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    Herbst Theatre

    4.2 (117 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 10:45 PM

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    Reviews With Photos

    Murals by Frank Bragwyn 12/30/25
    Elaine Y.

    What better way to end the year with singing Ald Lang Syne at the Herbst theatre where the SF chamber of Music has provided an inclusive evening of free music for over 70 years. Seating is great, with the stage clearly visible in every seat as the seats are arranged on steps going downwards towards the stage. You'll see some interesting murals on the walls with gold paint by Frank Brangwyn who was commissioned for works at the Panama Pacific international exposition of 1915 in SF. This is a beautiful theater and definitely worth a visit.

    Inside from 2nd floor
    Quentin P.

    Attended show here. Very clean and well staffed. Bathrooms on 1st and 2nd floor. Sat in middle of 2nd floor balcony, last row. Lighting good, sound system great! Enjoyed my time here.

    Sher T.

    We came here to see a comedy show. The theater is well decorated, is nice and large with good sound. Seats seemed to all be good. Good sound, all around comfortable seating with enough leg room. It's extremely difficult to find street parking so it's best to park in the garage a block away.

    Ramona H.

    Went to see the Golden Gate symphony, Orchestra, and chorus Sunday night for the Messiah sing-along. The (Theater) is beautiful very clean, staff is helpful and pleasant. Everything about this theater is inviting and they are simply glad to have you there.. They have a small café with good selections. Simply the historical beauty of this theater can stand on its own, but everyone does a great job to show their appreciation to you for supporting the arts. If you get a chance to see a performance here, please go you won't be disappointed and there are many restaurants walking distance to have a drink or dinner before or after the show

    Inside
    Peter M.

    Let me be clear, San Francisco is also one of my favorite CA cities. Others are LA (my absolute favorite, where I live), San Diego and Santa Barbara. I have been lucky to have family at most of these locations, albeit for a short time, but still adequate time to visit, savor and review numerous dining hot spots at all these locations. But what brings me to SF this time, the Herbst Theatre, is a totally different magnet, that had nothing to do food. It was to participate in the White Coat Ceremony for the UCSF Medical School class of 2028. Yes, for another family member. Wow. We got into the hall late, due to other immediate family members looking for donuts, well away from the location. Really? On this auspicious day? As a result, we missed main floor seating and were directed to seat in the balcony. Not a problem, but people were running like animals to secure unreserved seats (all of us in the same boat), as if the only food on the planet was at their destination. These are minor issues. But what is wrong with people? Anyway, let's talk about the auditorium. It is bathed in artwork, paintings, with perfect acoustics. A super experience. In my opinion, it doesn't matter where you are sitting. Just shower in the glory of such a beautiful place.

    Opening of Strict Scrutiny Podcast Show

    It is quite a beautiful building. Just be advised to plan where you are going to park and eat for a meal. There is a great book store nearby that had a good selection of books and was a good place to kill some time. I had a wonderful time at the show.

    Inside of theater
    Ben W.

    Really great music for a fairly cheap ticket. Like a lot of things in SF, driving in the area is sketchy, parking is a nightmare, and there are homeless people everywhere. Ushers weren't particularly nice or helpful either. Probably won't be back. That said, the theater itself and the music were top notch. Probably better for locals that are used to the city, and its issues.

    Group in theater
    Tiffany M.

    Beautiful venue I truly enjoyed the presentation of Cinderella by the African American Shakespeare Company. It was funny, inspiring, and full of beautiful people. The beautiful young lady who played Cinderella had a beautiful voice! All around a great show in a very wonderful place.

    SF Civic Music Association: M2M concert (Classical Classics)
    Annabelle R.

    We attended a free musical performance here this past Sunday, hosted by the SF Civic Music Association. This theatre is located inside the beautiful War Memorial Veterans Building (don't get it confused with the opera house which is next door but looks almost identical from the outside). They don't sell food or drinks here for free events like this, but they do so for other types of occasions and have a lower level seating area on the same floor as the restrooms. The auditorium seating is made up of simple, red-cushion folding theater seats on two levels, with balcony seating stretching along the sides as well. The ceiling architecture and light fixtures are alluring. The walls are adorned with giant fresco murals, just lovely. The stage and speaker setup produced wonderful sound for the audience, a delightful classical concert to the tunes of Mozart and Beethoven.

    Sonila S.

    What a beautiful theatre! Came here for Max Amini show and he was hilarious! the theatre is beautiful i loved the decoration and the seats were so comfortable !

    Rhett B.

    I recently attended a new age rendition of Cinderella put on my the African American Shakespeare Company at the Herbst Theater and it was wonderful. The staff at the theater was friendly, warm, and eager to help attendees. The space is beautiful, clean, and has great acoustics. If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Herbst Theater you won't regret it.

    Jessica L.

    Beautiful theatre that I visited to see the SF Philharmonic! There's is a paid garage, but I just found street parking on the Hayes side of the plaza. The dress code here seems pretty casual; the sf philharmonic specifies that they aim to make their shows accessible (not too expensive), which I love since everyone should be able to enjoy music. For the show I saw, it was open seating, and there are both ground and balcony seats. The theater isn't too big, so you can easily see and hear everything on stage. Thanks to the SF philharmonic for the amazing music!

