If there was an indoor stadium where Hippos went to watch shows, it'd be the Hippo Dome. This is sadly not that. What it is, though, is a gorgeous theatre in Gainesville which has a lot of left-wing and liberal and really moving and interesting local pieces, a lot of which are connected to the college. So massive kudos to them for having a little theatre like this and it deserves nothing short of five. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - I prefer the rhino amphitheater - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Beautiful intimate venue for a candlelight string quartet concert. Really, no bad seats.

An incredible facility located in the heart of Gainesville's downtown. The University of Florida could not ask for a better landmark to Compliment the gator nation. The theater is a small venue, every chair available makes you feel like your part of the show. The selection of acts that perform at the Hippodrome from concerts to plays are performed at the highest level. I highly recommend the Hippodrome as a must go when visiting the gator nation! read more

I have gone to three different shows here at the Hippodrome Theatre and each time was better than the last. I came here on a date night and would highly recommend as a great date idea. Even though many of these shows were produced on a relatively low budget, you would never be able to tell by their professional actors and actresses. The most recent show I attended was "The Million Dollar Quartet" (pictured below) featuring talented singers and actors/actresses. The show was so good that I wanted it to go on forever. Not only was the show good, but every employee I encountered were excellent and they helped guide me into the theatre and to my seats. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

This is a beautiful theatre. It hosts plays all year and shows independent films. Do yourself a favor and see a movie there. There is always something interesting playing. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

This was my 1st time at the Hippodrome. We saw the Christian which was a very thought provoking play. The venue is located in the heart of downtown Gainsville. So lots of restaurant choices before or after the show. It is a small venue so any seat is a good seat. Let's just say I didn't need my glasses lol. They have a bar and drinks you can bring into the venue. A nice plus. But please don't crunch the ice as it is destructing to others (ah.. guy in front of us). Being from NY I have a lot of plays I have attended for comparison as a frame of reference. I thought this play production had a quality cast and the acoustics were very good. We thought we had aisle seats when we actually were 2 seats in from the aisle. This was purely not knowing the venue otherwise I would have gotten seats 3,4,5 instead of 1,2,3. We will definitely be back on the aisle with a drink (not crunching ice). read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Loved Honky Tonk Laundry!! Lots of Fun!! But the whole mask thing was RIDICULOUS!! And when I asked why masks were required I got a snarky response.. because we CAN is what it basically boiled down to. Won't be back until masks are no longer mandatory. read more

I will never step foot back into this excuse of a theatre. They don't sell snacks and the show I was planning to see is delayed due to "technical difficulties". Was left starving waiting for a production. I urge you to go see theatre or a movie somewhere else. Pathetic. read more

I absolutely love the Hippodrome. I feel so lucky to have such a nice Theatre in town! They have plays throughout the year, and have a comprehensive website where you can see the season in advance. All of the plays I have been to are extremely well made, the acting, directing and sets are all wonderful! They also have $10 Tuesdays which make the plays affordable if you are on a budget! The Cinema is also a wonderful treat! They show all kinds of movies, usually independent films or documentaries. These are also listed in advance on their website so that you can plan ahead. Even if you aren't going to a show, they have events or art shows which are worth stopping in for. The inside of the building is just and gorgeous and antique as the outside. I personally feel that this is a staple of Gainesville and one of the best cultural spots in town. I am so grateful to have this building lighting up our downtown! read more

