Orpheum

Shame no dress code is enforced in dress section.

What a gem in the downtown area.
Loved coming here for the children’s concert series every (Sunday?) as a young tot.
To think that live CLASSICAL (they spice it up sometimes with Pokemon themed nights, modern mixes, opera guest singers… Etc) music is still performed in such an acoustic theatre?
Lovely building all around.
Top notch classical performances (seen 300+ here).
I love the velvet seats, the architecture, standing in the atrium, the red staircase and the feel of a night (or morning or matinée) at the Orpheum for a VSO concert.
Bravo, bravo time and again.

Always fun to see a show here! I love that they pay their bartenders well and have done away with tipping. Woohoo! Also, thumbs up on the 3 different local craft beers I was able to get here (not on tap, but still makes me happy!)

Been here on different occasions either for my sister grad or even my own graduation cermony to performances. The surround sound of the place is good. The seats are not that comfortable but really depends on how long you sit. The AC is on pretty high in the summer or spring time and the heat on moderate in the winter time.
The place is very artistic and detail. If you look carefully at the design and pattern, you can guess it was hand carved on the spot not machine made. But I guess back then there wasn’t machinery. There are a few wear and tear in the inside.
Orpheum is quite nice and yes it does give you that fancy feel.

Classy venue and great acoustics. Been here for concerts, plays, and even a wedding. Classic opera house design and architecture.

Enjoyed taking the historical behind the scenes tour. The theatre is a joy to be in –amazing it only took 10 months to build.
The pictures are from the tour which takes 1.5 hours and a bargain at $ 10 CAD pp

Don’t bother going to a comedy show here… the sound isn’t that great (depending where you are) and you can’t take drinks to your seat.
I will review the Orpheum again when I have gone to a proper show for this venue.

Probably the most beautiful interior in Vancouver. The sound is impeccable and the seats are a lot roomier than the Q.E. Always enjoy this as a venue!

I came here at least 4 times a year to see various rock and alternative shows. This is one of my favorite venue’s in the city. I appreciate the décor and the preservation that the city has gone through to ensure that this continues to be one of the best theaters in the city. The bar and host staff are really nice. Regardless of what show you attend, you always feel classy here. Very great acoustics, especially for VSO performances.

This is a pretty awesome venue. The sound is great. The acoustics held up to the highest standards I would expect for housing the two bands we saw that night. I’m happy we could choose seating, instead of hanging out like and standing like groupies. It reminds me of the Fox Theater in Oakland.

I’ve been here a few times for concerts and I have to say, despite the spectacular mouldings and chandeliers, this is not an ideal venue for the average band/​artist. I don’t feel it is suitable for rock n roll, loud pop, etc. It is better suited for acoustic performances, bluegrass, and soft Michael Buble types. Sound reverberates and bounces, causing echo-​noise making it very difficult to enjoy the music. Quite unfortunate. Drink & food is overpriced. Personally, I find the seating to be quite uncomfortable. And there is not much gradation with the seats so if people choose to stand for a majority of the concert, you are also forced to… otherwise, you won’t see a darn thing unless you’re 5’9″+. Seats are also very unfriendly for tall people as they are VERY close together with no leg room. I’m 4’11 and felt absolutely cramped.

There was a comedy fest here and one of the comedians said something that always brings me back to another time, which would be high school, yes my convocation was here, hours of waiting in a black gown with that square hat while you wait for your name to be called up, and seeing all the parents and family members sitting in the crowd, that is the sense I get everytime I come here, of yesterday, and even today things in here haven’t changed, maybe a new coat of paint but other than that, not much. It’s a classy place, and you wouldn’t think of it if your weren’t from this city as it leads out to what people call clubbing district!
Home of the VSO, this place is great for music/​sound, it was built for this. I have been here for many types of shows ranging from stand up comedy, speeches, Christmas specials and concerts and it’s a great place to catch this kind of stuff, even sitting up in the rafters there are some good views wherever you are sitting. There are multiple entrances either on Smithe or Granville, and I can say that the Granville entrance is definitely more regal, you’ll know once you go through that and compare it to the other.
One warning I have to give is for the washrooms, especially if your a woman, prepare to wait, if there is a break between whatever show you are attending, just go, it maybe a few flights of stairs but plan your route to the ‘loo’! This is still a première venue for anything with sound/​music, way above places like Rogers Arena. that were built for sports. It’s not super big, which plays to the audiences benefit on seating, your never too far from the stage. There’s a good outer area before, and in the middle of the show for drinks and to mingle to stretch your legs. It’s a classy venue, and even if your not enjoying whatever event you are at, look up at the ceiling and enjoy the architecture of this place.

Gorgeous venue, absolutely gorgeous.
I came here twice to watch the VSO perform Stravinsky’s Firebird and Rite of Spring. The first time I sat on the balcony and the other time was at the lower orchestra. No matter where you sit, you can hear the front very clearly.
The theater itself is really beautiful. Seriously, they should do operas here, makes the atmosphere even better!

