Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Raise Your Glass

Did you know you can enjoy a beverage from the comfort of your own seat during the performance? Purchase a Kimmel Center souvenir cup, fill it with your favorite drink and enjoy the show.

What you need to know about spill proof cups:

Why is Kimmel Center Management allowing cups into the venue?
  • The Kimmel Center wants to improve upon the customer experience. Allowing patrons to bring cups into the venue aligns with experiences in other activities like going to the movies or Broadway in New York.

  • Selling these cups is a revenue generating activity for the center. Additional revenue sources allows the Kimmel Center to continue to support its Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway programming, as well as the programming of its resident companies, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Philadanco and America Theater Arts For Youth.
For what shows will I be allowed to drink inside the auditorium?
  • The following shows will allow spill proof cups:
    May 8, Feist, Academy of Music
    May 11 – May 13, Riverdance, Merriam Theater*
    June 1, Kristin Chenoweth, Academy of Music
    June 2, Anita Baker, Academy of Music
    June 5 – June 10, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Academy of Music
    June 16, Bonnie Raitt, Academy of Music
    June 16, Keane, Merriam Theater*
    June 22, Under the Streetlamp, Merriam Theater*
    June 30 & 31, Yanni, Academy of Music
Can I bring a drink into the theater without a Kimmel Center spill proof cup?
  • No, only drinks in Kimmel Center spill proof cups will be allowed.
Can I bring in my own spill proof cup (my travel coffee mug, or a cup from a non Kimmel center show for example)?
  • No, only the Kimmel Center spill proof cup will be allowed into the theaters.
Can I get refills?
  • Yes, refills will be allowed for the price of the drink.
I purchased a cup at Memphis at the Academy of Music; can I bring it to West Side Story at the Academy of Music or to Jerry Blavat in Verizon?
  • Yes, you are allowed to reuse your cup for additional KCP & Broadway performances that allow cups into the theater.
Can I bring my spill proof cup to a Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society or Pennsylvania Ballet performance?
  • Each organization or renter of a venue controls permission of drinks into the theater. At this time only Broadway performances and select Kimmel Center Presents performances allow drinks into the theater. Rentals (non resident companies) will be handled on a case by case basis.
What size are the cups?
  • Cups currently come in two sizes: 10oz and 16oz
What will be served in each cup?
  • Hard liquor and wine will be sold in the 10oz cups
  • Soda, water, beer will be sold in the 16oz cups
Where will the cups be sold?
  • Cups will be sold at the concession areas by Wolfgang Puck/RA staff.
Will allowing drinks into the theater damage the hall?
  • The integrity of our spaces is second only to our customer’s experiences. The cups are designed to minimize spills that may lead to damage of our spaces.
Do I have to buy a spill proof cup to buy a drink?
  • No, at this time patrons will still have the option to buy a drink without purchasing a spill proof cup. However they will not be allowed to bring it into the theater. (not applicable in the Merriam Theater)
*Patrons are already allowed to drink in the Merriam Theater, is the Kimmel Center changing the rules and making patrons purchase cups?
  • Currently there will be no policy changes for the Merriam Theater. However, we plan to have cups available for sale if a patron would like a souvenir. The cost is the same at $4.
Although cups can only be brought into Verizon Hall, Merriam Theater, Academy of Music for certain shows, can I purchase a cup for a souvenir?
  • At this time cups will only be available for purchase if there is a show in which they can take the cup into.
Who do I compliment/complain to? The Kimmel Center is committed to the best experience possible for our patrons, donors and staff.