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One of my favorite places to come since moving to Gainesville. Whether its for a foreign film or a documentary or a live stage play, the Hippodrome always has our backs. We have the best date nights here. I love the quality of performances and movies that consistently come through the Hipp. The popcorn is great and for the low price of $50 a year, you get it free for every show you attend. With the bar and the open stage seating, it's just a really neat place to watch a movie. Here's something cool for you, if you go to a stage play, you can pre-order and pay for your second round of drinks and during intermission, they're made for you and sitting to the side. You don't have to wait in line. A-ha!!!! That alone makes it worth the trip. Don't just go to the Hippodrome, support it. There is nothing like it in Gainesville and we need to do our part to support the Arts and local artists. Like the local artists who have their work prominently displayed in the lobby area on a rotating basis. It's a Gainesville landmark, both in appearance and in performance. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Hand of God - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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The Hipp is one of Gainesville's cultural centers, offering independent films and live action plays/musicals. All of the plays and musicals are allways well produced, directed and performed. The setting is very intimate because of the stage setting -- you almost feel part of the performance (don't worry! they won't single you out and objectify you like a comedy club! :-) ). The movie theatre is small but they show films you wouldn't find anywhere else in town. There's a bar right outside the theatre where you can get coffee, sodas or alcoholic beverages. Additionally there is a small gallery with rotating artists displaying their art. Whether you're in Gainesville for a day or if you've moved here permanently you need to go to the Hippodrome. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Hippodrome Summer 2009 - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I've been used to the larger Chicago or New York venues. When I first walked into the HIPP I was skeptical. But the HIPP has won me over. There's not a bad seat in the house. You can get very good deals from time to time. Anyways, just wanted to give a big thumbs up to the HIPP. If you live in Gainesville and haven't been here you should go, and if your coming into town to visit give it a try. Now I can't be responsible for the play you see (so pick wisely) but the HIPP itself is a WINNER ! read more

The Hippodrome is a Gainesville historic landmark. I have been to many events here, such as independent films, great plays, art gallery openings, and even hosted a fashion show here in the cinema room. They have done nothing but been extremely supporting of the arts. Parking can be tough, but if you live in Gainesville, you have to go here at least once for the experience. A great cultural outlet for such a small town. A great chance to dress up and go on a date with beautiful scenery. Being here, you would think that you were in the big city. read more

We had a great time last night at "Peter and the Starcatcher," a fast-moving, well acted and very funny play. This was our first experience in the Main Stage, so I reserve the right to update later. We enjoyed a movie downstairs a few weeks ago, and found it equally rewarding. The selection of movies is a great addition to Gainesville. As to the Main Stage, I'm always a little nervous attending a performance on the 2nd floor of an old building, where you have one narrow stairwell for the entrance/exit - but once you get seated and the performance starts, it's clear the quality of production outweighs any venue-anxiety. There isn't a bad seat in the house, in this small theater-in-the-round venue. The acoustics and lighting capabilities are outstanding. (Hint: we found the seat-backs uncomfortable, so if you have any tendency to back problems, you might want to bring some kind of cushion.) We also arrive early and lucked in to parking across the street. $10 for parking means somebody was making a good living - but what the heck, I don't mind paying if it means I get only 1/4 block walk. read more

The Hippodrome is a great place for seeing plays and movies. Quite a few indie movies come here, so there are great opportunities to see films that may not show up at large theaters. The architecture of the building is interesting and it's located in a great place with tons of dinner options in the area. read more

Just finished an afternoon musical at the Hipp. Good news, they have regressed and now require masks again inside the building. Except if you purchase drinks at the bar. Then you can drink in the theater, the lobby and of course there's no risk of getting Covid because maybe the alcohol content or something? Welcome back to 2020- the same nonsensical policy that has driven us mad for two years on airplanes. Thus, a marginal musical (like the one we saw) would not really be worth the $40 tickets to be sure now. Go see Maverick again (including popcorn and all the fixings) or have a better than average meal for the price to value ratio here. read more

What a weird little movie theater. Worth going to this hybrid real theater/movie theater for a movie due to their interesting selections and decent prices. The movie theater itself is tiny.. not kind of tiny... REALY tiny. The sound was bad.... REALLY BAD. The seats were comfy and the projection was good however. The snack bar also was a bit rough with surly service and weird tasting popcorn. The strangest thing was the ticket taker/usher lady sat down in the middle of the floor to watch the movie once it started. VERY STRANGE. read more

