Your Guide to Radio City Music Hall
Seating Capacity: 5,960
Opening Date: 1932
Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York
Radio City Music Hall is an iconic entertainment venue that is located in the midtown Manhattan area of New York City, within the Rockefeller Centre, at 1260, Avenue of the Americas. The venue hosts theatre shows, concerts, award shows, special events, and select movie premiers as well. Radio City Music Hall also serves as the headquarters for the precision dance company, the Rockettes. The Christmas Spectacle Starring Radio City Rockettes is one of the most enduring shows of the music hall. Watching the show during the holiday season has practically become a tradition for locals and tourists alike, over the years.
Radio City Music Hall is said to be the largest indoor theatre in the world. Seating about 5,960 people, its massive auditorium creates a theatre experience like no other. With its state-of-the-art technology, design, innovation, and architecture, the theatre itself is a work of art that deserves to be seen as a gem in the world of entertainment.
Now Playing: Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall
The Radio City Music Hall has a seating capacity of 5,960, which can be increased for special events. The Orchestra section seats about 3,500 people and the rest are distributed among the three mezzanine levels — First Mezzanine, Second Mezzanine, and Third Mezzanine. A small pit section also has about 150 seats.
Radio City Music Hall Seating Chart
After the stock market crash of 1929, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. decided to build a complex of buildings in the midtown Manhattan neighborhood to attract commercial tenants in a destroyed economy. The area had been designated for the construction of a new Metropolitan Opera House but those plans were canceled due to the depressed economy. It was here that the Radio City Music Hall was built. Not only did it quickly become a hub of entertainment but it also established itself as a cultural and artistic landmark in New york city. By the end of the 1970s, the Hall had almost gone bankrupt but in 1978, Radio City Music Hall was designated a New York City Landmark. It was subsequently restored and allowed to remain open.
The Art Deco-style venue, which opened in 1932, was designed by Edward Durell Stone and Donald Deskey. The idea was to make a grand monument of contemporary design but still make it affordable for the common people to visit — a ‘palace for the people’. The walls and ceiling are made of a series of sweeping arches and there are no columns to obstruct the view. Three shallow mezzanine sections provide a huge chunk of comfortable seating but their edges do not loom over the rear Orchestra section below. The stage is a technical wonder with hydraulic-powered elevators, cutting-edge stage lighting and stage effect infrastructure, sound systems, including a gigantic organ, turntables, and much more.
Through the years, Radio City Music Hall has hosted a variety of famous concerts, stage shows, movie premiers, and events. Award shows like the Tony Awards, the Grammys, the Daytime Emmy Awards, and such, performances by legends like John Denver, Ray Charles, BB King, Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and the Rockettes as well as screenings of iconic films like the original King Kong, Mary Poppins, the Lion King, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, To Kill a Mockingbird and others are only a few notable events that have taken place at the Radio City Music Hall.
Know Before You Go
Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, USA.
Tube: The nearest tube station is 47-50th Streets - Rockefeller Center Station.
Bus: Some of the buses that stop near the Radio City Music Hall are M104, M42, M10, M6, and M27/50.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available on every level of the Radio City Music Hall, including stalls with adapted toilets.
Water Fountains: Water fountains are located on the First, Second, and Third Mezzanine levels as well as in the Grand Lounge.
Concession Stands: Concession stands like concession stands for souvenirs, food and beverage concession stands, and such are located all over the music hall.
Radio City Music Hall Gift Shop: A sweets and gifts shop is located to the left of the main entrance of the Radio City Music Hall.
Radio City Music Hall Tours: A guided tour of the venue may be taken by guests. Check out the beautiful Art Deco design and history of this New York City masterpiece.
Medical Assistance: Medical staff is available for emergencies and may be found on the lower level in the Grand Lounge near the bank of elevators.
Radio City Music Hall is committed to ensuring that patrons with special needs are well taken care of. The venue has an adapted entrance for wheelchair users, automatic door openers, accessible seats, assistive listening systems, accessible bathroom stalls, and many such facilities. It also provides wheelchair escort facilities to transport patrons to their seats if needed as well as storage for patrons’ wheelchairs for the duration of the show. Feel free to reach out to the staff at any point.
- If you need to bring a service animal to the show, make sure to contact the venue beforehand so they can accommodate you and your service animal.
- To ensure the safety of all patrons, everyone will be subject to security checks upon arrival at the Radio City Music Hall.
- Children under 2 can sit on a guardian’s lap for free during most events but contact the venue to make sure that your show permits the same.
- The Box Office Lobby entrance to the Radio City Music Hall is an accessible entrance.
- If you are bringing your kids to the venue in a stroller, they must be collapsible and able to fit comfortably under your seat.
- No outside food is allowed inside. For medical reasons, contact the venue in advance.
Estiatorio Milos – Hop in here for a dining experience reminiscent of Greece, with their scrumptious Mediterranean seafood fare, complete with an open fish market and an airy, elegant setting.
La Grande Boucherie – For an artistic vibe and some delicious French bistro food, come to the La Grande Boucherie. Their in-house meat program and signature cocktails will win you over.
Mastro's Steakhouse – Craving for an after-show steak dinner? Mastro's Steakhouse is the answer with its mouthwatering food, live entertainment, and stellar service.
Il Gattopardo – This restaurant is famous for its delectable southern Italian food, with fresh ingredients and authentic cooking. The restaurant occupies two floors and is elegant and spacious.
Potbelly – If you are looking for a quick snack before a show, this is where you need to be. Fresh ingredients and the quintessential American food will keep you coming back for more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Radio City Music Hall
A. Radio City Music Hall has, over the years, hosted a variety of famous concerts, stage shows, movie premiers, and events. But one of its most iconic shows is the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. Every year, thousands of locals, as well as tourists, flock to the music hall to watch it. It has almost become a New York City Christmas tradition.
A. Radio City Music Hall opened to the public in 1932 as an affordable hub of entertainment, culture and art.
A. The address of the Radio City Music Hall is 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, United States.
A. The seating capacity of the Radio City Music Hall is 5,960 but additional seats can be put in for special events. The Radio City Music Hall Seating Chart will give you a comprehensive idea about the seating structure of the hall.