Chicago Theatre
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Recently attended a concert at this venue. I liked how they had a side security entrance as to not have backed up line upfront. Once inside you had a lot of employees helping you find where you needed to go. There are bathrooms on the basement level, which have a lot of stalls, and moves quickly. We were sitting up in the balcony and in our section there were only two stalls, so if you had to use the bathroom, go while the concert is going and not during a set break. There are concessions stands on each floor selling drinks and popcorn. The chicago theater is beautiful. The seats were actually comfortable and it was easy getting to our seats.
The Chicago Theater is a beautiful landmark to see a show. The inside is inspired by French architecture with crystal chandelier, several murals and a grand staircase. 5/5 stars for the entry process! Security and bag check moved incredibly fast and were very well-organized. We had seats on the main floor and they were surprisingly roomy, and even from the side, the view of the stage was great. This is a great venue to see a show.
This historic theater is all kinds of awesome! I've seen numerous concerts and comedy shows here and it never disappoints. Love the decor and all the details inside. Seat sizing is tolerable but on the smaller end. Every view is pretty good. They do have numerous bars throughout the venue. Bathroom lines can get pretty long. I usually park in some close by lots since street parking is NOT the easiest around there. Lots of places to eat nearby if you want to grab a snack before or after.
Beautiful building, been here for several performances. Friendly staff. Usually use SpotHero to find a decent priced parking nearby. Holds about 3,500 people I believe, so the lines for drinks etc can get very crowded. The trick for entry is to use the side entrance which has 3 security lines and moves fairly quickly.
Beautiful theatre!!! Very well organized. Lots of bathrooms. I was in the longest line to get to the bathroom during intermission and it moved so quickly. I was impressed. Helpful and friendly staff. Comfy seats and great acoustics. Really fun vibe and beautiful architecture. I enjoyed my experience.
Went here to see one of my favorite comedians that I've followed online, and the experience lived up to the hype. My seat was up close, which made it even better. The theater itself is absolutely gorgeous on the inside -- classic, iconic Chicago vibes. There were a lot of people, but everything felt organized. Staff members were posted at the internal doors helping guide people to their sections, which made things move smoothly. The venue is a really good size -- big enough to feel exciting but still intimate enough to enjoy the performance. My only real complaint is the restrooms, which could definitely be better given how many people were there. Overall, an amazing place to catch a show. I'd absolutely come back when I'm in Chicago so adding to check what's going on there when I'm planning my return trips.
Cool setup in box seats... always get those when I go and see a comedy show. Overpriced snack food is not my deal... so I'm glad we went to an early show and then go to Chinatown for dinner afterwards. Also didnt have to wait outside super long but it also took forever to get inside. Ugh
A beautiful theater with astonishing architecture and style! The lack of WiFi and cell signal made it impossible to coordinate travel or communicate once indoors, but it also made my attention stay on the performance the entire time.
Beautiful theater to be able to see a show in. Great to see the history within in it is preserved. Service from ushers were kind. Prices for drinks and food are pricey as expected.
Was my first time seeing a concert at the Chicago Theater. The ambiance is absolutely incredible and the inside of the building is gorgeous. The service was great as far as the ushers are lovely and the bartenders were pleasant. I cannot wait to see another show there!
This Theatre is beyond gorgeous and I'm happy I live here to see it whenever. Happy to have seen my all time favorite singer here Natalia Lafourcade June 14 & 15 The staff here are I really helpful and kind. This theatre should bring more Latino performers Incredibly beautiful theatre
My family and I spent our annual Christmas Show Outing at the Chicago Theatre this year to see Twas the Night Before- a Cirque du Solei performance! We enjoyed our time! It was our first Cirque show AND our first time at the Chicago Theatre. We had great seats- first row in the upper level. We grabbed some wine and snacks to enjoy during the performance.
Chicago theatre district has bright lights that can't be missed. The iconic Chicago sign lite up at night is awesome. We aren't the only ones here taking photos.
