Ahmanson Theatre
Ahmanson Theatre
4.5
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
Downtown Los Angeles is a busy metropolis of towering buildings, bustling streets, and industrial warehouses. There is a distinct multiplicity of cultures here with a growing influx of business professionals and hipsters. Many call the evolution of Downtown over recent years gentrification. New lofts, bars, hotels and restaurants are popping up regularly. Downtown is home to some of the very best restaurants in the city leading the LA foodie scene, plus it is the location of cultural and sports venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, and the Coliseum at the University of Southern California.
How to get there
- East LA Civic Center • 5 min walk
- Civic Center/Grand Park • 5 min walk
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Restaurants
2,352 within 3 miles
Attractions
720 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
109 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
35
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Shanelle
Santa Monica, CA8,588 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Long-standing performing arts center in DTLA. Came here most recently to watch Peter Pan: The Play that Goes Wrong and we had a good time. There’s paid garage parking available. Street parking is on the difficult side but there’s limited metered parking spots available if you’re willing to walk. There’s plenty of restaurants in the nearby area and it’s a big theater, but you can still feel really immersed in the show. Plenty of restrooms are available for during intermission. We’ve always had a good time at this venue and I would highly recommend watching a show here if given an opportunity.
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elizabethlascheid
Los Angeles, CA5,260 contributions
Jan 2022
The Ahmanson Theatre is one of the play houses located at The Music Center in Downtown LA. It is a great place to see a play or ballet. It sits on the Music Center property, known as the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Parking is for a fee. You can valet at about $17 or self park right under the Music Center for about 5$ after 4 pm. It is really easy to get to and getting out is not going to take hours.
All Covid measures are in place. You will need to show you vax card and wear your mask, which I love.
There are plenty of places for dinner nearby. Kendall's is very good and has a nice, but limited French menu. It is fine dinning. On the same floor as the Pavilion is Mullin's Wine Bar, which has snacks and burgers and they are great. They also have a full bar. Other places are set to open up at the end of March. Inside you can get snacks and drinks, but right now they are to be consumed outside.
The place is spotless and ever so pretty. The staff is super and will help you to your seat or whatever you need.
I have never seen a bad play, musical or ballet there. We just saw "Everyone's Talking About Jamie." It was fantastic. These are professionals, sometimes straight from their run in the UK and now and again right from Broadway. A lot of their shows are Touring and the cast is always great.
I suggest you sit in the orchestra. The back balcony is okay, but the people look tiny. The seating is very comfortable.
The area is safe, there are guards everywhere. There are lovely places to walk on the Pavilion. The views of Downtown LA surround you and there are beautiful fountains.
You will love this place.
Parking is for a fee. You can valet at about $17 or self park right under the Music Center for about 5$ after 4 pm. It is really easy to get to and getting out is not going to take hours.
All Covid measures are in place. You will need to show you vax card and wear your mask, which I love.
There are plenty of places for dinner nearby. Kendall's is very good and has a nice, but limited French menu. It is fine dinning. On the same floor as the Pavilion is Mullin's Wine Bar, which has snacks and burgers and they are great. They also have a full bar. Other places are set to open up at the end of March. Inside you can get snacks and drinks, but right now they are to be consumed outside.
The place is spotless and ever so pretty. The staff is super and will help you to your seat or whatever you need.
I have never seen a bad play, musical or ballet there. We just saw "Everyone's Talking About Jamie." It was fantastic. These are professionals, sometimes straight from their run in the UK and now and again right from Broadway. A lot of their shows are Touring and the cast is always great.
I suggest you sit in the orchestra. The back balcony is okay, but the people look tiny. The seating is very comfortable.
The area is safe, there are guards everywhere. There are lovely places to walk on the Pavilion. The views of Downtown LA surround you and there are beautiful fountains.
You will love this place.
