I had such an amazing time at this theater while seeing the band, Run the Jewels. This is a fairly small theater, which I love. Every seat is a good seat. I enjoy and prefer a more intimate setting during a concert! My friend and I were on the middle level and we had a terrific view. The sound was also great. We had such an amazing time. I would definitely come back to this theater to see another concert. I highly recommend it. read more

We went to see the LOL Podcast live, and unfortunately it was one of the worst shows I've experienced. The ending in particular. including the unexpected preaching, felt completely out of place. It's genuinely concerning to see this kind of content being marketed to younger audiences. This isn't something I'd want my kids exposed to. I take full responsibility for buying the tickets! 3Olympia Theatre is capable of hosting much better-curated shows. I'd strongly encourage more careful vetting of performances in future. read more

Came here for a comedy show, the place is bigger than I thought but not too big. The decor was old and Victorian style which is nice, the seats were the removable type, not comfortable but not too bad either. The show was funny and it was a not so bad experience. read more

I was visiting Dublin with a friend for a week and before we came, I was looking around for any shows that would be going on while we were there. I saw that Run the Jewels were going to be in town and playing at the Olympia Theatre and we bought tickets! The theatre is super nice! It's only a 1,200 person theatre, so it's very intimate. We were on the middle level on the left side and it was a great view. I don't think there's really a bad spot in the place. We got there about halfway through the opener's performance and went to the bar on the second level, which was really cute! It was designed really nicely and had photos of legendary musicians on one of the walls. The drinks weren't very expensive either. It's what I would've expected from a venue. So we hung out there for a bit and then went to our seats. The sound was great and it felt like we were so close! We were, because it's a small theater, but it was just so perfect. The crowd was great, the sound was great, the view was great. I really can't say enough good things about this theatre. read more

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This is my favourite venue in all of Dublin. The lighting is supreme. It's a wonderful place to photograph , and there is a majestic atmosphere to the old and beautiful interior. The place serves as great a venue for music gigs as it does musicals/shows etc. It's just the right size , with a capacity of about 1600 you're never too far away from the stage ;) Lovely old bar there too, with lots of photos of iconic moments through the years adoring the walls. Great place, well recommended ! read more

I have been to many shows at this venue, from music to magic performances. This building reeks of old world character. Try to get a seat in the balcony and you can really savour the intricate details of the interior and enjoy the acoustics. The bar is expensive, I was drinking a soft drink, but most bars in entertainment venues are. There is always some show being played and the ticket prices will vary accordingly. read more

3Olympia Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

Whereas many venues in Dublin specialise in music, theatre or comedy, the Olympia is one of the few that manage to encompass all three. There could be a stand up show on one night and a heavy metal gig the next. I went to see the Mighty Boosh here a few months back and although I managed to get the worst seats in the house (I couldn't see anything above eight foot) I still had a great night, as the Olympia is a great venue. It's big and elaborately constructed, with tiny corridors and winding staircases. It may need a fresh lick of paint, but has a peculiar charm to it that makes it pretty unique. read more

The Olympia is a fabulous venue. I love the old fashioned decor and signage. The layout is excellent too, the ladies can be found on either side on all levels and the gents can be found at the back on all levels. Simple! Regarding the bars on the ground level, they are both at the back and as you look at them, the bar on the left is usually less busy. If you see a favourite band or performer down to play here, don't hesitate and get your tickets quick. It'll be a great experience. read more

We recently went to the Olympia to see Janeane Garofalo do her stand-up routine - she didn't disappoint, and neither did the venue. Walking into the opulent, golden yet slightly shabby chic foyer is always a dazzling experience - not least because of all those mirrors - and the guys in tuxes to point your way only add to the gothic revival feel. Our seats on the ground floor were red faux velvet and although they tip you backwards in a startling way when you sit down, they really do make you feel like you are "at the theatre" (insert your own fluty accent here). The two ground bars do pack up quickly at the intervals so if you want to avoid the queues, remember that you can pre-order both an interval drink and a seat. How very civilised... read more

3Olympia Theatre - picture from website - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

