Can't believe it's taken me so long to write a review for Fox Theater! It's a great concert venue, with beautiful Indian-inspired architecture, harkening back to the days when American theaters were inspired by not-politically-correct ornamentations of foreign cultures in their escapist surroundings. Over the years, I've been here to see a variety of artists perform, including Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling, and most recently AFI. Fox Theater is Bart-accessible and in a safer part of downtown Oakland. If artists I want to see perform live come here, then this venue is a definite yes on my list! read more

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The inside of the theater is beautiful. Thats pretty much it for a positive note. Seating is super tight. Sound was not very clear at the balcony level. Unless you are seated very close up, you are just looking at an ant. Drinks are close to $20 each. Also, if you order water at the bar, they tell you to go get water in the lobby. Bad service for that. read more

Wow, what a beautiful venue. We came here to watch Robert Plant play with his band Saving Grace, and had an overall fantastic experience. Their seats at the Loge level were a very decent size (no snuggles with strangers) and very comfy, and offered plenty of legroom. The sound system is quite strong, but not to the level where earplugs are needed. The front-door staff, ushers, and concession folks were all helpful and friendly. Also, there is plenty of street parking, so you don't have to pay for the garage. Score! The reasons why I couldn't give them five stars: -The upstairs bar has no snacks, unfortunately, and the two bard downstairs seemed overwhelmed. Having a little extra assortment of treats upstairs would be helpful to the patrons and could increase their revenue. Win-win -There were multiple issues with the equipment, putting the show to a screeching halt. Robert Plant did his best trying to bridge the gaps with great stories, and he was very entertaining. But because of the failures, they probably had to cut at least two songs from the set. So that was a bit disappointing. Other than that. I really enjoyed this venue and will definitely be back again. PS: If you get front-row seating at the Loge level, you will be sitting in front of a metal bar, which may obstruct your view. Either sit on the edge of the seat or melt into it to get a better view. It's really not that bad once you figure out the angle. read more

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AMAZING space for life music. The Fox Theater was a movie theater that sat abandoned for 40+ years before being restored and redesigned. It was designed during a time when themed movie theaters like Grauman's Chinese theater were popular. The exact inspiration is a hodge podge, Indian, Muslim, Medieval and Mesopotamian, and this is what makes it so fascinating and interesting. Patterns adorn many surfaces and styles blend together in a weird but cohesive way. There is a large bar and seating area to the right of the venue called The Den. We ate before but they had a small food menu with hot dogs and nachos if you don't want to leave but there are also lots of food options within a 4 minute walk. The music venue has impressive lighting and acoustics. It was so well done with all these modern features really well integrated with historic architecture. We came for the Floating Points show and even though we were there from 7:30-11:30 I'd felt too short and I didn't want leave. The most iconic part of the interior are the two large statues flanking the sides of the stage with glowing eyes. This was incredible to dance near, it felt like we were worshiping some pagan music gods. read more

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The venue was clean and beautiful. Fantastic attention to detail for the design. The bathrooms were very clean which is so important to me. Merch table ran really fast. I do love efficiency. I like that there were some decent options besides alcohol including my fav hop water and snacks for sale. Big shout out to the security team. I'm not a bad person I'm just a bumpkin. I accidentally forgot my knife in my purse. I'm so embarrassed that it was in there but I'm so glad that they found it because it shows they do a great job and that it's safe. I was mortified by my own stupidity and lack of awareness. But hey it ended up being a great drill for everybody and I was able to check it with security and get it after the concert. The only minor frustration was the Fox theater website recommended two parking garages that didn't pan out. I have a massive amount of anxiety going to new places. The first garage they recommended was completely closed that night. I put in the second address and one side of the garage was closed but I did not want to keep farting around. I saw another paid parking place and just ended up going there. I would just recommend to research ahead of time if you have anxiety like I do don't trust the website. read more

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Was here the other night to see my favorite band in the whole wide world, AFI. This is the second time I've seen them at this venue and maybe the 4th time overall and it's one of my favorites. It's clean and the staff is always super friendly. There's not a bad seat in the house and it's got that old theater charm. I've always been able to find parking on the street but there are a few paid parking garages nearby and there's also a BART station very close by. read more

Fox Theater - Oakland - Music Venues Near Me - Oakland, California

Another excellent concert! Alex G! Got The Telegraph Room ticket. Excellent view of the stage. Great service at the bar. Always a pleasure to see an act you like here! read more

I can't remember my last visit to The Fox. It's a nice venue w/pretty good seating throughout. This was my first time having to lock my phone. I wish I'd known that would be the case, I would've left it in the car. The lock bag was rather large. Service 1outta5 We were seated next to the engineers which wasn't a problem. However, if you're going to prohibit phone use for patrons, do the same for everyone in attendance. The engineers had their phones out, texting and surfing the web. They should've been provided walkie talkies. That was the first gripe of the nite. Drinks/food 3outta5 cocktails were $15. The pour was heavy tho. Zappos chips were the only thing available to eat. We went to see Raphael Saadiq. The show started 30mins late. I was excited and looking forward to seeing him for the first time. However, this was his one man/no bandwith/monologue show. There was very little singing. Had I known, I would've graciously declined the invite. People talked throughout the show & there was a lot of shushing. There was nothing memorable about the performance. Nice venue tho... read more

Fox Theater - Oakland - Music Venues Near Me - Oakland, California

One of the Bay Area's classic "old theater" favorites. After undergoing a 75 M renovation about fifteen years ago, this former movie theater now concert venue is really spectacular. Usually they have a good line up of concerts and comedy headliners, so check the calendar. The Fox Oakland has excellent viewing from the orchestra and lodge seating, not many bad seats in the house, and features indie acts (Mitski, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers) when they come to town. I've been to a few shows here, and they've all been fully seated and comfortable, with no standing room or pit. There are several bars throughout the venue and it never actually feels too full. This converted concert hall is in immaculate condition. The only challenge at the Fox Theater can be downtown Oakland parking, with a few pay-for lots nearby. If you have a chance to see a show here, do it! read more

Awesome venue! Came here for the first time to catch a concert and was really impressed with the overall experience. We got there a little late, but there were plenty of staff ready to scan tickets and getting in was a breeze. Restrooms were conveniently located nearby and there was plenty of staff to guide us to the right area. The venue itself was great. Very ornate decor and a great vibe. Exiting was just as easy as entering, which made this a great spot to catch a show. I'd definitely return. read more

Cool spot , interior design is awesome !! Sound is good and loud , lots of helpful staff , plenty of restrooms . But the place is pretty pricey for drinks read more

This is one of our favorite movie theaters anywhere in the world because of the special extra wide main screen. The ornate decorations in the theater also add really epic vibes to any movie night. We wish they had spiced to add to the popcorn, and some more substantial snacks instead of just candy for times when we are rushing, but we'd pick here over another theater any day because of the historical beauty and friendliness of the staff. read more

Saw Harry Mack here and it was absolutely unreal. It was easily one of the best freestyle performances I've ever witnessed. The Fox Theater itself is gorgeous, with all the vintage details that make you feel like you've stepped into a different era. There's a lot of Oakland character in the space too, from the decor to the vibe of the crowd. It's one of those venues that feels special the second you walk in. read more

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I love this theatre. It looks like the interior hasn't been changed from when it was built. That's just an assumption. It gives this old-fashioned vibe with this red, beige and black patterned carpeting, golden wall trims and neon sign that reads, "Drinks, Food" with an arrow that points to the dining room. I wished I tried the food. A man sitting nearby me while we wait for the show to start had nachos. It looked delicious. The prices of the food were reasonable and actually cheaper than other venues. I'm used to Chase Center prices. I would have been ok to spend $13 on nachos. I bought a can of water for $5.50. The person who served me the water was pretentious when I asked if they had plastic water bottles. She said, "No, we don't do plastic here." I said, "I prefer a lid." She said, "We would have removed the lid." Chase Center does this along with major stadiums. I didn't think Fox Theatre did the same. The bar served beer and I'm sure other alcoholic options. I was annoyed to find out there was free water in a jug upstairs with cups provided. I watched Foster the People. They were amazing with their laser light show accompanying their music. I would return to this theatre if my favorite artists performed here. read more

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Went to the Fox Theater to watch a Marina concert. It was my first time at this theatre, so I wasn't sure what to expect. We were seated in the balcony of the venue and the acoustics in the whole place was great. I was most impressed by the beautiful architecture of the building. Because of where we were in the balcony, I was up close and personal with the ceiling of the place and got to take in the structure in its entirety. It was gorgeous. The seats were decently spaced for an older venue like this, and the interior arches and ceiling cutouts were simply gorgeous. No complaints about the place and it served perfectly well as a music venue. It's also conveniently close to Bart. Would definitely come back. read more

I've been here 3 times now for different concerts and I just have to say this place is so well organized. For some reason, the Telegraph room was closed for our concert so they refunded us, but we still were able to access the separate standing room area and got a free drink. COOL. The bathrooms are clean and lots of them. The bars are quick. They have water bottle refill stations?!?! like what!? Updating my review to just give them props for doing a great job, and don't let the Oakland stigma stop you from visiting! read more

Had a great experience at this venue for a concert on a Friday night! Very happy that the theater website lays out best practices. My group was worried about parking and safety but we managed to find a great parking garage for $5 for 8 hours - Franklin Plaza Garage which is about 5 minutes walking distance from the theater. Security check was easy and flowed smoothly. The theater itself has well cleaned bathrooms and many stage hands to direct foot traffic and people to their seats. Great architecture inside and great acoustics for the musical performances. read more

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Came here tonight with my Neigbor and saw the amazing SQUEEZE and BOY GEORGE. Amazing concert. Well performed. The Fox Theater I was told went through a renovation. Architecture is beautiful. Lots of intricate ornate details. Ceiling in this theater was a triple WOW!! Glad they renovated and now holding many concerts and special events. Service was excellent across all the team here. They were all super nice and made my visit very memorable. Cheers! read more

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stunning design, great staff & always a fun time! it does get hot in the theatre so you only really need a jacket before you come in. thankfully they have coat check on the second floor though! read more

Great music venue. Staff have always been really nice. Been here a few times for different concerts. Sound quality is good.

Pretty cool theater! Gorgeous inside. Acoustics are LOUD! I felt so old having to buy ear plugs lol. Great system of checking tickets and IDs at the door. Bartenders were quick. Everything is cashless. Clean bathrooms. Great place to come for a show. read more

Solid venue in the Bay Area. I've come here a handful of times in the past decade. It's a classic-looking theater, you can see it outside from the signage and entrance. I confess I get lost in the architecture - the interior's ornate and I feel like I'm in a temple. I also appreciate a place with lots of history. (The building originally opened in 1928, closed for some time, then reopened in 2009 after renovation project, according to the website.) Sound quality's good and the venue's close to BART/bus stops. Standing room section is reasonable (I've seen it packed and not so packed) and great that it's tiered. Good air conditioning too, which is necessary at a show! read more

The Fox Theater is such a gem -- a great classic venue with tons of character and history. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the vintage charm, from the beautifully restored architecture to the dramatic lighting and ornate details throughout. It really sets the mood for a memorable night out. One of the biggest pluses is how accessible it is via BART. It's just a short walk (maybe 5 minutes or so) from the 19th Street station, which makes getting there super convenient, especially if you're coming from SF or other parts of the East Bay. Highly recommend taking public transit if you can -- it saves you the parking headache. read more

Fun fact - I have lived in the Bay Area all my life and this year was the first time I set foot in the Fox Theater. I love old theaters with the intricate details!! I noticed more legroom in the Mezzanine are compared to the balcony. It did not stop me from dancing in the balcony. Bars are cashless and move fairly quickly. Restrooms have an attendant to wipe down every stall (please tip your attendant). Fix Theater Parking is available on 19th - you pay through the app a flat rate and good to go. I would definitely go back! If I can set in the orchestra section, I'll update my review next time. read more

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We recently saw a concert at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Parking was about a block away: Franklin Plaza Garage (19th Street between Franklin and Broadway), offering a flat rate of $25 after 5:00 PM. We upgraded our concert experience by booking the Telegraph Room (see my Telegraph Room review). Our seats were in Loge 2nd row. There is a railing in front of the first row of Loge which somewhat obstructs the view, but the 2nd row is perfect. Unfortunately, the acoustics in Loge weren't optimal. The Fox Theater is beautiful and small enough that you can actually see the stage and the band. The employees were all knowledgeable and helpful. Ditch the arena concerts and think small. Overall, the Fox Theater is a nice concert venue. read more

Fox Theater - Oakland - View from 2nd row Loge - Music Venues Near Me - Oakland, California

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The theater is historic and just lovely inside. I've only ever been to general admission in the standing room only so can't speak for the seats, but they have a bar on each side of the floor upfront and then when you walk in to the building itself, there's a lounge with a bar and another bar entering the main performance area. Staff has always been very friendly and helpful.. recently saw Cat Power there. . read more

My first time attending a performance here and the venue is fabulous! I purchased ticket for the Hauser concert back in October and bought the soundcheck VIP tix so I could get a chance to be up close in the second row center as well as get a preview of what a soundcheck is like! Got an email telling me to come before 6 pm (8 PM show) to attend the soundcheck portion. Wasn't sure where to go as the venue was still closed but saw that people were standing on the side on 19th Street waiting in a line and it was the VIP line for meet and greet and soundcheck ticket holders. We also received some HAUSER swag which included a beautiful tote bag, keychain, autographed picture of Hauser which was so much appreciated and unexpected. About 6:15 PM we entered the venue and lead to the theater and spent perhaps 30-45 minutes listening to the band, Hauser and Caroline Campbell rehearse a few numbers and a Question and Answer period followed but the questions were already pre-selected. You can bring in sealed bottled water and small snacks and a purse or backpack which they check before you enter the venue. Then we had an hour before the show to relax so I immediately walked directly to The Den to order a polish dog with macaroni salad and good stiff Moscow Mule! The drink hit the spot and so did the food! There wasn't a place to sit so I headed to the ladies room before finding my seat. And what a perfect seat it was 2nd row, seat 11 front and center. Mind you it wasn't the front row but a very good view of Hauser. The show was entertaining and lasted for at least 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours with an encore. I thoroughly enjoyed the venue as well as the Maestro's performance which was entertaining and at times, humorous! read more

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Beautiful venue - service was also fantastic as the staff got everyone in quickly and smoothly and made it a point to communicate with everyone in line with updates on delays. It's a great space with lots of room on the ground floor for bars and merch stands as well. Would be happy to watch a show here again! read more

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Last year, I saw the Marias here at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The security check and the line to get in was very smooth and quick. The theater is beautifully maintained and clean. They even provided food and alcohol options for those who desired a snack or a drink during the concert. The workers there were very helpful and helped us find our seat. It was a really amazing time. I highly recommend checking out the Fox Theater if there is a concert here. read more

Fox Theater - Oakland - Music Venues Near Me - Oakland, California

Fun concert venue with a great crowd. This is located in the heart of downtown Oakland and is a real ode to the richness of the city. I've been here a few times over the years and now have to go back. There's a lounge and restaurant on the first floor that's great to hang out in before and during concerts. read more

I saw some amazing shows here . This made me realize the greatness of Oakland. Also I like the cabinet they have here to lock up your weapons in case you feel it might not be so safe. It's always good to be cautious. read more

Fox Theater - Oakland - Tov Lo - Music Venues Near Me - Oakland, California

Great venue with great sound. Experts at getting you in the door in a timely manner. I've been to many many shows here most recently Machine Head, Inflames, Lacuna Coil and Unearth. Had a great time. I highly recommend the Fox weather it's Comedy l, live music or a Broadway show. read more

