Great venue as the seats are in a manner that there is a great view from every seat. The legroom is amazing and allows people to pass without having to get up every time. Parking access is free and the police direct the traffic for quick exiting. Just all around a wonderful experience. read more

Great sound and not overly loud. Only drawback is the seating doesn't have aisles so you have to stand up every time someone needs to go do something read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall is good performance art center, they are actually anchored the Clearwater Performance Art in those area. Many comedians has went through there. Steve Martin and Martin Short are scheduled to perform there at 2017. The only complaint is Ruth Eckerd Hall seat is too narrow. If you have walking or going up step problems, you either has the up stair back row of ground floor front row. The upstairs back row connects to elevator. The front row straight from ground floor. I like the theater slope seating. No bad seat. You can see the show every angle. I saw a lot white hair. Very much a lot of supporters are senior. We were there for the new year eve show "salute to Vienna". This show has dancing, operas singing and music. Very fun to enjoy. The tip for the restroom is get the the one up stair or right next to the stage are less crowded. read more

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What a horrible, horrible experience! It begins with the parking. One way in so unless you leave early, expect to be in line for an hour to get out. Once inside, the ushers (if you can even call them that) are rude and belligerent. They treat you as if you are bothering them. Finally, the security is worse than the airport. Given that it's not in a good area, have a CCW would be a good idea. There are much better venues in Tampa Bay than Ruth Eckerd. It is an old, dated hall and the experience is less than acceptable. Never again. read more

I had a phenomenal time at Ruth Eckerd Hall watching Brian Culbertson perform. This venue is delightful. Plentiful free parking (although getting out afterwards is a bit like gridlock). The facility was kept at the perfect temperature for the sold out show. Never got too hot or too cold and they kept the air circulating. The concessions area was well stocked. The only thing I really hated about this venue is the seating. The aisles are loooongggg with no breaks in between. So just imagine having to past 30 people just to get to your seat. It would have been great if they had a middle aisle or something. Thankfully people didn't have to go to the restroom constantly. Very enjoyable evening! read more

4 Stars for a venue that isn't the coolest or newest, but has great acoustics and hosts some pretty awesome concerts. I took a ride to Clearwater to see Leon Bridges in concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall recently and I'll start by saying it was a kickass show! This performing arts facility is located just over the bridge into Clearwater, but tucked in a bit. I'm used to performing arts centers located in the thick of a city, but this one is tucked around what seem to be residential neighborhoods. Which is a bit odd and not my ideal (particularly since it's always nice to be able to walk to grab a bite before a show). Either way, I was impressed by the parking situation. There was valet, but also plenty of surface parking surrounding the building. This is good for convenience but, to be fair, it also makes the center feel a bit suburban. Convenience won out though, and we parked right near the entrance. I love that this center has an outdoor section too. Before the show there was another performer playing outside by a food truck and a large oak lit up by twinkle lights. It was the perfect opener for the opener while people got their grub on in anticipation for a crazy show. After enjoying that pre-preshow, we went back inside. There are a few entrances into the main hall, but plenty of ushers walking around ready to offer assistance to make sure you get in on the right side. One thing to note is that you should use the facilities before taking your seat because the rows are incredibly long (particularly in the middle). I can't imagine how many sighs and shin kicks I would have gotten had I needed to leave during the show for any reason because I was directly in the center of a long row. A last thing I'll note is that you should absolutely spring for the double pour of wine. They practically fill a clear solo cup to the rim, and for $14, that's a damn good pour! This venue may not be winning any architectural prizes or be the hippest kid on the block (if we're counting Tampa as part of the neighborhood), but overall it was an excellent show at a good venue with lovely, helpful staff! read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

