(as of October 30, 1100 ET):
You'll notice the info conflicts depending on which number you call.
- 212-664-6030 (new number): Late Night is booking tickets for September through November.
- 212-664-3056 (old number): Late Night is booking tickets for November 27-30.
Late Night recently got a new ticket hotline number: (212) 664-6030. This number has been listed on the show credits since late January, 2006; the number posted on the show credits varies between either (212) 664-6030 or (212) 664-3056 (the older number).
Here's how each number works.
The new number (212-664-6030):
A pre-recorded message tells you which months they're booking (usually a span of 3 months) and the message instructs you to leave your name, phone number, email address, the date you would like tickets for, & number of tickets needed (4 maximum). You will get called or emailed to confirm your ticket reservation. No call or email from “Late Night” means you don't have a ticket reservation.
Pro: Dates appear to be made available via this number before they're available via the other number, possibly increasing the chances you'll get tickets for the day you want.
Con: You’re talking to a machine. And sometimes when you call, the mailbox is full.
The old number (212-664-3056):
A pre-recorded message tells you the guests on that night’s show and the dates they're booking. Booking on this number is only open on Mondays for a span of 2-3 hours starting around 10:00 am eastern time. At that time they book a week of shows, and I believe they're booking the tickets that were not reserved beforehand via the new ticket hotline (212-664-6030). If you call during the time they are booking on this number, you are instructed to stay on the line to talk to an operator to book your tickets, and you give the operator the same info as you give the machine if you call the other number.
Pro: You know immediately whether you got tickets for the day you wanted.
Con: Tickets are made available via this number after they've already been available on 212-664-6030, thus reducing the chances you'll get tickets for the day you wanted.
My recommendation: Call the new number (212-664-6030) to get reserved tickets from this point on, and pray that you get a return call or email. Call the old number (212-664-3056) to find out guests on the show, show cancellation status, or if you absolutely need to talk to a real person about tickets.
The NBC Studios are located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (“30 Rock”) on 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) between 49th and 50th Streets. Late Night with Conan O’Brien is taped in Studio 6A which occupies a portion of the 6th-7th floors of 30 Rock and holds approximately 200 audience members.The show is generally taped on Tuesday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. There are exceptions when the show is taped on Mondays or is taped at a time other than 5:30 pm, but these are rare.
All audience members must be at least 16 years old with photo ID verifying age.
All tickets are complimentary (free) and may not be sold or auctioned. Late Night with Conan O'Brien and NBC reserve the right to revoke any ticket believed to have been purchased or sold. Any ticket may be revoked at any time at the discretion of show personnel.
You can request up to 4 tickets. Due to limited studio space, your entire party's tickets will be cancelled if it is apparent on the day of taping that your group exceeds 4 people. You may only book tickets every 6 months and you may not book tickets with any other groups of people.
If you'd like to try getting standby tickets rather than booking them ahead of time, be advised that these are NOT guaranteed and are given on a first come first serve basis.
You cannot take pictures once you enter the studio.
The line for reserved-ticket holders forms on the mezzanine level of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (go into the building where you see the Rainbow Room - NBC Studios sign and up one floor).
NBC requires that you “ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 4:15PM!!” You are seated similarly to your place in line, and in general the closer to the front of the line you are, the closer to the front of the audience you will be. (You get jumbled around in the elevators on the way up to the 7th floor, which makes it slightly different). Your place in the line will be affected by the time you arrive, day of the week, month, season, etc. I would recommend arriving around 2:00 pm at the latest to get anywhere near the front of the audience. You must stand in line; they do not let you sit on the floor. You will go up to the 7th floor in an elevator around 4:30 pm.Please be aware that show dates and times are subject to change. Please check your email and the Late Night web site prior to coming to the show for time changes/cancellation notices.
Bring confirmation letters with you to the studio (you should get 2 confirmation letters via email – one right after you book tickets and one a few weeks before the show). While you are in the reserved ticket line, someone will check your confirmation letter and then give you your tickets and wristbands.
According to NBC, “For standby tickets, arrive no later than 9:00am on the morning of the taping under the ‘NBC Studios’ marquee on the 49th street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Only one ticket will be issued per person. Please note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission."I (Amanda) went to the show once and had booked tickets via the NBC ticket hotline, so I know very little aboout the standby experience. If at all possible, I would recommend booking your tickets ahead of time!
The availability of standby tickets can depend on many factors – the time you arrive at NBC studios, the weather, the day of the week, the guests on the show, whether or not people cut in front of you, the list goes on. I have heard suggestions of not even trying standby on Fridays, as on some past Fridays no one in the standby line has gotten into the show.
If you’d like to try standby, I would recommend arriving at NBC studios around 6:00 or 7:00 am on the day of the show. Fans have arrived earlier than this, and tickets are given on a first come, first serve basis. They give away the tickets around 9:00 am. You can be turned away at the last minute. Good luck, and enjoy your experience in the Cone Zone!