Orchestra Stalls at the Royal Opera House

The Orchestra Stalls are the ground floor, level with the stage, in rows A to W, split into a centre block and one either side. They're among the most expensive seats in the building, and they're the ones we'd book first.

Where we'd put you

The centre of rows G to L. Close enough to see faces, far enough back to take in the whole stage without turning your head. For ballet or opera, these are the best seats in the Royal Opera House.

Rows F and G have no side seats, so a ticket anywhere in those two rows is a central one. If the centre has gone, the side blocks are still closer than anything upstairs, at the cost of an angle.

What to think twice about

• The very front rows, for a ballet. You're below stage level and look up at the dancers, losing some of the floor.
• The back rows, if you want to feel close. The level narrows towards the back, and rows V and W are a long way from the stage, though the view stays clear.

The floor rises gently, and the seats are staggered so you look between the heads in front.

Getting to your seat, drinks and toilets

You go down about 18 steps to the Orchestra Stalls, and there's no lift. If steps are a problem, this is the one level to avoid; the others have lifts, and the access page has the detail.

There are toilets on every floor, and the accessible toilet nearest the Stalls is on the ground floor. The bars are upstairs: order your interval drink on the way in and it'll be waiting.