Date of visit: January 24, 2026 One of my Christmas gifts was seeing John Mulaney here at The Orpheum and it was a delightful venue, full of history and stately charm. Like many venues of this age, it was not built for security checks and metal detectors, which meant we were waiting outside to get in for a while and that normally would not bother me but given the frigid temperatures, I do wish they could have done something to streamline the wait. Once we were in, staff inside were friendly if not necessarily helpful with not one but two ushers steering us in the wrong direction to our seats, seats on the floor that were not cconsistently labeled. Thankfully there weren't any issues with our seats and we were able to enjoy the show--too bad our feet never warmed up the entire visit! read more

Orpheum Theater - A new sign for an historic theatre. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Been to the Orpheum for several shows. I have always found it to be a positive experience. Getting through security was easy, and quick. The lobby can get a little busy and crowded (nothing new there). If you are planning to buy alcohol, you get your wrist strap ahead of time. There's a place to get merchandise, and that can get a bit congested. Plenty of folks to help you get to your seats. For this show we were front row balcony (which I feel is the best spot in the entire place). The seats are a little dated, narrow, and might benefit from being restuffed. The acoustics were good, but not great but certainly better than most large venues (i.e. Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee). I would definitely come again. read more

See all

Great venue to see a show! It's in a very active part of town. Theater is very nostalgic and makes you feel like you stepped back in time. Great experience!! read more

I absolutely love the historic and nostalgic beauty that lies outside and within the walls of the Orpheum! No matter where you sit, you have an impeccable view of the stage. It feels so small and cozy without feeling crowded or stuffy. Drink prices are typical concert/fair prices. Several bars to choose from. Only downfall is restrooms are downstairs. read more

Orpheum Theater - "Dane Cook... pay per view, 20 minutes!" - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

We unexpectedly got to see Alex Warren at The Orpheum Theatre while visiting Madison, WI in October and it was absolutely incredible! The venue has a vintage charm with an intimate close feel! Alex's vocals were raw and powerful, and his storytelling had the crowd completely locked in. The Orpheum's staff were kind and organized, and the sound was crystal clear from start to finish. A perfect match between artist and venue unforgettable show - made our trip! read more

See all

Somehow I had never been to a concert here despite four years in college in Madison. We relocated here right before Covid and that kept us out of this place. So it was a bit of a revelation to finally enter a building I have walked by hundreds of times over the decades. I was surprised at the ornate detail that has survived. Sure there is peeling paint and obvious spots where plaster is failing but the place is beautiful. Despite having seats in the upper reaches of the upper balcony the sight lines to the stage were quite good. It felt somewhat intimate for its size. The acoustics were decent but not great. The staff was friendly and helpful. The AC on this hot night was almost too cool but really I am not complaining. I would definitely attend a show here again. With some renovations of the tired parts this place would be five stars. read more

Orpheum Theater - View from the not so cheap seats... - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Madison has great theaters! This one is historic and beautiful. Our seats for the show got moved due to tech issues. We were moved to 2nd row, which were padded folding chairs. It's a close fit since the chairs are all connected but we loved being so close to our show. Air conditioning was on full blast and I wished for oants instead of my shorts. Bathrooms are downstairs and up stairs. read more

Orpheum Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Madison has lots of great music venues but The Orpheum is still a classic fav. Saw a great show with Brian Setzer. Nice that you can bring drinks into the venue. Bar service was good. Ladies bathrooms are small and lines can be long! Definitely a good venue for the right show. read more

See all

Classic theater, great acoustics holds around 2100 . The cons parking & parking cost , needs more remodeling, bathroom not convenient, could be a 5 star with a little love. Covid has made it so bars don't take cash and I really hate using a card , call me old fashioned for that one. read more

There was a line to get in but that was because of the metal detectors. It went quick and had no problems once we got in.

You know you're old when you get excited that a concert venue has seats. That's right you heard me, you can have a place to sit during your concert! General admission is usually $25 plus taxes and fees. The beer selections are $7-9 for 16 oz tall boys. They also had regular 12 oz beer on social for $5. They sell snacks too, popcorn, pizza, and chips which is convenient. Oh and they accept credit cards. The bathrooms are clean and in impressive shape considering how old this venue is. read more