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The Olympia is a wonderful oid building. Its a really good venue for gigs and shows. We have had some great nights here. To be honest it could be a bit better maintained, but its still very nice. The men's toilets can get very crowded at a big gig and it can be a bit pushy shovy! However generally its fine. Another great live music venue in the heart of Dublin. read more

3Olympia Theatre - Great place this. - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

I was here the other day for an Opera show but sadly didn't enjoy the experience much. Theater itself is from an old era- Elegant and royal looking from the inside. However there are somethings below that need a desperate fix. Seats and interiors - The seats were hard and uncomfortable (if you are tall - more problems, you would feel like sitting in a flight) everyone in a row had to get up/out to have people sit/ go to the restroom. The carpet was smelly and needed a thorough wash. There were exposed wires at the back of the circle section. Acoustics - The acoustics were bad. I could not hear and understand the opera singer despite it was in English and I had the front row (row B) seat in the circle section. I wonder how the experience was for people in the upper circle. Premier seats - Specific to the play; they had premier(?) seats on the stage itself, You can tune people out after a while but I found it visually odd. Also, what's the point of paying more for premier seats if most performers are facing away from you? The theater has a lot of potential and I honestly feel they should spend good money in redoing the interiors and the sound system. Currently they are just ok for a play but not equipped to handle an Opera or a big music performance. read more

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I have always been satisfied with the Olympia as a venue for theatre, gigs and much more. From the perfectly slanted floors to the small and intimate surroundings it enchants the viewer before the music even begins. The beautifully set up stage with coloured boxes all around it gives an awesome backdrop to whatever you might be about to experience. The only issue you might have would be the overpriced drinks and snacks as however this is an issue in literally every venue I didn't feel the need to dock a star however! read more

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As already mentioned, the Olympia's programme is fairly diverse, including comedy, music, theatre and even comedic musical theatre! It offers both an intimate and atmospheric spot for gigs and a feeling of olde-world theatrical grandeur for dramatic productions. I well remember the sheer delight of sitting in one of the ornate boxes overlooking the stage as a youngin! Over the years, I've seen Coldplay, Picture House, The Sound of Music and a Rough Magic production of 'Diarmuid and Gráinne' there and both the five year old me and the 20 year old me were impressed! read more

3Olympia Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

Yep, love this one too! More music-oriented than the Gate, but more theatre-based than the Ambassador, the Olympia straddles that fickle music/play divide quite nicely. There's a good mix of performances, including more random productions (I saw the Shaolin monks' show here a few years back, which was absolutely ridiculous...how in the world they manage to do those things I will never understand...if you ever get a chance, definitely check them out, they'll blow your mind!). It's actually one of my favourite gig venues (JJ72 way back when, and Ladysmith Black Mombazo a few years back...can't go wrong really!!) The only reason I'm docking a star is because it's just not the Gaiety...and in the annual competition over pantos, I'm a Gaiety gal through and through! read more

3Olympia Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

Saw the Of Monsters and Men concert here a few weeks ago and was pleased with the venue. It is obviously in a great location, easy to get to, and very historic feeling. You can tell walking up the stairs that a lot of great acts have played there. It is a little old inside, but I think it adds charm. There are definitely some places that have restricted views up top, but just make sure you get there to pick a seat early. We were in the unreserved seating in the second deck, but had no issues with the sound or sight. It is very steep stairs, so be careful. There is a bar upstairs and a couple of restrooms that are handy enough. I can't speak for the standing area at the bottom floor, but didn't seem too crowded if you don't mind standing for a show. Will definitely go back to other concerts here. read more

I absolutely love this venue. It's very cool, old fashioned with a vintage interior. I'd love to be able to take a sneak peak into this place during the day and take some photographs. This is my favourite place in Dublin for any type of show, especially concerts. Since the venue is quite small, it's very intimate and there is not one bad seat in the house. They have had quite the variety of performers and the shows that I have gone to see here have all been reasonably priced. I only wish more bands played gigs at this venue! read more

3Olympia Theatre - The XX at The Olympia - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

This is a great venue for concerts - has it all: - easy access to the stage - reasonable sound - central location - the bar stays open during gigs and you can have a beer whilst enjoying a concert. Saw the Darkness here on Saturday - superb! read more

