10/31/06

one of the best places to see music

by binman69

this place is tied with the beacon theatre and irving plaza for getting some great acts. the place is very open with an upstairs--i love it! great sound system

08/23/04

A vintage opera-house setting plays home to big-time acts from rock to electronica.

by Contributor

The Venue
A midtown office-building exterior hides the Hammerstein Ballroom, a 3,000-capacity opera house complete with a two-tiered balcony, loge sections and beaux-art angels cavorting high overhead on ceiling frescos. Hammerstein originally opened in 1906 as a classical opera house before converting to a vaudeville hall in 1910 and later a movie palace. It became a Freemason's temple during the Depression, then a union hall in the '40s before being abandoned in the early '70s.

The Experience
Hammerstein has a powerful sound system and a full-time engineering staff. Plus, good acoustics are what you'd expect from a fine turn-of-the-century opera house. The floor and orchestra seats have been removed to allow general admission mobs. The stage is the deepest outside Lincoln Center, able to accommodate even the largest classical ballet production. No ballet here, though: Hammerstein hosts modern alternative rock and big names from the worlds of pop to techno.

01/11/03

Fun with family, fun without

by laughs8

I've been to shows here twice, both with my family(as a 13 year old, the Cranberries) and with friends(Our Lady Peace). Both times the acoustics were great, the sight lines from the balcony were fine, and the bathrooms were relatively clean. Only main qualm would be a few unneedfully mean guards.

• Cons: Merch. hard to find