Best Seats for Beach Blanket Babylon?
 

We're treating our friends to an evening of Beach Blanket Babylon when we all go on vacation this October. Tickets will go on sale very soon for the date I want, and I'm wondering what section to book. I was considering center balcony -- would love to hear from you fodorites what your favorite section is.

Thanks, all!

Club Fugazi is such a small place that all the seats are fine. Last month I took some out-of-towners to see it and the rear balcony was just fine ($33 per ticket - the least expensive, for this section. There's a $2 per ticket service charge also.) The rear balcony is essentially the same as the lower balcony as it just has a low partition separating its four rows from the lower section. Advantages of the rear balcony: it has only four rows of padded banquette bench seating (divided by the center aisle) - each row comfortably seats four or five, there is a dedicated stairwell which leads up only to that section, there's a tiny bathroom at the top of the stairwell, bar service is good - waitperson made frequent trips up to this small section to take care of it.

Seats are not reserved in this section, so it's best to think about being there when the doors open (about an hour before show) to claim your place.

The theater is very sensitive about recording devices/cameras -- so don't even think of trying to take video or photos. When you enter they will ask if you have a camera in your bag and then check it if you say yes.

By any chance are any of you physically challenged? If so, tell them when you call and you will be seated down front - but also will have to arrive 30 minutes before anyone else is seated.

No physical challenges here (though we're bound to be footsore after walking around town all day..).

Appreciate the warning about recording devices/cameras, we'll leave those behind.

Is there an area where we might want to avoid -- bar service doesn't visit, hard to sit 4 people together, or too small for tall people? (Our friends are tall, we're short; pretty funny scene!)

Thanks for the replies.

Leg room is ample in all sections. If seated on the main floor a tall person might block someone's view, whereas in the balconies the rise is fairly steep for each row and that would not be a problem. There is oodles of legroom in the balcony - very comfy, great view. Drinks service is in all sections, I just thought it very good (fast & plentiful) up in the balcony.

Another thing, if you go to the 10 p.m. show it will let out about 11:40 and taxis are few & far between outside Club Fugazi then. If you are staying near Union Square it's about a 12 block walk (downhill) on Powell to get back - about 15/20 minutes. It's not a bad walk.

I assume the walk back to Union Square on Powell is relatively safe...?

We prefer the seats on the main floor to the ones in the balcony. They are cabaret chairs next to little tables. The ambience of this area can't be beat (IMHO).

However, I have learned from this site that there are many theatergoers who prefer seats away from the stage rather than near it. Perhaps they don't want to be sullied by what ever is given off by the people on the stage. You be the judge.

It USED to be that if you had seats in the balcony you could walk right in with those tickets as opposed to having to line up outside ahead of time for the main floor seats...that MAY have changed.

I don't think there are any really bad seats in the place and I've seen the show three times...from the balcony, from the side on the upper level and from a table directly next to the stage.

Jayne, the walk down Powell toward Union Square is going down a steep hill. I mean VERY steep. If you're wearing heels, it will be like walking on double-hight-heels.

Thanks, Faina--I definitely won't wear heels, then. Now that I'm thinking about it, how dressy is this event?

You are liable to see every mode of dress at this event. Don't worry..everyone will be glued to the costumes of the actors <b>on the stage</b> and not those in the audience.

I would not recommend dressing up. It is very casual, but anything goes. whatever is comfortable for whatever else you may be doing before or after.

Thanks, everyone. Now that I know the walk back to Union Square is downhill, would it be totally crazy to walk TO North Beach? We'll probably have dinner down there before the show.

Hi Jayne, I always walk to North Beach via Grant Ave. When you get to Broadway you will see Columbus over on your right, across Broadway. Just walk up Columbus until you get to Green St., turn left and you will be there! Personally I would walk back to Union Sq the same way.

Any show is more enjoyable in some seats than in others.

+

The top dollar seats on Broadway or in Las Vegas aren't in the balcony.

= The obvious.

Anyone choosing to walk up Grant Ave. through Chinatown needs to be particularly aware of their surroundings and keep alert due to viscous muggings which are happening in that area.

You can read and/or watch more about the attacks here:

<b>http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_206200513.html</b>

I'm pretty sure I meant to say that the muggings are 'vicious' rather than 'viscous.' :)

We're staying at Villa Florence on Powell St. Will we be able to get a cable car or bus to North Beach or somewhere nearby?