Olympia Theater

Went to In The Lobby Lounge Jazz to hear the Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet put on a live show on Wednesday evening.
Quality
Olympia Theater is a historic venue in the heart of downtown Miami close to the courthouses. They have shows inside the main stage area, they also host regular free events, typically on Wednesdays in the lobby area. Definitely pay attention to the schedule because they have a bunch of different things like jazz, movies, burlesque, and much much more.
Quantity
The lobby is relatively narrow, but there is still a good number of seats downstairs. If you arrive late their is also plenty of seats upstairs, but the view is not quite as good.
Value
Although most of the events held in the main theater area have admission costs, the lobby series is typically a free event. They also have a small bar set up with drinks and snacks, all of which were reasonably priced.
Ambiance
The inside of the theater is absolutely gorgeous from the first step inside. When you first enter the highlight is a marble sculpture adorning the top of the staircase. The walls and ceilings are carved and beautifully preserved. As you enter the lobby to the left you find a narrow area with a small stage at the far end. Above is a view to the upper floor as well as several beautiful old chandeliers. On this evening tables were set up across the lounge and near the railing upstairs as well. The theater is amazing and like stepping into the past. It also seems like a great place to have a fancy gala or a halloween party.
Crowd
Even though the event was free I was surprised at how busy it was. Almost every seat was taken before the concert started and by intermission it was standing room only. It was mostly an older crowd, but everyone seemed in very good spirits dancing and clapping along with the band.
Service
The organizer of the event went around the room before the concert introducing himself and letting everyone know about other events at the theater. He also seemed very interested in what the audience was interested in seeing for future events.
Parking
My understanding is a parking garage nearby does discount rates when performances take place at the theater. However, downtown is confusing to me so I prefer to either walk from public transportation or take über.
Extra
The Olympia Theater is one of the coolest looking places in Miami and they held a great free event. I would definitely highly recommend checking on their upcoming schedule and I know I will absolutely be back.

Why are the Broadway productions not hosted here? This is truly a theater for such productions! It’s so intimate yet grand and replicates a true Broadway theater! The acoustics are amazing and the stage is grand! Please host a production here! It would be amazing and I’ll be back more and more. As for the productions hosted there now… I’m not interested in any. What a shame that no larger scale Broadway production has come here. surely I would hope one does soon so that I can give it 5 stars.

I trusted the other reviews in deciding to go to a concert. Good choice. Damien Rice here was divine. The theater is old and majestic, yellow lighting and playhouse details.
Nothing about it feels like you’re in Miami. It’s true that all of the seats are good… And also comfortable. Don’t let a balcony spot deter you from attending a performance. This venue actually makes a show more alluring. It almost feels intimate.
Beer and wine in the foyer at decent prices. Get the tickets!

This theater is beautiful! Came to see Damien Rice and it was a great show! Angela in the Box Office and Lucia (Front of house manager) helped me with a concern I had and went above and beyond to make my first time here an amazing experience.

Gorgeous, historical theater. It would get 5 stars except for the fact that we waited one hour 20 minutes for our car after the show. Do NOT valet park unless you’re (1) not wearing heels and (2) are not elderly and (3) love to stand for over an hour (4) aren’t hungry after a show. They apparently lost my car since they had to ask me make, model, and color. Even then it took them 10 minutes to locate it. When a refund was requested, it was denied.

Worse manager ever. Lucia Cosenza denied me (and all patrons) entry to the restroom after a show today. I explained to her that I had a health issue and had to use the facilities and she did not care. Told me to go to a pub two blocks away because the restrooms were closed. They had another show afterwards and simply were kicking all patrons out without even letting anyone use the restrooms. I had to go to the pub and make a purchase because otherwise they wouldn’t have let me use the restroom. Isn’t it the law in Florida that a facility like a theater MUST have restrooms available to customers? I feel disgusted at the attitude given to me by this woman. No good management or HUMANE skills at all!!!

Very cool place. Went for the first time for the Miami International Film Festival. Will definitely return to check out what else they have the next time I am trying to culture myself.

Went to see a comedy show and had a 1^st left balcony seat. The sound was terrible in my section, so much so that the entire section got up and moved to the middle due to such and luckily there were enough seats. The seating is short on leg room. I’m about six feet and once you sit there will be no crossing your legs and be prepared to feel the the person in front of you is pretty much sitting in your lap. If a different comedian can’t to this location I probably wouldn’t purchase a ticket. It’s a beautiful theater, but minor things made it difficult to enjoy the show.

