For years of my living in Orlando, Florida, I had to endure many of my closest friends (and Boulderites) telling me how I truly haven't experienced an awesome downtown venue like the Boulder Theater. Sure, I said - but I'm from Orlando! There are plenty of awesome venues in Orlando. Boy was I wrong. Boulder Theater is gorgeous - and gorgeous in a timeless sort of way. From the outside, it looks like a normal theater that probably hasn't changed its decor in a decade or so, but the real gem is inside. The concentric architecture is matched seamlessly by ornate wall design and paint, and the whole room falls right into place in front of the stage. There are elongated tiers leading up from the wooden ballroom-style floor, which provide plenty of dancing/grooving/sitting space throughout, but allow for plenty of room to pull back from the excitement if you prefer. The acoustics, as only a dome-like venue could offer, are fantastic, the views are great from everywhere in the house, and the audio/visual equipment will leave you wanting for nothing. And then, there are the artists. Boulder Theater regularly has the most impressive schedule of any venue I've seen to date (if you are a music fanatic, you will certainly have to pick your battles - that is to say, the BEST ones). The Theater is also located right in the heart of downtown Boulder, very close to Pearl Street and all of the other awesome things in the downtown area to do. Now that I've lived in Boulder for a little under a year, I can say that I'm very fortunate to have gone to quite a few shows at this Theater, and not a single one has disappointed. Phenomenal. read more

The Boulder Theater is a beautiful room to see a concert in, with reasonably priced drinks (for a venue) and an attentive bar staff. The sound is generally good, though any show with college girls in attendance may be disturbed by the fact that this particular demographic seems to like to talk loudly throughout the act's performance. It'd been a few months since I'd seen a show here, and had opportunity to catch one last night, and really just wanted to use this space to compliment the lovely decor. It truly is a wonderful theater. I also needed to unload about that bit referring to childish girls talking loudly through a concert. Thanks Yelp, for always being there for me. read more

You gotta expect Boulder of all places to have a music venue like this one. Small, eccentric, and a little frayed around the edges due to age, but ultimately a solid spot to catch a show. The Boulder Theater is pretty simple in design. Not really much going on inside when it comes to style or uniqueness. It's kind of your typical pit area, bar in the back, and upstairs seating kind of venue. Outside they've got that nice neon styled billing showing the headliner for the night which is pretty cool throwback. Sound is pretty great here. The acoustics of the place seemed pretty solid to me. Nothing got drowned out and my ear drums still seem solid to me. It's in a pretty amazing spot location-wise. It's right smack in the center of downtown Boulder, so it's surrounded by shops and restaurants and things to do if you're ever early for the show. Also, parking is plentiful around the area. The show was priced pretty fairly all things considered as well. Definitely gonna keep the Boulder Theater in mind if I'm ever in the mood to catch a show! read more

It's a great intimate venue for a concert. The sound was also very good. The seats on the other hand....meh, not so much. read more

I would have rated this venue the full and usual 5 stars, however, there were some definite issues. Lived in CO all my life, this was the first time I had gotten the chance to go to the Boulder Theater. It is a beautiful place, well maintained, very clean, the floors are pristine (I say this because most "theaters" are only nicely painted and everything else is a pit). The Boulder Theater is the epitome of what all theaters should look like. My beef is with the staff to which why I gave such a low rating. I had a scary person come up to me and attempt to provoke me into a fight to which I went to the security person on staff and explained the situation. He walks all security/guard dog like down to where I was then I pointed out the individual and he flaked like a little girl. It was a pretty bad situation involving my daughter nearly being pulled into the bathroom by this crazy person and this guy tells me, "Yeah, we have had complaints about her all night. I can't do anything about it but I suggest you try to avoid her." WTF?!?!?!?!? This reaction by their so-called security guy left me feeling helpless, frustrated and ruined my evening since I had to feel like I had to watch my back for the rest of the evening. Seriously, I will not go the Boulder Theater again knowing that if there is an issue between customers, they won't do anything about it. read more

