Greek Theatre-U.C. Berkeley

Came here for a couple concerts over the past couple of months and this is a great venue! Get there EARLY though because the lawn seats fill up quick. Put your blankets down immediately to lock in your spot!
Another pro is you can bring food into this venue in case you don’t feel like spending all your hard earned cash on $ 12 hot dogs. You can pack a little cooler and lounge with a picnic while you listen to some great music!
Do keep in mind the time of year though for weather purposes. We went at the end of April and it was FREEZING as the night went on so some extra blankets for snuggling are a definite must!
Easy parking, and many lots nearby as it is on the UC Berkeley campus.

This venue is hands-​down my favorite in the East Bay! Seeing as I am a lover of outside sitting, lounging, entertaining and hanging… this concert venue is my jam! Unlike most concert halls, the atmosphere at the Greek Theatre is so relaxing and dreamy. With a view of the bay in the background and a chance for a killer sunset, this is the perfect spot to catch one of your favorite bands. Heck, I’d even come here to see a band I didn’t know because I enjoy it so much. Every time I come here I feel like I get a chance to really take it all in and enjoy my surroundings. For people like myself who do not like big crowds or being squished into an auditorium and getting bumped around by all the other exuberant concert-​goers, this place is for you. We always choose to bring a blanket and park our bums right at the top of the grass hill and enjoy a beer or two. They have a couple of concessions stands that offer simple but necessary food staples such as nachos and hotdogs – AND they’re actually good! Maybe it’s just the vibe, or the trek from BART that makes the food that much more enjoyable but it always hits the spot! There are also tons of porto-potty’s at the top of the hill for those sitting behind the main area on the grass hill. Everything about this location is just so much fun! I always look forward to summer when this theatre opens up and I can’t wait to catch my next show here!
Just a tip: BART is just a short walk to UC Berkeley Campus and although walking through the campus is somewhat of a hike, it’s a pretty pleasant experience and not having to drive makes it totally worth it!

Wonderful venue! I went to Above and Beyond’s Acoustic Concert and had a great time! The venue itself was smaller then I had thought which was great because we ended up even closer to the stage then anticipated! Sound was crisp, and I walked around a bit and the view from all sides were clear! The lawn did not seem like a bad deal either, still reasonably close… I sat in the seats section, but wouldn’t mind the lawn for the next show. I was excited to learn you are able to purchase wine and beer for $ 10 a cup, not bad considering I didn’t expect there to be any! Only downside was the bathrooms were far away, and there was always a line. Will keep a lookout for future concerts at this venue!

Beautiful setting for a concert. Good sound for the Bob Dylan/​Mavis Staples show on June 10^th. Fairly easy to get in & out of the place. Why only three stars? The ridiculous rusty metal chairs that are all firmly attached to each other. If there’s a lurcher/​chair dancer/didn’t-get-the-message-from-the-Internation­al Funk Council-as-to-whether-they’re-supposed-to-get-up-or-get-down-type in your row, you feel every twitch. If someone five seats away from you has their cell phone set on vibrate, get ready for an ass massage. And if people need to come & go, get ready to see some stumbling & tripping – not much space between rows. Plus the security is, well, let’s just say it’s not all that.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to engage with one of Jesus’ more vocal proponents exercising his First Amendment rights just outside the theatre. After all, it’s Berkeley. If this guy is right (and God knows he is), we’re all in for a shit storm in the afterlife. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

One of my favorite venues in the Bay!
The acoustics here are awesome. The venue is big but still feels intimate. There’s not a bad seat in the house.
Tip: It gets COLD! So wear layers and bundle up! Even better, bring a blanket!

Great place for a concert! There isn’t a bad seat in the house! Granted the seats are concrete or marble or whatever the hell it is that is very hard on your ass if you sit for long periods of time, but I digress. The seats have seat numbers clearly marked on the seats, but people still manage to miss that and accuse people of taking their seats. Other than that little annoyance, I enjoyed the concert and the venue as a whole.
For the particular concert I came here for, there was a parking lot right next to the Greek for $ 25. They do sell alcohol here, and the price is reasonable, but if you want an energy drink or water, that’s a whole different story. My boy paid $ 5 for a Red Bull… excuse me… a MINI red bull… insane!
In a nutshell, great venue for concert. Not a bad seat in the house, and parking was easy to get to and out of.