Just attended the Allman Betts Band show last night. It was my first time here and loved the place. Great sound and it looked like you could get a good view no matter where you sat. The staff were all polite and helpful. It was smaller than I expected but that made it more enjoyable. It reminded me of a smaller Beacon Theater back home in NY which is my favorite place bach home to see concert. MAYBE with better sound than the Beacon. Will see more concerts when I come down next year if anyone I like is performing . In case you are wondering the show was fantastic. They are ready their fathers sons. Great to see the tradition carry on !!!! read more

This venue needs a serious make-over. I've been here a few years ago for an orchestra concert, but this latest visit really showed its age. I've been to all of the large concert venues in the Bay area and this one is the worst. There aren't enough bathrooms, the carpeting and seats are worn, the seating is inconvenient (one row across the whole theatre so if someone needs to get up they have to disrupt about 50 people) and there is only one exit leaving the venue. I know they just built a new outdoor area to enjoy before the concert but it was raining so we didn't see that area. Maybe that area is nice, but the inside needs A LOT of attention. I have to admit, my visit was also colored by the fact that the ushers did not tell some guys who were talking through the show to SHUT UP! While it was a concert, it was an acoustic show and these yahoos kept yapping the entire time. It wasn't like a rock show where people were standing up, dancing, singing and so on. Anyway, the hall's acoustics are good so if they can fix some of the other things it will be on par with the other concert halls. read more

Zero for ADA accommodation. Less than zero. Horrible. I have a leg condition that makes it so I cannot walk long distances. I purchased ADA accessible seating for the event I was attending in the hopes I would have a good evening. After valet parking I learned that the pre-show reception was on the far side of the building which is a significant walk with my disability. Upon exiting the elevator I was almost accosted by the seating host for simply sitting down on a chair since I didn't immediately present my tickets (of course, I've had to show them at least twice already to reach this part of the venue). I'm then informed by JoAnne that my seats are on the other side of the venue where I originally entered and no wheelchairs are available to accommodate me moving back to the area which I entered. Kathy, the house manager offered me "nosebleed" seats at the top of the venue (significantly further back from my original seats) which were closer to where I now was, however I preferred to sit in the area in which I paid. You would think coordinating tickets eight months prior and speaking with the ticketing manager would provide ample time for accommodation, however that doesn't seem to be the case. This also wasn't just me. While I was typing this review another older gentleman entered the area with a leg brace on and they refused to let him sit in a chair. My wife and I had to advocate for him as well so they would provide him with a chair. When you deal with the public, especially at a venue where people go to have an enjoyable evening, you need to lead with empathy and have an understanding of the human condition. It's so sad this venue does not. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

Here is a toss back to the 80's. Quite literally, I've not been to Ruth Eckerd hall since 1986, when I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS. I was invited to see Alton Brown, and I jumped at the chance! The lobby is airy with a great brass staircase, it's a bit out dated, but it's still functional. The seats are comfortable, they're spaced well and even have cup holders. That's important these days, when places sell beer and wine and let you take it into the auditorium! The acoustics were awesome. There was no trouble seeing or hearing Alton at all! The lighting was excellent as well! I have to admit, I probably should come back to see other things at this venue! read more

Travelled up the interstate to see Chicago the band in concert. Even with construction and renovation, it was such a beautiful facility to catch an amazing show in. The outdoor warm up band, the beautiful tree lit up in lights, the friendly employees that are more than willing to help you out and find your way to your seat. Even prior to the hall opening up, the security guard allowed me to enter to use the facility bathrooms. Kept clean and welcoming, i would definitely return back here. I will say, at no fault of the employees working inside the hall, the so called security guards directing the traffic after the show had no idea what they were doing and almost caused a near accident between my vehicle and a pedestrian, with his unclear directional hand gestures. read more

