I recently attended a concert here and it was my first time ever going to the State, an iconic Portland landmark. Getting into the theater was attacked tricky as there was a lot of road construction happening nearby and the sidewalk was partially closed. I found on street parking just two blocks away. Upon entering, everything was easy to locate, bar, merch counter, bathrooms. They even had big water thermoses and paper cups if you didn't want to buy a drink. There were ushers floating around, so I had no problem finding my seat. I did explore up to the upper level and was surprised there wasn't any real lighting in that staircase. After the concert, exiting is a little crowded. Being an old building, the doors are fairly narrow. Overall, it was a nice evening and I will definitely go back! read more

The state theater is a historical venue, we can to see Lucy Darling! Great show, we were on the first floor balcony, lower level and had a Great view. There is a couple of bars in the venue and bathrooms on both floors. Challenging for handicapped friends. We did not eat anything we ate before we came to the show and plenty of options in the area. Service was prompt and staff were great. read more

State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

We've seen some cool concerts at the State Theater, the latest being Mike Gordon. Price point is typically reasonable. Acoustics are pretty good. During concerts they usually sell beverages which was about $10 per beer the last time we were there. read more

State Theatre - Marquee outside the theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Attended my first show here. Love bathrooms and bars on both floors, that keeps the flow of people moving. Staff were fantastic and helpful. An attendee had a spill and they jumped right into help. I would attend another show here read more

State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

Attended the All Roads Music Festival last night at the State Theater and had a fantastic time! The place was clean, workers were friendly, overall a great experience. Have been here a few other times as well, but several years ago. Will definitely come back. Parking in the garage on High street is pretty expensive if you're going to be there for more than 5 hours, street parking is pretty hard to find. read more

For music events with general admission, the state theater is top notch! 1800 capacity means it's not a huge stadium type venue. Tons of floor space. And great seating options. The balcony means that no one can will ever need to sit all the way back The seating seems great in that it's rare that you'll get a seat with view obstructed by people in front of you. The one sport to avoid is the small amount of seating next to the sound and light booth. People can crowd in front of you and mess up your view. But the pit is great. Its limited size means you'll always be able to look at the stage and see the performers. It was a 3 hour drive from my house so I won't be there often, but for the right show I'd go and then spend some time in Portland afterward. read more

See all

The State Theatre is one of the best spots in Portland for hard rock and metalcore. It's a smaller venue, which makes every show feel intense and up close--the perfect vibe for heavier music. The sound is strong, the staff is solid, and the location downtown couldn't be better with tons of bars and restaurants nearby. A must-visit for rock and metal fans. read more

Great old theater that has a lot of history in Portland. I love this building and love that they have all kinds of different shows now. A couple bathrooms and bars. The upstairs has seating, downstairs has some seating and some standing. Overall it is an older venue but the charm is there. Always a little to hot for me but other then that they have great shows! read more

State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

The State Theatre is an iconic concert venue housed in an old timey, stunning theatre. Although the space appears small, there is ample ground level and balcony seating, as well as floor space. They host a variety of artists, from up and coming to big name, and have a prime location on Congress Street in the heart of Old Port. Pricy drinks and long lines, but other than that, can't complain. read more

State Theatre - gracie abrams / outside - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

I'm frustrated with the lack of customer service from this place. I bought tickets and suffered an injury after I purchased them. I need surgery and there are dates prior to my surgery date. I called and left a message, twice, and sent an email about possibly getting tickets on a different date. They did not appear to be sold out. No reply from anyone over a week span. Ridiculous. read more

Never again. Wasted money for a show i ended up not being able to see. Terrible staff. No cell connection. Have to step outside so you can access your online tickets (no wifi). You can smell the bathrooms from the hallway (and this was just after they started letting people in. read more

Last night was my first soirée with State Theatre. It helps that the performers were absolutely lit, but I must say I like the venue and am surprised at the average ratings. Tickets for GYBE were all general admission; there's a small standing room/pit area near the stage, but the rest of it is bowl seating. I got special access in the ADA (handicap) section which is stage left, slightly elevated, near the bar area, and seat-less (though they bring you folding chairs if you're not in a wheelchair). The staff was helpful and friendly about getting me ADA seating upon request, though it's recommended that you email the venue ahead of time. There's an upstairs seating area as well and in general it seems that all views are good. The ADA section is just above the sound booth so as long as the mixer isn't abnormally tall, you should be fine. I will say that the opening act had a lot of trouble with acoustics and reverberation. I was told by the guys sitting next to me (who were his buddies) that this is the largest venue he's ever played and was nervous, but also implied that he probably didn't have a lot of crew and is more accustomed to playing more intimate settings. Even with earplugs, my eardrums vibrated uncomfortably. However, GYBE had a much more professional sound quality so I would think that in general, if your performers have a good sound person, then the sound shouldn't be too bad. But it could certainly do better. Otherwise, I had no complaints. It's not too large, I like the old deco vibe. Felt vintage. People were well behaved. Would be happy to go again. read more

State Theatre - a crowd of people watching a performance - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

This has become our absolute go-to for getting out of the house (which we don't do near-enough). We've found a musical home at the State Theater and are so freakin' stoked about it. This gorgeous, historical venue is a delight and we are grateful to be able to experience touring acts in this space. What most people would complain about in a location like this are the things that I think make it special. Yeah, she needs some paint, doesn't have shiny-new amenities, lines for the bathroom can be interesting, getting out post-show is a bit claustrophobic - but that's all in the history of a building like this. What we love is that waiting for the doors to open is a delight (yes, even in the winter) bc the lines aren't nuts, and the people are almost always good. Security is thorough but quick, and merch is a fast-pass through. There really aren't long lines to get anywhere inside, it's easy to navigate, and there isn'ta bad seat in the house. We prefer the balcony (and are bummed out when it's closed) but the seats are comfortable, and there are additional bars up there to grab a drink, and it's just a good time. If you haven't been to the state theater, do it. Check it out. There's something absolutely magical about enjoying an act in 2023 in a building that has been hosting for almost 100 years. read more

great venue with chill staff and space to dance or sit. fantastic and varied schefule lately. prices way cheaper than Boston.

Great acoustics and venue to catch a show. I was lucky enough to catch Billy Strings on a whim while I was wandering around the city. Considering this show was sold out, the staff did a great job of keeping the line moving to get everyone in on time. I thoroughly enjoyed the show at this historical venue. read more

State Theatre - Billy Strings - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

after going to see zakk wylde , and paying $30 to park 2 blocks away- for 2 hrs! in january??! and half freezing to deth walking to the vehicle after- it ruined the show! i will never go here again. $furthermore- the tickets were supposed to be $30? me and a friend ended up paying $90 a-piece for two tickets online ! i'm disgusted. read more

Great old venue to see a show. We've been to a few and the sound was always good, two working bars inside and plenty of room to move around. I'm told they just added air conditioning so that should help for added comfort. Historical building that could use an update. Always good when a city this size has an old theater that can still be used for live music. read more

State Theatre - Psychedelic Furs - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

A bit grimy but a beautiful theater with some decent sound... seen a lot of shows here and will keep coming back... a great little spot for Portland that outshines many other small theaters in other city's... 5 StarZ read more

Wicked friendly staff and saw a great show here. I feel like how the floor was divided into two lower and raised sections. And then there was a bunch of seating theater style that was first come first serve and the whole place was general admission. It really had something for everyone and you didn't have to get too crowded. I would love to go back here for another show because I was able to be on the floor but not behind tall people because I was on the upper level of the floor read more

I don't have any excuse to have not done a review on the State Theater at this point. I have been to so many shows here I've lost count! When I go to GA shows here I absolutely love it and I would give it 5 stars all day every day. But, the seated shows are a bit different. The seats up at the top are so incredibly cramped, I had to stand up when seeing Joe Jackson, and luckily I was in the last row so I could. It wasn't because I couldn't fit into the seats, I could, but my legs are long, so I couldn't sit in my seat without being terribly uncomfortable because my knees were jammed up to the seats in front of me and there was no way to sit comfortably. The people around me were having the same issue so we just stood up for the entire show, which was not desirable. The GA shows though are really where it's at! I see the Beatles tribute here every year and it really is the best venue for that type of show. I love being able to stand down in the pit and really take in a great show surrounded by other people who love the music as well. I never really have an issue getting beer because they are pretty quick. I guess I just have different expectations than others, you sort of need to expect that you'll be standing in line at any concert you go to, so standing in a line is not a big deal to me. Honestly, compared to venues in Boston they are lightening fast here! I really appreciate the beauty and the history surrounding the State Theater. I really hope they can do some updating a bit so that they can preserve it's beauty, because I'm hoping to continue coming to see shows here for years to come! read more