The Hipp is one of my favorite places to be in Gainesville. Located right in the heart of down town by Maude's and Starbucks its a historic building which has been converted to a theater and cinema. I've not seen a bad show in the Hipp, I've seen some that are better but they always pretty good. The theater is upstairs and there is not a bad seat in the house. Its almost a theater in the round, that would, I suppose, make it a theater in the U. You always feel like you're part of the action in there intimate off-Broadway plays. The cinema plays films that you can otherwise not see in town, mostly indie and foriegn films. The building also hosts a bar that allows you to bring a cocktail into the theater or cinema and there is an art gallery that houses rotating painting and pictures by local artists. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I believe this is one of the better things Gainesville has to offer. A real local treasure and cultural gem. I have been to around 20 movies there, most just in the last 4 months (December 08 - April 09) but I did enjoy some in 2005 and 2006 while visiting Gainesville, and the theater seems unchanged. The size of the room where movies are shown is cozy but not crowded, with a capacity of only 70 it feels more like a large home theater than a public space. The seating is quite comfortable with "stadium style" seats (they rock, I love that) and rows that rise enough to provide clear site lines to the screen. The sound system is adequate, not an earth shattering system with deep bass but in this size room that's not really necessary anyway. Some films are projected from a digital source (DVD) and the pixel composition and lack of clarity could be an issue to some. Other movies are shown from standard film prints. There is a selection of snack foods and beer and wine, and a well composed selection of local art on display in the gallery space opposite the snack bar. Parking can be an issue, but the nearby parking lot for Sun Center patrons is free before the late night bar crowd comes out. But the best aspect of the Hippodrome is the choice of films shown. The selection includes recent foreign, indie and some older foreign in addition to series sponsored by local groups and departments affiliated with the University, including Asian Studies and Romance Language who this recent season offered an excellent series of Science Fiction films from South America. I can't really comment on the live stage performance area which seats 268 and offers local live theater, having not attended a show there yet. But I would strongly recommend taking advantage of this delightful resource if there is anything on the stage or screen that interests you. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

It was V-day, I was in G-ville with my boy, and we were looking for something cool to do post-dinner. We asked the lovely hostess at The Top if there were any cool indie theatres around, and she sent us in the direction of the Hippodrome. And a great recommendation it was! In addition to the one movie that was playing, there was a special Valentine's poetry reading taking place; we opted for the movie instead. It certainly wasn't a loooove movie (as it was called "The Pope's Toilet"), but it was a good movie, an entertaining movie. The theatre itself is cozy, but cool. We didn't get anything from the snack bar, but I noticed that people had alcohol and fresh cookies, and what else can you want with your movie really? Plus it's cheap, at only $7/ticket (less for students). We don't have any theatre this cool in Boston. read more

This place is classic. It tops the charts because there's no other place in town that can compete with it. It's a historical landmark, for pete's sake! But seriously, every show I've been to there has been out of this world, AND cheap. read more

Just got through with seeing 'A Christmas Carol' . It was for the first time. I'd recommend anyone who hasn't seen it yet to do so.

Great place for a movie (indy) and really good black box theater. If you are on a budget, and want a drink, I'd suggest going to the pool hall next door for a cheap beer rather than the expensive prices they charge for their drinks at the Hipp. read more

Neat theatre in Gainesville. They play indie movies and usually have ongoing plays performing. My experiences in the Hipp have only been in their movie theatre. My first time was during the flex film fest. The theatre was small but cozy. All of the seats were taken so my friends and I all sat/reclined on the floor. Picture quality and sound were pretty good. The second time at the Hipp, I saw "Troll 2", often heralded as the best worst movie of all time, only this time I was able to get a seat. The movie was as expected, the best worst movie I have ever seen. The chairs were comfy and and they sell wine and beer which is always a nice perk. Tickets are cheap, even cheaper if you're a student. Get there early if you want a seat and check their website to stay up to date on their shows. read more

I went to the Hippodrome in June to see the Great American Trailer Park musical. The musical was really funny in itself, but the actual content of the show was not what I was enamored by afterwords. I fell in love with the hippodrome. I just love the idea, for one, of actually making use of such a great historic landmark in Gainesville in such a fun way. They could've done something boring with it, like make it into a museum that history buffs and students doing research might attend once in awhile. However, instead they did something great with it so that you can enjoy a piece of history and some beautiful architecture without really seeking it out. The staff was nice, and the hippodrome is really easy to find - which are both really important for central locations like this. But really, the inside of the theatre is beautiful. It's the perfect size, I had seats at the side of the theatre and noticed that I still had a really clear view, and that it looked like in every row you could possibly be in we still would've had a pretty good view of the musical. Definitely no opera glasses necessary here. I would love to see a concert or movie in this place, and I'll make sure to visit again the next time I am in the area. I really could not stop talking about it when I left. I loved the bathrooms, and the molding in the hall ways, and the lighting in the theatre, and the shape of the stage, and the pillars outside. Seriously, I just loved this theatre. If I live in Gainesville it would be the first movie theatre listing I'd check whenever I planned on going out to see something, just because I love the space so much. The concessions were a little crazy, but like all good things it was worth the wait. read more

