War Memorial Opera House

War Memorial Opera House

Home of the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet, the War Memorial Opera House opened in 1932 with TIME magazine declaring it “…a house made possible by all the people of San Francisco.”

Designed by Arthur Brown, Jr., the prominent American architect who also created San Francisco City Hall, this cultural landmark is one of the last Beaux-Arts structures built in the United States. Today, the stately building is host to a variety of events. In addition to our resident company opera and ballet performances, the 3006-seat auditorium may be available for lectures, classical concerts, recitals, and other performances that can be installed within an existing production.

With its ornate features and 38-foot ceiling, the grand Main Lobby makes an unforgettable setting for elegant cocktail receptions and sit-down dinners. The War Memorial Opera House is one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after and unique venues, offering modern technology and the ambiance of old-world theaters.

LOCATION & RENTAL CONTACT

Booking Manager: Davies, Opera House & Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall

Email: rob.levin@sfgov.org
Phone: 415.554.6317

San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94102

Main Phone: 415.621.6600

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PERFORMANCE AUDIENCE
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SEATED
DINNERS
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STANDING RECEPTIONS
WITHOUT ENTERTAINMENT OR DANCE FLOOR
Floor PLANS
War Memorial Opera House

AUDITORIUM CAPACITY

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    SEATS
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Floor PLANS

AUDITORIUM CAPACITY

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SEATS
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STANDING
War Memorial Opera House
Seating CHART

AUDITORIUM CAPACITY

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SEATS
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STANDING
Seating CHART
War Memorial Opera House

AUDITORIUM CAPACITY

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    SEATS
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Rental RATES

Rental rates include same day set up and rehearsal, but do not include labor, equipment, insurance, box office services, lobby event space or additional rehearsal or set up days. Merchandise sales, commercial displays and audio/video recording require separate agreements and fees.

Rates for lobby event rentals in conjunction with stage performances vary based on guest count and type of use. Please see Fees & Expenses for more information.

Rental rates are subject to increase every year on July 1.

STANDARD

Rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance:

Minimum rent
$3060
Maximum rent
$8730
Rent for stage performances with no paid admission
$8730
Additional full day for set up or rehearsal
$3400

501(c)(3) / GOVERNMENT

Rental RATES

Rental rates include same day set up and rehearsal, but do not include labor, equipment, insurance, box office services, lobby event space or additional rehearsal or set up days. Merchandise sales, commercial displays and audio/video recording require separate agreements and fees.

Rates for lobby event rentals in conjunction with stage performances vary based on guest count and type of use.

Rental rates are subject to increase every year on July 1.

Please see Fees & Expenses for more information.

STANDARD

Rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance:

Minimum rent
$3060
Maximum rent
$8730
Rent for stage performances with no paid admission
$8730
Additional full day for set up or rehearsal
$3400

501(c)(3) / GOVERNMENT

Rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance:

Minimum rent
$3060
Maximum rent
$6100
Rent for stage performances with no paid admission
$6100
Additional full day for set up or rehearsal
$2550

Fees &
EXPENSES

RENT

All fees and expenses are in addition to rent. See Rental Rates for more information.

BOX OFFICE

Licensees are required to enter into a separate contract and fee agreement with City Box Office for ticket sales services. Other ticketing services may be approved on a case by case basis.

LABOR

Performances and events require union stage labor, front-of-house staff, event management, security, and custodial and engineering services. Creating an estimate requires knowing the exact nature of the performance or event, including its timeline, complete technical needs, expected guest count and desired audience services.

INSURANCE

A Certificate of Insurance with an Additional Insured Endorsement is required for all rental activities. Insurance must include Workers Compensation coverage, Public Liability coverage of $1 million, and Property Damage coverage of $1 million. Insurance is also available through the War Memorial. Rates are available on request.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment rentals are dependent on the needs of each performance or event. Estimates will be developed at the time of booking.

MERCHANDISE SALES

Merchandise sales must be approved in advance. The War Memorial retains 10% of net sales plus applicable sales tax. Licensee must provide seller(s).

AUDIO & VIDEO RECORDING

Arrangements for recording must be made in advance and require a separate agreement. Recording(s) may require additional equipment rentals, union labor and origination fees.

COMMERCIAL DISPLAYS

Third-party commercial displays in the venue (such as corporate sponsor banners or giveaways) must be approved in advance and may be subject to a commercial display fee of $1500 per day.

RECEPTION

A variety of lobby spaces are available for receptions. Rent and other fees may apply. All catering requires a separate agreement with our exclusive provider of food and beverage, Global Gourmet Catering.

Rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance:

Minimum rent
$3060
Maximum rent
$6100
Rent for stage performances with no paid admission
$6100
Additional full day for set up or rehearsal
$2550
Rental RATES

Rental rates include same day set up and rehearsal, but do not include labor, equipment, insurance, box office services, lobby event space or additional rehearsal or set up days. Merchandise sales, commercial displays and audio/video recording require separate agreements and fees.

Rates for lobby event rentals in conjunction with stage performances vary based on guest count and type of use. Please see Fees & Expenses for more information.

Rental rates are subject to increase every year on July 1.

STANDARD

Rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance:

Minimum rent
$3060
Maximum rent
$8730
Rent for stage performances with no paid admission
$8730
Additional full day for set up or rehearsal
$3400

501(c)(3) / GOVERNMENT

Rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance:

Minimum rent
$3060
Maximum rent
$6100
Rent for stage performances with no paid admission
$6100
Additional full day for set up or rehearsal
$2550

Fees &
EXPENSES

RENT

All fees and expenses are in addition to rent. See Rental Rates for more information.

BOX OFFICE

Licensees are required to enter into a separate contract and fee agreement with City Box Office for ticket sales services. Other ticketing services may be approved on a case by case basis.

LABOR

Performances and events require union stage labor, front-of-house staff, event management, security, and custodial and engineering services. Creating an estimate requires knowing the exact nature of the performance or event, including its timeline, complete technical needs, expected guest count and desired audience services.

INSURANCE

A Certificate of Insurance with an Additional Insured Endorsement is required for all rental activities. Insurance must include Workers Compensation coverage (with Waiver of Subrogation), Public Liability coverage of $1 million, and Property Damage coverage of $1 million. A 1-day liability policy is available through the War Memorial. Rates are available on request. Licensee must provide all other coverage.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment rentals are dependent on the needs of each performance or event. Estimates will be developed at the time of booking.

MERCHANDISE SALES

Merchandise sales must be approved in advance. The War Memorial retains 10% of net sales plus applicable sales tax. Licensee must provide seller(s). The War Memorial does not provide sellers, banks, or WiFi.

AUDIO & VIDEO RECORDING

Arrangements for recording must be made in advance and require a separate agreement. Recording(s) require additional equipment rentals and union labor.

COMMERCIAL DISPLAYS

Third-party commercial displays in the venue (such as corporate sponsor banners or giveaways) must be approved in advance and are subject to a commercial display fee.

RECEPTION

A variety of lobby spaces are available for receptions. Rent and other fees apply. All catering requires a separate agreement with the Opera House’s exclusive provider of food and beverage, Global Gourmet Catering.

Fees &
EXPENSES

RENT

All fees and expenses are in addition to rent. See Rental Rates for more information.

BOX OFFICE

Licensees are required to enter into a separate contract and fee agreement with City Box Office for ticket sales services. Other ticketing services may be approved on a case by case basis.

LABOR

Performances and events require union stage labor, front-of-house staff, event management, security, and custodial and engineering services. Creating an estimate requires knowing the exact nature of the performance or event, including its timeline, complete technical needs, expected guest count and desired audience services.

INSURANCE

A Certificate of Insurance with an Additional Insured Endorsement is required for all rental activities. Insurance must include Workers Compensation coverage, Public Liability coverage of $1 million, and Property Damage coverage of $1 million. Insurance is also available through the War Memorial. Rates are available on request.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment rentals are dependent on the needs of each performance or event. Estimates will be developed at the time of booking.

MERCHANDISE SALES

Merchandise sales must be approved in advance. The War Memorial retains 10% of net sales plus applicable sales tax. Licensee must provide seller(s).

AUDIO & VIDEO RECORDING

Arrangements for recording must be made in advance and require a separate agreement. Recording(s) may require additional equipment rentals, union labor and origination fees.

COMMERCIAL DISPLAYS

Third-party commercial displays in the venue (such as corporate sponsor banners or giveaways) must be approved in advance and may be subject to a commercial display fee of $1500 per day.

RECEPTION

A variety of lobby spaces are available for receptions. Rent and other fees may apply. All catering requires a separate agreement with our exclusive provider of food and beverage, Global Gourmet Catering.

Technical SPECIFICATIONS

As ballet and opera are performed primarily with acoustic music, the War Memorial Opera House does not have an in-house system for sound reinforcement. If your performance requires sound reinforcement, rental of an outside public address system will be necessary. Equipment needs should be confirmed with the Technical Coordinator in advance.

