Boulder Theater
Boulder Theater
4
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
First opened in 1906 as a venue for opera, musical productions and silent movies, this versatile performance center now serves a variety of functions, from meetings and conferences to live theater and concerts.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Boulder Theater and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
472 within 3 miles
Attractions
163 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
88 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
29
Average
10
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Steve D
5 contributions
Apr 2022
I used to enjoy going to the Boulder theater for music. No more. My last two visits, one to see Al Di Meola o March 29, and one to see Lucinda Willamrs on April 19th, were unpleasant. The seating is now packed so close together that you can't move in or out of an aisle without everyone before you actually exiting the row. It's no longer sufficient to stand up and let people pass Also ,people talk incessantly during the performance. Not only is there no attempt to enforce quiet, but it seems as if some of the most egregious offenders are people employed by the theater. I love liv music, and there was a time when this was a comfortable theater with good acoustics, but no more.
Written April 20, 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.
ETC on the trail
Fort Collins, CO63 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Saw Bombino last night. Really stupid setup with crappy chairs in rows all over the floor. Bombino is a seriously rocking guitarist and people need room to move. if you want to stand and try to dance you can go to the back to the (small) GA areas.
Saw him in Fort Collins 3 years ago at Washington’s, a vastly superior venue with open floor and great acoustics.
I really don’t know what they are thinking at Boulder with the crowded seating setup—much older population that needs to sit? Charge more $ for seat proximity?
Was my first time at this venue. I was disappointed. Cool old theater, but no good for modern music shows.
Saw him in Fort Collins 3 years ago at Washington’s, a vastly superior venue with open floor and great acoustics.
I really don’t know what they are thinking at Boulder with the crowded seating setup—much older population that needs to sit? Charge more $ for seat proximity?
Was my first time at this venue. I was disappointed. Cool old theater, but no good for modern music shows.
Written August 15, 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.
HUTCHISONHATCH
Longmont, CO1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Friends
NIGHTMARE on 14th St. - NEW YEAR'S EVE at the Boulder Theater 2013!
I have been in Boulder since the 80s and over the years have collected a string of very pleasant memories of attending events at the Boulder Theater. In fact, one of the best New Year's celebrations that I have ever attended was at the Theater headlined by the SAM BUSH BAND. So based upon the memory of that evening, my wife and I ponied up the $90 apiece for tickets for this year's New Year's Eve show featuring Sam Bush and the Yonder Mountain String Band. It was not long into the evening though that we both realized that what we had actually purchased was admission into the second circle of CONCERT HELL!
- The evening began with standing in line for 40 minutes, outside in the cold and awash in a dense cloud of second hand cigarette smoke courtesy of the never ending parade of bums and ticket scalpers.
- THE WAIT
Finally we were admitted, we chose the balcony seating and then the wait began. An hour and a half later the band finally finds its way to the stage. FYI, choose your balcony seating carefully as more than a few of the wooden arm rests are missing from seats leaving a very uncomfortable cast iron support to try and rest your arm on.
- HORRIBLE SOUND
Whoever the theater has engineering the sound should be fired immediately. Bluegrass vocalists naturally skew more towards high pitched voices. The sound engineer had the gains so high and unnecessarily loud that listening was not only painful but attempting to discern the words was impossible.
- THEN THERE WAS THE LIGHT SHOW!
As if the miss mixed sound wasn't painful enough to endure, someone within the Theater's management with spending authority decided to acquire a whole lot of very expensive dance club style lighting fixtures with which to further torture the patrons. It was distracting, extremely irritating and completely irrelevant to what was being performed. Please bear in mind these were focused, very high intensity, lighting effects that were sprayed all over the interior of the theater. The overall effect would have been laughable if it had not been so irritating.
- NOW WE GET TO THE SMOKE!
Having second cigarette smoke forced upon me is one of my personal "hot buttons". Pot smoke - not so much, however there is a limit when we are talking about an indoor venue where smoking of any type is supposedly prohibited. The Theater management did nothing whatsoever to enforce the no smoking prohibition. In fact, thirty minutes into the performance and the cloud of smoke was so dense, both of us were having trouble distinguishing the performers on the stage.
- RESTROOM HELL,
The Boulder Theater clearly could not care less when it comes to accommodating their patron's needs. The two restrooms are woefully inadequate. So what did Theater Management decide to do? They opened up a restaurant (George's) that feeds its patrons directly into the Theater's cramped restrooms. Then there is the "women in the men's room issue", call me "old school" but just as men are not permitted in a women's restroom, women have no business using a men's restroom. The Boulder Theater clearly doesn't care!
- NO CONTROL
If you attend this venue expecting a seat with an enjoyable view of the performers, think again! The first floor under the stage is a "Mosh Pit" - good luck!
