The Greek Theatre — Attraction in Los Angeles

Firstly - have the courtesy to arrive on time. There were people looking for their seats 45 minutes after the show started. Seriously? In a regular theatre you’d have to wait to the interval, if you were allowed in at all.

Jaw dropping rip off prices for food and drink. They won’t let you take a reusable water bottle inside. You have to drop it at a customer service stand and collect post-show.

Unlike the nearby comparable but larger outdoor venue, the Hollywood Bowl, don’t expect to be able to picnic on your own food at your seat. No food inside the arena, unless it’s food bought at the Greek. Then, by all means, chow down on your $20 chef’s salad, or $30 grilled cheese with fries. Evidently the motive is nothing to do with the post-show clean up. Airports can now be smug - ‘hey we know you’re being gouged, but have you ever been to the Greek?’ Caveat -there are picnic tables outside the venue. So if you arrive early enough you can grab a table and fill your face in advance. Also, no outside booze in the venue (unlike the Bowl). But you can buy booze inside, because of course you can. No chance of getting tipsy at those prices though.

Phones - not sure if it’s policy for all shows, but on the night we attended we had to place our phones into bags which were sealed and then could only be unsealed by a Greek employee. So no pictures, no selfies, no Instagram or Twitter, etc. No setting up an Uber etc in advance. I understand why the performers prefer that; I’ve certainly been irked at past shows when main character types (selfish, rude, obnoxious, me-first types)have made loud calls during shows. I get it. Just be forewarned if you like to take photos. Main character types I don’t care about, obviously. Being present in the moment is good.

That might explain how long it took to get out. Apart from one of the large entrance/exits being gated off, everyone had to get their phones unlocked from bags, and there were maybe six people doing that. You would be wise to leave ten minutes before the curtain call.

It took at least twenty minutes to get out of the venue, phone released from bag. We had opted to park at Griffith park for free - parking prices at the venue were nuts. That seems on brand. We got the bus ($10 each, be aware) up to the venue.

Waiting for the return bus was another 50 minutes! I’d read online that there weren’t many buses but others seemed to have had no issues. There seemed to be three buses capable of carrying maybe to 40 people each. Very nice buses though. Way nicer than the Bowl buses. Luxurious, perhaps.

It was around midnight before we got to our car. It was very dark and there were a couple of men lurking around. I highly advise you to park in the main Pony Rides parking lot rather than the smaller lot closer to Los Feliz - there’s more light and more people getting off there.

From there it took less than 25 minutes to get home. Was it worth the effort? Seeing friends was great. The show was Ok, but not the laugh fest we expected. Worth it for seeing friends but not so much...

A well maintained amphitheatre with nice acoustics, modern sound and video systems, and a unique outdoor experience.

Food choices are limited and expensive for the quantity and quality. Food was good, edible, but not great. Burgers, chicken fingers, a sandwich option, loaded fries, grilled cheese. All about $20 as of June 2024. Bottled water $6.75 or $11.75.

NOT allowing refillable METAL bottles inside the Greek. Bring one and you'll have to check the bottle and remember to pick up when you leave. "NO Cans, Bottles, or Glass Containers. Guests may bring empty Plastic/Nalgene Reusable Bottles to the Greek. Guests will be required to discard the contents of any reusable bottle brought on property."

The craziest thing I saw was the low windows when ordering food. See the pictures! Apparently their vendor made a HUGE error and made the order windows so they can't be opened all the way up. To add to the problem, they printed what looks like concert goers and an opaque screen on the glass so neither side can see the other. This forces everyone to bend down to place an order and the employees to lean on the counter so they can see and talk to you. Slowed down the ordering process significantly and made it really hard for some people with physical difficulties to get food. Wow, this error is going to cost someone a lot of money to correct. They can't possibly leave it like this for long. I asked some of the employees at the Greek about it and it was obvious they were not happy about it. They apologized over and over again to me and everyone else ordering around me, but attempted to stay positive and didn't say anything negative about the Greek. "Sorry, it was recently installed. Not sure how they're going to fix it."

Prepaid parking was easy as we arrived early. Getting out after the event was a nightmare. They have you park on grass and all over the place, so you have to wait for people behind you to leave. The street into and out of the Greek is basically a two lane residential street. So, traffic crawls getting out of there.

Overall we enjoyed the performance and the theater. Staff were professional and courteous. The cost/quantity/quality of food, weird ordering windows, and parking/exiting knocked off 1- 1 1/2 stars.

We'd return to see the right performer.

Finally, it can be hot in the direct sun but then can get chilly outside once the sun goes down. Bring a light sweatshirt or pullover for cool summer evenings.

Knowing the above, just come prepared and you'll...

This is the Champagne Room of Los Angeles venues. Exciting, expensive, but breathtaking. Once you're inside it's easy to forget your budget because it's so very pretty and everyone is so nice.

Note for hikers/tourists: you can hike to Griffith then walk down to the venue, roughly 1.5 hours from Griffith Park Entrance on Franklin, or shorter (maybe 45min-1hr) from road access entrance farther east, up the street from Albertsons. Unless you are in great shape, take the road up to the park, NOT the 40% grade dirt hill hike through the Griffith Park Trail (the park with the bear statues near AFI).BEWARE: if you have mobility issues, this is not for you, please be safe & carry a map/gps.

The good: Gorgeous Classic LA Landmark; must go You can hike through the neighborhood (or from Griffith) if local to avoid parking delays Naturally perfect amphitheater the most beautiful venue you will find in Los Angeles, only rivaled by the Observatory imo. EXTREMLY nice staff! (Everyone was so helpful, kind, and happy!) rideshare dropoff/pickup area a glass of wine was the most affordable drink option. Sponsors are Modelo, Patron, and a winery.

The bad: If you are driving, get there to park at Doors Open to avoid a long line of traffic going up the hill ($50 parking fee) No T-Mobile network reception: BE PREPARED (wifi available) few food options & what is there... 💸💸💸(ex: $35 burger, $8 for one skewer w/2-3 chunks of meat on it/$60 for 10/$100 for 20 skewers, $10 fries or Pretzels) Bring a small snack so you don't go hypoglycemic. no outside food or drinks (you can bring one factory sealed 16oz water) seats are staggered in a way that someone's head will likely be in your way... prepare to stand all show if the artist is very visual; as soon as the show started at St. Vincent, the premium seating became premium standing. THE MOST EXPENSIVE drink I have ever heard of: $85 3 shot tequila soda; cohort accidently bought this and it was "too late"; what a...