Tired but iconic exterior with a stunning and beautiful domed interior, The Palais is rightly respected as a premier venue in town, their bill always full of big-name and interesting local and overseas acts.
The bitter winter winds may sweep in off the water chilling us to the bone outside, but inside we are greeted with heated foot-rests which mean we're soon de-layering down to t-shirts. Nice.
For mine, the first four rows in the balcony lounge are where it's at, giving you perfect elevated viewing while still being nice and close. First half of the stalls are also a great spot. Sound is pretty uniformly excellent no matter where you sit.
That all said, I still sometimes swear under my breath when I see my favourite acts listed to play here on their tours.
Firstly, just because of old fashioned north-side river bias - the public transport from St Kilda to where I live is pretty average late at night after gigs, which means we have to drive, which often means tackling Punt Rd in peak times, which is balls. So far, so petty, I know.
Secondly, no drinks allowed inside kind of sucks. We're a seated grown-up adult audience, and most every other theatre around towns allows this. (Kind of amusing to see that whole second level of punters scull their drinks at once when the warning bell sounds though.)
Thirdly, the top tier just goes back wayyyy too far. I've seen a few things in those very back seats and it's BYO binoculars to make out anything, especially if seeing a solo act. These seats really should be sold at half-price.
Other than those small gripes, it's still an iconic majestic music venue in a music-mad city that sadly seems to lose one of those every other year. read more