Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Event venue · Marina District

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Event venue · Marina District

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3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123

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Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by MATADOR_NETWORK
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre by null

Highlights

Theater hosts diverse performances with great acoustics and views  

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3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 Get directions

palaceoffinearts.org

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3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 Get directions

+1 415 855 1607
palaceoffinearts.org

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Last updated

Aug 19, 2025

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Art and Culture in Asheville

"One of the last locally owned, independent movie theatres in North Carolina, the Fine Arts Theatre is a cultural icon for the city. Opened in 1996, the Art Deco theatre now shows independent and art films, as well as more mainstream movies. With a $10 admission fee, $5 movies on Tuesday nights, and select discounts, it’s also one of the cheapest movie-going options. Keep an eye on the calendar for events such as concerts and other live performances. Settle in for a movie night with a local brew in hand, and enjoy the nostalgic setting. Remember to ask for the matinee price, which is $8 for shows before 6:00 PM." - MATADOR_NETWORK

https://matadornetwork.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/asheville/art-culture/
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Miranda Rider

Google
I absolutely LOVE this venue. So easy to get to from Marin too! Lovely theatre, really nice energy. I wish there was security though, for safety. But the facilities are just wonderful and the view walking outside after a show is breathtaking.

Yasmine Omar

Google
Seeing Mustafa at Palace of Fine Arts Theatre was a beautiful experience. The venue’s acoustics and intimate setting made his performance even more powerful. After the show, walking around the Palace of Fine Arts was the perfect way to end the night—the scenery was absolutely stunning. A truly unforgettable experience!

Rebecca Rodriguez

Google
Saw a show here recently for the first time. Super impressive and beautiful place to experience. The theater is a small theater that hosts a variety of acts throughout the year. The columns and little pond outside are stunning. Not sure about parking, we walked to the theater. Bathrooms are easily accessible.

Md Shahnur Arefin

Google
The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure located in the Marina District of San Francisco, California, originally constructed for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition to exhibit works of art. Completely rebuilt from 1964 to 1974, it is the only structure from the exposition that survives on site. -wiki

Monica Martinez

Google
Where to begin, this place looks like it came straight out of a landscape painting. It's breathtaking! The architecture and setting of this place is gorgeous. You loop around the and get to explore and appreciate the textures and details of the buildings. This is my favorite spot to visit everytime I want to get away from the city and enjoy the beauty of this remarkable painting.

Ricky Zulfandi

Google
What a great buildings. Happy to be here to see and enjoy the arts palace. Hope can bring my family to visit someday.

sharanya chandran

Google
Right in the heart of the hustling San Francisco you will find Palace of Fine Arts, quietly gazing at the city. Something rooted to the history in the city of fiction. Very beautiful architecture with a view that you won’t get bored of very easily. I personally loved the pillars with 4 ladies on the top. The place accommodates to whatever you are in the mood of. Be it run, yoga, relax, be creative, picnics.. The garden has great wild life to observe. Any time of the day is perfect time to go. Can easily spend 2-3 hours. Lot of picture perfect shots. Ample parking space.

桜間榛名

Google
I was here for a K-pop concert and a black female security ask me to not take any videos with my phone…..excuse me? You might be joking or you must be the first time at a K-pop concert. Everybody is recording with their phones why only ask me? I feel disrespectful and being racisted
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Allan Y.

Yelp
1st, I had no idea there was Theatre at the Palace of Fine Arts. I've been to the outside park/rotunda area to do pictures for clients. We came here to see Atsuko Okatsuka at 9PM. I did a little research on parking and saw they had their own parking. When we got there the parking lot was half empty, keep in mind that this theatre holds about 1000 guests and both of the show was SOLD out. After the show we were able to get out fairly fast. They have a large lobby area and the bathrooms were clean. The seats were very comfortable!!!
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Marybeth S.

Yelp
Came here to see Atsuko Okatsuka at 7PM. Never been here before and was anticipating scarce parking spots and an overcrowded theater but I was so wrong- it was such a pleasant experience! Parking- SO MUCH FREE PARKING right outside. Though if you're weary about safety, I suggest residential parking. Getting in- Seamless and spacious- unlike the Masonic with many security measures and congested. BATHROOM- There is an attendant inside who will let you know which stall has emptied. Seating about 1000 people, this space still seemed intimate. I was seated in row L and I still felt pretty close to the stage. Generous leg room too.
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Steph C.