Written January 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,522 contributions
Mar 2022
Back again, post pandemic, seeing how it feels to go to live theater again and sit next to a stranger (still masked). This is probably your best shot in LA for Broadway style theater, often with members of the original Broadway cast. It's in the Music Center complex, easy to find, underground parking, with Metro Rail nearby. On this occasion I came to see The Lehman Trilogy. this is the first tour of this play off of Broadway. Not very satisfied with the script. My understanding was that the original detail was about 5 hours, but cut for Broadway to over 3. So the end is muddled and the beginning far too long and culturally obsessive. Anyway, the three principal actors, playing varying roles, did justice to their parts. If you enjoy Broadway events but are in LA, give this venue a try. Attendance still isn't back to normal and last minute seats won't cost you much. Box office people are very friendly. You should call before if you have questions prior to your arrival.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria D
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Friends
Sting. What more is there to say. Sting tells wonderful stories through his songs in concerts and recordings. This time Sting tells the very personal story of people in a town whose economy and life’s blood is building ships. The musical “The Last Ship” resonates as a story of working class Union shipbuilders as they face the end of their work and community with strength and dignity. Growing up in a city that relied on making steel, the story hit home in its authenticity.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crdsma@gmail.com
15 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Our Family visited the Music Center in L.A. and saw a show at the Ahmanson Theater on New Year's Eve. It is very centrally located! We took an Uber there and once arriving, everything was well situated and very easy to find. There was an outdoor bar and concession, as well as indoor bar and concession. The nice thing about the outdoor bar was having a drink in the open air prior to the show on a lovely California evening (65ish). Once we entered the theatre, there were a sufficient amount of ushers to assist us with locating our seats, however it is an easy theatre to maneuver. We sat in the mezzanine and the seats were perfect and so reasonably priced. The bathrooms and entire theatre were well maintained and very clean. We had a fabulous evening and highly recommend any of the shows at this wonderful Music Center. Very top notch performance!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer S
123 contributions
Jan 2020
Everyone is busy nowadays so taking a break to enjoy a live show and experience the theater is such a treat. We saw Sting’s The Last Ship. It was a Friday evening and the Ahmanson was packed. Before you get to the theater, the vibes kinda sets you up for a wonderful evening. The ushers were nicely dressed, helpful and friendly. The theater’s feel staged a relaxing evening. Seats were comfy and the stage props and lighting complemented each other. As the musical went on, you focused on several parts of the stage where the actors were not like a typical movie where you just looked straight ahead at all times. It was a favorable experience and worth the drive. You have to stop and smell the roses sometimes to enjoy the little treats in life.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
too_few_trips_1
Irvine, CA946 contributions
Jan 2020
We recently saw a show at the Ahmanson Theater and didn't by any means have the best seats. That said, we have a great view and the acoustics were fine. The lobby areas may be a bit small, but the outdoor patio offers an overflow area.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phvi2617
Anaheim, CA732 contributions
Jun 2022
I came to the Ahmanson to see "Come From Away," which was terrific. The auditorium isn't huge, and both the view and sound from the balcony was fine. Although it's more than 50 years old, the venue is in great shape, and it's very easy to navigate. The plaza outside is also a nice place to hang out before or after the show.
Written July 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James Weaver
Irvine, CA2,282 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Tonight we attended a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, not the corps de ballet variety we are accustomed to. This was 9 women and 16 men, in a Palace Bedroom and a Seedy Bar Club staging and sets among others. The swans were a brutal group of bare back men, and if you were sitting in the front row, their sweat hit you numerous times. The movements were fast, sharp, and ominous. At times violent. The theater is old, the carpet and seats in need of replacement. Our entry theater was down a flight of stairs, into a small bar and restroom area. But from row C a great view of the performance.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingworkingmom
Los Angeles, CA371 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
I have enjoyed productions at this theater in the past. They are efficient, parking is easy, there is a good restaurant super close (Kendall's), they have go sessions inside but lines get super long. However, If you have bad seats it is unpleasant because it feels really high. I have had bad seats I at other theaters and still enjoyed myself but we went to see Matilda with our Girl Scout troop and had cheap seats and it really ruined the experience. We were so high one mom got really anxious and wanted to leave. I would recommend skipping if you have to get cheap seats. Cheep seats at Pantages are much better.
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChuckMitchell700
United States
Meeting someone for a show this Sunday evening。
We want to meet someplace South of Downtown Los Angeles, safe to leave one of our two cars。
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Written February 15, 2019
download spot hero. It’s a great parking app that offers discounts and gives locations of where to park. Every time I’ve used the app I’ve not only felt safe but the price has been affordable .
Written February 16, 2019
Outside doors open between 7:00 and 7:15 for an 8:00 show.... once inside the doors to seating open about 7:30.
Written January 6, 2019
Looking for dinner recommendations prior to a show at ahmanson. I’m with my husband and 3 young adult sons. Looking for good quality food and a fun vibe. Thanks.
Written December 19, 2018
What restaurant would be suitable for kids within walking distance of the Ahmanson? I dint think Kendalls will work.
Written November 2, 2018
The most casual option would be whatever is set up on the plaza itself: the weather is almost always comfortable enough to order in line, then bring it to a picnic table/bench to enjoy. Bonus: you'll be there early enough to park underground, and you will not have to rush to your seats because you're right outside the theater. (These days the options are a Latin Grill and a Burger Station. Refer to The Center Theatre Group website for more information.)
Written December 19, 2018
Parking
Self-Parking is available in The Music Center Garage for $9 at the Grand Ave entrance. (Please note: for weekday matinees please arrive between noon and 2pm and you will be charged $9. Parking before noon is $20.) The garage sometimes fills up on dates when all three theatres at The Music Center are operating.
Valet parking is available for $23 at The Music Center's Hope Street entrance.
Handicapped Parking is available for patrons displaying a handicapped placard at both The Music Center Garage and valet parking. The charge at both locations is $9. To arrange mobility services from The Music Center garage to the Ahmanson Theatre or Mark Taper Forum, please contact The Music Center Access Disability Line at 213.972.0777.
Parking rates at The Music Center are determined by the County of Los Angeles and are subject to change without notice.
Written May 18, 2017
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