This was my first time here, and I do have to say that I was pretty impressed! I was attending a graduation, so I can’t go into too much detail about their sound system, but from what I experienced, I’m sure they can handle any type of concert that is held here.
The venue is very clean and well kept, and the bathrooms are maintained with an attendant standing by the doorway! Really!!! Something DGT would definitely appreciate! We were seated pretty high up, but our view of the stage was perfect! The seating for this theater is strategically situated, so every seat in the house enjoys a great view!
Conclusion:
A great venue for a graduation or a concert! Just be prepared to pay $ 25 or more for parking if you want to park in the garage that is closest to the theater. A bit much for parking, but a common theme whenever there is an occasion to capitalize on!

I’m never disappointed by a show at this venue. The sound system is excellent and virtually all the seats will give you an excellent view. It’s great for vertically challenged (aka short) people like me!
They let you bring in bottled water. Also you can’t bring in umbrellas, they will ask you to leave it outside if you have one.
Parking tips:
I’m the type who would avoid paying for parking if possible because I don’t believe in $ 30-​$ 40 parking fees. I usually go for street parking behind Soda Hall and so far I’ve never had an issue finding a spot. Street parking is usually free after 6−7pm. Make sure you pay attention to the street signs to see what time metered parking ends.

Pros: Scenic outdoor theatre with fine acoustics located in the heart of UC Berkeley’s campus. The artists who perform here are varied and talented.
There is a healthy black bean falafel food option for those not wanting to eat traditional greasy entertainment venue food.
Cons: Although there are national, state, and local regulations prohibiting smoking in this location, the extremely high frequency of marijuana cigarettes, marijuana and nicotine ESDs (electronic smoking devices) make this venue completely unsafe.
Feel free to read this PDF that includes numerous references to peer reviewed journals and clinical studies.
Until the authorities prevent patrons from being exposed to dangerous second hand toxins, this venue is not safe.
Additional resources:

This is a really cool place to see a concert. It feels intimate, not a bad seat in the house, the sound is good, and they get really good bands every season. So far I have seen: The National, Alabama Shakes, Ed Sheeran, Hall & Oates, and Chris Stapleton. All great shows. The weather in Berkeley is usually great for seeing an outdoor show, and I love that it doesn’t get overheated like other venues. (Obviously, bring a jacket and/​or a blanket).
The problem is their General Admission seating policy. For every show I’ve been to except Hall & Oates, it is GA for the entire venue. While that might be fine for the pit and the lawn, it creates a huge shit show for the rest of the venue, which is all backless stone benches. The lack of delineated «seats» makes it hard to tell if there is enough room to squeeze into a particular row, and makes it easy for people to take up more than 1 seat or save half a row by laying their jackets and blankets across it (the seats have numbers painted on them, but those get covered up). This means that basically you are at the mercy of the crowd if you don’t get there at least an hour before show time. In particular the Ed Sheeran (teeny-​boppers) and Chris Stapleton (drunk cowboys) crowds were the rudest in terms of over-​saving seats and being inconsiderate during the show. The stone benches are set up such that you have to get up when anyone in your row needs to get out PLUS you get kicked, nudged etc. by the people in the row behind you as well.
I have Paul Simon tickets for June, and am so excited that it’s reserved seating! I also have Alabama Shakes and Leon Bridges tickets for later this season, but will most likely sell those after this latest GA experience.
Long story short — give this venue a try if you are ok camping out on the lawn, jostling in the pit, or hustling for a seat on the benches! You will have a great night!

I’m guessing this would be a fun venue if it hadn’t been oversold. People were crammed in like sardines all the way up the lawn and overflowing towards the restroom area in the back. Whether It was poor planning or greed I don’t know but either way extremely disappointed.

Sound: everyone is right… music was clear with good mics and speakers
Port — a– potties: cleans and abundant
Parking — lot across the street got filled up quickly. BART isn’t too close
Drinks — wine was good
Bring a blanket, warm coat, comfortable shoes (a lot of grass /​dirt).

