Attending Performances
Facilities & Services
To ensure your visit to the Metropolitan Opera is pleasurable, please review the topics listed on the right for additional information you may need while attending a performance.
Box Office
The Main Box Office is located in the North end of the Front Lobby, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm and Sundays from noon until 6:00 pm. After the Box Office closes, all paid reservations for that performance are transferred to the Ticket Taker at the Front Gate in the lobby of the opera house and tickets are no longer available for purchase for that performance.
Return/Refund Policy
It is general policy at the Met that there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. Subscribers do have certain exchange privileges.
Ticket Donations
If you are unable to use your tickets, you may donate them to the Metropolitan Opera for resale until curtain time by calling Met Ticket Service at 212-362-6000, or by mailing unripped tickets to:
Metropolitan Opera
P.O. Box 1704
New York, NY 10023
Ticket donations must be received prior to the performance. Once donated tickets are received by the Met, a tax receipt will be issued by mail four weeks after the performance date. If you choose to donate your ticket in person at the Box Office, a tax receipt will be issued at that time.
Coat Check
There is a coat check station located on the South Concourse level.
There is a private coat check for members of the Metropolitan Opera Patron Program located in the lobby of List Hall (ChevronTexaco Gallery).
Dinner hour coat check is available on the North side of the Grand Tier starting 2 hours prior to curtain; coats are moved from the Grand Tier to the Concourse Level and the Patron Coat Check 30 minutes prior to curtain.
An usher is available on the Parterre level during the dinner hour for those seated in the Parterre boxes who would like to leave their coats in their boxes.
Dining & Intermission Refreshments
The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan Opera features creative contemporary American cuisine and the Revlon Bar offers sushi, panini, crostini and a full service bar. Both are now open two hours prior to the Metropolitan Opera curtain time to any Lincoln Center ticket holder for pre-curtain dining. Pre-ordered intermission dining is also available for Metropolitan Opera ticket holders. For reservations please call (212) 799-3400.
The Belmont Room is available for pre-performance dining and intermission cocktail service for Guild Members at the Contributing level (or higher) and Met Patrons.
Pre-curtain and intermission bars are located in Founders Hall and on the Orchestra, Parterre (Parterre Box ticket holders only), Grand Tier and Family Circle levels. Snacks are available.
A pre-curtain and intermission bar is available in the Board Room for the members of the Metropolitan Opera Patron Program.
In addition, there are a number of restaurants in the area surrounding the Met.
Please note that food and beverages are not permitted in the auditorium.
Other Information
Opera Shop & Gift Certificates
The Metropolitan Opera Shop is located in the North Lobby of the opera house. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am through the last intermission of each performance, and Sunday from noon to 6:00 pm, Eastern Time.
You may also reach the Metropolitan Opera Shop by telephone at 1-212-580-4090, visit the Metropolitan Opera Shop online.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are available through the Metropolitan Opera Shop and may be purchased in $25 and $100 denominations. They may be redeemed for tickets or merchandise at the box offices of any Lincoln Center venue (including the Met) or gift shop. Information on purchasing gift certificates is available on the Lincoln Center Web site.
Met Titles
Met Titles are a custom designed system for simultaneous translation that has been created by the Metropolitan Opera. They are used for all opera performances.
The Met Titles are seen on individual screens on the seat backs, on stanchions and at all Standing Room locations except the Grand Tier.
The screen is controlled by each viewer, so that any audience member who wishes not to have Met Titles can choose not to turn them on.
The screens are polarized, so that they are not easily visible from either side, to minimize intrusion on neighboring seats.
Displays in some boxes slide or pivot to facilitate seating and optimize viewing. Please consult with an usher for instructions on how to adjust these displays.
Prior to use and before each act begins, each unit will display the message "Met Titles: press to view". To activate the titles, push the red button by the screen. The titles must be re-activated before each act. When activated, prior to the curtain going up, the screen will indicate which act is upcoming.
Please note that titles will appear at irregular intervals as needed, and there will be periods during performances where titles are not appropriate and the screen will be dark.
Should you require any assistance with your Met Titles screen, please consult with an usher.
Lost & Found
Inquiries should be made at the Chief Usher’s Office on the day of the event.
Thereafter, please contact the Security Office at 212-799-3100, extension 2499. Hours are Monday – Friday, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Eastern Time. We will return voice mail messages and inquiries the following business day.
Binoculars
Binoculars are available for rental at the coat check station on the South Concourse level.
Lounges & Rest Rooms
Lounges and rest rooms are available on all seating levels. Additional ladies’ rest rooms are now available on the Family Circle and Founders Hall levels.
First Aid & Emergency Procedure
A doctor is in attendance during all performances. In the case of an emergency, please notify an usher immediately.
The exits indicated by a red light and the sign nearest the seat you occupy are the shortest routes to the street. In the event of an emergency, please walk — do not run — to the nearest exit.