The stage productions I've seen have been sort of rubbish, but they always get good movies. Extra points for having a bar. I just remembered I had my first kiss here during a screening of Donnie Darko Director's Cut. Huh. read more

Love this theater. Never had a bad seat and always enjoy the performances. The building is unique - be sure to take the elevator for a special treat. read more

Hippodrome State Theatre - Set of Honky Tonk Angels - Performing Arts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Having worked at the Hipp and having been a patron for years before/after, there is not a single bad thing I could say about it. The shows are spectacular. Director Lauren Caldwell does such an incredible job filling the space with something magical and breathtaking again and again, show after show. The employees at the Hipp work tirelessly to create a perfect getaway for audiences. You won't love every show, but that's the beauty of the Hipp: there's something there for everyone. It's not "one kind of theatre"... and it's also not stuffy, so if you've never been much of a theatre person, just stop by and check it out. You can even wear jeans and sneakers if you want to... judgement free zone! The Hipp does such a wonderful job at holding a mirror up to its audiences. It is Gainesville's theatre, and whether you're browsing through the art gallery filled with a local artists' work, checking out an indie film it its award-winning cinema or experiencing a show in its brilliant thrust main stage, you're seeing something that is 100% our community. Long live in the Hipp! read more

An easy-to-find, unforgettable, aging gem in downtown Gainesville. Caught a Sunday afternoon performance of "Good People", a 2011 play by David Lindsay-Abaire. As good as the Arena Stage (DC) production we saw last year, but at one-third the ticket price and better seats all-round. We even exchanged a bit of chaff with several of the cast whom we met on the street afterwards. read more

I saw a free UF student stand up comedy show at the Hipp. The theater was full, so I sat on the floor outside the theater space and watched from stage right. The Hipp has floor plan that creates a classic and historical feel. The actual theater seems to encourage a black-box experience which is appreciated for the right show. Tickets for Hipp shows are slightly expensive, so I see it as a bit of a luxury good, however, for the right show, I'd come again. read more

What a treat the Hippodrome is! I couldn't be more thankful for a regional theatre that takes big risks and provides opportunity for so many actors, designers, and more. If you are in town, make sure you stop by and see a show at the Hipp. You won't be disappointed. #alwayshipp read more

This place has a movie theater in it and I went to see a French film there. It looked like they were just playing it from a DVD or Blu-Ray. The picture quality was not that great and the sound system was bad too. If your going to watch a digital film, seems like going to Regal is the better choice. Or if it's a foreign film your interested in, just wait until it comes out on DVD or Blu-Ray and get it from Redbox or Netflix. Honestly, my TV at home looks just as good as what this place is doing. No reason to pay $7.50 when they're obviously showing discs just like anyone else can do at home. read more

I always enjoy my time at the Hippodrome. Great staff, fast service at the bar, and always a great movie or play to see.

I find this theatre to be quite fascinating with a lovely ambiance that helps me escape from reality. Once you walk in you forget that you were just downtown. The theatre looks more like a Roman building and is quite small and homey. It is located near some nice coffee places and definitely has a vibe going on about it that fits in quite nicely with what is downtown Gainesville. They have great and unique productions and allow other organizations to rent out their venue. I've been there multiple times for shows, competitions, and festivals. Go visit the Hippodrome and see a play or musical or whatever is showing if you have nothing going on at night :) get a drink from their bar which serves beverages relating to a theme for whatever show they've got going on and then grab dinner after with a coupon that they'll probably have on the back of your theatre stub. read more

