Herbst Theatre

Perfect view from the box seats, great ambient temperature, decent acoustics. The only complaint is that the seats are rather old and grimey-​looking.

I needed to purchase tickets for an upcoming show & had to call their listed #(415)392−4400 to ask questions before purchasing 8 front row tickets. I had to ask where the bathroom & the entrances & exits are at because I will be watching the show with a baby and a toddler. Should my kids cry or make loud noises or if one needs to be taken to the restroom, I wanted to be able to take them out of the theater right away so as not to disturb other patrons. Halfway through my inquiry, the agent said «Oh my God» several times. I asked if there was a problem & she told me she has other customers on queue & that she doesn’t have time to answer my questions. I told her that I am also a customer & needed answers before making my seat selection. She kept on implying how ridiculous my questions were, so I asked for her agent ID. She said she didn’t have one. I asked her for her name & she said Miralda. When I verified if I heard her name right, she said she didn’t have to give it to me. I wanted to get her name or agent ID so I could complain abt how my inquiry was handled, but she simply hung up on me. When I called again, I asked for a mgr & it seemed like it was either the same person who answered my phone call or a colleague who is watching her back because the person was very dismissive & made ridiculous comments, as well. She was not interested in what I was calling about, she was itching to put down the phone. The whole conversation according to my call log didn’t even last an entire 3 minutes, including all her unnecessary comments. I have a feeling the agents who answered both my calls were 1 & the same person. They sounded foreign, made unnecessary comments, cut me off & just the general attitude made me ask if my call was routed offshore because I have never experienced such rudeness from phone agents here in the USA. I hope that a higher up will be able to see this comment & discipline his employees. I took note of the exact time I made these calls. Unbelievably rude.

Horrible customer service – she lied to me on the phone about their refund process and was extremely unhelpful. Would never attend an event here.

This is perhaps my second time in my whole life that I’ve been here and it is possible I was here when they had the Ethnic Dance Festival here way back when. The Herbst Theatre re-​opened in 2015 following substantial renovation, the venue now boasts improved seating, new stage level dressing rooms, a Performers Lounge and Rehearsal Room. We were here for the last show of Forever Tango and sat in Row F in the balcony. When we first arrived and had to use the restroom on the main floor, there was only the handicapped one in the left hallway available as the regular ladies room was closed. When we entered the theatre, they had men’s and women’s restrooms in the basement way down the long stairway. For the women’s bathrooms there are eight stalls, 4 in each bathroom which is divided into two bathrooms. There are some refreshments available in this basement but we didn’t have time to check it out.
Sitting in the 2^nd to last row in the balcony it was rather cramped and warm but some of us managed to move to the last row to get a better view. It isn’t hard to feel warm and sleepy up in the balcony. We got a good deal on the seats which were only $ 22 each plus a service charge. The murals are beautiful as you can see from my photos. Great job with the renovation.
After the show, we discovered there were also restrooms on the second level so it’s good to know the next time we are here for a show. Next time, we’ll try to get good seats on the main floor.

I I’m sorry to report this show didn’t deliver! I would not recommend it!
1. Acoustics and possibly the quality of the speakers was very distorted and off.
2. The violins/​sounds and song choices were high pitched and unpleasant, I keep thinking it’s just this song, but it was another and another. Grating one my ears!
3. I left the show early something I’ve never done and my partner agreed!
Sorry to say this but truly I felt cheated of my time and my money!
4. Competition in San Fransisco is tough as this city attracts high quality
Talent and choreography!!!

I’ve been a few times for different events. The SF Symphony are a pleasure to see here. However, if it’s cold outside it’s also cold inside, so bring warm clothes or a bearskin rug, or some kindling to start a small fire… Wait, don’t start a fire in here! It’s a lovely building.
Anyway, don’t forget to wrap up on the cold days or you’ll be cuddling with the person in the seat next to yours. Which is nice, unless it’s someone’s grandpa. Then it’s just awkward.

evening talk at the herbst theatre… free evening street parking not difficult… old charm and kept immaculate… open space lobby grand… thinking, fast and slow author daniel kahneman. thought inspiring conversation about the mind… some humor to be found…“google was just lucky”…many capable people… admiring the beautiful wall murals and grand ceilings… a good thought provoking interview in a great theatre space…