This is a cool little Art Deco theater in Boulder. I've only been for live music, but apparently they screen movies here too. I love the exterior of the theater and it reminds me of a couple LA venues that were awesome for live music. I like that it's right off Pearl Street, so you can go out for dinner or drinks before you go to the show. Plus, there's plenty of street parking, and if you read the signs, it's easy to find free spots. Just make sure you park after certain hours posted on the signs because they have permit parking for local businesses during the day. The only downside for me is that the shows are generally all ages or 16+, so you get a bunch of kids who are high or drunk and don't know how to handle themselves. Leaving the last show, some kid was throwing up all over the sidewalk and street, and he was definitely under 21, so just be prepared for the mixed bag. read more

Absolutely appalling lack of safe, accessible ADA seating which is only compounded by utterly disrespectful management. No ADA compliant ramps, and the few seats designated for disabled individuals were located all the way in the back and literally halfway under the bar. This is a venue which claims to value every single patron and provide reasonable, safe options for all. Unfortunately, this is not only untrue, but could prove very unsafe for the unaware disabled theater goer. By claiming that unsafe ramps are in fact totally ADA compliant, the theater management risks injuring individuals or damaging expensive medical equipment. When the safety of this theater's options was questioned, their only response was, "Nobody else has complained!" Not at all the theater they claim to be. Go somewhere else if you want to actually enjoy a show in a venue that values your experience and safety. read more

The Boulder Theater is an amazing and majestic venue, from the gorgeous paintings on the walls and ceiling to the historic old water fountain and the spooky ghost story about the spirit that haunts the hallowed hall. This is an awesome place to see a show or a movie. Oddly enough, the Boulder Theater and Fox Theatre--the city's two major venues--seem to complement each other more than compete with each other. BT can fit more people, but the Fox focuses on music. BT is a bit more upscale, which has its own type of appeal. Fox is a little more gritty, which is an environment more conducive to rock and roll. The BT is also the greatest place to see movies, surprisingly enough. Nothing beats grabbing a seat near the bar and making as many trips as necessary throughout the feature. I'm used to having to pre-drink or sneak in a flask. But not at the BT. Greatest show at the BT: Blink-182 in 1998, when they were still kind of a punk band, before they broke it big, and kind of on the cusp. Prior to that I thought I was the only person who'd ever heard of them or had seen them on Warped or opening for Less Than Jake. But the way they filled, and rocked, the BT that night, we pretty much knew they were headed for the big time. Also, GWAR was a great show... but I think that goes without saying. read more

I went to see Brandi Carlile here last night and she was amazing. The venue is really unique but there are a little downfalls for this free flowing venue. First, they create a line outside, because they want to check IDs, so they can give you a wristband to drink. But since it was an all ages show, I think there should be another line for under 21 and people who don't have to drink. Also, the labeling of rows and seats is nearly impossible to find when it's dark. There are very few ushers and are very hard to track down. Also, plan extra time to find parking! read more

Nuts Fab Iconic Acoustic One of the Great Places in The World read more

I am so disappointed with this venue. The sound quality is beyond terrible, the sound engineers are hopeless and I would guess hard of hearing judging by the volume. I made the unfortunate mistake of going there on Oct 27 2018 to see Kamasi Washington which to be fair is really full increasingly complex music but it literally just sounded like a car horn amplified 100 X. It was a total joke, we left after 3 sets because it was literally unbearable to listen to. Truly very disappointed. read more

This is a great place to see your favorite band's name on the marquee. I like this venue because it's a good size and offers a lot of good options to view the concert from, whether you want to stand right in the front or you want to sit up top, it's good for anyone. We got there when the doors were just opening and the line was wrapped around the block and even though it looked like a lot of people, once we were inside, everyone had plenty of room to move around. We got drinks at the bar, which are pretty decently priced and we grabbed some great standing room right in front of the stage. This place has wonderful acoustics and it feels nice and intimate. The crowd wasn't too pushy or anything, but I guess that probably depends more the concert you're going to see than the venue itself. The only complaint I have is that they have guard rails every couple of feet in the pit so moving around is a pain and getting out takes really long. But I'd definitely go back here. read more

