In our second week of discussions around the future of events and live music, we decided to discuss the hard reality of physical distancing inside venues. For spaces like Swedish American Hall and Cafe du Nord, which already have small capacities (350 and 360, respectively), the economics of operating at reduced capacities are at the forefront of our minds. So how do we make the most of capacity limitations and distanced seating? The answer lies in attractive, well-designed layouts that create an elevated experience.
Let’s start with best practices for physical distanced seating, as laid out in CA state guidelines and operationalized at live events in other parts of the world. Groups of 4-6 are recommended, and preferably contained to those who share a household. It’s clear that venues cannot guarantee a shared household grouping, but we can focus on keeping seating arrangements to pairs of 2 (since many folks attend live events on dates or as a pair) and/or groups of 4 for concepts like “dinner and a show” or for private events.
Once you’ve established the best grouping options for your venue or event, consider flow and service needs. A 4ft clearance between groups and clear paths to all egresses is required by our local Fire Dept, and referring to your local FD requirements should be the first consideration in formulating a layout. Further considerations include speed of service for food and beverage staff, ease of pathfinding for guests when being seated, and unobtrusive paths to restrooms, merch areas, etc. Every venue, and every event is different; no one layout will work for everyone. Starting the process early and using any of the many free online CAD tools to begin formulating your new floor plans will be key to successful events as soon as they are able to happen.
With all practical considerations in mind and your initial plans mapped out - now comes the fun part: using structural decor to create attractive, experiential “pods” for your groups. Rounding back to the economics of producing live events with lower capacity, and the higher ticket prices that will come with these requirements, we look at our plans with the idea of an elevated experience in mind. This could mean everything from custom plexiglass barriers between pods with lasered designs, to artificial hedges or plants surrounding seating groups, or even tiered platforms to ensure a great line of sight for all guests. By incorporating decorative elements into your physically distanced layouts, you can curate a new, immersive experience for guests that provides safety and follows protocol without shouting “we’re in a pandemic!” and reminding the crowd of the difficult realities we are facing. Creating an opportunity for guests to suspend those realities and enjoy themselves while keeping the highest levels of safety will strike the balance necessary to fill those seats and operate successfully.