Saw Ali Wong live at the Florida Theatre! My recommendation is wearing comfy shoes. If your seat is located at a higher floor you will have to walk multiple stairs and there aren't any elevator to my knowledge so it was a bit of a hike. There are restrooms located all over and on various floors so no need to wait in the front long lines to use the restroom. Also, there are a ton of areas selling liquor and there are other bars throughout so no need to wait the long lines to get a drink at the bar up at the front entrance. I am someone that runs hot and it was a bit warm for me so possibly dress light or breathable cotton. read more

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Such a great theatre with history. I love that it's a small venue and you can't go wrong with any seat. The seats are ok when it comes to comfort but again it's old. There are restrooms at different levels, if you use the first one at the entrance you'll be waiting in line forever. There's plenty of parking in nearby lots and they're reasonably priced. After the show you can find plenty of bars take your pick and you might want to read the reviews. read more

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I love the old theaters... and this one is a true treasure. Opened in 1927 and added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1982, it was beautifully restored in 2023 and looks fantastic. The acoustics in these classic venues are always special... there's nothing quite like them. When I noticed that Itzhak Perlman going to perform here, I had to make the trip to Jacksonville. This wasn't just a concert... it was a reflection on a remarkable 80-year life. Widely considered one of the greatest violinists of all time (and I completely agree), it was incredible to see him so close in such an intimate setting. I saw him at Carnegie Hall twice before, years ago. At 80, he's still playing with breathtaking purity and control... the sound as beautiful as ever. Almost everyone working at the theater is a volunteer, which makes the experience even more special. I went up to the top level to give a view from up there. I'd say the 200 level is very good, 300 a bit far away. Highly recommend this venue... a truly special place to experience live performance. read more

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The theater has been totally renovated inside and while it maintains its authentic Beauty the update makes it just much more comfortable. The Acoustics are absolutely phenomenal no matter where you are sitting. In fact, I was sitting towards the back which usually I hate and I felt like the sound was just as great there. They had an updated light system which really added to the show and it was really pretty. They had three bars outside so there was hardly any way to get refreshments. The bathrooms were spotless and somebody was inside cleaning them at all times. There was a little line for check-in but it went smoothly and efficiently. The experience was phenomenal and I am so happy I was able to see Chicago there! I can't wait to return to see another show! read more

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I think everyone must be familiar with the Florida Theatre. It's a beautiful venue. We were recently there for a tribute concert featuring Elton John sound alike performer. It was a great performance but this review is for the venue. Parking can be tricky, but there are several nearby garages usually charging $10.00, bring cash. Street parking is free after 5 or 6 and always for disabled. We parked a block away. We dined nearby, there are several restaurants/bars, with different price points from inexpensive to fancy. I love Casa Dora Italian, see related review. There are no elevators, so balcony seating is limited. The main seating is at a steep slope in my opinion and I found it a little difficult to navigate, with my cane. I was fine though. Seating is on the low side, with ample room. I did not have any discomfort for the 2 hour show. The bathroom wait is long, especially at intermissions. They offer snacks, sodas and adult beverages. All in all it's a beautiful venue and they have some awesome talent and performances. read more

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Every time I come to this place is always a breath of fresh air. When you walk through the venue, they will have a security point up to make sure everyone that's coming in isn't bringing any weapons. But soon as you walk in the bars to your right and the restrooms are to your left. The bar does except cash and card and they do have a few snacks such as like chips and candy. But no real food is served at this place. The venue is very huge downstairs has a lot of air condition and even when you go up two flights of stairs to the balcony you feel a fresh breeze. Even if you're sitting at the back of the theater you still feel like you're in the front the echo and acoustics are amazing here. I have been here many times such as to see Disney Junior live in different orchestras. This place is amazing. read more