Boulder Theater is my favorite venue for music. I've been to several shows here since I've lived here and the acoustics IMO are much better than the Fox. It's small and I love the intimate feeling. Pretty easy to get drinks and the crowd is usually pretty chill. I'm short so I usually have some issues seeing the stage from the bottom level but that's not really their fault - lol. In addition to concerts they do some other events like the Best of Boulder awards ceremony. Even though it's small the venue for it was great - lots of space to mingle and visit food tables and the photo booth. I've never been up on the balcony so I can't say much about it but I bet it's cool too. read more

This is such a great location, its walkable from the hill. I love the interior, even though it fits around 1200 it's still spacious enough for everyone (I went to sold out bad suns). I also like how the bar gives you free water. read more

Boulder Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Shout out to Jeff who is on the security team. He's personable and overall a super good guy. I really like the boulder theater. Its proximity to everything is super key and it usually has some really great shows. read more

I pretty much only go here once a year for the Warren Miller movie screening, but I have seen a few musical performances as well. Good place to see a show! Bar is centrally located, several "tiers" heading towards the back of the venue so it's easy to see. Sound is usually pretty good as well. And Warren Miller event is always awesome! read more

Super disappointed. I'm a Boulder native who constantly tells people how great this venue is. I was there at the matisyahu concert and informed one of the security guys that I was having a prob with a jerk behind me that kept shoving me into other people... I was the one asked to come up front for questioning and no one questioned captain @$$&@&"";/-@"$;/. Who now that I think about it was probably an undercover security guy having a bad day/power trip...... Anyway, apparently being served 2 drinks at your bar constitutes as 'public intoxication'. We as women are primarily the targets when a situation arises at a bar. I feel it is extremely unfair that I, as the one that asked for help was the one of extreme humiliation and unfounded distrust. No one asked the offender anything. I spent three days pay on our tickets for our anniversary date night. Count on the fact that I will tell ALL my friends about the mistreatment I received and the unsupportive staff that they should all expect if one is to attend a boulder Theater event. read more

Boulder Theater - The one photo I got before the altercation So sad it was looking like an epic show :( - Performing Arts Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Small club where you can see some pretty good acts here on The Hill. Very intimate so that is a plus, binoculars are not required for this venue! read more

I have been here for two events now. This last time, I was able to see more of the inside. It is an old Theater, and it could use some sprucing up. I know there are lots of concerts here, but it is a landmark that needs to be appreciated a bit more. I would like to some renovations. The murals on the walls are beautiful if one can ever see them when the lights are on a bit. read more

My first time at the Boulder Theater and really enjoyed it. The sound was good and the layout comfortable. Loved the art deco. It's larger than Denver's Bluebird but has the same coziness. Barstaff is quick and 12oz. bottles or drafts were $4.00. Actually our PBRs were in larger cups and then they ran out of those cups. And then they ran out of PBR before we ordered a second round. Parked in a garage next door and it cost a little over $6.00. Definitely worth it. All in all, it was a good experience and great music venue . read more

I went to see the Steve Earle show last night. Hayes Carl, a Texas native, seemed to have an off singing night, was but his songwriting and patter was great, have to look him up. Steve's act was heavily oriented toward the fortuitous Grammy material which was great for the Towne Van Zandt fans (plenty of them there) but a bit disappointing for the genuine Steve Earle fans. Nevertheless he mixed it up, the whole show was acoustic and he pulled out the mandolins for a few numbers. Before the show we had a whiskey and a scotch, they had good booze and poured a great drink. Gotta think of a reason to go again soon. They should bring Steve and Hayes Carl back again, definitely. I am old enough to have seen U2 in C. Sprgs and worse, David Bromberg at Ebbets Field. Now that I am childfree again, I have gone to more music here than in Denver. Small clubs rule! This place has just the right atmosphere of nice and funky. I have seen a wide variety of acts and they all sound good, the sound manager does a great job. Plus, it's nice to have a live scene within walking distance either before or after--the mall is a crawl in Downtown Denver, sadly. read more