Went here to watch The Rumi Concert: Lion of the heart
I sat in row F balcony seats — Kinda hot up there…
The theater itself is beautiful inside and out
Downstairs they only have one bathroom stall for women and one for men
Second floor has bathrooms too
The lobby has a few waiting benches and a coffee café w cookies and snacks
The ticket attendant who tore our tickets was a jerk — totally had attitude
Everyone else was friendly
As for the show It was very boring… I was expecting more than just some old guy speaking which you could barely understand what he is saying
the dancer in blue was not too bad but def nothing amazing
the show was 2 hours and we took off after one hour during intermission lol Tickets were $ 30
The theater holds 914 people

The lack of water pressure in the bathrooms (and the bathroom situation in general) upstairs leaves a lot to be desired but the rest of this place is nice and pleasant. I spent quite some time staring and the artwork on the walls and the beautiful ceiling.
It’s an easy place to find, the seats are cushy, and it’s a excellent venue for tons of different things. Just avoid going to the bathroom upstairs, if you can.

Like the War Memorial Opera House next door, Herbst Theatre is grand and historic, having been built during the Depression and played host to the signing of the UN Charter in 1945. The ornate murals along the sides of the hall were created for the 1915 Pan-​Pacific Exposition. With seating for about 900 people, it’s smaller than a typical large symphony hall or opera house, and thereby hosts solo and chamber music recitals, lectures, and smaller ensemble performances.
I’ve been here several times for SF Performances recitals, and the views and acoustics are fine from any seat, given that it’s a fairly small theatre. Also, unlike the War Memorial Opera House next door, there’s lots more legroom, although the seats themselves aren’t terrifically comfortable. Bathrooms on the main level can get quite crowded during intermission, and they’re quite dated; if you’re in a rush, there are other bathrooms located on other floors of the venue.
Any remaining 2013 performances are your last chances to see the beautiful interior of the theatre for a while, because the theatre will be closed for seismic retrofitting for two years beginning mid-​2013. Hopefully there will be some modernizations and upgrades to the audience experience during this time as well.

Great venue! I just saw the Kinsey Sicks and had front row seats. Usually I’m there for the City Box Office series — in conversation with some science or literary arts celeb. The theatre really is beautiful. I’ve sat in the orchestra, balcony, box seats… it’s all good. I just wish they had more seating in the lobby area. Generally there isn’t food available.

Went here for a recent Christian McBride jazz concert. I had balcony seats but the view of the building was beautiful, with stone walls and beautiful murals all around. The seating was spacious, which is a plus.
Parking around the area is rare, but we luckily found one nearby. It helps that we were here after hour on a sunday, so didn’t have to pay for parking.

Seating with lots of leg room. Oh, it’s not that I’m tall or anything, it’s more of, I have too many bags and this means more room for my bags. Yes, shaddup. The seats are actually pretty comfortable.
FTW, bathrooms on almost every floor. Beware of the lines, but the restrooms are clean and simple.
I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I am reminded of Castro Theatre – what with the red curtains, the murals, and the lighting.
Overall, I’d be back here. (Granted, next time, I’d much rather get more sleep and NOT have a spider bite to contend with, while trying to enjoy a string quartet!)
Prices = depends. I purchased the cheapest seats, but it was a direct view of the stage from the back of the balcony, so I can’t complain. (Then again, it was more of a listening experience than a visual experience.)

Strictly beautiful. A lot of fun to work at. Love the L-​Acoustics line array they have put in. It not only sounds great but definitely adds a great amount of prestige to the venue. Had a great time working with the staff here as they were able to easily fulfill all of our requests. This is one of the first theaters that I’ve been to that has has the booth designated on both sides of the balcony seating area. It would be a little distracting for the audience to hear the communication between the lighting and audio techs in my opinion. However, this wouldn’t detract from the overall experience of enjoying this space for everything it has to offer.

This is a very small and intimate venue. It’s beautiful inside. We were in the orchestra section off to the left of the stage in row J, seats 1 and 3. It’s at a slant, and the seats are staggered.
Someone in the row behind us had on so much cologne, perfume, or aftershave??? to the point of nausea, that at intermission we switched to the center orchestra section further back, and had a better view of the stage and of the performers. Fortunately, the show was not to capacity so we were able to make the switch. The seats in the center aren’t staggered though.
The HVAC makes for a somewhat drafty experience so dress appropriately.

Had my graduation here!
Graduated last year in July from AICASF. Beautiful building inside.