Florida Theatre - The architect and art on the balcony level - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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What a charming historical theatre this place is. A gem to our city where many community acts and talents were performed at. I was able to visit the Florida theatre during the Vienna Austria candlelight ceremony. Which the show was indeed so beautiful. As they sang and played music I loved how the sound echoed through the theatre. Though the theatre is not that big it's intimate and comforting. Some say that a refurbish needs to be done and others say not to since it would loose its authentic vintage charm. Inside the wooden doors the theatre had a Floridian vintage decor to it. Old iron thin swirl railings and star lanterns that hand from the ceiling give it character. Definitely a place to visit for seeing an event. Still running strong from 1927z read more

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I always enjoy a show at the Florida Theater. This was my first time back since they updated the seats and repainted. They did a fantastic job and it is beautiful. The bar offerings are limited but nice. Offering snacks and drinks you can enjoy during your show. The bathrooms were clean. I find that the second floor bathroom are less crowded than the first floor. read more

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Friends of mine gave us tickets to see a show at Jacksonville theater so we made w night of it. The theater is lovely, has a turn if the century kind of feel. Truly reminds me of Tampa theater. The bar service was awesome. Very promt and courteous. The ushers were helpful. My husband and I are Large folks and thr seats were not uncomfortable. The sound and lighting for the show, Scott Peterson's Post Modern Jukebox was phenomenal! I really enjoyed said show. I also think its haunted! I kept feeling/seeing in my peripheral vision an old fashioned style Usher. What do you know about this? read more

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What can you say. Venue is old but spectacular. Service is great. Acoustics are outstanding. They normally have great shows to entertain the masses. An iconic place in the jacksonville area read more

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We saw a show here tonight and really enjoyed it. The place is classic old theater. We were in row z but still felt like these were good seats. There is a parking garage just across the street. read more

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We attended the Florida Theater Classical Christmas Show and it was breathtaking! I haven't been there in a few years, what a beautiful theater! Stunning! The show was awesome. The orchestra and singers outstanding! read more

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Always a wonderful time at the Florida Theatre! It's a lovely theatre inside very beautifully decorated and not a bad seat in the house! Recently saw Michael W Smith and Rilee Clemmins for the Christmas concert. If you are a member there is a members only entrance and you get to vote on who gets to play at the theater read more

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I've had the pleasure of seeing the shows here over the past few years. Have loved every single one of them. Hassan Minhaj, Marlon Wayans, and most recently Trevor Wallace. They bring big names to Jacksonville Florida. They have a wide variety of shows throughout the year but I've only attended to see comedians. It's a big enough stage for a great crowd reaction while still cozier than an arena set up. This makes it easy to check in and out of the shows without navigating massive crowds. They offer bar service on both floors making it convenient to grab them on the way to your seats. Ushers located throughout take the doubt and hassle of locating your seats. Bathroom lines can get a bit long, especially at the very end of the show but amenities are clean. Great location downtown with a parking garage with plenty of readily available parking just one block away. Will continue to attend future comedy shows here without a doubt! They have a full calendar nearly a year out online so you can always see future bookings and plan well in advance. read more

Florida Theatre - Balcony view of the stage - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville isn't just a venue--it's a cathedral of velvet, plaster, and memory. Built in 1927 during the golden age of movie palaces, this Mediterranean Revival masterpiece is dripping with old-world charm. Moorish arches, twinkling starlit ceiling, hand-painted details--it's like stepping into a dream where the Roaring Twenties never ended. I've seen many performances here, but none etched itself into my soul like Chris Cornell on February 25, 2016, during his final solo tour. A night I will never forget. His voice filled the theater like a ghost summoning every ounce of beauty from those ornate walls. That performance lingers in the air of this place, as if the plaster itself remembers. Walking into the Florida Theatre, you realize this is probably the most beautiful theater you'll ever see. And that's not hyperbole--it's jaw-dropping, old-school glamour that makes modern multiplexes look like sterile waiting rooms. Here, you don't just watch a performance, you experience it. The one-liners write themselves: * This isn't a theater, it's time travel with better acoustics. * Forget Netflix--this place makes you believe in magic again. * If the walls here could talk, they'd probably sing. The Florida Theatre has survived Prohibition, The Great Depression, World War II, and the indignities of time. It was saved from demolition in the 1980s and restored to glory, proving Jacksonville knew it had something worth keeping. And thank God it did. Bottom line: the Florida Theatre is more than a venue. It's a monument to what performance spaces should be: beautiful, unforgettable, and soaked in history. Go once, and it will haunt you--in the best way--for the rest of your life. read more

