Nokia Theatre in NYC

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 7:10pm

Can someone explain this venue to me? I've never been, and clearly have no idea what I'm doing if put me in the real world of mainstream popular culture. I'm looking at some tickets on StubHub (I know, my soul is shrieking) and some of them are marked "floor" and some of them are marked just "GA." But all of the tickets for the concert I'm looking at were the same price, and there were no levels to choose during the general sale, etc. So how does that work? Is it general admission by section? Someone told me the entire place is just GA, but that seems like it could be a total free-for-all. I feel like a moron, but I'm so confused.

Please help a stupid theatre nerd out. Thank you!

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 07:10 PM

[snl89]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 7:21pm

I'm not sure if it changes depending on what kind of event it is, but I've been there for 2 concerts, and it's just been general admission :)

There's a section in the back with seats if you want to sit down, but it's not an actual seated section that you by from separately or anything. It's way in the back so it's not the greatest view.

But yeah, in my experience with the Nokia, you just buy the tickets GA and then get there early to stake a place in line. They let everyone in in line order, so wherever you are in line determines how good a spot you'll get in the theater.

It's annoying that they don't have seating so you have to get there so early, but it's a fun venue! :) (oh and if you go in and can't find a really good spot on the first floor, I recommend heading to the next level up- it's a smaller floor section between the main floor and the seating area, and it's still pretty close to the stage, but it's up a level so you can see over everyone on the floor and if you get right up against the bar in the front it's a straight full view of the stage )

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 7:26pm

So is there really any difference between these tickets that are coming up as "FLOOR" and the other ones? I'm willing to pay more if it means that I'm guaranteed to be closer, but if it's just the luck of the draw no matter what, I'm going to get the cheapest ones I can find. I'm not gonna pay more if it's just the same thing. I get that there aren't actual numbered seats (or any seats at all, heh) but my question is whether the bottom section is reserved for people who have certain tickets and the rest are sent upstairs, or what. Does that make sense?

I was going to stop by there and ask, but then I thought it might be strange if I was like, so look, I'm thinking of buying some scalped tickets to a show here, can you help me out?

And also, how early are we talking? I guess it depends who you're going to see, but do people generally sit on line to get in all day there?

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 07:26 PM

[snl89]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 7:41pm

Yeah, if the general sale had all the tickets at the same price, then I'm pretty darn sure that means it's all general admission. So I'd definitely go for the cheapest ones possible!

I'm not sure- are you looking for just a regular concert or a special theater related thing or something? Because I think they do do some theater related stuff from time to time, and that may be different from the concerts. But if it's a regular concert, I'm sure it's GA in which case they just let people in in line order.


As far as timing, both times I've gone to concerts there I got there around 1-2 or so, and I've gotten in the very front of the 2nd level (the part I was recommending if you can't get a good spot on the floor). The floor wasn't completely full or anything by the point I got in, but the 2nd level is definitely a nicer view. If you want VERY up front, I'd get there really early (like early in the morning), but if don't mind being a little further back (but still with a great view), I'd say as long as you get there by like 3 you should probably good, unless the concert is SUPER super popular.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 7:47pm

Haha, okay, I'll just let go of my dignity -- I'm looking to buy tickets to see Adam Lambert. I tried the AmEx presale and the general sale, couldn't get anything, and after mulling over this for weeks, I reeaaaally want to go.

So is that "second" level you're talking about the "promenade" level? And then what's the deal with the mezzanine level? Is it possible for you to end up there as well, or is that the section you were talking about with the seats and that's it?

I seriously sound like a moron. Or at least like I live under a rock.

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 07:47 PM

[winston89]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:24pm

The basic rule of thumb for The Nokia Theatre is assume general admission SRO unless you're told otherwise. The video marquee always shows upcoming events and there have been some that have been billed as having reserved seats. I have never been to a concert that has been billed this way but have had friends that have. And, they just put out chairs along where the SRO floor is and seat people there. But, that doesn't often happen.