STANDARD FACILITY EQUIPMENT

  • Road Board hook-up consisting of four 3-phase 5-wire 400 amp panels downstage right
  • Basic theatrical front lighting pre-hung
  • 5 sets of black velour legs and borders and 2 blackout curtains
  • Automated fly rail with 66 linesets
  • Closed-circuit television stage monitors
  • Call, intercom and show monitor to dressing rooms
  • Headset communication between all operating positions

AUXILIARY SPACES

  • Backstage dressing rooms with mirrors, toilets, sinks and showers
  • Mens’ and women’s locker rooms
  • Rehearsal space/ballet studio
  • Performers’ lounge

ORCHESTRA PIT MEASUREMENTS

  • Playing positions: 6’8,” 7’11” or 8’2” below stage level
  • Maximum capacity: 90
  • Width at center line: 19’10”

STAGE LABOR

Stage crew at the War Memorial Opera House are members of IATSE Local 16. Our union crew is required for the installation and operation of all theatrical, audio, and visual equipment. This includes audio and video recording.

STAGE MEASUREMENTS

  • Proscenium opening: 52′ wide
  • Height of permanent valence at centerline: 31’6″
  • Grid height: 116′
  • Stage height from house floor: 3’6″
  • Curtain line to pit (apron edge): 4’4″
  • Curtain line to back wall: 64′
  • Sidewall to sidewall: 123′
  • Torm towers opening: 41’4″ to 48’8″

FRONT-OF-HOUSE MEASUREMENTS

  • Balcony rail to footlights: 80′

LOADING ACCESS DIMENSIONS

  • 15′ wide loading doors on Grove and Franklin Streets can accommodate two trucks at once.
  • Door connecting upstage storage addition to stage is 32′ wide by 30′ high.

AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING

Only archival recordings with one camera or single-track archival audio are permitted without a separate agreement. Added labor expenses will apply for any other recording projects.

We do not provide towels, wardrobe equipment, or other backstage hospitality items. Licensees must provide those items. There is no laundry facilities onsite.

Booking INFORMATION

Please note: A minimum of 6 weeks is required to plan, contract, staff, and execute your event in the War Memorial Opera House. Shorter booking timeframes may not be possible.

1. INITIAL INQUIRY

Contact us to check availability of your desired date(s). Availability is limited, so be prepared with alternate dates and a clear sense of your event and its timeline. If your desired date(s) appear open and your performance or event is compatible with the venue, you may place a hold while we confirm availability.

2. DATE CONFIRMATION

Once your date is confirmed, submit a completed application together with the base rental fee.

3. FINALIZE DETAILS

Prior to issuing your Short Term License Agreement: Confirm the timeline, technical elements and needed equipment with our Stage Electrician. Additionally, confirm desired audience services, food and beverage requirements, and any additional needs.

4. LICENSE AGREEMENT

We will issue a Short Term License Agreement (STLA). Next steps:

  • Sign and return the STLA and related documents.
  • For ticketed events, execute a separate agreement with an approved box office.
  • For performances and events requiring catering services, execute a separate agreement with Global Gourmet Catering.

5. PAY PERFORMANCE DEPOSIT & INSURANCE

No less than three weeks prior to your event, furnish proof of insurance and pay your Performance Deposit, which is a deposit paid to cover the total estimated cost of labor and equipment. See Fees & Expenses for more information.

No less than three weeks prior to your event, furnish proof of insurance and pay your Performance Deposit, which is a deposit paid to cover the total estimated cost of labor and equipment. See Fees & Expenses for more information.

6. SETTLEMENT

A settlement of rental fees and labor and equipment expenses will be completed following your performance or event. This process will take up to three weeks.

7. CHALLENGE PROCEDURE

If another party has a hold on your desired date, you may challenge their hold by submitting a completed application and a check for the full rental fee. The challenged party will then have two working days to pay the rental fee or release the challenged date. Only one held date can be challenged at a time. If your challenge is successful, the rental deposit is not refundable or transferable.

Rules & REGULATIONS

BUILDING ACCESS

War Memorial staff must be present at all times Licensee and their staff, performers, volunteers, and audience are in the building, including lobbies, stage areas, and dressing rooms.

 LOBBY ACCESS

Lobby set ups require front-of-house staff to be present.

  • Lobby set ups must be arranged in advance and may require additional rental fees.
  • IATSE stagehands must handle all set ups that include lighting, audio/visual, and décor.

DELIVERIES

Delivery and pick up of all items must be approved and scheduled in advance. Deliveries can only be made on the day of the event. Rental equipment and all other materials must be removed by Licensee immediately following their performance or event, unless otherwise prearranged.

STAGE ACCESS

Hours specified in the Short Term License Agreement are the only hours Licensee or their vendors may access the Opera House or its dressing rooms and support spaces.

