I recently visited the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to see Back to the Future: The Musical presented by Theatre Under The Stars. Parking was available for $20 in the parking garage. It was raining and able to navigate to the theater without getting wet. The venue itself is beautiful, modern, clean, and well-organized. We were able to enter quickly and our tickets were scanned with no wait. From the moment we entered, everything feels organized and easy to navigate, with helpful staff throughout the theater. Our seats were in the Mezzanine section and the view of the stage was partially obstructed by the back of people's heads sitting in front of me, but still had a decent view. The acoustics were excellent and the show was a fun, high-energy experience. Restroom lines during intermission were extremely long but seemed to move quickly. They had a variety of drinks available but I didn't purchase any. The overall experience felt seamless from start to finish. Except for the parking. After the show, was stuck in the parking garage over an hour trying to exit. However, the Hobby Center is a great venue for watching a show. Would absolutely come back to watch another show! read more

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I have seen quite a few shows here, from ballet recitals to musicals. The latest one I saw was The Moulin Rouge. It was such a fantastic show! I am always so fascinated how they can move the furniture so fast behind scenes. I think the theatre itself is really nice. A bit narrow though and everytime I go I am fearful of falling in someone haha. the ceiling has a beautiful star light. Not too big of a theatre or stage so it feels like a much more intimate experience. The valet service parking is always so convenient but it does get full pretty quickly ! read more

Hobby Center - Center row F - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My friends and I had a wonderful time at the Hobby Center. We went to see Moulin Rouge. I was wonderful! We got some last minute seats and they were perfect. The show was beautiful and the songs were great. Everything was so clean and I loved that they had an attendant in the restrooms to let everyone know where the open stalls were. The light went so fast and we had plenty of time to get a new drink and chat a bit during intermission. We grabbed a couple pamphlets with the upcoming musicals. We are looking forward to bringing the kids to see a few. I'm a little disappointed in the attendants though. Back when I was a kid it was customary to dress up to attend the theater. I saw many people in shorts, sneakers, and baseball caps. ‍ I did however see several dressed up and tried to match the theme and I loved that. read more

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I enjoy watching shows here. It has been years since I saw Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon. I'm so proud of childhood friends since intermediate school perform here for different touring shows such as Miss Saigon, Life of Pi and Beauty and the Beast. They were all in band but ended up in performing arts. I am excited for what's next for them. Our high school was big on theatre, so I've always enjoyed shows from early on. Recently, a few Yelp elite events and really great Broadway shows, musicals and singers have come through that brought me back. Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall are the main halls. Sarofim is bigger and grand with a beautiful starry ceiling. Zilkha is smaller and more intimate. There's a nearby parking garage and a cheap lot across that my friend recently told me about. I tend to Uber to avoid all that traffic, and it helps that I live 10 minutes away. There's a restaurant inside, but reservations are highly recommended. Otherwise, the lobby area and downstairs offer concessions for snacks and beverages. I love how they have themed drinks paired with the show. There's a couple mocktail options, as well. People line up for show souvenirs and photo op props. All the lines go fairly quickly. The staff is so friendly and helpful. When I won tickets to Hamilton and picked them up at the window, they congratulated me and were genuinely happy I got great seats. The staff handing Playbills and escorting or showing you your seats are so kind. When it's really busy at Sarofim, staff also help guide you to other restrooms on the Zilkha side to avoid crowds. Even while leaving late, there was a gentleman who told a group of young girls waiting for their Uber that they were guests of Hobby and would make sure their ride could drive in the driveway. He even opened the car door for me when I left. I've only waited at the Stage Door once because my friend told me to meet him there after Beauty and the Beast, but it was a cool experience. You can't miss it. There's barricades and a slight crowd. That was the first time I got my Playbill signed in Houston (I've waited in SF for Wicked and in NY for Anastasia.), and the cast came out ready with Sharpies! They were so appreciative of the guests who were waiting. I can't wait for the other shows or singers coming to Houston and will be coming to The Hobby Center for years to come! read more

