The Moore Theatre

Comedy Bang Bang from the second balcony of the Moore Theater was a colossal disappointment. The acoustics were so bad that only two-​thirds of the dialogue could be understood — and that’s a generous estimate. Can’t speak to the rest of the house, but avoid this zone. We left halfway through — what’s the point of a comedy show that is unintelligible?

Currently at comedy bang bang show and 200 $ gets u facing directly into a 2.5 ft long speaker. Not cool considering these are the most expensive seats in the house. Asked if they could move them a few inches so we could see the stage. Got a nasty reply. I wonder if the Fire Marshall would agree with the set up as I see safety issues with this, especially as safety is part of my day job. Not cool and would never return here for any type of show. This is what happens to fans– we get screwed over!!!

I’ve only been to one show so far at The Moore, but I had a good experience. We sat on the main floor, and felt that our seats had a great view of the stage. The theatre isn’t huge, so there aren’t too many bad seats. There are quite a few good shows that come through this theatre, not the bigger names that come through The Paramount, but still some things worth seeing. I would definitely see a show here again.

Like Cameron Stadium in North Carolina or the Seahawks Stadium everything is vertical so you are right above the action even in the nosebleed seats. Not a bad seat in the house even for a one man comedy show. Tip if you want to get a beer before the show arrive early because that line is long

The auditorium needs a lot of work, but cool space and I’ve enjoyed many shows here.

What can you expect from a small theater in Seattle? I am just giving an honest review of the theater.
I was here for The Impractical Jokers Show back in September 2015, and I purchased the tickets online. Because the show is in downtown Seattle, please do not whine if you want to make your lives easier by purchasing additional tickets (s) for parking. The walking distance from the parking garage to the theater is about 2 blocks.
For those who have never been to the theater, please take notes: If you don’t want crappy seats, please arrive as early as you can as all the seats are open-​seating. The chairs can be hard and uncomfortable, so you can’t just move around easily. Plus, they are very close together, so you better pray that your neighbors will be kind to give you your own personal space.
Finally, ladies… please avoid wearing high heels at the theater because I learned my lesson the hard way. The stairs at this theater are too steep, so you will be better off wearing flats or tennis shoes. No, it is not sexy to walk as if you have a hard time walking.

If the only tickets you can get are for the balcony; don’t do it. The sound is so bad. It Will ruin your favorite band. Reverb and muted music; sounds like you are listening outside of a tin can. Also, only two lines to get your $ 7 beer. Takes forever.

I went here for the Tallest Man On Earth show and it was an amazing show. The acoustics in this place are awesome, the whole place was filled with sound.
The reason this place is getting a 4 instead of a 5 is how incredibly hot it was. The theater is like an oven.

In the balcony it was horribly hot with no air movement. Many people complained. The staff opened the side doors briefly to let outside air in but when the concert started they closed them. Very uncomfortable. I would not go back.

I am sorry as I realize this is an iconic theater and enjoys a rich history but I attended the Cook’s Illustrated Live! performance earlier in the year and had pricey, reserved seats in the balcony (the price was probably set by Cook’s), and it completely ruined my experience. My knees were touching the back of the seat in front of me and I am definitely average height — as a result there was no aisle so once you are in your seat you are stuck in the grips of a painful sardine can. I thought my bladder was going to explode not to mention that there was no cushioning in the seat so between that and the inability to stretch a fraction of an inch, I was surprised they ever get a repeat customer at this venue at least in the balcony seats.
I do not know if the main floor has more space but really I think the worst seat in coach on any bargain carrier would seem like a dream in comparison. So be forewarned that unless you have the stamina and will power to sit in a painful position without support for almost 3 hours without an intermission for the bathroom (well that was more Cook’s doing I am sure) you do not want to reserve the balcony. I do not think even a free $ seat would tempt me and on the topic of the bathroom, the one on the upper floor should be condemned by the city. You have to hunch over and contort yourself in ways not possible in general and definitely not after being tortured in the seats just to drop your pants and find the toilet seat. It was added on into the side of what is almost an attic and it was better than going in my pants but just by a hair.

Came here this evening to see one of our favorite comedians «Jim Jeffries «. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to enjoy the show from our balcony seat in the 86 degree temperature and sweat inducing humidity. We stayed for an hour and a half, couldn’t stand the heat so, we left the Moore Theatre, upon leaving. I spoke with several employees who informed me that they had turned on the a/​c but, it was an old theatre. At 60 $ a ticket, I had higher expectations of being comfortable. Complete garbage. Avoid this theatre !!! Not to mention; terrible lighting, sound system was off and theatre was extremely dirty. So disappointed.

