Mcfarlin Auditorium

Acoustics are good. Staff is exceptionally friendly. Parking is a dumpster fire. Seating is incredibly odd. We were second row first balcony (row b section f) and couldn’t see the stage at all without folding ourselves into positions that would make our yoga teachers proud.
On the up side, Straight No Chaser is a FANTASTIC show!

At three stars, this is probably one of the better venues to go see live music in Dallas. (Unfortunately, there’s not that many that I’ve found yet that I’d consider «great.») I saw Wilco here on 4÷22÷2015. This review references that experience.
Environment: The environment of the auditorium is a classy, upscale, somewhat formal setting. Various items throughout the atmosphere of the venue convey this. Ornate metalwork frames the stage, dating the period of the venue. However, the venue has been well maintained. (There are a LOT of stairs if you’re going to the balcony.)
Location: Across from Snider Plaza at SMU is about as good as it gets. This would make for an awesome romantic dinner in Snider Plaza and a show afterwards. (I live in this area and being able to walk to a concert here is AMAZING.)
Parking: I can’t speak to this, but it looks like it may be a problem. Walking to the concert, I saw people holding up signs for parking for $ 10.
Security: Easily 5 stars. Mcfarlin is an auditorium with seats, and they’re used. (Even in the orchestra pit! At least for the concert I attended.) And security does a fairly reasonable job in making sure that those seats are used. (If you show up to a concert, get floor seats, stand on them the entire time, and flail your arms, please stop going to concerts, you inconsiderate drunken boob.)
Bathroom Locations: Frankly, they’re not super awesome. I didn’t go to the restroom, but I think my wife had to walk downstairs to go to the bathroom. So, if there are bathrooms on every floor, they’re not well marked.
Acoustics: Unfortunately, not great. (That may have been the audio guys the night that I was there.) The bass overpowered the music to the point that you couldn’t very clearly hear the lead singers. Again, I was in the second balcony, so that may be an issue as well. But any indoor venue is pretty much «alright by me.» (I’m not a fan of outdoor concerts.)
Visibility: I’ve only been in the second balcony here, and I was in the front row of the back section. There was a bar in front of my seat that limited my visibility. If you’re in the balcony, you feel FAR away from the stage. The visibility is a big issue.
I thought about giving it 4 stars, but I can’t do it with the acoustic issues that I encountered. (Again, part of that may have been the audio guy.) But overall, a pretty good venue to go see a band at, especially if you’re an «old prude» like me (I’m 31) who doesn’t want to stand the entire concert and be afraid that you’re going to «lose your spot» if you have to go pee.

McFarlin Auditorium is the mecca of classic theaters playing host to live music. If one of your favorite artists comes through this venue GO SEE THEM.
Located on the SMU campus, the surroundings are worth an early arrival just to walk around and check out SMU. Plenty of campus eating as you can imagine so don’t worry about a lack of food options prior to your arrival. We paid $ 10 to park right on site of the auditorium. It was fast, easy and we were within a 3 minute walk to the front doors.
We saw Ryan Adams (he was freaking awesome as always) and the acoustics were really nice. Not too «boomy» and great direct line sight of the band. I believe I looked up and found that the McFarlin seats around 2,500 people so it’s a decent size but no too big. I really don’t like going to the big arena shows any more– it’s just too packed and overpriced. The old style theaters like McFarlin are absolutely perfect for seeing a show like this. 100% is seating, there’s no GA or standing room here. That’s good and bad. Some shows deserve folks to be on their feet, but most concert goers remained seated for Ryan Adams.
The facility is beautiful; very well maintained, with a nice sized lobby. While we had limited interactions, the staff was very friendly and helpful. I will keep an eye on future concerts here– would love to come back. McFarlin Auditorium was amazing. The drive down University to get to MA was really nice. It’s the heart of Preston Hollow so you can imagine the scenery is pretty incredible– we went during the holiday season and the lighted homes were so cool.

