dress circle
Originally, in British theatres, the first balcony containing the boxes, and set apart for the wealthier class of the audience, who were supposed to appear in evening dress. It usually extended around three sides of the auditorium, the pit being either enclosed by it, or extending under it. In modern times, the term is used more or less indiscriminately to mean a similar part of a theater either on the main floor, or on a balcony above the orchestra, and next in importance to the latter, and most often without boxes. (Jones, 1992)