The balcony which should be reserved for those who wish to watch was hideously overcrowded with out of control, inebriated patrons jumping around making it impossible for us to enjoy the concert. In fact, my wife had a drink spilled down here back without so much as an apology.
- IN CONCLUSION
The Boulder Theater stands as an historic landmark that embodies a tremendous amount of civic pride on the part of the city. However, those who are responsible for its current management should truly be ashamed of themselves for letting it slip as far as it has. I would even go as far as suggesting investigations by the Fire Dept., Health Dept., etc. as well as someone looking into potential building code violations. Personally, as much as it pains me to say this - I am done with the Boulder Theater.
I have been in Boulder since the 80s and over the years have collected a string of very pleasant memories of attending events at the Boulder Theater. In fact, one of the best New Year's celebrations that I have ever attended was at the Theater headlined by the SAM BUSH BAND. So based upon the memory of that evening, my wife and I ponied up the $90 apiece for tickets for this year's New Year's Eve show featuring Sam Bush and the Yonder Mountain String Band. It was not long into the evening though that we both realized that what we had actually purchased was admission into the second circle of CONCERT HELL!
- The evening began with standing in line for 40 minutes, outside in the cold and awash in a dense cloud of second hand cigarette smoke courtesy of the never ending parade of bums and ticket scalpers.
- THE WAIT
Finally we were admitted, we chose the balcony seating and then the wait began. An hour and a half later the band finally finds its way to the stage. FYI, choose your balcony seating carefully as more than a few of the wooden arm rests are missing from seats leaving a very uncomfortable cast iron support to try and rest your arm on.
- HORRIBLE SOUND
Whoever the theater has engineering the sound should be fired immediately. Bluegrass vocalists naturally skew more towards high pitched voices. The sound engineer had the gains so high and unnecessarily loud that listening was not only painful but attempting to discern the words was impossible.
- THEN THERE WAS THE LIGHT SHOW!
As if the miss mixed sound wasn't painful enough to endure, someone within the Theater's management with spending authority decided to acquire a whole lot of very expensive dance club style lighting fixtures with which to further torture the patrons. It was distracting, extremely irritating and completely irrelevant to what was being performed. Please bear in mind these were focused, very high intensity, lighting effects that were sprayed all over the interior of the theater. The overall effect would have been laughable if it had not been so irritating.
- NOW WE GET TO THE SMOKE!
Having second cigarette smoke forced upon me is one of my personal "hot buttons". Pot smoke - not so much, however there is a limit when we are talking about an indoor venue where smoking of any type is supposedly prohibited. The Theater management did nothing whatsoever to enforce the no smoking prohibition. In fact, thirty minutes into the performance and the cloud of smoke was so dense, both of us were having trouble distinguishing the performers on the stage.
- RESTROOM HELL,
The Boulder Theater clearly could not care less when it comes to accommodating their patron's needs. The two restrooms are woefully inadequate. So what did Theater Management decide to do? They opened up a restaurant (George's) that feeds its patrons directly into the Theater's cramped restrooms. Then there is the "women in the men's room issue", call me "old school" but just as men are not permitted in a women's restroom, women have no business using a men's restroom. The Boulder Theater clearly doesn't care!
- NO CONTROL
If you attend this venue expecting a seat with an enjoyable view of the performers, think again! The first floor under the stage is a "Mosh Pit" - good luck!
The balcony which should be reserved for those who wish to watch was hideously overcrowded with out of control, inebriated patrons jumping around making it impossible for us to enjoy the concert. In fact, my wife had a drink spilled down here back without so much as an apology.
- IN CONCLUSION
The Boulder Theater stands as an historic landmark that embodies a tremendous amount of civic pride on the part of the city. However, those who are responsible for its current management should truly be ashamed of themselves for letting it slip as far as it has. I would even go as far as suggesting investigations by the Fire Dept., Health Dept., etc. as well as someone looking into potential building code violations. Personally, as much as it pains me to say this - I am done with the Boulder Theater.
Written January 3, 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.
travelfun1953
Monte Vista, CO17 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Beware - when the Boulder Theater indicates the starting time for the show, be prepared for a long wait before the headliner you paid to see. Recently, the starting time for the show was indicated to be 7:30pm, but it was two full hours before Hot Tuna took the stage. During this time, the Boulder Theater was selling all manner of alcoholic beverages at a feverish pace and a premium price while patrons were waiting, largely in the lobby, for the TWO opening acts to end.
The two opening acts were not remotely related in style to Hot Tuna, one was very poor (and uncomfortably loud), and played for two full hours. While there is normally only a single opening act lasting for ca. 30 min, when the two opening acts finally ended a flood of savvy Boulderites, who were clearly aware of the Boulder Theater's profit oriented delay strategy, flooded in to fill the many previously empty seats.
By the time Hot Tuna finally took the stage many patrons were fairly hammered during the one hour 45 minutes that they played.