Traveling to Europe has always been a dream of mine since college. What eventually got me to pull the trigger on my first solo Europe jaunt was a UK and Ireland comedy tour featuring some of the ladies from RuPaul's Drag Race. As soon as I saw the lineup I bought my ticket. In comparison, I bought my plane ticket a week later awaiting confirmation from my work for approved PTO. Not one of my smarter financial decisions, but at least I was able to finally to start doing Europe solo! VENUE If I'm reviewing the theater purely due to venue space it would be two stars higher. It's easily accessible from Dame Street, right across the street from Dublin Castle, one of the city's main attractions. There are a few hotels nearby, which also serve as a convenient home base for a city trip and quite a bit of restaurants that offer a quick meal without breaking the bank. Considering how expensive Dublin can be, my food budget wasn't affected very much. There's three levels of seats. Depending on the show the lowest level seats can be removed for standing room only. Boxes are unfortunately for guests/crew/promoters of the performers. I sat in the first few rows on the center-right section. The sound and lighting were ok, though I had issues with hearing some of the queens (but this could be attributed to the queens themselves mumbling). Seats were comfortable and there was proper ventilation. EXPERIENCE The two stars was due to the horrible experience I received during the meet & greet portion of the comedy show, which is a standard offering when seeing RuGirls perform. The ideal VIP M&G experience is that you're given a chance to take a picture with a queen, exchange a few pleasantries and have the queen sign any merch associated with her, whether brought with you or bought from the store. A well-executed M&G experience is because of good promoters AND good venue staff. Here's a breakdown what happened: - Doors for the M&G would open at 5:30pm. The doors did not open for at least 15 minutes. Show started at 8pm. - Way too many allocations for VIP within such a short period of time (~100). This only allowed people to briefly say hi to a few of the queens (not all) and take ONE SINGLE GROUP PICTURE. The picture's so bad that I refuse to post it in any social media site. However I realize this is the fault of greedy promoters - hence why I will never attend any Klub Kids event. - Miscommunication with venue and promoter led to limited to NO time to mingle with the queens. In addition there was also no merch table, which is highly unusual for any drag show. This is extremely disappointing because an actual M&G session (as opposed to just a single photo-op) and early access to merch table was included in the VIP ticket. The show I watched was worth the price for general admission (~€40) but definitely not worth the €158.85 I paid for the VIP M&G experience (plus other incremental costs such as plane, hotel, etc.) Though I planned my one week Ireland vacation around this show, my traveling philosophy along with the other activities I planned on the other days made my overall Dublin visit excellent with this show being the only downer experience of my entire trip. Conversely, I have done VIP experiences for two other drag shows back in the US and while the venue for one of them could've been better, I had an excellent time at both shows. The VIP M&G experiences for those shows were well-executed and worth the price I paid for them. While my horrible M&G experience won't prevent me from seeing a future show at the Olympia Theater, I'll only see a show here should I find myself in Dublin again. There's more opportunities to see the queens stateside and personally I prefer spending time in a unknown city exploring the sights and attractions. read more

My favourite theatre in Dublin. Quaint, slightly musty smelling and a stunning art-deco entranceway; this place is suggestive of long smoky nights and mysterious goings on. It's a building that has a story to tell. The line-up is varied, from funky gigs and top comedians to musicals and burlesque. The acoustics are great and it's reasonably comfortable - though there are some bizarre seats which suffer from a restricted view because of the roof. The footsteps from above can be distracting in these seats too. Popular during comedy are the benches along the walls. I don't know why they work best for comedy, but they do. They're usually much cheaper, so a great option for students or those on a tight budget. Maureen's bar is famous. It's relaxed, fun and vivacious, with an interval drinks system that works. But there are some very high hung mirrors which always puzzle me. Any ideas? read more

I saw the Coronas here on Friday night! sooooo very good, the best i have ever seen them, The Script even cameon stage with them and they played a bit of Mick Christopher at the end. Now that seems like a review of the Coronas i know but i think that concer tkind of reflects what the olympia is all about. This theatre is an intimate setting for any concert, along the walls outside tributes are paid to people who have performed here (the coronas paid tribute to mick christopher). I think most Iish acts love to play here because you will generally get a small crowd and the first people to get tickets are the biggest fans and that means that tehy are playing to a concentrated group of fans that are completely undiluted from people who just came along just cause.so I think that real irish acts will take any oppertunity to play here without over doin it (see, the script just turned uphere unannounced!) Maybe i am biased because i love a good irish band or irish comedian or irish play and thats why i am spouting on about seeing irish acts here and howits a fitting place, but it is!its just perfect! never change olympia theatre, your grand the way you are! read more