For the Arturo Sandoval show, I sat in the Balcony Seating section. The acoustics were great.
The seats themselves were well cushioned, but cramped. It felt a bit like flying in coach, so if you’re a 6-​foot-​or-​taller guy, have broad shoulders, or are fat… Perhaps choose a different section.
Although I’ll certainly sit elsewhere next time, the Balcony seats are not so uncomfortable that they’d prevent me from attending a show. If, as happened last night, I’m only able to attend a show on short notice, I’d still purchase tickets.
The Herbst is across the street from City Hall and next to a beautiful courtyards. It’s amazing to reflect on a show by staring at a magnificent building from a lush garden.
Down the street are several cool bars, and Absinthe is only a few blocks’ walk. See a show. Stroll down the street, admiring the buildings, and then grab a cocktail from Absinthe. Perfect night out.

For whatever reason, all the family-​friendly concerts we’ve attended in the last year have all been at the Herbst. No problem with that; We’re big fans. Though the theater is a little run down in some areas (the balcony box seats need a serious revamp) we love the space itself. What really makes it for me is the beautiful antique molding and the art deco murals from 1915. I just can’t stop admiring them (
).
At the Herbst we’ve enjoyed acoustic music from Appalachia, modern dance, a tap dancing revue, and most recently, we enjoyed the Turtle Island String Quartet, which entertained us with Jimi Hendrix covers, selections from Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas, Irish fiddle music, classical pieces and even avant-​garde interpretations of Hanukkah songs. Eclectic and enjoyable.
Street parking is expensive ($ 3/​hr). The best bet is the performing arts garage just around the corner (360 Grove) which offers a flat rate and piece of mind.

This holiday season wouldn’t have been complete without seeing the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah
I thought we had been to Herbst Theatre before but it didn’t look too familiar… how could this be?
The venue is small-​ish & intimate. An easy flight of stairs & you’re up in the balcony, unlike its next-​door neighbor — SF Symphony house w/​its balcony-​stairmaster
Herbst has wonderful acoustics, volume was perfect & this was without any microphone assistance; stage views are fantastic.
Only downer is that the Box Seats were *extremely* uncomfortable & to sit there for 3 hrs was a literal pain in the butt. I was looking at the «regular» seats in envy w/​their plushiness
Show was incredible, audience was engaged & it was an overall fantastic welcome to the holiday season. Best advice: Don’t get Box Seats & you’ll be golden

Last Friday we trekked into the city by BART to see our favorite baroque orchestra. Yes, there was rioting as we passed by Oakland, but thankfully they closed the Lake Merritt Station for awhile, and we were not effected.
I love this theater… it harkens to a time past… when there was not skimping on materials and construction.
We sat in the orchestra section this time. The seats were spacious and comfortable. Our neighbors were gracious.
The sound was amazing… great acoustics for this type of event.
But next time I will wear a much lighter layer because it was also very hot downstairs too.

Beautiful venue. Tip: there are bathrooms on the 2^nd floor!
Impossible to find taxi’s.

It’s really nice and snazzy inside but uhm… CAN WE GET A LITTLE AIR CONDITIONING!!!
Goodness gracious it’s like a SAUNA if you sit in the upstairs.
p. s. If you’re sitting in the upstairs area facing the stage, look at the wall on the left. There’s a pair of boobs. (. Y .)
But guess what? The boobs are on a man.

Me and the Herbst go way back. Way, way back. I think I saw Cary Grant here before he kicked the bucket. I just remember I had never seen such shiny white hair in my whole life. And such good manners. Years later, I saw author Susan Sontag and playwright Tony Kushner («Angels in America») have a dialogue on art and politics. And years after that, I saw diminutive jazz vocalist Jimmie Scott scat in his falsetto voice, and most recently, I saw countertenor extraordinaire David Daniels sing a stunning repertoire of Bach and Handel in his own falsetto voice (see my photo).
I guess the intimacy of the venue lends itself to singers with high voices since they don’t have quite the chest volume to project at a bigger hall. The upside is seeing a singer like Daniels really add a level of nuance to his interpretations of sacred Baroque arias that may have been otherwise lost at a full-​fledged auditorium like Davies Hall. There are less than one thousand seats here, and the beaux-​arts décor gives the feel of an over-​sized salon. Moreover, there isn’t a bad seat in the place, and the box seats provide nice views from the sides. That’s where I like to sit with my little flask.
The one downside is the lack of ventilation which can make the heat feel stifling, although one would hope the singers are not subject to the same conditions. I come back to the Herbst every 5 – 10 years, and it always feels familiar and dependable in its acoustics and the quality of the performances to be experienced here. I bet you didn’t know what a culture vulture I am. I’m not really. Now I have to go to the Mitchell Brothers Theater on O’Farrell to balance it all out. Got a twenty?