What a beautiful theater. Came in last night to watch Café Tacvba with my bff (she’s obsessed). It was a kind of small and with the amount of people in attendance last night it was a little hard to get through the crowd. The only bathrooms are upstairs which isn’t very useful if your seats are on the first floor and you want to hurry up to watch the show. Regardless, the theater is stunning. The bathrooms were clean. The staff was very nice. Really great place to watch a concert or a film for MIFF.

The type of theater that transports audiences to nostalgic memories. Now, being in the 21^st century, it’s always fun to be at a place that can brings back lots of memories of Miami’s beautiful past. Nevertheless, the theater maintains its forward progress by keeping the theater safe and clean in accordance to the times. An amazing theater that should always be preserved no matter how innovative the city becomes in the theater community.

As always, the Gusman impresses!
I attended a presentation by author of The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown. Other than an unbearably long line, this was a wonderful event and I’m excited to have attended!

Beautiful from the inside, seems that you are in another era. Space is large, great for performances. Went there for a concert, not the best concert but definitely a good opportunity to check out the venue. The place has a feeling of history, kind of it has been there for ages, unique architecture in the inside with particular decoration. Something definitely different. worth seeing. There are performances done at this Theater, check out their site! The theater has tours too! It would be great to take one and know more about Downtown Miami!

Okay, one of my birthday celebratory activities was a jazz concert at the Gusman Center and I gotta say I was impressed by the 3 performers!
Yvonne Brown was exquisite, her voice is like Buttah! Then there was Oriente, which were awesome! Full o flavor! Named after the city they’re from in Cuba!
The place itself is BEAUTIFUL!!! So detailed and luxurious but gorgeous!!!
Parking is either street or garage…

What an interesting experience. Loving the fact that my daughter goes to a tiny school so the graduation ceremony was not huge and therefore not in a huge venue, we were happy that it was a smaller and more intimate affair.
Now this theatre was opened in 1926 and has hosted Vaudeville and silent movies. Originally the Olympia it was renamed in honor of the philanthropist that saved it. I know in this sense my opinion doesn’t matter but I much prefer the original name.
Inside, the first thing we all thought was that it reminded us of the World Pavillion in EPCOT right down to the twinkling stars on the roof. Although built in the 20’s the décor is not Art Deco which is what one would expect. An extravagant trip to the past, every inch of this center is lavishly decorated. You feel like you have been transported to the past.
The service was great, and only in Miami would they be selling Empanadas and Coffee. That was cute, however the one thing I wish they had was outside, when we were waiting for the doors to open some dividers so people are forced to make lines because of course, being in Miami no one knows how and although we arrived early people crowded and pushed in front of us. I must say, that having been in another graduation in NYC where a nice line formed, so stress free… I didn’t miss Miami at all on the NYC trip.
The graduation ceremony went without a hitch, it was wonderful and I couldn’t have been happier with everything.

This is without a doubt one of Miami’s best kept secrets. Outside it looks like a regular venue but then you walk into the lobby and realize this place is different, way different. By the time you are ready to walk into the theater I think you are ready for just about anything, just not for the beauty that you will see. The details in every corner is breathtaking and when you finally make it to the front and look back your shocked at not only the size and beauty but also how cozy it all looks.
Sometimes seating here feels as if you are seating in the middle of a plaza in Spain during a summer night, well except it is too cold for that. The first time I went for a film I was so impressed that during the movie I kept looking at the ceiling and kept seeing all the little stars.
I wish there were more events here and I will definitely be going to KURT during this year’s Art Basel.

I just attended the Miami Lyric Opera’s rendition of Madama Butterfly! Yay me! Every seat in the house is terrific! Because it’s a little tiny gem of a theatre designed back before the giant luxuries of Miami Beach, Adrian Arscht, Broward Theatre for the Performing Arts, Sunrise and other big convention center venues. You forget how nice it is to see facial expressions from every seat in the house without opera glasses! You must go experience this piece of Miami history if you haven’t or haven’t lately. In this case, bigger is not better.
Parking downtown is easy, and even if it’s raining, plenty of awnings and valets. Watch out for the $ 8 cup of Mondavi wine unless you want to consider it a donation to the arts, get your refreshments before/​after.