There are pool halls that turn bands into legends for just one night. Bright lights, buzz and the smell of street food before you enter Madison Square Garden for the hottest bands. There are local venues, ones that understand taking pride in each light bulb, brick and table cloth. Good venues understand that the street address of the concert is more than just a physical place the band is playing that night. Ruth Eckerd Hall shows that if they monopolize a market, they can careless and get away with it. Wanna get some food before the show? Not here! Enjoy your twenty minute car ride to any place that doesn't have a drive through window. Let's point out the same acts are at Walt Disney Theatre in downtown Orlando that has restaurants and bars within a walk of the venue. That said, if you do make dinner reservations, make sure you also leave work early and make those reservations at five at night for the early bird special. That's because... If the ticket says "7:30", show starts at seven fifteen and don't expect an opener. I hope you had a movie booked for after the show, cause this place loves being empty by ten at night. God forbid it's a Sunday, you might still be able to make it to five o'clock mass. Thus your favorite band is only here for a hour thirty and then gone, gone, gone... that is until next year... cause... well... yeah Ruth gets THE SAME ACTS EVERY YEAR! I'm pretty sure Frankie Valli lives in the basement. Don't worry, Rick Springfield, ZZ Top, blah, blah, blah... you get it. I think the criteria has to be acts had to have been played on the radio in 1980 or prior to play Ruth Eckerd. It's going to be a long few decades once the baby boomers leave this earth for Ruth Eckerd, let's say that... Now, get ready for elderly ticket takers and out of touch divorced moms pouring you beer. Just nasty old farts complaining about how they're not paid or that they have to work back to backs as they can't figure out how to scan your ticket. Go out to the bathroom at some point to buy a $10 beer from a divorced dad on his tenth job and you'll see Grammy Sue's gin rummy club sitting on all the tables upstairs. Oh that's right, CAUSE THEY DONT HAVE A BREAK ROOM for these nice old folks. Let's go inside shall we? Remember your high school auditorium? Well they got padded seats! Hope you're not middle idle, this venue has decided, "who cares" to taking out an isle here or there to make a walkway for folks to get up and down the isles. Instead enjoy stepping over forty to fifty people to get all the way to the other side of the venue in the hopes of seeing a door. No need to ask, you already know. No leg room, knees on the back of the seat in front of you and one arm rest to share on either side... Enjoy your $150 uncomfortable seat. Don't need to get up during the show? No matter, due to the gymnasium layout you can have three people every five minutes walk in front of you the entire show. That traffic looks bad leaving... huh? Don't worry bring your favorite album and try to get an autograph or shake hands with the act. If you do decide to go, they made slight improvements, but you'll still be sitting in your car for a half hour cause THERES ONLY ONE WAY IN AND OUT OF THE VENUE! So forget it, let's kill some time and meet the band... WAIT! WHO ARE YOU? GET AWAY! Can't stand there. They're not signing. Leave. Leave. Leave. Let's talk about our good friends, Security... imagine post WWI Nazi Germany guards for Hitler. Just douche bags on power trips telling you every fifteen feet you can't stand there. You see, these clowns will fight you about everything they can, when you make $7.50 and hour and the stage manager tells you to guard a twenty by twenty slap of pavement... well it's easy to relive those late 80's wirrlies you used to give nerds in the bathroom. So... You can't wait out back to see the band. Security will scream, "Get away!" as the uncomfortably stare at your wife while laughing at you with their high school clicks as forty five year old men try to run and hide the music acts just so you can't say, "Hi" as they leave. So where are we? Let me make a suggestion. Van Wezel, Barbara B Mann, Sharon At The Villages and Walt Disney Theatre. If you want to just see the band and love spending $200 to sit last row and be home by ten, enjoy Ruth. If you want to go ENJOY A SHOW go to the other venues. At least they'll let you wave to the acts from less then ten feet as they leave without seven white men staring at you screaming you can't stand on A PUBLIC SIDE WALK. (*Cough* Capitol Theatre) Listen... I'm sure this place is AMAZING on Tuesday afternoons as they bus in the assisted living homes for CATS, just don't waste your time or money on this venue for a show. The best ambiance they can do is string lights over concrete in the back while they sell you $10 beers as you sit on hard steel outdoor furniture. Oh Geeze! I'm sure this place was something thirty years ago. read more