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I have visited The Hobby Center several times over the years. My most recent visit was to attend the TUTS production of White Christmas. It is a nice theater inside with multi level seating. They offer a full bar (expensive) for theater goers along with snacks during intermissions. There is also a cafe onsite too. Restrooms are on the lower level and can get busy during show breaks. The Hobby Center has two parking garages available along with street parking, read more

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Came to see Beauty and The Beast recently. Since I had never been to Hobby Center before, it was a new experience. We parked several blocks away in a garage that offered flat-rate event parking. Definitely worth doing that, as the walk was not that bad and parking and driving in/around Hobby Center is a chaotic mess. The actual venue was nice. Lots of guides stationed strategically to help you locate your seats and the restroom during intermission. Seats were pretty comfortable initially, but about 2 hours into the show I felt like I'd been sitting on a cramped airplane or traveling for hours in a small sports car. A little bit more leg room would have also been appreciated. Acoustics were excellent. No straining to hear any of the actors, whether they were talking or singing. Accompanying light show during the performance was great, too. Theater was clean and obviously well maintained. More restrooms are definitely needed, though. Quite the line develops during intermission and after the performance is over. So appreciated that ticket holders received communication prior to the performance regarding parking, run time of show and security protocols. Also appreciate that very small children were discouraged from attending, as having a screaming toddler in front or behind you is quite unnerving (as I previously experienced at a ballet performance at The Wortham Center). Show was superb, and I'm grateful that the Hobby Center Foundation participates in the Broadway Across America series of shows. On a side note: call me old-fashioned, but . . . if you're shelling out a chunk of money to see a show, at least change your attire AFTER you mow the lawn. There is something called decorum and etiquette. read more

Hobby Center - Beauty and The Beast prior to the performance - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

Wow! We came here to see "White Christmas"- such a treat. We are from San Antonio, but we really loved the theater. Kind of reminds us a little bit of the Tobin Center, but much more organized. Parking was better and the theater itself has a better layout and a clean lobby with more sunlight and activities as you wait for the show to start. Theater inside is beautiful. Starry sky is amazing and has comfortable seats. I plan to come back and visit here again! read more

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I recently went to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to watch Rick Ross perform with an orchestra. It was an absolutely amazing experience. The venue is great. It's located in the heart of downtown Houston. All of the seats in the venue provide a great view of the show. The sound within the building is fantastic. I also loved the energy within the venue. It was fairly easy to get drinks or snacks when we wanted to. There were plenty of restroom options as well. I plan to check out their events calendar for future events here. read more

My first time here courtesy of Yelp was to watch the American Psycho musical. We arrived a bit late but valet was readily available. The venue itself is nice with a ticket to the left when you arrive. There are refreshments offered like wine and spirits also. The theatre itself is small but makes you feel as though you are right on stage. The musical was amazing. The actors really put there all in to it. I enjoyed singing along and laughing at the jokes during the play. The staff were very nice when asked any questions like where is the bathroom. My husband and I enjoyed the show and can't wait to come back for another play! read more

Hobby Center - Will Call - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is a wonderful venue and host to the amazing Broadway Across America musicals each season. I've been here several times, both in the main Sarofim Hall and the smaller Zilkha Hall for smaller productions. You can park across the street in a paid underground garage, or if you're lucky enough to find a street parking spot, certainly grab that! The entrance has a lovely view of Downtown which has made for great pictures at the time of graduations. There have always been ample staff on my visits for musicals and they are very helpful. There's a metal detector when you enter, then two large staircases on either side that lead you up to the mezzanine and separate stairs to the gallery. There's also an elevator that services all floors. On the mezzanine level there are multiple bars, often with themed drinks for the shows. But be careful - they come with hefty price tags! The halls themselves are gorgeous. Both have nice comfortable seating and wonderful sound. The view from the gallery in the main hall can be a little difficult for making out details on the sets, but it's decent. read more

Broadway in Houston starts and finishes here. Great venue for shows, music and other events. However, the Broadway season tickets are great, IF you can't get to New York City. Acoustics are excellent. Staff are always friendly and in a good mood. Definitely recommend this venue for any show. And there's a restaurant inside for pre-show dining. read more

