Changes In and Around the Opera House

Row distinction in the Grand Tier and Balcony Circle has been upgraded to double lettering:  rows A-E are now AA-EE.  (Thank you, Jamye!)

Both Coat Check locations in the main lobby are now regularly in operation, for both opera and ballet.  

Beverages are now permitted again inside the theater, but only bottled water or drinks in a covered plastic cup: no cans, no glassware.   (A prohibition was in place during the period when COVID-masking was required.)

Food is prohibited--has been for years.

Standing Room has returned for opera and ballet. 

Opera glasses are now available again for rental, at the North Check Room on the first floor..

For most performances, a Welcome Desk is located in the Main Lobby.  Guests with questions and suggestions may be directed there.  

Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building.  This includes the loggia (the outside balcony, accessible from the Grand Tier level, over the Van Ness entrance).

--  During opera seasons, access to the loggia may be from the North Side only.  The South entrance may be reserved for patrons of the Littlefield (donor) lounge on the Box Level.

Text-to-Voice Supertitles: Live Titles, headsets that provide a spoken version of the projected supertitles, are now available at both Main Lobby Check Room locations for all opera performances. A major credit card or driver’s license is required for deposit.   (Starting with Tosca, the South check room was closed.)

A Courtesy Phone to make free local calls is now located only in the former telephone room on the main floor of the Opera House, across from the South Elevator (the one nearest Grove Street and Davies Symphony Hall). Local calls are free; credit/debit cards may be used for other calls.

There are no longer ATMs very convenient to the Opera House.  All the refreshment stations within the Opera House take credit/debit cards.

"Cafe at the Opera" has changed her name to "Prelude at the Opera House", due to confusion with other local restaurants. Please take note of this when guests ask you for directions or dining options within the building.

(updated January 21, 2023)