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    Brava Theater Center

    4.2 (98 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Brava Theater Center Photos

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    "Larry, the Musical" runs through April 14. Go see it, if you can! It's fabulous!
    Maria E.

    It's a solid theater in the area focusing on putting on small productions that often highlight women-led projects. It has a neighborhood feel in that it's smack dap in the middle of other businesses and doesn't stand out as a theater filled with talented people (LOL). But on the inside, it's a bona fide stage. It's actually beautiful. We sat towards the front and it's stadium seating so even if someone is tall, it wouldn't obstruct your view (I'm short so I appreciate this feature immensely). The stage isn't large, but it's functional especially for a creative production. The sound was nice, the vibe, just right. **We saw Larry, the Musical which will run through April 14, 2024. If you have the chance & opportunity, go see this amazing production. The actors are extremely talented & all involved should be proud! As a Filipino American I was in complete & total awe.**

    Careey H.

    We just watched another wonderful show at the Brava Theater Center. The old charms of the theater create a familiar and charming atmosphere. I loved having the option of picking up tickets at Will Call. I am a big fan of having a classic ticket to commemorate my experiences and the shows I see. The local partnership with the James Lick School in the Production of Sponge Bob was a heartwarming sight, and the theater's charms were a delightful choice to host the School's incredible production. It's a testament to our community's talent and dedication. Kudos to the cast, the producer, the director, parent volunteers, and professional paybills that made this experience top-notch.

    Larry the Musical program
    Edwina D.

    Great local theater in the Mission! I watched Larry the Musical (the first Filipino American historical musical--playing through April 14!) and the venue, production, and staff were fantastic. The theater is much larger inside than I expected and there were clear viewing angles from our seats at the back rows. The location was also a nice change of scenery from the theaters downtown with lots of dining options nearby. Parking can be tough but I managed to find a spot across the street on a Saturday night. I look forward to watching another show at Brava and hope people grab tickets for Larry the Musical during its premiere run!

    Larry the Musical
    John P.

    We watched Larry the Musical at the Brava theater and enjoyed it! Our seats were in the Mezzanine area in the top back but we were still able to see the actors clearly since it's a very intimate theater. The bathrooms are all gender neutral and there are two of them next to each other. They have a small bar in the lobby. Larry the Musical was one of the best musicals I've ever watched! I was educated and emotional over Larry and Dawn's story. The actors can sanggggg! This show needs to be on broadway or even made into a movie because people need to learn that Cesar Chavez was not alone and that Filipinos need to be recognized for their efforts as well. 10/10 highly recommend!

    Outside of theatre where street was decorated with colorful flags
    Yvonne F.

    Getting there & Parking: I'm not a big fan of driving in San Francisco but this was very easy to get to. Once I exited the freeway, it was just a few more minutes drive and easy to find. There is street parking rather than search for a spot, I opted for the parking garage of Zuckerberg SF General Hospital. Garage was clean, felt safe, had ample spots (keeping in mind this was a Sunday evening), and it cost $8.50 for the less than 2-hours we were parked there. Once you exit garage, turn right, walk a few short minutes up the block and you have arrived. The Area: It's a cool little area. There are restaurants, pubs, stores and some really cool murals painted of the buildings. This particular night there were lots of colorful flag banners strung through the streets, reminiscent of small villages in Mexico. Not sure what the occasion was or if these flag banners are always there, but it was very festive and fun looking. The Theatre: I don't know much about this place but I imagine maybe it was once an old movie theatre? It's a really nice historic looking venue, beautiful architecture, small and intimate. There is not a bad seat in the place. If you are going to a performance here, no need to splurge on the expensive seats because all the seats are good. The whole theatre is like stadium style seating without feeling packed in and squished. We had the "cheap" seats on the first row of the upper level and it was perfect.

    Shadow Dance
    Michelangelo S.

    Absolutely Gorgeous Venue For Even The "Darker Arts" SITREP I attended the Annual "Shadow Dance" (2022) at year's end and was extremely impressed at the theater metrics of this older venue. THE SETUP There were many different kinds of artist-presentations taking place all over the theater: in the lobby, on the stage, in the hallway corridors, even on the sidewalk in front of the theater itself! MULTI-PURPOSE The entire theater-campus was utilized to its fullest for each and every one of these special performances. It was an added bonus that the large lobby was able to be converted into a "Dark Bazaar" where vendors were able to sell their wares of jewelry, "magical potions" and fantastic costumery & ware for those coming to buy. SEATING Every seat in the house gives a great view of the stage with the gentle-slope format as rows lead to the front. UNISEX BATHROOM The bathroom facilities are quite ample with lots of stalls, especially given the fact that it is a unisex bathroom and you're just as likely to a member of the opposite gender come out of the stall you are about to go into. THE LOWDOWN Great venue. Definitely make time to see a performance of your choice the next time you see it scheduled at this venue!

