Your Guide to the Minnesota Orchestra
Going to the orchestra has as certain ring to it, doesn’t it? Doesn’t it make you feel fancy just saying it? Well, hold onto your pearls, because we have a secret for you: The orchestra is for everyone—across paygrades. But if you like the idea of doing it up, embrace the opportunity! The Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall plays music for all. They want YOU in their seats. Still, we know it can feel intimidating, so let’s break it down. Here's everything you need to know about attending a concert at Orchestra Hall.
Quick Facts About Orchestra Hall & the Minnesota Orchestra
- Opened in 1974
- Renovated in 2014
- Capacity: 2,085 seats
- 114 acoustic cubes across the ceiling and back wall
- 3 new fulltime musicians for the 25/26 season
- 175 concerts performed each year
- 80 – 100 musicians make up the orchestra
- Best Orchestral Performance Grammy in 2014
Shows at the Minnesota Orchestra
If you’re not a regular to the orchestra, you may feel intimidated about what concert to attend. On Minnesota Orchestra’s (MNO) website, MinnesotaOrchestra.org, it’s simple to filter shows according to both genre and time of day.
Decide if you’re in the mood for classical or chamber music, or are more apt to enjoy movie soundtracks played live while the film projects behind the musicians. During the holidays, you may enjoy the MNO’s Christmas concerts. You can also simply select time of day (morning, matinee, or evening), and check out any special offers that might entice you. Every performance is world class, so you can’t go wrong.
Buying Orchestra Tickets: Special Programs, Discounted Rates & More Ways to Save
The MNO offers copious options to ensure everyone can enjoy their performances. Purchase tickets at MinnesotaOrchestra.org/tickets.
- Relaxed Family and Sensory-Friendly Concerts: Young children get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket (also great for those with autism or sensory sensitivities). These shows bring music to the masses in a relaxed and welcoming environment, sometimes in the stunning Target Atrium, and sometimes in the concert hall.
- Hall Pass Program: Children ages 6 to 15 receive free entry with the purchase of an adult ticket. And high school students ages 16 to 18 are always free with a school ID—no adult ticket purchase required!
- Some concerts are also available with the Choose Your Price program. The MNO simply asks buyers to consider what the orchestra means to them when purchasing tickets, but the minimum cost is just $5.
- Select concerts offer discount tickets for seniors, students, educators, and those under 40. This is also where you’ll find Public Rush Tickets on performance day (just $25 a ticket if purchased within two hours of the show).
- For standard ticket buying, though, simply select the show you’d like to see from the website. Let the web robots choose the best seats available, or select seats yourself. Ticket prices will range from around $30 to $120.
- Watch for other ways to save from the MN Orchestra themselves, as they often run promos, such as covering the cost of parking with the purchase of tickets. Go ahead and sign up for their emails so you can stay in the know.
Parking Ramps by Orchestra Hall in Downtown Minneapolis
We know that downtown driving isn’t for everyone, but by allowing yourself ample time, it won’t become a stressor.
We recommend: 11th and Marquette parking ramp (connected to Orchestra Hall via skyway)
Other Nearby Ramps
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
If you have varied physical and emotional abilities, and want to enjoy world-class music, we promise you can.
While parking ramps offer disable parking spots, MNO’s main entrance is a convenient drop-off/pickup area to consider (no stairs!). Once in the venue, elevators, escalators, and ramps ensure all orchestra-goers can access their seats. Armless and bariatric chairs are available by request, and there’s wheelchair (plus companion) seating on all levels.
Assisted listening devices are always available, and select performances provide ASL interpreters and audio description. For the vision impaired, both Braille and large-print programs are provided. All-gender and ADA-accessible restrooms are also available, and even service animals are welcome. See a full list of accessibility services at Orchestra Hall.
Food & Drink Options Near Orchestra Hall
Whatever time of day you’re catching a show, Orchestra Hall and its surrounding area offer an abundance of dining options. Here are a few to tantalize your tastebuds.
Morning Show - Breakfast
Caribou Coffee
1100 Nicollet Ave.
Serving up all the classics, plus fun seasonal treats, your thirst will be quenched at Caribou Coffee. Bonus that it’s directly across the street from the MNO, easing all your navigating woes, so you can sip a coffee, and then head to the show.
Gray Fox Coffee
801 Marquette Ave. S., and 800 La Salle Ave
Park your car, then navigate the skyways to one of two Gray Fox Coffee locations near Orchestra Hall. Beautiful (and delicious) hot drinks, matcha, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, and even oatmeal pudding await!
Matinee - Lunch
Brit’s Pub
1110 Nicollet Mall
Directly across the street from Orchestra Hall. This Minneapolis mainstay serves up English fare the likes of Scotch eggs, London broil, and fish and chips. There’s a full bar, but their tap selection from across the pond is where Brit’s really shines.
Breva Bar & Grill
1115 S Second Ave
Just around the corner from Orchestra Hall, you'll find Breva Bar & Grill housed within Hotel Ivy. This lively joint offers a wonderfully varied menu, but we think you should try their smoked walleye dip for a uniquely Minnesotan experience!
Evening Concert - Dinner
Zelo
831 Nicollet Mall
A scant three-block walk from Orchestra Hall is Zelo. Think Italian, with a modern twist. Zelo’s dinner menu covers the mouth-watering gamut of Italian cuisine, but also offers burgers for those who prefer a taste of the Midwest.
The Butcher's Tale
1121 Hennepin Ave
Since 2021, The Butcher’s Tale has been a coveted date night hotspot. Gorgeous platings of decadent meats and seafood paired with a special cocktail, mocktail, wine, or beer ensure a memorable meal. It’s an easy five blocks from Orchestra Hall.
Post Concert Drinks
Barrio
925 Nicollet Mall
Finished with the symphony, but don’t want the night to end? Hop, skip, and jump over to Barrio — a Latin cuisine and tequila bar that features a late-night happy hour from 10 to midnight. Order up their signature margarita, or try a tequila flight to become a novice connoisseur (an oxymoron we can get behind). But whatever you choose to sip, be sure to try their fresh guacamole while you’re there.
Food & Drink Options Inside Orchestra Hall
Of course, you don’t need to leave Orchestra Hall to enjoy some provisions. The award-winning space has you covered.
Download the Skip-the-Line ordering app ahead of time to maximize your visit to Orchestra Hall. Wine, beer, spirits, sodas and various NAs, and packaged snacks are available at multiple bar locations before the show, and during intermission. Take your drink and stroll around. Gaze down at the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Target Atrium, or saunter to the N. Bud Grossman Mezzanine and Lindahl Terrace when weather and events permit. Myriad other spaces within Orchestra Hall—like the grand foyer and the Cargill Commons—also welcome you and likeminded concert goers.
Keep Orchestra Hall’s summer and special event program Sounds + Bites on your radar, too. Free with your ticket to select events (search “Sounds and Bites” on the MNO website), you’re invited to come early and enjoy free live entertainment and $7 happy hour deals, and shop wares from diverse local vendors.
However you chose to enjoy the symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra promises a dazzling, inspiring experience you’ll never forget.