The Boulder Theater is a must-see for any visitor or Boulder resident. Host to everything from Exotica Erotica Ball to e-Town to the Boulder film festival, you can find amazingly talented acts here on a regular basis. They have a great website to check the schedule at www.bouldertheater.com. The venue itself has a marvelously historical feel with old stuff everywhere, and the place is rumored to be host to ghosts. With all the souls and energy that have visited here, it's no surprise. I've been in every nook and cranny and have unforgettable memories of every corner. I love this place. read more

This place used to be my favorite spot, but I went to the les claypool and Sean Lennon concert this year and some door person basically stripped me naked looking for god knows what. I don't want every time I go to a show to have to empty my pockets out, and basically get stripped searched. The person looked through my cigs, then emptied my bag, then went through all my pockets, and then dropped my money and told me to pick it up. This lady made me never want to go back to a concert here ever again. I do t care who plays it's just not worth it. The lady didn't even ask the guy next in line to empty their pockets. Like I understand that they are doing their job, but I've never been searched like that in my life, not even at the airport. This place is going downhill until they fire that bitch who works the front door. Like have you ever been to a concert we're they lift your shirt and put their hands in your waist. This lady literally put her hands down my pants. Yo this lady has brown hair and looks like she's 50, but I'd late 30's. I've told all my buddies to stay clear. This place is now A JAIL. read more

Sound quality there sucks in my musician's opinion. I've been to at least 10 shows, walked around the place looking for sound where I can distinguish the bass lines: forget it. I'm done with it. Otherwise, it's fine. read more

Came to Boulder Theater for the taping of "The Nerdist" podcast with a good friend of mine. The Theatre is small, old and very pretty, and I would love to come back for a concert. My only complaint is that the beer selection could be better. read more

We went here for the Todd Snider concert Friday night, and loved it. Since I work in the theater field, I'm a sucker for an old, vintagey theater... This place definitely fits the bill. Lots of old details, which I love. It does feel a little dive- ish, but not in a bad way. More of a well- loved way. I feel sorry for the lighting situation here... Lots of colored par cans with a few ellipsoidals... Which is something that probably only bothers me and whoever is running the lights for the show : ) The sound here is okay... The speakers seem to be a little blown out, but the space is so small it's not like the bands need a lot of amplification. Can't wait to go back at the end of the month for Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard! read more

Definitely not my favorite venue for a concert, it's small which gives it the intimate feel. It is ultimately run down and in desperate need of a good bathroom clean. Each time I went to the bathroom there was vomit everywhere that had not been tended to, which is unacceptable at any cost. If you're going for a concert be prepared, and wear close toed shoes. read more

Spacious. ..well prepared drinks...been here two years in a row for the annual Brazil Fest and its been too much fun.

This place needs a makeover! The seats are beyond worn out! The woman's bathroom had a makeover which is great! The host of this Thursday show IS SO ANNOYING!!!! He needs to back off the microphone! read more

This is a really beautiful multipurpose theater. I've been for shows and movie screenings, which I prefer. They can fit a lot of seats in there and the bar is on the main floor and big. Parking is easy to find as there are street spots and plenty of parking garages within a 2 block radius. I just wish they had better bands that played here. read more

Fantastic. Saw Dark Star Orchestra 3 nights in Sept at Boulder Theater. Drinks reasonable priced, no lines at bathrooms and in and out privileges........................great time! read more

