Was visiting from out of town and decided to see the symphony play. On this night they were honoring America 250. The venue is beautiful. Check in was a breeze. No bad seats in the house. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Our uber picked us up at the front door. So convenient. read more

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The Guillard has amazing drinks available and is an amazing venue! The staff is always friendly and greet you with a smile. :) read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Lobby seating for hanging out - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Im no stranger to the theater so I was happy to get to see Two trains Running at the Gaillard center or the phonetic "Gilliard" as the Charleston natives have earnestly corrected me! The play was a masterpiece and I was happy to recognize the actors in it from tv shows and films I've seen. Everything during the show went fine and there was adequate time for bathroom breaks though the lines were very backed up and could have used an attendant to direct the flow. Also leaving this theater is an experience that leaves much to be desired. It is crowded and almost impossible to get out quickly. There are many points of congestion that were anxiety inducing. I don't think there's much that can be done about it though. It was a great experience nonetheless and I am willing to brave the crowds for another play in the future! read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We attended a performance of Dracula at the Charleston Gaillard center and it was such an amazing experience. Firstly the play was FANNTASTICC! The kids really put a lot of time and effort into it and it showed. The theater is beautiful inside out. Perfectly manicured lawns, no garbage lying around, the inside is just as gorgeous. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Beautiful facility to see a concert or show. No bad seats, but the highest balcony leaves you pretty far from the stage. Restrooms are clean, but may be annoying to get to if you have mobility issues. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The Charleston Gaillard Center is a beautiful venue located downtown Charleston SC. Offers a wonderful variety of performances and events. The Gaillard Center offers world class performances year around from local, national and international artist. It offers a broad range of music, dance, theater, family performances. The acoustics in the Performances Hall is amazing. There is are bad seats when attending an event. Tickets prices are reasonable. Parking is available right next to the Gaillard Center or a few blocks down the street. I recommend this venue and challenge you to try something different. read more

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Such a beautiful venue! I've lived in the Charleston for a very long time and this was my first visit. Having the parking garage on site is very helpful! I will say that if you are not able to climb stairs, you probably want to make sure you get tickets for lower levels, because there are a lot of stairs to get up to the upper levels. Venue staff was friendly, the space is beautiful, the seats are comfortable. Only issue was one of the elevators in the parking garage was out of order, so it slowed down some of the exiting, but otherwise, lovely space. read more

All the seats in the Gailliard center have a good view. The closer you are,the better you'll see the performers' gace, but even in the gallery you get a good sight of the entire stage. They have drink, beer, wine, and snacks for sale. Liquor and snacks cannot go in the theater, but the others are saved in a nice sippy cup like, reusable cup. If you bring it back you'll receive a discount on the next drink. I wish they offered Rosé as a wine choice, but they do have white, red, and bubbly. There was only one person working the concessions in the gallery area during the intermission, so the long line took a while. Luckily, the show didn't start again until after we were done in line. read more

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My friends and I are visiting Charleston and decided to go check out an Aretha Franklin performance. It was fantastic. The center was so beautiful so clean and the staff very nice. You are not allowed to take pictures or use your phone. The performances were just amazing. They did a wonderful job! Please see pictures!!! read more

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The outside of the Charleston Gaillard Center was beautiful! I was actually surprised of how outdated the inside of the theater was. Nonetheless we enjoyed our time and the show. Drinks pretty reasonable also. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The renovations are definitely a great improvement. It's beautiful inside. The box seats are great. The sound or acoustics are wonderful for concerts. The restrooms were very clean. No long lines. The Jazz Festival was excellent. It's great to be in the City of Charleston. The seats were very comfortable. Nice spacing. read more

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It was the annual Lowcountry Mental Health conference. We are always hosted by the Gaillard. It's always amazing how well the staff treats us. They take extra care of us and ensure that we have an amazing time. If you have never been to the Gaillard it is an amazing building. They have amazing concerts, plays, and other events. The structure of the building is elegant and well taken care of and of course you can park in the garage which is right underneath. So if they have any upcoming events this is the place to be. read more

