Award-Winning Architecture
Take a moment to appreciate the building itself, designed by Seattle firm LMN Architects with structural engineering by Magnusson Klemencic Associates. In 2001 the American Institute of Architects gave the project its National Honor Award, one of the profession's top distinctions in the country.
Sound, and the Engineering Beneath Your Seat
Settle in and listen, because acoustics are the main reason music lovers rave about this room. Cyril Harris shaped the sound design, and the hall is known for blending that acoustic craft with modern technology. What happens below the floor is just as clever.
The building sits right on top of the Great Northern Tunnel, which carries the city's main rail line. To keep train rumble out of the music, the performance space rests on rubber pads that separate it from the building's outer shell, an isolation that would also help soften the impact of an earthquake.
A Transit Station at the Door
The hall also borders the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, and Symphony station connects directly into the building. The station took its current name in August 2024 in honor of the orchestra, which makes leaving the car at home an easy choice for many concertgoers.
What You Can Hear
Classical programming sits at the heart of the calendar, but the lineup reaches well beyond it. Catch the pops series, where since 2007 the Symphony has paired with popular musicians and set their songs in full orchestral arrangements. Brandi Carlile, Macklemore, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Nancy Wilson, Thunderpussy and SYML have all shared the stage.
These nights are far more than a novelty. Nonclassical concerts, including pop pairings, live film scores and video game music, bring in roughly 30 percent of the Symphony's revenue, and they often introduce new listeners who later come back for the classical repertoire.
Big Classical Nights
Star soloists still pack the house. In April 2025, Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii played three sold-out concerts featuring Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 and earned several standing ovations, on his third Seattle visit after appearances in 2013 and 2023.
Concerts for Families
Bring the little ones to Tiny Tots and Family Concerts, designed with young audiences in mind. Programs change each season, so check the Seattle Symphony's official calendar for the current lineup of any series.
Glass Art in the Lobby
Arrive a little early and look up. The lobby holds a significant collection of glass art, led by Dale Chihuly's Crystal Cascade, a fitting showpiece for a city so closely tied to studio glass and a lovely reason to linger before the doors open. Pair it with a stroll past other Seattle landmarks in the downtown core.
Planning Your Night at Benaroya Hall
The address is on University Street, while the main entrances and lobbies face Third Avenue. A little planning makes the evening smoother, especially on your first visit.
Arrival, Tickets and Late Seating
- When to arrive: Plan on 20 to 30 minutes before the start, and give yourself at least 30 minutes if you are picking up tickets at Will Call.
- Ticket help: Head to the Leslie and Dale Chihuly Welcome Hub, which opens about two hours before Symphony performances, with shorter windows for family programs and outside events. It closes during intermission.
- Running late: Latecomers are seated at suitable breaks in the music. Until then, you can watch and listen to the stage on a video monitor in the Samuel and Althea Stroum Grand Lobby.
Bags, Phones and Concert Etiquette
Leave large bags and backpacks behind, since they are not allowed inside the auditoriums. A free coat check runs during events in the Grand Lobby and in the recital hall lobby along Third Avenue, and metal detectors may be in use, so allow extra time.
Photos, video and audio recording are banned at Symphony concerts and most other events unless stated otherwise. Silence phones and alarms before the music begins. Many pieces have several movements, and the custom is to hold applause during short pauses, so when in doubt, wait for the rest of the room to clap.
Bringing Kids
Children age 5 and older are welcome at every performance, and Tiny Tots and Family Concerts welcome kids of any age. Every child needs a ticket, whatever their age.
Accessibility
The building is barrier-free and meets or exceeds Americans with Disabilities Act standards. You will find assistive listening systems, gender neutral restrooms and baby changing stations, and staff can prepare if you request accommodations when you buy tickets.
Parking and Getting There
Drivers can use the on-site garage with 420 stalls, though rates and event-night details can change, so check the hall's official parking page before you go. Riding transit? Symphony station opens right into the building.
Dining and Drinks Inside
There is no need to leave the building for a pre-show meal. Book Muse for the most polished dining option, or keep things casual at Marianna's Café. Jane's Overlook Lounge, the lobby bars and the concession stands cover drinks and snacks, and the hall's official website has current menus and reservations.
The building is entirely smoke-free, and smoking is not allowed within 25 feet of any entrance.
Private Events Beyond the Concert Calendar
You can also rent the hall for your own occasion. It has hosted conferences, gaming championships, lectures, book signings, comedy nights, film screenings, dance recitals, weddings, graduations and award ceremonies. The venue team helps with space selection and coordination, though it does not provide full event planning.
Make a Day of It Downtown
A concert here slots neatly into a downtown outing. Before or after the show, browse more things to do in Seattle, wander nearby Seattle neighborhoods, or stretch your legs in one of the city's Seattle parks. For show dates, ticketing and current policies, confirm the details on the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall official websites.