A charming and historical spot to spend an evening with friends or a significant other. I've been for both a live play and a movie showing. The live theater stage as well as the movie theater are intimate and there is not a bad seat in the house. The building is beautiful and well kept. Everything is so well organized especially for a local theater. I liked their Facebook page so I can keep up with their specials-- sometimes they offer "$10 Tuesday" and you can see a live performance for a fraction of what it normally costs. I love that the Hippodrome is located right in the middle of downtown Gainesville near the best local restaurants and bars. The only issue is the parking of course, but that is anywhere downtown Gainesville. They sell beer and wine and other concessions. I like that the Hippodrome gets lesser known shows and movies and even limited released movies. read more

The Hippodrome is one of those places that makes you glad you live in Gainesville. The movies are always interesting, the seats are comfortable, and you can enjoy a drink from the bar with your show. The plays are creative and original (except for over the holidays when they stick with the standbys - please no more Tuna Christmas!) and I am always amazed we have such professional acting talent in our little town. read more

Oh my goodness. Oh. My. Goodness. I just got home from the hippodrome after going for the first time, and I won't be returning again. The show I saw (witnessed? some verb that suggests I watched something dreadful) was absolutely terrible. I would rather be violently ill than see another production there. I would rather clip a strangers toenails. I'd rather have been tasked with sweeping up the entire place before ever seeing something there again. Awful, awful show, and not for any reason that you might expect (and subsequently accept) from a local theatre. I don't know if I could even pinpoint the most awful aspects, because rest assured it wasn't only the horrendous acting (there were some, very few, highlights, but it only made the bad acting more apparent), or poor production value. I could decry the place for days and still feel like I wasn't doing my own misery justice. For one, we went to see the "All-Girl Frankenstein", which was like a bastardization of anything that you'd assume when you see a poster with that name and a photoshopped image of a lady-stein. It was just a bunch of women playing men, much of which was just...totally unnecessary? as well as a totally deceptive (definitely not what was advertised). And rest assured, if a bit of mendacity from the production team isn't alarming, know that the play itself had enough bizarre, uncomfortable, and sometimes almost pedophilic, sexuality to make sure the whole family is running out screaming. Throw in some awkward, absolutely cringe-inducing interpretive dance, and you've got what has to be the worst play I've ever, in my life, experienced. Oh! Also, we bought a chocolate bar from their concession stand while walking into the theatre, which we started to eat in the twenty minutes before the show started, only to be quite literally yelled at across the theatre by an employee handing out playbills. There weren't any signs, and they Sold It To Us! Only to be yelled at like schoolchildren? Extremely, extremely unprofessional and rude. And at such a price!! The play was bad (and rapey) enough for me and my girlfriend to be traumatized, but maybe if we weren't sitting here feeling bamboozled we'd maybe perhaps consider at least returning to the venue for a film. No chance, whatsoever. Won't be stepping into the Hipp ever again. read more

Frog & toad was a lousy, low budget flop. Very disappointed. $70 for two tickets. Seen better high school productions

I wanted to share my experience at the Hippodrome today. I took my son to see "Frog and Toad"- a children's musical. I did not see an age requirement anywhere on the Facebook page or website. In fact, the Facebook event says "a delightful theater experience for kids of all ages". Well, we arrived at 1:30pm, got our tickets and got seated. At 2:05, minutes after the show was supposed to start, I was approached by the house manager and asked my son's age. I told her he is almost 4. She said that my son was not allowed to be there because he is not 4 years old yet. I was shocked because I had never heard this age requirement and besides he will be 4 in a few months. She said she couldn't do anything now because the show was about to start but "do not bring him back to another show". In case you are wondering, my son was sitting perfectly still and quiet. The only thing that drew attention was that he is small in size. He behaved perfectly during the show. He did not make a sound except to laugh and clap at the appropriate moments. If this age requirement was so important that they felt the need to call me out in front of other patrons, it needed to be clearly stated on the advertisement and also when we called to purchase tickets. I am completely appalled by the house manager for this rude behavior. I hope to spare other parents the embarrassment and unpleasant experience that I had today. read more

I was lucky enough to get free tickets to a show here, and the experience was great. If you have a chance to see a show, definitely take it. read more