Had a wonderful experience at the Hammer Theater! It's accessible via public transport or close to so many parking garages and food spots as well. I went here for a kpop concert - SF9. The organization was well done with trained volunteers and staff, which made it an easy seamless experience for the attendees. It's a great venue that has 3 levels from close to the stage, middle section, and a balcony. Would come here again! read more

Hammer Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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Went here for Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi and had a great time. Parking was convenient as you can park at ParkSJ: Second and San Carlos Street Garage which was right next to the venue. The venue itself is a bit dated but gave a nice cozy vibe. Ushers are welcoming, helpful, and will guide you to your section and seat. There's a coat check available as well as a an area to purchase concessions. The seats in the theatre are old but decently comfortable; you're a little close to your neighbor but it's not a dealbreaker. It was a lovely evening and one worth checking out, perfect for a date night. read more

Candlelight concert was beautiful. We were seated promptly at first come first serve basis. Free parking for first 90 mins at the garage next to the venue . Lots of eateries around to catch post concert dinner too. read more

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We were here for an Orchestra performance and it was an outstanding evening. Beautiful modern venue right in the heart of the city and the show was great. The seat designs and acoustics were very good. I believe most/all the employees are SJSU students and were very polite. Parking was plenty and convenient nearby and tons of restaurants in the area if you want to grab a meal before or after the show. In this day of social channels and short attention seeking videos, we need more spaces like this. Thank you SJSU! read more

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Still hammering away with a great venue and ambience. This theater was saved by the San Jose State University from being shuttered a few years back. A unique contemporary designed building that feels like a cubist blue factory or barn. Come inside and see thespians feeding on applause and spectacular performances. It is a wonderful place to catch a show. I've gotta come here more often. read more

Good intimate theater with virtually no bad seats, comfortable cushion and good quality sound system and lighting. They sell limited snacks but good enough variety for a show! Very friendly box office and ushers. They have a convenient parking garage right across the street with free 90 min parking then it's paid after (theater does not validate parking). Overall had a great time watching the show! My major downturn for the night was that I brought flowers for my friend who performed in the show - upon entry, they required everyone to check in flowers instead of allowing them inside the theater. I haven't ever seen another theater require checking in flowers before. We were given post its to write the name of who the flowers were for, and they instructed to leave at a table. No problem - did as instructed and left a clearly labeled post-it both inside and outside the flower bouquet. I figured they had a proper system in place to ensure the flowers were delivered to the right people. However, after the show, we were devastated to find that someone had stolen our flowers. They apparently just leave the flowers out in the open so after the show, everyone just grabbed their flowers in a mass rush. We didn't know we had to grab them again and it was an honor system. We searched thoroughly until there were no more flowers left on the table :(. Someone had taken our flowers and likely removed the post it note. Of course it's not the theater's fault that someone decided to steal our flowers, but if they require everyone to check them in, they should have a better system to regulate it. Someone should be mediating the flower check out process/verifying names rather than having it all out in the open for anyone to take. Hopefully they fix this system in the future, it was truly a sad way to end the night. read more

Visiting for a second time to the Hammer Theatre Center, I was so excited for the Candlelight Concert! While there is not specific parking, there are a lot of street parking or other lots nearby in the downtown area. The theater has a small concessions stand in the lobby that provides snacks and drinks for most events. The staff have always been terrific. They have always been welcoming, nice, and very informative! Multiple times they were great at handling the impatient crowds and directing people to their designated zones. I was so excited for the Fever Candlelight Concert as I've heard so much about it from other people. Once it came to San Jose, I knew it was a going to be a great time. I attended the Hans Zimmer concert so there were many songs that I recognized like songs from the Lion King to Inception. It felt like I was being transported to those spaces. I greatly appreciated all the time and effort the staff put to creating a welcoming and warming ambiance. From lining the lobby with the candles to dimming the lights and also covering the entire stage with candles! It must have been so much work and it definitely paid off to create an amazing concert atmosphere. I would love to come to another Candlelight Concert or event at the Hammer Theatre Center! read more

Hammer Theatre Center - Fever - Candlelight Concert - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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Got to the Theatre for a standup comedy show. The parking lot close to the theatre serves well for a parking spot though on an event day it could get crazy full. Got in the line to enter and had our tickets verified. Right after we ran into Arturo , the House manager along with his team who were amazing hosts and made our experience on the more awesome. Big shoutout to him and the team. Had a great experience witnessing the event and the entrance and exit were very well planned. Would definitely return for more in the future!! read more

