Going to 54 Below Alone - Booth vs. Table?

I think you would be fine at a table. Very close quarters and you are almost forced to speak to those around you, which is nice. Or you could get a bar or bar rail seat. I did that once. But get a table seat. You will be closer.

I've been at 54 Below many times and while I've never paid for premium seating (booth or premium section on the tables) I don't really see the advantage, especially since they are quite a bit more expensive.

The view from the bar rail seating is actually excellent (they are the same price as main dining room) and if you're worried about it being awkward, this might be the best option. It's what I opted for the one time I went by myself.

However, I've seen people by themselves many times, any everybody is lovely. It might be a little awkward if you end up on one of those 4-person tables in the main dining room vs. the long tables in the center (only the front half is premium) because there you're setting is rows of people and you'll likely have another single person sitting across from you. But 54 Below doesn't let you choose which.

I think the booth has the biggest risk of being awkward because that's often times where family and friends of the performer are seating, and they are almost always bigger group, while in the main dining you're more likely to be seating with small groups or other singles (at a 4-person table e.g. with a couple or 2 people together, and another single person).

Come early, have dinner before the show starts (I find it awkward to eat during the concert), and chat with the people seated around you, you might make friends! Or end up sitting next to someone famous (happened to my friend and me at the Marin Mazzie show haha)

I have the exact opposite problem, or question. I'm attending a concert there next week. I purchased bar rail seating, specifically because I am attending alone and really don't want to be forced in to mindless chatter and Fake-Friends-For-Tonight mode at a table or booth. If I wanted a companion, I'd bring one. Is it OK for me to bring a book or magazine with me to read pre-show? I haven't crossed the threshhold since 1980-81, so really have no idea what to expect. Thanks!

Yea, I don't see the difference between reading a book/magazine and playing games on your phone or reading and e-book or chatting or whatever. I've done all of the above pre-show when attending things alone to pass time.

I sat in one of the center booths ( I think it was center) and it was ok but have sat at the long tables the other times and prefer them.

I always go alone and choose the bar rail seats and they are great. I'm not really into chit-chat with strangers, so it's perfect. Seats are not as close but they are perfectly fine, elevated and a great venue for shows.

I also don't like to be seated at a table with strangers. I've never been to 54 Below, but if I ever do, I now know what to do. This is the reason I didn't go to "Cabaret"--I didn't want to sit at a table with people I didn't know. And when I take a long-distance Amtrak trip, I never go in the dining car for that reason.