Short but sweet review - the experiences we've had at the Chicago Theater have always been consistently good. This time was no different. My last review still stands. We arrived on time, were seated, and the concert started on time. The acoustics are great and our seats were in a good spot. We used their concession stand to get water and snacks - because we bought our tickets and paid for the concessions using a Chase card, we were given a big discount - nice. We'll continue to go to the Chicago theater when they have shows we want to see. It's a great theater and a wonderful experience. read more
I have been to the Chicago Theatre several times for concerts and have had experiences in all of my visits. It's an iconic Chicago landmark for catching live events. I like its ornate décor, the stadium style seats set-up which offers good stage view, the acoustics, and the overall aesthetics of this venue which makes it an ideal place to watch live events. On my recent (late June 2026) visit to see The Human League, Soft Cell, and Alison Moyet for the Generations tour, overall, I had a good experience. There were couple of issues that we had such as lack of cool air circulation inside the auditorium (it was hot and sweaty) and a couple of people standing throughout the show to dance, blatantly blocking other peoples' view and not caring about being inconsiderate and uncourteous to people behind them to which the theatre ushers had no problem with it. Otherwise, I have not had issues at this venue. So, 4.5 stars but rounded up to five. I look forward to going back here. read more
2 months ago
Went to check out Jill Scott. The venue is nice, clean, and had drink stations. The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout the night. The drinks were higher priced but hey that's a norm at venues. I didn't get any popcorn just drinks. The seating was comfortable and the restrooms remained clean most of the night. No pictures could be taken as our phones were locked up and secured the entire show in bags. Make sure you get all of your belongings out of the bag as you are hurrying out of the place. read more
Recently attended a concert at this venue. I liked how they had a side security entrance as to not have backed up line upfront. Once inside you had a lot of employees helping you find where you needed to go. There are bathrooms on the basement level, which have a lot of stalls, and moves quickly. We were sitting up in the balcony and in our section there were only two stalls, so if you had to use the bathroom, go while the concert is going and not during a set break. There are concessions stands on each floor selling drinks and popcorn. The chicago theater is beautiful. The seats were actually comfortable and it was easy getting to our seats. read more
The Chicago Theater is a beautiful landmark to see a show. The inside is inspired by French architecture with crystal chandelier, several murals and a grand staircase. 5/5 stars for the entry process! Security and bag check moved incredibly fast and were very well-organized. We had seats on the main floor and they were surprisingly roomy, and even from the side, the view of the stage was great. This is a great venue to see a show. read more
4 days ago
This historic theater is all kinds of awesome! I've seen numerous concerts and comedy shows here and it never disappoints. Love the decor and all the details inside. Seat sizing is tolerable but on the smaller end. Every view is pretty good. They do have numerous bars throughout the venue. Bathroom lines can get pretty long. I usually park in some close by lots since street parking is NOT the easiest around there. Lots of places to eat nearby if you want to grab a snack before or after. read more
Beautiful building, been here for several performances. Friendly staff. Usually use SpotHero to find a decent priced parking nearby. Holds about 3,500 people I believe, so the lines for drinks etc can get very crowded. The trick for entry is to use the side entrance which has 3 security lines and moves fairly quickly. read more
Beautiful theatre!!! Very well organized. Lots of bathrooms. I was in the longest line to get to the bathroom during intermission and it moved so quickly. I was impressed. Helpful and friendly staff. Comfy seats and great acoustics. Really fun vibe and beautiful architecture. I enjoyed my experience. read more
Went here to see one of my favorite comedians that I've followed online, and the experience lived up to the hype. My seat was up close, which made it even better. The theater itself is absolutely gorgeous on the inside -- classic, iconic Chicago vibes. There were a lot of people, but everything felt organized. Staff members were posted at the internal doors helping guide people to their sections, which made things move smoothly. The venue is a really good size -- big enough to feel exciting but still intimate enough to enjoy the performance. My only real complaint is the restrooms, which could definitely be better given how many people were there. Overall, an amazing place to catch a show. I'd absolutely come back when I'm in Chicago so adding to check what's going on there when I'm planning my return trips. read more
