Lobby vs. Gallery — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
A Lobby is a space inside or in front of a building used for entry or waiting, while a Gallery is a room or space for displaying art or a tiered seating area.
Difference Between Lobby and Gallery
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Lobby primarily refers to the entrance or a waiting area of a building, often found in hotels, theaters, or office complexes. It serves as a transitional space where visitors or occupants can gather before moving to other parts of the building. A Gallery, on the other hand, typically denotes a room or building specifically designed to display artworks, photographs, or other exhibits.
While a Lobby can have decorative elements or even artworks, its primary function is not for exhibition.
Both Lobbies and Galleries can be large and architecturally significant, but while the purpose of a Lobby is often functional and transitional, a Gallery is designed for contemplation and appreciation of art.
In another context, "Gallery" can also refer to a tiered seating area, like in a theater or assembly hall, distinct from a Lobby which does not typically contain seating meant for performances or events.
Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Entrance or waiting area of a building.
Room or space for displaying art or tiered seating area.
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Typical Location
Hotels, theaters, office complexes.
Museums, art venues, theaters.
Main Features
Reception desks, seating areas.
Artworks, exhibits, tiered seating.
Architectural Design
Designed for transition and gathering.
Designed for exhibition or spectator seating.
Associated Activities
Waiting, transiting, meeting.
Viewing art, attending performances from a higher vantage point.
Compare with Definitions
Lobby
A Lobby is an entrance hall or waiting room in a building.
She waited in the hotel Lobby for her friends to arrive.
Gallery
A Gallery is a room or building for displaying art.
We visited an art Gallery downtown that showcased modern paintings.
Lobby
A Lobby can be a space for public discussion or influence on topics.
The tobacco industry has a strong Lobby in politics.
Gallery
A Gallery refers to a covered passage, especially one made of arches.
The castle's upper Gallery offered a panoramic view of the city.
Lobby
A Lobby is a corridor connecting rooms in a building.
The elevator opened into a brightly lit Lobby.
Gallery
A Gallery is a tiered seating area, especially in a theater.
The seats in the Gallery provided a bird's-eye view of the stage.
Lobby
A Lobby can refer to a group of people seeking to influence others on a particular issue.
The environmental Lobby is pushing for stricter regulations.
Gallery
A Gallery can be a platform to extend the main floor, as in a church.
The choir stood in the church Gallery, their voices echoing.
Lobby
A hall, foyer, or waiting room at or near the entrance to a building, such as a hotel or theater.
Gallery
A Gallery refers to the highest balcony in a theater.
The cheapest tickets are for seats in the Gallery.
Lobby
A public room next to the assembly chamber of a legislative body.
Gallery
A room or building for the display or sale of works of art
The National Gallery
An art gallery
Lobby
A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause
The banking lobby.
The labor lobby.
Gallery
A balcony or upper floor projecting from an interior back or side wall of a hall or church, providing space for an audience or musicians
In the minstrels' gallery, a string orchestra plays themes from film soundtracks
Lobby
To try to influence the thinking of legislators or other public officials for or against a specific cause
Lobbying for stronger environmental safeguards.
Lobbied against the proliferation of nuclear arms.
Gallery
A long room or passage, typically one that is partly open at the side to form a portico or colonnade.
Lobby
To try to influence public officials on behalf of or against (proposed legislation, for example)
Lobbied the bill through Congress.
Lobbied the bill to a negative vote.
Gallery
A roofed promenade, especially one extending along the wall of a building and supported by arches or columns on the outer side.
Lobby
To try to influence (an official) to take a desired action.
Gallery
A long enclosed passage, such as a hallway or corridor.
Lobby
An entryway or reception area; vestibule; passageway; corridor.
I had to wait in the lobby for hours before seeing the doctor.
Gallery
A narrow balcony, usually having a railing or balustrade, along the outside of a building.
Lobby
That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly.
Gallery
A projecting or recessed passageway along an upper story on the interior or exterior of a large building, generally marked by a colonnade or arcade.
Lobby
(politics) A class or group of interested people who try to influence public officials; collectively, lobbyists.
The influence of the tobacco lobby has decreased considerably in the US.
Gallery
Such a passageway situated over the aisle of a church and opening onto the nave. Also called tribune2.
Lobby
(video games) A virtual area where players can chat and find opponents for a game.
Gallery
Southwestern Gulf States See veranda.
Lobby
(nautical) An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
Gallery
An upper section, often with a sloping floor, projecting from the rear or side walls of a theater or an auditorium to provide additional seating.
Lobby
A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges, trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard.
Gallery
The seats in such a section, usually cheaper than those on the main floor.
Lobby
A margin along either side of the playing field in the sport of kabaddi.
Gallery
The cheapest seats in a theater, generally those of the uppermost gallery.
Lobby
(when preceded by "elevator") A waiting area in front of a bank of elevators.
Gallery
The audience occupying a gallery or cheap section of a theater.
Lobby
(West Midlands) lobscouse
My mam cooked us lobby for tea last night.
Gallery
A large audience or group of spectators, as at a tennis or golf match.
Lobby
To attempt to influence (a public official or decision-maker) in favor of a specific opinion or cause.
For years, pro-life groups have continued to lobby hard for restrictions on abortion.
Gallery
The general public, usually considered as exemplifying a lack of discrimination or sophistication
Accused the administration of playing to the gallery on the defense issue.
Lobby
A passage or hall of communication, especially when large enough to serve also as a waiting room. It differs from an antechamber in that a lobby communicates between several rooms, an antechamber to one only; but this distinction is not carefully preserved.
Gallery
A building, room, or website for the exhibition of artistic work.
Lobby
That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly; hence, the persons, collectively, who frequent such a place to transact business with the legislators;
Gallery
An establishment that displays and sells works of art.
Lobby
An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
Gallery
A photographer's studio.
Lobby
A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard.
Gallery
A collection; an assortment
The trial featured a gallery of famous and flamboyant witnesses.
Lobby
To address or solicit members of a legislative body in the lobby or elsewhere, with the purpose to influence their votes; in an extended sense, to try to influence decision-makers in any circumstance.
Gallery
An underground tunnel or passageway, as in a cave or one dug for military or mining purposes.
Lobby
To urge the adoption or passage of by soliciting members of a legislative body; as, to lobby a bill; - also used with the legislators as object; as, to lobby the state legislatuire for protection.
Gallery
A tunnel or series of tunnels made by an animal.
Lobby
A large entrance or reception room or area
Gallery
(Nautical) A platform or balcony at the stern or quarters of some early sailing ships.
Lobby
A group of people who try actively to influence legislation
Gallery
A decorative upright trimming or molding along the edge of a table top, tray, or shelf.
Lobby
Detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors
Gallery
An institution, building, or room for the exhibition and conservation of works of art.
Lobby
In theaters, a Lobby is the area where patrons gather before a performance.
Patrons can purchase snacks in the theater Lobby during intermission.
Gallery
An establishment that buys, sells, and displays works of art.
Gallery
The uppermost seating area projecting from the rear or side walls of a theater, concert hall, or auditorium.
Gallery
The spectators of an event, collectively.
Gallery
(legal) The, often elevated and in the rear, part of a courtroom where seating for the public audience is facilitated during trial.
Gallery
A roofed promenade, especially one extending along the wall of a building and supported by arches or columns on the outer side
Gallery
(computing) A browsable collection of images, font styles, etc.
A gallery of image thumbnails
A clip-art gallery in a wordprocessor
Gallery
(fortification) A covered passage cut through the earth or masonry.
Gallery
(mining) A level or drive in a mine.
Gallery
(automotive) A channel that carries engine oil to parts of the engine that need lubrication, such as the main bearings.
Gallery
(television) The production control room.
Gallery
A part of a monocle, a projection off the ring holding the lens, which helps secure the monocle in the eye socket.
Gallery
(entomology) The boring trails produced by an insector only beetles? in wood.
Beetle gallery
Gallery
(Trinidad and Tobago) To show off.
Gallery
A long and narrow corridor, or place for walking; a connecting passageway, as between one room and another; also, a long hole or passage excavated by a boring or burrowing animal.
Gallery
A room for the exhibition of works of art; as, a picture gallery; hence, also, a large or important collection of paintings, sculptures, etc.
Gallery
A long and narrow platform attached to one or more sides of public hall or the interior of a church, and supported by brackets or columns; - sometimes intended to be occupied by musicians or spectators, sometimes designed merely to increase the capacity of the hall.
Gallery
A frame, like a balcony, projecting from the stern or quarter of a ship, and hence called stern gallery or quarter gallery, - seldom found in vessels built since 1850.
Gallery
Any communication which is covered overhead as well as at the sides. When prepared for defense, it is a defensive gallery.
Gallery
A working drift or level.
Gallery
Spectators at a golf or tennis match
Gallery
A porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
Gallery
A room or series of rooms where works of art are exhibited
Gallery
A long usually narrow room used for some specific purpose;
Shooting gallery
Gallery
A covered corridor (especially one extending along the wall of a building and supported with arches or columns)
Gallery
Narrow recessed balcony area along an upper floor on the interior of a building; usually marked by a colonnade
Gallery
A horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine;
They dug a drift parallel with the vein
Common Curiosities
Where is a Lobby typically found?
A Lobby is typically found at the entrance of buildings like hotels, theaters, or office complexes.
Can a Lobby have art displays?
Yes, while a Lobby's primary function is not for exhibition, it can have decorative elements or artworks.
What might you find in a hotel Lobby?
In a hotel Lobby, you might find a reception desk, seating areas, decor, and sometimes amenities like a coffee shop.
What is the primary purpose of a Gallery in a museum context?
In a museum context, a Gallery is primarily for displaying art or other exhibits.
Can a Gallery be outdoors?
Yes, some Galleries, especially sculpture gardens, are outdoors.
Are all Lobbies indoors?
Most Lobbies are indoors, but some buildings might have outdoor or open-air Lobbies.
What types of art can be displayed in a Gallery?
A Gallery can display various art forms, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations.
What does a Gallery mean in a theater setting?
In a theater, a Gallery refers to a tiered seating area or the highest balcony.
Do all theaters have a Lobby?
Most theaters have a Lobby where patrons gather before performances and during intermissions, but the size and amenities can vary.
How is an art Gallery different from a museum?
An art Gallery typically focuses on displaying art, often for sale, while a museum showcases exhibits for educational and cultural purposes, not usually for sale.
Is a Lobby always open to the public?
Not always. While many Lobbies in public buildings are accessible, some private or secure facilities might restrict Lobby access.
How do artists get their work displayed in a Gallery?
Artists typically submit their work for consideration, or Galleries might invite artists based on reputation or recommendation.
Can both a Lobby and Gallery be architecturally significant parts of a building?
Yes, both Lobbies and Galleries can be highlights of a building's architectural design, serving functional and aesthetic purposes.
What is a "Gallery opening"?
A "Gallery opening" is an event marking the debut of a new art exhibition, often attended by artists, critics, and art enthusiasts.
Can a building have multiple Lobbies?
Yes, larger buildings, especially multi-use or high-rises, might have multiple Lobbies serving different purposes or entrances.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
