Palace Theatre (New York)
The Palace Theatre, formerly known as the Royal English Opera House, is a West End theater close to the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. The theater seats 1400 people and was built under the direction of Gilbert and Sullivan opera producer Richard D'Oyly Carte in the late 1880s. Thomas Edward Collcutt designed it intending to serve as the base for the English grand opera. A magnificent performance of Arthur Sullivan's opera Ivanhoe marked the theater's debut in January 1891. The Palace Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
About Palace Theatre
- Total seating capacity: The venue has a capacity of 1,648 seats.
- Orchestra: The largest section offering some of the best and closest views of the stage, usually at premium rates.
- Mezzanine: Elevated behind the Orchestra, this section gives you clear, sweeping views of the whole stage, especially from the front-row seats.
- Balcony: The highest and smallest section, the views from here are more restricted but the seats are usually the cheapest.
The Palace Theatre was inaugurated in 1913, originally serving as a vaudeville theater before transitioning to a prime Broadway venue. While it is now a space known for hosting musicals, it previously hosted a variety of acts including jugglers, comedians, singers, and acrobats, cementing its status as a space for vaudevillian legacy.
Alas, vaudeville faded, and the Palace had to reinvent itself. It adapted by hosting a mix of movies and theatrical productions, eventually focusing solely on live theater. By the 60s, it became a Broadway theatre, and the rest, as they say, is history!
- A piece of history: Designed by Kirchhoff & Rose for a 1913 vaudeville house, the Palace Theatre's auditorium is the only part of the original structure that still stands after several refurbishments.
- Landmark status: The facade and auditorium are designated New York landmarks.
- Classic interiors: The auditorium includes classic features like a proscenium arch, plaster decorations, and Baroque and Beaux-Arts influences.
- All that glitters: The venue also boasts grandeur and opulence via grand staircases, ornate ceilings, and glittering chandeliers.
- Renovations: Many of the original aspects of the Palace were lost during renovations, but in 2020, much of its original features were restored using historical photographs.
- Man of La Mancha (1977)
- Oklahoma! (1979)
- La Cage aux Folles (1983)
- Beauty and the Beast (1994)
- Legally Blonde (2007)
- West Side Story (2009)
- Priscilla Queen of the Desert (2011)
- Annie (2012)
- Sunset Boulevard (2017)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (2017)
- Tammy Faye (2024)
Know before you go
- Address: 160 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
- Subway: The N, Q, R, and W lines stop at 49th Street, just a short walk from the theater. Times Square-42nd Street is within ten minutes from the theater.
- Bus: The nearest stops are on 6th Avenue. Routes M5 and M7 stop at the corner of West 47th Street. The BxM2 also stops near the theater at 6th Avenue and West 46th Street. The Port Authority Bus Terminal is within ten minutes of the theater as well.
- Parking: The Palace Theatre does not have a parking facility but you can park at nearby garages like Edison ParkFast on West 44th Street and the Icon Parking on West 43rd Street.
- Cloakroom: Check your coats, umbrellas, and large bags during winter months for a small fee to enjoy a clutter-free show. All bags are subjected to security screening.
- Water fountains: Located near the restrooms. Stay hydrated by refilling your bottles at these stations free of charge.
- Concessions and refreshments: The theater's bars offer a variety of snacks, sweet treats, drinks, and quick bites.
- Accessible entry: There is a step-free entrance at street level on Broadway and 47th Street.
- Lift access: A wheelchair-accessible lift is available for patrons seated in the Balcony or Rear Mezzanine sections.
- Designated seating: There are limited wheelchair-accessible and transfer seats in all sections with step-free access. Patrons are advised to book in advance due to the fewer number of seats.
- Accessible restrooms: Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are on the Orchestra level.
- Assistive listening devices: Headsets for sound augmentation are available free of charge but a photo ID is required as a deposit.
- Pets and service animals: Pets or comfort and support animals are not permitted, but designated service animals are allowed.
- Arrive early: Get to the theater at least 30 minutes before your show to avoid the last-minute rush.
- Dress code: While there's no strict dress code, smart casual attire is recommended to match the theater's ambiance. Guests without shirts os shoes are not allowed at the Palace Theatre.
- Electronic devices: Keep all mobile devices on silent or off during performances.
- Intermission and re-entry: Patrons may not re-enter while a show is playing, so we recommend grabbing a bit or using the restrooms before or after a show, or during intermissions.
- Prohibited items: Avoid bringing large bags, outside food and drink, professional recording equipment or devices like laptops, sharp objects like knives or studded and spiked jewelry, flammable liquids, or weapons, as these may not be allowed inside the theater.
- Havana Central Times Square: Bright retro Havana-style restaurant serving Cuban fare, notably popular Cuban-style drinks and cocktails, all set to live music.
- Directions to Havana Central Times Square
- Haven Rooftop: Gorgeous rooftop bar serving cocktails and quick bites like wings, burgers, nachos, truffle fries, and more in a cabana-themed space.
- Directions to Haven Rooftop
- Le Marais: Kosher restaurant and butcher shop serving French-influenced dishes including steaks, salads, roasted potatoes, waffles, pies, pastries, and more.
- Directions to Le Marais
- Bond 45 NY: Italian restaurant serving pasta, burgers, steaks, seafood, antipasti, and desserts.
- Directions to Bond 45 NY
- Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse: Opulent, upscale restaurant specializing in prime steaks and fine wines.
- Directions to Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
Frequently asked questions about Palace Theatre
Located at 160 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036, United States, this venue is easily accessible by all modes of public and private transportation.
Vaudeville theater owner and agent Martin Beck funded the construction of the Palace Theatre. When it opened in 1913, it was considered a flagship of impresarios Benjamin Franklin Keith and Edward Franklin Albee II's organization. It is now one of nine venues on Broadway operated by the Nederlander Organization and is co-owned by Jimmy Nederlander and Broadway producer Stewart Lane.
The Orchestra section is entirely accessible, including designated wheelchair-accessible, companion, and transfer seats. The accessible restroom is also on this level, and all designated areas have step-free access. The rest of the theater is partially accessible. There are no escalators or lifts at this venue.
Prices will vary across shows depending on the dates and seats selected.
The Palace Theatre has a capacity of 1,648 seats split across The Orchestra section offers fantastic views and visibility across shows, while the elevated levels give you sweeping views of the whole stage, especially from the front rows. For intimate plays like dramas, being closer to the stage is better. But for larger ensemble productions, you get just as good views from the upper levels for cheaper rates.
This theater is surrounded by sights to see, whether you're a traveler looking to do as much sightseeing as possible in a short time or a seasoned theatergoer looking to take in the city's vibe. Hit the classics like Madame Tussaud's and Times Square, especially if you're in the area for a late show, to be swept up by the sea of the city's bustling nightlife. For a quieter experience, try the gorgeous nature-based sights in the area, which include more frequented places like Central Park and the Hudson River or smaller ones like The Channel Gardens.