Cool setup in box seats... always get those when I go and see a comedy show. Overpriced snack food is not my deal... so I'm glad we went to an early show and then go to Chinatown for dinner afterwards. Also didnt have to wait outside super long but it also took forever to get inside. Ugh read more
A beautiful theater with astonishing architecture and style! The lack of WiFi and cell signal made it impossible to coordinate travel or communicate once indoors, but it also made my attention stay on the performance the entire time. read more
Was my first time seeing a concert at the Chicago Theater. The ambiance is absolutely incredible and the inside of the building is gorgeous. The service was great as far as the ushers are lovely and the bartenders were pleasant. I cannot wait to see another show there! read more
This Theatre is beyond gorgeous and I'm happy I live here to see it whenever. Happy to have seen my all time favorite singer here Natalia Lafourcade June 14 & 15 The staff here are I really helpful and kind. This theatre should bring more Latino performers Incredibly beautiful theatre read more
My family and I spent our annual Christmas Show Outing at the Chicago Theatre this year to see Twas the Night Before- a Cirque du Solei performance! We enjoyed our time! It was our first Cirque show AND our first time at the Chicago Theatre. We had great seats- first row in the upper level. We grabbed some wine and snacks to enjoy during the performance. read more
Our daughter surprised us with tickets to see the sold-out show of standup comedian Sheng Wang at the Chicago Theatre last Saturday! My husband and I had no idea who Wang was before the show, but he's really funny and we enjoyed the show! We were seated on the first row of the Loge section, which were considered some of the best seats in the house! We had been to the Chicago Theatre numerous times years ago, and I always picked the Orchestra floor. The most memorable show was probably Donny Osmond's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1996! However, my memory of the theatre itself had become quite vague after all these years. This time, I had some time before the show to really soak in the beauty of the Chicago Theatre, which was built in the French Baroque style in the 1920s. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and was listed as a Chicago Landmark in 1983. The architecture of the building is indeed very impressive. The 5-story lobby is truly magnificent! There seemed to be concession and bar stands at every level. Daughter's red wine was over $18, so it was pretty pricey. I have noticed that there were restrooms in the basement and the balcony level as well. The one that I went to in the basement had many stalls and was clean. All the staff that I had encountered were nice and friendly. There was security check at the door with metal detectors. When my daughter and I got in, it was still early and the lines were not bad. However, when my husband arrived after he parked the car, it had become very crowded and lines were long. The theatre has 3600 seats, so, you may want to allow more time especially for a sold-out show. read more
3 months ago
My Mom and I went to see CeCe Winans on August 16th, 2026 at this venue in Chicago. My Mom really loves her and so do I. We drove the 2 hours from Rockford which was a chore to begin with but we finally made it and arrived at the venue. The first issue I had was that the staff was so disorganized. I don't want to believe that certain members of the staff treated certain people differently because of the color of thier skin, but my experience seems to say otherwise. With the exception of one male bartender, every black staff member seemed to not understand a single question we asked them. We were either misdirected or given wrong information by every single black staff member. It's funny that when it was a white staff member we had no problems. My Mother is 87 years old and is still really mobile but this venue is not for anyone who would even remotely have mobility issues. They have ONE elevator and it didn't even go to the level we were on. My Mom said that in the ladies room the toilet seats were so low to the ground that she could barely lift herself up from the seat. My biggest complaint though was how the black staff was so dismissive of us with any questions we had and actually misdirected us when we asked for directions or assistance. We both had to use the restroom before we left and the men's room and the ladies rooms were on different levels. My Mom was in line for the ladies room and I couldn't remember which level the men's room was on. I asked one of the black female staff members which level the men's room was on and she sent me all the