The Santander Performing Arts Center is one of the venues I frequent locally. It's absolutely gorgeous! The architecture and design details are breathtaking, especially the ornate ceiling work and vintage theater charm. Every time I walk in, I'm reminded why I love live shows so much. The acoustics here are usually fantastic, making it a great place for concerts, comedy shows, and everything in between. I've been to many events here over the years and always enjoy the experience. I usually sit toward the front right side of the venue, where the view is clear and unobstructed by the structure it really feels like there isn't a bad seat in the house. There are several bars and snack stands throughout the venue, plus a small area for merch tables, so everything you need is within easy reach. Tickets are generally very reasonably priced for the quality of the experience. Parking is probably the only minor consideration there's on-street parking as well as multiple garages nearby, but you'll want to plan for a short walk. Overall, it's a beautiful, historic theater that delivers great shows and great vibes every single time. Highly recommend catching a performance here if you get the chance! read more

Santander Performing Arts Center - The gorgeous ornate ceilings! - Performing Arts Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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The Santander is a beautiful venue. The acoustics and ambience are on point. I would go here to see a show anytime. We had dinner on The Mezz and I would not recommend that. The food was just ok - very difficult to manage plates etc. Supposed to have wine with our ticket, but they were out of white wine entirely. So , go for the show, skip the dinner! read more

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An absolutely beautiful venue, classic and historic. We saw Randy Travis and sat in the balcony, not a bad seat in the house! The sound was perfect, the temperature was spot on (not too hot or cold) and the staff were incredible! The ushers were so helpful and polite and even the security as you walk in were pleasant to interact with. They do have a clear bag policy which was in multiple emails I received reminding me about the event/parking/policies as well as posted on the door, but they must not actively enforce it (at least for our event anyway) because we saw plenty of woman with regular (and over sized) purses, they must have been checked as we entered. There are beer, water, soda and food available for purchase in the lobby that you can take inside the theater with you. Everything is cashless, from concessions to merchandise, easy to tap to pay. The bathrooms were large and clean and seemed to be well stocked. The architecture inside is beautiful. Parking was easy in a near by parking garage, $20 for event parking is typical, pay by app, text or kiosk inside the garage within 15 mins of entering. The garage scans your license plate and you must have that to pay either way. Surrounding area seemed ok, no issues walking to or from the venue on a Friday night with my husband, well lit and plenty of signs to get you back. All in all, a great venue and we are already looking at other concerts to attend there! read more

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Please save yourself now and don't go! From the first second greeted by anyone "Vibes are very negative" they all need a new profession. Dinner on the Mezzanine was a joke. The food was Subpar. I've never experienced such bad service. But wait wait.... There was hardly a selection to choose from. Who prepared this "what they call" a Buffet? High school students learning to cook. There were maybe 6 selections to choose from. THATS IT!!!! And how come no one complains? I didn't get that at all. Maybe because the servers were so rude! I would but I didn't even want to talk to them again. What an imposition! And Pretentious Want to bee! Need I say more about that! What a nightmare. The show was nice. The NY Bee Gees did a fantastic job! read more

With regards to the Lindsay Stirling concert on Wed Nov 19th: - A shout out to the lady in the box office-that graciously spent her time assisting me in changing seats at the last minute. unfortunately- i didnt get her name- but she allowed us to relocate to Section 109 from the original floor seats. Much better view! Thank you again. PS- facilities and parking were very nice. read more

It was soooo hot from the beginning. I had to take my jacket off right away and was sweating like crazy half way through the show. Also, could the seats be any closer together? I had no room for my legs and I felt like I was on top on the people next to me. I'm not a big person or a tall one. My knees were hitting the row in front of me. Lastly, I can't imagine seating on the floor area. I was on riser seats and once a person with a big head or tall got in front of me (1-2 rows in front), I could barely see over them. Parking nearby was easy to find though (once off the main street). read more

Beautiful historic building. Not a bad seat in the house. Seen a few performances here. Keep in mind, it is an older venue and on the smaller side, but we like the intimate setting. They do have concessions and there's also some nice local restaurants nearby. read more

The 2-star rating is because every time I see a show at this venue it is so frickin hot in the theater. We sit there sweating no matter if it's January or August. I think this is extremely rude of the venue management. Last night we were at a show sweating grossly, but when the show ended we walked into the lobby which had to be 15 degrees cooler and felt great. Also, on the lowest level half the bathroom stalls were out of order as well as the floor tiles were loose. The Santander Performing Arts Center is beautiful. Just about all the seats provide a great view of the stage. They get really good artists/performers. None of this compensates for being so terribly uncomfortable during the show. read more

Came for a mercy me concert. They have the base so loud you cant even hear the person singing. It's awful who ever the sound person is needs to be fired and find someone who actually can have the base to where you can hear the other instruments and the person singing. read more

I have been to a number of events here. I have had a great time every time! I even like my seats. Special place!

