54 Below - first time going

[Kelly Brown]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 4:46pm

Hi,

I just bought a ringside seat for the May 4th show at Feinstein's 54 Below and was wondering if that seating is pretty good or is it TOO close? I don't like being pressed up to the stage to the point where I have to look up, but had trouble finding a good seating chart. I didn't want to be too far in the back and the Dining Room seats were pretty vague, you could be seated far back or close.

I have never been there before and heard that sometimes performers who want to chat with the audience will stop by the bar area afterwards if they want. If I have the ringside seats / dining seats, would I still be allowed to pop over by the bar and sit down after the show even though I do not have a bar seat ticket? Do you think it will be too crowded therefore impossible? I want to stop by the bar afterwards for a drink and to see if any performers are hanging out.

Thanks a million!

[nealb1]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 5:11pm

One of the great things about 54 Below is that there are no bad seats.  You mentioned you didn't want to be too far in the back, but with 54 Below you don't have to worry about that.  

Did you order your seats online?  Perhaps you can call the box office with a better description of what you are looking for.  Once the show is over with, you can sit wherever you'd like to as that's when everyone who isn't staying leaves.  

It's a great space.  Enjoy your show!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 6:01pm

 

You'll have a great time wherever you sit. Who are you seeing?

 

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 6:46pm

Like was already said, the space overall is small, nowhere is "far away" from the stage. The most expensive seats here are the Premium, that are furthest away, that should tell you enough. The stage is also pretty low, so even if you end up in the seats right by the stage you don't have to look up too much.

The thing with the seats is, beyond the category they won't assign you a particular seat until you show up (I think). So whoever gets there first generally gets the "best" seats within that price category.

Btw, this is the seating chart: https://54below.com/seating/

So the ringside seats really is only the few tables right by the stage, or the tables in the "second row", depending which chart is used for your performance. I'd give them a call and ask to put a note with your reservation, that you don't want to be right by the stage. In my experience the staff there is really accommodating and friendly. They might even advice you to switch you Main Dining Room and refund you the difference.

I haven't experienced stars casually hanging out at the bar after the show, but plenty of times they'll be there for sign and take photos. People will que up, anyone can join no problem. If you're going to a 7pm show there's somewhat limited time because they'll have people coming in for the 9:30 show and they have to clear out the 7pm crowd before. But since the space is so small and only a small percentage will que for photos and autographs it still shouldn't be a problem. I got to meet Laura Osnes after her 7pm show without feeling too rushed.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/21/17 at 12:21am

I have seen some performers hang out aftef a show. The first time I went Patti Lupome hung out at a table after her show with friends. (I went in after her show was over) I was sitting at the bar rail. She spoke to me on her way to the restroom. It was my birthday. Made my day.

[Javi]

Posted: 3/21/17 at 12:33am

Oh, I was wanting to go to that May 4 show as well - The Songs of Lewis Flinn.  Santino Fontana and Andrew Rannells are performing.  Unfortunately, I'm seeing Anastasia that night from 7:30pm and that won't be over till around 9:50pm.

With 54 Below, if you're going to the second show, you might have more of a chance that the performers might be hanging around by the bar after they finish their performances since they might only be singing one or two songs.  I've been to a couple of these shows with performers doing a number or two at 54 Below and, yes, they do end up congregating at the bar.

If you're going alone, you might consider getting a bar rail seat.  It's slightly back but it is elevated and you can get a great overall view.  And if you don't really want to be at a table with other people, it's perfect.  And you're right by the bar.

Enjoy the show! I'm going to the Nick and Nora reunion that week and then the Lea Salonga show the week after.  It's a great venue.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/21/17 at 12:49am

Kelly Brown said: "Hi,

I just bought a ringside seat for the May 4th show at Feinstein's 54 Below and was wondering if that seating is pretty good or is it TOO close? I don't like being pressed up to the stage to the point where I have to look up, but had trouble finding a good seating chart. I didn't want to be too far in the back and the Dining Room seats were pretty vague, you could be seated far back or close.

I have never been there before and heard that sometimes performers who want to chat with the audience will stop by the bar area afterwards if they want. If I have the ringside seats / dining seats, would I still be allowed to pop over by the bar and sit down after the show even though I do not have a bar seat ticket? Do you think it will be too crowded therefore impossible? I want to stop by the bar afterwards for a drink and to see if any performers are hanging out.

Thanks a million!"

I think Ringside Seating is pretty good. You have to look up but not in a way that's uncomfortable unless you have to turn to see the performer. They had those long tables for a while and that was very awkward. Personally, I wouldn't switch to main dining room seats, particularly if you end up at one of the tables next to the ones marked as side view. Sometimes there's a piano in the way or one performer is blocking another. I think it's best to either be in the center where you are or farther back to take everything in. But as people have said, there are no horrible seats. 

As for the second part, yes, you are allowed to go to the bar assuming no one is sitting there. I'm not sure about the early/late show situation. But it's right by the bathroom and it's not like someone's going to stop you from going over. It's not a designated stage door situation so the performers may or may not be hanging out. It's very casual. Sometimes performers just go out into the main room to say hi to friends. Sometimes they don't come out after they've performed. The space is small so unless they're rushing you out for the late show, I don't think you'll have any problems with crowds but I wouldn't count on seeing a performer. Just try and enjoy the show and hopefully you'll run into them afterwards.

Hope that helps!

[Kelly Brown]

Posted: 3/21/17 at 12:13pm

Thanks everyone who replied! Really great information!

I'm crazy and kind of want to go to both the 7PM and 9:30PM shows since they aren't too expensive, but I don't want to take up seats for others who want to go. I see now that the bar seat may be a better way to go, but will keep my Ringside Seats for now.

I am mainly going to see Andrew Rannells and Santino Fontana but excited to see everyone who is in the show. Really looking forward to the intimate nature of this venue as I have heard great things about it.

I won't bank on meeting anyone, but would really love it if I could meet those two. Would it be completely lame to have Andrew sign my Book of Mormon script book if he is there taking autographs? The only experiences I have had getting pictures or autographs has been at Stage Door where it's completely expected and accepted. 

Updated On: 3/21/17 at 12:13 PM