Yelp
This was my first time in the theater, I had no idea it was even there even though I've been to the outdoor park/rotunda area multiple times! Saw the potted potter show and it was entertaining. The theater was great though because we easily found free parking out front for a Saturday 5pm show, and there was so much leg room!! As other reviewers have said, they have a concessions stand with chips, candy, small standard sandwiches, breads (ie banana bread or lemon bread slices), alcohol, and soft drinks. I'd definitely see another show here should one come around that looked good.
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Casey S.

Yelp
Went to the Palace of Fine Arts Theater on a rainy Tuesday night. Definitely a smaller venue, but I did like how easy it was to park. There's an odd and even section, but we were able to get a pretty good seat and the performance was wonderful.
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Tabitha H.

Yelp
I came here to watch Potted Potter on a weekday night. Overall, I had a great experience. There was plenty of free parking. The lobby was spacious. The bathrooms were clean. Seats were comfy. Nice staff. Guidance was clear and the show was fun. Would return again for another show!
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Jo W.

Yelp
Despite being a local all my life to San Francisco, I've never seen a performance at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre until Dita Von Teese came for her Glamonatrix Tour in January 2023. It was rather difficult and confusing to find the entrance to the theatre, and it wasn't us, lots of people were lost and wondering where the entrance was. This is a beautiful and spacious theatre. Boyfriend and I sat to the right near the front, and we had a great view of the stage and performance! We had a wonderful and beautiful night out, despite the heavy storm!
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Jessica G.

Yelp
I went to the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre this past weekend to watch a podcast live. For some reason, I've never realized there was actually a theatre here! I'd been to the Palace of Fine Arts many times before, but it was years ago when the Exploratorium was still here. The entrance to the theatre is in the back of the building. So if you're at the Palace of Fine Arts, you'll go around the building to the other side. The entrance is marked by a small awning. There's not a lot of parking in the area so I'd highly recommend coming early to find a spot in nearby neighborhoods or catching a ride/uber/lyft. There's snacks and drinks available for purchase in the theatre lobby. However, you're not allowed to eat the food while in the theatre so if you're hungry, plan to spend a bit of time in the lobby snacking beforehand. You can bring drinks inside as long as it's got a lid. There aren't a lot of bathroom stalls either, which was surprising to me considering how large the theatre was. Use it before the show or plan to wait in line for awhile after the show. The theatre itself is large but not super huge. There's only one level (the orchestra space) and no balcony. It's a good view from any seat in the house, and luckily I was seated in the middle front area. After the show was over, there were quite a few people waiting outside to get picked up. There was a little traffic with all the cars coming through the back area so it might be faster if you met your lyft/uber by the Palace of Fine Arts or if you walk out a bit to the Marina. As long as you don't mind the walk, you'll get the shorter wait and your driver will be glad to not wait in the traffic!
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Annabelle R.

Yelp
We had the pleasure of watching a performance by Hungarian pianist and composer, Havasi, and his spectacular drummer, Andy, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. They were both so energetic during the show, which included sounds from the electronic music genre, keeping us entertained and amazed, especially with the seemingly supersonic movement of Havasi's fingers. In fact, he was awarded the title of "fastest pianist in the world" in 2009 by the Guinness World Records. And though not the most extravagant venue, the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre was a perfect setting for him to display his musicianship to a dedicated audience of all ages, with acoustic panels hanging from the ceiling, and comfortable enough seats with sufficient legroom and shades of red all around. In terms of viewing, the theatre is pretty small overall with no obstructions, so any seat's a good seat really. The lobby is spacious, set up with a few tables and chairs for eating and drinking before the show (signs say no food/drinks allowed in the theatre, but they didn't seem to enforce it during our recent visit). Concessions included beer, wine, coffee, candy, baked goods, cheese and crackers, and nuts and fruit. There was plenty of parking available, including a dedicated parking lot specifically for the theatre (though a few of the pay stations were out of order this past weekend).  Especially with such a beautiful location in the city, this is a great theatre to enjoy your favorite artists and performances, accompanied by your favorite people :)
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Lani S.

