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Paramount Theatre-Oakland

4.3 (538 reviews)
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Sharon P.

The box office set up and location is chaotic. I love the seats though. Not too far away from the stage, wherever you sit. My friend ordered a double shot of titos and when the total popped up there, I was flabbergasted. $42 for one drink and a $6 service fee. Im not encouraging you to pack your own liquor but when it rang up to more than a Sam's club 750 ml. Maaaan. So never buying liquor here. I will enjoy a show and go on my way. Please stay away from any flirtatious security guards here too lol. I'll just leave it at that, people are really crazy these days. Anyway.. enjoyed the show on the evening I attended.

Susan N.

Gorgeous venue with that old school charm. Came to see the 112 tour. Sound was good and seats were comfortable.

Rhett B.

Just visited the Paramount for the first time and I'm still kind of in awe! Honestly, I don't know how I've lived in the Bay Area this long without checking this place out. The theater is absolutely gorgeous like, old Hollywood gorgeous. The Art Deco details are insane. I found myself just staring at the ceiling and the light fixtures instead of finding my seat. Sound quality was great, seats were comfy enough, and the staff were nice. The building itself is the star of the show.

The doorway into the theater
Chris T.

I attended a graduation at the Paramount. The building is historic and should be preserved for its beauty. , The decor and fixtures are so beautiful, from the entrance, throughout the building into the theater. The seats definitely need to be restored though. I was literally sitting on the metal rails because the cushions were so worn. It was hurting and I couldn't balance myself in my seat. I wanted to switch with my daughter but she said her seat was just as bad.

Stunning art deco wall design.
Lianne K.

Such a gorgeous venue! We were privileged to attend a citizenship swearing in ceremony here last week. The setting was stunning, and quite appropriate for celebrating our newest citizens. What a treat to sit in the balcony and take in all the visual art deco masterful design elements while waiting for the event to begin. The ceilings, especially, are something special to behold. I heard someone say that the theater had been refurbished at great expense. The results were amazing. It's important to preserve the historical design legacy of such a unique venue. The acoustics were terrific, as well. It would be a wonderful treat to attend a concert or other performance here. Parking was just a short walk away, though not inexpensive at $30 for this particular event.

Keith Sweat + Case!
Sheila P.

First time at this venue, came to see Keith Sweat and Case! It was an amazing overall experience. The only thing I would probably improve are the seats. They were kinda worn down and you can feel the metal underneath. Case and Keith Sweat were amazing! I sat four rows back from the main stage and had a great view. They're pretty strict on no re-entries if you try to leave and come back. There's also no vaping or smoking inside. I didn't get to try any food but I saw some people munching on chips with their drinks, which I'm assuming they purchased at the bar. Coming back again in a couple months for another event, and I'm looking forward to it. I got lucky with free parking outside, just a block away. Timing is everything :)

Neil is here tonight!!!
Rick P.

As show venues go, logistics always is a factor. Not here. Literally 1 block from the staircase of the 19th street BART station IS The Paramount Theatre! We've seen a few shows here but never did a review. Easy to get to, genuine old school architecture, great sound, alright and expensive snacks, (show pricing) and alchemy at the bar (probably expensive too), but overall a really great experience. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this venue for any kind of show. It isn't Chase, it isn't Levi's, it's a one of a kind, precious and historic Theatre (I call it Theater but whatever). Have fun!

Sherri W.

A beautiful theatre that has stood the test of time. So glad Oakland has kept this place afloat during such times as these. I went bc of Bibi, K-Pop singer who is debuting her 1st World Tour & she chose Oakland to perform, so happy that Oakland is trying to incorporate a wider audience. The inside has been beautiful maintained. The only confusing part to these events is when they offer a Meet & Greet Swag Bag that often I notice there is no sign indicating which is a preferred swag bag line vs.ticket holders line. Also, I was quite disappointed when the usher passed by obstructing our view not just once,twice, three times but at least 5-6 times. Either allowing late comers to pass by all throughout Bibi's performance or either feeling the need to just walk by. My patience was running thin with this occurrence. Other than this issue, it was nice to be in this iconic Oakland theatre that has stood the test of time.

Bob K.

