in front of you! I speak from experience!). And the seats are so comfortable. And the acoustics are amazing. You really feel like you got to know a musician after listening to him/her talk and sing and play music here. Fabulous venue! read more

Awesome downtown location. Just down the street from our hotel, next door to the Seattle Art Museum, surrounded by restaurants and mere blocks from Pike Place Market. Attended a free summer concert in the upstairs recital hall. Great acoustics. The 2 violinists were not only musically accomplished but also engaged in some witty repartee. I only wish the seats had more padding. I think the squiggly hanging glass installation is a Chihuly. read more

This room is absolutely beautiful. We do not live in Seattle, so I don't know the history of the venue. It appears to have been recently remodeled. We were, unfortunately, up in a tier. I did not think the acoustics were so great towards the back, but I'm sure the rest of the room is amazing. Why three stars? The bus stop has more comfortable seating. Honestly, the wood is gorgeous but extremely uncomfortable. Also, someone is falling to their death from one of the tiers eventually. I can't believe inspectors allowed the rail to be so low. read more