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    Hobby Center

    4.0 (205 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Hobby Center Photos

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    Lottery win - orchestra row B seats to Hamilton!
    Annalisa P.

    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!

    Mike M.

    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,

    Great effects for this show... yes, that is snow!
    Steve G.

    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!

    Will Call
    Rachelle Rare P.

    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!

    Jersey Boys
    Mark G.

    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.

    Chelsea M.

    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.

    Diem A.

    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.

    Walkway from parking garage to the theater
    Tiffany J.

    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.

    Set for Hamilton.
    Charlene P.

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

    Great seating
    Stacey G.

    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?

    HsiaoCheng W.

    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)

    Lion king exhibit table and to the right, the accessibility booth.
    Melissa H.

    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.

    Phantom of the Opera!

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    Ask the Community - Hobby Center

    Could someone post a photo of the view from the Upper Orchestra options? I'm considering Right Upp Orc for Hamilton.

    If you go on their website "thehobbycenter.org" you can click on 'take a virtual tour' & see the view from each section.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Hobby Center

    I've been here several times, both in the main Sarofim Hall and the smaller Zilkha Hall for smaller productions.

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

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    The River Oaks Theatre - Bar area at the entrance

    The River Oaks Theatre

    4.1(64 reviews)
    2.4 miRiver Oaks, Montrose

    It's always a pleasure supporting small local theatre! I came to the River Oaks location to watch…read moreNo Other Choice (10/10 film btw) since it was screening on the first week of January. Tickets were on the pricier end especially since it was a Thursday night, but not a big deal. The workers were friendly, and the seats were EXTREMELY comfortable & cushy... I still think about them to this day... I also thought it was nice how movie viewers could order food and the workers would come serve it on a platter! I'm not too familiar with any deals or memberships that the River Oaks Theatre may have compared to its big name competitors, but I highly recommend everyone to experience a film here at least once! Also there is ample parking nearby, but can't speak on it too much since I was dropped off.

    I loved the OG River Oaks theater and am happy to patronize the new theater that's taken its place…read more Service is good. It's a beautiful space. The programming has been solid. I have removed 1 star due to the unfortunate experience I had via their expensive hotdog. This is a warning to everyone here.. the banh mi hotdog tastes like a**. omgagod... it literally tastes like evil. I have never had anything like it, and I've eaten at dozens of Vietnamese restaurants in my life. It's not only the pickled veggies on it that seemed to have marinated in something really awful, but it's the weird smoked? flavor given to the hotdog. I considered sending it back but opted to just make the best of the movie. Do you like the hotdog? If so I'd like you to post an opposing review because I can't imagine someone enjoying it. And since I am here... I get the gratuity is included but the wait staff never came back to clear dishes, and maybe it's because they will only come if you press the button? If that's the case it was not communicated to us, and when the wait staff went by us to serve our neighbors maybe it would be a good practice to check in quickly with other people in the row while they're there? That's it. Will return. Will never order hot dog again.

    Photos
    The River Oaks Theatre - Ice cream sandwich

    Ice cream sandwich

    The River Oaks Theatre - Beautiful bar!

    Beautiful bar!

    The River Oaks Theatre - Larger downstairs theatre

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    Larger downstairs theatre

    Broadway at the Hobby Center

    Broadway at the Hobby Center

    4.2(44 reviews)
    0.0 miDowntown, Fourth Ward

    I just went to see Beauty and the Beast Saturday evening, and it was amazing!! The musical was…read moresurreal and close to the original animation. My husband and I both cried because it was sentimental of how we related to the actual animated film. My only advice would be to NOT take babies or children who aren't capable of sitting still and listening to the show. The first half of the show was interrupted by a couple allowing their baby and toddler to continue to whine and repeatedly ask for her mama. After a while, the dad finally left with his baby. Naturally, it was only after attracting some attention from others that the situation became evident. We adore babies/children; however, this was not the place for them. I blame the parents for being self-centered and ignoring their baby by allowing her to whine and waiting until almost the end of the first half of the show to excuse themselves out. I wish the staff would have noticed and stepped in. They're usually vocal when it comes to food or pictures and should also pay attention to whining babies.

    Wow so I finally bought some last minute tickets to see Life of Pi! The show and cast was amazing…read more The venue is located downtown and if you go see an evening event you'll get treated to a beautiful backdrop of a towering skyline full of twinkling lights. Parking in the adjacent garage is $15. Next time I will get there at least an hour prior to get lower level parking. We arrived 15 minutes prior to show time and it took us at least 10 minutes to park and walk into the performance center. And we waited for 25 minutes just to get out of the parking garage when the show was over. Lesson learned. Everyone was dressed from casual (boo) to dressy/business casual (ladies in sundresses and some had heels or little sandals and men were in slacks and dress shirts or polo shirts and some men had suits or jackets or just a buttoned down collared shirt and khakis.) Personally, I dont like to go see a performance and see people in shorts and t shirts especially on a Saturday night performance, It runs the gamut in case you're wondering "how should I dress?" Intermission offered a full bar and snacks and candy. Tickets for our seating area were $128 pp next time I'll sit closer and pay more. Overall we had a fun time!