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Zilkha Hall is a very different vibe from Sarofim next door, but it's cozy and I feel like there wouldn't be a bad seat in the house! The staff was very friendly. If you have mobility issues, I'd opt for a seat on the ground level as it would just be easier to get to the restroom & refreshment area. The bathrooms are downstairs. There is an elevator but getting down & back up during intermission would be a pain. Tried uploading a pic from mezzanine center A 108 to show awesome view but unable to make it work. You have a few options for parking. I parked in Theatre District Garage and walked in tunnels, it was easy. There's also valet & a garage attached to the theatre. read more

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i have came to this theater twice, one for peter pan the musical and hamiltion, and both of the times were great! when i came for peter pan the viewing angle was not the most plesant from the center gallary, but i just wanted cheaper tickets. the second time i came was when i was gifted tickets to the show and was around left mezzanine. both of the shows were great and the cast were wonderful to hear sing. food is expensive but that was expected coming to a place like this. seats were easy to get to even though both shows were busy. it was a little bit hard to leave after hamilton but it was not that big of a deal. i love this theatre and im definitely returning! read more

Hobby Center - my first time here, peter pan the musical - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I love the performing arts and have attended numerous shows at The Hobby Center. Hobby hosts a variety of productions including musicals, plays, dance, music, etc. The majority of shows that I've attended have been Broadway shows. Parking: Nearby garages are $15 for self park. The Hobby Center garage takes cash or credit while the underground garages are card only. If parking in the Hobby Garage, the first 3 levels are reserved for valet (which is $25). If you drive a Lexus, you get complimentary valet parking! It takes awhile to get out of the Hobby garage so be patient. You can also park on the street or the City Hall Annex parking lot across the street. Be sure to read the signs so you don't get a ticket. Security: They have body scanners which expedites the process. They will not search your bag unless the scanner detects something (similar to the scanners at Minute Maid Park). Theaters: I've been going to Hobby for years and never realized that they have two theaters until about a month ago. Sarofim Hall is the large theater where the major Broadway shows are performed. I've sat in each level (orchestra, mezzanine, gallery, theater boxes). Personally I prefer mid orch or front mezz. The theater boxes are nice, but the view is obstructed. There are also some side seats in the orchestra that are obstructed. Zilkha Hall is the small theater. It seats about 500 people and has a more intimate feel. The sound quality is great and I enjoyed the show I saw there last month. Food & Drinks: There's a restaurant inside of the theater called Diana American Grill. I've only eaten at the restaurant once (at the time, it was called Artista). There's also the Grand Lobby Bistro that offers grab and go items. They have a good number of bars/concession stands throughout the theater that sell drinks and snacks. I like that they feature specialty cocktails for each show. I also like that you can preorder your drink so that it is waiting for you at intermission. Drinks are allowed in the theater. If you arrive early, grab a drink, go out on the terrace, and enjoy the view of downtown. Staff: The staff is always very friendly and helpful. I have never had any issues with any of the employees. The Hobby Center is a beautiful theater and Houstonians are very fortunate to have the opportunity to see so many amazing performances. read more

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I am a season ticket holder so come here often. The staff are friendly and very helpful. You can pre-order your drinks and snacks to be ready during intermission. The bistro sells snacks from candy and chips to meat and cheeses to French macaroons. There is a parking garage behind the theatre. If you have a Lexus, you get complimentary valet parking. I usually park on the street because the garage can be difficult to get out of after the show is over. There are usually police directing traffic before and after Broadway shows. TUFTS shows also use this theatre. There are entrances on the side and front of the building. The have metal detectors inside the entrances as well. They scan your tickets electronically when you enter. The restrooms are on the bottom floor. The lines are long but there are a ton of stalls so it moves really quickly. There are staff placed throughout the building to help direct traffic and ensure traffic flows smoothly. read more

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Hobby Center is very convenient for shows. Parking is always easy and attendants are super friendly and helpful. The sound during Hamilton was fantastic. read more

