A Ranking of Concert Seats in New York City
Morton Feldman once said, “If I could only find a comfortable chair, I would rival Mozart.”
I don’t know about that for myself. But what I do know is that I can’t give a rat’s ass about Mozart unless my ass is in a comfortable chair.
While most people don’t even notice a good concert seat, anyone’s evening will be ruined by a bad one. So, here is my (totally subjective) ranking of concert seats in New York City, from best to worst.
Note that these reviews are based on the cheapest seats available.
1. Met Opera
When I saw Fire Shut Up in My Bones last year — my first time at the Met Opera post-pandemic — the first thing I noticed were the red velvet seats.
That familiar cushy-tushed feeling was what brought me back to the present. Convinced me that I was there in person, not just watching on some screen.
While Met’s subtitle system is unmatched, I always have a moment of panic at the opera’s beginning when they don’t work.
2. David Geffen Hall
Aesthetic issues aside, David Geffen Hall’s flower petal-patterned seats are comfortable. The reading lights, located on the seats in front of you, are both handy and futuristic.
3. Stern Auditorium
These ruby velvet seats with wooden armrests are similar to those at the Met Opera. But instead of subtitles, the backs have metal plaques with donor names, which are less fun to read.
4. Zankel Hall
The emerald velvet seats in Carnegie’s Zankel Hall are not quite as attractive as the Met’s red, but the fabric is just as soft. The inadequate armrests, however, force you to, literally, rub elbows with your neighbors.
5. NYU Skirball
These are firm seats with good back support, made of port-wine velveteen.
6. Kauffman Concert Hall
These very average seats, made of green faux-velvet, flop down movie-theater style, with wooden armrests. In my experience, the 92nd St. Y’s “open seating” policy can result in some tussles.
7. Miller Theater
This venue is surprisingly spacious, with flop-down seats made of scratchy red fabric.
8. Alice Tully Hall
These seats are just awful. They’re made of faux suede, greyish brown in color, with hard wooden armrests lacquered black.
9. Paul Recital Hall
These crumbly red pleather seats are surprisingly squeaky, so uncross your legs with caution!
10. La Mama
With folding chairs placed precariously close to the ledges, La Mama’s seating is “experimental” at best. My concert neighbor once joked to me, “Guess there won’t be a standing ovation.”
11. Literally any church
Sure, the acoustics are stellar. But at what cost? The moment your back tires of being ramrod-straight, that’s when the creaking begins. Or worse, you knock over a bible.
The only redeeming factor: those little leather footrests.
At Tanglewood, Ozawa Hall's seats are roomy and comfortable; but beware the Shed! All wood, with shared thin armrests. And you have to stand up to make room for passing strangers frequently since the distance between the aisles is rather far. My guess: a greater percentage of audience members bring their own pillows there than to other venues (an informal survey).
Ahh, Skirball seats in that big, cozy auditorium. Memories!