    View from G5/G7
    Clarizza A.

    Great venue for a musical! You could be sitting anywhere and you will still have a nice view of the stage.

    the exterior of the building
    Aubany G.

    What an incredible, historic venue in the Mission! How have I never been before?! I'll definitely be coming back again and again. The space is beautifully simplistic in keeping the historic touches of the past, while being a modern performing arts haven. Their line up of shows speaks volumes to the diversity and cultures of this city, especially the Mission. The slope of the theater was pure perfection, as anyone can easily see over the rows in front of them. No seat in the house is a bad one. The seats were nice and comfy, with plenty of leg room. They had a very nice set up at entry for photos, as well as a bar for wine and cocktails. When looking for a cultural show, look here first and get your tickets!

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    4 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Brave cutting edge impactful theatre. I encountered Brava two decades ago and it is so inspiring how they continue to do such strong work

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    2 years ago

    Nice theater, air-conditioned, comfy seats. Beautifully refurbished interior, keeping a lot of tg

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    9 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent venue. Flamenco show was out of this world amazing! Would love to come back to see what else Brava has to offer.

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    9 years ago

    This is a quaint and awesome stylized theater not far from BART. I came here for a fun event and was very pleased with how beautiful it was.

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Brava Theater Center

    Even though parking can kind of suck in the area, I've found a reliable spot (so far).. that makes it even better.

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    San Francisco Playhouse - Seat E109 view - M. BUTTERFLY by David Henry Hwang

    San Francisco Playhouse

    4.4(349 reviews)
    2.5 miUnion Square

    Such a great venue for a small, local theatre!…read more There is no bad seat in here. It's intimate and fun. Their shows have no business being that good. Bathrooms are clean and service is wonderful. I love the space--it's located upstairs in a hotel near Union Square. Support local theatre! Audience skews older. I think they need to market to younger people on social media more.

    I discovered this charming little theatre by accident when I saw that "M. Butterfly" (Madame…read moreButterfly) was playing here for a whole week during a very convenient time. I had always wanted to see this classic story on stage so I jumped at the opportunity. It is a small theatre so chances of a sold out show is high; definitely purchase tickets early. It is a small theatre hidden within the Kensington hotel on the second floor. There is a small bar area on the main floor of the theatre. Bathrooms were nice and clean. The front row of the balcony are the best seats and offers a perfect view of the stage; you can see everything as well as have a clear view of the actors' faces and the emotions. I think any row beyond the accessible seats you might have some obstruction from heads and may need to lean forward a little to see what's happening. I'd love to see more shows here. M. Butterfly had an excellent cast. The play was moving and enhanced so much history, culture, politics, romance, drama, gender, and sexuality.

    Photos
    San Francisco Playhouse - Stage and playbill

    Stage and playbill

    San Francisco Playhouse - Show posters for Flex

    Show posters for Flex

    San Francisco Playhouse - All Gender Bathrooms on the 3rd Floor

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    All Gender Bathrooms on the 3rd Floor

    The Speakeasy - Lounge

    The Speakeasy

    4.4(336 reviews)
    3.1 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill
    $$$

    Hidden two floors below China Live Restaurant on Broadway Street is an entertainment space called…read moreThe Speakeasy (also the Palace Theater). I went to see a show " Italiani Veri "  last night. Fabulous cabaret-type show with performer Arianna. She's a true (veri) Italian from Milan who sang, danced and explained Italian culture as part of the entertainment. She has an amazing voice! She could have been a finalist at the San Remo Music Festival - the most famous singing festival in Italy. She fessed up saying she had been an Italian Mouseketeer! The venue has a bar/lounge to enjoy cocktails then a few steps down further is the theater. You need to be mobile since there are a lot of steps. Seating is first come-first serve. I have to admit that seating is quite tight. You are shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors. Get cozy folks. They typically have magic shows here! If you want to see a historic night club, this would be the venue to come to and enjoy a show. Italiani Veri show was a real treat! Highly recommend it!

    My hubby and I had an amazing time!…read more We attended the 8P show for: We Call It Jazz, A Journey to The Heart of New Orleans. I bought our tickets through FEVER and got the rail seating. Very good view From entering to sitting down, we were well taken care of I had bought two tickets online but when checking in, it only showed one- I pulled up my ticket and the usher at the front quickly apologized and got us situated I really appreciate the quickness Everyone was super friendly We stopped by the bar before the show started and got some drinks Music was spectacular One of the best live shows I've got to experienced Definitely made me want to check out their other events 10/10 phenomenal!