And, yes, I do believe that the mezz is the area of seats. Although I don't know for sure. This is only because I never got tickets for there anywhere else other then ticketmaster and when one buys off of ticketmaster for this venue, they only give you one seating option which is General Admission. This allows you to either stand on the floor, go to the middle area, or if you can find a seat toward the back, take a seat in the back. One thing that is great about the Nokia is that it isn't that big so it's not like if you're sitting in the back you're view of the performer on stage is going to be bad. And, it has great acoustics.

The staff there is great too. The only concerts I have been to there were jamband concerts. Ones that attract a hippie crowd. Overall as a group, these are people who are calm and relaxed and just want to have a fun night and enjoy a great concert mixed with a few troublemakers. The staff is great at figuring out the two. I have to tell you. For that kind of crowd, That isn't easy to do. I did hear a story about when Phil Lesh ( the bassest for The Grateful Dead) was playing there with his band. Apparently, the story goes that people were smoking pot (suprise,suprise) and the smoke got so heavy that it started to go into the breezeway of The Minskoff (they share one) and the kids outside at intermission of The Lion King were told to be very careful. I don't know if this story is true or not. I wasn't there when this happened.

I do believe that there might be some pictures of the inside of the venue on the Nokia Theatre website. If it wasn't for the fact that I am typing this post in the lobby of a hotel in Boston with a very slow internet connection and one with no tabbed browsing to boot. I would be more then happy to find/give you the link.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 11:29pm

Thank you both for your help! I had been looking at pictures of the interior, which helped a little but also still left me confused, so I finally just decided to ask. It's definitely really hard to tell how big it is from the photos. I'm probably going to go ahead and purchase the tickets, but I guess the one thing I'm trying to clarify is whether the top level is just for people who want to sit. In other words, if I'm willing to stand, will I definitely end up in one of the bottom two sections or is there a chance that if I don't arrive early enough I will end up upstairs? And along the same lines, is the entire mezzanine a seating area, or is it just a bit in the back? Some of the stuff I was reading made it sound like it was just a handful of chairs in the back, not a whole section. But maybe it varies by event, what do I know? I'm mainly asking because I'm not so good with heights, and I'm worried that I won't be able to arrive early enough, especially not if people are probably going to start queuing up in the morning for this one.

[winston89]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 11:33pm

I wouldn't consider the seating area at the Nokia high up like a a Broadway theatre. Is it high up and off the floor? Yes, but by a matter of steps and not a matter of feet like a Broadway theatre.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 11:47pm

Oh weird, that's not how it looks in pictures. It looks like a pretty standard overhang.

[snl89]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 11:53pm

kajfd omg I'm so jealous, I'd have been SO all over tickets to see Adam at the Nokia but I'm not in NY right now, I'm in TX

but lol, yeah, definitely NOTHING wrong with goin' to an Adam Lambert concert, at least not in my book :P

(hey, the two concerts I've been to there are Hanson and David Cook hahaha)

But yeah, basically I'd just get the tickets if they're available and just get there as early as possible/as early as you're willing to :) It's honestly just the kind of thing where they scan your ticket and you go into the theater as fast as you can and find yourself somewhere to stand- there's no real rhyme or reason to it. I'm really not sure which section is called what, but you'll see once you get into the theater where you want to go. I just really like the very front of the second level because it's still pretty close to the stage and it's a straight shot without any bodies or heads blocking your view. Considering I'm a 4'11 total shorty, that's VERY nice for me :P


And yeah, I'd say pretty much as long as you get in line by like.. afternoon time, you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting into the first two sections. They're really big! And if nothing else, there's usually at least SOME amount of room towards the very back of the main floor. If the concert is REALLY really full the seats in the back might be put to good use too, but I think as long as you don't cut it too close with time, you should be okay.


Have an amazing time!! I so, SOOO wish I could go haha

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 11:53 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 12:01am

Ok, thanks. And yeah, I'm not that much taller than you, heh. Also a concern!

New dates are being announced pretty steadily so the tour might make its way to your area.