General Information
NFT Map: 4
Address 2700 N Vermont Ave
(in Griffith Park)
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hotline: 323-665-1927
Administration: 323-665-5857
Ticketmaster: 213-480-3232
Website: www.greektheatrela.com
Overview
While the Hollywood Bowl will always be LA’s premier outdoor venue, the Greek Theatre is a close second, thanks largely to its gorgeous location. The Greek still leans heavily on safe nostalgia acts, but in recent years, it’s booked more music that those under 30 can appreciate without irony. Tom Jones still plays here, but so do the Flaming Lips, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and others who aren’t pulling down Social Security.
Nestled up in Griffith Park, this sylvan amphitheater always feels cooler and less smoggy than the rest of the city. The Greek Theatre is about a third of the size of the Bowl, and twice as bucolic. If the weather’s right, the sky can be so clear that you might actually be able to impress your date by pointing out Orion and Polaris—forgetting that you’re in LA all together. No wonder the Coachella set is getting hip to the place. The Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, even Ashlee Simpson have all decided to go Greek during recent tours. None have trashed the place—yet.
How to Get There—Driving
From the 10, exit at Vermont and drive north to Griffith Park. From the 101 heading north, exit at Vermont Avenue. Turn right onto Vermont and follow it into Griffith Park. From the 101 heading south, exit at Vine Street. Go straight under the underpass, and you will be going east on Franklin Avenue. When you reach Western Avenue, turn left. Western will curve to the right and turn into Los Feliz Boulevard. Turn left at Vermont, and follow it into Griffith Park.
Parking
$15 at the Greek Theatre will buy you the stacked parking option (read: you can’t leave until everyone around you does). For $50 you can get valet, allowing you to leave whenever the heck you want. Call 323-665-5857 to make advance reservations 10 am to 6 am Monday through Friday. The Greek has also partnered up with several Los Feliz restaurants to offer “Dine and Ride,” which offers concert-goers parking, dinner, and a shuttle to the show for around $55. Check out the dining options and availability at www.dineandride.com. If you’re really sly, you can score parallel parking along the many side roads around the Greek. This option costs $10 and you can leave whenever you want. Free shuttles will take you from your parking spot to the venue. If you’re making a date of it and you’re game for a stroll, parking on lively, venue-packed Hillhurst is also an option.
How to Get Tickets
The Greek Theatre’s box office only sells tickets in person. They are open Mon-Fri, 12 pm to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, and are closed on Sunday. Tickets to all events are also available through Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000.