  • Stage crew begins work at the start of your access hours. No work may be done prior to the start of your access hours, including set up or rehearsal.
  • IATSE stagehands must perform all work on stage. No “casual help” is permitted.

ITEMS NOT PERMITTED ON PREMISES

Bottled gas in any form, helium and mylar balloons, confetti or glitter.   Photography drones or other self-propelled flying devices are also not allowed in the venue. 

POSTING OF DISPLAY MATERIALS

All material to be posted must be approved in advance. Licensee will not post, or allow to be posted, any signs, cards or posters that have not been approved.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

While a printed program is not required, any printed program must include the emergency exit diagram and a list of the War Memorial Board of Trustees provided in Appendix D of your Short Term License Agreement.

PROTECTION & CARE

Protection and care are required on floors and walls. Carts and dollies with rubber wheels should be used to prevent scratching floors. Avoid dragging or rolling metal items, or items with metal edges, bases or glides. There is no use of staples, tacks, or nails to affix material(s) to facility or equipment.

SPACE USE

The space in the Opera House is shared with resident company staff. All building users are asked to respect each other’s presence and needs.

Global Gourmet Catering

The War Memorial Opera House is proud to have Global Gourmet Catering as its exclusive in-house food and beverage services provider. Global Gourmet Catering is known for specializing in highly customized, large-scale catering, high-end weddings and receptions, intimate fine dining experiences, and for providing the highest caliber concession food and beverage services in the Bay Area.

PERFORMANCE CONCESSIONS
For Ballet and Opera performances with an intermission, Global Gourmet will operate pre-show and intermission food and beverage services in lobby areas.  Food and beverage service ends after the last intermission and is not available after the performance.

For performances with no intermission, pre-show service may be offered if the presenter has made special arrangements.

CATERING
Global Gourmet Catering creates incomparable experiences through customized food, beverage and event services, using sustainable practices and a customer service-driven team to exceed their clients’ expectations. Global Gourmet has emerged as the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading full-service catering company on the strength of its commitment to delivering exquisite cuisine, highly customized menus, trend-setting design, impeccable service and expert on-site execution with attention to every detail.

Frequently 
ASKED QUESTIONS

No. the War Memorial is the department of the City and County of San Francisco responsible for managing the rental and maintenance of the Performing Arts Center facilities. Production and promotion of all events and performances is the responsibility of Licensees.

No. Licensees are required to enter into a separate contract and fee agreement with City Box Office for ticket sales services. Other ticketing services may be approved on a case by case basis.

Yes. Receptions may take place as stand-alone events or in conjunction with performances. Lobby receptions are subject to rent and labor costs.

No. Global Gourmet Catering is the exclusive provider of all concessions and catering services. Licensees must enter into a separate agreement with Global Gourmet Catering for food and beverage service. For more information, please contact Global Gourmet Catering’s Sales Manager at 415.252.1933.

Cost depends on technical needs, as well as the timeline for load in, presentation, and load out. While all performances and events are unique, costs typically range from $25,000 – $50,000 for a simple performance.

A Performance Deposit is a deposit paid in advance to cover your estimated labor and equipment expenses. Any unused portion is refunded at the time of settlement.

Arrangements may be made in advance to load and unload in the horseshoe driveway, located between the Veterans Building and Opera House. Street parking for large trucks and vehicles must be arranged in advance. See Technical Specifications for loading information.

Yes. See Access and Assistance for more information.

Access hours will be determined at the time of booking.

While a printed program is not required, any printed program must include the emergency exit diagram, a list of the War Memorial Board of Trustees, and a Land Acknowledgement. provided in Appendix D of your Short Term License Agreement.

Delivery of programs must be coordinated in advance. The Opera House has limited storage for programs and cannot facilitate return shipping of any items.
Please address delivery to:

War Memorial Opera House
North Stage Door
Attention: Jamye Divila, House Manager
301 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

The War Memorial Opera House has one poster case available for Licensee use. Posters are rotated as space becomes available. Posters should measure 81.5″ tall by 43″ wide.

Yes. Merchandise sales must be approved in advance. The War Memorial retains 10% of gross sales plus applicable sales tax. The War Memorial does not provide sellers, banks, or WiFi. No food sales are permitted.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada (IA or IATSE) is a labor union for entertainment and related industries. The War Memorial requires the use of IATSE Local 16 stagehands to perform all theatrical work in our venues.

Arrangements for recording must be made in advance and require a separate agreement. Recording(s) require additional equipment rentals and union labor.

Yes. War Memorial staff is pleased to conduct site visits, available by appointment only, and dependent upon the schedule of the building.

We cannot offer WiFi at this time.

San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center

401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 110 | San Francisco CA 94102
P: 415.621.6600 F: 415.621.5091