Yelp
We saw Matt Nathanson play here last month. I didn't even know there was a theater here large enough for intimate concerts. Needless to say, I did my research before going. There isn't a whole lot of information on it. It holds around 900 people. It's got some interesting historical information in and around the theater. There was a concession stand that had a decent amount of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The lobby area where you wait before the actual theater doors open is a good size. The restrooms were clean. The women's restroom had quite the line as you can imagine, but it went pretty quickly. (I went at intermission). The staff from the ticket taker to the concession folks to the folks who opened the theater doors were all pleasant and friendly. The view of the Palace dome when we got out was incredible. The lights have a cool glow. Photos are a must!

Alex B.

Yelp
Great experience! Absolutely love it! I was an opening act. I was so impressed with sound quality and all professionals! Absolutely unforgettable experience
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Olivia S.

Yelp
Absolutely gorgeous space. We came to see "please don't destroy" here and the space felt immediately homey. It was our first time at the venue and we were quickly checked in and funneled into the main waiting space where the cocktail bar was located. With high ceilings and historical sculptures it's clear that there are a variety of different events could be held here and the space would transform to it!! The acoustics were great and the sound system worked amazingly throughout the theater. Great venue!
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Dilys S.

Yelp
Didn't know this theater could be a great convention center. It's great for events. Decent bathroom size! Huge venue can be converted to two floors. Situated right behind the beautiful beautiful palace of fine art. The back side can be used as a food truck line too. Multiple entrances. Very impressed
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Al L.

Yelp
I've never been nor had the opportunity to see a concert at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. Now seven months into 2022, I've been here for two concerts. Parking was relatively easy as I found spaces on the street within a block of the Theater. Getting here about 90 minutes before the show time, we walked around the Palace to enjoy the beauty and serenity of this famous San Francisco landmark. The theater is one of the smaller venues I've been to for a concert as it sits 961 people in 20 rows. The seating here has plenty of leg room and you don't have to get up for someone to walk by and I'm 6ft tall. Maybe the only negative is that there are no aisles and you enter and exit the row at each end. With over 60 seats to a row, you got a long way to walk to exit the row if you near the middle. Sound system was good and ushers were friendly. We had a great time seeing Lindsay Buckingham in April and Corinne Bailey Rae this month. Overall, a nice smaller venue for shows.
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Michele R.

Yelp
I visited the Palace of Fine Arts many times, but did not know that the theater was there. Went with friends to see Matt Nathanson and it was a lovely venue. Now I'm going to look and see what other events they have coming soon.
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Kelley K.

Yelp
Hey folks I was late to the party! This is such a great venue. I will be looking forward to going to more concerts here soon. We saw Corinne Bailey Rae here. She and this theater are/were fantastic! No hard booze. Only screw top wine. So maybe get your drink on, before you head in. Girl put your records on ;)

Kim S.

Yelp
first visit here for a concert; the seats were great (i would avoid the corner 4-5 ones of each row though, especially the front), clean theatre and restrooms, speakers that don't burst your eardrums, and the staff were sweet, communicative and helpful. food is decent but limited. also the venue is gorgeous!
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David C.

Yelp
Beautiful for photo shoots and historic site with learning for families of all ages. You can rent spaces god events of all sizes. Beautiful gardens
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Tom S.

Yelp
Banksy street art show December 2021. A 20 year retrospective collection review of Banksy iconic works. About 80 images. Clever social commentary. Some provocative images that were revolutionary at the start of the 21st century. Some of the art almost seems quaint already. Like it harkens back to a simpler, more clear headed and less brutal era. After appreciating some of the anti-capitalist messages it's ironic to take the mandatory walk through the gift shop to see $60 not so well made tee shirts with a poor copy of an image. Banksy hinted that the best we can do to survive is to shrug our shoulders at the ridiculousness of the world we've built and carry on. Sure wish that 20 years ago I bought a few of his posters for $35 that now sell for $80,000. Take that bitcoin.
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Corabelle G.

