Southern Theater
Southern Theater
4.5
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A Victorian-era theater now used for Broadway shows.
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4.5
65 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
17
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Discoverandi
Columbus, OH185 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
The Southern Theatre is one of Columbus Ohio’s classics. After falling to a fire it was rebuilt with fireproof materials with a grand new opening in 1896. The first and only theatre in Columbus to have its own electricity and wells in the basement to supply running water. I love the history this place holds. How joyous to spend a Holiday evening taking in the magic and beauty it holds. We saw the performance Sounds of the Season with world renowned Scottish percussionist Collin Curie. An enjoyable evening.
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UsuallyNotGrumpy
Columbus, Oh4,183 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Was there on a Tuesday night for an excellent John Hiatt concert. Beautiful theater. I think it’s from the 1800’s. Fell into disrepair and was lovingly restored. Great acoustics! Everyone working/volunteering there is friendly and helpful. I’ve loved a couple shows here but forgot how cramped the balcony was. I highly recommend the floor seating, but not the upper level if you’re over 5’5” or so. There’s an upper balcony above the first. I bet the view is great but bet the seating isn’t any better.
Easy access and parking. Reasonable drink prices ($5 for a Blue Moon). Great people. Great acts. Great acoustics. I love the place (when seated on the floor)! Go! Enjoy!
Easy access and parking. Reasonable drink prices ($5 for a Blue Moon). Great people. Great acts. Great acoustics. I love the place (when seated on the floor)! Go! Enjoy!
Written 12 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara B
Bucyrus, OH10 contributions
Absolutely no leg room. I am of average height and was in so much pain by the end of the performance I could hardly walk. Others around also had the same comolaints. Will never go back again.
Written 4 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan R
Columbus, Ohio, United States75 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
The Southern is a beautiful theater that hosts shows not quite big enough for the Palace or Ohio. It is the most recently restored of the central downtown historic theaters, and the improvements in technology are noticeable. If possible, sit on the main floor (look at the seating map when buying tickets - sometimes this includes categories other than Orchestra), or at the sides of the balconies - the center front of the first balcony (often sold as the loge) is painfully cramped, to the point that you may not be able to make it through the show if you are over 5'5 or 100lbs. Even the corner seat in the last row on the main floor is closer than you would be in prime orchestra in many other theaters, so always go for anything on the main floor before looking at the balconies!
Written 9 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim H
44 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
The Southern is one of Columbus' Grand Dames. Stunning pretty and acoustically pure.
The building itself has been restored to its glory -- with ample nearby parking. On event nights, Columbus Police help patrons across the street and there are plenty of nearby eateries and watering holes taking care of just about any taste.
This venue has three floors and the top tier has a great view, but the first row can be unnerving with the straight drop down. Make sure you pay attention to the seating chart when buying tickets as the steps going up to the third level can be daunting.
Full bar service is available during performances, which is a plus.
We've seen two events at The Southern and look forward to more.
The building itself has been restored to its glory -- with ample nearby parking. On event nights, Columbus Police help patrons across the street and there are plenty of nearby eateries and watering holes taking care of just about any taste.
This venue has three floors and the top tier has a great view, but the first row can be unnerving with the straight drop down. Make sure you pay attention to the seating chart when buying tickets as the steps going up to the third level can be daunting.
Full bar service is available during performances, which is a plus.
We've seen two events at The Southern and look forward to more.
Written 21 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin K
Lewis Center, OH152 contributions
Oct 2015
Love the charm. However, balcony seating is tight. I've been here before when my seatmate has overflowed into my space. :-(
Written 1 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan O
Columbus, OH78 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
We loved this venue for the third install of The American Roots Fest presenting Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue recreated in its original format and was a beautiful production in a great venue. The theater has wonderful acoustics and is a small personal theater- there are no bad seats.
Written 8 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Columbus9
Columbus, Ohio326 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
The Southern Theater was renovated the year I moved to Columbus (1998). It is incredibly ornate and visually stunning. The seats in the second balcony are tough because there is so little leg room but the sound and view upstairs is excellent. Treat yourself and sit in the mezzanine level or on the floor. Beautiful!
Written 15 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juanita G
15 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
The theater looked great on the inside although you would not believe it looks that good from the outside. Went to the Jazz show April 12, it was awasome. Loved it
Written 21 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark K
Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States148 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
Acoustics are fantastic. However, there are no elevators and some of the stairs are fairly steep. Also, some seats have cramped legroom. But clearly a great place to see a show!
Written 15 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a restaurant in the hotel which is the same building. Or, if you are adventurous, close by is a hotdog emporium that is the cat's meow, Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace at 248 S. 4th Street.
Written 30 March 2017
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