way down to the basement level to use the restroom and when I was finished I started to go back to the level where my Mom was. This stupid woman who just told me to go all the way down to the basement level, then told me I couldn't go back to the level where I had left my Mom. Are you kidding me. My Mother could have never made it down those stairs by herself !!!! I told this ignorant woman that I was going to go back to where I had left my Mother. I then made it back to the level where my Mother was and was told by another black female staff member that there was no one left on that level when I knew my Mother was still in the restroom. I actually walked up to the restroom just as my Mother was exiting. But they told me that no one was left on that level. Just unacceptable. When we finally were on our way out, we made contact with, I believe was the Manager of the venue we expressed our concern regarding the challenges we encountered. He wasn't rude, but just didn't seem to be that concerned or sincere. By the time all the misdirection and wrong information was given to us, it was too late to even buy my Mother a t shirt because they had closed the merchandise booth. The concert was wonderful but the venue leaves a lot to be desired. We would never attend an event there again nor would I recommend it. In fact, I would discourage anyone from attending any event there. read more
2 years ago
Absolutely love this gorgeous and historic theater! I've been here 4-5 times already to see several comedians, including Hasan Minhaj, Atsuko Okatsuka, Ronny Chieng, and Sheng Wang (love that many of my favorite Asian comedians choose to host their shows here) I typically arrive around 20 minutes before the show starts which is the perfect amount of time to get into the theatre, pass security, stop by the merch stand, use the restroom, grab a beer and popcorn, and find my seat. Pro tips: - if you have a Chase credit card, you get 30% off concessions!! Don't miss out on this deal - There's a Chase lounge (I haven't been yet) that I heard is cool and you can bring a few guests with you - I recommend heading to the upper floors to purchase concessions (all of them offer the same things on each floor) and use the restrooms up there because the lines are much shorter and probably cleaner because of less foot traffic - there are no cupholders so if you plan to get a drink, I recommend bringing a coozie so you can hold it comfortably without feeling too cold and keep the drink from getting too warm in your hands! - the popcorn is well priced and pretty good! I enjoy that it's moderately salted and comes in a convenient box Overall, lovely service and staff. Staff are stationed in convenient spots to efficiently help you find your seat. Such a beautiful spot for appreciaters of architecture and history. Will definitely keep coming back! read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
We came to the Chicago theatre for the Trixie and Katya podcast live show and had such a good time. The staff were all so nice and welcoming. We loved how well preserved the historic theatre was and the show itself was incredible. We found the facilities easy to navigate and the seating pretty comfy. Would definitely come back for future shows! read more
Did my first show at the Chicago Theatre the other night - it is a very average venue if I'm being honest. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate the history of it and the sign outside is totally iconic; but some things are ridiculously outdated in a building that is still being used for shows today. For example, the only bathrooms available are in the basement level of the building (other than a single use family restroom) - there is balcony seating and main floor seating at this venue, so get ready to walk if you have to use the bathroom. The seats are also very outdated, they are not comfortable and there are no cup holders to hold your drinks during the show. I also saw a Metal Concert here - in my opinion this venue is better meant for theatre shows/broadway performances - not for metal concerts, wrong vibe and sound is just okay (seats at a metal show...????) On to the positives - the building inside is beautiful as far as the architecture goes. Most of the employees I encountered were also friendly. Overall - this is a venue I would only go to again to see a theatre performance at, and not a live Metal concerts. read more
First time of coming to this theatre and we see the production of "Annie". What a terrific show! First off - the architecture. I adore looking at the old world architecture. It takes my breath away. It reminds me of the New York City theatres located around Broadway. The historical design reminds me of the European theatre. The ceiling paintings, and sculptures add an elegant touch. If only the walls can talk. Secondly, the ambiance. It takes me back to the 1920's. As a big film fan, I imagine ladies wearing pearls and feathered boas and men sporting top hats and long tailed jackets coming into the theatre. The vibe feels lively. The Chicago theatre serves popcorn and wine. Come to the Chicago theatre. Bring family, friends, or a date to see the latest show. read more