Yelp
First, this is not a museum, if your wondering. It is more of an outdoor, scenic spot to take pics and enjoy the old large pillars that sits next to a lake. Really wasnt sure what this place was, i had always seen the dome and wondered so i finally checked it out. Its pretty and on a noce foggy San Francisco day it is surprisingly pretty great to see. Walk around the lake for alot of scenic picture opportunities and admire the large pillars that used to encompass a theater.
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Daniel A.

Yelp
This is a terrific concert venue. Just intimate enough. Always plenty of parking across the street by the park and water.
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Stefanie C.

Yelp
Iconic San Francisco landmark! Beautiful to walk around, even if you're not going inside POFA. Feed the birds, take photos, or meditate in the lush greenery. Love this place, even if it usually takes awhile to get here from where I live, more in SOMA. On this particular occasion, my fiancé and I watched Daniel Sloss' comedy show which was freaking amazing. I felt like I was amongst my tribe. Anyways the POFA guest entrance was a little challenging to find the first time, but it gave a good excuse to walk around the perimeter. The theater foyer is spacious, perfect for special events... I know they host many. Restrooms are easy to find. Each seat in the actual theater has a ton of legroom, which is different from the usual Broadway musicals I go to. Staff is friendly from what I recall. Overall a positive experience!
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Karen W.

Yelp
A spacious venue but the location is near the freeway to the Golden Gate Bridge which can get congested. I think Uber, Lyft or public transportation is your best bet, but if you have to drive, do not leave any valuables in your car as one of the crew from the singer we were seeing got their van broken into. Upon leaving the venue after the show there was alot of broken car window glass. This was my first time seeing a show here. I was the first in line for will call and doors were not open til about 5:45 pm and the meet and greet before the show was at 6 pm and standing outside I felt cold as it was very windy. Once we got in, very easy to get your tickets and then there was a wait inside to get into the lobby of the theatre. Once we got into the lobby, there are restrooms as well as refreshments in the spacious lobby as well as plenty of tables and chairs. The theatre itself is spacious and we had great seats in the second row and seats were rocking comfortable and space between rows was roomy. Great show and venue but better to take public transit or Uber or Lyft
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Shane S.

Yelp
The Palace of Fine Arts is beautiful. It was originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Classical Roman inspired architecture. The beautiful indoor theatre hosts live performances from all over the world. I recently went here to see Snatam Kaur. There really isn't a bad seat inside. Enjoyed the show! It is free to explore the outdoor park outside & even have a picnic here.
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Robin P.

Yelp
You know how they say I left my heart in San Francisco? I get that . So many beautifully iconic views. The palace of Fine Arts is new to me, when I laid eyes on it i couldn't believe I'd never heard of it . This is such a nice place to visit and relax and sit for awhile , there were plenty of ducks in the waters near by and there was a nice crowd, but nothing overwhelming. I'd love to return here if only just to sit and take in all the beauty .
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Tiffany K.

Yelp
If you're only visiting to take pics of the outside, do not worry about the hours! Theres no gate to take pics of the places that I uploaded. Lots of parking available. Seems like a nice place to have a picnic by the pond. Pretty sure this place is busy all the time with locals and tourists. Its a nice place to see and take pictures at.
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Vinod A.

Yelp
Locals and Tourist love coming here One of the landmark of San Francisco. Great Architecture and awesome energy. Always filled with activities and performances. One of the favorite spot to take wedding photography. It has its own beauty at sunrise , sunset , day and night. Done with small pond around gives amazing shots. Theater is small but it has amazing acoustics.
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Donovan L.

Yelp
Loved this Iconic Theatre... medium size place to watch your favorite concert .. shows .. .. every seat has a good view of the stage.. After the Show you have the opportunity to explore and walk the garden and remembering what a great show you just watch.... Parking can be limited.. I'd take Lyft or Uber .. that's stress free looking for a parking ..
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Steven W.

Yelp
A nice place to stroll around and take a relaxing walk. The palace itself is gorgeous to look at and walk through. Best of all it's free which is rare in San Francisco. We even saw a pair of geese and their gosling camped out near the lake!
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Xiomara D.