I'm very torn on this review because the renovation they've done to this building is absolutely stunning and the show I attended was great, but the logistical issues just made the experience one I would not want again. I went for the launch event of Stephen and Evie Colbert's cookbook. We paid around $250 for two tickets and those both came with a cookbook signed by the couple. The event was only an hour long, but honestly it didn't need to go any longer than that. They were very entertaining with their moderator Busy Phillips and we enjoyed the actual show we attended. The inside of the venue is a little confusing and the signage directing you where to go could be better. My guest has an ADA card (not wheelchair bound but difficulty with stairs)and with the different levels it's a little weird to be going up and down sets of stairs and the elevators were super slow. That was all fine and manageable, but my biggest gripe is with the parking garage. If it was just a city garage I wouldn't have anything to say, but this is the Gaillard parking garage and it was a nightmare. Because of the ADA situation we definitely needed to be close to the venue. There were not handicap spots available when we arrived but that's fine. When we came out of the show, we went straight to the car and then sat in the garage for 58 minutes. It was infuriating. I don't think we moved for 40 minutes. We were at the show for the same amount of time it took us to get out of the garage and that is completely unacceptable. There has to be a better way to manage this like possibly collecting the $5 flat fee upon entrance so they can just open the gates after or something. I've been to hundreds of events in this city and all over, but never have I dealt with a parking garage experience as awful as this one. After having this experience myself, I looked at other reviews and it seems to be an ongoing issue and not just a fluke. They need to manage this better because it would deter me from going to that venue again. read more

First time for the Holiday Spectacular Show. Do recommend to pre-order a drink when you get you tickets, easy and fast way to get your drink. We did not park at the parking garage because it was a weekday, there was ample street parking space. The venue was so pretty Christmas decoration out front and inside was really nice too. There can be quite a bit a walk , and limited elevator space. The shows was amazing , lots of our holiday favorite. Looking forward to catching other shows here read more

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My husband and I attended the Southern Living magazine Illumination Charleston event held on the grounds of the Charleston Gaillard Center in the Spiegeltent (mirror tent). What an awesome venue to attend a dinner featuring recipes from Kardea Brown's new cookbook, The Way Home. We enjoyed delicious dishes such as shrimp and grits, fried chicken, soup, and fruit pastry pies to name a few. What a fun night! read more

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I came to the Gaillard Center to see a wonderful play and the location is stunning. We were all the way in the top balcony but the view was still everything! The ambiance is regal with a flare you just can't get anywhere else. I hope to attend more events here. read more

Nice venue with a good mix of peeformances. Have been here for the CSO and CSYO - tonight is Weird Al! So the gallery is on the 4th floor - I didn't realize how high this is! Hopefully there will be a big screen so we can see Weird Al. There are bars and restrooms on each level. This is my first evening show so I bought wine. This cup is solid! Almost felt like glass. Save $2 if you bring it back. I can imagine people taking this home and bringing it back. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Stage - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The venue is lovely but the wine they serve at the bar is expensive $17,50 for a small plastic cup and it's by far the worst I've ever tasted,, frankly it's not drinkable, threw it in the trash!! read more

What a magnificent venue for Charleston! The renovation was more like they built a completely new facility. The outside main entrance is classy, elegant and just draws your eyes to it. Be sure to park in the garage, as parking is discounted to $5 the times we went. The interior decor is fantastic, and makes you want to stop and soak in the beauty. We have been to 2 shows here, and chose to sit in the box seats, which provided great leg room for us tall people. We enjoyed the seats and were able to enjoy the play and performance without any problems. There are bars located through out which you can purchase usual adult beverages. The facilities are top notch too. The Gaillard is a premier venue that feels like the best of Charleston. Follow them online on FB or join their email to keep up with their shows, and you will be able to see a nice variety of musical arts here at home. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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What an epic venue. We did the school of the arts holiday concert and it was fantastic! Great ambience with christmas trees and decorations. Right downtown close to everything and we found parking right in front. Not a bad seat in the house. I actually like the cups they give you, the top snaps on and it closes so it doesn't spill. read more