Hobby Center - Set for Hamilton. - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

Parking in the garage was super easy, food at the cafe was good, seating was easy, and it was a great show. Popped in for a matinee of &Juliet with super fair prices for really good seats. Easy in and easy out. read more

Houston is a great city for the arts and Hobby Center is a large part of that. I've seen various shows here over the years including musicals and plays. While valet parking is available, I've always been a ninja at street parking so that's always my go-to when parking in the theater district of downtown Houston. Like most venues for the performing arts, you can order drinks before the show and during intermission (plus some food options). The venue itself is comfortable with pretty good seats and good views (for a larger venue) pretty much anywhere in the house. Keep up-to-date on all of the various performances coming to town by visiting their website or subscribing to their email list. read more

Parking garage is sufficient. Wish there was a tunnel entrance from the parking garage behind the building especially in the summer. The staff are always pleasant and helpful. The bar areas were clean, organized, and efficient. They offer a new perk - prepay/preorder drinks, food, and snacks for intermission. I preordered and paid and my order was labeled and ready when I came out from intermission. Perfect! They also have some accessibility perks for anyone interested. They have 2 albeit small screens on the left side of Seraphim/Sarophim(?) hall that offer closed captioning. Then they offer binoculars. And also have headphones and a small device to turn on and adjust volume in order to hear things better during the show. The first device I got was staticky, but the 2nd device I switched out to was great! No static. No issues. Really enjoyed that option as I do use a hearing aid for my right side. Overall, great experience! The staff also help to redirect restroom traffic during intermission and are very patient while providing directions or instructions. Excited to return for another show. read more

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Going to the theater never disappoints!!! Box 10 on the right with great views of the stage. Easy valet or self parking, amazing seats, friendly staff and of course amazing productions. What's not to love? read more

Hobby Center - Great seating - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This is one of the best places in Houston to go see a show of any type, but they're obviously known for the various musicals hosted by Theater Under the Stars. I can't count the number of times I've been here, originally with minimal consent since my mother's company was a sponsor and she got free tickets, and eventually much more willingly as I took dates to see shows. The entire venue maintains an impressive flow of old-school appeal while also being well maintained and updated. I've sat on each of the three levels, but never on a balcony. There really isn't a bad view unless you happen to be at an awkward angle or near handrails, both of which I've been warned about but neither of which I've experienced. The performances are always spectacular. I've seen Camelot, Spamelot, Miss Saigon, The Lion King, and probably a half dozen other plays and musicals. You can really tell that Houston is a major city for the arts, as these are top tier performances that really live up to the billing of "Broadway Across America." There are bars on every level with drinks and snacks, which are predictably horribly overpriced and designed to lure in those looking to impress someone else or who just didn't plan well. Thankfully, there are plenty of other places nearby to grab a bite to eat or a drink before or after a show. read more

We sprung for the orchestra seats. Last time we were at the very top and it was huge improvement although the ones at the top are still ok (not like the theatre in London where I was literally looking on top of the actors heads and was eye level with the catwalks attached to the ceiling) read more

Hobby Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

This was my first time seeing a performance at the Hobby Center and it definitely won't be my last. While I don't love the location because parking downtown sucks, I think their $15 charge is pretty fair. The performance I saw was a dance performance called "as long as there is in me" and it was very emotional and experimental contemporary dance. I absolutely loved every second of it! Unfortunately they have moved on to other cities to perform but I highly recommend seeing it if you can travel there. The center itself is really nice and modern with a homey and ethereal vibe to it. Not to mention the service and staff were super helpful and friendly. Definitely going to be going to more performances and shows! read more

The performance of Thorn production was fantastic. However, we were seated in the Center Orchestra section and I feel it was a shame that we can spend $10 and get luxury seating but we had to spend $200+ to sit in seating that was worse than airplane seating. Very narrow seats with hard plastic armrest that make it even more narrow for sitting. My friends purchase box seats and they couldn't see at all and had to go look for some empty seats (which they found although there were not many). It would have been more enjoyable in at least comfortable seats read more