Customers do not appreciate extra costs being added to their credit cards without their consent. I just purchased two online tickets on Ruth Eckerd Hall's website for an event next week. It was bad enough the "service charge" was 20% of the face value of each ticket. But as I completed my order I was asked to "donate to arts in education for our community". I chose NOT to donate. However, upon completion of my order I was "thanked" for "donating $5.00 to arts in education". I realize $5.00 is not a great deal of money but I did not agree to this donation and the sum did not appear until I completed my order. This is a fraudulent business practice. I expected more out of an esteemed organization such as Ruth Eckerd Hall. read more

A wonderful venue with great shows. One suggestion: please let your ushers sit during the show. These are elderly people, they should not have to stand for hours. It's a simple fix. read more

First time attending. Great venue!! Not a bad set in the place. I don't think I'd want to go to a stadium concert after experiencing Ruth Eckerd Hall. No problems parking. Great staff. Love the experience. Joe Bonamassa rocked the house!!!!! read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

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I came here for a Performing Arts meeting and we were located primarily in the great room. It was a beautiful space! The lighting and open concept was very appealing. I know the hall is undergoing renovations, and it definitely needs the upgrade. Some paint is wearing off and it definitely needs updating. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall and Daniel the Tiger and his team out did themselves today. Parking was great and the attendants at Ruth Eckerd was on point and attentive. My granddaughter had a blast today and the interaction with the crowd was amazing. Great time had by everyone read more

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Always enjoy Ruth Eckerd. Saw Steve Martin and Martin Short great show. The acoustics are fabulous. Great seats up close. Very intimate atmosphere. Great experience as always. read more

This place is great! I've been coming to this theatre for 20+ years. Everyone who works here is SO helpful and kind. There isn't a bad seat in this whole place! Tip: arrive early, as traffic can be a bear- there's only one main road in and out. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Dancing With The Stars!!! - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

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First time November 4 Brian Culbertson, I purchased the preshow tickets there was plenty of food. The food was good. It was fresh there was plenty to drink. There was no line no waiting. Very very pleasant experience, clean, enjoyable, outstanding Brian Culbertson was amazing entertainment fantastic sound couldn't have asked for a nicer evening Exceeded all my expectations read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - a large tree with blue lights - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

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Great venue in Clearwater, Pinellas county. We've been here numerous times to see Various entertainers, high school graduations, and other events. Seats are a little tight for a big guy, always try to get a end seat for a little extra comfort. Like most venues leaving the parking lot after a event can be a horror show, but to be honest it moves along as they all do. Be forewarned, you must go through metal detectors to enter this venue. So those of us with a CWP will have to leave it in the car or just leave it at home. read more

I will start this review by saying, while we were there, we purchased tickets to go back again in October!. First- there is not a bad seat in the house. It elevates every row, so you can always see over the head of the person in front of you! They don't open the doors until 1/2 hour before the show starts, so to encourage you to come early, they had a happy hour out on the patio with drink specials and great live music! Two things that keep this from being 5 starts are: 1) once you get inside the prices of the drinks go to $12 for a beer and $9 for a single or $18 for a double mixed drink. I call that a little pricey. 2) There are no center isles. We were in seats 33 & 34 and had to try to move past 30 people to get to our seats and think of the people in center seats- they had to slide past 50 -60 people. But now that I know, next time I won't buy a drink, so I won't need to use the bathroom! The ushers and security were all friendly and helpful. Yes- I would recommend Ruth Eckerd Hall- check out their web site for upcoming events. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Not a bad seat in the house! - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

