Phoenix Theatre Seating Plan

Three levels: the Stalls, the Dress Circle and, at the top, the Grand Circle. Almost every row runs to 28 seats, there are no pillars in the Stalls or the Dress Circle, and there's no level here you should refuse outright.

The one thing to understand before you pick a seat

At the Phoenix, the best seat depends on what show is playing.

From row K back, the Stalls sit under the Dress Circle, and by around rows O to P the view of the stage has become a letterbox. Whether that costs you anything depends on how the production uses the stage:

• A show staged low and wide loses you nothing back there. Come From Away played here for four years and used only the main floor of the stage, and the back of the Stalls was completely fine.
• A show that uses the full height of the stage costs you real content. Stranger Things: The First Shadow puts action right up towards the ceiling, and from the back of the Stalls you miss some of it.

For the show playing now, that makes the cheapest Stalls rows a false economy. Under a different production they'd be among the best value in the theatre. The rear Dress Circle is much less affected either way. Ring us on 020 7193 9050 and ask what's happening above head height on your date.

Should I sit in the Stalls or the Circle?

The Stalls, if the price is similar. The middle of the Stalls is the best place in the building, and the Stalls have the most legroom. The Dress Circle is the stronger of the two circles, and its rows C to F in the centre are excellent. For Stranger Things, a seat at the front of the Dress Circle beats one at the back of the Stalls.

The levels at a glance

• Stalls, rows B to S. The centre of E to K is the pick; the front rows put you in the middle of the effects, and for this show the back rows lose the top of the stage
• Dress Circle, rows A to K. Rows C to F in the centre are the ones to have. Row K is step-free by lift, and there's a safety rail in front of A and B
• Grand Circle, rows A to J. Closer than you'd expect, clear from most seats, and the tightest for legroom. Its own door, 51 steps up, no lift

Where we'd spend less

The usual way to save money is to go up a level. Here we'd look for a cheaper seat lower down first, at the back of the Dress Circle, and only go up to the Grand Circle if the saving is large. What you give up upstairs is the angle rather than the distance: you look down at the stage rather than across at it.

Taller? The best seats for legroom

The Stalls have the best legroom, and K1 and K28 have the most legroom you can book in advance: row J is set in by one seat at each end, so there's nothing directly in front of them. Row B has nothing in front of it at all, but for Stranger Things it may not be on sale in advance. In the Dress Circle, rows A to C are tight for anyone over about 5ft 6 and it eases from row E. The Grand Circle is the tightest of the three. Every seat in the theatre is the same width, 44cm, with one shared armrest.

Step-free seating

Dress Circle row K, by lift from the Charing Cross Road foyer. The Stalls and the Grand Circle are stairs only. The access page has the detail.

The seating plan

The plan shows all three levels. Tap a section to see what's left on your date and what it costs, then pick your seat from there.

Call us on 020 7193 9050 if you'd rather talk it through with someone.