Nice older facility. Seemed well maintained. On the smaller side not that that's a problem for the live performance. The sound system seemed a little spotty. Got better as the show went on. The restrooms were the poorest of the amenities. They could use a big refresh. Overall. I don't think you will be disappointed by going to a show here read more

Santander Performing Arts Center - Frankie V - Performing Arts Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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Came here for the Boney James concert at the Berks Jazz Fest. This venue is in need of a serious renovation. While the acoustics can be touch and go depending on the artist that is featured, I must say that every concert I have attended here for the jazz festival had impeccable sound quality. It's just that the visual look of the venue is SO outdated and thrills, ceiling, seating, stage and lighting need some love. They did have a setup for libations and snacks at reasonable prices in the lobby. Also know that you can't bring any outside drinks (including bottled water), into the venue. The promo team did send out an email blast for a buffet dinner on the balcony level they were hosting before the concert for $26, but I passed. The restrooms are located on the bottom floor though accessible by stairs, there is an elevator for those with physical challenges. I did use it during the show and having to venture down those stairs with not one soul there but me did give me the chills. All in all an okay venue that is in walking distance to the Doubletree by Hilton on Penn St., but is in serious need of a facelift, hopefully soon. read more

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I saw Regina Spektor perform here and the show was great. I thought the facility was great for a singer-song writer type of show, although I'm not a fan of general seating at concerts, especially when people don't stand up for the shows. I would have stood up, but I would have been the only one...and it's kind of awkward, right? I guess that is more the crowd's fault than the facilities...or my fault for not wanting to sit down at a concert with a singer-songwriter and piano. Back to the facility -- it's well maintained, the acoustics are great and the best part? Free coat check! At least when I was here. So awesome; you don't see that much these days, but don't tell them that (oh shoot). Anyway -- great little place in Santander. There's a place called the Cheers bar nearby that has food still served at 11pm inside a hotel. That's where I went after the show. read more

Nice old theatre in downtown. Great atmosphere for a play or concert. Parking garages and restaurants nearby. The area is not what it was but felt safe even after dark. read more

They left my handicap mother outside in the cold for 30 minutes and wouldn't let us into the vestibule.

Fondly called the SPAC by veteran performers, it is Reading's only real performing arts venue aside from various high school gymnasiums. The SPAC is the new and improved version of the old Rajah Theater and fortunately it hasn't lost any of its former charm after renovations. The dressing rooms are far better, and they don't look like they are about to crumble. The SPAC is a little piece of pride for Reading-bred performers and arts-lovers, and it's good to see it ready for many more years of bravos and standing ovations. The Reading Symphony Orchestra, Berks Ballet Theatre, and the Reading Civic Opera are all local companies that perform here seasonally. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The SPAC and its performances are the highest of the little culture that can be found in the city of Reading anymore. It's no New York Met, but the old theater offers a glance of the golden days of Reading when those who could would hop a train to walk our city streets. read more

Saw a concert here and the staff was amazing! The theater was clean and they had alcohol and tons of concessions. There's free parking about 2 blocks away after 6pm. read more

Santander Performing Arts Center - View from the right orchestra box. - Performing Arts Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

Morrissey performed here. Yes, really. How did we manage to get him to come to Reading? Kudos to the SPAC. Maybe love from the Moz will bring good fortune to this struggling city. I believe this is the only old theater that was not torn down, from Reading's heyday in the 1940s. Spacious lobby with a mezzanine, big bathrooms too. Gorgeous Deco ceiling. Maybe someday I will splurge for a side box. There are lots of parking garages nearby, usually $8 for an evening, very reasonable. Not too many restaurants nearby for out-of-towners. Too bad Hong Thanh fled to the suburbs. Lots of good orchestra and symphony music here too. Now let's have more punk and indie icons coming around. It is a wonderful medium-sized venue, with the 500-seat Miller Center down the street as well as the Sovereign Center arena close by too. read more