Yelp
The scenery here is very calming. There were more people than I expected but it's really just a nice park for you to enjoy some good wether in the grass or near the lake and maybe take some cute picnic photos or just hang with some friends in the sun.
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My Two Cent S.

Yelp
Incredible view and gorgeous architecture! Truly eye candy for my lens. Loved seeing families enjoying the sights as it made for a very comfortable family friendly feel area.
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Daniel C.

Yelp
We came to this theater for the 38th annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, which is held over the span of 3 weekends with two shows (2pm, 8pm) for Sat and Sun. Each show is a ~ 2 hour event with ten different Bay Area dance teams performing, each representing a different culture. There are apparently over 400 such groups active in the Bay Area, and today we saw only a sample of them! OVERALL The Theater at the Palace of Fine Arts has a nice lobby area, sizable restrooms, and has pretty comfortable seats. Large stage area and the sound system is great. They even have free Wifi from the Hunger Games Exhibit next door! PARKING Get here early, but for a stress-free experience we chose one of the pay lots nearby for $1.50/hr or so. We used the one at 1040 Edie, which is 10-15 minutes walk to Palace of Fine Arts. SHOW I enjoyed the show, and recommend it for sure. Every weekend has 10 different acts - the music, costumes, and dance styles are all unique. My favorite acts from our show were: Aquaclara Flamenco - Wow, these seven ladies were amazing. I liked they way they stomped - elegant, powerful, rhythmic. I liked their costumes and how they expressed themselves - assertive, feminine, and confident! Dunsmir Scottish - This large group was interesting, with a diverse group of men and women of various ages wearing colorful shirts and kilts and dancing in circular patterns. The style is relaxed and joyful, while the music takes me back to Braveheart! Mexican Folkloric - There were two separate teams, but the final act was the best! Great music and choreography and there were dancers balancing bottles on their head followed by some nice dance moves involving machetes, with rhythmic clangs. After the shows, the dance teams took a bow together on the stage and went outside to mingle and dance with any guests who stuck around. Their was a live band in the lobby so the partying just begun!
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Juan V.

Yelp
This is one of the most amazing landmarks in San Francisco .Great architecture and great atmosphere. It's a great place to have a concert venue. The place is so chill and relaxing. This is the place that let's you appreciate the history, present and future of the City of San Francisco.
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Jenna O.

Yelp
This place over sunset is just a wow. It is a free place to visit, and often a stop for artsy photos. I have seen people go there for prom, for senior portraits, and even wedding photos. Of course a friend and I stopped to take photos too. It wasn't too busy, even though we went at sunset - which is probably the most beautiful time there. If you want a nice walk, with a view this would be the place to go. Being so close to the marina, you could go for a run and have a view the whole time. If you just want a nice place for photos, again this place is beautiful.
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Cheryl H.

Yelp
Intimate setting. Nice acoustics - all good seats. Give yourself some extra time before your event to walk around and see the amazing columns and structure. Recommend parking elsewhere and walking in.
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Gwyne P.

Yelp
This is a cute little theater! But first things first: parking is a bit difficult & the lots gets full really fast!! TIP: park around the Palace of Fine Arts Park. So after you watch, you can walk around & enjoy the view!! :) Anywho, I came to watch Potted Potter with one of my good friends. It was easy to determine which line was the will call line & which was the door purchase line. I appreciated that. We were scanned in & off to Hogwarts! The place was dimly lit & since it was still December, Christmas Trees were up & the place shone green lights! Bathroom was quick to find & the line went super quick. It was clean & lots of paper to go around! Lots of stalls too which helped with the line flow. I also had red wine & the wine was more on the tart side. We weren't allowed to bring drinks inside so I had to chug it down. Our seats were extremely comfy & were also rockers! There was no "bad seat" in the house because you can see the stage from every angle I believe. There was only one floor as well. The seats didn't go so high so we weren't far from the stage. The place is really beautiful & I would come back to see another play!
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Afshin A.

Yelp
Small but comfortable hall This is a small theater more suited for less formal performances. This time around I was there for the 20th San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and the theater served the purpose just fine. We had a clear view of the stage and the sound was fine. I have been there for a couple of other performances, one of them being a stand up comedy show and the other a small 2 or 3 person act. At this time parking is a major issue here, so until it gets fixed later this year, plan to get there early.
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Joel G.