It seemed an obvious ploy to maximize liquor sales - is Boulder Theater really operating as a bar?
We will not be back - no matter how badly we want to see the headliner(s).
The two opening acts were not remotely related in style to Hot Tuna, one was very poor (and uncomfortably loud), and played for two full hours. While there is normally only a single opening act lasting for ca. 30 min, when the two opening acts finally ended a flood of savvy Boulderites, who were clearly aware of the Boulder Theater's profit oriented delay strategy, flooded in to fill the many previously empty seats.
By the time Hot Tuna finally took the stage many patrons were fairly hammered during the one hour 45 minutes that they played.
It seemed an obvious ploy to maximize liquor sales - is Boulder Theater really operating as a bar?
We will not be back - no matter how badly we want to see the headliner(s).
Written May 24, 2013
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.
artsub
Milwaukee, WI134 contributions
Apr 2013
We went to see a show mid month and were greatly disappointed with the entertainment. First they were 1hour and 45 mins late, they weren't that good, and not worth the wait.. On top of that, when they played, the sound system did not do them any justice, because it was muffled, and extremely loud to the point you couldn't hear the group.
Written April 16, 2013
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.
Edilie
Allenspark, CO58 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
The stacking-chairs seating is for the birds. But nobody sits down, so it shouldn't matter. Except if you just keep wishing that everybody would sit down so you could enjoy the show.
It's a Boulder tradition, so you can forgive a lot--but I'd rather see my favorite groups at a venue where I can see them (and sit comfortably for the experience).
It's a Boulder tradition, so you can forgive a lot--but I'd rather see my favorite groups at a venue where I can see them (and sit comfortably for the experience).
Written April 25, 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.
CanarsieGal
Boulder23 contributions
world class bands, movie night, local events... this place is a Boulder classic. Check out their listings to see if there is something you like because it is definitely worth a vidist.
Written January 13, 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.
451nb
Westminster, CO1 contribution
Oct 2018 • Couples
I have gone to shows here for several years. They book a wide variety of artists here, mainly musicians but they have comedians here too.
Recently however, they have taken a pattern from some airlines and added more rows for shows with reserved seats. I'm a smaller person, but even I couldn't stand up straight without my legs bumping into the seats in front of me. I think what happens is people in one row push back their chairs a little bit on each standing ovation. People in the back-most row on a given tier end up cramped.
If you want the guy in front of you to end up in your lap, get seats in the back-most row of a tier. Otherwise, get seats in the front-most row of a tier, or get seats in the balcony, where they have permanently attached theater-style seats.
Recently however, they have taken a pattern from some airlines and added more rows for shows with reserved seats. I'm a smaller person, but even I couldn't stand up straight without my legs bumping into the seats in front of me. I think what happens is people in one row push back their chairs a little bit on each standing ovation. People in the back-most row on a given tier end up cramped.
If you want the guy in front of you to end up in your lap, get seats in the back-most row of a tier. Otherwise, get seats in the front-most row of a tier, or get seats in the balcony, where they have permanently attached theater-style seats.
Written October 17, 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.
BenVenuti137
Munich, Germany200 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
Chairs set out are uncomfortably cramped. It is most awkward to step over people to get to your seat. We enjoy the vendor booths in the lobby, but it is difficult to physically get through crowds to reach the bathroom.
Written November 23, 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.
DeepBlueDives
Denton, TX426 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
We caught a show at the Boulder Theatre in the end of August. What I liked about the venue was the openness inside, with a multi tier floor that made it easy to see the stage. An upstairs wraps around in a horseshoe above the main floor. The old style decor of the theatre is still intact.
There isn't a bad place to stand here. Nice railings to break up the tiers, with a place to put your drinks down. A large bar extends into the lower area, and it was always easy to grab a drink. Free pitchers of iced water were at one end, making it easy to stay hydrated in the dry climate.
The place wasn't overcrowded like I have experienced at some downtown Denver Venues. The only draw back was the funnel to the rest room area, and the long time it took to get through security to enter. Get in line early for this reason. I guarantee that there were people that missed the first 30 minutes of the show because of this.
There isn't a bad place to stand here. Nice railings to break up the tiers, with a place to put your drinks down. A large bar extends into the lower area, and it was always easy to grab a drink. Free pitchers of iced water were at one end, making it easy to stay hydrated in the dry climate.
The place wasn't overcrowded like I have experienced at some downtown Denver Venues. The only draw back was the funnel to the rest room area, and the long time it took to get through security to enter. Get in line early for this reason. I guarantee that there were people that missed the first 30 minutes of the show because of this.
Written December 11, 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.
tough to say as it changes. weekends midnight. some might go as late as 1am.
Written April 1, 2019
Is the seating tiered (aka sloping) such that everyone can see the stage for the comedy shows? Or is it flat?
Written January 2, 2019
Tiered, lots of great vantage points.
Written January 3, 2019
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing