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    Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley

    4.3 (766 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley Photos

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    Melissa D.

    The views and architecture are amazing at this outdoor venue. We brought seat cushions with back support, which greatly helped. Without cushions, the seats are uncomfortable. There's also not much foot room when it's packed. Expect to get accidently bumped/kicked when late arrivals squeeze by or someone seated behind you moves. It was a beautiful summer night when we went in September. Just wish there wasn't any smoking/vaping allowed. Oh yeah, and Teddy Swims was great! it was our first time here and a wonderful bday gift from my sister.

    Awesome lights
    Jay P.

    Amazing outdoor venue right in the heart of UC Berkeley campus. It matches the definition of an "amphitheater" exactly and feels classic and much older than it actually is. It was designed in part by Julia Morgan in 1903. For some reason I strongly associate this type of theater with the Bay Area. We came to watch The Pixies with general admission tickets and it's been at least a decade since I was at the Greek. The sound system was amazing and you'll feel immersed even at the very top. Depending on show time it was amazing to watch the sun set in the background. Here are some notes if you plan to visit: -If you are in the numbered seating area or general admission "hill" it's hard to leave for bathroom or drinks. You will have a lot of people you'll have to dodge. -The center walkway you cannot go beyond the line or you'll block people in back of you. -It will be packed leaving and it's better to walk a little further away for pickup.

    Jamee S.

    What a great place for a music venue! The sound is amazing because of its architectural design. Seats are either reserved or lawn but all seats are stone with no back to lean on. I highly suggest you bring seat pads - a very cushiony pad. And if there's no one sitting behind you, you can lean back and be more comfortable. If it's not summer, bring a blanket as it can get cold. You can bring a sealed bottle of water or an empty plastic water bottle. Not metal. You can bring small snacks as well. There is street parking if you can find a spot otherwise you can pay at the garage. Thankfully there was a person manning it so that paying/parking and exiting was easy.

    Lucy Dacus August 2025
    Lizzie S.

    One of my favorite concert venues ever! I grew up in the Bay but it took me too long to go to an event here. My friend said they had some Cal graduations here, but my mom (another alumna) said it depended on the school. Very good acoustics. Very cool amphitheater and architecture. The audience was very diverse--families, college students, older folks, and some younger folks. Staff was very kind. The steps were pretty steep but they worked hard to be accessible and offer other seats. We didn't bring our own blankets or seats but the hard seats were not uncomfortable and we were fine. Even though the day was warm, it got chilly at night. They let you bring in empty water bottles and have quite a few water filling stations. Great accessibility via public transit (it's located on the Berkeley campus) and so many people take BART that it's safe to take it at night after an event here.

    Most Open seating / wristbands needed for white fenced off  areas
    Jannette R.

    located on Campus, cool ! open to public -of course tons of college students. Open seating & first come -first choice. Limited section blocked off for wrist band holders which I did not see offered when bought online. Took uber which worked out well. We Lined up before 6pm & it was already a Long line, 1st concert opening act 730pm. Concrete seats & grassy seating area at the top of venue. Allowed rate soft roll up stadium chairs & flat cushions, blankets & some snacks. Semi lenient. I did throw away a canned soda before walking in. Snack bars with reasonable priced menu items & restrooms were clean & plentiful. Limited street parking.

    You can see really clearly from the pit
    Gerald L.

    A freaking HREAT concert venue!! They have all types of bands and musicians. It has gorgeous architecture in the Berkeley Hills. Right there at the top of Hearst street on the University of. California campus. From the Greek you can see the Campanile Clock Tower and incredible sunsets over the trees. General seating is at the upper level on the grass. First come, first serve reserving a spot. It's at an angle which can get sort of uncomfortable over the course of the show. And of course your blankets will get stepped on as people dance and walk around. I don't think they allow lawn chairs. Mid level are big step. BRING A SEAT CUSHION or your butt will hate you. But it's totally cool looking. The way the seats curve in a semi circle around the arena. And of course people in front of you want to lay back after awhile so that's a little weird. Haven't sat here in a while but I think these are reserved seats. Lowest level is called pit level. The absolute best area IMO. Plastic folding chairs are reserved seating. It is kind of right shoulder to shoulder but so what. It's a party down there! You're pretty dang close and can see everything really well. I personally like 8 rows back or your neck will suffer. Music can be loud down there. Lots of restrooms. Lots of food and drink huts. And even at least one water refilling station. Entry and exit are a breeze. My only gripe is the merch area is too small. I know all the good places to park around here. Or use a garage but getting out afterwards is a hassle. Several hot dog cart vendors after most shows. Looking forward to my next concert here!