I’m all for modern, convenient and contemporary theaters, but sometimes you just want something a little more intimate with a lot of character. The Gusman is the perfect solution, offering old-​world glamor, sophistication and charm. Walking along in downtown you might have seen the garishly lit canopy thinking it was just another theater. This would be a mistake though, because the splendid magic and ornate uniqueness inside is anything but ordinary. The fake night sky, complete with moving clouds and twinkling stars, the arches, the statues… the whole theater makes you feel like you’re sitting inside the courtyard of a gorgeous Mediterranean villa, waiting for a private production of some fabulous performance.
Went with some friends recently to see the Nutcracker. Picked up our tickets without problem from the old movie theater style box office. Inside we were greeted with the glowing chandeliers, a huge curving staircase and the pleasant aroma of fresh popcorn popping! Love the snack bar and that they don’t hassle you about eating or drinking inside!
My only tiny complaint was more about the production we were seeing, which started with a speech that included a laundry list of all their sponsors. Since we had paid for the tickets and it wasn’t a free production, this seemed a bit unusual. Furthermore, it started a half an hour late to accommodate all those still waiting for their tickets. I know it’s Miami and people are frequently late, but I’ve never been to a show where they held up the entire thing for 35 min. just to give the late a chance to be seated. As the consummate proponent of being punctual, my friends and I had arrived twenty min. beforehand to pick up the tickets and we had no problems whatsoever, but didn’t really want to wait so long for it to begin once we were inside. Furthermore, it was surprising that even after everyone was seated, there was still a great number of empty chairs.
Once it did commence though, it was every bit the lovely holiday tale you’ve heard of as a child. An enchanting story, set to some of Tchaikovsky’s iconic music, with some equally stunning dance numbers and beautiful costumes. Highly recommend seeing it at least once in your life and couldn’t be more enthusiastic about this venue. Whether seeing a ballet, movie or musical it is the perfect setting! Historical, transcendental and utterly fabulous!

HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU? Every time I see you, I discover some new enchanting detail to adore. You’re splendid, mesmerizing, clever, and I’ll never get bored of you. You’re the theater of my dreams, Gusman, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted and more.
So you’re getting older? So what? You have a certain savoir-​faire, a sophistication, that you just wouldn’t find in some big, young ‘plex. Can I visit you again soon, Gusman? I miss your red velvet curtains, the peacock feathers, the gallery, the balcony… and most of all… forgive me, I’m blushing… that great big organ of yours…

Wonderful, beautiful, fabulous, historical.
It is neat that the theater has people living in the apartments above. How cool to live above such a super place.

Gusman Center is one of the few places in Miami with some history to it. It’s a must-​visit for anyone living in or passing through.
They have all sorts of events here– from movies, to concerts… from opera to film festivals. But no matter what’s goin’ on, it’s a real treat to come here. The décor is beautiful and old-​school in the best way ever. The actual theater itself is lavishly designed, with balconies adorned with roman statues and golden trim. There’s even a stuffed/​freeze dried peacock perching on one of the railings.
The best part about Gusman for me is the ceiling. Remember to look up while you’re sitting in your seat waiting for the show to start. It looks like the midnight sky, complete with moving clouds and twinkling stars. I was telling a fellow Unilocaler last night when I was there that they should open up the theater just for a slumber party sometime. It could be fun.
Minus one star for the very uncomfortable seats with no leg room. Other than that, Gusman does not disappoint. I love this place.

Reading Maria’s review about the Summer flicking at the Gusman center made me wanna go badly.
I don’t particularly spend time in downtown Miami so this was a good opportunity to discover the area and explore such an amazing building.
Since I missed the screening of Fame the previous week, I jumped on the opportunity to see Flashdance and you know what? I had a blast!
The Gusman has such a feeling of grandiose with its scene with cute balconies, an artificial sky with moving clouds and stars, and red velvet seats.
The staff was very friendly and offered $ 2 raffle tickets to win gift certificates and other gifts. There’s a happy hour: a nice touch if you ask me. The drink are cheap (I had my $ 3 beer) and it’s a good way to get this party started.
Watching Flashdance on the big screen was very nice. As soon as the music started every girl in the theatre screamed… we are such Flasdance geeks!
Great movie and great after. The scene becomes a dance floor thanks to DJ Pauer and we had some great dancers from the New World School of the Arts showing us their talents.
I really hope the Gusman continues to do events such like this. The Wiz is screening this Thursday so let’s the party continue!

ive been ‘hanging out’ for 5 years and counting. i also moved out of the olympia (the rental at the gusman) but im only a block west. so this Unilocal review will serve as testimony of how long will this restoration take.
today is friday nov 28 2008. thanks for your response Timothy.