Orpheum Theatre

Address:	1 Hamilton Pl, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Phone:	+1 617-482-0106
Site:	orpheumtheatreboston.com
Rating:	3.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

A Private User

Ive been to The Orpheum for two different concerts, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Tegan and Sara. We were stuck in one of the last rows on the ground floor for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and it suckedddd. We couldnt see anything. The rows arent tiered much, if at all, so you literally cant see in front of you if youre short like I am. The whole place was kind of warm as well, and the vibe wasnt what you would expect of an alternative band... the auditorium seating made it feel like I should be watching an opera instead. However, while apprehensive, we came back to see Tegan and Sara, and got awesome seats in one of the first rows of the balcony. The view was phenomenal and the sound was much better, too--instead of getting swallowed up by the rows and rows of people in front of us, which happened for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the sound came right up to us, and it was absolutely amaaazing. In conclusion, Id only come back if I was NOT seated on the ground floor, and not too far back in the balcony as well. Otherwise, The Orpheum does a pretty decent job, and lots of great artists come here to play.

Drew Starr

The worst venue for live music in the entire city. If your favorite band is doing its final farewell tour before their suicide pact takes effect, just remember them fondly and dont buy tickets to this show. Though owned and managed by the same corporation that does the same for the amazing Opera House just up the street, the Orpheum has been neglected to the point of disbelief. There is but one usable restroom facility for each gender in the whole place. No one expects you to sit, as most of the seats have broken springs or hinges. Beers are at Fenway prices, and the bars arent big enough anyhow. There is no design of any kind for human traffic flow and I am fearful of the future headlines when something bad does happen there and people need to get out in a hurry. Oh, and to top it all off, the acoustics are such a mess that there are no good seats in the house. Such a shame.... this place needs to be gutted so hard.

Steven Smith

If you want to see a good show, do not spend the money to see it here. Besides how awful the facility is, my biggest issue with this place is how horrible the staff is. The older woman who let us out, would not let us back in, with tickets in hand! Nor would another staff member, an older man, who came over to us after we argued the point with her, he did nothing for us. Hence..we missed the end of the show, this only because my girl wanted to get some outside air, due to the fact she could not breath in the cramped area where we were inside. In my opinion, staff members who work here are miserable human beings, with no idea how to treat fans that pay their good money, they are seriously lacking customer service skills. This venue needs a face lift, especially in the area of its older. angry and rude staff.

steve hynes

I bought tickets to see ray lamontagne, the ticket was for limited view seats. Snce the show was sold out I didnt mind a limited view, I read a review that said there wasnt a bad seat in the house and so I thought it would be fine. The seats were in section A row 1, these seats have no view at all. Literally sitting in front of two large speakers without the slightest view of the stage. It looked like the next four rows behind me had no view too. These seats should not be sold at all unless it is clearly stated that there is no view of the stage. The manager was no help and and couldnt be bothered when I asked if there was anything that could be done. Dont buy tickets for the first four rows of section A unless you dont mind having no view of the show.

David Bortone

The Orpheum is small, cramped, "intimate". I have seen dozens of live shows there over the years. In some ways it is a great place to see a band "up close and personal". However, many of the seats are very bad, the sound is fair at best, and there is NO air -conditioning. Went to see Kevin James on 5/31 - he was excellent but it was positively unbearable in there. It must have been 95-100 degrees. Im really surprised there werent medical emergencies and people passing out. The opening comic was completely inaudible from my seats in the balcony. Fortunately we could hear Kevin James better or it would have been a total bust. Ill probably not return there for a comedy show, and will certainly NEVER go to a show there in the summer ever again.

A Private User

Hmm.. where do I start... Not only is it an ugly theatre, but the sound there is horrible to say the least. The seats are small and uncomfortable. The ceiling looks like it leaks. Just a heads up... THEY DO NOT ALLOW YOU TO DRINK AT YOUR SEAT, so get there early! Concerts are NOT all about getting a buzz on, but sometimes you like to enjoy an adult beverage during a show, but that is NOT allowed. No only can you not drink at your seat, but there are tons of fat police academy flunkies that will toss you out for the smallest infraction. so be careful! It just takes a way from the show seeing person after person thrown out. Heres to hoping that all good artists avoid this place! Hope this helps you out...

mike shackleton

I am so embarrassed for the city of boston. I saw Aerosmith here in 1985 . The place looks the same filthy, seats are falling apart, gum stuck to the filthy rugs that look like they have been there since they built the place ! I felt ashamed to be from ma . I saw americas got talent live here last night. The comedian taylor williams joked about the rats and what a dump it is. Not a joke ! I will never go there again. The management should all be fired. The owner is a slum lord. And i allmost forgot the rude staff. some old crochity guy asked me if i needed help rolled his eyes at me and made a face. aegis the security staff were frienly and helpfull . This place needs a total overhall staff inclued.

Brian McCarthy

While I truely enjoyed Regina Spektors performance I find the venue cramped, dirty and sad. Obviously heat rises, being in the balcony I found it uncomfortably hot before the show even started and this was a show performed in the winter. The theatre could be beautiful with a full renovation but I am sure the owner(s) came to the conclusion that people are going to see the performance not the venue. Therefore you are going to be exposed to paint chipping off the walls and ceilings, stained carpets and seats you wish came with a paper toilette bowl cover. I wish I could have gone to the Orpheum decades ago when I am sure it was gorgeous.

Julie Houck

This place is a dump. Dirty, and horribly ventilated. Was there for the Band of Horses concert last night. It was so hot in the building that people were dripping with sweat. I had to leave the balcony due to the extreme heat. You cant put 2700 people in a closed room and not have adequate ventilation. Staff would not let us stand in the aisles, so many people who had left their seats due to heat, were on the lower level where it was cool. the acoustics are also bad. Lousy sound mix on the band. Will NEVER go to a concert here again.