Came here on a Tuesday night to watch Shucked. The venue itself was nice, though parking was a bit confusing (I was also running late so felt more of a time crunch). With most shows starting around 7:30PM, you can find street parking for free which is nice. I think the area around Hobby Center is also pretty nice so could be a good spot to come early to and walk around (weather permitting) so you don't feel rushed for the show. I sat way in the back and thought the view and audio were still pretty great so good option for a fun night on a budget! Also, sitting in the back, I was able to see the projected star/night/light thing on the ceiling and caught a "shooting star" which was kind of fun! read more

We attended Rick James Live at The Hobby Center on Thursday. Pro tip: if you are going during the week, look for a spot downtown at a meter. Make sure to read but most times they are free after 6pm and all day on Saturday. We found one within a 5 minute walk. Hobby Center was buzzing with activity. Our bags were checked and we walked through the scanner. Lots of ushers were there to give directions. We were seated in the second level Orchestra section. The seats gave us a good view of the stage. Since we didn't want to be in the crowds we got there around 6pm for the 730 showing. The food at the bistro was good, we had grilled chicken breast and Swiss sandwiches. They were good and flavorful but cold. They were advertised as cold and they were. They had a selection of cold sandwiches, salads and chips. The drink selection was good. We spent 33.00 for two sandwiches and 2 bags of chips. The wine was 16.00 for 9 ounces for a sav Blanc and they had Pinot and other red wines along with a big variety of mixed drinks. The only complaint is there are no restrooms at that level. The restroom is well monitored though, it goes fast but you have to walk. Exiting was a breeze because we didn't have to wait for elevators or crowds in the parking garage. read more

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I'm so glad to have the Hobby Center! I love musicals and the performing arts in general and the fact that major productions come to Houston and I'm able to see them is amazing! From Hamilton to Wicked to the Phantom of the Opera (favorite!) the experience has been great. Ticket prices are reasonable if you're early enough, though seating viewed vary. Most of the time it's unobstructed (though can be far). The acoustics are great though! And the actual room is large and regal-perfect for the performances it houses. read more

Hobby Center - Phantom of the Opera! - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Great venue and you can catch dinner before your show. Recommended making dinner reservations. read more

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Nice, intimate venue. There's not a bad seat in the house. I will mention that the seats are very close together. So you either need to be sitting next to someone that you know, or be ok bumping elbows with your neighbor. Inner doors open about 30 minutes before showtime. There's not really anywhere to sit, so be prepared to stand or walk around to kill time if you arrive early. There is a bar that serves a small variety of concessions. Although I did not partake in the bar, I did observe that you can pre-order drinks to be ready for you at intermission so you don't have to wait in line. read more

Hobby Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

Came here for the first time to see MJ the broadway show. The staff was wonderful. Seating does not open half an hour prior to the show, and there is a restaurant right inside the Hobby Center. There is Valet Parking, but if you have a Lexus, there is complimentary valet parking. I was seated as far away from the show as possible, but even so, the view was still pretty good, and I was able to see each of the characters. Unfortunately, there was a very rude attendee sitting near me, and when I brought it up to the staff, they helped me move to a different seat without giving me any pushback! It definitely took a while to get my car back after the show from valet, but there were a lot of cars who did the valet parking, and the staff was doing their utmost best to get people's cars as quickly as possible. I will definitely come again to see other shows in the near future. read more

Hobby Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Visited the Sarofim Hall Hobby Center to see Wicked and had a pretty good experience. First things first - parking. They offer $25 valet and a self park garage. We opted for street parking as there were plenty when we went on Tuesday - it's free after 6 pm! Entering the building was smooth - security and the ushers were all polite. They have your usual theater concessions with drinks, snacks etc. There is also a grill and a cafe inside which is a plus if you're trying to grab a proper meal before the show. We sat at the center gallery and honestly thought the view was not too bad - I've heard people say there's not a bad seat here any they might be right. The temperature inside the hall was perfect. Overall enjoyed our experience, and wouldn't mind seeing another show or two here. Also, my wife got our tickets in the box office which saves some money off the fees so I recommend doing that! read more

