EVENT RENTAL

• Rates include the Opera Studio and Founders' Room 

Uses: Presentations, productions, wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions, other receptions, or dinner parties

Capacity: 400 for a cocktail reception; 350 in theater-style seating; 200 for a dinner reception.

Square Feet: 5,000 (approx. 116' x 48')

Rental Rates: ​​​​$1,450 for 4 hours; $4,500 daily (12 hours) rate

Available for additional costs: stage, piano

All rentals will be charged a $450 staffing fee and a $150 cleaning fee. 

Founders' Room

Now booking for 2024 and 2025!  

Uses: Meetings or receptions

Capacity: 100 in theater-style seating; 50 for a dinner reception.

Amenities: Kitchen Access

Square Feet: 1,920 (approx. 40' x 48')

Rental: $750 for 4 hours, $1,800 daily (8 hours) rate

Available for additional costs: stage, piano

All rentals will be charged a $450 staffing fee and a $150 cleaning fee. 

Rental Guidelines

Download the full PDF of Rental Guidelines here. 

BUILDING

Rental Rates

Our current rental rates can be found on our website: https://www.pittsburghopera.org/facilities/hold-your-event-at-pittsburgh-opera/rental-information

Load-in & Load-out Policy

A full-day rental includes 12 hours from set-up to end of your event, plus one hour for clean-up. Access will be given to Social Tables for lessees to place objects around the space. Pittsburgh Opera event staff will set up the items as noted on Social Tables prior to lessee’s arrival.

Lessees will inform Pittsburgh Opera staff of any rentals associated with their event. Drop off and pick up times must be coordinated prior to the event. Vendor drop offs are allowed the day prior to your event within the hours of 9:30am-1:30pm. Lessee will be charged an additional hourly fee for a ceremony rehearsal or drop off and set up of personal items, décor, etc. on the day prior to the event.

It is preferred that all personal items must be removed from the building at the end of the event, however, if prior arrangements are made, items may be picked up at a later date. Rented items may be left and picked up on the next business day between 9:30am-1:30pm, with approval from Pittsburgh Opera.

Additional Security

The staffing fee for each event covers one (1) security guard, hired by PO, for the duration of your Event Time and one (1) PO staff member.                  

Upper Level of GRW Access

Guests may NOT access the upper level of the GRW. We will allow individuals up to the second level to put up and take down decorations. We will also allow photographer or videographer limited access the upper level.

Restricted Items

The following items are prohibited from use in the George Roland White Studio, Founders’ Room, and other associated spaces:

• Helium-filled balloons
• Confetti, glitter, beads, or similar loose items
• Feather boas
• Sparklers or other pyrotechnic instruments
• Gas/wood-fueled burners (Sternos are permitted)
• Hay or straw
• Unprotected taper candles
• Bubbles or foam machines
• Champagne towers or spraying of champagne indoors

Smoking is not permitted on the Premises, including the garage area. Use of electronic cigarettes is also prohibited. Smoking shall only be permitted at designated areas outside of the garage area as defined by Pittsburgh Opera.

In accordance with Pennsylvania State law, Lessee shall not permit the use of any illegal drugs in or about the Premises at any time.

Guest Arrival

There are two large Pittsburgh Opera signs on Liberty Avenue and two A-frame signs are placed at the entrance and exit of the parking garage. We do recommend that volunteers stand at the entrance and exit to the garage for your guests’ ease of mind. These volunteers can answer questions about parking or the event in general.

VENDORS

Preferred Vendors

Pittsburgh Opera has no requirements about vendors, so you can feel free to use any caterer, DJ, photographer, etc. that best suits your budget and taste. A list of preferred Pittsburgh Opera vendors can be provided upon request.

Kitchen Access

Pittsburgh Opera has a small kitchen that the caterer may use for prep work. Because of poor ventilation, however, this is a warming kitchen and cannot accommodate cooking. If your menu requires on-site cooking, most caterers will set up a kitchen in the parking garage, where ventilation is not a factor.

Alcohol Policy

You are responsible for bringing in your own alcohol for the event, if desired. Many caterers will provide alcohol and bartenders for your event, at your request. Our only stipulation with the bar is that, due to PA liquor laws, you cannot sell alcohol on site, so the bar must be an open bar.

Announcements & Music

Pittsburgh Opera will not provide A/V equipment for your event. If you wish to have music or announcements made, it is recommended to hire a DJ.

AMENITIES

Ice Machine/Ice Storage

Unfortunately, we do not have an ice machine. We do, however, have an ice chest located in the kitchen that can hold approximately 4-5 bags of ice. You will need to provide the ice. If you bring coolers with extra ice, they must be kept in the garage.

Guest Parking

Events have use of our parking garage on a first-come, first-served basis. While we will strive to ensure that at least some of your guests have use of this convenience, full use of the garage is not guaranteed. If our garage is full, other options include street parking (which is metered below 25^th Street), the $10 lot at the corner of Penn Avenue and 24^th Street (1 block from the Opera), and the $6 garage at the corner of Smallman Street and 24^th Street (2 blocks from the Opera). The lot across from the Opera on Liberty Avenue is a private lot and not available for rental. Many rental groups arrange for a shuttle service for their guests, though this is by no means required.

Two of our preferred vendors – D & P Valet and The Hub – can also provide parking services. D & P Valet can be onsite to valet guests’ cars. The Hub will set up an account with the Lessee to allow guest’s parking fees to be billed to the Lessee directly.

Pittsburgh Opera Tables and Chairs

Providing our equipment isn’t being used for another event in the building, the Opera has the following:

Piano Use

Pittsburgh Opera usually keeps a grand piano in each room but they are removed if not being used.   If your group is interested in using a piano, a small piano tuning fee will be added to your final invoice. Pittsburgh Opera does NOT supply a pianist, so you will be required to hire one of your own.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Administrative Fees

$150 insurance fee covers general liability for insurance for the space. If you wish to purchase more coverage or are looking for additional, generic event insurance, then you may purchase additional plans.

$450 staffing fee covers a Pittsburgh Opera staff member to be on-site for the entirety of your rental from set-up to clean-up and a third-party security guard hired by Pittsburgh Opera. PO staff will ensure building systems are working throughout and stay clean during your event, along with basic support of PO equipment.

$150 cleaning fee covers the additional cleaning of the event space, floors, , bathrooms, and kitchen.