Overnight bag into a theater?

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 11:41am

Hi all! The last thread I found about this topic was from more than 10 years ago so I figured I might just start another one to ask. I work in NYC and am planning to see a show on Friday, but I will have an overnight bag with me because I am going to be heading home after. The bag isn't huge but I think its probably too big to fit under most seats. Can I check is somewhere (coat check?) or do I just try to fit my home clothes in my smaller work bag?

[hollebolle]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 11:56am

What kind of bag? Backpack, duffel, suitcase...?

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 12:00pm

Probably either a duffel or a backpack

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 12:06pm

kelsey1389 said: "Probably either a duffel or a backpack"

If you know what you're seeing, call the theatre and ask in advance If there's a coat check. If not, travel as lightly as possible and hope for the best.

 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 12:13pm

In my experience you should be fine. There are usually coat checks open this time of year, but even if not the house manager should be able to store it for you somewhere.Just bring a few bucks if they charge you/for a tip and dont be impatient if it takes them a while after the show to get it for you.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 12:33pm

I've brought a backpack into almost every theater and never had a problem keeping it with me. I've brought a suitcase into a few and never had a problem checking it.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 1:52pm

hoping for the best is not what I am guessing you want as advice.

If it will fit under your seat without intruding on anyone else's space, you should be fine. If not, then I would not assume the coat check will take it especially if they have a lot of coats. In this case, I would take it to a luggage storage place, of which there are many choices, or leave it where you are staying which I assume is inconvenient.

[RemlapLBC]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 2:12pm

Walk into closet hotel, walk up to bell hop with dollar bills in your hand, ask to check bag, tip, come back after show, tip again, go wherever you were going.

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 2:30pm

HogansHero said: "hoping for the best is not what I am guessing you want as advice.
Forgive me, Hogan. I was thinking everything you suggested. I just thought it was self-evident and didn't need to be stated. Mea culpa.

 

[hollebolle]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 3:27pm

I bring backpacks all the time without issue. I usually just shove it under my seat.

I’ve heard some shade from other audience members at bag check, which is a different conversation, but I’ve never had a problem with security or the house staff.

[BeNice]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 4:01pm

The theatre where Choir Boy is playing now has lockers (which all theatres should start to do.)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 4:23pm

Since i am from out of town, i often have a backpack. Ive NEVER had an issue at my seat with it.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 4:46pm

When my grandkids were younger, I would have a backpack when I took them to the theater. It was usually filled with paper towels, wipes, crayons, activity books, bandaids, snacks--and all the things needed to keep the kids busy on the train ride to the city. It never presented a problem at the shows.

You'll be fine.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 5:25pm

On my weekend theater blitzes (red eye from San Francisco-evening flight home Sunday) I take a medium-sized backpack. I've never had an issue keeping it at my seat and have never had it looked into by security. Though last time did this it was 3-4 years ago. It fits under seats but does stick out a bit, so I typically hold it in my lap until everyone enters the row so they don't trip, since I stand so others can easily pass. Same thing at intermission. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 5:43pm

N.B., the OP asked about a too-big-for-under-the-seat bag. Unquestionably many/most of us bring a (normal) backpack to the theatre often and it is no problem. The OP was hoping for an answer on a bigger bag than that, and that answer is, in simple terms, don't bank on it. 

[hollebolle]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 6:11pm

I think it also depends on your definition of “under the seat”. Mine doesn’t always cleanly fit underneath, though it’s not huge, but I can keep it in my space.

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 7:31pm

When I come through Manhattan, I'll bring a large backpack with me that fits comfortably between my legs, and it has never been a problem. Also, it has never spread out into the leg area of the people next to me which I think is the biggest concern.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 7:40pm

the one thing you learn quite promptly when dealing with the public is that most people are reasonable and sensible, but not everyone.  There is also that person who shows up with the kind of backpack students take to Europe for the summer who, told they cannot bring it in, respond "but I was told I could bring a backpack here." 

[sppunk]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 7:41pm

BeNice said: "The theatre where Choir Boy is playing now has lockers (which all theatres should start to do.)"

Lincoln Center does as well but they’re locked and unavailable “due to security concerns.”

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 7:53pm

Miss the free Lincoln Center lockers in the Beaumont and Mitzi Newhouse theatres. Use to put your coat and bag in them and enjoy the shows in comfort. Hundreds just there waiting to be used again lining the theatre interiors.

[hollebolle]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 10:29pm

BIG BALONEY said: "Miss the free Lincoln Center lockers in the Beaumont and Mitzi Newhouse theatres. Use to put your coat and bag in them and enjoy the shows in comfort. Hundreds just there waiting to be used again lining the theatre interiors."

Are they just going unused? I noticed all of the lockers in the Beaumont yesterday. They would have been super helpful; especially since it’s winter, and everyone has coats, scarves, hats, etc, that take up so much more space.

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/3/19 at 11:37pm

Sometimes I stay at hotels further away from Times Square/Theater District and I often in an attempt to make the most use of my time in the city, I shop before or between shows and can’t drop bags at hotel before. I have never had an issue with checking shopping bags as well as sometimes my coat and/or backpack. So unless you’re bringing in a full-sized checked bag or even a carry-on sized roller bag, you should be fine. I wouldn’t expect the theater to allow those as it would require too much space plus too much time for security to search it. If you’re looking at a bag that size, the recommendations here are good: check it with your hotel after checkout then go back and get it, see if local hotel will store it for you for a fee, or find nearby storage facility.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/4/19 at 12:13am

Example of what not to bring:

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 2/4/19 at 12:44am

Just a general thought/idea, if your hotel is not near the theater, could you find one that was and ask the bell desk to hold it for you? When I've checked a bag at the hotel where I'm staying -- not in NYC but other cities -- I don't think I've ever been asked if I'm staying at that particular hotel. Most hotel lobbies are big enough you could easily pass through the lobby and appear like you are a guest there. Tip the staff a bit better than usual perhaps? I wonder if the bellhops in Times Square are on to this and don't allow it? 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/4/19 at 1:43am

the issue is not the bellhops, for whom it is a source of revenue, but the management. Also as rehearsed there are a bunch of luggage storage places between Times Square/Port Authority and Penn Station, and also a couple on 8th ave in the theatre district, if the hotel thing doesn't work out. (City co-pilot is one, and the most established luggage place is Schwartz.