    Shayla B.

    A beautiful theatre with an old Hollywood flare and great views of the main stage! I came here last Christmas Eve to see The African American Cinderella. I came in the afternoon around 1:30 as the show started at 2:00. I was able to find parking right behind the Theatre on a side street. I don't believe that I had to pay for parking because it was a Saturday, but I could be wrong. I walked in and was immediately greeted by an Usher at the front door who directed me to the will call box office to pick up my tickets. There was a gentleman who highlighted my ticket and pointed to where my seat was. Since the Theatre is smaller, it was pretty easy to find my seat. I can't remember my exact seat number, but I sat on the left side facing the stage about 3 or 4 rows back. The theatre is very classic with its red curtains and theatre chairs and also had a decent sized stage. The seats were extremely comfortable and roomy with a enough leg room to where I didn't feel cramped. I was lucky enough to not have anyone sitting right next to me; a great advantage of seeing small local performances! I had a great view of the stage, but practically any seat in the theatre would boast a nice view. The tickets were very affordable at only a cost of $25. There's a nice little cafe downstairs located on the way to restrooms that serves food and limited alcohol before and after the performance. The restrooms were clean and even had a nice waiting area in the women's restroom. Herbst is one of the nicer theatres in the city where I have been able to view local performances. They are also available for booking. I will definitely come back here to see more performances in the future!

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    Excellent place for a performance. Attended my toddlers ballet bravo bash and it was magical.

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    Ask the Community - Herbst Theatre

    Are the box seats worth it? If not, where are the best seats?

    In the Herbst Theatre, the box seats are along with walls, so you have a different view of the stage. The seats in the orchestra are generally great, so you might consider purchasing in that section.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Herbst Theatre

    I'm writing this review about the stellar (yet unseen) performances I'm going to see this month at the Herbst theater.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Orpheum Theatre - Bar and lounge area right by the front door

    Orpheum Theatre

    (1.2k reviews)

    Civic Center

    We had a fabulous night at the Orpheum Theatre, the first time we had ever been there! We love to…read moresee the Phantom of the Opera and it did not disappoint! This is about the fifth time I have seen the play and it was very similar to my previous views with some very minor differences. The venue is fantastic. Originally called the Pantene's Theatre opening in 1926 it has many of the classic furnishings and feel such a historic theatre should have (which we enjoy)! It seats just over 2,000 people so it's not overly large or too small either. The stage may have been slightly smaller than some of the other venues we saw Phantom at but it did not change the show much. Other notable shows which have appeared here are Wicked, The Greatfull Dead, and the Conan O'Brian Late night show. I would recommend getting the priority pass to get inside quickly which also gets you priority access to food and drinks. You can order food and have it delivered to your seat as well which is extremely nice! If you are using Uber or Lift, drop off and pickup is along side the venue as they are not permitted to do this in front of the theatre. Highly recommended the venue and look forward to coming back!

    Orpheum Theater is such a gorgeous venue…read more We have been here several times for various Broadway shows. Most recently, we came to see Phantom in the Opera and oh my goodness, the interior is so breathtaking every time. The sound quality is top tier and the performances that have graced the stage along with the voices and the orchestra, are quite the experience to take in.

    The Speakeasy - Lounge

    The Speakeasy

    (336 reviews)

    $$$

    North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill

    Hidden two floors below China Live Restaurant on Broadway Street is an entertainment space called…read moreThe Speakeasy (also the Palace Theater). I went to see a show " Italiani Veri "  last night. Fabulous cabaret-type show with performer Arianna. She's a true (veri) Italian from Milan who sang, danced and explained Italian culture as part of the entertainment. She has an amazing voice! She could have been a finalist at the San Remo Music Festival - the most famous singing festival in Italy. She fessed up saying she had been an Italian Mouseketeer! The venue has a bar/lounge to enjoy cocktails then a few steps down further is the theater. You need to be mobile since there are a lot of steps. Seating is first come-first serve. I have to admit that seating is quite tight. You are shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors. Get cozy folks. They typically have magic shows here! If you want to see a historic night club, this would be the venue to come to and enjoy a show. Italiani Veri show was a real treat! Highly recommend it!

    My hubby and I had an amazing time!…read more We attended the 8P show for: We Call It Jazz, A Journey to The Heart of New Orleans. I bought our tickets through FEVER and got the rail seating. Very good view From entering to sitting down, we were well taken care of I had bought two tickets online but when checking in, it only showed one- I pulled up my ticket and the usher at the front quickly apologized and got us situated I really appreciate the quickness Everyone was super friendly We stopped by the bar before the show started and got some drinks Music was spectacular One of the best live shows I've got to experienced Definitely made me want to check out their other events 10/10 phenomenal!

