Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
4.5
About
As one of the last surviving theater venues on Broadway, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall keeps the tradition of hosting prolific performances alive in this historic part of Portland. The building that now houses what locals lovingly call “The Schnitz” was originally the Portland Public Theatre, built in 1928, and later renamed the Paramount Theatre. The Italian Rococo Revival architecture was said to be the national showcase of renowned Chicago theatre architects Rapp & Rapp, and has been beautifully restored through a generous donation from Portlanders Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. The Concert Hall plays host to a variety of presentations including classical, comedy, jazz, pop, rock, folk and gospel music, dance, theatre, travel films, and much more.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
403 reviews
Excellent
265
Very good
106
Average
26
Poor
3
Terrible
3
David M
Portland, OR322 contributions
Mar 2022
Musically, the Oregon Symphony is excellent, and the performance we saw was entirely admirable. That is, once we were seated. Ushers were polite, kind, and efficient; on-site service was pleasant and friendly. After-market interaction was not at all helpful.
My wife and I are seniors. We do fine as we get around, but we both need to use handrails as we negotiate stairs. Our seats were in the balcony where, it turns out, there are NO HANDRAILS! Even after a major renovation a few years ago, they couldn't figure out how to put in handrails. Or to include that information in their ticket sales information. Getting to our seats was difficult and somewhat frightening. Getting to the exits was only slightly better. In between, we enjoyed the concert.
We learned, when we asked the next day, that the only choice we had, would be to switch from our seats upstairs to unacceptable (very poor acoustic placement) seats downstairs. Not much sense of interest in or feeling for our problem. Just "Take it or leave it." We've left it.
The Schnitzer is a grand old concert hall in many ways, but the renovation sadly omitted a part of the history they might miss: some of the folks that used to buy tickets.
My wife and I are seniors. We do fine as we get around, but we both need to use handrails as we negotiate stairs. Our seats were in the balcony where, it turns out, there are NO HANDRAILS! Even after a major renovation a few years ago, they couldn't figure out how to put in handrails. Or to include that information in their ticket sales information. Getting to our seats was difficult and somewhat frightening. Getting to the exits was only slightly better. In between, we enjoyed the concert.
We learned, when we asked the next day, that the only choice we had, would be to switch from our seats upstairs to unacceptable (very poor acoustic placement) seats downstairs. Not much sense of interest in or feeling for our problem. Just "Take it or leave it." We've left it.
The Schnitzer is a grand old concert hall in many ways, but the renovation sadly omitted a part of the history they might miss: some of the folks that used to buy tickets.
Written 16 April 2022
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.
Hawthorne P
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Saw The Jinkx and Dela Holiday Show and had a great time. We needed accessibility help and the theater was easy to access, had elevators, plus provided complimentary wheelchairs. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and courteous. It was a great night out!
Written 12 January 2023
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.
Dlbos
Boston, MA102 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
This venue is in downtown Portland and maintains its old and classic charm. Went to a concert here on 9/25/18. Some light snacks and drinks available. They will let you take drinks inside but not food which seems on par with other similar establishments. Service was friendly. The older plush seats are best for theatre shows rather than concerts where people are going in and out as they are a bit difficult to get in and out of multiple times but otherwise very comfortable. Everyone stood for most of the night anyway.
Written 29 September 2018
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.
BirgM
Portland, OR138 contributions
Nov 2016
The concert hall is very nice and there are tours to visit it without a concert on Saturdays mornings.
The main group who plays in this hall is the Oregon Symphony with a variety of programs. The sound quality is average and definitely better in the upper parts of the balcony. Dress circle is good but pricey and for some reason the air seems to blow on those seats and it feels cold at times.
Watch out not to get a seat under the balcony on the first level. It really takes away from the sound.
The main group who plays in this hall is the Oregon Symphony with a variety of programs. The sound quality is average and definitely better in the upper parts of the balcony. Dress circle is good but pricey and for some reason the air seems to blow on those seats and it feels cold at times.
Watch out not to get a seat under the balcony on the first level. It really takes away from the sound.
Written 26 November 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.
bedandbreakfaster
Salem12 contributions
Dec 2019
I love going to Schnitz. It's an older building but that adds to it's charm. The seating is such that one has no problem seeing the stage. The acoustics are good so that you get the most out of the sounds on the stage.
Written 6 January 2020
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.
Thank you very much for your review of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall! We are so glad that you've enjoyed coming to our theatre. Please visit our website, portland5.com for tickets and information on upcoming performances in all five of our venues!
Written 7 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PDXmorgan
Portland, OR7 contributions
June 2019
This is such a delightful place to see a show, because the venue itself is a pleasure to experience. It's classy and lovely, and attending performances with young family members becomes easier and more fun when there's so much to look at while waiting. On the other hand, the seats are a bit narrow and there are often a lot of stairs to climb, so it's been challenging at times with my older parents. The location is fantastic; street parking can be a challenge but there are multiple parking garages within a few blocks and one right across the street. Definitely a must-visit for Portlanders and, for visitors, a great photo opportunity with the iconic "Portland" sign on the marquee.