The wife and I visited The Paramount for the first time, to hear "Two Black Churches" and Carmina Burana. Odd pairing, but it made sense for this election week. Anyway, the acoustics were quite reasonable for our perch in the front balcony section, left. The place is very cavernous, but we could see the stage fine. There didn't appear to be any partially blocked seats, since there were no interior columns. What an incredible space! Absolutely gorgeous art deco interior, from the central lobby area, to the upstairs lounge areas, to the magnificent auditorium. It looked brand new condition. The last restoration, according to one usher, was about 1971, and they just keep it in perfect condition all the time. Come see a show, and be awed.

Ariel L.

My friend had her graduation ceremony here. It's not close to home, but easy to find. They have their own parking lot, plus there's a parking garage next to the theater. The employees were so friendly and helpful. Moreover, the bathrooms are beautiful. I had to take a picture. Lol

Kelly S.

Great theater! Surprisingly this theater is pretty spacey. Came here for the Matt Rife show this past weekend and it was a great experience. Once you go in there's two bars down stairs with small snacks & drinks - beer, cider, etc - popcorn, chips, candy Wish they had fresh popcorn.. but nevertheless, a pretty cool theater!

Shara G.

We've traveled from Sacramento to Paramount Oakland several times to see different performers, including Kevin Hart and, more recently, the All-Star Comedy Jam on Valentine's Day. The venue itself is beautiful, with its classic architecture and multiple bars, making it fairly easy to grab a drink despite the long lines (usually within 10-15 minutes). One thing we did notice was a stark difference in the crowds depending on the event. The Kevin Hart audience felt more diverse and mature, while the All-Star Comedy Jam had a much rowdier vibe--including a fight that security handled quickly, though we didn't see much security presence beforehand. The biggest downside for me is the restroom accessibility. As someone who struggles with stairs, I wish they were easier to access. Overall, it's a great venue, but the experience depends largely on the event you attend.

Paramount Theatre inside
Karalina H.

Came to the Paramount Theatre to see Theo Von: Return of the Rat. The theater looks very beautiful inside. We got balcony seats and they are tiny. The acoustics weren't great, lots of echoes. I probably missed 30% of the show due to not being able to hear him. If you are gonna come here I would recommend getting a closer seat. The security was working hard and did an amazing job. Quick and safe security check when you enter the building. We had very loud drunk men two rows behind us who were very talkative and one of the security guys got them completely under control. It did take him a couple of tries to calm them down but in the end, it all worked out. 3.5 stars just because of the balcony seats, but I would love to come back.

Blues tour

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2 months ago

They were very organized and really helpful with finding your seats. I would come here again for another show!

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Ask the Community - Paramount Theatre-Oakland

Where is the best place to park? I'm going to the Trevor Noah show on Monday and trying to plan for my parking. Thank you

About two blocks away next to the Moxy hotel (across from Taco Bell). It isn't very romantic but it's metered and always available for a 7 or 8pm show.

What time do doors usually open if an event starts at 7:30PM?

6:30

What are the best rows for Balcony seats? Any bad seats to be avoided?

Ones right up the rails

I am a person on the larger size side. Are these seat fairly spacious?

Very tiny like basic economy. I'm small and I just fit.

Where is the best place to park on a Monday? Planning to arrive by 5 p.m. for a 7 p.m. event. Thank you!

well your surrounded there with two parking spots the one physically next to the Paramount Theater I know that place charges 20 bucks but the one across the street the garage I don't know how much that cost but If anything take the bart its way… Read more

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Review Highlights - Paramount Theatre-Oakland

I can't tell you how many people I saw taking pictures of the eye popping Art Deco details in this place.

Mentioned in 47 reviews

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Hoodslam - Bar line at Continental Club