Hobby Center - Wicked! - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

FOUNDER'S CLUB REVIEW: What a great idea! I enjoyed a lovely evening in the Founder's Club inside the Hobby Center. This venue within a venue afforded an intimate setting for a performance that easily felt like we were friends gathered in someone's large, elegant living room. I ordered the Mustang Martini, chicken biscuits, and pumpkin cheesecake. The drink was deliciously tart, the chicken was impossibly crispy, and the dessert, with its decadent pecan praline sauce, was wickedly indulgent. Best of all, the performers, Katie Rose Clarke and Steven Jamail, were outstanding! The audience was treated to stunning renditions of soprano show tunes, and I was even brought to tears a few times. read more

Hobby Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Houston, Texas

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We came here from Austin to see Christopher Titus on his new tour, we had previously seen him in Houston a few year ago at another location, he sadly does not come to Austin. The place is very nice, we took an Uber/Lyft so I don't have any information on parking but the employees were all very friendly and helpful, getting in was fast even with only two doors and metal detectors. There are a few benches and some stand alone tables you can, well stand at, in the lobby area, it is not huge but it had a small concession window you could get snacks and drinks at. Unlike most of the places in Austin that do this, they didn't allow the snacks in the theater area, I think because this is usually used for musicals or plays. No biggie, we got a couple of drinks, Shana trying the themed cocktail, they had a small TV that was showing upcoming events. Now the one gripe I had and I heard from several people in the lobby, the website and tickets all tell you to get their 45 minutes early. We got there a bit earlier then that due to our driver being well versed in the city. But I don't know if this is normal for this place, they did not let anyone in until the show was about the start, the show was at 8, I think we found our set at 7:58, maybe even after 8. I don't mind last minute seating even if it seems like a bad idea but don't push us to be there early, warning us several times if we just have to stand around for no reason whatsoever. It really soured the experience and no one told us why or gave updates. Beyond that, the seats were good, if really close together, the place is nice, and the show was great. The only other bad experience was due to people. Example, Cap City and other venues for comedy only tell you don't speak, don't heckle. You shouldn't have to say that but this night proved you should. There were so many people who thought they were funny or friends to Christopher and Rachel. They both handled it differently but effectively but couldn't stop everyone. One guy near us just kept yelling out weird things like I agree or Welcome to the family? We didn't pay to hear you dude. STFU. I know it is a lot of complaining and some of it not the fault of the place, though kicking out people who won't shut up should be a rule. The positives really did outweigh the negatives, the bathrooms were nice, the staff was friendly, the place was big and the show was excellent. I get the feeling this would be better if we came for a play or musical. Unless the dire warning to get there early but don't be seated until right as play starts or even after are a normal thing. That took a lot of enjoyment out for me, That kind of delay or rudeness when you strongly request or require us to be early never sits well with me. Its rude and it causes even more delays as now you have to sit all the people just milling around in a rush. read more

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Had an amazing time at the Hobby Center today. On street parking was available. The exhibit opening was entertaining, the staff friendly. The guest were mature and likeminded. All performances were worth the drive downtown. Looking forward to attending more events read more

We went to see Jason's lyric by Jecaryous Johnson's group. The seats are nice and the play was phenomenal. The only knock is that the flow of traffic inside the building was a bit chaotic. The drinks and snacks in there were terribly overpriced. I dont mind paying something extra due to an event, but let's get a little real about whats being served. read more

While most of the staff was kind and helpful, I witnessed a very unpleasant interaction between several staff members and an undeserving guest. The young woman kindly asked a staff member where the smoking section was at the venue after purchasing refreshments. The bartender informed that she could "just go out on the patio." She did and even distanced herself to the corner. We were inside but could see everything through the large windows. A very high strung looking young man stormed at her very aggressively barking that she must put it out, which she did. Several other staff members were snickering asking if she could read and calling her trashy. This is disappointing behavior from the venue over miscommunication. Train your staff on how to properly inform someone where to have a smoke break if they need one. She was visibly sorry and so embarrassed looking coming back in. read more

