Northrop

I’ve been to a few shows in the remodeled Northrop now. For actually watching a performance, the venue is amazing. The setting is great, and there’s plenty of room for productions, be they dance, rock or orchestral. Tickets tend to be a bit more expensive, but it seems like an expensive venue to run.
The selection of treats and alcohol is astounding, but the biggest letdown is that you’re not able to bring food or drink into the concert hall. Instead, there are planned intermissions or set changes between acts, and everyone crowds concessions. You get your food or drink just as the curtain call goes out, then you have to chow fast and chug your drink before you head back in. I understand the need to keep the hall looking nice, but I think it cuts into satisfaction and sales.

This venue really pleases my eyes. I’ve prob taken just as many photos of the interior architecture (chandeliers, pillars, etc) as the actual headlining performers. Beautiful stuff! I think it was remodeled in the last year or so?
I’ve been here both for a concert (Go96.3’s Snow Show) and a lovely dance program (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago). There are a few floors and stages. The Best Buy stage is more intimate and hosts special features like pre-​shows and Q&A’s. The main stage is large with tiered seating and balconies. I like that the ushers are super attentive and friendly here. They’ve not only directed me to my seat but led me there. Not sure if they do that all the time or if I just looked like a lost pathetic seal pup.
The times I’ve been here, there have been a few Surdyk stations open — which include a bar (select liquor, wine, and beer) and snacks. There is also a built-​in café where you can get other eats like sandwiches and soup, when available. It’s kinda pricey but that’s to be expected. And you cannot bring the food and drink into the theatre, which makes sense as I imagine myself slipping on salami.
Important note: check the parking situation online before you go. Sometimes some nearby ramps are reserved or require pre-​paying.

I saw a rock show here for the first time in at least ten years and was impressed with how beautiful it is now. On top of that the sound was outstanding perhaps even better than it used to be, it was crystal clear and at a perfect volume. And to round it out, the employees at the door, the merch booth, and the ushers were perhaps the friendliest people I have ever encountered at a concert. I felt old walking around campus but it was well worth it.

The fact that a lukewarm panini, pastry, and coffee cost upwards of $ 15 for inconsistent counter service is a serious issue for this location. If the student workers were perhaps better trained things might improve. At any rate, those are still steep price points for those items when there is quite a bit of competition in the area. There is little excuse to charge $ 8 for a sandwich that is supposed to be heated through (and fresh!) that is instead cold, even when sitting under heat lamps.
My suggestions: more efficiently staff the counter ordering system (e.g. have one person process transactions, another grab ready made items, another make espresso, etc.; they have the staffing for that), and make things fresh to order.

Returning to this place after several years, I see how nice a renovation is. From the main floor, I see sensuously-​curved balconies painted in a white/​light color. I see the stage well from the back-​left and the seats are comfortable enough. I enjoyed gazing at some old columns in a set-​off area just before the restroom area — it was well-​lit and felt sort of special. Given that I went for a speaking event, and not a concert, I am unable to comment on the acoustics. Leaving through the front doors of this 2,700 seat venue feels so «grand».

Should consider satellite beer stations.
15+ minute wait for a beer that we can’t take to our seats. Hmpf.
Other than that, beautiful venue, good sound, spacious seats.

The newly renovated space makes Northrop a true gem on campus. The classic look and feel of this building makes it the perfect place to sit and study on a mild fall afternoon. They kept a lot of the original features on the inside that give Northrop it’s collegiate feel while upgrading the lighting and furniture to modernize the space for students. There’s a café here catered by Surdyk’s so if you feel like being fancy for lunch, stop here for a bite. It’s still super quiet in here because I don’t think the students have quite caught on that it’s the perfect study space during the school year.
Church street garage is the nearest parking option so if you don’t want to break the bank to take a peak at Northrop, grab a bite in Dinkytown and take a little excursion through campus and make a pit stop here.

The Northrop has been reconfigured upward to allow for closer sight lines, not sure this was a good idea. Be aware, the gallery section is very high. I’ve never been to a theater that seats so far up before and I can’t say it is a good experience.
The overall refurb is nice but the interior design, other than the original proscenium, leaves much to be desired. Think 1980s bland. The acoustics are fine, given the distance and location.
Beware of the seat height to the floor. Shorter legs will tire easily. It seems like they were installed a couple inches higher than designed.
This was one visit in the gallery, I will look forward to more satisfying visits in lower sections in the future.

I’m no expert but having just seen Giselle, the science behind acoustics seems to be perfected at Nothrop. The sightlines are superb, The seats are designed for 21^st century waistlines, And much preservation was obviously involved as I remember wandering around the hall in the late 70s as a student, just to look around.
The only thing that wasn’t preserved was the organ. It was removed and is now in storage awaiting the $ 3 million it would take to put it back in. And we all know what happens to civic organs around here. They never get the millions required for renovation and reinstallation.
It’s too bad, but don’t expect to hear it play for likely a very long time, if ever.

Wow. Grand reopening. Amazing Art Deco and what a theater. They r having the American ballet theater do Giselle here. And that is incredible too!
The new theater is just beautiful. The two cafés have a great selection of snacks. The theater itself is completely refurbished. We were in row g which is good for dance events. Just beware that row f is in the front and it handicap accessible which means your view might be obscured in the exact center. Might be best a little farther back. For dance events the first row of the first balcony seems like it would be wonderful. Bring your opera glasses.
For events like this u want to buy the advanced purchase parking. Gets u into the garage right in front. Nice place.

I have been to Northrup for multiple graduation ceremonies but was also lucky to get to see the great Bob Dylan perform here on 11−4−08. It was a really great show.
Really nice auditorium. «The mall» outside is also a lovely place to hang out on the U of MN campus.

I am SHOCKED to be the first to review the fabulous Northrup Auditorium but at the same time, happy to bring the review to the general public.
Located right on the East Bank of the U of MN campus, Northrup is a gorgeous building that offers many different arts and cultural events each year.
Most recently I saw Zac Brown Band… it was fantastic! All the seats in the place are great, its easy to get to, tickets are inexpensive (45 $ for 8^th row floor tickets) and they serve booze, which you can also bring into the auditorium.
The staff are friendly and there are TONS of different events all throughout the year, ranging from concerts to ballet to student theatre productions and graduation… there is always something happening at Northrup.