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I've been here 3 times in the last 3 weeks and while the Gaillard is indeed beautiful I am surprised that the stairwell was not widened a bit. In a packed house getting out is difficult enough in the parking lot, but the stairwell is ridiculous. Each stair step is steep as well. Considering the age group a a goodly portion of patrons there, a bit more thought could have been given to that. Also, seating is awful. I am a fairly short person and my knees get cramped - my husband, at 6'4" it is intolerable. Book your seats carefully if you attend anything here. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Shanghai Quartet - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I've visited the Gaillard for evening adult events and during the daytime for school field trips. Parking is easy, event staff is knowledgeable and helpful, facilities are beautiful and clean, and all entertainment has been top-notch. It is true to expect a long wait to exit the parking garage after any event. read more

Very beautiful performing arts center. Had the pleasure of coming here for a second time on my visit to Charleston. It's a newly built and is very impressive when walking into it. Everyone always seems to dress up to come here, no matter what the show. The layout is very nice and relatively easy to navigate. There are three bars one located on the lower floor and two located on the upper floors. There are even elevators available for the handicapped, because there are quite a bit of stairs to take. On my second visit here I saw the Nutcracker ballet with my aunt who uses a cane, so the availability of the elevators was a nice touch, not to mention the plethora of handicapped doors. There are only two things that I would say was slightly annoying on my visits: The bars require you to purchase a reusable cup when you purchase a drink. I believe they are $5. The second thing is how confusing the layout of the concert hall is. If there were not ushers, I could see how there would be a lot of lost people looking for their seats. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Opening night - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This venue has been overhauled and upgraded in recent years. Wow what a difference! I always enjoyed attending shows as a child, but man what an improvement now. I couldn't have even imagined it to be so. The entrance way and the green space (dare I say gardens) in front remind me of a Greek or Roman setting. The box office is in the same location and still very basic, but I'm honestly not sure how many people even still use those these days. The big convention halls of days past have been converted to more modern conference halls and meeting spaces. The actual performance hall has been completely transformed. It's absolutely beautiful. Box seating in multiple areas and nicer pathways to access each row. It is much more user-friendly for patrons with these small improvements. The city offices are in a "wing" of this new structure as well. I would definitely say they received an upgrade. If you don't wonder around, you might not even realize they are there. There is a canteen on the first floor, but I can't comment as I did not use it on my trips. The bars sell beer, wine, and liquor, but only white wine and beer are allowed into the concert hall. The red wine stains, and I missed the rationale behind no hard stuff. Still adapting to Blue Laws maybe? Anyway, they include a capped hard plastic vessel that can be reused and results in $2 off subsequent visits. You can even bring it with you to your next performance (if you remember!). The garage is conveniently located adjacent to the Gaillard, but it remains to be problematic when trying to leave after a show. They charge the flat $5 rate upon entry, but somehow, people just lose it when trying to leave. I believe some traffic control would benefit patrons. It would only need to be for about an hour at the end of any performance. Just my two cents. It just puts a damper on what was a lovely evening up until that point. With the close connections to the city, it can be done. read more

What a magnificent venue just located off of East Bay at George Street. I was here for a performance and when I walked in was in awe at the space. It's just beautiful here. The decor is clean and modern with massive high beautiful accented ceilings. The acoustics here are fantastic with the band even commenting that the didn't need the mics. They have several boxes if you want to sit in those. We were on the floor not far away from the stage in comfy seats and a great view. I don't think there is a bad seat here. I only have one complaint and I hate to do this but, please do not continue to seat people 30-45 minutes into the performance. It's so annoying and disruptive. If people are late. They need to wait until intermission to be seated. They can stand at the back so as not to miss out on the entertainment. read more