See all

My second time at the Orpheum and overall I have had good experiences. I have only been here for music concerts. The outside/inside is pretty classy/they are known for their big sign on the front state street entrance. Once inside, security is very thorough- but I would rather have them more thorough that not! There are many bars on different levels. Alcohol is pricey, but no more pricey then any other type of venue. They will usually fill up your water bottle for free after you purchase the first bottle. The inside is pretty neat from the old chandeliers and curtains- very old school and vintage looking. The music was loud and the video on the projector screen during the concert was clear/easy to see. The general admission is usually set up so that there is a large open area in front of the stage for standing. There are plenty of seats in the back or in the balcony to sit if you would like. The hallways to exit are pretty narrow, which can get to be pretty loud/hot/packed as everyone is trying to exit, but it is usually is pretty quick to leave. There is a merchandise table usually up front, and there is a coat check as well. read more

Orpheum Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

A performance arts Mecca and a theatre worth having the community behind them. Once Covid clears, I'll be one of the first reserved to see the rally of productions read more

Orpheum Theater - Black Lives Matter over the Orpheum - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

A beautiful theater tucked into a cute little neighborhood. Shows feel intimate, seats are relatively comfortable, sounds great. Highly recommend! read more

Got free tics while walking down state street on st. Paddys day for a band called "walk off the earth". I believe thats kyrie Irvings favorite band (he thinks the earth is flat). I digress. Place is old and kinda run down. Band was ok. Free made them even better. Wouldn't pay top dollar to see a band here but im spoiled living in the 414 with all the amazing venues but hey, free is free so its all good Orpheum read more

See all

Since the vibe can change from day to day, I'll keep this one simple: + A gorgeous new marquee on a theater that's kept most of its original charm + Updated stalls in the ladies' room - thank you, thank you, thank you + Doesn't feel huge despite being one of the largest concert spaces downtown + I am short but I can see from back by the sound board or in the lower-level seats; I'm no longer banished to the balcony or forced to push up to the very front - Unreliable sound; it often echos or is just is a bit off - I've actually witnessed a band mocking it from the stage, asking if the sound person is effing with them and wondering what they did to make him so mad Bonus points: the gig posters as of late have been beautiful, adding that extra bit of loveliness to the building's facade when you walk by. read more

Such a neat theater! I'm a sucker for beautiful, old theaters like this one, and I'm glad I was finally able to visit. We came for a Christmas concert and it was the perfect venue for it. It felt cozy and comfortable. Of course, the seats aren't cushy and brand new, but that's to be expected. I didn't utilize them, but there are also some built in bars on the floor that are easily accessible during breaks in acts and before the show. Also, the theater's location right on State Street makes it easy to find places to eat or shop at before the show. read more

TL;DR: Unacceptable customer service. The important background info on this review is that I was buying tickets to a show at the Orpheum for a group of four people, one of whom is handicapped and has mobility impairments that prevent them from climbing stairs. This doesn't strike me as an outrageously complicated situation, but for some reason it still presented an opportunity for the Orpheum to exhibit a range of customer service failures. I initially planned to buy our tickets online but when checking out seats on Ticketmaster, the ADA toggle (for locating accessible seating) generated an error saying there was no accessible seating, and directing me to contact the venue. No problem, it should be easy enough to buy directly from the venue, right? (LOL.) I then went to the Orpheum's website to get a phone number and see if their info page had any guidance for my situation. The venue FAQ has a very friendly message stating that staff will help patrons directly with accessibility questions/ticketing, and includes a local phone number to call for assistance. That seemed promising. I called the number listed, and discovered it didn't actually direct to any particular line, just Orpheum's main phone tree. From there, I tried the box office extension, as it seemed the only relevant option, and got an away message stating that the box office was currently closed, but would be opening at noon, and if I left a message my call would be returned. I left a message explaining my situation, but never received a callback. Around 2 p.m. I headed to the venue hoping to have more luck speaking to someone in person, but the box office wasn't actually open, despite the hours listed on Orpheum's voicemail greeting. I returned to the venue after 4 p.m., and actually managed to encounter a box office attendant there. I briefly explained my situation to this very disinterested-looking staff member, who didn't seem to totally get the concept, and she told me there was no accessible seating available, but that I could pay for higher-price floor tickets if I wanted to. That's not exactly the answer I was expecting, but at this point I just wanted to get my tickets (at long, long last) and be done with it, so I agreed. The box office attendant pulled out a seating chart, and told me that the only 4 tickets left together on the floor were the last 4 tickets in row P. I knew my group didn't want to be on the far edge of the theatre, and I had checked the available seats online before heading down to the venue (for the second time), so I knew there had been more tickets closer to the center available very recently. I specifically inquired about these seats, but the staff member at the counter told me the only other seats available together on the floor were the exact same edge seats on the opposite side of the theatre (seat #s 1-4). I was surprised that the other tickets could have sold so suddenly/quickly, but figured it wasn't impossible and, again, I really felt this had all dragged on long enough, so I just went ahead bought the 4 end tickets I was offered. On a sneaking suspicion, after buying the tickets I went back to the online seating chart to see what was available. Sure enough, the four tickets I had asked about WERE still available, along with a lot of other floor tickets, and the 4 end tickets I had just been sold were now no longer available. I'm left to assume that the rude and disinterested staff person who sold me these tickets and lied about other availability just valued her own free time more than doing her job and helping me buy the tickets I needed. To make a long story short, if you're disabled and want to go to a show at the Orpheum, you can pay extra for the privilege, but you'll have to do it in person, you might get lied to about what your seating options are, and please don't rely on the Orpheum's own phone message to accurately convey their hours, and don't expect a call-back on your voicemail. Apparently they really couldn't care less. read more