My favorite venue. I like this place way better than the Fox. The layout is sick and I like the location of the bar. Seen many-a great bands here. Don't forget big Lebowski night! read more

Great live music venue in downtown Boulder. I've seen a bunch of shows here (hip-hop, rock, electro) and it's always a fun crowd. People in CO like to dance! Everyone, even the short kids, can see the stage thanks to the tiered floor. The inside of the Theater is pretty epic. Huge murals cover the walls and ceiling. Think: Old Western Theater. Funny side note, I saw a girl get thrown up ON, like covered in vomit, during a sold out SAVOY concert. So, keep your eyes out for Pukey McPukerson, it is a college town after all. read more

How fortunate to have a venue like Boulder Theater in town. We had an opportunity to see Demitri Martin yesterday for the 5pm show. The doors opened promptly at 4pm and the staff working the doors were helpful to accommodate the long line by splitting it and having people enter through a side door through a restaurant/bar area. Inside the theater seating was on portable chairs that were comfortable enough for the show. The theater had a couple of bars - one of which was actually in the theater. Great selection of local craft beers served by friendly bartenders. When I read the negative reviews about the Boulder Theater, it was easy to read through them as personal issues by people who don't appreciate how wonderful it is to have a place to see touring music, comedians, and other talent. read more

When I first joined Yelp, I made a promise to myself that I would never cheat the Yelping community, even, and ESPECIALLY if this meant no YWE (Yelping While Erected). So, it is with great regret and extreme disappointment that I sit here stiffened while typing this very sentence. Now, before rushing to an innacurate conclusion, and writing this off as some sort of inappropriate, sex-offender-inspired review, I must inform you that the behavior taking place below the belt is a direct result of my first, and only experience at Colorado's Boulder Theater. So, if you're going to point the finger at somebody, be sure that it is pointing towards 2032 14th street, Boulder, CO. 80302, and not at me, because I'm just the victim here. On to the review... It was 8:45am on a Friday morning and I was on my way to a concert that didn't start for another thirteen hours. To prevent being TOO early, I made sure that a different time zone, a few states, an hour drive from my house in San Jose to the Oakland airport, a pit stop in Utah in order to switch planes, and finally, a 40 minute drive from Denver to Boulder, stood in my way. At this point, you're probably trying to think of a decent psychiatrist that you could recommend for me - save it, because the following six words should quickly justify any signs of insanity you may currently detect... AN INTIMATE NIGHT WITH TREVOR HALL. When pulling up to the venue, we were greeted by the beautiful colors from a glowing marquee that lit up the entire street. On it, was "Trevor Hall," which to us, made it that much more beautiful to look at. After taking a few minutes to literally soak up the visually-stunning exterior (it was raining), we decided to march our asses inside. Like the outside, the theater's interior was also aesthetically pleasing. There's something about an old theater that gets me going. Once past the doors, you'll find yourself in a somewhat-small lobby area, which served as a perfect spot for the acts to set up their merch tables. Past that and you'll find the heart and soul of the Boulder Theater - the bar. Wasting no time, I ordered 4 of what I am contractually obligated to order - Vodka Redbulls. That's right, I am legally binded to drink nothing but Vodka Redbull. It doesn't matter if I just finished a God damned Marathon, BOOM Vodka Redbull. It was a stupid contract to sign, but hey I was young, what would you expect from an eleven year old? Anyways, I was ecstatic to learn that at only 7 bucks a pop, I wouldn't have to take to my normal tactics of sleeping with the bartender just so I could double-fist the entire evening. Which was of particular value in this case due to the fact that the bartender was a dude. My ONLY gripe with this venue was the seating area. Don't get me wrong, regardless of where your seat is, you will have an INCREDIBLE view in this very intimate theater. But my bone to pick was with the lack of personal space. I'm 6'5" but I don't think it would make a difference if I was the size of Tyrion fucking Lannister (The little guy from Game of Thrones), I would STILL be uncomfortable. I felt as if I had the two little 13-year old bitches sitting next to us on my lap. And as much as I enjoy feeling like a pedophile, I prefer to attend concerts that don't leave me feeling like I should head home and register as a sex offender. Shitty seating setup aside, this was the most incredible show that I have ever been to and I will never forget the magic that took place under the roof of the Boulder Theater. I cannot wait to go back some day. read more