3Olympia Theatre - My attempts at photographing the coronas in the Olympia, see the nice balconys on the left of this photo - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

I saw a rock concert here a few days ago. The sound and the lighting were very good. The space itself is nice-looking... It's very old-looking without being rundown. The size of the stage was perfect for a rock show. The barrier was a little far from the stage though. Staff here were nice and pretty mellow... Mostly old-boys. I found the bartenders at the back-bar to be inefficient... Doing a poor job seeing who had been waiting around and who had just walked up. read more

GREAT venue! Not a terribly large venue, and makes for intimate concert experiences. No sound issues within the venue. Interesting vintage interior decor. In a great location close to Temple Bar/Christ Church Area. One of my favorite live music venues in Dublin! read more

I'm not sure if it's correct to review the current production at the Olympia through this forum - the Walworth Farce - but perhaps, it might be a little helpful to those intending to go or intending to buy tickets. The Theatre itself is a truly wonderful venue, we had seats in the upper circle and had a fantastic view of the stage. Sound and lighting equally good. Just a word of warning to anyone intending to go and see the Walworth Farce - the storyline is very dark and depressing and could upset some people (set in a bedsit in London where the Irish emigrant father (from Cork) has total control and dominance over his two sons - I wont say anymore at the risk of ruining the scene!) . HOWEVER, it is an fantastic production with the three members of the Gleeson family proving their absolutely brilliance as actors, especially Donal Gleeson, who's unbelievable energy and dramatics during the whole show are outstanding. read more

They get some great bands playing here and the acoustics are great as are the really big comfy seats but make sure you check your tickets as there are huge pillars in the auditorium that block a lot of seats and views of the stage! read more

3Olympia Theatre - Olympia Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

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I came to the production of Once at the Olympia and it was a very enjoyable night. When booking, I was a bit unsure how things were going to go down, because there seemed to be an issue with the restricted-view seating plan. The front few rows are all limited view, especially for the staging of Once, as it's slightly higher than usual. I ended up going for the 5th row back: row E, and it was pretty good! I was torn between that and a few rows further behind but it worked out ok. It did feel a little like the stage was tilted away so that you couldn't really see everything on a flat platform but we didn't miss any of the important parts on stage. The sound in the Olympia was a bit disappointing. We were right up the front so could hear the performers true sounds, but it seemed like there wasn't a whole lot of amplification aside from that! Some parts of the music are supposed to really rock your seats and I didn't feel like it had that impact. Some of the voices on stage were very powerful, but others really needed that extra lift, and they didn't really get that, so it was a bit of a strain to hear. That said, everything was audible and it was still a beautiful production. I heard complaints that there isn't a lot of legroom in the seating, but I didn't find that to be a problem and I'm 5'8" with fairly long legs. It was a bit annoying to have to get up for people to come in-- one hilarious couple of women didn't know where they were at, and went through two rows before they went back to a different section altogether-- this caused a fair bit of laughter and commotion in the crowd, all while one performer was singing alone, a lovely rendition of On Raglan Road, so I felt bad for him! The rest of the theatre is nice enough, there are two ladies bathrooms (much appreciated), and the place is clean and old-school. The staff were all very pleasant. I'd definitely come back for another production. read more

My husband and I came here all the way from Vegas and bought tickets for The Pixies. This theatre has so much history and charm here.! It has the coolest look with red velvet curtains and ornate wall decor. The music sounded awesome and it pierced the small venue walls and vibrated through me, Needless to say this venue kicked ass. I loved the fact that there were ladies restrooms on each floor, which was convenient. The flooring is a little sketchy since I was wearing heels. I almost buckled out from under my step on the uneven bumpy,creaking flooring. Ladies- take caution when walking. This place was fantastic! We had a great time. The only thing that kept me from ranking 5 stars is the very mediocre bar/ snack area. It was also freezing in the place and I had to weary parka and gloves to hold my beer. read more

