Where to Sit at These Front Range Music Venues, According to Experts

Typical Range

$: Less than $50
$$: $50 to $100
$$$: $100 or more

---

Best For: Planting Your Feet

Red Rocks Amphitheatre: The flower boxes
Yeah, yeah, there are no bad seats at Red Rocks—but that doesn’t mean some aren’t better than others. In fact, Brian Kitts, Red Rocks’ spokesperson, recommends spots that aren’t seats at all: the planter boxes on the sides of the venue. They’re first-come, first-stand, and while they might be a little dusty, “there’s not going to be some random tall guy blocking your view,” Kitts says.
This month: Relive those angsty high school years on May 23 with emo/alt-rock band All Time Low.
Price: $$

---

Best For: Skipping to the Loo

Mission Ballroom: GA floor, west side
Most visitors gravitate to the lobby bar, says local concert photographer and blogger Aimee Giese. Instead, find some space on either side of the stage for access to the lesser-known bars in the wings. Plus, both bathrooms up front are for women, evenif they look blocked by security guards. “I assure you, they are public,” Giese says.
This month: Caroline Polachek, who co-founded pop duo Chairlift while a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, will be promoting her fourth solo album on May 14.
Price: $

---

Best For: Panoramic Views

Boettcher Concert Hall: Ring 2, seats 47 to 56
Snagging nosebleeds at the Colorado Symphony’s home in the Denver Performing Arts Complex doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice sound quality, says Nick Dobreff, communications and creative director for the Colorado Symphony Association. The venue’s unique 360-degree layout places the entire audience within 85 feet of the stage.
This month: On May 18, you can become one with the Force when the symphony performs the works of Star Wars composer John Williams.
Price: $

---

Best For: Beer Runs

Paramount Theatre: Orchestra center, rows N, P, and Q
Sure, sitting near the soundboard promises the best audio quality, but Jamel Rottier, general manager of the Paramount, likes these center seats for one more reason: The ground floor boasts a little-known (and seldom-frequented) bar for select shows. Just take the stairs to the left of the stage to grab a double vodka cran without having to skip a single tune.
This month: Hey now, hey now, don’t dream of missing ’80s new wave band Crowded House on May 12.
Price: $$$

---

Best For: Keeping Your Distance

Ball Arena: Section 128 or 146, row 1
Pick the wrong seat at this 675,000-square-foot sports coliseum and you’re likely to pull an eye socket trying to catch a glimpse of your favorite artist. But Ball Arena general manager Chris Joswick says the first rows in sections 128 and 146 are “close enough to feel the energy of the floor but above the crowd so fans have an unobstructed view.”
This month: Grab your dearest on May 21 to watch Shania Twain, the best-selling female artist in country music history, perform “You’re Still the One.”
Price: $$$