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I really wanted to give a higher praise, however I just attended on the the candlelight shows and it was hard to wnjoy. Everything was beautiful and the staff was very helpful before the show. My only gripe is that throughout the show this one woman kept checking her phone and taking photos, brightness on full bast, during every song. Had she only done it once or twice I'd understand the usher missing it, but she had to have done it minimum ten times throughout the performance. Ruined the show for me, I wish someone had come down to tell her something earlier. read more

Cute and cozy theatre, simple but not boring. Minimal artwork on the walls of the lobby but captivating enough to embellish the space nicely. Sufficient amenities for an enjoyable outing, including a concessions stand offering snacks/drinks, but nothing too outstanding or noteworthy. Turquoise colored seats fill the auditorium, comfortable enough, most of them flip-down style, and each row elevated adequately to ensure a good view of the stage on both levels. But just to be sure, I opted to sit in the balcony, since I'm not the tallest. The side balcony seats are absolutely the best IMO (rows A, B,and C), all front row seating, so there's no one in front you to possibly block your view, plenty of leg room, and pretty close to the stage (since it's a small theatre). The sound quality was ideal. We attended an event called Treelogy, a series of musical performances by Billy Childs and chamber music ensemble, Delirium Musicum, honoring the redwood, sequoia, and Joshua trees. The show was inspired by the resilience of these trees after the 2020 wildfires, and meant to promote climate change awareness through jazz, rock, and classical music, with changing images of nature and these iconic trees in the background on a screen behind the orchestra during each set. It was certainly a unique concert, a spirited performance by skilled musicians, with a great purpose. The setting at the Hammer Theatre Center was a nice fit, especially since this project is currently touring at different universities in California. We had a good time during our visit this past weekend. read more

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horrible I purchased ticket based on ad on Facebook tribute to Queen. when I got there it was 4people playing violins. I was soooo dissapointed I could not get a refund for false advertising read more

Smaller theatre, but extremely well run. Clean, professional. Watched an Hans Zimmer performance by an extremely talented quintet. Parking is great, close, and inexpensive. Will go back. read more

The five stars is for the seating and sound quality inside. It's not too small like the 3 Below Theater or too big like the California Theater. The trumpets and singing sounded good. The outside area becomes a dead zone after dark, because the open area no longer has seating or adequate lighting, the Whispers breakfast place closes too early now to pick up the slack from Johnny Rockets being gone, the flower shop closes, and the California government building is closed. read more

We went to see Dracula, a ballet theater production on opening night. We had a wonderful time! We got our tickets through Goldstar, an entertainment app at a discount. We got some nice seats on Row D. The production was wonderful and the dancers did an amazing job. The theater is small so you have a good view even if on the back. The theater sold drinks and candy. and there was a Dracula boutique with nice souvenirs. My daughter is a SJSU student so we parked for free with her permit. I also saw that San Jose gas free parking for 90 minutes at some parking garages after 6, so parking is still affordable. overall it was a nice experience snd Id definitely come back to this theater. Dracula was also an excellent performance. read more

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I love this little theater! Great place to see a concert, play, or movie. If you are an SJSU umni or student, you get a discount. They offer refreshments (beer, wine, snacks) and you can enjoy while watching the show. I just saw a Mariachi Christmas show by Sol de Mexico. It was excellent! read more

Hammer Theatre Center - Mariachi Christmas Show banner - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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We have attended several San Jose State Theatre program shows here and the venue is ran well, clean and there is not a bad seat in the house. I get the impression they utilize SJSU students to help run the place and that makes me feel good. Also, they are not as uptight about things as other professional venues. There is one concession area with packaged foods and bevvies including a wide range of alcohol choices. Nothing crazy complicated but beer, wine and hard spirits mixed simply. The theatre is not small but you get the feeling it's cozy and intimate. The seats are comfy and I appreciate you can get into and out of them easily. There is ample parking next door and cheaper City parking within 5 to 10 min walk. read more