Came from Glasgow on Tuesday night to see Catfish and the Bottlemen with a friend and 5 minutes into the gig I took a really bad panic attack because I am claustrophobic. I ran out the venue in tears and a member of management helped calm me down and moved me up to seating area where I could still enjoy the concert. Big thanks to the man you helped as it saved what have been a wasted trip to Dublin and made it so much better!! read more

As a live music venue this is definitely in my top 5, possibly even my number 2 since the ambassador stopped live music shows. It's the perfect size and layout so that if you have a standing ticket you'll have an excellent view of the stage no matter where you stand! The only reason i cant give the Olympia 5 stars is because as a theatre venue the chairs are just too close together. It can get super uncomfortable sitting for a full show. That said the beauty of the place is something to behold too! read more

Beautiful theatre however a little dated. There are only 3 women's toilets on the main level- noy enough for a full house! and the seats are very close together... but definitely worth a trip. read more

3Olympia Theatre - So beautiful - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

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We went to see Gavin James on January 22nd. We had a great view of the stage - Though some of the lights did blind us in 4/5 songs as we were in the centre of the aisle in the centre row.. Lovely looking venue. A couple of health and safety issues I would think (Stairs and steps are all different shapes and sizes) but that's to be expected with such a lovely old building. I would return read more

The most beloved of all concert and theatre venues in Dublin. The Olympia is a traditional music hall from the late 19th Century, and much of its plush interior and old-world charm remains. When the iconic canopy outside the venue was knocked down by a truck there was public uproar. It has now been reinstated. More recently, the Olympia has played host to acts like Morrissey, REM, Manic Street Preachers and all manner of international bands. It also undertakes long runs of productions such as I, Keano and Macbecks. read more

I visited The Olympia for the first time last weekend for the Trailer Park Boys show and was well impressed with the venue. It is conveniently located right next to Temple Bar and was very easy to find. The staff were all top notch and very helpful throughout the evening. The bar although busy was very nice and stayed open during the performance so you could always grab a pint if needed. The only issue I had was with the floor seating, it is extremely cramped. It might have been suitable a few decades ago, but some of us are larger/taller now and all through the performance if someone on the inside had to get up the entire row would have to get up and move out to the aisle so they could pass. A bit of an inconvenience, but tis the only reason I can't give it five stars. read more

The double entendre 'do you come here often' can range from Homer's odyssey: 'no-one has hurt me' after Odysseus has attacked a Cyclops to a cheap risqué joke. In this case it's a truly wonderful live show featuring stars from the golden age of the Irish Show bands that brought us to Dublin's truly wonderful Olympia theatre. Like me it's seen better days, unlike me its cultured, stately and really quite grand. A cultural heart beating each time there's a performance. A delightful throwback to a more genteel time we could all benefit from revisiting. As the old song says 'don't change a hair for me not if you care for me'. I'm tired of reading comments in reviews that moan that the theatre is cramped, the sound could be better, hand dryers can be heard from restrooms and the like. Good grief are these sad people for real. Stuff of nonsense. As we walked into the theatre we walked under a faded poster of David Bowie from his concerts there half a lifetime ago, a pointed reminder that life is brief. This theatre is living history. Now I'm 6' 3'' and yes I was welded into my seat (thought I was on a Ryanair flight) but I was captivated from the show started until it ended. The Irish audience is a thing to hold in awe. They'll sing to the performers on stage all night, entertain them and go home saying they had a great night. Now this isn't up there in my musical choices but the performers were truly impressive. The performers to a woman and man had more talent in their little fingers than I have in a large torso. A few of them had several number 1 UK hits in the 1960's charts along side the Beatles. The show ended with a true Irish legend Dickie Rock 77 years old. His was a stunning, electric, fast paced performance. A powerful voice. Honestly he must have been replaced by a 20 year old actor. I'd hate to see the portrait in his roof-space. He makes Cliff Richard look like an old man. I didn't know the show bands originated in Strabane Northern Ireland and at one time over 800 working bands performed in Ireland in the toughest time the Northern Ireland statelet had it what now is understated as 'the Troubles'. The average age of performers was 70 something yet they all sang like 30 year olds. They had the energy of 30 year olds too. The audience was mainly groups of pear-shaped old ladies, many slowed with arthritic walking difficulties. There's always a Mary and a Beda. You know it's Dublin. We were among the youngest and able bodied in the audience. Men were well out numbered too, maybe reflecting that women outlive men or just maybe the old men stayed home. My mind wandered as I listened to their humorous, terse laconic conversations among themselves before the show began. What great magical black humour flowing from hard lives. I smiled. I thought what's a collective term for a group of females? There's a pod of dolphins, a murder of crows, and as the lights dimmed for what would be a memorable showtime, it went momentarily quiet and I thought a gossip of ladies. read more

