The Birchmere is a music hall in Alexandria, Virginia that hosts a variety of concerts and performances. With a capacity of around 500 people, the Birchmere has an intimate atmosphere and unique seating options. Understanding how the seating works at the Birchmere can help you pick the best seats for your concert experience.
General Admission Seating
Many shows at the Birchmere are general admission, meaning seats are not assigned. With general admission seating, you can arrive early and line up to get a seat closest to the stage. Doors typically open one hour before showtime for general admission seating.
The venue is standing-room only, with tables and chairs set up on the main floor. There are no fixed rows of seats. The venue has a sloped floor, so even if you are further back from the stage you’ll have a decent view. Getting a seat closer to the stage is recommended for the best viewing and sound.
Reserved Seating
For some popular shows, the Birchmere offers reserved seating. With reserved seating, you pick your exact seat location when purchasing tickets. This guarantees you get the seat you want, but tickets tend to be more expensive than general admission.
The Birchmere has table seating on the main floor as well as seats in the balcony. Table seats are typically reserved for entire parties only. The balcony has rows of chairs and gives you an elevated view of the stage.
Table Seating
As mentioned above, tables are available on the main floor at the Birchmere. Each rectangular table can seat 4-6 people. Parties can reserve an entire table so you are guaranteed those seats. There are about 30 tables total in the main seating area.
Having a table gives you a place to put drinks and snacks during the show. You can also arrive early to enjoy dinner before the performance if you have a reserved table. The downside is these tickets tend to be the most expensive.
Seating Capacity
The total seating capacity at the Birchmere is around 500 people. This includes:
- Around 350 seats/standing room on the main floor
- 150 balcony seats
The intimate capacity makes it a great place to see live music. Even if you are further back, you’ll still feel close to the action.
Best Seats
At the Birchmere, the best seats are as close to the stage as possible. For general admission shows, get in line early to get seats at the front tables or in the standing room pit area. This gets you closest to the band.
For reserved seating, choose main floor table seats in the first few rows if available. The next best option is front row balcony seats. Balcony seats in rows A-D put you closest to the stage for an elevated view.
Worst Seats
The worst seats at the Birchmere are furthest from the stage. If you end up with general admission seats way in the back or balcony seats in the very last rows, you may have obstructed views and muffled sound.
Corner seats on the far sides can also be bad for viewing the full stage. If you are seated behind a pole or pillar, your view will be partially blocked.
ADA Accessible Seating
The Birchmere does have accessible seating for wheelchair users and patrons needing ADA assistance. These spaces are located to the left and right of the stage.
For reserved shows, you can purchase wheelchair/ADA accessible tickets by phone. The box office staff can help find suitable seating.
Food and Drink Seating
In addition to the main music hall, the Birchmere has a separate bar and grill area. The Music Hall Bar & Grill has food, drinks, and additional seating.
You can sit in the bar/grill area before the show or during set breaks. There are about 50 seats in the bar area. Food and drinks from the bar can be taken into the music hall.
Seating Charts
Seating charts for reserved Birchmere concerts are available when purchasing tickets online. This gives you a detailed view of the layout and helps choose seats. GA shows do not have preset seat assignments.
Here is an example seating chart for a reserved show at the Birchmere:
Section | Rows | Seats |
---|---|---|
Main Floor | Tables A-Z | 4 seats per table |
Balcony | A-M | Varies by row |
Pricing
Ticket prices at the Birchmere vary by performer and seat location. General admission tickets usually range from $25-$75. Reserved seats cost $35-$100+ depending on row. Front row tables are $70-$200 per seat.
Additional fees for processing, service, etc. are added to all ticket purchases.
Some specific average ticket prices are:
- General Admission Seats: $40
- Main Floor Table Seats: $60
- Front Row Balcony: $75
- Front Row Table: $150
Premium concerts like well-known artists or weekend shows tend to have higher ticket prices. Matinee and weekday shows are sometimes discounted.
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets to Birchmere concerts can be purchased:
- Online – via Ticketmaster or the venue’s website
- By Phone – call the box office
- In Person – at the box office Monday thru Saturday
The box office is open 12PM-6PM Monday thru Saturday for window sales. Tickets go on sale to the general public approx. 2 weeks before each performance.
Sell Out Shows
Popular concerts at the Birchmere often sell out quickly when tickets go on sale. To get seats to a hot show, try to buy tickets right when they are released to the public.
For sold out or rescheduled shows, check secondary ticket sales sites for resale tickets. Prices are usually higher than face value.
Conclusion
With general admission and reserved seating options, the Birchmere offers an up-close concert experience for around 500 guests per show. Understanding the venue’s unique table seating, balcony rows, and GA floor areas allows you to pick the perfect seats. Arriving early, buying early, and checking seating charts helps get the best views for a fantastic night of live entertainment at this iconic venue.