You must give this theater a try! The inside is beautiful and so much to look at. The balcony seats we had we completely comfortable with plenty of leg room. All seats in the balcony allowed you to see the stage without any obstacles in the way. Go see a concert!! read more

Executive Summary: good venue for music/performances downtown. Alcohol available on site. Restrooms are tucked away in the basement and are on the small side but are clean and in decent repair. As with everywhere downtown, plan to park in a nearby ramp and walk to the venue. I visited the Orpheum for the first time in February for the Postmodern Juke Box show. Great show, good venue. We were on the lower level towards the back. Visibility was good from our seats. Acoustics were good as well. For an older venue accessibility to these seats was decent. One of our group members walks with a cane and she was able to navigate the main aisles just fine. The stairs to the upper level and down to the lower level restrooms are more of a challenge. I didn't notice if they had elevator access for those with limited mobility. Something I'll watch for next time. Although given the historic age of the building I wouldn't be surprised if such services are not available. I did not partake of a beverage but they had a main bar as you walk in the entrance and two side bars inside the actual auditorium on ground level. I didn't explore the upper levels so not sure what beverage opportunities exist above ground floor. Seems like drinks were mostly in the $10 and up range. A bit pricey maybe but you're paying for the convenience of a bar at a theater/performance venue so not unexpected. Restrooms are located downstairs and are a little tight, as I would expect in a building this age. They were clean and in decent repair though so they're doing the best they can. read more

Orpheum Theater - Front lobby - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

The worst security set up. Waited 35 minutes to get in the door. The seats were so uncomfortable. Absolutely terrible. We will never come back! read more

This is a go to spot for concerts, stand ups, and other special events. The building is old. The bathrooms are easily messed up so go early versus later. Drinks are expensive but sometimes they have deals (like for Flogging Molly they had a shot of whiskey and a beer for a slightly better price than just a beer or just a shot.) Seats are pretty comfortable on the main floor. A little tighter in the balcony. But the sightlines are good at any spot in the venue. read more

Cool concert venue. Not enough restrooms, hard to see stairs in dark (need more small floor lights), little leg room in between seats. read more

Orpheum Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I've been going to the Orpheum for decades and had my first visit there since the current owners took over. After mulling over my visit for a few days, I'm not at all happy with the way the venue is run, specifically security. Security was odd from the start. You weren't allowed to line up anywhere near the doors unless you had VIP tickets. Everyone else was moved a half block away around the corner from Noodles. Once inside the security staff was rather rude and had a very intensive screening; it was worse that most TSA encounters I've had. Instead of a quick peek in my purse which is normal at a venue like this the guard made me take out most of my stuff and rummaged around every pocket. I was also harassed because I had a sun glasses case in my purse. He was convinced I was bring in a container and not glasses. The worst part of my visit was the rest rooms. I went downstairs to use the restroom and was followed by one of the security staff. He proceeded to wait outside the woman's restroom until I was done and went back upstairs. The same thing happened to my wife when she used the restroom. It was very creepy and unsettling. I can't say I'll every go back. The level of security and rude staff is not worth any show they could possible get. read more