3Olympia Theatre - Inside - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

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Hi from Barbara visiting from Los Angeles. We just saw Cinderella pantomime and absolutely loved it. I was laughing so hard that I nearly fell out of my seat. Outrageous fun. read more

A great old Dublin institution this one though it had some of its front area removed after a recent lorry accident which has since been restored. Been to quite a few gigs here over the years, many memorable a few not so. The balconies have some of the steepest stairs you will ever see. I saw quite a few people fall down them at a recent Pogues gig though obviously alcohol played a big part. Ive never had a bad seat here and have sat or stood in every section. The sound has always been decent. Great spot! read more

The Olympia Theatre is marvellous. The moment you set eyes on the front you know that it's going to be a good night. It's close to everything - not far from the DART station or bus stops, and so close to Temple Bar that after the show, you can go and celebrate the gloriousness of the act you've just seen! I have been to three concerts in The Olympia, and no matter where you are in the theatre, you can always see the artists well. No matter if you're at the very back on the highest balcony (if you're scared of heights I wouldn't suggest getting those seats though), the view is still better than anything you would get in the O2 or other big places. It's a small area so things can get quite hot, but that only adds to the atmosphere! In my opinion the standing area is the best place to be. Anywhere you stand downstairs, you can bascically the sweat dripping off the musicians' bodies, and I know that image is probably not the nicest, but that shows how close you can get! Sometimes the acts even come down to the barrier! read more

The Olympia is a great place for a gig. I've been to quite a few here and have always had a ball. My favourite of all was when I saw Suede some years ago. Brett Anderson was hot stuff. We were out of our seats and dancing the night away. The balcony section can be a little high if you have any sort of fears in this regard, but if it's a good concert you're at you'll soon forget where you are anyway. I went to a play here once, which I didn't enjoy. The seats are fine for a gig 'cause you're more than likely bopping up and down anyway, but having to stay still for any length of time in them gets a bit uncomfortable. read more

3Olympia Theatre - Courtesy of MCD website - Performing Arts Near Me - Dublin, D

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I've been here a number if times for plays and concerts. It isn't a huge venue so you feel involved in the show. You have to be careful when chosing seats as there are a few pillars that could obstruct your view of the stage. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The bar has recently been refurbished and it looks great full of great pictures of great irish actors, being served can take a while though read more

I'm giving it a five star mainly for the performance [The Wallworth Farce] which was BRILLIANT funny and sad and depressing and entertaining all ay once. My seat.....not so brilliant, it was a restricted view seat which I didn't realise until I collected the ticket at the box office on the night.......A great big bloody pole blocking the centre of the stage where most of the action took place. It didn't bother me too much but the lady beside wasn't too happy as I was constantly invading her space plus the two ladies behind me constantly tutted as I obscured one view then the other. So, moral of the story check your tickets before you hit the confirm button. Love the Olympia, it's old worldly charm makes you feel like you've stepped back in time and think about who has watched this little stage before you. read more

I went to the Olympia to see Snow Patrol with my housemate a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely loved it! The Olympia looks like what I'd expect a theatre might have looked like in Victorian times, with boxes all around and a small stage- I don't know how Snow Patrol managed to get all their backing musicians on that stage. It might look a bit shabby and some of the seats are torn but to me that only adds to its charm. Walking down the corridor to the seats and seeing all the pictures of some of the greatest artists is really special. There is a bar inside as well which serves drinks all through the gig, so it was perfect really. And Snow Patrol were fantastic too ;) read more