When You're Here
To further elevate our cuisine offerings, the DSO is proud to partner with Abode Fine Dining as our catering service. Concessions are available in the William Davidson Atrium prior to concerts, and Paradise Lounge is located on the second floor. Extend your special evening by enjoying a delicious fully-coursed, sit-down dining service or special cocktail or mocktail before the concert. Paradise Lounge is open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. For reservations, please contact paradiselounge@dso.org.
About our chefs:
Mike Eckles's culinary talents gained national recognition with his appearance on the Netflix show The Pressure Cooker. His stellar performance on this top 10 series showcased his culinary finesse to a global audience, solidifying his reputation as a master chef. Despite the spotlight, Mike remains committed to providing personalized fine dining culinary services in the Birmingham area as a private chef, ensuring each client receives an unforgettable culinary journey.
Marcus Donofrio has worked at many fine dining restaurants in Detroit and Chicago. His Italian roots and love for hosting have always been the center of his culinary focus. Before starting Abode Fine Dining, Marcus held the role of Sous Chef at the acclaimed Selden Standard in Midtown Detroit.
Complimentary coffee is available on the first floor of the William Davidson Atrium during Friday morning Coffee Concerts. Head directly up to Paradise Lounge or the third floor for more seating.
Bars are located on all three levels of the atrium and in the Sosnick Courtyard during outdoor events—offering everything from a classic Diet Coke to beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and full-service spirits. Coolers and outside beverages are not allowed to be brought inside Sosnick Courtyard for outdoor events.
If you find that you’ve waited in line during intermission, but hear the alert chimes that the show is about to start, don’t worry: You can take your drink with you to your seat and enjoy it with the show! You are welcome to bring drinks to your seat at all performances except Friday morning Coffee Concerts, but food must remain in the William Davidson Atrium. You may also talk to your trusty bartender to place a pre-order to be ready with your name at intermission.
Drink vouchers can be purchased with concert tickets at the Box Office for quicker checkout.
Do you want to learn more about the music? Come early for a pre-concert talk! Concert talks are an opportunity for conductors, musicians, and other experts to share a deep dive into topics like what a composer was inspired by, why a piece is considered difficult to play, or what to look for in a soloist’s performance. You'll take away knowledge that builds an even stronger connection to the music you’ll hear once the orchestra takes the stage.
Concert talks last 30 minutes and begin one hour prior to all PVS Classical Series performances except Friday morning Coffee Concerts.
Insider tip: you can sit anywhere in Orchestra Hall for a talk, so it’s a great chance to try out different seats and sections.
Join us immediately following select Paradise Jazz Series performances to keep the night going with The Late Set, a casual, complimentary afterparty in The Cube* immediately following the main stage performance including:
- A 90-minute, one-set performance featuring the best in local Detroit jazz entertainment
- Full bar including signature cocktails and mocktails for purchase
- Small bites and snacks
- A complimentary champagne toast for subscribers
*Locations within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center subject to change.
For the safety of our patrons, musicians, staff, volunteers and vendors, the following policies are in effect:
• All bags entering DSO facilities are subject to inspection.
• No backpacks, large/duffel bags, large purses, and suitcases are permitted. Purses, medical bags, diaper bags, and medical devices smaller than 14” x 14” x 6” are allowed.
• There is no storage available for bags that do not adhere to the above standards.
• No weapons or disruptive materials are allowed on DSO property.
Cell phones: they’re your computer, your camera, your watch, your calendar...but they can also be the light shining in someone’s face or the cause of a musician playing the wrong note. Your neighbors and the musicians appreciate your cooperation in turning your phone to silent and your brightness down while you’re keeping an eye on texts from the babysitter or looking up where a composer was born!
We love a good selfie (don’t forget to share your experiences using @DetroitSymphony and #IAMDSO) but remember that photography can be distracting to musicians and audience members. Please be cautious and respectful if you wish to take photos.
Note that flash photography, extended video recording, tripods, and cameras with detachable lenses are strictly prohibited.
Some of us love having a souvenir to remember an event with, and we’ve got you covered! During concerts, visit Shop @ The Max in the hallway between the William Davidson Atrium and the Oval Lobby to purchase DSO merchandise including apparel, mugs, blankets, hats, pins, stickers, seasonal goods, and more. DSO fans can also visit dso.org/shop to shop the store anytime.
Smoking and vaping are not allowed anywhere in The Max.
If you’ve misplaced an item while onsite for an event, let an usher know and they will connect you with help! If you’re already home, call 313.576.5199, where help is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
While parts of the facility are historic, all areas of The Max have been modernized and most visitors will find the temperature typical of large indoor spaces. However, when in doubt: follow your mother’s advice and wear layers! Complimentary coat check is available on the first and third floors of the Atrium. Weather conditions for our outdoor concerts in Sosnick Courtyard are constantly changing, and the event may be moved indoors if necessary. Be sure to check the weather forecast before attending and dress accordingly.
Our outdoor venue, Sosnick Courtyard, provides an open-air experience with live music and community greenspace. When attending events at Sosnick, we recommend that guests who opt for our first-come-first-served seating options bring their own lawn chair or blanket and anything else needed to enjoy an outdoor performance in the warm summer air. Beverages will be available for purchase at our outdoor bar. Outside beverages are not permitted in Sosnick Courtyard. In the event of inclement weather, the concert may be moved indoors and patrons will be notified via email.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout The Max. Look for the DSO-GUEST network on your device and follow the login directions. And be sure to tag your posts with #IAMDSO!
By attending a DSO event you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.
By entering the event premises, you consent to having your likeness featured in photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, or any other purpose by the DSO. You release the DSO, its employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.
By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the DSO or the person or entity designated to do so by the DSO.
You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.