I went to a conference here and I must say the venue is rad. A nice perk of hosting a conference here is the bar. The art deco decor is pleasant to sit in, and the audio / visual was spot on. It was a tech conference so the audio / visual bar was set pretty high. I would love to see a show here next time I'm in boulder. read more

This is no theater, I've been to hundreds of shows at hundreds of venues and this was by far the worst "theater" I've ever been to. I drove into Boulder to see one of my favorite bands, the Wailin' Jennys, after months of anticipation and they were amazing! But I was in the back half of the theater, right about even with the front of the bar, and multiple people were having conversations in the back through the ENTIRE performance. I was expecting some mild whispering while people were ordering drinks and whatnot but several groups of people were having full volume conversations from start to finish during the show. I guess that's just the culture there? I think that's disrespectful to the musicians and the other patrons but nobody, even the ushers standing 5 feet away, seemed to care at all. I'm very disappointed. Also, the seats were very cramped, people were smoking pot inside during intermission, and the visibility and acoustics were lacking. read more

I love this venue! I've seen 2 shows here and had a blast each time. I love the neon out front, it's just classic and so welcoming. That alone contributes to the feeling walking in that you are going to have a blast! I love that this venue has seating upstairs and standing room downstairs. The seats are so comfy and there's room to dance in the isles if you friends want to sit for a minute. The tiers on the lower floor level create visibility from where ever you are standing. It feels big and open and very comfortable. The sound was great and the lights were fun too. The bar is big and it doesn't take long to get a drink. Staff is friendly and accomadating. I wish this venue was closer and it wasn't such an undertaking to get to and from Boulder for shows. I went with a large group recently in an suv limo, and honestly, that seems to be the way to do it, of course! read more

Boulder Theater has a problem organizing drinking vs. non-drinking sections. Both concerts I've attended at the theater split up the 21+ and the 20 & under sections. During the Avett Brothers concert, which was advertised as an all ages, general admission show they only aloud 21+ in the lower section of the venue (forcing the youth upstairs in the very back of the venue). Not knowing this I tried to walk into the main lower part of the venue and ended up getting pinched by one of the staff members (he was trying to grab my jacket to stop me and ended up pinching my arm!) Though we paid the same amount as every other person in the venue, we were forced to watch from afar. It was horrible and extremely frustrating. There were plenty of 21+ people who wanted to sit upstairs, so seating in the balcony was packed. While I totally understand the theater owners needing to follow the law on not allowing alcohol to get into the hands of minors, alienating customers is not the way to go about it. Other venues, such as the Ogden, Gothic, etc. give wrist bands to 21+ and big black sharpie marks across the hands of the youth. I don't understand why Boulder Theater doesn't do this. On the plus side, it is a beautiful venue. The walls and wooden floors are kept nice and clean. The balcony (oh, yes, the evil balcony again) is not as well up-kept as the downstairs portion of the theater. Quite a few seats are broken, and every seat had dirty stained fabric. read more

One star for one very good reason, they treat under 21's like crap for no good reason. As others have mentioned even for all ages shows they do not allow people with under 21 tickets to go anywhere on the first floor. The upper deck is at the very back and turns the venue into a subpar pepsi center. This is so absurd I would never buy tickets here if I knew. But they do not warn purchasers of tickets at anytime and even have the gall to charge extra for under 21 tickets. Plenty of great venues get by with wristbands and x's but the theater is apparently too inept to handle such a system. They have lost a customer for life. I hope Boulder gets a sensible venue at some point (other than The Fox of course who does pretty much the same thing) read more