SF Masonic Auditorium — Attraction in San Francisco

Recently saw Matteo Lane. This venue is small enough that all the seats are good seats. This is a big plus when you're trying to decide which price level of tickets you're going to purchase.

In general the staff here are very friendly and helpful, with the exception of the door staff who view everyone as someone trying to sneak contraband into a prison. For some reason that escapes me everytime I've been here, the door staff has zero interest in being friendly. It's more complicated to get into this venue than it is to get thru TSA at SFO.

Be mindful of their bag policy. Although I did notice on this visit that the poli y was not enforced consistently. Why it was this happened I couldn't say but there were several people with bags that were noticeably beyond the restrictive size limit.

Our tickets were on the floor level. The seats were basic padded folding chairs, which is ehat was expected. They were the kind that locked together to create a row, which was understandable. These could use an upgrade. Everyone around where we were seated looked as though they were packed into a crowed bus. A large number of guests had chosen to sit sort of sideways so they didn't lean on the person next to them. This type of seating style in other venues, has been updated which gives just a little more space between the locked seats so you can sit comfortably without having the person next to you partially sitting on you. This improved seperation in locked seat seating also allows you to put your arms down by your sides rather than being all bunched up or fokded across your body. Masonic should look into this so guests are more comfortable.

I would encourage attendees to spend the extra dollars to gain access to the California Room. This is their "VIP" area. It's pleasant with separate venue entrance, comfortable lounge seating, bar, restrooms, free coat check, DJ and appetizers. All great except the appetizers.

The appetizer offerings fir this event were fried food that has been sitting in trays for far too long that the food is completely soggy instead of being fresh, crisp and dry. The two salads were tasty. Nothing sweet this time. In the past they had better offerings that could withstand long wait times from prep to service and still maintain their freshness.

The bar offered three specialty drinks in addition to a fairly good selection of other beverages and liquors. The specialty cocktails were served in shaker cups with shot glasses for lids. It was super easy to drink from the shaker top rather than fight with the paper straws the were a full inch too short.

The positives and negatives of this venue are about equal. Worth the effort to go if your favorite performer...

I've attended several performances at this venue over the last decade and have developed some opinions that seem to hold true about my experiences overall... both good, and bad. So, this is how I see the The Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco.

THE GOOD: To start, the structure itself is really grand. Opened in 1958 and sitting atop Nob Hill (across California St. from Grace Cathedral), this architecturally stunning venue pretty spectacular. The high ceilings and light colored stone and marble used in the structure gives this venue a light and airy feel you don't get in most 3500 seat theaters. I found the sound quality in the theatre to be quite good, on both the main floor or in the balcony. I've also never had an issue with the sight lines to the stage from any seat in the house. The majority of the staff at the large (beautiful) bar area seem knowledgeable and eager to serve up a wide variety of beverages in record time, even through a busy intermission. While you are sipping your beverage, don't forget to look up at the incredible mosaic by artist Emile Norman. (More information on this artwork can be found on 2nd floor, directly across, above the open air bar.)

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The staff (from Live Nation?) at the door needs to be familiar with how paperless ticketing works and be able to effectively request exactly what is needed and where it's located on the ticket. Recently, my tickets barcode suddenly was not displaying on the e-ticket (for reasons still unknown) and I was told to just step aside. It took another patron to offer up the quick solution so I could enter. Do some training Live Nation! Also, seating in this venue offers very little leg room for a person of 6 feet 2 or taller. Seating should be more comfortable for everyone with the prices charged for events. Unfortunately, I don't see an easy fix anytime so tall folks, something to...

Saw an excellent performance by Ali Wong last night. Had a horrible experience getting to the theater and my box. I am disabled, told the garage attendant I needed a disabled parking spot. He did not tell me how to enter the theater accessibly. I had to walk up stairs to exit the garage, then down stairs to enter the theater. No accessible wayfinding signs.Then a maze of walkways for bag screening. No accessible wayfinding signs posted. I asked where I could go for disability access. No one answered. In pain, I managed to get to an elevator then had to sit on a bench while my friend got vip bracelets. A nice employee came over to me to give me my bracelet. We then entered the box. The head of security came by and I told him how hard it was to get there. He told me I had to ask for assistance. Essentially, it was my fault. I started to cry, feeling overwhelmed with pain and shame from hobbling so far. We ordered drinks and then were told they were comped. I thanked the head of security who then continued to lecture me on what I should have done. That part was really horrible. Going to the car, I was surprised how easy it was to take the elevator from the theater to the garage level. Why couldn't anyone help us get into the theater this way? As we drove out, a man was pushing a woman in a wheelchair from the theater, attempting to wheel down the garage to their car. No one told them how to accessibly...