I’ve seen several shows here, a great experience every time! Even with the size, always feels like an intimate show. Bring blankets for sitting. No rude security here, all staff I interacted with were helpful and efficient. Awesome venue!

They need «half stars*» for all reviews especially this place! The parking is the only inhibition to a bold 5*! Outdoor, cozy theatre with great seats all really great viewing options. The layout is well considerate of your viewing of Neil Diamond… or mine!. The service operators handle you with care as well. I hope to go enjoy someone I’d like to see here again. The place is truly memorable!

I pretty cool venue for a concert — we came recently for Duran Duran and had a fun time. Seating is all on concrete terraces with no cover, so bring some padding, warm layers, and a hat if it might rain. Bathroom facilities are adequate. I was impressed that when we arrived, with my fiancée limping, and looked disturbed about trekking up the steep stairs to our seats, and usher noticed her cast and offered us disabled seating. MUCH more accessible and MUCH appreciated!

This place is hands down the place to go to any event or graduation. I’ve been to several graduations here but never an event but I can only imagine how great it would be to go to an event here. The area it self is rather large. The stage is large and has a Greek themed architecture to it which makes it unique. There is a large grassy area which becomes extremely useful when graduations roll around and when you are up there, you are able to get a great panoramic view of the theatre itself, the landscape and you can even see into Berkeley and if clear, the Bay Area.
The seating itself near the stage is a good size but not the biggest. I came here for my cousins high school graduation (2015) and the place was packed to the brim of people so I could only imagine what CAL graduations look like here with people. Definitely a true gem in Berkeley that everyone should at least visit once!

Great venue when the weather is good which is most of the time here in Berkeley — first time here to see Florence and the Machine, which may have been a source of bias for this review as she is AWSOME!!!
Not a bad seat in the house and the video screens are great — excellent sound. good food options and nice selections for drinks. They do not search you — maybe not me cause I am gradually moving into cooter territory, but if you need to bring something with you it s=doesn’t seem to be an issue.
Check the calendar and go see your favorite act. Über, bike or walk ’cause parking sucks.

I have been to two shows here in the past two years and they were both amazing. The first was Mumford and Sons back in May of 2013 and just last week was Of Monsters and Men. The sound at this amphitheater is so good. I love the layout and I love how the seating is. It is all general admission but if you arrive early enough you will have a pretty decent shot at a really good seat. We sat in the grass at OMAM but we were pretty close at Mumford. The grounds are beautiful and green and you can smell the eucalyptus while you are listening to the music. If you ever get a chance I recommend seeing a show here. You will more than likely find a pretty mellow crowd and the sound and atmosphere is well worth it.

There is not a bad seat in this place! Even the grass seats have a nice view of the stage. The sound is great and the energy that flows during the live performances is infectious. The food and drinks sold at the venue are a bit pricey but you can bring your own food.
Suggestions:
— Get here early to grab a good seat and avoid having to step over everyone and their picnic snacks.
— Don’t forget a pillow or something comfy to seat on — seats are concrete.
— Bring a jacket or sweater for when it gets cool at night
I’ve found a new favorite venue and can’t wait for the next show here!

Great venue! Scored some free tickets to see Hozier last night and he was amazing. The venue itself is beautiful but the sound glitched about 3 times. The seating is general admission and we got in at about 7:45 and we still got good seats. The seats are stone and no back support which sucked but I’ll go through that to hear Hozier fart for 5 hours– no biggie. Parking was horrendous and getting out was horrendous. Overall, great venue. Would come again but earlier to find parking.

The venue itself is cool. Good sound, every where you sit has a good view except the sides flush to the stage. The bad is how crazy expensive food/​drinks are. I know it’s always expensive at venues but $ 20 for a shitty regular hotdog and 12oz beer? Also the seating is first come first serve which I’m fine with, but because there is no numbered seats, when it gets crowded the late comers plop down anywhere or just stand in front of you. Makes it difficult to navigate to and from your seat and annoying when you got there early to get a good seat only to have someone show up as the concert begins and stand right in front of you.