This is an awesome theatre with amazing staff, clean bathrooms and comfortable seats! We watched a kpop concert here and no matter what seat you are in, you will be able to see the stage. Parking is on the same block, and easy peasy. Only thing was that there were only drinks/light snacks for sale. However, it is in downtown San Jose, so I'm guessing people eat elsewhere before a show. All and all, 5 stars! read more

I saw the awesome Kpop group Omega X at this venue. I had a great time here. The acoustics were awesome I mean Omega X live already awesome but this venue made the concert experience even better. Hope when OX tour US again they come back to this venue for one of their stops. 5/5 read more

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I love going to The Hammer Theater. But, I have to admit, I've actually only seen Pasquale Esposito two or three times at this place. The theater, to me, seems to be an older, ornate place . The seating is great because of the slope! I even had a Vodka Soda and brought it into the showroom. My husband likes to exit quickly (I don't). I didn't even get to hear the encore. : ( But I didn't complain because he drove me all the way from Redwood City in the dark using our GPS. But he enjoys Pasquale too! read more

Went here for a candlelight concert featuring music by Hans Zimmer. There isn't a bad seat in the house. I would attend another event here again. read more

A decent theater that's in the middle of downtown San Jose. I came here for cinequest and found that there was a good mix of people that came by. The theater I went to was like a auditorium and had enough space to seat a good amount of people. We were able to see the screen pretty well from our seats and the acoustics weren't bad. Overall, a simple theater with older decor and lesser known films. read more

Hammer Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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I have seen concerts/events/performance at this place. Any seat here is a good seat to see the stage IMHO. The sound system is not bad at all. Staff are accommodating and they have a snack bar! I appreciate the hot drinks :). SJSU use this place on some of their performances. read more

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Mariachi Sel Sol at the Hammer Theater was beautiful the music, outfits, songs where beautifully sang, very engaging with the audience, the Theater was excellent, friendly & helpfull staff , clean restrooms, plenty of parking lots withing close walking distance, restaurants also very close to theatre. Would definitely go to this Theater again! read more

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Back to the hammer Theatre for the nutcracker again this year. So worth it! I love this year that they have incorporated audio visuals in the beginning of the play, last year a lady stood on stage and read. My daughter was mesmerized the whole time! So glad this has become a family tradition. read more

Our first show at the Hammer. Talk about convenient parking! The place is surrounded by lots. The lot we parked at was $5 for the night after 6pm. We had a terrific dinner across the street at Elyses. Pre-dinner Ice Cream Cookie at Nox Cookie Bar. We managed to get terrific seats in the front row, center for the Ray Charles Tribute Show. Getting in was easy with our tickets on my phone. Directions to our seats were clear and concise. Restrooms were clean. The venue and our seats were comfortable. Because the theater isn't huge, it was easy to exit after the show. For the right shows, we'll definitely be back! read more

Went to see Iolanthe on the last day it was being shown. The theate was clean and lovely, the staff were super welcoming, and the show was amazing. The cast did a meet and greet after the show that I was unable to stay for, but even seeing it as I was leaving, everyone seemed really friendly and happy to be there. The location and the people working there were great and I highly recommend anyone interested in the theatre check this place out! read more

I very enjoyed the Hammer Theatre in downtown San Jose. It is now (December 2021) owned and operated by San Jose State University and they do a good job. It is small, seats 565people. I like that smallness because all the seats are good for visibility and sound. The environment is clean. The have various events such as live music, dance performances, and movies. There is a small café/bar that serves drinks and snacks. Currently they ensure safety by requiring proof of vaccination and mask-wearing awhile inside (unless the patron is eating or drinking). VTA stops nearby. Parking garage is only one block away at 2nd and San Carlos. read more

Every concert we've been to here, with local performers, the past few years, has been a great disappointment: woke production values: woke casting+choreography and strange mods of the famous score, and, politically-correct events during the intermissions. All made for a great disappointment for anyone who just wanted & expected traditional unadulterated Tchaikovsky! ...or.... in the case of performances by "youth orchestras" at this venue - an orchestra that didn't sound like beginning elementary-school musicians, but instead purport to be young college-age people... Save your money and view countless classical performances on YT in HD!! read more

