TKTS Booths

[WEBManBWay]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:04am

What time do you need to get in line if you want good tickets for a matinee or an evening show?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:08am

Go to the TDF website for the rules.

[Patash]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:27am

While some have good luck getting great seats, I've been "lied to" enough to prefer to book in advance with discount codes -- going by the theatre and usually getting better seats, or at least a choice.
The worse was when at TKTS I asked the guy which of two plays (both not very popular) had the best seats. He said, "take your pick. I have center orchestra close up for both" so I chose one. It wasn't until I walked away that I realized the seats didn't sound right, and sure enough, he had given me LAST row, side orchestra. The theatre was half empty so when the lights dimmed, I moved down close.

But to answer your question, some people swear you'll get the best seats just an hour before performance.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:35am

I have gotten in line a half hour before it opened (Times Square booth)and even after it had opened and gotten great seats. Most times I have gotten seats the person at the booth showed me my tickets and a chart so I could see where I was sitting.

[auggie]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:57am

Some of the folks at the TKTS booth cop a "New York" attitude because they are trying to move a long line as quickly as possible with US customers that are clueless or foreign tourist that don't speak English very well if at all. My suggestion is to know what is going on before hand and that means to have a couple shows picked out a head of time that you may want to see (also know the theaters) and if the 1st choice tix stink say no and ask to look at plan B and so on. Generally speaking the TKTS tickets seem to be blocked togther and I have found waiting in that long line will only get you a couple more rows closer to the stage or a couple seats closer to the middle. I go before dinner for an evening show and if flexible usually get good enough seats. Also have that cash ready so you can move along once you make a decision.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:07pm

I agree on having the cash ready. I put in in a seperate pocket so I can just pull it out and hand it over so I am not standing there counting it out at the window.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:15pm

For matinee shows, I recommend going to TKTS down by the Seaport. Tickets are available the day before the performance, and also a day before the Times Square booth.

For the Times Square booth, though it's not necessary, I like to get there around 3. I don't think I've ever gotten a bad seat from TKTS though, no matter how late I go.