    Heather D.

    Very interesting venue. Lovely in an architectural way but not very comfortable since most of the "seating" is on a stone slab up or down steep stairs. The offering are really great so it may be worth the discomfort. This clearly was not built with transportation in mind and parking is expensive. Just getting to parking means trying not to run over a ton of peds in the area. Large screens on each side of the stage allowed everyone to get a good look at the action on stage. Lots of food and drink kiosks, some water stations to fill your empty bottle, and plenty of bathrooms.

    Lawn
    Vinkin Ken T.

    I go to the Greek Theatre at least once a year. The last show I saw was Sarah McLaughlin last May. I brought a small backpack and it wasn't event checked. But I saw ladies with their small purses being checked. I could have easily snuck in alcohol but didn't. There are several booths inside to buy alcohol and snacks from although it's pricy. Since last year they have improved the lawn seating area. It used to be just one big slope downhill but they have broken that up with rows of concrete. You can still bring blankets to lay on the grass but you could also choose to sit on the concrete. However you will be blocking the view of someone behind you. If you are on the glass you still find yourself sliding down but not as much as before. If you can get there early enough, the last row in front of the retaining wall is great because you have something to lean on and you can even stand and not block anyone behind you. The bathrooms on top of the hill have also improved. They are outdoor stalls now with flushing toilets! No more porta potty's! Also near by is the smoking area. The only thing I would like to see is a water fountain up there too. If you are catching Uber home, you have to go down to Hearst Ave and La Loma Ave. I didn't see any signs directing ride share pick up though.

    Kimberly N.

    My husband and I came here the other day on our 25th wedding anniversary to see Beck! It was our first time at this iconic outdoor theatre, a Berkeley landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beck played with the Berkeley Symphony and was fabulous! But this is not supposed to be about him so let's get back to the theatre! While it was a packed house, the friendly staff made entry and baggage check a breeze. We had seats at the farthest end if you faced right from the stage. I'm talking the very last seats in our row (though not the last row - we were about midway in Section 10). The cement seating was not nearly as bad as I imagined. Some around us had brought cushion seats and I can see how they would make the experience even better. But I expected poor views from our perspective and was happily wrong-- I don't think there is a bad seat in the house! Also, the sound was great! We could hear all of the instruments and Beck's vocals perfectly well! We did not get anything to eat here though we did share an expensive beer. But they allow you to bring water bottles here and have refilling stations. The bathrooms were maintained well with the lines moving quickly. Overall, it was a beautiful evening and we had a very fun night!

    Sam R.

    Probably the coolest and most awe-striking concert venue I have ever been too. I am always amped at a chance to see a show at the Greek. It just never gets old.

    Luna M.

    My best friend and I came here to see Ethel Cain and it was absolutely breathtaking! The walk was absolute hell for two baddies in Doc Martens, but through blood, sweat, and tears, we made it up the hills and into the venue. Security made me throw away my EMPTY reusable water bottle so I was pretty sad but once we got in the pit, and the music started, I couldn't care less about that damn water bottle. Ethel was incredible and the architecture of the theater only added to the ethereal atmosphere. The beauty of the stone steps, columns, and seats is absolutely breathtaking.

    Please install handrails!

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    One of my absolute favorite venues to see my favorite artists & bands!! Always a good time.

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    One of my favorite venues in the Bay Area to see concerts! Gorgeous outdoor amphitheater on UC Berkeley campus.

