It is a beautiful facility next to other arts buildings next to performing arts parking garage and plenty of good dining options. We came for the ballet which was very good as well. Seating in the dress circle was good but a bit far away to see the performers faces.
The War Memorial Opera House is a grand venue. It’s a 3000 seat, beaux-arts wonder. Just walking into the lobby transports you to a special place where ordinary cares disappear. That’s a spectacular frame of mind in which to watch a ballet or opera. (And the SF Ballet and SF Opera are both companies worthy of the venue.)If you haven’t been there, find a reason to go!
The Opera House is beautiful inside and the ballet was excellent except for the people sitting a couple of rows back who just had to talk during the performance. Amazing that anyone would want to spend money to sit in the dark, talk over an orchestra and not pay any attention to the performance! LOL. We got up and moved because we wanted to enjoy SF Ballet without listening to rude people.
Amazing place, especially for a ballet. Gold everything. Not a bad seat in the house.
New, very comfortable, seating installed during the COVID shutdown.
This is one of the most beautiful Opera House’s I’ve been to. They have a wonderful bar and restaurant below where you can order drinks for intermission near the restrooms.
My primary concern with the War Memorial Opera House is that their staff doesn't really seem to care about the patrons. In my experience, there was never a focus on safety, comfort, respect or embracing a pleasant experience with the arts. Per in-house policy, the staff was dizzy with confusion. I will forever remember the teenager sitting in front of us, pre-performance, barely wearing a mask and picking his nose. A single word can size this up:Gross!
Considering how great the Nutcracker was (the performance we watched), notching down the Opera House by a star should be taken as a sign that they need to up their game.First of all, cleanliness. When we pay $200+ for a 2-hour performance, we want the bathrooms to be clean and not reek of urine. Thank god for the masks cause otherwise it would've been worse.Second, selling food and drinks overpriced is understandable - that's how all venues make money. But at least have a place to drink it. If drinks are not allowed in the theater, what might one do buying a glass of wine 5 mins before the show starts? Why even sell it? To take wine shots?Don't get me wrong. This is a lovely place and we had a great evening. But the Opera House itself simply didn't live up to the vibe evenings with ballet is going for.
Tremendous with a wide range of seat prices. I was between choosing the wing on the orchestra level, or center in the Dress Circle, and glad I went with the elevated area (for the nutcracker). Great view, same price, maybe less acoustically optimal?Went here for the nutcracker and it was a great experience - festive decorations, everyone in the spirit, no snobbery.A glass of wine was $20, but that’s just that.
Every year we go to see The Nutcracker at the SF Opera House and it never disappoints! Easy entry, wonderful, cheerful workers, plenty of snacks and drinks for kids or parents as well as adult beverages. It's a lovely building and the auditorium is gorgeous. Visit and enjoy ?