The Florida theatre is new and improved! That's right, they have cup holders in the seats now They always have a great selection at the concession stand and have friendly service from the door to your seats! This is the perfect venue for date night, alone time, or a group gathering. Walking distance from a couple great bars and restaurants, you absolutely have to enjoy a night out on the town with the Florida theatre! read more

Florida Theatre - So excited for Vitamin String Quartet tonight! - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I have been to this venue a lot. I sometimes work here doing event security as well. These pictures are from 2021 when Sister Hazel decided to perform here. I was unaware that this band originated in Florida. I think that's always a plus. The following year in 2022 I got the opportunity to meet the lead singer while working at the annual Jacksonville River Jams. I was surprised that he had a normal conversation. That's rare, because there's a few artist that don't make time in meeting their fans. Unfortunately, I couldn't take a picture with him that because it's against our company rules while we're working. But, it was still an awesome day. I guess it's one of the perks about working event security. Parking can be slightly difficult to find because of parking meters. If it is during the week and before 6 p.m. expect to pay a fee. But, after 6 p.m. and on weekends it's free. There's also a parking across from the venue, but it's paid parking. There's also a parking garage that's available. That's paid parking and it's a reasonable priced as well. read more

Florida Theatre - Fancy interior chandelier - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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One of my favorite places to go! Lots of great shows and wonderful service at not only the bar, but also with the sales department and the ushers at the events. I've always had a good experience at every show, and the staff have been wonderful. Top notch from top to bottom. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. It's a great place to go for a date night or out with friends. There are snacks and drinks at the bar, both upstairs and downstairs. They also provide memberships. There are lots of parking in the surrounding area and there is security. read more

Florida Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Service seating and First Class Performances! Always a Great time and a Beautiful Theatre.

I just took my littles to The Florida Theater to see Fraggle Rock - back to the rock Live. What a great theater this is. It had a charm about it that's hard to beat. The theater is a beautiful old fashion palace with updated amenities. From the beautiful tapestries on the wall to the antique usher call panels, it's just a magical place to watch live entertainment. The staff were cordial and helpful. There was nice selection of snacks and reasonably priced. This was a great venue for my toddlers to see their first live performance. read more

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Enjoyed my 1st show of 2025 at the beautiful Florida Theatre to see singer Judy Collins! Staff working the show were friendly and professional. Didn't buy any drinks or snacks since I was still full from having dinner prior to the show. The theatre now has a small selection of nonalcoholic drinks! Hopefully see you at one of this years concerts! read more

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The historic Florida Theatre is such a gorgeous venue to see shows! I was there last night for the Vitamin Strings Quartet concert (great show). The staff were so welcoming and helpful. The seats are small since it's an older venue, so be prepared to be very close to those seated by you. read more

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The best part of a city is its arts. The Florida Theatre is no exception to this. It brings out the beauty that is Jacksonville. This old theatre transports you back to a time that has been long forgotten. It's simply beautiful. We recently got a chance to attend their winter offering of their stories program. It was fantastic. Six local residents telling their stories. Our seats were in the center about five rows back and they were perfect. The tickets were a cool $35 or so and they were worth every penny. The concessions are fantastic. They offer Intuition that you can carry into the theatre. What more could you want? So, check out their website for more details on what's next and hire a babysitter. It's time to go see some amazing theatre in your backyard! read more

Florida Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

This is such a wonderful venue in the heart of Jacksonville. This is my second time here and I am very impressed by the acoustics, music always sounds amazing here. The customer service is also outstanding, seats are comfortable, the only thing I would suggest is to increase the size of the concessions stands and what they sell, aside From drinks there is only bagged snacked and candy for sale. Overall the Florida theater is a great place bad love all the renovations the theater is going through. read more

