Please find some important information and Frequently Asked Questions below.
General Questions
Q) Will there be an interval?
A) Some performances have an interval, and some do not. Performances around an hour or so long generally do not have one. If there will not be an interval it will usually be indicated on the event description. There are no intervals for Cushion Concerts.
Q) Are seats allocated or first-come, first-served (ie unallocated seating)?
A) Cushion Concerts are first-come, first-served, unless there has been an arrangement made prior to the concert eg for special needs.
Seats for Met and Chamber concerts performed at Town Hall venues (Marrickville Town Hall, Leichhardt Town Hall, Petersham Town Hall, etc) are also unallocated, with the exception of subscribers who can elect to have a seat allocated.
Concerts at fully managed venues such as Riverside Theatre Parramatta and the Seymour Centre have allocated seating, and you can choose where you sit when you purchase your ticket.
Q) What time do the doors open?
Cushion Concerts – doors open approximately 1/2 hour before the performance.
Met Concerts at Inner West Town Hall venues (Marrickville, Leichhardt, Petersham, etc) – approximately 1/2 hour prior to the performance commencing.
Performances held at other venues will generally have reserved seating, and the time the doors open will vary from venue to venue.
Q) What do I wear to watch an orchestra?
A) At The Metropolitan Orchestra, we recommend you wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Our goal is for you to enjoy the complete experience of watching an orchestra live in performance. We find that people will dress according to their own tastes. Some like to come dressed in suits, tie and formal wear, others prefer casual clothing. Wear what you like and enjoy the experience.
Q) Can I bring children to a concert?
A) Children are welcome at all TMO concerts. In fact, we have created a Cushion Concert Series specifically designed for children from 6 months to around 9 years of age. If you have an older child who you’d love to share great music with, we encourage you to bring them along to either our Met Concerts (larger orchestral concerts) or one of the Chamber Concert performances. For the comfort and safety of all audience members, attendees at these events are requested to remain seated during the performance. As these events are quite intimate, audience movement during the concerts can also be distracting to the performers.
Q) Can I get a refund after I purchase a ticket?
A) Refunds are not available after a purchase has been confirmed except as outlined in the standard terms and conditions of sale, or if required by law. Click here to read the terms and conditions.
Q) Can I transfer my tickets to another performance day or time?
A) Tickets can only be transferred when a particular concert has more than one performance associated with it. Eg: Cushion Concerts generally have four concerts performed within each series. Therefore, it is possible to request to transfer your tickets between days and times within that series. Tickets cannot be transferred to another cushion concert series or be provided as credit for a future event.
To request a transfer of your tickets from one date to another (within the same concert series), send an email to info@metorchestra.com.au with your current ticket details, including the date and time the tickets are booked for, number of tickets on the booking and the full name under which the original booking was made. Also, clearly specify which alternative date and time you want to move to. Tickets can only be moved if there is available seating in your desired date and timeslot.
Venue Info
Q) Are your venues wheelchair accessible?
A) Yes, all venues at which The Metropolitan Orchestra performs are wheelchair accessible. For Balmain Town Hall, which is is two-storey building, there is lift access on the far right-hand side (as you face the building), past the library entrance.
Q) Where is ASHFIELD TOWN HALL?*
A) Ashfield Town Hall is located at 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield NSW 2131.
Q) What parking and public transport options are available for Ashfield Town Hall?
A) 3-hour parking is available at Ashfield Mall, next door to the venue. Enter via Norton, Knox or Holden Streets. It is a 5 minute walk from Ashfield train station and there are regular bus services which stop near the Town Hall. See https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
Q) Where is BALMAIN TOWN HALL?*
A) Balmain Town Hall is located at 370 Darling Street, Balmain NSW 2041.
Q) What parking and public transport options are available for Balmain Town Hall?
A) Street parking only available around Balmain Town Hall. There are regular bus services; see https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
Q) Where is LEICHHARDT TOWN HALL? *
A) Leichhardt Town Hall is located on the Corner of Marion and Norton Streets, Leichhardt NSW 2040.
Q) What parking and public transport options are available for Leichhardt Town Hall?
A) Parking for Leichhardt Town Hall is available in the council carpark located next to the town hall on Marion Street. There is also some metered street parking around the venue. There are regular bus services; see https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
Q) Where is MARRICKVILLE TOWN HALL?*
A) Marrickville Town Hall is located at 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW 2204.
Q) What parking and public transport options are there for Marrickville Town Hall?
A) Parking for Marrickville Town Hall is in the surrounding streets located around the venue. The venue is also accessible by train (the station is a 7 minute walk) and bus. See https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
Q) Where is PETERSHAM TOWN HALL?*
A) Petersham Town Hall is located at 107 Crystal Street, Petersham NSW 2049.
Q) What parking and public transport options are available for Petersham Town Hall?