This is our nth visit to the Chicago Theatre, this time we decided to arrive early to not stress the traffic, looking for parking & security line. The red seats beautifully complement the theater's overall decor & it's impressive to see how well-maintained the venue is, including the restrooms. One standout feature is the acoustics, which truly enhance the experience & are likely the most crucial aspect of any performance. On the downside, the food choices are somewhat limited. While I appreciate the option to enjoy food & drinks, it might be beneficial for the theater to consider a policy that restricts food inside during performances. The sound of food packaging can distract from the experience & detract from the concentration & intensity of the play. Although the security screening process can result in a long queue, it's reassuring to see that it is organized & efficient. read more
Aside from Cloud Gate and Buckingham Fountain, The Chicago Theatre's red and yellow marquee is perhaps one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. At the northern edge of the Loop, The Chicago Theatre first opened its doors in 1921 as an extravagant movie theater and performance venue. Between the theater's unmistakable sign and its stunning façade, it's impossible to miss this stunning Chicago landmark. the theater has hosted such big names as Duke Ellington, Diana Ross and Prince, in addition to screening blockbuster flicks. The theater's historic appearance enhances the overall experience of catching an event here. Just remember, cameras and video cameras, including those on cell phones, cannot be used during tours or performances. It is a few blocks northwest of Millennium Park. Even if you don't have time to check out a show, be sure to pop in or schedule a tour to get a closer look. read more
It's a hard knock life, for us! My family and I had a blast here seeing Annie. It was a fantastic production. I was savvy enough to snag seats in the second row. The theater is gorgeous and the seats are comfortable. The employees were helpful and accommodating. We didn't get any concessions because the popcorn cost $10 for an itty bitty box. I definitely expect the up charge but that box was super tiny. I'm planning to bring my preschoolers here for PAW Patrol in the spring. read more
1 year ago
I don't know what it is, but I love this theater. I went recently to see Annie on Broadway and had such a great experience, as always. The staff keeps the lines super organized, and everything moves smoothly, which makes a big difference. As far as the seats go, it never feels too jammed packed to where it feels like someone is breathing down my neck, which I really appreciate. Oh, and the mosaics and overall design of the building? Absolutely stunning. It just sets the perfect vibe. If you get the chance to see a show at the Chicago Theatre--do it! read more
We came here for the "Paw Patrol" Live, so things appeared to be more chaotic due to young toddlers outnumbering the adults in the venue. However, it was my first time being inside, and overall, it was a positive experience. There were enough people working and guiding us to the right direction. Security check was fast and everyone who worked there was courteous. We sat in the center area. In addition, I saw the balcony area upstairs. I would say seating was plenty, yet the space in between each seat was quite narrow. Many adult were buying non-alcoholic/alcoholic drinks and I witnessed the beverages almost spilled onto other guests. We were there for the last show for the day, so I wouldn't speak highly about the cleanliness on the floor. They had concessions that sold popcorn, snacks, soft drinks and water. These were necessary so that customers would stay full and hydrated during the show, but I was cautious and trying to avoid getting my shoes "sticky." Parking was a major headache. If we weren't here with a young kid, taking public transportation would have been a very wise choice. The theater parking was way too experience (3 hr. for over $60). The e-mail recommended using SpotHero, and this could have saved us some hard-earned money if we planned spending more time in the downtown area. Getting out of the venue after the show was pretty crazy, mainly because of the wait time for the elevators. I guess I could have lowered my rating to 3 to 3.5 stars based on the parking situation alone. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I would love to come back to "Chicago Theater" for a different show. They also offer the venue tours, for those who are interested. read more