I'm not big on musicals but my girlfriend and her friends love them...so I agreed to come watch Moulin Rouge. This show was absolutely amazing! Such a talented cast of performers, with awesome set pieces, and one of a kind music mashups you've never heard anywhere else. The venue itself is super nice. Huge ceilings and spiral staircases. No dress codes but you'll get people in flip flops and shirts all the way to ballroom dresses. We like any occasion to dress up so we did just that. The only negative is that the lines during the 20 minute intermissions are terrible. If you have to go to the bathroom AND want to get a drink/snack...good luck doing both and making it back in before the close the doors for the second act. Parking can also be a pain. $15. If you don't get there early you'll be near the roof and have to wait awhile to get out after the show ends. Uber/Lyft is the best move but there are even big lines for that too. read more

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PSA on parking: Do not buy parking passes via StubHub or Ticketmaster, etc. There is plenty of surface or garage parking around for $20 or less that you can access day of event. TLDR = Don't pre-buy parking passes and if you do, don't pay more than $15-20. Lot C is a good parking alternative ($5) to attached garages. Les mis was fantastic. It was stuffy/hot inside so I would wear less next time. Center orchestra row NN seats were just fine. Bottled water costs $5. Can take drinks in as well as candy that's not loud (ie crinkly wrappers). I am woefully unfamiliar with downtown and the parking situation and bought a parking pass for C lot surface parking for $40 thinking better to have a pass than fight for parking. Do not make the same mistake as I did. For one, the price to park in that lot is $5. There were 5 cars there in a lot that fits probably 100. There is also attached garage parking for $15. Now, unless you are in a group or feel safe walking alone, would not park in C lot at night. It's only a 3-5 min walk to Hobby Center, but it's one of those lots under the highway and you have to pass a somewhat sketchy area to get to the block where Hobby Center is. However, this is a fantastic option for access as there is no line to get in or out as you can imagine there would be for a garage full of people trying to escape at the same time. For an additional 2 min walk and only $5, it's a solid parking option. Now for the venue itself - it was very well organized and the ushers were super nice and helpful. Minus one star is because it was so stuffy/hot inside. And we went when it was 65 outside mid January so it wasn't exactly a hot summer day. We jokingly wondered if the a/c was reserved for the VIP folks. After we sat down inside, it felt a little better, but I'd probably say don't overdress - wear something breathable or dress in layers for optionally. We sat in central orchestra NN 01 and 02. The view was just fine. I couldn't see their faces too clearly but not sure I needed to see detailed facial features to enjoy the show. I could see enough of their features and the sound was fantastic. Pro tip - buy your snacks/water before you go in so you don't have to fight the crowd at intermission. The stage management / organization was brilliant. For such a small stage, they were able to do so much for Les Miserables - it was quite impressive! And of course the actors and actresses were superb. The show itself was 5/5. read more

Why 5 stars? Because this is the nicest theater I've been to. --- --- --- I certainly have not been to countless theaters, but it's definitely my favorite of any that I've visited. It has all of the beauty of a traditional theater, but with all of the modern amenities and a sleek design. We were here for a kid's show (Paw Patrol) and I was really impressed with it from start to finish. Parking in the garage was super easy and every corner of the facility was top notch. Well done, Hobby Center. This Hobby guy sure seems pretty important in Houston. read more

A Wonderful Venue for a Night Out We've been to the Hobby Center three times in the past few months, and it's quickly become one of our favorite places to enjoy a play. The venue is designed for comfort--no matter where you're seated, the view and experience are fantastic. One of my favorite touches is their themed drinks for each play. It's such a fun way to immerse yourself in the show's vibe and adds to the overall experience. The only downside is the parking. If you end up on the top level, it can take a while to get out after the show. My top tip? After a few rounds of searching, try cutting through to go down a level--you can often find a spot close to the elevators that way. Overall, the Hobby Center is a wonderful place to catch a show. Great atmosphere, thoughtful details, and a truly enjoyable experience. Highly recommend! read more