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    Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley

    Can I bring in a small backpack specifically the Fjallraven Kaken bag?

    They aren't strict with bags. We usually bring a large tote bag that can fill multiple seat cushions as well as food and reusable water bottles.

    Any Recommended nearby restaurants close to Greek Theatre?

    The nearest restaurants are across campus, but they're all open pretty late (great post-concert options!). My go-tos for after a show are Artichoke's, Gypsy's, and Top Dog, which are all a 10 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the theater.

    What is the of Berkeley noise ordinance, do artist have to stop playing by a certain time? Trying to arrange pick up time after concert.

    10:00 during the week. Not certain of the weekend.

    I bought a ticket from a third party vendor (vivid seat) and my ticket says Row 1, GA.. what does this mean?

    90 percent of the shows at the greek are Genera Admission. Just go early and sit wherever you want. I like first or last row of concrete bleachers as close to the middle as possible.

    Can I bring a normal size backpack inside ? It says no large backpacks and i don't want to get there and be told my backpack is to big.

    I'm sure it refers more to backpacking backpacks and probably laptop backpacks as well. I have been fine with a normal Jansport backpack or a Dakine pack that only has two pockets/sections. You can always try to call once the box office opens to try… Read more

    Are there assigned seats?

    This last show was the first time we've had assigned seating. Every other time it was all general seating. So I guess it's the decision of the promoter?

    Can't bring it in, but do they sell alcohol?

    Yes, they sell alcohol at events.

    Parking suggestions? Seeing David Gray on 19th of October.

    Ticketmaster has good parking suggestions with Disability options for The Greek Theater on their App but I am not sure about the website. I would assume it's on there as well.

    Do they allow in and out?

    No.

    Where do the artists enter in from? Any luck meeting outside their vans?

    No luck for Solange

    Can you bring a blanket to sit on the grass?

    Yep 😊

    General question.. Never been to the Greek theatre, I was looking at ticket prices for jack…

    General admission refers to open seating however, if there's such a variance in price I imagine that is for "reserved seating" and not "general admission". Here's a link to the layout swell as the seating chart for reserved seats:… Read more

    What kind of food and beverages ARE allowed? Can we bring our own drinks? Like in plastic bottles or…

    You can bring in food (like pizza, fries, etc) but you cannot bring in your own liquor. Plenty of people bring in food and grab a spot on the lawn to a have a pre-concert picnic.

    Where is the best place to line up- the front entrance or the back?

    Front

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    Review Highlights - Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley

    This past weekend was my first time to the Greek Theater, though I've heard about it for years.

    Mentioned in 63 reviews

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    The Starry Plough - Irish Mac and Cheese w/ bacon

    The Starry Plough

    4.2(421 reviews)
    1.6 miSouth Berkeley
    $$

    I've always been eyeing this place whenever I pass by and finally got the chance to come in for my…read morefriend's show! A super cool Irish pub that offers lots of draft beers on tap as well as food to pair it with. Unfortunately we weren't able to try their food however the food we saw pass by us from other people looked amazing and smelled equally as great so we will definitely come back for some grubs. Keep in mind, the kitchen does close early (around 10pm-11pm) and does NOT stay open until 2AM, only the bar does. In terms of service, the bartenders were super sweet and quick on their feet. Good job ladies! The inside of the pub was pretty much filled to the brim with people and I can only assume it's because of UC Berkeley's finals week. This spot as well as the surrounding area caters to a lot of students so expect a pretty poppin bar during the weekends!

    Ok, Starry Plough..I see you!…read more Recently one of my besties sent me a text and mentioned they were heading to the Starry Plough for an open mic night. Obvs, I attended! I hadn't been there in what seems like forever, and was pleasantly surprised to see such a cool presence of community show up. From stand up, to live music and spoken word, it was awesome to see such talented locals. There is also on the last Sunday of every month, Kid's Music. We recently attended this event and it was so fun. We ordered Cottage Pie, Homemade Chicken Strips with Fries/dipping sauces, and of course a Guinness. They had multi-color balloons to blow up, and two artists came and sang with instruments/passed out music shakers for the kiddos/and story time too. It was such a fun and interactive experience for the whole family to enjoy. Looks like they have programming everyday of the week too! From Irish dance, trivia, Grateful Dead Jam Sesh, and more..can't wait to come back again soon for their fresh taps, community vibes, and those yummy fries. Would love to try the House Mac & Cheese too.