It was so fun to finally get to the Gaillard for a show. I loved everything about the venue except saying or spelling the word "Gaillard"...which my brain simply cannot handle apparently?! The color choices for the theater interior design are in the easter egg/spring time family. There were lots of pinks and minty greens mixed with white trim and chrome fixtures. Even the carpeted stairs gave a nod to our state with its Palmetto palm pattern. The place was very well lit and the fixtures were understated and classy. We had seats waaaay up top for a comedy show. We could see and hear clearly. There truly did not seem to be a bad seat in the place. I want to come back and sit on the wings as those look quite fun. I've got my eye on you wing seats for the Mavis Staples concert! Some practical stuff: just like at a bar they check your ID when you enter the main door for the alcohol purchases. We parked in the nearby neighborhood and not the garage though that is very convenient. There were tons of restrooms I saw on my way up to the tippy top of the venue so I bet the lines aren't terrible. The stairwells are still very narrow so it can feel a tad claustrophobic but not too bad. It would feel the same at most Broadway venues. If you come during the day there are is a small path and outdoor garden to enjoy. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - No bad seats here! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great venue to see a performance. Masks were worn by all staff and patrons. Social distancing existed everywhere! The staff was friendly and helpful! I look forward to my next visit! read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Holiday Pops - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The Front Row Bistro inside the Gaillard Center is one of my favorite lunch spots! They have delicious lunch and breakfast options at cheap prices. I almost always get the grilled chicken Caesar salad. It's delicious. The chicken and romaine is always cooked to perfection. The staff is also always friendly and the wait doesn't take too long. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - The grilled chicken Caesar salad. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Why don't the ushers have flashlights? Why did someone with a ticket for the next day gain admittance for the same seats as we had? What is the deal with a "double" glass of wine costing $20, plus tip? No one saw us to our seats, or anyone else until there was an issue with someone who was there the wrong day. How did that happen? Overall it was not a pleasant experience, although the venue is very nice. read more

Great events, entertainment, learning and information for kids of all ages. My son and I attended a function at which many businesses were on display and there were hundreds if not thousands of free items handed out to all the visitors. An old Marine Buddy was there. Ed Bounds, who has formed his own company based on his electronic and mechanical training in the Corps as well as his BS in Paleontology to create dinosaurs (powered with people too!) that walk amongst the crowd and has a show that's aimed at kids of all ages with sing alongs and the witnessing of the hatching of a raptor egg! It was great to see Ed again and especially in his own environment. He is thriving, as are those who see and participate in the show. It's not to be missed. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This is truly a beautiful event/theater space. We moved here last summer so this was our first event and we were so impressed. We've been to several city's theater's and this is truly a nice one. Definitely plan on seeing lots of shows here in Charleston. read more

The state of the art renovation converted an old mid west saloon to the Taj Mahal. This defined building reminds us of the majestic structures we might find in Washington, DC or New York City. With the column structures, marble floor finish, decor, art, sculptures and an auditorium that is fit for the most prestigious performers from around the world, Charleston has stepped up in the arts and cultural scene with this facility. Including a full size parking garage and two outdoor lots around the facility, parking is very adequate for large event shows. The center houses so many diverse events including dance, music, theater, symphony and event open council meetings. If you have not had a chance to walk through, go up the stars, watch the stage from the balcony and soak in this beautiful spectacle of a building. It is a must. read more

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After 12 years of piano lessons from Juilliard-trained teachers, I have ... and will always appreciate, Classical music. That being said, we've enjoyed the last two seasons of the CSO (at the Soittle Theatre) while we followed the progress of the new Gaillard Center. When the 2015-2016 season's line-up was announced this past Spring, we quickly purchased our tickets for the Friday evening Masterworks series and looked forward to the opening of the new auditorium. As recent transplants from Baltimore, our familiarity with Ken Lam, the newly named CSO Music Director (formerly the Education Director of the BSO) added to our anticipation. Our first concert was Oct. 6 and getting ready for the evening took on some new twists ... what will I/we wear? Where will we eat? Where will we park? ... you get the picture. Though mode of dress has become more relaxed in Charleston over the last few years, my intuition suggested that this was not going to be a dress down, casual evening ... not for me and not for my husband ... and I was on point. If you're a guy reading this and you have a problem wearing a shirt and a tie, then this series is not for you. Ladies, you'll want to bring your A-game ... so, wear your little black dress and you'll blend right in with this well dressed crowd. Pre-concert dining? Disappointingly, there are few options within walking distance to the Center ... Saffron, East Bay Deli and Ted's Butcher Block. (On both the 6th and last night, we ate at Saffron.) Parking? What a pleasure! The Gaillard Center includes a new, multilevel, well-lit parking garage with wide spaces. We paid $5.00 to an attendant at the entrance and easily found a great spot (both times). Then, it was just a short distance from the garage to the front of the Auditorium on a well lit and newly paved path. When we approached the entrance on the evening of the first concert, I was immediately proud of Charleston's achievement and frankly, overwhelmed, at site of this tall and bold structure. The building is majestic and the interior, impressive, yet, comfortable. Making our way up the grand staircase to the Orchestra seating in the Concert Hall, we by-passed the bar (both times) as $12.50 for a 4-oz. pour of a mediocre wine doesn't make sense. We were escorted to our seats. At the first concert, we met and got to know the people seated near us. Last night, it was all about plans for the holidays. An evening at the Gaillard Auditorium is a wonderful experience. While we have fabulous seats, it honestly doesn't look like there is a 'bad' seat in the Concert Hall ... and the acoustics? ... just about perfect! Leaving the Auditorium has been smooth and we have not encountered any problems exiting the garage as payment was collected on entering and attendants are staged throughout the structure to keep the flow of cars, steady. While the next concert is not until January, we're already talking about skipping dinner before the performance and checking out the downtown night scene afterwards. Life is good! read more

