Heinz Hall

Address:	600 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
Phone:	+1 412-392-4900
Site:	pittsburghsymphony.org
Rating:	4.7

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

David Walker

Updated April 16, 2017: My first National Broadway Tour of a show here, "Fun Home". As many performances as Ive seen at the cavernous Heinz Hall, most all of them by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, I cant ever recall a time during a show when there were what seems like long moments of deafening silence and that the entire audience got so quiet and so still that you could hear a pin drop. I had my doubts how a play/musical would be pulled off here, but it was done brilliantly. I also have tickets for "Dirty Dancing" and looking forward to it! If you do see a touring Broadway show here dont get the cheap seats. Details are important and hard to see from back/up there. Earlier review: Ive been here a dozen times from 2015-2016, and have had subscription series to the Pops concerts as well as bought single tickets to numerous shows. Ive had seats ranging from the closest stage box seats, orchestra level mid-sections, front row balcony, and last row in the uppermost section. Depending on the personal importance of the program, I bought my seats accordingly. Ive enjoyed every performance immensely, but buying seats in the upper section would be primarily to hear the music and not watch the show - if you want the latter, dont buy the cheap seats. The venue as a whole is stunning: royal red carpeting, gorgeous chandeliers everywhere, and gold trim against white paint make this place an elegant gem. The seats are just a little tight for leg room, but not uncomfortable for the average sized person. Ive posted a few dozen pictures as well, all prior to this review. There are several bars to buy drinks (soda and alcohol), all have limited seating. After the latest renovation the largest lounge was cut in half and the other portion is used for contributing members. During non-winter months the outdoor courtyard is opened and a nice place to hangout before the show. Restrooms get really busy at intermission so plan your beverage drinking accordingly. Theres also a nice coat-check room. Adequate parking is directly across the street, the entrance to the garage is next to Starbucks on Penn Avenue. There are plenty of restaurants within a 10-minute walking distance, from Market Square to the east end of this section of town down towards the convention center. If your performance is on a Sunday check to see if the buffet brunch by Common Plea catering is offered. Its a nice break from the hubbub of the streets and gets you early access into the hall. This is particularly nice in the dead of winter. Heinz Hall is a masterpiece in the Cultural Districts crown jewel of venues. Make sure to go at Christmas time to see the tree.

Larry M. Coco

This is the premier musical performance hall in Pittsburgh. The acoustics are great and the decor is stately and reminiscent of French Baroque architecture. We decided to have dinner before the Pittsburgh Symphony concert we were attending in the Heinz Hall "Mozart Room," which is attached to the performance hall; however, there is a street entrance for the restaurant that is separate from the performance hall entrance area. Reservations weeks in advance are suggested to make certain you can be seated. Its not a walk-in type restaurant. The dining area is relatively small with seating for 40 to 50 patrons by my estimate. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Choices are limited to 5 or 6 main menu entres each priced individually, but with your entre choice the price includes a choice of appetizers and deserts. A complementary glass of wine was also available to patrons the evening we were there. After being seated at 5:30 PM, we finished dinner well in advance of the PSO 8:00 PM performance, but there is generally both entertainment in the lobby and a pre-concert talk about the concert pieces in the performance hall. Early comers can also enjoy a drink in the cocktail lounges as an option. Great place for a very classy night out.

stacey germany

On Sunday January 18, 2015, my husband and I attended a comedy show featuring Kevin Hart, while Kevin and his crew were fantastic we missed at least 1/4 of the show due to the event staff walking up and down the aisles and stairs making sure no one was secretly taping the show. I understand that this is an illegal way for people to make counterfeit dvds it really wasnt fair to the attendees to miss parts of the show. Please figure out a better way to do surveillance than to constantly be in the way of the people who paid to see a full show and not a clip of someones head every 30 seconds in my way. I ask myself do this happen at every event that goes on at Heinz Hall.

Renee Oparnica

I was very dissappointed in the Diana Ross concert last night. The band was so loud that I could not hear her singing. Even when she spoke to the audience I could not understand what she said. Heinz Hall was an echo chamber. Some of the guests got up and left 20 minutes into the performance. I would have left too but my companion wanted to stay and see if the sound got any better.... It didnt. I dont know who is responsible for the acoustics but they were terrible. I would not go to Heinz Hall again for a musicial performance. I go to the Benedum very frequently and have never had a bad experience.

Pamela Brown

Beautiful venue. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is simply fantastic. They delivered a great performance. To top it off they have a gem of a restaurant in the form of the Mozart room. Dinner is provided by Common Plea catering. How convenient! It is located right inside of Heinz Hall. My husband and I had dinner prior to the performance and had a simply wonderful evening. If you have a chance to attend a performance at Heinz Hall delivered by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra - go!!! Pam

Gabriel Boyer

Heinz Hall is an amazing location, and might be worth going just to take gorgeous photos of the Grand Lobby and the Hall. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is wonderful and tickets are very affordable with a wide range of seating. I love going to the Pop nights, and the BEST way to watch Back to the Future is in Heinz Hall with the orchestra playing the music. A night out at Heinz Hall is, in my opinion, the best way to enjoy an evening in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Eliseo Rael

Pittsburgh has one of the best orchestras in the country. The "Big 5" (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Chicago) have traditionally been said to be the five best orchestras in the country, but Pittsburgh is every bit as good if not better. Ive been in Pittsburgh for 4 years now and have seen just about every Mellon Grand Classics concert. Everyone of them has ended with riot like standing ovations. They are a must see if youre ever in Pittsburgh.

Mike West

Short version: great place, classy, and historical. Long version: Stunning historical venue to watch or listen to Broadway shows, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, or CLO. The only reason it did not get 5 stars is the acoustics are geared more towards more powerful music. This causes the voices to sometimes get lost or become muted. Also if you are going to an event at Heinz Hall please dress up.

Allan MacLeod

Heinz Hall is always a pleasure to visit. Pittsburgh has the symphony experience down pat, I think. Nobody will look twice if you come in wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but people in tuxedos are always walking around, too. You can get liquored up before, during, or after the show. The hall itself is absolutely gorgeous, and getting to and from its central location is easy.