The State Theatre has been an icon in Portland for years and years. It has a fabulous history (the short and long of it: the State was opened in the late 1920's as essentially a movie theatre [showing silent films, vaudeville acts, then motion pictures]; from 1940 to 1960 it also started showing live dance and theatre performances; in the 1960's - after falling on hard times - it started showing X-rated films; in 1990 it was closed because of how broken down the place was; it was reopened in 1993 after some much needed repair work; closed again in 1996 after some of the ceiling collapsed; opened again after more repair work in 2000; closed again in 2006; and then reopened once again in 2010 after major renovations - hey, our city's motto is "Resurgam" for a reason!); kudos to current owners who've done an exceptional job at renovating it to make it both safe and modern while upholding the period decor (it's one of my favorite visual things in all of Portland). You probably don't care about any of this, but I do: this is the preservation of our city we're talking about. And the fact that I can be somewhere so rich with local history WHILE seeing amazing bigger acts like The Punch Brothers, Andrew Bird, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Nickel Creek, Miike Snow, Keane, etc. is pretty darn cool if you ask me. What else is cool? That the State isn't just about music; they also do an incredible job of offering diverse events and an equally incredible job being involved in the community too (I've been here for local film festivals that have been more fun than some of the big ticketed musical acts I've seen [looking at you Iron & Wine]). I'm disheartened to see so many people leaving so many negative comments, so I feel like it's my duty as a local who's been going to the State for decades, to address some of them, that way you - future concert/event goer - know what you're getting into: 1) Yes, it's true: sometimes it gets insanely, stiflingly, miserably hot inside...but, then again, OF COURSE IT DOES. What do you think happens when you put x-amount of people in a space with x-amount of room inside of an incredibly old building in the middle of August when Maine is notorious for severe heat and humidity? Don't be silly. Drink more water, dress in more layers. 2) "There's no smoking area." Welcome to Maine - we're a No Smoking state. Consider this our gift to your health while you're here. 3) "The seats are awful." Maybe this is true; maybe this isn't true. It's all perspective, right? Usually I stand in the section right behind the audio engineer against the railing and love it. Sometimes it's not that kind of show: the seating in the balcony is fine - far away from the stage, but you kind of get to take everything in!; I've also sat quite close to the stage on the fold-out chairs and that offers an entirely different (admittedly much more cramped) experience too. 4) The bathrooms aren't perfectly clean and the line at the bar can get wicked long. I have bad news: the employees can't be everywhere at once. Do you want your beer right now or do you want an impeccably clean bathroom right now? Pick what means most to you in this moment. Because you can't have both. 5) "Other concert-goers here talk too much." Can't really fault the State for that one, can you? What it all boils down to is this: if you are enjoying a show at the State Theatre it's because you are fortunate enough to have disposable income. Not everyone has that luxury. So, take a deep breath, pee BEFORE the place gets crowded, grab a drink or two BEFORE the place gets crowded, find a seat/area to stand in that works best for you, and enjoy the amazing acts coming in and out Portland now. read more

I wish I'd been warned. Went to my first concert since Covid started, which also made a show last night the first I've attended in Maine, and at the State Theater. Maybe the music venues in Boston spoiled me, or my hometown theater The Norva was a step above what's to be expected of and older, remodeled theater venue, but those venues set me up for incredible disappointment at the State Theater. Not only was the old venue dingy, and not in the this-cool-old-relic kind of way, but more the owners clearly have never invested in maintaining or improving the space they acquired. And appearances, I can look past, but the sound. The sound quality is worse than that of someone blaring the bass from blown out car speakers. It's just loud noise ricocheting off the plaster peeling walls. Shame on the owners of a performance venue for not providing the artists they bring through the space to deliver their music in an audible way. It should embarrass The Bowery. read more

This is a great theater. For a concert - the sound is great, the lighting is great and there is an option for people to stand in the front or sit in the back. Great location. Near several parking garages and restaurants for you to use and enjoy before the show. There is plenty of staff around to keep the peace and greet you as you enter and exit the venue. Once you leave though, you can't reenter. There is a bag check and they use a wand on you like at the airport. There are a couple of bars to your right as you walk in, although I can't speak to the quality or selection or service of the bartenders, I see many people enjoying beverages. Some of the downsides, it gets very hot and stuffy, but sometimes they will stand by and prop open a side door. Typically that's during the sold out shows in the summer. If you need to sit in the back or like to sit, when people stand, which inevitably happens at concerts, you can't see. The good news when you are sitting the seats are comfortable:) This is a great live performance venue that I do recommend. read more