Going on 20 minutes to exit garage- beyond miserable, completely erased the wonderful Charleston Symphony performance prior.

WOW! The renovations to the Gaillard are spectacular. The inside of the building is a work of art and worth seeing on it's own. I love how they have combined art deco and Georgian style in the architecture and decorations. They are kinda contrasting genres but they made it work. The bar definitely helps improve ones opinion of the building. I can't speak to the performance I saw because it wasn't great (I don't think that was the Gaillard's fault), but coming here for a show should be a regular activity on everyone's schedules. read more

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The Charleston Gaillard Center is a grand place for events and shows. It is a beautiful space inside and outside to get business done with the City of Charleston, attend an event, or just find a quiet space to relax and slow down, have a business meeting, or get some work done. Really like the atmosphere of this venue. read more

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This is a gorgeous venue! We recently came here to attend the Wizard of Oz show and it was incredible! We booked seats right behind the equipment guys so we knew we would have a bit more leg room, and it did not disappoint! The ushers even offered us better seats in the event their lighting was bothering us, but we were more than happy in our section. They do allow white wine and soda in the performance hall, but you must consume food, liquor, and red wine in the halls. All of the staff we encountered were very friendly and knowledgeable. Also, we got an awesome "adult sippy cup" (as I would call it) with our drink purchase that gives us a discount in the future! Now that we know about this venue, we will definitely keep an eye on other experiences here! read more

The new Gaillard Center (formerly known as the Gaillard Auditorium) is magnificent. The layout is the same as it was before they tore the Gilliard Auditorium down and rebuilt this. this. The main Concert Hall was spectacular, the sound system was well tuned and the balcony seats above us looked like a place that I would want to pay for and enjoy at least once. All in all, it is a magnificent place that has a great number of great acts coming in the next few months. read more

Charleston Gaillard Center - View upwards from seat L-11. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My first time at the Gaillard Center for a live performance. It is a beautiful venue, and there is literally not a bad seat in the house. My sorority brought girls from one of our youth groups to the Dance Theater of Harlem event, and we sat at the highest level and had a clear view of the stage and the orchestra pit. You can get to the top two levels by stairs or by elevator, and there are multiple elevators in the in the venue. There had a modest selection of beer, wine, and soft drinks. They do accept credit cards. The parking garage was easy to get in and out of and cost $5 (cash only). I would love to see a music performance at the Gaillard Center. I bet it would be fantastic. read more

My wife and I stopped in to see Spamalot the other night, which was amazing and deserves its own review. Monty Python is a genius, plain and simple. Our seats were high up, but the view was great, and seating was fairly comfortable for someone with long legs. Be aware that the ushers keep the doors shut for five minutes after the start of the show, so if you have to pee or are late, expect to wait outside the doors until that five minute mark passes. There are TV screens out there though, so you won't miss much. Drinks are served in adult sippy cups, which I think is awesome. Saves on waste and gives you something to bring home with the Gaillard name on it. I felt like everything ran smoothly during the show, but their exit strategy leaves something to be desired. Everyone is funneled to one staircase leading to the ground floor. Chaos. The parking garage is convenient, but same issue as well. All the cars are backing out at the same time, and we literally sat and sat and sat while waiting for everyone to impatiently move their cars out ahead of us. The Gaillard is not so much at fault for this, more so it is the fault of the drivers who have lost a common sense of courtesy and probably sampled too many of the sippy cups during the show. read more