Parking $ 10.
Gum on floor.
Uptight security staff that interfered with patrons merely standing during the show instead of sitting.
I was here for the Nick Cave show and if it had not been for him personally intervening and asking security to «F**k off», everyone would have been forced to sit primly and properly in their seats for a rock legends show.
Hopefully anyone who is worthwhile books their show elsewhere.
I am not opposed to coming here again if the act is who I want to see, but I would not look forward to being at this venue again.

This is not the oldest, fanciest or favorite auditorium I have been to, but overall it gets high marks for beauty, good seats, convenience, and an enjoyable evening at the ballet.
If you see the pictures, even the cheap seats have a great view. Only occasionally were we so high that the stage angle let us see what we shouldn’t behind a prop, or not see the background.
Seats were roomy and very comfortable, restrooms lovely and clean and new
Elevators were easy to access
Parking is a bit difficult in this area, but usually is for a show at any auditorium or center
The non-​modern charm was nice, and what needed to be updated had been
Small and charming

This is a fantastic, chill music venue that all Dallasites have to experience.
I’ve now gone to McFarlin twice for concerts. Once for Sufjan Stevens and another time for David Byrne and St Vincent. Yes, I am a hipster.
The best way I can describe this venue is seeing your favorite band that you would sit down and jam to in a 1950’s theatre. It may get crowded when walking to your seats, and lord help you if you want to try to get merch, but the performances you’ll see at McFarlin will blow. your. mind.
Parking will also blow because you’ll most likely be parking in the neighborhood streets along Hillcrest and walk there, but the venue itself is amazing. Go there and mildly rock with your mind blown.

great venue but horrible load in! the freight elevator takes forever to load out

This is a very interesting place to see a concert. I saw the Primus 3D concert here last week. We were on the first level, and I thought the sound was great. Didn’t feel like we were in a really old theater at all.
I’m not sure if it was Primus, or the venue, but the ticket said the show started at 8, and I’ll be damned it started right on time. I never would have expected that, and I wouldn’t have been a few minutes late had I known that. And again, was it the venue or the band that wanted to take a 4 cartoon (seriously) intermission break. That was weird. I’ve never seen a rock band break, more less break to play Popeye cartoons, but it was Primus and they are a strange group?!
Overall, it wasn’t a bad time. Things to note is that it was $ 15 to park in the parking garage near the auditorium, and this place sells no drinks. NO DRINKS. So weird.

Growing up enrolled in numerous dance classes, I had my fair share of dance recital experiences at McFarlin Auditorium. But this experience — by far — was the best I’ve had at McFarlin Auditorium. I think it had something to do with the amazing musicians, St. Vincent and David Byrne presenting one of the best live performances I have seen… ever.
Though, the auditorium is not as up to date as the state-​of-​the art, corporately-​funded arenas, it still holds a whimsical taste only found in old-​school theaters. The acoustics were just as sound as any venue and the space facilitates a much more low-​key, mature crowd. It’s no crazy, alcohol-​induced time, but when you are really there for the music or the performance, what else do you need?

I’ve attended 2 concerts at this venue — Morrissey and more recently David Byrne /​St. Vincent. Had tix in the 1^st balcony for both shows.
The seats are kinda small compared to other venues. You will do more elbow rubbing with your neighbors than you may be used to. The seating layout for this place is… unusual to say the least. Get a good look at the online seating chart from ticketmaster or wherever… maybe print that sucker out and bring it with you! The ushers are hit and miss when it comes to knowing where your seat is actually located.
The acoustics for concerts, in the 1^st balcony at least, are quite good. I would imagine this is the case throughout the entire venue.
Be aware that no food or drink is sold here. I’m not talking about beer, I’m talking NO FOOD AND NO DRINK. PERIOD. To be fair there IS a coke machine and a chips machine downstairs, but you have to drink and eat that stuff downstairs before you head to your seats. So if you’re used to grabbing a couple beers and some nachos and taking them to your seats before you rock out, think again!

Warning — Check the SMU game schedule before getting tickets to an event at this venue. I didn’t realize the ballet was at an on campus venue… we got stuck in some serious game traffic trying to get to the ballet here… very frustrating… not to mention our GPS didn’t lead us to the right building so I had to snag a student and have him point it out. We ended up missing part of the first act… dissappointing.