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

    (79 reviews)

    Marina/Cow Hollow

    Loved the cozy, intimate nature of this venue and comfortable seatings…read more We visited for the Demetri Martin Quick Draw Tour, and it was a perfect size for a standup comedy show. Demetri was able to engage with the audience in ways that aren't typically possible in a larger venue (like the Masonic). Note that the venue can be hard to find, especially if the event was advertised as being at the "Palace of Fine Arts." The Theater is around the corner, and there are very limited signs. Like many reviewers, we spent time wandering around trying to find the entrance. It is on the west side of the venue, not near the famous dome. If you're driving/Ubering, be sure to enter the destination as the Theater, and not just the Palace of Fine Arts, as the entrance are on opposite sides of the property. There is very limited food and drink offered, and you're not allowed to bring any food into the auditorium (covered drinks are allowed). This was a bit of an inconvenience for a show running 7-9pm right during dinner time. We were hoping for at least some popcorn for during the show. Bathrooms are small and awkwardly laid out, leading to long lines, confusing, and tight spaces. This is made worse by the fact that each row is ~50 seats across with the only aisles on the ends - this makes it very hard for anyone not seated on the very ends to leave during the show to go to the restroom. As a result, there was a massive rush to the restroom after the show and a 20 minute wait for the men's restroom (I shudder to think how long the women's line was.

    Went to the Palace of Fine Arts Theater for the first time last week for a comedy show. We got…read morethere an hour before the show began to walk around the area (so beautiful) & because we had issues with our tickets and needed to go to will-call. Turns out that everyone had to stand in this will-call line to get physical tickets even though they were purchased online. Seemed odd, however, show up early to avoid the line and enjoy the scenic vibe around before the show. There's free parking (after 4P I believe) super close to the theater-- literally steps. We had to lock up our phones in a pouch for this specific event but it's so beautiful indoors as well. They had a bar area that many people enjoyed. Bathrooms are a bit crammed but nothing new to venues. It's a more intimate venue. It reminds me of a large college class room. Each seat seems like a great view, even last row. We found our seats easily, space between seats are more spacious than other places, no cup holders sucks but you can put your drink under the seat if needed. Audio and lighting was good & I look forward to checking out future events here.

    San Francisco Magic Theater At The Marrakech

    San Francisco Magic Theater At The Marrakech

    (1.6k reviews)

    $$

    Tenderloin

    Jay Alexander's show at the Marrakech theater was amazing from the moment we walked in. Even before…read morewe walked in, when we were greeted by the kindest man welcoming us to the experience. Then we were greeted again once we were inside, this time by Jay Alexander himself! He welcomed us, and found us a seat himself for us to get comfortable and order some drinks before the show started. He did this with everyone who came in, took the time to learn our names, and even performed magic while we were waiting for the stage show. That was amazing enough already, then the stage show started. Not only was the magic and mentalism great, his demeanor and excitement for what he was doing was palpable. My wife and I could tell he loves doing this, and that makes it even more fun than it would have been otherwise. My wife and I were also brought 'on-stage' and that was also a lot of fun. I have been to other shows where the magician does not make the spectator feel comfortable, and this couldn't be further from that. He made us feel like the most important thing was that we had a good time, and we certainly did. I cant wait to see Jay again. Next time we are definitely taking the kids too, then I'll have to bring all the other members of my family as well. I cannot recommend Jay's show enough. Please do yourself the favor of going!

    Best magic show we've ever seen. Jay Alexander is a master, and very entertaining. We saw the…read moreshow on 5/15/26. The pre-show appetizers were delicious, as was the wine. A very intimate theater setting where Jay interacts with the audience, and the audience interacts with each other. Jay's magic is mind-blowing! Truly an amazing and enjoyable show. Bob& Michelle Page

    New Conservatory Theatre Center - we are continuous by Harrison David Rivers

    New Conservatory Theatre Center

    (83 reviews)

    Civic Center, Hayes Valley

    I've been a fan of the shows at this space for over 15 years I guess. Recently saw Ride The Cyclone…read moreand Ruthless there. We enjoyed them both. The staff is always pleasant and the 3 different theater spaces each have a special charm. I hope they continue to thrive even though this current terrible administration has cut a lot of funding to non profit arts organizations.

    From the moment you step inside the New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC), you feel it--this is…read moremore than just a theater. It's a vibrant, inclusive home for creativity, growth, and community. Located in the heart of San Francisco, NCTC's mission to support artists, youth, and the queer and allied communities isn't just words on a wall--it's felt in every class, every conversation, and every corner of this beautiful space. I recently completed their Adult Scene Study class with the incomparable Jeffery Draper, and I can honestly say it was one of the most enriching and inspiring experiences of my adult life. Whether you're just stepping into acting or sharpening your skills, this class offers a fun, supportive environment where you can take bold risks, discover new layers of your craft, and connect with other passionate creatives. Each week, we explored character, motivation, and storytelling in ways that were both challenging and rewarding. Jeffery's direction was equal parts insightful and encouraging, he meets you where you are and helps you rise. The space itself is warm, professional, and beautifully maintained, from the intimate black box theater to the cozy lobby and rehearsal rooms. If you're looking for a place to grow as an artist, to be seen and supported, or just to try something new in a welcoming environment, run to NCTC. Their adult drama classes are exceptional, and the community they've built is something truly special.

    Herbst Theatre - theater - Updated July 2026

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