I saw the Gipsy King's in concert with friends at the Florida Theatre a few months ago. This was my first time inside the theatre. It had so much charm! I felt like I stepped back in time. The staff were friendly and helped us find our seats. We sat in the center section at the end of the row. Our seats were good! The sound system was great and I loved the concert. There was a bar and snack counter as soon as we entered the front door to the right. We hopped in line and waited about 10 minutes. I was happy to see that in addition to beer and wine, they also sold seltzers. I also purchased some peanut M&Ms. There were restrooms to the left after we entered the front door. There were only a few stalls, which caused a little bit of a wait. I would absolutely attend another show at the Florida Theatre! read more

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Great venue for music. Saw Ann Wilson from the Heart. Sound was excellent. Staging and performance was great. She did some of her hits and included new songs as well as excellent renditions of Led Zep and David Bowie songs. Band was perfect backup with great skills which complimented Wilson's singing. Enjoyed!!!!!!!! read more

Florida Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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This ornate theater is 97 years old! Tastefully decorated, we saw The Nutcraacker there and thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Florida Theatre is a historic American movie theater located in Jacksonville, Florida. Opened in April 1927, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on November 4, 1982. On April 18, 2012, the AIA's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. The venue offers a 1,865-seat theatre with incredible acoustics and near-perfect sightlines, on two levels, with two lobbies--Promenade and Mezzanine--and a private area, the Barnett Room, for your event needs. Experience the enchantment of the holiday season as Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida presents the beloved classic ballet, "The Nutcracker." Immerse yourself in a world of snowflakes, sugarplums, and magical dolls in this captivating production, set to the iconic score by Tchaikovsky, inspired by the tale of Ernest Hoffman. The Community Nutcracker of Jacksonville has performed annually since 1992! Over 200 local performers come together to share this must-see, whimsical, imaginative celebration of dance + storytelling. Become part of the magic and support the arts and local talent of Northeast Florida, who express their love for performance by sharing it with others. By attending the performance, you'll discover that the power of the Nutcracker isn't just a fairytale of love, loyalty and courage. The dedication and hard work of the company shines brightly on stage, bonding the community during the holidays to give to those that need holiday cheer the most. Choreographed and directed by awarded Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev, this critically acclaimed performance is a true masterpiece. Witness the extraordinary talent of Arts Ballet Theatre's own ballet stars as they bring the principal roles to life with grace and precision while featuring a community cast, including local character artists and children, adding an authentic touch to the performance. The Nutcracker is not only a holiday tradition but also serves as a perfect introduction to the art of ballet for young audiences, igniting a lifelong love for dance. The Nutcracker is the ballet that captures hearts around the world during this magical time of year. read more

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I enjoy the shows at the Florida Theater. The staff is always welcoming and the shows are always good. All of the seats seem to be good seats. read more

Enjoyed the venue for the event. Take the time to absorb the character of the architecture. The seating provides a great view no matter where you sit. read more

Love love the Florida Theater especially their summer movies are so great. When I saw that they were doing a live action of Charlotte's Web I thought the boys would love it as I enjoyed watching a live production when I was a child. However this was a bit different no super cute costumes or set designs... More imagination with a small cast. The theater did a great job with handling the large crowd as many schools had a field trip day. We were able to be quickly seated as they had a separate entrance for individuals so we did not get lost in the hustle of the field trip crowd. read more

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Attended a performance of the Vienna Light Orchestra 12/25. The performance itself was awesome. The venue, employees, and other patrons, not so much. We were seated in the balcony section. Many were struggling to get up the stairs to their rows, pulling themselves on the railing and one man fell. If the employees who were directing people to their sections had sent them to the actual closest entry point, many would not have had to struggle to get to their seats. There was a door that put people in the center of the upper balcony, but people were sent to the middle doors where you had to climb many stairs instead of down 2 or 3 rows. There needs to be a NO RECORDING POLICY!!!! A good percentage of patrons were taking video, which is very distracting and blocks the view of those behind them, and leaning forward to get a better picture and then stayed in that position which also denied those behind them from seeing the stage. Patrons in general were rude, self absorbed, and oblivious or just did not care if anyone else was inconvenienced by their actions. There were two sets of people in our immediate vicinity that moved seats more than once from annoying people blocking their views of the stage with phones and heads. Thank goodness it was not sold out. We will not be returning. Jacoby symphony hall was a much better venue and we will return there in the future and skip the Florida Theater. read more