The Greek Theatre is an amazing concert venue. It’s so great that its allure is often the deciding vote when I’m not sure whether I want to go to a particular concert. Even if I’ve seen a band before – several times even – if they’re playing a the Greek I will gleefully buy a ticket!
Parking is relatively easy to find – both free and paid options exist here. The venue itself is small enough to feel intimate, and large enough to feel grand. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. Whether you’re standing in the pit or sitting high on the lawn, you feel a part of the show.
The food and drink options at the Greek are a bit expensive, but the food in particular is delicious. Sometimes I find myself craving one of their chipotle black-​beam falafel wraps.
Overall: my favorite music venue in the Bay Area.

Beautiful venue, but lacking in the type of logistical know-​how needed to pull off an outdoor venue. With so few entrances, it is crucial that ticketing and entering be as smooth as possible. We were 40 mins early to the show and were seated after the concert began because we stood in a line that didn’t move for half an hour. Well over a hundred people were left waiting outside when the concert began. It was a classical concert, so there was no moving when the performance was going on. So between each movement, the next flood of people would find there seats. It was really an unfortunate situation.
The above, coupled with fact that the parking situation is really dire, makes this not my favorite venue. If there is an act playing here that you want to see, just keep all of the above in mind. Probably my last concert here, though.

Amazing. I’ve been to this venue twice and just love the view of the stage regardless of where I’m at! The security guards here are pretty efficient with checking in people and pretty on point with making sure people don’t sneak things in, but I rolled my eyes because they hesitated a bit on letting me bring in my inhaler, but props to them for hiring some medic people around if necessary.
The venue isn’t too big, but it can definitely get super packed and be filled with tons of people. There’s stone seating/​large steps and I swear, wherever you are, the view is amazingggg. There’s also a floor for people to get close to the stage, but it looks like it can get too jammed pack where you probably won’t be able to breathe.
Bathrooms are easily accessible and getting drinks (which are expensive, FYI… ranges from $ 9-​$ 11) might be a little inefficient to get, but pretty tight that they accept Apple pay at whatever POS they’re using! Oh and they service food that smells bomb! Lucky Cal kids :) The only bummer of this venue is that events normally end at 10:45PM/11PM… But all good. I still have fun nonetheless!
And if you’re wondering which form of transportation, there’s actually a variety of ways you can get here. I’ve taking a lyft/​über from San Leandro and it was pretty fast/​inexpensive. I’ve also taken BART to here then took a lyft (too lazy to walk a little less than a mile from the station haha). My friends have driven here from different parts of the Bay and have found parking, but it might take a little while to get back to your destination if you’re taking the bridge.

Awful Venue. Saw Hall & Oats in August 2015 sat in the middle, 6 rows behind the sound mixer.
The Sound system was harsh. really painful and brittle. I know that the promoter uses a local sound system for the season. Was really really bad.
Then there is the bowl seating. You sit on stone benches, the back of the bench is the path for the seats on the row above. So you are constantly getting kicked in the back by the people in the row above.
The sound was so awful we left after 4 songs. We went to the side of the stage where we were out of the main sound system. We stayed for another 2 songs and left. Really disappointed at the money we had wasted.
The Concord Pavilion and Red Rocks in Colorado have way better sound systems and are more comfortable. We will never see another show there again.

Fuimos con mi esposa al concierto de Lindsey Sterling, donde estuvieron también Robert Dilong y Olívia Somerlyn. y la verdad fu una experiencia que no me esperaba… (en el Buen sentido de la palabra) nos la pasamos muy Bien.

The Greek Theater is one of the coolest spots to catch a show in the Bay Area. And I literally mean coolest. Open air amphitheater means no more overheated sweaty audiences! Especially on those cool summer nights.
So I’ve been here for two shows now, and I have yet to have a bad experience here. Wherever you end up, whether it be on the steps or the seats or the grass or in the pit, you’ll have a great view. Sound itself is slightly lacking in volume compared to other spots I’ve been, but at least my eardrums are remaining intact cause of it.
I’ve personally never had a bad time finding parking here. It’s pretty easy, just check the side streets. Never had to park more than 5+ blocks away. Public transportation is pretty easy as well over here, you can take the bus or just BART and walk over. I’ve got legs and I’m not afraid to use them #notlazy
Definitely a good spot to keep in mind if you’re looking to catch a show!

