What alcohol is allowed at the Hollywood Bowl?

Thank you for your interest in our Park and Ride and Shuttle programs. Our Park & Ride and Shuttle programs allow you to park at a lot around LA County or near the Bowl and a bus will take you straight to the Bowl. We are working on finalizing the lot locations and departure times for the upcoming season. Park and Ride and Shuttle tickets will be available in the Spring, closer to the Hollywood Bowl 2023 season. At that time, you will be able purchase Park and Ride and Shuttle tickets on our Getting Here page.

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Can I bring a wine opener to Hollywood Bowl?
Are there bag restrictions at the Hollywood Bowl?

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Please arrive at the theatre with enough time to take your seats before the scheduled performance. Gates will open 2 hours prior to the start of a concert and we suggest arriving at least one hour prior to your performance.

Visit our Getting Here page for directions, parking, public transportation and ride share, Park & Ride / Bowl Shuttle information and more.

You're welcome to bring the following items the the Bowl. Learn more about our House Rules and Code of Conduct

You’re welcome to bring your own food and drink* to the Hollywood Bowl.
Bringing alcohol is dependent on the type of event you’re attending. For LA Phil-presented events, feel free to bring wine bottles, wine glasses and beer bottles inside. *For Lease Events, however, alcohol isn’t permitted. Please note the full list of prohibited items for Lease Events below.
Container size matters. All containers, picnic baskets and coolers must be able to fit under your seats or within your box. Containers, picnic baskets and coolers measuring more than 15 inches wide, 15 inches high or 22 inches long won’t be allowed past the tickets gate.

The following are prohibited items for ALL EVENTS:

Regardless of the event, no kegs of any kind are allowed inside the Hollywood Bowl. Tailgating in the parking lots isn’t permitted either.
Weapons are not allowed.
No cameras with detachable or extended lenses.
No form of camera stand (including monopods).
No selfie sticks.
No GoPros or audio/video recording devices.
No Drones.
No laser pointers or glow sticks.
No umbrellas (concerts are performed rain or shine).
No electronic devices such as iPads, tablets, and laptops.
No chairs.
No fireworks.
No frisbees.
No signs.
No beach balls.

Generally, we do not have set times until the artist goes on stage. Therefore, we are unable to provide set times in advance. To ensure that you don’t miss any of your concert, we encourage all patrons to arrive early.

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Most concerts are 2 to 2 ½ hours, which typically includes a 20-minute intermission.

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Picnic area No. 7 at the Hollywood Bowl boasts views of the Cahuenga Pass. It’s a perfect place to set up before the show with your snacks and a bottle of wine.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

What pairs perfectly with golden hour, the hills of the Hollywood Bowl and live music? It’s your favorite snack-and-drink combo packed in your bag.

Yes! The Hollywood Bowl is one of a few venues in Los Angeles that allow you to bring your own food and drink, including alcohol. But the latter is allowed only for certain events.

If you’re going to the Hollywood Bowl to enjoy a Los Angeles Philharmonic event, you’re free to bring wine bottles, wine glasses and beer bottles.

During the summer while the L.A. Phil is in its Hollywood Bowl residency, lease events also come through the venue, said Kassie Winchester, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn.'s public relations coordinator. When you’re attending a lease event, BYOB alcohol isn’t permitted.

Any event on the Hollywood Bowl website with the messaging or label “special house rules apply” is a lease event. Events without that messaging are Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn. events.

So when you are allowed to take alcohol and your favorite snacks to the show, what can you pack them in?

Containers, picnic baskets and coolers have to be able to fit under your seats or within your box. Take out your measuring tape and check your food transport: If it’s more than 15 inches wide, 15 inches high or 22 inches long, you won’t be allowed to bring it in. (Also remember that it can be quite a hike from the nearest public transit stop or even the main entrance to your seats, so don’t pack too heavily.)

also people need to talk about how annoying and unwieldy a picnic basket is to haul up that hill. like i just wanna spring for a yeti backpack.
— esther tseng 鄭怜欣 (@estarLA) May 27, 2022

There’s no limitation on what you can pack in your basket. The Times asked readers on Twitter for ideas on some of their favorite foods to pack. People suggested charcuterie spreads, fruit, burritos and banh mi sandwiches.

You can enjoy your favorites with friends in one of the 14 official picnic areas (or the one unofficial picnic area) or at your seats. The picnic tables are first-come, first-served. Groups of 30 people or more can reserve selected picnic areas through the Group Sales Office; call (323) 850-2050.

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Can I bring a wine opener to Hollywood Bowl?

The Hollywood Bowl allows BYO alcoholic beverages except during leased events like a touring band, so make sure you check first. Don't forget all of your picnic essentials like plates, napkins, utensils, cups…and most importantly the wine opener but I suggest bringing screw-cap wine bottles.

Are there bag restrictions at the Hollywood Bowl?

May I bring my handbag/backpack into the auditorium? All bags are subject to search by security officers. Security may require that large handbags or backpacks be left at the Coat Check in the lobby.