I went to the Orpheum for my first concert in nearly 15 years! I saw 311 at the Orpheum on October 15, 2017, and had a great time. This is a nice venue. Pros: - Unique, cool, vintage space. Simply walking around and admiring the decor is fun. - Great location with a very short walk to parking garages. We parked in the Overture Center garage. Turn a corner, walk a block, and there you are. Bam! - Friendly and attentive staff and bartenders. - Bars galore! No one will be thirsty since there are multiple bars on every level -- even bars within the general admission/pit area in front of the stage. When you want to get a drink, you won't miss any of the concert. - Attentive event staff people manning the crowd. I draped my jacket on a barricade by the stage but later tied the jacket around my waist. Once I put it around my waist, one of the crowd management guys asked if my jacket had been on the barricade since he thought someone had taken it. I appreciated that the event staff went beyond watching for people causing trouble -- they were also watching people's belongings. Cons: - While the building is antique and ornate, parts of it seem worn and grubby. Examples: Chandelier lights out and/or bulbs missing, red carpet on stairs is nearly black in high-traffic areas, and some paint chip spots on the walls. - Women's lower-level bathroom was not well stocked with soap. I went to the bathroom during the first half of the (not sold out) show, and every single soap dispenser at that point was completely empty. - Acoustics are a little iffy. From the balcony, I had a hard time deciphering Nick's lyrics. Once I moved downstairs to the GA/pit area, his voice seemed clearer. My decision to return really depends on the headliner, but I'll gladly return to the Orpheum when another one of my favorite bands has a concert there! read more

See all

It's hard to imagine that the corporate buyout of the previously locally owned theater didn't have a negative impact on the business and having been to a few shows recently, it does seem like there's a lack of charm now. My biggest complaint is the exorbitant price of alcohol at the venue. There weren't any drinks under $8 a piece, even beer! I get the concept of marking prices up because you can't bring drinks in, but for Madison standards, that is RIDICULOUS. The most recent time I was there, I opted not to drink because of it, but next time I'll make sure to have my drinks elsewhere (before the concert) if it's that kind of night. Otherwise, Orpheum is a pretty standard venue for events and concerts. They have both seats and room in front of the stage for standing, but at the events I've been to, they've chosen one method of the other for the entire venue. For general admission shows, that usually results in tons of empty seats because everyone wants to stand. Alternatively, if GA was an option but sold out, I think I would skip buying tickets altogether (unless it was an artist I really wanted to see). I will say that Orpheum brings a lot of top names to Madison. There aren't many other venues in the area that do that other than Alliant Energy Center, so props to Orpheum. I'm sure I'll be back sometime soon, just not purchasing any booze from them. read more

Knocking this down a star, because now that I've been there a few times, I keep coming back less impressed. A few of my issues: 1) Long lines at the will-call booth. They should have a better system down. 2) Poor sound quality. (I recognize this can be the band's fault as well). 3) Lack of water fountains. Hopefully some improvements can be made in the future. read more

It's too bad such a beautiful, historic building fell into the hands of such terrible people. Eric Fleming extorted myself and my husband for $1500 on a wedding that never happened, and they knew FULL WELL that they wouldn't even have a liquor license at the time that our wedding was supposed to take place (late October 2011, but of course they never told us about that tiny detail) - when we heard inklings that bad stuff was going down, we cancelled even though we hadn't even put a deposit down yet. They harassed us and verbally abused us for the $1500 deposit to be paid to them until we felt we had no choice. They said they were going to sue us. What a bunch of crap - KARMA IS A BITCH! read more

Sorry, not lovin' Orpheum at the moment - bought the "box" seats and not impressed... We got seats three and four on our box, but since the seats aren't numbered, we're behind the folks that got there first - black shirts put us in the wrong box at first. So, pictures are worth their weight in gold - consider mental image of speakers and other blocked view - all for double the price... read more

Decent place to see a show. The acoustics seemed to be ok, the seats - well, after taking a look at them you might prefer standing instead. The venue got to be pretty warm - on a spring night, it must have gotten up to about 85-90 inside. The show we went to wasn't sold out, but it seemed overly crowded down by the stage. Overall I've seen a few shows here over the years, and I try to save this venue for artists I "really" want to see. If you're coming in from another city, just be prepared to deal with the chotch factor (i.e. dirty hippies and drunken frat boys) and you'll make out a-ok. Also - side tip - there is a parking ramp a few blocks over, and it's only $5.00 to park for a few hours (after business hours). It was a good deal, not to have to park out on the street. read more

Coming from Boston, I'm used to amazing music venues with the greatest and best bands. The Orpheum Theater definitely lives up to my expectations. It may not offer the biggest names, but biggest doesn't always equate to best. Due to the smaller venue, the performers usually have something to prove, and end up putting on an amazing show. I've been here a couple of times, from concerts to themed-dance nights, and have had nothing but an amazing time. If you can look past the overly bro-y crowd and sorority-esque girls, and just focus on the music, you will have a great time. read more