Been here for Berkeley grad and for a concert, and it’s not bad.
+ THE ENVIRONMENT
The place seems pretty small and cramped when you look at it, but there’s actually quite a lot of space. It’s nice because you can be situated at any spot in the theater and still see the stage pretty well. Sound quality here is alright but can be sometimes hard to hear because it’s echo-​y. When I came for a concert, the quality of the music was a bit better when I was leaving instead of when I was by the lawn area up top. Just gotta be careful when you’re walking on the lawn because it’s pretty steep and you don’t want to be that person who trips and rolls down!

The venue is beautiful and the quality of the sound and visuals are excellent. Ed Sheeran… just a man and his guitar… well, and his looping machine… were absolutely brilliant and I feel like it was better in this outdoor space than it would have been inside because the audience noise reverb would have killed it.
That being said, we ended up getting there an hour before showtime which means lawn. That lawn is a pit. It is bumpy and wonky and waaaay too steep even for the beginning of the evening when people haven’t been drinking. Of course by mid-​concert, those needing to leave for the restroom or another beer fall all over the lawn and everyone on the lawn because they can’t quite manage the challenge. Ugh. No thanks. Doubtful I’ll return.

It’s a great outdoor venue. The sound is pretty good. I did hear some echoing.
There really isn’t a bad seat in the house, but unless you’re in the pit, you’re not going to see much unless you have binoculars.
We knew it was going to be cool, but the fog rolled in before the concert started. We had our hats and sunscreen, etc., but we should have brought coats. We know better. I think most people do. It can get really, really cool when the sun sets, if there is sun, and cooler more quickly if the sun is eclipsed by the fog.
We parked in a lot in Berkeley and walked. We arrived early in town and had dinner, so we were parked for a long, long time. $ 7 was all it cost! What a steal. And it’s not a bad walk. A bit uphill on the way in, but after a long day, a great concert and maybe a few drinks… it’s all downhill at the end of the night!

Came here to see Alt-​J. Great venue, amphitheater style arena makes it easy for people to either spread out or bunch up, doesn’t feel too crowded or over heated since its outdoors.
Wouldn’t mind making the trip out here again to see a show.

These guys bring in some pretty fantastic bands. I love the outdoor venue, its pretty epic to look up at the stars as you immerse yourself in great music.
I tend to show up a couple hours before the show, stand in line and get good seats. It’s all general admission. at least has been for every show i’ve been to.
The seating seems to confuse people, but you sit on concrete steps and essentially scoot to the front. Where you would lean back, is where the row behind you puts their legs. I recommend, if you are gonna sit, instead of stand to bring a cushion or maybe those fordable stadium seats to put under your ass. it’s gets uncomfortable. Also, can get pretty cold. Bring a blanket.
Not sure their policy on bringing in outside food but i’ve seen a lot of people bring in take out to eat while they wait.
Food and beer is pretty average for a stadium, Also, CASH ONLY.
Parking is mostly along the streets surrounding the theater. There is a parking garage off of Hearst that is $ 20 if you can’t find something on the street.
This place is beautiful and the shows i’ve seen here have been memorable ones. would be nice if it was a bit more comfortable but it’s worth it.

Love this venue!
I’ve been here to see The xx, Disclosure and Lorde. Each show I had such a great view. No need to come too early. If you get a spot in the lower GA area with the steps you’ll be able to see the whole stage.
They also let you bring in your own food so that’s cool too. I get off Bart walk to telegraph, grab some Thai Basil then walk to the venue and eat my food while I wait for the show to start.
If you’re under 18 or an adult with a minor please don’t complain about the weed smell, everyone is doing it and you whining to people around you isn’t going to make them stop…
I don’t have a problem with the venue I just have an issue with the attendees… Some people stomp all over your belongings trying to get in the pit, so disrespectful. Please don’t be a douche and be respectful when you’re at a show.