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Grams wanted to see the one and only Patty Labelle. Now, let me start by saying super fail bc when we went to buy the tickets online we accidentally got tickets from a third party vender instead of the actual website which led us to pay double in error! Ugh. So anyway, we get to the venue which I must say they were very organized. They instructed you were to park and to get your tickets. Once inside they have concession and merchandise stands. We walked into the seating area. Now...., this venue is nice but, the seating... NO. It was just a big auditorium with a bunch of long rows of seats from the left to the right side. Who designed this place. In an emergency, we would all die from panic and people walking over each other to get out of the row to the exit. I don't think it's safe especially if you are sitting in the middle section which is where I was. Yikes. Patty Labelle!!!!!! 75 years young. Wow. She was AWESOME. She sung some of her classics that I actually knew so I jamming along with her and my grams too. Having the opportunity to see such an icon is something that I will never forget. She changed clothes, stoped to fan herself, drank some water and entertained us all the while. If I had to go back to see another Icon... i guess.. sign me up! read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

Trying to enjoy the Chicago concert, sitting in the grass area and staff opens up an area in front of us and we can no longer see anything but the back of bodies standing in front of us. Security can't do anything about it. Because it was Ruth Eckerd staff that opened up the area. Way to ruin a night. Next time try not over selling your venue. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall is a fabulous venue to enjoy the performing arts, whether it is a touring production of a Broadway show, a concert or an appearance by a celebrity or comedian. The seats are comfortable and ample, there is plenty of leg room for those trying to get to and from their seats and those already seated and the acoustics are outstanding. I really feel that there is not a bad seat in the house and I have watched the stage from various seats over the years. There are no obstructions limiting the sight lines and the design of this theater provides a more intimate feeling than most. The staff and volunteers who interact with guests always seem to perform their duties efficiently and with a pleasant, positive attitude. It always gets the guest experience off to a great start when you are made to feel welcome. This visit marked my first time to use the valet. It was $15 payable upon arrival. I would definitely recommend this to others due to the cordial and courteous valets as well as the fast route out of the parking area. Construction was an issue during this visit. But I have always found the parking lot a bit confusing and always excruciating in terms of the ease and speed of cars leaving. While I appreciate the opportunity to park for free, for me it was $15 well spent to have a rather short, direct route to the only exit. So bravo for the sound and visual quality this venue provides but boos to the hardships of trying to find parking upon arrival and exit parking at the end of the performance unless one takes the option to valet. read more

Just recently saw Brit Floyd here at Ruth Eckerd Hall. (If you're a Pink Floyd fan... definitely check them out!) The sound in this hall was amazing and the light show was worthy of the Floyd moniker. There may have been just a hint of sibilance in the high end but overall, I would recommend catching music acts here as they do it pretty well. The venue was well staffed with friendly ushers helping you find your seats from the moment you walk through the doors. The bathrooms were clean. The seats were comfortable and the room temperature never got too hot, even with a few thousand people in attendance. Beers are definitely over-priced which makes cocktails a better buy but I guess this is too be expected at a live venue. Parking can be tricky, especially leaving if you don't get to your car quickly. It is best to park in the first entrance to your right as you see Ruth Eckerd. If you park in the lot on the far left, you will be at the end of the line when everyone is trying to leave. read more

The venue was punctual with their start times. Parking was free... the people in attendance at the Florida Orchestra concert in Ruth Eckerd are severely uncultured. Numerous groups of people were talking during performances. At least 3 people recording on their cell phones. Ushers were going in and out of the hall during the performance. People's phones and watches were repeatedly going off. the majority of the audience applauded between movements of the piece. I have never experienced such a circus of a concert. Get with it, Clearwater; you are the Charlie Sheen of orchestra audiences. If you're looking for an enjoyable experience seeing the Florida Orchestra perform, do yourself the favor of making the haul to the Straz Center. People act like civil human beings there at the very least. read more

this venue is very nice. I just wish they had more contemporary artists. I couldn't believe they booked Ed Sheeran - of course by the time I learned of this, he was sold out. read more