What an unbelievable place to hold a wedding. Our friends had their wedding here and it was incredible. The food, the decor, everything was spectacular. The staff there was really friendly and helpful, and the place has such a special atmosphere. read more

We came for the happy hour, which we'd heard good things about. You can get rail drinks for $3.00 and they put out a nice spread of snacks - a few types of cheeses, chicken wings, and mussels. The chicken wings had a really good sweet and sour flavor, and were quite large. Not much like your usual buffalo wings. The mussels were very delicious, prepared with parsley, bread crumb, shallots, and wine. Perfectly cooked too. Quite impressive for bar snacks. My only bitch about them was that they were gritty - but hey, it was free, right? Other complaints 1. Outdoor seating is extremely limited. We had to sit inside, and it's sort of cavernous and creepy in there 2. The girl who was waiting on us was really awful. She apparently didn't know the difference between a tonic and coke (she brought us brown drinks and insisted they were gin and tonics), she spilled a drink on me, and she knocked into me while I was walking to the bathroom, spilling some other tables half eaten chicken wings and mussels all over me. I'm sure she was new, but you really shouldn't hire someone to work at a bar who doesn't know basic things like what coke is and what tonic is. read more

So, went and saw show here and have to say I realize why I try to avoid shows here. Seats are very narrow and older, so extended sitting is very uncomfortable. We were in upper balcony and stairs were very steep. Part of show was a movie and when lights were off, you couldn't see the stairs at all, so if you had to use facilities, you were risking bodily harm. Interior was very old, and probably one of the best features with the elaborate old theater trim and lighting. Show was good, but again, I do try avoid going here. read more

I LOVE SITTING AT CONCERTS. I think it's part of the contract of being in my twenties that I'm supposed to enjoy standing in a mosh pit five feet from the stage. 'Cuz everyone likes getting sprayed with the lead singer's sweat, right? Well, I love sitting at concerts and am instantly fond of any venue that has the option to stand up close and personal or sit and soak up some tunes from afar. As Steve said, not a bad seat in the place. One of my favorite venues! read more

Love the Orpheum! Went to see Flogging Molly here. Great show. Asked an usher why I w asnt able to purchase tickets in the front center balcony area. He says it was a website error. He upgraded me to the seats I wanted for Free! Great customer service! Every bartender there has been awesome! Highly recommend going to see a show you love at this location! read more

Few places in Madison are as versatile and, perhaps for that reason, central as the Orpheum Theater is in this city. Its iconic sign imposes the theater's presence on State Street, reminding you that you're walking in to a piece of local history. This is where I came to see the legendary Noam Chomsky give a speech to a full auditorium - one that comes complete with massive red curtains, indoor balconies, and intricate golden carvings. This is the place where I've seen some of the most brilliant indie and foreign films that I never would have known about otherwise. And at $11 for 2 people, this place gives me the best value for my money that I could ever spend on a date. It's wise to start or finish a movie here with a stop at their bar, where the bartender makes some of the best cocktails in town. The whole experience just exudes classiness, without the ridiculous costs that are usually associated with a place like this. The same applies to the restaurant they run at various times throughout the day, and while the food looks excellent, I've never had the opportunity to try it. I hope to fix that soon. read more

Like many other Yelpers I'm sure, I am a true devotee of the old-timey theaters; from single-screen neighborhood movie houses to the opulent grand palace theaters with their customized neon signs and ornate interior decor. This one's a true classic in downtown Madison, although they could update the sound system. read more

Orpheum Theater - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

What a nostalgic feeling you will get when you attend anything at the Orpheum! My granddaughter and I went to see A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 11th and we sat in the very top row of Balcony E and the seats gave us a perfect view of the actors. We took a photo of her on the winding staircase and the dress she wore and the tint of the photo made it look old fashioned, like a memory from the distant past.The only reason I knocked off one star was that it was way too hot all over the theater...no need for that just because it was an event aimed at children. They were complaining of the temperature too! Just take it down a few degrees folks and you'll have perfection at the Orpheum! read more

I love seeing live music in old theaters like this. I like that its all seating. I didn't mind standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people for three hours at shows when I was in high school, but now I'd much rather sit. On the negative side, I think the stage setup is awkward. It's really high up, like halfway between the floor and the balcony. If you're on the floor, you're looking up the whole time, and if you're in the front of the balcony, you're practically looking at the tops of all the performers heads. read more