Florida Theatre - Our view of the stage before the balcony filled - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Used the box office to save on Service Fees. Helpful friendly staff. All personnel that I encountered for the Brit Floyd were very welcoming. Had a wonderful evening. Great venue. read more

Great theatre, doesn't seem like a bad seat in the house. Nearby parking garage is a plus!

Attended another great concert at the Florida Theater this weekend. The theater fits 1900 people and has so much character! Built in 1927, it has been on the national Register of Historic Places since 1983, it truly is a beautiful building and has great acoustics! Tips: 1. There really is no "bad" seat in this theater! We always prefer to be in the middle, but we have sat on the sides and had no problem seeing or hearing the stage. 2. Never hit the first bathroom or bar you see :) 3. Parking was $10 in the garage nearby on this night. We have parked on the street for free (need to arrive early for a spot though), have also paid $20 at another parking lot across the street. The parking garage was very easy to get in and out of and had plenty of spaces. BL-we've never had a problem finding affordable parking. 4. Dress code: Casual--bring a jacket or sweater if you get cold easily #travelwiththekirklands #floridatheater #jaxevents read more

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11/17/21 A wonderful music venue; tonight the band America. They (two out of original 3 with 3 more back up) were very good and looked good! Had lots of background facts and they still perform 100 shows a year and for the last 50 years. Wow! I love when entertainers have a sense of humor, they said nice young man brought them to hotel from Fl. Theater and was all excited about them and said......"I can't wait to tell my grandfather I met you!" read more

Florida Theatre - Tree in lobby. - Music Venues Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Great venue , great show, good handicap seating, good acoustics, beautiful part of Jacksonville history read more

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Went to Florida Theater last night to see Yacht Rock, great show. Good seats in balcony until half way through the show, the upstairs bar ran out of draft beer.. they don't sell bottles or cans, just draft beer and to run out is unbelievable. read more

Great concert venue!! Been there twice since moving to the area. The theater is beautiful and the shows I saw were excellent!

Will never come back here. Came to see Nurse Blake tonight and my friend ended up getting kicked out because her phone flashed with a text message. I didn't realize what happened until she was already gone. I left to go to the lobby to check on her because this crazy SAFE lady with blonde hair escorted her out. I called my friend to find out where she was and she told me she was told to leave. I found another "security" person and asked why they let another girl with a Christmas sweater back in the show after being escorted out for "phone use" as well. (I watched an older man in a SAFE jacket going through the phone belonging to the girl in the Christmas sweater before letting her go back in, but they didn't ask my friend to see her phone.) "Security" said they didn't know what conversation happened between the lady that escorted my friend out and my friend. Okay? How about you get that lady that has been roaming around the theatre like a dog hunting for drugs over here so we can hear the conversation? I requested to speak with a manager and some lady came over and was like "I'm the manager." She had a nasty attitude when I tried to ask why my friend was kicked out. She lied and said my friend was told multiple times to put her phone away. I said that was a LIE. Nobody came over to our row (Y9-14) multiple times to tell her to put her phone away. There were six of us in this row. One of us would have remembered if staff came to our row multiple times. Then she tried to say my friend was recording, which is also another lie. I'd like to see where you saw she was recording and showing your staff coming to our row multiple times. We don't need to record Nurse Blake. He has many videos online. This same SAFE lady kept hunting around the theatre for the rest of the show. It made all of us very uncomfortable. Even the people in front of us were asking what this lady's problem is. So glad I didn't donate to this place when a staff member came to our row prior to the show starting. Nice to know you treat your patrons like criminals over a phone that just flashed with a notification. read more