Written 4 July 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.
fredl642
Vancouver31 contributions
Dec 2016
We have been to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall a number of times and have never been disappointed in any performance. The acoustics are outstanding. There is one drawback as far as we are concerned and that is as you enter the auditorium on the main floor you are confronted with a very steep aisle. If you have a balance problem, as my wife and I have, you could find yourself on the floor the hard way. We do not let this drawback stop us from attending different performances. The up side is that the interior takes you back in time. There is not a bad seat in the house, there are no posts to get in your way. You only hope some lady with an oversized hat does not sit in front of you. GO, ATTEND and ENJOY the show.
Written 10 April 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.
Steven J
Portland, OR139 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Ok, the tickets were free; a friend got me in to hear the symphony last week. We sat in the top row of the lower balcony which is just one aisle down from the bottom row of the upper balcony. I've had orchestra seats here before, so i can now say from experience, not a bad seat in the house.
Written 7 December 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.
Sugarsgirl
Portland, OR64 contributions
Oct 2016
The Schnitz is basically a repurposed, slightly remodeled auditorium - but architecturally and visually interesting and a comfortable place for culture and entertainment. [Take the free tour offered on weekdays and Saturdays for the history and specifics. The next door Center for the Performing Arts is included]. The main lobby is three stories tall with chandeliers and lots of light. The Park Block entrance is not as stately, but still has some grandeur.
Home of the Oregon Symphony, the Schnitz is an usual site for other concerts, lectures, comedians, The Moth, etc. Arena type concerts are going to be at the MODA Center [basketball arena] for crowds in the thousands. The Schnitz is for audiences no larger than 2,000 or so. There is usually a bar open on the main level, sometimes on the first balcony level.
The legroom varies by section. The first row of the balconies & mezzanine are tighter than the second rows. Sitting under the overhang on the orchestra level can dampen the sound, especially for acoustic music - but not so much with amplified. The orchestra sections on the sides are wedges and I think the sight lines aren't the best. There is not too much room if you are wanting to dance in the aisles. Bathrooms are in the basement and on the first balcony level BUT you can walk across Main Street to the Center for the Performing Arts and use their bathrooms during intermissions, usually.
The balcony seats, on the other hand, have great sound, pretty good legroom and you can see everything for usually a lower price. But beware - if there is projection on a screen set behind curtain line, you will miss the top third or so if you are sitting in the second balcony.
Parking in downtown Portland is easier than most major cities [no matter how much the locals complain]. During the daytime and before 7:00 pm, you pay for street parking. If the weather is very wet and cold, finding parking will take a little longer to find.
Home of the Oregon Symphony, the Schnitz is an usual site for other concerts, lectures, comedians, The Moth, etc. Arena type concerts are going to be at the MODA Center [basketball arena] for crowds in the thousands. The Schnitz is for audiences no larger than 2,000 or so. There is usually a bar open on the main level, sometimes on the first balcony level.
The legroom varies by section. The first row of the balconies & mezzanine are tighter than the second rows. Sitting under the overhang on the orchestra level can dampen the sound, especially for acoustic music - but not so much with amplified. The orchestra sections on the sides are wedges and I think the sight lines aren't the best. There is not too much room if you are wanting to dance in the aisles. Bathrooms are in the basement and on the first balcony level BUT you can walk across Main Street to the Center for the Performing Arts and use their bathrooms during intermissions, usually.
The balcony seats, on the other hand, have great sound, pretty good legroom and you can see everything for usually a lower price. But beware - if there is projection on a screen set behind curtain line, you will miss the top third or so if you are sitting in the second balcony.
Parking in downtown Portland is easier than most major cities [no matter how much the locals complain]. During the daytime and before 7:00 pm, you pay for street parking. If the weather is very wet and cold, finding parking will take a little longer to find.
Written 17 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.
Linda D
Portland, OR33 contributions
Oct 2016
I have seen many performances at the "Schnitz" and find that the acoustics are fantastic and it is also a very beautiful venue. It is right downtown, walking distance to many restaurants. A parking structure is within the block.
Written 17 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.
Where in the concert hall are the general admission tickets for? Is it the “pit?”
Written 6 October 2021
For performances accompanying a movie, can you see the movie screen from the lower and upper balcony or will you be listening only?
Written 9 November 2018
jonesfamilythree
Hillsboro, Oregon
How is the seat comfort in Orchestra B? My Dad is a pretty big guy and was wondering if he would fit comfortably in the seat?
Written 4 March 2018
I agree. The seats are not super roomy. An end -of- the row-seat gives more space/flexibility.
Written 4 March 2018
Are the pit seats at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall great for seeing comedians or should I try another area? Can you give me the pros and cons for each, please? I appreciate your input.
Written 2 December 2017
Csilva
Pit seats are great, I’ve seen Anthony Bourdain there and we just saw Nick Offerman both seats were on the first floor area and not in the pit—they were totally fine. The floor has an incline so you still have a good view.
Written 13 December 2017
I am not sure my answer will be considered helpful however here it is. I talk with someone live when choosing seats for any event. Whereas I have been going to the Schnitz for years I do discuss where I want to me depending upon the event. I let the person know the amount I can pay and go from there. I have never been disappointed whether seeing the Symphony or or a play. The only challenge can be the seats. I am peitete and fit well but I know the leg room can be a challenge.
Written 1 October 2016
The Mezzanine would be great. We sat in the front row of the balcony which we thought were the best seats we could imagine. As the other answer states the centre would probably be best, but it is an awesome theatre and I don't think any seat would be bad ... just some a little better ....
Written 13 February 2015
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