A historic registered landmark, The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles is a beloved open-air theater set within the picturesque Griffith Park. Originally built in 1929, the theater has had many updates and renovations since then and currently seats 5,900 concertgoers. Often compared to the Hollywood Bowl, "The Greek," as it's commonly known, is a more intimate setting, which many music lovers prefer. The venue even served as backdrop to the popular 2010 movie, "Get Him To The Greek."
Getting Tickets at The Greek Theatre
Tickets to concerts and stage productions at The Greek Theatre can be purchased through AXS.com or at The Greek's box office. The box office is located at 2700 North Vermont Canyon in Griffith Park just north of The Greek Theatre. Hours for the Box Office are Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sundays the box office is closed. All tickets purchased at the box office are subject to a handling fee, which is much cheaper than the fees charged when purchased online.
Parking and Public Transportation at The Greek Theatre
There are several parking lots offering stacked parking that surround The Greek Theatre and range in price from $mid-teens up to $50 or more, per event. The Greek also offers the opportunity to purchase parking tickets online in advance of the show for cheaper rates. If purchasing on the day of performance, though, parking must be paid for on site, in cash. A terrific alternative is to take The Greek Shuttle for a flat vehicle cost of under $10. The Greek Shuttle picks up and drops off on Crystal Springs Drive at the pony and train ride parking lots in the park, just north of Los Feliz Blvd. and near the 5 Freeway.
Types of Concerts at The Greek Theatre
Since The Greek Theatre has been awarded the Best Small Outdoor Venue over numerous years, the venue attracts a multitude of performers. Headliners from all musical genres—pop, rock, country, reggae, jazz, classical, etc., regularly perform during The Greek's season which usually runs from May through October. School graduations are also held in The Greek Theatre.
Food and Other Places to Visit at The Greek Theatre
In addition to the usual burger, hotdog, soda, beer and wine vendors, The Greek offers more upscale Food Baskets that can be ordered in advance online through their website. Since The Greek borders the vibrant Los Feliz neighborhood, there are plenty of restaurant options for dining either before or after the concert. In fact, there is a "Dine and Ride" partnership between The Greek and neighboring restaurants that offer meals and valet parking with shuttle service to the theater. Popular partner restaurants include il Capriccio on Vermont, The Dresden Restaurant, and Messhall.
Where to Stay Near The Greek Theatre
There aren't many hotels surrounding The Greek Theatre due to its being in Griffith Park. A visitor's best bet is to look to the hotels in Hollywood like Loews Hollywood Hotel, The Redbury Hollywood, or the historic The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Insider Tip for Visitors to The Greek Theatre
Once inside, The Greek Theatre offers a beautiful space with great acoustics for performers and audiences alike. The trick is navigating the expensive stacked parking dilemma. Highly recommended is taking The Greek Shuttle and/or participating in the Dine and Ride options, mentioned above.
Author's bio: Lori Huck works in television development as well as writes on entertainment, the arts and travel. She's a fan of the vibrant arts scene in Los Angeles and is a member of various film, TV, and arts organizations.