Yelp
Saw Jimmy Carr here. It's a large theatre, yet it feels intimate at the same time. The seats are soft, and give you plenty of leg room. You might feel the people behind you getting to their seats, but no biggy. Not much security at this place, no metal detectors. The seats in the actual theatre don't have split in the middle, if your seat is in the middle, you have to walk through every seat in the aisle to get to your seat. Arrive on time. There's only one bathroom for each gender, making lines unbearable (and no guard walls for the urinals). They do pour large drinks if you're getting a cocktail. A double whisky is like a triple, drink slow. The theatre itself has good acoustics, and the seating is raised, not having to worry about someone tall in from of you. The 28 bus is literally a block away, because parking is horrendous and Uber will crowd the entrance after a show.
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Masama S.

Yelp
Im right here now seeing people (lots of them) with their drinks... and I throw away half of my wine to follow the rules. Not fair.
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Cristina S.

Yelp
The Palace is true beauty that takes my breath away time and again. There's a reason we chose to get married there! The Theater, however, could use some updating. The small, squeaky chairs are reminiscent of the old movie theater with the sticky floors. That said, they attract some decent acts and even the seats in the way back or on the far sides are still worth it. Note the entrance is not on the main Baker St side, but down Bay on the backside by the bridge entrance.
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Carl F.

Yelp
Loved this venue! I can't speak to the parking and it certainly seems like the entrance is on the wrong side of the building but there's two large waiting areas under one roof and it seems like there's just as much room outside the theater in the ticketing and concession area as there is inside. The seats were comfy and even the orchestra seats were really well spaced and elevated so that big heads in front won't disturb your view. Sound was perfect, theater was clean, and it's probably the most personal space I've had as a viewer. Getting there was easy from downtown, taking the swanky Golden Gate bus and getting off at the last stop before it heads over the bridge to Mill Valley. The only minor neg is that they sell refreshments right outside the theater but they don't tell you until you're about to go on that you can't bring them inside. No signs or anything. Had I known that I wouldn't have purchased anything knowing I'd have to chug it but I'd still go back for another show in a heartbeat.
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Claire P.

Yelp
This place is a little run down, and the seats are on the smaller side, but it has a charm that I love. We saw Joey Coco Diaz here, and it was the perfect sized room for a semi intimate performance. Not so many people that you feel disconnected, but still a good sized crowd to make roar with laughter. I have never been to a venue with a better parking situation. It was a sold out show and there were still some parking spots available out there. It was about $5 to park through the entirety of the show (earlier in the day we paid $16 to park outside of Westfield mall). No matter where you park, you're pretty dang close to the entrance of the theater. No more catching blisters by hiking to your seat! The parking lot also spits you out right onto the free way when you're exiting. Do you know how rare that is in San Fran!? Oh, and obviously the beautiful architecture in the back is pretty great too. Love, love, love!
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Inzaley M.

Yelp
Horrible stage crew members. Bad attitudes towards hosts and lazy when ask them do the tasks that apply to their literal job lol. This place is not worth your money, take your events somewhere you'll have an all around good experience and won't have to worry about stage crew members delaying your set times and be making snarky remarks to their coworkers about your performers right next to you. yea. We still said thank you at the end of it but I hope everyone looking for a venue to book will take my review in to consideration before choosing this place.

Jenny T.

