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    Madison Center for the Arts

    3.9 (15 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Sonia B.

    What a nice space! We went for a free symphonic concert and weren't sure what to expect. Parking was super easy and close to the theater (plus free and covered, thankfully). The lobby is a bit cold/uncomfortable if you're waiting to get into the theater. It's very open/spacious, but when we were there, it was freezing. There was a small concession stand, and some art to look at on the walls while you wait. But, there aren't very many seats! The theater itself is fine. Good sound, comfortable seats and a pleasant place to see a performance! It's not a deluxe experience, but it's a nice location in the center of town to experience art without much hassle.

    Stacy M.

    I didn't try the food. The bar only has one white wine (Chardonnay), one red wine (Pinot noir) and three beers that are lackluster choices. Service was good. Ambience is definitely cozy. Parking is actually great. They have their own parking structure and it's easy in, easy out.

    Showtime!
    Glen L.

    I came to the Madison Center for the Performing Arts to see Zuzu African Acrobats (definitely catch this performance when it comes back into town!). I had never been to the Madison Center and was delighted to see that it's a short drive from Biltmore Fashion Park (pro tip: eat dinner here before or after your event). The Center itself was quite a surprise. Kind of a hidden gem in Phoenix and the exterior reminded me of Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. A free parking garage and free valet service were both available. Access was quick in and quick out. Maybe the only design flaw was that where the ticket takers stood, they sort of blocked access to the restrooms. You were able to use the restrooms without entering the theater, but you needed to wait for people to finish the ticket-checking first. Another opportunity area here would be to incorporate a little more art to warm up the space. It's nice and bright but slightly cold from an aesthetic point of view. They were requiring masks to be worn to enter. Once guests sat down, several took off their masks which seemed to be acceptable. The auditorium is large and the acoustics are wonderful. For most events, an orchestra seat will run about $80-100 so it means that you can get quite close for less money than other venues. ADA seating is available but needs to be arranged through the box office as opposed to buying off Ticketmaster. The box office opens two hours before performances. The Lobby opens one hour before the performance. Concessions, including beer and wine, are available before the performance and during intermission. The theater opens thirty minutes before the performance for seating. Large oversized bags and backpacks are not allowed in the building. You will be asked to return them to your car. Constructed in 2017 for the Madison School District which includes eight schools for elementary and middle-school students in the north-central Phoenix area, the Center cost $13 million and has seats for more than 900 people. At a time when too many schools are having to cut back on funding for the arts, it is inspiring that this school district made this investment. Not only do their students have a dedicated space for performances, but it's also available to the broader community, too. The calendar for the rest of the year looks pretty solid. The final Broadway performance of "Rent" will be coming. They also offer some free shows. Pro tip: sign up for their newsletter online to stay informed of upcoming events.

    Lobby with bar stations, beautiful
    Kris L.

    Beautiful performance center with good acoustics and very comfortable seats. The venue is moderate size with not a bad seat in the house. The lobby and outdoor deck are very spacious and the restrooms are large and newly furnished. They were serving $5 beer and wine at the show we saw (the Hit Men) you could bring drinks to your seat such a deal!

    Lobby area.

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    1 year ago

    Great venue. Sound was really good. Clean and fun atmosphere Definite would go back anytime parking is also great.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful space and we will be attending The Nutcracker this year. Appreciate the Arts and the venue.

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    7 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Madison Center for the Arts

    What restaurants are close to this venue?

    Rojkeri, Luci's Marketplace, Zipps, Richardson, Dicks Hideaway

    Is parking free?

    Yes, sometimes depending on the event they have free valet but majority of the time you can park in their garage.

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    Review Highlights - Madison Center for the Arts

    Central Phoenix has long needed a first-class venue for cultural performances and this new establishment fulfills that need.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Dick's Hideaway - Carne Adovada Eggs Benedict

    Dick's Hideaway

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Absolutely love this hidden little gem ! Shhhh! Service, atmosphere high end bar experience. Food…read moreand drinks are all amazing! !!! I love restaurants like this! Totally made my mother's da!

    Probably not going back to Dick's…read more.. We were visiting both Phoenix and Scottsdale with friends and decided to meet up at Dick's Hideaway for dinner after hearing good things. There were six of us, and we were quoted a 45-minute wait, which seemed reasonable at first. However, their system for managing waits is honestly pretty frustrating. There are no reservations, no text notifications, and no call when your table is ready. You're basically left hovering and guessing. We did make it back in time for our table, but a simple "hey, your table's ready" system would go a long way in making guests feel valued. We were seated around 8 PM after waiting and taken to a large corner booth in the back. Unfortunately, there were still two people from the previous party lingering at the table even after they had paid and the rest of their group had already left. I understand finishing drinks, but it felt inconsiderate given how busy the restaurant was and how long people were waiting. After being seated, it took about 15 minutes before anyone came to our table, and even then, not everyone in our group was acknowledged right away. Things didn't improve much from there. It took over 30 minutes just to place our food order. From what we could tell, there was only one server handling the entire restaurant. I can definitely empathize with how difficult that must be, but at the same time, when we first arrived, she appeared to be standing near the entrance rather than actively managing tables, which added to the confusion. When the food finally came out, it was very staggered instead of arriving together. I ordered the Taos tenderloin with green beans and fries. The sides were actually great--probably the highlight of the meal--but the steak itself was disappointing. I ordered it medium, but it came out with an overly charred, almost burnt crust that completely overpowered the flavor. The whole dish really needed basic seasoning like salt and pepper to bring it together. The atmosphere also didn't do much to help the experience. It's extremely dark inside--so much so that it's hard to see your food--and the space feels cramped. The layout is also pretty strange and honestly a bit off-putting. There's what appears to be a kitchen area right behind the bar, and then a full kitchen in the back--but what really stood out was the lack of separation near the restroom area. There's no proper door between the kitchen and the bathroom space, and from a small step down off the dining area, you can basically see straight into the kitchen if you wanted to. It just didn't feel very private or well thought out. Another thing that stood out was the portion sizes. While some people might see that as a positive, they were honestly too large--especially for those of us traveling who couldn't take leftovers with us. Slightly smaller portions might not only reduce waste but also help the kitchen keep up with demand and improve overall service speed. Overall, this ended up being more of a one-time experience than a place we'd return to. Between the disorganized wait system, slow and inconsistent service, and underwhelming food, it just didn't live up to the expectations we had going in.

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    Dick's Hideaway - Beautiful table set up prior to arrival of romper room

    Beautiful table set up prior to arrival of romper room

    Dick's Hideaway
    Dick's Hideaway - Smoked Mango Margarita

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    Smoked Mango Margarita

    Madison Center for the Arts - theater - Updated May 2026

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