This was an awesome venue to check out a show. We saw Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally perform here and the acoustics were really great.
Our only issue: we were in the second mezzanine and it was a bit difficult to see. It’s very high up and far away, and people heads, even the not so tall ones were a challenge to see over. Third mezzanine would have been real tough.

I like it here. Initmate place to see a show but not too small. Tickets are reasonable ($ 35 ish/​pp). The bar downstairs usually only has Heineken which stinks but there are other options. Never had the food. The mens rooms are clean enough. Go to the Nitelite next door to get cheap, strong drinks or around the corner to Retro Bar for a bite.

A lot of history with this theater. Built back in the early, early 1900s with some of the most beautiful architecture around Seattle. We went to a concert here and were impressed with its décor and location. Easy to find with parking across the street!
Caveat: I won’t ever attend a performance here again if the only seats available are in the balcony. The steps in the balcony section are very steep and if you have knee problems or are unable to walk steadily, I would NOT recommend you reserve seats in this section! I witnessed a few elderly or physically challenged patrons needing help to descend the stairs. Horrible. In fact, the seats are so narrow, if you weigh more than 190 lbs, you will have difficulty sitting comfortably throughout any show. I understand they want to preserve the theater the way it was built way back when, so it’s not going to be the standards you would have in a movie theater or even the Paramount (now that’s a nice theater!).

Saw Tommy Emmanuelle here. Easy getting through the doors with our tickets. We were directed to the wrong balcony but eventually found our seats. I’m 6 ft tall and my knees touched the seat in front of me. Got a drink. Glass of wine is about $ 9. Finish it before you go back in as you can’t take it to your seat. Subsequent to the wine was a trip to the men’s room. Urinals are way too close to each other. Out of hand towels.
During the show the acoustics of the room seemed very good. Heard feedback a couple times. Was sitting on first balcony about 5 rows back. Visibility to performer was through a bunch of heads. Frequently obstructed as people moved around.
I would come here again but try to get an aisle front row seat.

The Moore Theatre is a really cool venue. I can imagine that for a show that involves music in any significant capacity, it might not be ideal (because this theater was constructed before we knew anything about acoustics), but for a comedy show (which is what I came for), it is quite nice. The location of the theater is really nice too as it’s right in the heart of Belltown and close to lots of great restaurants and bars.
It’s definitely intimate, which is probably why I like it as a comedy venue. We got tickets and were about 10 rows back on the far right side but we felt like we were up close and personal with the comedian. They really pack those seats in tight together, which is nice (in that a 20^th row seat at the Moore is a lot nicer than a 20^th row seat elsewhere) but also kinda crummy (in that your legs don’t have anywhere to exist, especially if you’re tall).
It’s also quite obviously an older building, which adds a layer of charm that isn’t available at some of the swankier theaters in the city. I understand why they wouldn’t want to overtly update the building/​theatre/​seats, buuuuuuuut they really should consider updating those things in a more impactful way. It would definitely make for a more comfortable environment which would come in handy, especially at those longer shows. I was here in the winter time, but I’ve heard friends complain about the heat in there during a summer show. As a bare minimum, a better heating/​air conditioning system would be useful.
The staff is alright. They seem to be willing to help you if you ask for it. It’s more of a laissez-​faire usher system, which I appreciate, since I’m an adult and I know how to locate a chair using the information provided on my ticket and the hundreds of signs in the area that tell you how to find your chair.
All things considered, I like this venue. It’s not the most comfortable theatre in the whole world, but it gets the job done, especially for shows where a more intimate audience-​performer relationship is important. If I were the director of the STG, I would probably have musicals and/​or band performances occur at another venue (paramount/​5^th avenue), but there are definitely a few show archetypes for which the Moore Theatre is perfectly suited! I know I’ll be back whenever a good comedian comes to town.

I really wanted to like this venue when I heard that I was going to be coming here to see a show, however, this place is a dump.
1. It takes almost 7 set of stairs to get to the balcony.
2. There is only 1 bathroom stall in the balcony that seats 100 — 200 alone in the section.
3. Everything is made of concrete and marble, therefore, for rock shows the sound is terrible.
4. There isn’t any inspiring cultural art on the walls unless you consider a signed photo of the cost of «Rent» your prize possession.
5. The seats are horribly hard.
6. On the balcony here is my walking space in front and on the way out of your seat (one foot in front of the other).
7. There is a huge gap between edge of your row and the next which means if you fall than you’re foot will get caught and badly injured (saw a few people do this).
8. The stairs to get out of the exist is very narrow and only can situate 1 person and a time, not couples.
9. The people working there are volunteers and give two shits about their job and or safety.
The only reason why this gets an extra star is ’cause they make cheese sandwiches for you on a Foreman grill to have with your hipster beer.