    Photos
    The Starry Plough - Bar

    Bar

    The Starry Plough
    The Starry Plough

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    Spats - Come have a brew and play a game or two.

    Spats

    3.5(306 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$

    Great place to come eat a bite, drink a bear, and sing a karaoke song!…read more I came here with some friends on a week night. It was pretty empty and had two nice pool tables. There's a food guy in the back that serves Japanese food (pretty good!). The karaoke sound system is pretty janky but functional and the DJ is very nice.

    Boy, this place takes me back. Way back. Way, way, way back. When I was a puppyish sophomore still…read moretrying to figure out my major, I remember coming here with my similarly awkward dorm mates for what would be the beginning of a lifetime of cocktail debauchery. I remember when it had a tiki vibe, and we shared a ridiculously potent concoction called the Borneo Fogcutter. I don't remember much after I passed out. Good times. Now it's a hundred years later, and it was my first time back. Seriously. I probably thought how could they could top the Borneo Fogcutter? They don't try. The tiki decor has clearly been long gone, and it's just a standard brick-laden bar with a more East Coast vibe and extra space for tables, banquettes, and a pool table. None of the extra space was being used when Jamie W and I paid a visit, though the bar itself was fairly packed. The bartender was friendly and made a solid $11 Rum Punch since we were in the mood for something tropical given my checkered past here (Photo 5). On a subsequent visit, we took advantage of Happy Hour and went with the $6 Tequila Sunrises which had a surprising kick (Photo 8). DRINKS - 4 stars...no Borneo Fogcutters but their drinks have punch AMBIANCE - 3 stars...showing its age SERVICE - 3.5 stars...bartenders are different each visit TOTAL - 4 stars...Spats has matured and so have I (hypothetically) RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

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    Spats - Photo 3: Pool table

    Photo 3: Pool table

    Spats - The original Spats button.

    The original Spats button.

    Spats - Photo 1: Montage of images from Spats

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    Photo 1: Montage of images from Spats

    The UC Theatre - Music hall/ concert

    The UC Theatre

    3.4(152 reviews)
    0.9 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$

    Me and my and my girlfriend and her sister and boyfriend came to see Sammy Johnson and the…read moreBayonics. The food here is good but they charge about 8 to 9 dollars for a pizza slice which is insane. The service here is OK but the bartender definitely is a 10 out of 10 just because they give you more liquor and they also mix the drinks quite well. The ambience was super dope. I definitely would come back here again and see another person performing here.

    This was my first time ever attending this theater, and I love the old-fashioned theatrics behind…read moreeverything! It seemed rather comical to me that we were watching Wu-Tang crew in such an iconic classic turn of the century theater, but the set up was great!! Great sound system, beautiful Structure, and agree wall of famous people that have performed here! I didn't eat any food, but there were tables that people were sitting at and standing towards the back. We were on the lower floor without any tables around. They had open bars on the side, not open, but available to the customers. And drinks were well poured. The only odd thing I would say was the bathrooms were rather thrashed. It reminded me of an outdated bathroom I saw in a hole in the wall restaurant that had delicious food while in Taiwan. At least they had plumbing, but they were literally holes in the ground, holes in the wall and then random Boards, put up to cover up the holes within the woman's bathroom. About a block away there is a parking garage, other than that their street parking. We were lucky and found some street parking about two blocks away, so it wasn't too hard to walk. I wouldn't mind going back to seeing another show here again.

    Photos
    The UC Theatre
    The UC Theatre
    The UC Theatre

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    Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley - theater - Updated May 2026

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