Hoodslam

4.2(35 reviews)
1.0 miJack London Square

Attended Slam Town's Ekpyrotica at the Continental Club this past weekend, and had an enjoyable…read moreexperience. The listed ticket time was 8:00 to 11-ish, but in reality it was more like 8:45-11:20pm (doors opened around 8:00pm, and the entry line went quick). The place wasn't too crowded, and though there was a bit of seating against the walls, it was mostly standing room for viewing of the show. Beware, the action takes place both inside and outside the ring, so be ready to move if you're on the first level and the wrestlers end up battling it out and rolling around on the floor or against the pillars, or on the merchandise table (like they did this past FrIday). We watched from upstairs, and didn't miss a thing... they had a large screen for closeup views of all the shenanigans happening in and around the ring, too. There were quite a few matches throughout the night, including characters like Cereal Man, Prisoner 420, and my bf's fave, Bart-Man, doing their thing. I was a big fan of the MonsterTown tag team, all of the creatures dressed in comical costumes and putting on even funnier moves against their rivals, especially the three-headed giraffe and mummy. Lots of props used throughout the show, including ladders, full-size doors (for the dramatic illusion of slamming opponents into these and breaking them), and fake weapons...... oh, but THIS IS REAL... and the dynamic chants from the crowd will remind you all night. Commentary by the "news anchor" host helped guide the storyline with a bit of humor, but I've experienced better and more entertaining announcers outside of Slam Town. Apparently this underground wrestling show is a lot tamer now (in April 2026) than it used to be, back when it was known primarily as "Hoodslam", but we still had a good time. The next Slam Town event is happening on May 22nd at Drake's in Oakland.

fun hyphy vibes in a quiet neighborhood AND hotboys for food?! it can't get better than this!read more

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Hoodslam - Slam Town at Continental Club

Slam Town at Continental Club

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All Out Comedy Theater - Knockoff Broadway returns tonight at 9pm. A made up live musical on the spot!

All Out Comedy Theater

4.6(41 reviews)
0.4 mi
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Fantastic improv classes & great community! The teachers are all different, but all excellent. I've…read moretaken at least part of 8 classes, and have had nothing but great experiences. You will learn not only how to improv, but also improve yourself as a human. Also, to anyone who has experienced sexism, racism, homophobia, or ableism in theater: not here, you won't. At least I think. I have never seen it. (And have been at theaters where this wasn't the case -- here's looking at you, Pan.)

I'm extremely disappointed with all out comedy. I had a bad experience a while ago but then tried…read moreto give the place another shot recently and left feeling disappointed. I feel like it's just not for me. Now, I'm giving 1 star because I have further concerns about their professionalism and customer service considering the owner kept changing their response to my other review to random rude replies. First they wrote in all caps saying I'm spam, then they said something like "your car wasn't even ever here".Maybe they are confusing me with another customer and not intentionally trying to manipulate the feedback to discredit my review, but I still can't recommend this place by the odd and unprofessional behavior toward customers regardless of who they think I am instead of offering the typical kindness that you'd expect from a business. It's safe to say I won't be giving this another shot in the future

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All Out Comedy Theater - The Queer and Women's Open Mic Returns Tonight at 6:30pm!
https://www.alloutcomedytheater.com/queerandwomensopenmic

The Queer and Women's Open Mic Returns Tonight at 6:30pm! https://www.alloutcomedytheater.com/queerandwomensopenmic

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Kinetic Arts Center

Kinetic Arts Center

4.6(66 reviews)
0.9 miWest Oakland

The coaches are nice so it's easier to follow their directions.And the camps there are really good…read morebecause there's a nice schedule.- this is the opinion of my kiddo based on aerial classes and camps.

Customer service 5/5 Environment 5/5…read moreQuality of teachers 5/5 I have been going to Kinetics Art Center for over a month now and it has exceeded my expectations overall. The adult drop in class packages work best for me and I've been consistently attending Sam (primarily silks and lyra) and Megan's (trapeze) classes. I called the front desk to make my initial purchase because there were so many options, I couldn't decide what I wanted based on my schedule. Fortunately, Janelle (front desk) was very patient and helpful, and I ended up getting the 10 class pack. When I got there, it was a bit intimidating because I was more used to smaller studios, but everyone here was so nice. Janell also made sure to check on me to see if I was doing ok when I took my first class. The other students and teachers were very welcoming and supportive to check out other classes, which is how I ended up with taking two classes back to back at-least once a week instead of just one class. In regards to the teachers, "great" would be such an understatement. I love Sam's class because even though it's primarily silks, they'll put one other apparatus (hoop mainly, and recently flying pole!) for us to try out-so it's more than just one apparatus in this one class. I also really like that they'll give us challenging *enough* moves because it's so satisfying to execute steps after struggling so much for it. I also love Megan's trapeze class because she's very flexible with our experiences. This pace is great for me because I don't have alot of experience with trapeze and the ropes on it feel so different from silks! Nikki and Zi have substituted for their classes and they're both amazing as well. I'd highly recommend taking classes here. It's a fun and challenging workout compared to a regular gym...I also love that it's spacious too!

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Paramount Theatre-Oakland - theater - Updated May 2026

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