I have been here multiple times. Love this place. Not a bad seat anywhere!! Seats are comfy. Parking is free but can be hard to find if you come late. Back into your spot to get out easy. Bathrooms. CLean. Plenty of volunteers to help you. There are wheel chair accessible seats with buddy seats. Elevators too. Great local nugget. Join the club and get early access to buy good seats. There is a will call to pick up seats and a bathroom near that outside. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

We went to RENT last night, our first time to the Ruth Eckerd. The staff is very helpful. The theater is very clean but simple. That's fine though. We didn't come for the theater. We came for the show. I'm not a fan of continental seating, no center aisles. We chose seats on the far house left side. The sight line was great! I don't think there's a bad seat here. I'll definitely come back. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall doesn't have a bad seat in the place which is a definite plus! However they need to make policies on weather people can or can't stand during a show! I've been to several music performances in the last year where some of the crowd wanted to stand. After all its music & should make you wanna move! However majority of the people don't stand or feel like they can't due to the people that prefer to sit but are then blocked by the standers. So it would stop a lot of anger if Ruth Eckerd would make it clear at the start of the show if they would like everyone to sit or are going to allow standing. I've seen people get flat out ugly about people standing and who can blame them if they understand the show to be sitting and the seat isn't cheap! 2nd negative is the parking situation. There's some construction ok I get that. However to be held up for almost an hour while you allow vip parking to fly out of the lot? Not cool at all...I sure hope you resolve that soon because it's not worth the time sitting in yet another angry people loaded lot that can't leave. 3 stars for the shows and the fact that there's not a bad seat in the place (when you can see) I hope Ruth Eckerd can make some improvements to help the other areas lacking! read more

Beautiful theatre inside and out. Easy parking. Nice and friendly staff and bartenders. The rows are extremely long with no middle opening, so we lucked out with aisle seats and waited til the show started to sit down to allow the other guests to get to their seat. Row L seat 50,51 aisle seats and still had a perfect view of the stage. Looking forward to more shows here! read more

great place for concerts. almost all seats are great. snacks and drinks along both sides.

Another great venue for an intimate experience with a good view from any seat. The concert hall is a bit older and less fancy, but that adds a little charm to the experience. Acoustics are sharp, crisp and booming. Nowhere to really dine in the building and the closest restaurant is Applebee's, so I suggest you eat before you arrive. There's a concession stand selling hot dogs and there may be a food truck on the patio where seating is available. I do love the outdoor patio for drinks and socializing before the event or during intermission. I don't know if it's a regular occurrence, but there was live music both times I've been. Staff is as charming as the place, slightly older, unpretentious. As with any event, arrive early to leave time after parking. Valet is available for an additional charge. Parking is free otherwise. One of my favorite perks of the concert hall is being able to bring your drink to your seat where you'll even find a cup holder. It's the little things... read more

Why 1 star? Because parking and the seating setup is awful. --- --- --- I've been twice. Both times were to see Jim Gaffigan. Jim Gaffigan is really funny. Sitting in the parking lot for 45 minutes after the event is not funny. There is not much that I enjoy about Ruth Eckerd. There are no problems once you're in your seat, but the adventures that come pre/post show are challenging. The parking lot and the "logistics" of finding your seats is very confusing and seemingly necessary. If you don't race to your car after the show, you will be stuck in an awful mess of traffic. Hopefully Jim comes to Tampa next time. I hope Ruth Eckerd goes under massive renovations because it is easily the worst venue of its kind that I have ever been to. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall is a mid-sized performing arts facility located in Clearwater, FL. It serves as the entertainment venue for the Clearwater and general Tampa Bay area. The venue itself is a bit outdated but has great acoustics! I would suggest getting to the venue a good amount of time ahead of the event start time as parking can be an issue. I do appreciate that parking is free, however. In addition, it is best to find your seat in advance because of the dearth of center aisles, getting to your seat might be a challenge. That is also a downside to my experience, the fact that if you are in the back rows that you are rally nestled in there without an easy escape, lol. I enjoyed the performance I saw at Ruth Eckerd Hall and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to see a live show. The performance calendar is pretty full with performers so you have a good chance of seeing something that you like. read more