    Photos
    Broadway at the Hobby Center - Center Orch Row B

    Center Orch Row B

    Broadway at the Hobby Center - Hobby Center- Center for Performing Arts and Education

    Hobby Center- Center for Performing Arts and Education

    Broadway at the Hobby Center - MJ the Musical

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    Stages

    Stages

    4.5(58 reviews)
    1.8 miMontrose, River Oaks

    Stages is my favorite performing arts theater in Houston! Ever since I saw my first show here, The…read moreHeart Sellers, I knew I had found something wonderful and was hooked. Since then I've gone on to see The ripple, the wave that carried me home, and the latest show, The Lehman Trilogy. Each show Ive watched here has been wonderfully well crafted in storytelling, acting, and have been very immersive to the audience. You can definitely feel the love that was put into each production. I've been enjoying going to opening preview night of each of these shows, there's something really different about seeing the first live performance for each production. Seeing the directors and producers all watching their hard work come to life, the roaring standing ovation. It's a great place to be at! I fully recommend people to check out their productions as they're never a disappointment to me!

    Wow I came to see a play at STAGES, based on the life of Lauren Anderson, the black prima…read moreballerina! I had great seats right in center,but really the venue is so intimate there is not a bad seat in the house. The play Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson. I believe this was the last performance of the show. Shes a Houston icon. It was a story of her life, told thru Houston Ballet dancers and other amazing actors. It was authentic, and showed a black woman's plight of becoming one of the best dancers in the US, her perilious journey through addiction, and her life now. It was centered and focused on her voice, and it was beautiful story that should be heard by many Americans, not just the black community. Bravo Lauren Anderson!

    Photos
    Stages - The ripple, the wave that carried me home

    The ripple, the wave that carried me home

    Stages - Amazing performance by all of the actors and Houston Ballet dancers.

    Amazing performance by all of the actors and Houston Ballet dancers.

    Stages - The Lehman trilogy

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    The Lehman trilogy

    Miller Outdoor Theatre - Texas Music Scene

    Miller Outdoor Theatre

    4.6(315 reviews)
    3.1 miMuseum District
    $

    If you're a local or just visiting Houston, Miller Outdoor Theatre is definitely a must visit! Took…read moremy kids here last Friday AND Saturday to take advantage of seeing some free shows (FYI all shows are free) Friday was a light crowd, plenty of space on the lawn. You can reserve your tickets 10am on Fridays on their website however tickets go FAST! I prefer the lawn it's space for my kids to run around and we can spread out on a blanket and bring food, drinks and snacks. SMOKING IS PROHIBITED! Which one guy on Saturday decided to break this rule. Lawn chair are permitted to use. I prefer Friday night events as opposed to Saturday nights because Saturdays are CROWDED. Also parking can be a nightmare. However it's great family fun. There are restrooms available they also sell snacks and beverages (I bought a bottle of soda for $4!! Definitely bring your own food and drinks)

    Had the chance to check out a viewing of Wicked with a friend of mine. We had a great time! You can…read morepurchase food, but we opted to grab a bite to eat elsewhere. In all, no complaints, besides my friend whining about the bugs (she's not used to the South lol). Also something to note, they obviously have seating, but you can opt to bring your own chairs for the lawn. Also, tickets are free and they go fast, just an fyi.

    Photos
    Miller Outdoor Theatre - Vitacca Ballet

    Vitacca Ballet

    Miller Outdoor Theatre - West Texas Exiles filming for Texas Music Scene

    West Texas Exiles filming for Texas Music Scene

    Miller Outdoor Theatre - Texas Music Scene filming tonight!

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    Texas Music Scene filming tonight!

    The Ensemble Theatre - Inside

    The Ensemble Theatre

    4.1(55 reviews)
    1.7 miMidtown

    This was my first time at the Ensemble Theatre, and I am so glad that just as I was reading The…read moreBluest Eye, the play rendition was being premiered. The atmosphere here was very relaxed with so much Black art adorning the walls. There were also affordable concessions (chips, candy bars, and soda) -- all for $3. Before the show started, the Director, Ms Eileen Morris, was so welcoming and acknowledged all who had decided to patronize this production. She made sure to especially acknowledge any folks who had traveled from as far as Norway and as close as Galveston, and any birthdays as well. I must say it was extremely cold in there... I'm assuming b/c of all of the warm stage overhead lights. It wasn't as chilly outside that night either. Nonetheless, th otherwise warm and personableness made for a relaxed and familial atmosphere before we witnessed the retelling of The Bluest Eye, a harrowing and tragically youthful story. I look forward to returning to the Ensemble Theatre to support more of their productions that center Black storytelling and culture.

    I'm STILL a subscriber- I absolutely love coming here and enjoy the experience each time. Every…read moreseason offers different productions that are so interesting and entertaining. This year kicked off with Akeela and the Bee- I never watched the movie but I LOVED this! They also have other events and opportunities which I've attended as well like themed brunches and that was also so fun. I'm so glad I continue to support this amazing theater! #2025BIGBACKAPPROVED

    Photos
    The Ensemble Theatre - The creative for responsible

    The creative for responsible

    The Ensemble Theatre
    The Ensemble Theatre - George W. Hawkins

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    George W. Hawkins

    Hobby Center - theater - Updated May 2026

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