State Theatre - Young the Giant 10/23/2015 - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

The band Ice Nine kills was amazing! Portland is always a great place to watch a concert at! The tickets are always cheap but it's very difficult to get in if you are not vaccinated! I'm giving them low stars because you have to provide a negative covid test to get in within 48 hours of the concert and it is nearly impossible around the state to get a test result back within 48 hours! So needless to say I got the shot and I got in ! Great concert! Its just a a shame on the strict policy of the venue! read more

State Theatre - Ice Nine Kills - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Great show, helpful staff, good seats, but the sound: well mixed but excessive volume reaching 110 decibels toward the end!! Not advisable to deafen your audience for music!! We left before the encore because even with EarPeace MusicPro hearing protection, it was painful. read more

I have been attending events at the State Theatre dozens of times in the past 10 years I've lived in Portland (mostly concerts). It is one of my favorite music to go to in the Greater Portland area for a few reasons. First off, I love the old building and the rich history it boasts with its architecture. There's two bars serving drinks so the lines don't get terribly wrong. And lastly there are many places in the State where you can get yourself comfortable and enjoy the show. There's a pit area right in front of the stage, as well as seating downstairs and upstairs on the balcony. With all of this said, I do have to criticize the bathroom situation. The lines are long, with one bathroom per sex and not many stalls in each one. No parking either, but that is the case for most places in downtown Portland. read more

I came here to see In This Moment on memorial day weekend and the venue was in a decent location. There's a parking garage nearby so we parked there and walked over. There was a security checkpoint that checked my bag and my clothing, and the venue was larger than I expected. There were rows of seats in the back, and they removed chairs in the front near the stage so people could stand. The only downside to this place was that it got very very warm, and it's not a pleasant experience with hundreds of other bodies crammed together. Other than that, the concert itself was a great experience. read more

Went on a Friday night to see the Patty Griffin and Lauri McKenna concert. The show was great! The venue itself really works. We were about 10 rows back. Sound quality was great and visually it was great. There are a number of bars in the back of the house. The men's room was easy to access. I will say the women's room was very backed up and they could use more women's bathrooms. But it's a great venue for show, go check it out. read more

State Theatre is a lot like many theatres of its kind, which (if they're still in existence) have taken on the purpose of hosting concerts and comedy gigs. The venue is filled with unique detailing on its wall, but has a normal orchestra/balcony setup in front of the stage. Not knowing much about the Portland music and venue scene, I imagine there probably isn't many other options of this size for bands touring the area. In fact, if this weren't available, I suspect many bands wouldn't tour the area at all. Fortunately, not only is it available, but it's in the thick of what appeared to be a pretty fun/interesting part of the city. There were many bars and restaurants nearby, with Green Elephant across the street being a huge win. All that being said, I don't live in the area and there's nothing calling me back unless a band made the unusual decision of opting for Portland and not Boston as part of its tour schedule (as Belle and Sebastian just did for their tour.) Still, I'm glad I was able to check it out (and grab some good seats in the third row too!) read more

Ridge policy designed to deter patrons. People with medical condition not given accommodation needed advised by medical doctors. when ask if there is anything that could be done? got an answer there is nothing. They can change a policy on the whim and you have no ramification. Even if when you bought tickets this was not their policy. Will never go here again. would recommend not going here. They have an attitude if we don't care about one person. which means they don't care about and patrons. read more

Last night was my first night at the State Theater in Portland, ME and I must say I was very surprised at the amount of charm that was here. From the outside, it really does not look like it is all that appealing but once you step in the doors and into the main stage area, you can see why this would be a great place to go to see concerts and in our case movies. We came here to see the short film collection by Maine filmmakers in a event called Damnation 2013 and we really enjoyed it. The acoustics of the building made the scarier scenes that much more scary and the psychological pieces that much more psychological. The seats that we were in were very comfortable and it even had an upper deck mezzanine to watch things from a different angle. Although this was my first time here, I can see myself going to this place to see some future shows. I saw a couple that I may have to partake in near the end of this year in Elvis Costello and BadFish on New Years Eve (tribute to Sublime). The décor in this place is very much the same as an old time theater like an old opera house with the colors being maroon and gold. I recommend the State Theater for your future events not only for the local feel of Portland but also for the charm of an old theater house. Hidden Gem. read more