A) Parking for Petersham Town Hall is in the surrounding streets located around the venue. There is also parking across the road on Fisher Street and some after hours parking available in the Council carpark across the road. There are regular bus services, and Petersham train station is a few minutes’ walk away. See https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
Q) Where are The RIVERSIDE THEATRES?
A) The Riverside Theatres are located on the Corner of Market and Church Streets, Parramatta NSW 2150.
Q) What parking and public transport options are there for The Riverside Theatres?
A) There is very limited street parking available around the theatre. Popular streets include Marsden, Sorrell, Villiers and Ross Street. Accessible parking is available on Market Street behind the theatres, as well as at Novotel Sydney Parramatta and the Eat Street Car Park. Visit The Riverside Theatres website for more details on parking and visiting the venue https://riversideparramatta.com.au/your-visit/. The theatres are a 12 minute walk from Parramatta train station, 8 minutes’ walk from the ferry and bus stops are a short distance away. See https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
Q) Where is the CANADA BAY CLUB?
A) The Canada Bay Club is located at 8 William St, Five Dock NSW 2046.
Q) What parking and public transport options are there for the Canada Bay Club?
A) The Canada Bay Club, located at 4 William St, Five Dock, offers ample free on-site parking for members and guests, including a recently upgraded, new carpark. The facility is easily accessible, and additional street parking is generally available in the surrounding area. Canada Bay Club in the City of Canada Bay is accessible via public transport options including buses (routes M50, 439, 502, 504), nearby train stations at North Strathfield, Concord West, and Rhodes (via bus transfer), and ferries at Cabarita Park. The club also operates a dedicated Community Car service for members and guests within a 5-10km radius. CONTACT (02) 9713 4322 or (02) 9712 1591 or email enquiries@canadabayclub.com.au
Q) Where is the VERBRUGGHEN HALL?
A) The Verbrugghen Hall is located within the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at 1 Conservatorium Road, Sydney NSW 2000
Q) What are the transport options for Verbrugghen Hall
A) On-site / Nearby Parking
There is NO on-site parking at Verbrugghen Hall / the Conservatorium building itself.
Limited street parking is available in the area, but spaces are very scarce, especially on event nights or weekends — and you must observe local parking restrictions and meters.
Nearby Commercial Parking Facilities
You can use off-site paid car parks within walking distance:
- Domain Car Park on St Marys Rd – a secure multi-storey facility.
- Secure Parking: Hudson Building at 131 Macquarie St (close by).
- Sydney Opera House Car Park on Macquarie St (approx ~5 min walk).
A) Public Transport Options for Verbrugghen Hall
Verbrugghen Hall is in Sydney’s CBD near Circular Quay, so many public transport options make travel easy and often faster than driving.
Train
- Circular Quay Station ~5–8 min walk from the venue.
- Martin Place Station ~5–7 min walk.
Bus
Several buses stop nearby, particularly along Bridge St, Macquarie St, George St and at Circular Quay. Bus stops at Bridge St & Gresham St are only ~2 min walk.
Ferry
Ferries to Circular Quay Wharf 2 or Wharf 3 are ~6–8 min walk from Verbrugghen Hall — great if you’re coming from harbour suburbs.
Metro / Light Rail
You can connect to other lines via Metro (like M1) and then transfer to train/bus toward Circular Quay nearby.
Walking
The Conservatorium is centrally located within easy to walk to from Circular Quay, Martin Place, The Rocks, and Royal Botanic Garden areas.
Q) What parking and public transport options are available for ICC AWARE SUPER THEATRE Darling Harbour?
A) For parking information for the ICC Aware Super Theatre Darling Harbour, Sydney, visit https://www.iccsydney.com.au/Getting-to-ICC-Sydney for detailed venue information. The venue is well-served by public transport including train, bus and light rail. See https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 for more info.
*TMO gratefully acknowledges the support of the Inner West Council, who make it possible for us to rehearse and perform in these beautiful venues.
Cushion Concerts Info
Q) Are your venues pram accessible?
A) Yes, all venues at which The Metropolitan Orchestra performs are pram accessible. For Balmain Town Hall, which is is two-storey building, there is lift access on the far right-hand side (as you face the building), past the library entrance. Please note that while we offer pram parking inside the venues, space is limited, so we encourage you to leave prams at home where possible. If you do need to bring your pram, please ask one of friendly volunteers if you are unsure as to where to leave it.
Q) Can I bring my own cushions/rugs to a Cushion Concert?
A) There will be a number of rugs and cushions supplied (on a first-come, first-served basis) at Cushion Concerts, but you are welcome/encouraged to bring your own. There will also be a limited number of chairs for those (of any age) who would prefer to sit on chairs.
Q) What age are the Cushion Concerts suitable for?
A) The Cushion Concerts are suitable for babies through to around 9 years of age. Parents/Carers also enjoy the high standard of music played!
Q) Do I need to buy a ticket for my baby?
A) Babes in arms (under 12 months of age) are free. All other children need tickets.