We came here to watch dancing with the stars live tour and it was awesome! The location is big and not too hard to find. The staff is friendly and seasoned. Our seats were great, but as I looked around all seats had great view and center to the stage. The production team was phenomenal, the lighting, Sound effects, props- just everything was great. While in intermission, outside of the hall they set up sections for alcohol and soft beverages and popcorn YUM! Definitely worth the drive from Miami. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall - From row W - Performing Arts Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

Enrolled my kids in their summer camp programs. It. Was. AMAZING!!!!!! The only camp my kids were ever happy to attend daily. When I'd pick them up they were always in a great mood and in a creative head space. Each class made up the premise of their play and the teacher wrote the script. On Friday (last day of the camp) they performed...on stage! How cool! I will enroll - no question next school break. read more

Awesome local venue for our area. Free parking is always a plus. If you're going to a sold out show, arrive early or you'll be stuck paying $15 plus tip for valet service. The ushers are very helpful in locating seats. There are several concession stands with beer, wine, liquor, and snacks (popcorn, chips, pretzels, etc.) stationed throughout the venue. One of the best things about this venue is that concerts start on time here. If your ticket says 8, the event will start at 8. No waiting around forever hoping the band or artist will appear. The acoustics have always been good here for concerts. Not the best I've ever heard, but above average. I generally am excited when a band or artist is playing here. I'm looking forward to seeing what other up and coming acts play or perform at this venue because it's always a great experience. read more

Ruth Eckerd Hall is so much fun to go to. I have been there on several occasions whether it was for my own dance recital or to see a musical show, a theatrical play, or a concert. They host a wide spectrum of theater performances and artistic events, and the location is central to anyone that might be coming from Tampa, Clearwater, or St. Petersburg. I appreciate how organized and easy it is to find parking upon arrival. You have the option of valet parking or self parking. It is best to know in advance what side of the building is best to enter from for the corresponding show you are seeing, which is usually indicated on the flyers accompanying the tickets to the event. We enetered through the west entrance that had a courtyard and a grand oak tree, both pleasantly lit with glowing lights. There was a welcoming party out on the courtyard set up with chairs and tables, and my parents and I sat right in front to watch the live jazz music group. The jazz group was very talented, known as Gloria and the Gents. They played a lot of cover songs with a personalized jazzy edge to them. The lead singer's voice is so cool, I wish I could sing like her too. There was also a cash bar and a food truck in the courtyard for food and beverages prior to the main event. The main event was the musical Jersey Boys, which I loved! The ushers and staff were all very courteous and helpful to assisting us with finding the restrooms and our seats. There was about a 15 minute intermission between part 1 and part 2 of the show, which I observed to be much needed for those who had to use the bathroom or have a quick regrouping moment. The sound acoustics and lights were spectacular and the show was magnificent. Ruth eckerd hall never falls short with putting on a memorable show. After the show finshed, I'll have to say felt a little chaotic, which is why I took off one star in my overall rating. It felt like the crowd was just racing out to get to the parking lot to be able to leave first. Upon exiting the theatre, there is a road to cross before reaching the parking lot, which happens to be the road that valet services use to bring your car. So as you can imagine, there is the crowd that is waiting for their car through valet and the crowd that keeps walking to reach their car in the parking lot. This created quite the cluster and confusion, and I could tell some of the staff were stressing to keep order. There was a point in which our group got all separated from one another because of efforts to cross the road while also listening to the staff guides directing people traffic and vehicle traffic. It took a while to pull out of the parking spot, once we all found one another again at the car. Once we were able to roll on out from the backed up lines, it was then easy to navigate on through the exit and to the main road. I would say this post-show aspect of the experience could use some more coordination, but overall Ruth Eckerd Hall is an excellent venue for theater and the arts. read more

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