Beware… if your going for a heavy metal concert & want GA orchestra/​pit its not very big. Its abouts 30 feet long but only 3 people deep. Get there early otherwise your going to end up standing in the isle. But other than that, the sound is good & exiting was easy. Theres also a parking garage on the corner of 3^rd & Stewart just around the block so that was convenient.

I would think twice about going to a show at The Moore in the summer. This week in their upper balcony temperatures must have been close to 100 degrees, with zero air movement. Sitting in 100 degrees for two hours with no fans, sweating your balls off, is pretty miserable.
It sounds funny in retrospect, but consider that The Moore is a very old building designed without modern ventilation practices — when Seattle gets up to 80 °F, The Moore is +20 °F that.
The orchestral hall acts as a giant heat funnel, and they have no A/​C and no fans in the balcony area. Also no drinks allowed, unless it’s a sealed water bottle. If you don’t think that’s uncomfortable, try to imagine sitting in a sauna for 2 hours with no towels to cool off with, no iced beverages, on cramped fabric seats well past the point where the heat has fried your brain.

Poor venue & customer service during the Seattle Rock Orchestra’s White Album performance in May 2014.
I saw the SRO’s White Album show last evening, at the Moore Theater. We arrived a good 50 minutes early and found a set of 3 seats for my party behind the VIP/​STG board reserved area on the balcony. About 15 minutes before the show, one of our seats became unusable due to a loose bolt. Then the reserved area was «released» and immediately flooded. The treatment we received from Customer Service at the Moore was rude at best: «you are welcomed to sit on the floor in front of the stage.» I shall not support STG again.

Really a fantastic venue — easy parking, great seats whether main level or balcony. I love what this location adds to the city! Be sure to get on their mailing list or you will miss some of the most amazing events in the city.

Great place to see a live show. It’s large and grand like the Paramount, but with a bit of a vintage, laid-​back vibe.
Tips:
–Go early to have a drink downstairs in the «Lower Bar» by the mens restrooms. Hoo-​ee, strong drinks and friendly bartenders! They have some tables for 4 which was nice.
–It’s EXTREMELY dark in there after the show begins, so be on time — it’s impossible to see your row letter so you’ll be asking someone on the aisle.
–I like that they send you hard tickets free of charge. It’s nice to have the keepsake sometimes. :)

You have to love the Moore like you have to love your grandma who always seems to have that strange old people odor about her. The Moore has seen better days but it’s still a grandiose old theater. Yes, the acoustics could be better and the seats on the 2^nd balcony are made for Lilliputians on vegetable only diets but still it’s a fun experience.
I saw Spank! here on the first balcony and really enjoyed the experience. I think the first balcony probably has a better view than the orchestra seats. The 2^nd balcony however, is way way up there and very hard to see anything from that level. We saw BB King at the Moore and in order to sit together we had to be in the 2^nd balcony. Had the seats been comfortable I would have just shut my eyes and listened as the guy sitting next to me did. But the seats are small and hard and my arse was asleep by the time the King of the Blues even hit the stage.
Still you love your grandma even with the smell because that’s just part of her charm. The moore, with it’s pealing paint, bad acoustics and strange tacked on stage lighting is still a good experience.

I’m a bad music fan! It had been a few years since I’d been to the Moore but I was pleasantly surprised with my most recent visit. This old theater doesn’t have the best acoustics but the size of the theater, the look of it, and the multiple bathrooms and multiple bars is pretty awesome. I also noticed right away that the seats appear to be brand new and was very comfortable during a 2 hour long show here. If there’s a band or some show coming to town and they’re playing at the Moore, don’t forget to get tickets. This theater isn’t just a Seattle staple and a centrally located place to see a good show, the venue itself is great because of more recent updates. You get the look of an old theater with cushy new seats!

The Moore is a beautiful building with a classical feel once you step inside. A few friends and I went to see Dave Chappelle here this weekend. I’ve been to concerts here before and usually sit on the main floor. This show was practically sold out, so general seating was my only option.
On the upper level there are two balconies. We sat in the second one. Basically, the highest seats in the highest balcony at the very top (even higher than the fire escape). Sitting in the upper balcony doesn’t feel very safe. If there was an earthquake, I doubt there’d be many survivors from the second floor. It gets hot and stuffy within minutes and the seats are close together. If you’re tall, you’ll probably enjoy an aisle seat (and save those in the middle seat from a blocked view).
Since there’s no bad seat in the house, we had a nice birds eye view of Dave’s head and the acoustics didn’t reach to where we were sitting. Unfortunately, all of his jokes weren’t delivered and most of the people around us were asking each other what he said after the crowd would laugh.
If you see anything here, I’d suggest paying more if you can to sit on the first floor. I’ve seen many talented artists, and comedians at this venue. It’s a good location and close to many late night eats.