Had a wonderful experience here for the Brit Floyd show in April. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The facility was beautiful and clean and the concession prices were reasonable. Definitely a fan. read more

I visited Reading, PA for Guster's concert - it's a nice little town and this performing arts center is a historical building the interior is very spacious and ornate. The staff there were extremely friendly and helpful! The auditorium is very beautifully preserved, again very ornate with orchestra and tier seating. The building was undergoing some renovation so you can see some exposed wires here and there. The bathrooms are plenty and spacious located in the basement. read more

I recently attended Joan Rivers and sat in the loge. The acoustics in the theater is bad with a bad echo. Some damping material needs to be installed. With Joan's style of delivery which is kind of rambling and not clear enunciation someone, even though not a musical event, should have been at the mixing board to adjust the levels. I think they just flipped the audio on and that was it. It was difficult for many people, especially elderly with any kind of hearing impairment, to hear her clearly. A person on a mixer could have corrected some of the audio to address the short comings of the theater. They facility is clean and beautiful, but they lacked the management staffing to make it an enjoyable event. Too many people had to strenuously listen making the event too hard to understand. read more

I went to this theater to see Alice Cooper there this year. With this concert at the time of the ticket purchase it was supposed to be held at the Hockey Arena, but was later changed to this theater without any notification. I did not find out that it was at this place until the last minute. Parking is usually found on the Court St. Parking decks which this time cost me $8 because they decided to pay the attendants overtime. If there is no attendant at this lot, you will be left an envelope that looks like a Parking Ticket to mail in $12 to the Reading Parking Authority. I had to walk about a block and a half to this theater which Reading is not the most friendliest of areas, not to mention that the parking deck is unsecure after the parking attendants leave. I went to the box office of this theater to pick up my VIP Pass in which the people inside the box office had a very hard time understanding English. That's funny because these people were not from a Foreign Country. I asked about my VIP early entry in which I was denied what I was entitled to. This VIP Pass I got was botched from the beginning due to the lousy people in management and staff of the Sovereign Center and the management of Alice Cooper. I sat outside on top of a Fire Hydrant waiting for them to open the door. Upon entry it was the same elderly staff members that were in my Slayor, Rob Zombie Hockey Arena review. I had my bag for my VIP stuff which I left the bag open so these people could search it. This old man, who was a staffer, gave me a hard time as usual and told me "that when I say something I'm only going to say it once and you are going to have to do it" The bag was open so you could just look inside. I'm not going to assist these people in these illegal searches in the first place since this is a County owned entity. When I did make it in, the doors to the theater were closed. I did speak to another one of these elderly security guards asking them if they had any formal training or if they were retired law enforcement. From this guards answer these people have no formal training or experience in the security guard field. In the lobby they had many concession stands in which I assume is the same as the Hockey Arena - $6 for an alcoholic beverage and up. There were no visable signs for bathrooms anywhere. So, I doubt if these people could find them. Once I went to my seat, which was the 5th row to the right, pretty close to the stage, I waited for this show to start. There was an opening group which I never heard of. Most of these people left to get liquored up. When Alice Cooper finally came on stage after this opening group, you had two feeble security guards on each side of the stage. There was a big rush of people, who were seated in the back and the balcony that came rushing to the front and stood in front of the stage and in the aisles. Other people stood up from the seats obstructing my view. These people did not pay for the better tickets and had no right to be there. The security guards were helpless to do anything about it, so, I guess with this theater getting better seats doesn't really matter. Alice Cooper only played for 1 1/2 hours. When the show was over with, these security guards couldn't even tell right from left to tell me where this VIP gathering was supposed to be. My VIP experience did not go well either. Who I met was a man with bold out teeth and black paint in his hair who likes to belittle people and put down his own fans. After being thrown out by his fat tour manager, I heard in the lobby on the way out that the notorious kid with the skateboard hit some women in the back of the head and she had to be taken to the hospital. After a nice block and a half walk back to Court St., I was glad to get out of there and never will I come back to the Sovereign Center Hockey Arena or Theater. This review was also rejected by the Ticketmaster website. So, with any of these entities use with caution. read more