12/27/23 - 5 Stars for The Chicago Theater. It's absolutely beautiful. We had seats for the Cirque du Soleil show "'Twas the Night". I have seen 5 different Cirque du Soleil shows over the years, Mystere, Dralion (Both in Chicago), La Nouba in Florida & "O" in Las Vegas & finally "'Twas the Night" which we saw most recently. Of the 5 Cirque Du Soleil shows this was good but not as grand as the other CDS shows we have seen. The show was entertaining but due to lack of area Cirque was limited by what could be performed. The tickets we had were in the nose bleed section all the way at the top in the back, even that far up & back you have a clear view of the stage. Our seats were in Section BALC3 Section BALC3L, Row S, Seat 305 Section BALC3L, Row S, Seat 307 Section BALC3L, Row S, Seat 309 If you've never been here it's someplace you need to see to experience the beauty of the theater. I was definitely more in awe of the Chicago Theater than Cirque di Soleil. Beautiful venue (5 Stars), good show worthy of a 4 star rating read more
I absolutely loved every moment during my time at the Chicago Theatre. The classic signage/marquee and posters advertising the performance is so picture-worthy and reminiscent of the not-so-distant pre-digital times. The staff were so helpful and friendly helping me find my seat (the seating rows/numbers were a bit confusing to me). The theatre itself is gorgeous - the artwork and intricate details are truly a work of art. I was here to see Westlife on their St. Patrick's Day Tour (1st "tour" of the US whoop whoop!!) and it a suburb perfect venue. The stage/lighting/acoustics were brilliant. It was a sold-out event and it felt very intimate - 3,600 seating capacity - and incredibly special. I would love to see another performance here and highly recommend attending a concert/show at this beautiful, historic theatre. You will not be disappointed! read more
First time going to the Chicago Theater, although been past it many times. We got tickets for the opening week of Annie. The theater is honestly gorgeous and guided inside from the high ornate vaulted ceilings to the stairwells. There's lots of details worth looking at and it's very well maintained. All the ushers were friendly and helpful and entry was swift and easy. I didn't get any refreshment while there but they had standard fare such as candy popcorn and beverages (alcoholic and non alcoholic) the stage and ceiling was equally ornate as well. The seats are old and weren't too bad but kinda snug. The production of Annie was great and whimsical. Great night at the theater. Can't wait to return! read more
Cool venue! My wife is a Chicago area native and I lived there for 30 years. Though we moved away, we still visit annually. This was our very first time going to a production at the Chicago Theatre. And while I didn't care so much for the production (T'was the Night Before), I thought this historic theatre was really cool. read more
Was a beautiful venue. Such history. We saw Annie. The cast was amazing. The building was cold until we got in the theater. The bathroom in the basement was funny it was a men's bathroom that they swapped to use for women. Guess there are more women for Annie than men. The staff was super friendly not one person was cranky or rude. We did have some snacks. They were fine for what we got. Definitely would love to get a tour of the facility one day. Not sure they do but I would love to learn about it. read more
3 years ago
I didn't mind this theater at all. I had the perfect view of the stage for the Ladies Night Show with Faith Evans. GLOWS: Entry was easy and stress-free, all the doors were open to get the guest in as quickly as possible, especially with the cold weather. There were people to direct you in the right area. It wasn't hard at all to find anyone to help out/ answer questions. The venue itself was not too bad. It had the old classic feel without being too overly worn-- i'm sure it could use some updates. -Multiple bathrooms, I didn't experience a line when I went which was nice. -I love the marquee in front! - I saw some people with popcorn snacks. I didn't get in line to see what else they had to offer. GROWS: -The bar didn't have all the bar essentials such as bitters -As with all older theaters, the seats were extremely small. read more
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Ask the Community - Chicago Theatre
I need to pick up my teens after the show. Is there any area for pick up/drop off?
You can drop off and pick up from the street in front of the theater. There is no waiting area in front of the theater, unfortunately. The street is 3 lane one way only, so you have a little bit of time before getting honked out by other drivers.…
First time to this venue coming up. Recommendations for parking, restaurants within walking distance?
I would use SpotHero for parking. Tortoise Supper Club is within waking distance and they offer complimentary valet for theater goers. There's a ton of restaurants around there so just depends on what you're looking for.
Review Highlights - Chicago Theatre
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