Saw the SJSU Jazz Orchestra - Cool Yule Christmas concert 2022. Really friendly and helpful SJS staff greeted at the door, efficiently located my ticket on an ipad so I didn't need to find it on my phone, and escorted me to the seating area all within minutes. Theater is nice and intimate with comfortable seats. The acoustics are pretty good. The concert was a little shorter than I would have preferred but SJSU jazz band is that good! Nice mixture of classic Christmas standards with other pieces for variety. Would like to see more SJSU jazz concerts performed throughout the year here for the community to enjoy. Hope that the university upkeeps this theater to retain its quality. read more

My first visit to the Hammer Theatre was this past weekend to see "Urinetown- the Musical." The production was great, and the theatre itself was an ideal venue - the seats were comfortable, the sound was clear, the temperature was fine, and there is not a bad seat in the house due to the 565 seat capacity. I took a peek from the balcony and the view was good there as well. The box office staff was very helpful and accommodating when I needed to switch a ticket to a different date. Parking was a breeze - $5 flat fee on the weekends right next door. Lobby and restrooms were clean. I look forward to future productions at this location. read more

Hammer Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

The theater is small with seating for 532 Attendees. All of the seating in the Lower Levels are good seats. I have included a picture from the last row in the lower section. There is a Bar with some High Top Tables for seating. The crew members at the Box Office and within the theater are pleasant and helpful. I used the restroom before and after the presentation and it was clean and well stocked both times. You may get to the front of the theater from either S. 2nd St or S. 3rd. There is Street Parking and a garage close by at 2nd St. It cost $5 after 6pm. Five Stars for the Theater and Crew. -------------------------------------- I attended one of National Geographic's Presentations: "Mireya Mayor: Pink Boots and a Machete" A scientist, anthropologist, primatologist, and National Geographic explorer, Dr. Mireya Mayor Dr. Mayor gave an interesting talk. She gave a overview of her career, her involvement in animal conservation/adventures and how it has affected her family and her. She utilized the large screen for Video Clips and photographic stills. She took questions at the end and met with fans in the Lobby for a Meet and Greet. Five Stars for her. I would not hesitate to come back someday. I had an enjoyable evening. read more

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SJSU Jazz Band! Quick will call box office and ticket line. Small counter for drinks, guess you can bring it in. Lots of restroom stalls. Small intimate venue, either you're seated at the lower levels or upstairs. Lots of programs for you to check future performances. read more

Came here for the Candlelight Concert (Coldplay) recently! Great atmosphere and very clean theatre. Friendly staff. Would definitely come again! read more

Greeted by a Friendly staff throughout the theater. The facilities were clean and well maintained. In addition to the traditional theater food and snacks, they have wine and other drinks. The theater itself is very clean. read more

If you have an opportunity to attend a performance in this theater I highly recommend that you take advantage of it. it is a lovely and well-planned theater... there are no bad seats. Visibility is good from all angles. The sound and lighting systems are as good as can be. The stage itself is large and able to accommodate dramatic sets. Staff is friendly and helpful. Bathrooms are large and clean and well-appointed. There is no food concession, though some small snacks are sometimes available. Parking is convenient in the inexpensive garage nearby. read more

My husband my daughter and I came here last beautiful Sunday afternoon to watch the wonderful play American Night The Balad of Juan José. And we were amazed with the hole production. We had previously purchased our tickets at school for only 10.00 for a Thursday night and the play was cancelled cuz the poor air quality and they move it for Saturday, but since I had already plans my school was able to make arrangements so I can attend on Sunday and that was pretty awesome !! I really fall in love with this beautiful theater love the decor on the walls, and the fact of the huge windows that let you see the view of the square, the clean and huge restrooms, and the friendly, helpful and attentive staff that works here i had already purchased my tickets for a feature play. read more

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First time here for a Steinway Society concert to see husband wife team Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung. I was very impressed. There really aren't any bad seats, and the sound was excellent. Staff was friendly and courteous, and bathrooms were clean. There is also a bar and snacks available. Great concert experience. read more

Hammer Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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Great small theater, no matter where you seat you can hear clearly whats going on the stage! clean bathrooms:) polite staff, in the other hand they should offer or have more options on the snacks or food, they only have candy, grandmas cookies & vinager chips, my daughter was hungry between the breaks and there was options but what mention above, other than that great! read more

Max had such good customer service and helped us out with our tickets so fast! Thank you so much Max!

Nice cute little theater - we went there for 'ballet and bite' performance and it was a good experience. The staff were really nice and also helpful. We left something and they followed up with us until we were able to retrieve it. read more