I had a great time at the State for a Spoon concert. Getting in took a bit as they are currently checking vaccination cards (I had a photo on my phone which worked out fine). There are two bars and it is mostly standing room inside. There are some seats and they were not assigned. We stood at the railing at the bar and had a great view. Sound and lighting were awesome, and we had a really good time. Great venue, small, and on the older side, but was worth the trip up to Maine. read more

Oh, the State Theater. My earliest memory of you stems from hosting Ashlee Simpson in my tween years, and it was amazeballs. So you will always hold a sentimental place in my heart. However, flash forward to now and I have a very different appreciation for the State Theater for a variety of reasons. For one, the history behind the State Theater is truly inspiring, especially in a time when it seems like Portland is being saturated with large condo buildings. The State Theater is a staple in Portland history, and it continues to live on. Since my Ashlee Simpson days, I have seen a couple shows here. I have seen Lisa Lampanelli and Trixie Mattel, both of which were amazing. The seating at the State Theater is really terrific and there is no "bad" seat. I do also have to say that security is phenomenal and they get you through the door quickly, but also ensure that they are doing their jobs. They also happen to be extremely nice. As with other reviews, I, too, have experience waiting in the long lines of the bar and bathrooms, but with the smallness of the venue, it makes sense. And for the most part, the lines are organized so that it's not a bunch of people clustered up to the bar, which is nice. Overall, I really do appreciate the State Theater and will continue to see shows here. It's a great venue with great acoustics and awesome staff. read more

I've seen many good shows here over the course of my life. The place is old and hasn't been updated lately. The acoustics are not amazing, however this place is classic. Inclined comfortable seats and a couple of layers of standing room (if that makes sense?) . They have Oxbow on draft which is impressive, a coat room upstairs in winter and clean bathrooms. read more

The show was great but there was no ac in the middle of july. It was hard to breath making the experience pretty terrible. Ended up leaving the show early because we were soaked in sweat. Not even fans? Really? read more

I really enjoyed my time at the State Theatre. I came here in June to see the Moth Radio Hour and I feel like this venue was cozy enough to make it feel intimate even though it's a decent size setting. It's an old theatre and not many upgrades but there is so much charm to it that I would hate to see it new and renovated. The location in Portland is decent, my main complaint is that I took an Uber and the surge pricing when leaving the theatre took me from $7 when I arrived to over $20 trying to leave. I'm not sure what the parking situation is like in the area but for that price I probably could have just found a garage. read more

State Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Portland, Maine

One of the only places I have wondered why it wasn't a unanimous 5 star location. With an amazing almost century long history from silent films to a red lamp era.. This spot has as much history if not more (probably lots more) than the avg Portland tourist blip on a map I live across the street. And if there was ever a reason to knock a star off it would be for the difficulty parking the events cause. But it's super cool to see the line up of the rich and talented getting off the or busses and entering the hotel or theater.. Always super cool. read more

Nope. No. No. Nope. Never again. Went to a show tonight, paid for VIP, showed up to see an 8.5/11 sign saying "we're old, no air conditioning but we try to circulate the air." ARE YOU KIDDING?!? It was unbearable. Don't come here from May until October. We asked for a manager, he basically said we know it's hot and people might pass out but that's why we have security. I can't believe the city and/or the state lets them operate like this. It's unsafe and unacceptable. Several staff members told me they can't even get through their shifts without feeling sick. This is ridiculous. Nowhere before you purchase your ticket does it say that there is no AC until you show up. I love Portland, but I'm never going to a show at the State again. Ever. read more

85 degrees inside, no ventilation, people puking from the heat, and management could give a damn Maine may be a big state, but news travels, especially bad news. This is neglect and geed at its worst. I hope the owner of this place loses his ac during a heat wave. . Actually felt bad for Ron White as he was drenched the minute he came on stage. State Theatre, take some cues from the Merrill Auditorium. They know how to do it right. You have work to do if you want people to come to your venue. read more

The state theatre has been my home for most of my life..after this mandate of trying to force us to show a covid vaccination or a negative test within 48 hours..AND you have to wear a mask..AFTER people have purchased tickets..then we cannot resell or get a refund.........NEVER AGAIN WILL I SUPPORT THE STATE THEATRE...NEVER...I have numerous tickets purchased for upcoming events as well-again-no refunds or resale...A GREAT BIG F-U TO THE STATE THEATRE!!! read more