    Photos
    The Speakeasy
    The Speakeasy
    The Speakeasy - The Speakeasy {5/4/2025}

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    The Speakeasy {5/4/2025}

    Secret Improv Society

    Secret Improv Society

    4.5(216 reviews)
    2.5 miUnion Square
    $
    Full bar
    Large group friendly

    My wife and I decided to go for a new comedy experience by checking out an improv show at Secret…read moreImprov Society, and we're sure glad that we did. Let's get into it... Ambiance - After getting your tickets from the ticket booth, you go down a sharp flight of stairs which dumps you out into a bar area with two large doors on both sides of the room. The room on the right-hand side is where they have stand-up comedy (Cheaper than Therapy), and the left hand side is where the Improv show takes place. You wait in the bar area until the doors open. Once you enter, there are a handful of rows of chairs (barstool style with backs) and it's general admission. It's a pretty cozy area, maybe fitting around 50 people or so if I had to guess. Before the show, one of the improv team members came around offering Oreos to guests. We did not partake, but if you like Oreos you're in for a treat. The show itself was great. There were four improv comedians and they took a bunch of crowd suggestions and tailor-made a show based around our suggestions. The show itself is about an hour and a half, but didn't feel like it was that long at all. When it ended, I was shocked that an hour and a half had passed already. Time truly does fly when you're having a great time! I would definitely return again as we had a blast and really enjoyed the quick wit the improv team had to offer. I would highly recommend checking them out!

    Incredibly fun and very inexpensive. Beware, outside a sign just says "better than therapy" which…read moreis a comedy club in an adjacent room at the same address. Also it was good that we got there a bit early in time to get drinks (a nice large selection). Small to moderate intimate theater with very talented keyboard player who "improvised the music" with each skit all night long. "Actors" were very personable and talented--so much fun--we will reco to all SF friends and family

    Photos
    Secret Improv Society - Some of the Secret Improv Cast with our new T Shirts

    Some of the Secret Improv Cast with our new T Shirts

    Secret Improv Society - We offer improv classes to all levels

    We offer improv classes to all levels

    Secret Improv Society - Stage during show

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    Stage during show

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

    4.1(79 reviews)
    4.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Went to the Palace of Fine Arts Theater for the first time last week for a comedy show. We got…read morethere an hour before the show began to walk around the area (so beautiful) & because we had issues with our tickets and needed to go to will-call. Turns out that everyone had to stand in this will-call line to get physical tickets even though they were purchased online. Seemed odd, however, show up early to avoid the line and enjoy the scenic vibe around before the show. There's free parking (after 4P I believe) super close to the theater-- literally steps. We had to lock up our phones in a pouch for this specific event but it's so beautiful indoors as well. They had a bar area that many people enjoyed. Bathrooms are a bit crammed but nothing new to venues. It's a more intimate venue. It reminds me of a large college class room. Each seat seems like a great view, even last row. We found our seats easily, space between seats are more spacious than other places, no cup holders sucks but you can put your drink under the seat if needed. Audio and lighting was good & I look forward to checking out future events here.

    Loved the cozy, intimate nature of this venue and comfortable seatings…read more We visited for the Demetri Martin Quick Draw Tour, and it was a perfect size for a standup comedy show. Demetri was able to engage with the audience in ways that aren't typically possible in a larger venue (like the Masonic). Note that the venue can be hard to find, especially if the event was advertised as being at the "Palace of Fine Arts." The Theater is around the corner, and there are very limited signs. Like many reviewers, we spent time wandering around trying to find the entrance. It is on the west side of the venue, not near the famous dome. If you're driving/Ubering, be sure to enter the destination as the Theater, and not just the Palace of Fine Arts, as the entrance are on opposite sides of the property. There is very limited food and drink offered, and you're not allowed to bring any food into the auditorium (covered drinks are allowed). This was a bit of an inconvenience for a show running 7-9pm right during dinner time. We were hoping for at least some popcorn for during the show. Bathrooms are small and awkwardly laid out, leading to long lines, confusing, and tight spaces. This is made worse by the fact that each row is ~50 seats across with the only aisles on the ends - this makes it very hard for anyone not seated on the very ends to leave during the show to go to the restroom. As a result, there was a massive rush to the restroom after the show and a 20 minute wait for the men's restroom (I shudder to think how long the women's line was.

    Photos
    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Corinne Bailey Rae 7/14/2022

    Corinne Bailey Rae 7/14/2022

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

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    Inside the theatre

    Brava Theater Center - theater - Updated May 2026

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