Yelp
I will NEVER come to this venue again. This review is for the usher/security team working on Friday night, 12/14/18, and for a management personnel at the venue, Jason. This makes the top of my list as one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a show. My friends and I were so excited to attend and enjoy a show we purchased tickets for many months ago. We were so ready to enjoy on a Friday night, but throughout the show, we were being harassed and antagonized by the two men sitting next to us. They constantly telling us to "shut the f*** up" when we weren't even talking. While all of this was happening, one of my friends who has a medical condition that causes her to fall asleep, was quietly sleeping in her seat. Eventually he told his friend/partner in a very loud and threatening tone "they won't be here for long...". Shortly after, he came back with a security guard. Without even nudging her to ask if she was okay, without even consulting her friends who were sitting next to her, the security guard picked my friend up and stormed out of the theater with her over his shoulder. My other friend and I quickly ran after them to make sure she was okay. We don't know what that man told the security and usher teams, but whatever it was, it did not justify them physically removing her without even asking any questions about why she was in her current state. When we left the theater and were in the lobby, we tried to talk to the ushers to understand what was going on, but they refused to listen to what we had to say. One of the ushers eventually acknowledged that what happened was wrong and that the behavior of the people next to us was wrong, but she refused do anything about it. Her complete disregard of the situation was so upsetting - when we tried to explain that to her, she told us "all you want to do is pick a fight and start trouble" and had us kicked out of the venue. Today, a couple of days after the show, my friend who was removed from her seat, went to talk to Jason, someone on the management team at the theater. He said the security was justified in pulling her out of the venue because they did not see that she was wearing a medical bracelet... I don't know when they looked for that medical bracelet because trust me, the second the security guard was in front of us, he immediately picked her up and took her out. Jason also told her that since he personally wasn't there that night, there is nothing that he can do to rectify the situation. This was a truly terrible and horrific venue experience, and I hope you think twice about the next time you plan to attend an event here. As I noted in the opening, I will never come to this venue again. Even if Whitney Houston comes back to life and agrees to do only one farewell ghost show at the Palace of Fine Arts... it'll be a hard no from me.
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Dina K.

Yelp
Breath taking little gem. You literally feel like you're walking through Europe. A great place to come visit and take in the architecture. Or just relax and enjoy the peaceful view.
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Hae-Seung R.

Yelp
It's beautiful here. I went on a weekday and caught the sunset. Perfect place for photos!
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Chelle N.

Yelp
One star because we got there early and found amazing parking. I attended the City and Colour show last night which was incredible and Dallas Green was amazing. But, I was annoyed because security was NOT doing their job. It was a solo acoustic show and there was a man that was clearly drunk who was screaming the entire show standing up blocking at least 4-5 peoples views and he was screaming and yelling while the music was playing. I get it we are excited but not once did Security pull him to the side and ask if he can sit down or lower his voice. It ruined the mood for a few songs and I wish that next time they consider other people that are there for the show.
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J P.

Yelp
What can I say? The grounds, architecture are magnificent. A variety of conferences, plays, musical acts are on offer quite often. The theatre underwent a million dollar renovation. Parking is not convenient around the area. Best to take Uber/Lyft or Muni bus. I had the opportunity to work in crowd control/usher for a short period of time. I enjoyed my job immensely. But I had 2 other jobs at the same time, and there was an issue with payroll management that prompted my decision to part ways. Otherwise, it was a delight to have been a part of the organization, I'm a theater geek, and Im so grateful for the job, and the opportunity.
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Glenn L.

Yelp
Saw the Michael Schenker Fest show here. A very nice venue. Very wide stage, and only about 30+ rows deep, with each row on a good angle. Be aware that the best performances here would be by someone used to arena type performances. Some who just sits on a chair and plays will not take advantage of the area to roam. There is a lot of space between rows and no one can block your view, unless they stand (you just need to stand and can see over people). We were 11th row, but felt like we were about 20 rows back based on the distance. Don't get confused by seat numbers - they split odd and even and count from each side, so you need to be aware of what door you go into. Lighting is good here, but the ventilation is just okay. The bar was pretty crowded, but it appeared that they provided drinks in covered containers (think small reusable water bottles). We parked in the Marina District and took Lyft here rather than figure out parking. KInd of chaos catching a ride afterwards, but remember that the Palace of Fine Arts borders a residential area.
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EL H.

Yelp
This venue is beautiful on the outside, but the parking is horrific. I would recommend taking Lyft or Uber to get here if you need to drive. Like everywhere in SF, I only go if I need to. This is one of them. We saw a fantastic concert here, so in this case it was worth it. The theater was nice with good acoustics, but the concert is what made this experience, not the location.
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Wendy M.

Yelp
One of my favorite places on earth! I absolutely love this place! Feels like a different time and place here! Walking around the grounds everyday is magical!