I’ve performed and spectated at the Orpheum countless times, and I’ve grown a deep connection with the moldings and the chandeliers that make the whole theatre so majestic. Located in the heart of Downtown, but so distant from the bustling streets, you gotta love it.
The Orpheum is host to almost every type of spectacle there is to be seen, from rock to classical music concerts to dance performances this is really where it happens. The Orpheum is not just a venue, it’s a great part of Vancouver’s history. They provide tours — check on their website — and many opportunities to get involved.
Home to the VSO, you can catch their concerts often and they usually have lots of promotions and specials on ($ 15 tickets for students!). Most tickets for other shows can be purchased at Ticketmaster, you can also check the listings on the board right outside the front doors.
The theatre is also very accesible, with plenty of Skytrain/​Canada Line and bus options that run around the area. Great way to spend a weekend with the family and embrace some of the most beautiful places in Vancouver.

The architecture and structure is well worth seeing, however it is best to go to the theatre and see performances.
There are many venues to choose from when you visit the city, from the VSO, to jazz concerts, dance and children’s entertainment. The sound is quite good from many different locations, however it varies throughout the theatre. If you have some time, like old buildings and want to see some good entertainment, its the place to go.

The Orpheum is a beautiful hall. I’ve only been here for classical concerts but it has definitely filled its role and done much more.
A very classic building, it almost feels like you’re stepping back in time when you enter — crystal chandeliers abound and there is this grand promenade of staircases and overhanging balconies that makes it feel like the place for a débutante ball. Furnished with regal red carpeting with gold accents, it has a classiness that you’d think of in early 20^th centuries Europe or perhaps Hollywood, particularly with the unobtrusive bars completely composed of black and reflective glass. And this is only speaking of the entryways into the actual concert hall!
The concert hall has wonderful acoustics — it’s slightly clamshell-​shaped so that sound projects out to minimize destructive interferences (the science nerd in me coming out slightly), but it’s not perfectly designed to do such because it can’t open up like that to a full extent. It thus has a bit of muddy acoustics which can become a little apparent if you are hearing brass and percussion-​heavy music, but it is perfect still when you are watching a solo performer — a Yundi Li, a Midori, or the crazy guy who played the sheng with the Seoul Philharmonic last year.
The interior is as tastefully done as the outside. Dim lighting guides your way and is also chandelier based so as to not be too intrusive. The chairs are really comfortable — I have almost fallen asleep in them many a time — but what really captures me are the decorations on the wall, and the vaulted ceilings. It has a real airiness to it that makes the hall feel spacious, even when all seats are packed. There are rococo embellishments in the metalwork, and there are large latticeworks of dots that I always think of when I think of the Baroque. The performance pit is also well-​lit, so you can see the players onstage with great clarity.
Such a classic hall. I love it just as much as I love the modernity of the Chan Centre and its perfect acoustics. Together, they make my favorite places to sit and relax to classical music, aside from my couch or when I’m at the piano!

One of the most beautiful theatres in Vancouver, The Orpheum is both incredible and historic at the same time. The interior’s design is marvelous and the atmosphere reminds me of an old Hollywood era: classic and revered. I was here for TEDxVancouver, so I don’t know what the acoustics are like in comparison to a music event, but the acoustics were pretty good. I also love the fact that it’s on Granville Street — it’s in the middle of everything so access is easy to public transit, shops, restaurants etc.
I think the only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of (at least in the beginning) was the fact that I got a little confused with the lay out. It’s like trying to navigate through a maze in there! But at the end of the day, I got over it. I actually thought it was kind of fun. It’s just a little annoying when you’re battling through crowds of people.
Gorgeous venue at an awesome location. ⁵⁄₅.
Review #26 — 30 Day Unilocal Challenge.

The Orpheum is by far one of my favourite concert/​performance venues in town. The building is gorgeous, the acoustics are amazing, and the VSO plays there. What more do you want?
What’s that? You want to hear some complaints? I only really have one but I’m not sure it counts: there’s not enough leg room for me anywhere, but at 6’5″ tall thats a problem pretty much everywhere I go.

I got to see The White Stripes here in 2005, Queens of the Stone Age in 2007 and my son walk across the stage as he graduated from High School in 2010. All very different events with one common theme: a beautiful venue with amazing acoustics. Everyone’s written about how lovely it is and really you need to see all of the amazing detail in person.
I’m pretty sure that when QOTSA and The Distillers got here they must have wondered what their booking agent was thinking. It certainly wouldn’t be my first choice for a show that I want to dance to although I’ll admit that The White Stripes seemed to fit perfectly with this backdrop.
At least you know the sound is going to be amazing!

Beautiful building. No problem getting quickly before the show.
Went here with my husband for a Fray concert. We enjoyed it and hope to see more concerts here.
I find it rather rude for people to be angry at a nice building for not letting patrons (who could potentially be drunk or dancing) bring their beer or wine in plastic cups into the show. We bought bottled water and had no problem. The issue is that alcoholic drinks #1. stain #2. smell and #3. are served in cups without lids.
I don’t think you have to be getting drunk to enjoy a concert. If you need liquor that badly drink it during the 45 min intermission or something.
This building houses other events other than rock/​alternative concerts and shouldn’t get trashed because of a few rowdy individuals. So I think this policy is fair to keep it nice and clean for everyone.
No one’s dying from dehydration from lack of beer. Water is allowed.
Give them a break…