One of my favorite venues in the Bay Area. So many good shows, the lineup is usually indie/alt/rock but I'm sure other genres book it up. Fox theater is easily located in Oakland with 'enough' street parking however there are garages nearby. Never had I had an issue with staff, the accommodations or the establishment as a whole. read more

Love this venue, great place to see a favorite band up close. Great staff and easy parking. Definitely a smaller more intimate venue for that up close concert feel. read more

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WONDERFUL experience at the Fox Theater in Oakland, and it was my first time! My talented niece attends the Oakland School of the Arts so I attended their student program called, "Metamorphosis" in the spring of 2024. Excellent performance by the students. The theater was nice - seating was good, sound and stage lighting was professional, production overall was great. I would definitely visit this place again. read more

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I've been here lots of times for concerts and to see a podcast show. The floor seats for the podcast were nice, soft and comfortable. There was a problem with our concert seats recently (our fault, not theirs) and we ended up having to talk to about 8 employees and they were all super nice and were able to fix our problem. You can even bring in an empty plastic water bottle and refill it. Restrooms were clean. The only negative is that some people were vaping and they didn't kick them out or confiscate it. read more

Visited the Fox Theater this past Thursday to see Ben Folds in concert. It's a pretty nice venue, classic theatre exterior colorfully lit at night, and some interesting decor in the auditorium... buddha-like statues at each side of the stage with eyes that light up, a little bit creepy, a little bit cool. We sat in the orchestra rear in the high seats, and the view was decent. This was my first time seeing bar height stools (with backs) in a theatre as part of the general auditorium seating. But it was fine. No cupholders though, so be ready to hold your beverages (they offer wine, strong cocktails, and light snacks like chips). Sound quality was great, listening to the vocals and musical talents of the artists on stage, we had no issues from our seats in the lower level. The lighting was okay, nothing too special. Workers were efficient, got us into the event quickly, and served us our drinks without problems, so wait time was almost non-existent. Ben Folds was fun and amazing. We had a good experience at this venue, even found free parking right outside down the street (after 7pm on a weekday). read more

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Beautiful venue! Love the architecture and decor of this old theater. Most importantly, the acoustics are great! Went to see Maisie Peters here, and other than trying to find parking, it was a fun experience. The lines to enter and security check moved quickly, and it's very clean inside. The staff and bartenders are kind as well. I was seated in the Loge section, and the view of the stage was clear. It seems like you'd get a good view anywhere on the upper level. I also like how the seats are spaced out a lot so there's room between you and strangers to stand up and dance a little bit! I'm looking forward to seeing more shows at this venue in the future! read more

Fox Theater - Oakland - View from the upper level - Music Venues Near Me - Oakland, California

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As I was wandering around trying to find the Fox Theater, I spotted women decked out in cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and shimmery dresses. That's when I knew I was at the correct location. This past Wednesday, Kelsea Ballerini performed at the Fox Theater in Oakland. It was my first concert at this theater, so I wasn't sure what to expect. After attending the concert, this theater and Kelsea's performance exceeded all of my expectations. It was a small, intimate setting, so I had a clear view of the singer without looking at the screen projector. Out of all the concerts I've ever attended, this is my favorite venue. If I had attended this concert at Chase, Oracle, or Levi's, I wouldn't have had such a close-up view of Kelsea. Even though professional cameras aren't allowed inside, I was able to capture some OK videos with my old point-and-shoot camera. For about $160 (including fees), I was able to buy a seat in the lower Mezz section. Tickets were much cheaper in the general seating area in the front, but I didn't want to arrive 6 hours early to wait in line. The venue allows unopened water bottles, tablets, small bags, point-and-shoot cameras, and a small snack. It's also a block away from the 19th Bart Station. I was worried about leaving the theater at 10:30 pm, but it was fairly safe since everybody left at the same time to go to BART or to the parking structure. I highly recommend attending a concert at this venue! read more

Weird that I haven't reviewed the Fox before. Well, I love it! I've enjoyed every performance I've attended at the Fox. Beautiful venue, good talent. read more