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Patio Theater
6008 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634, United States
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Je
Review №1

Beautiful historical building the only thing I wish is for it to get aid in restoring its beautiful façade

Ke
Review №2

What this venue lacks in modern amenities, it makes up for in charm. Came here for a metal concert (Avantasia). I loved the seating arrangement. General admission had seats, and the floor is sloped, so youre a little higher than the people in front of you. The bathrooms could use some serious updates, but they were serviceable. Staff was friendly and got everyone in quickly. Venue is right on the bus line, too, making it convenient to get to.

Jo
Review №3

Wow, what throwback this place is...Now, this review is for the theater itself and not for the event that took place there...The outside of the place has that old school feel and look to it...It could use some sprucing up, but still pretty much intact...Upon walking in you have a smallish foyer area with a ticket booth...Walk in further and you have to your left the Mens washroom, downstairs and to the right the Ladies washroom, downstairs...In the middle of the room, prior to entering the actual theater you have your snack/drink counter...It serves its purpose...Now upon entering the theater, wow...I wish these walls could talk...It reminded me of being a kid and patronizing the, Devon Theater, the Davis, Adelphi and my personal favorite, The Nortown (Closed) on Western Ave......There were more theaters, but these were my favorite...The inside of this theater definitely needs some work, but its still beautiful...The chairs were a bit spongy, it had a bit of a stale smell, but I thoroughly enjoyed it...The brick work is so detailed and well crafted...In my opinion you dont see that kind of detail used anymore...The lighting was amazing as well... Even though its not in great shape its not in horrible shape either... Its not a modern marvel, but nonetheless its still a marvel...Hopefully they can keep it going for many years to come...

ch
Review №4

Great historical Chicago venue that 1st opened in 1926. They sometimes show movies for free. Also if you live close be sure to check out the calendar to see who is performing. One day while driving past and September 2018 I seen that bone thugs and harmony was on the marquee. I made plans to go right away and I am sure glad I did

Li
Review №5

I agree with other reviewers that the theatre is a bit run down. Beautiful architecture but the seats were very uncomfortable. I sat on a seat and a spring literally popped through the fabric and was half an inch from my thigh. It was sharp and wouldve hurt badly. Other than that, I found the whole place rather charming and nostolgic and their frozen sing a long show was great and included a snow (soap bubble) machine that the kids loved. For the price, well definitely be back but Im going to double check the seats before I sit again.

Review №6

Amazing how these guys keep on restoring this place. Ive been going here since I was a little girl, and the Star lit ceiling was always a thrill! (YES, THE SKY CEILING IS STILL WORKING!)

Bu
Review №7

This venue was terrible. The show was oversold because there was nowhere to sit and hardly anywhere to stand. There are only 4 stalls in both the men AND WOMENS bathrooms, and there is only one bathroom for OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE! This venue needs some serious upgrades. The show I saw here was amazing, but the venue itself made it a bad experience. I will not be returning to this place for any show, idc how much I like the artist. I was very uncomfortable in this place. Also, coat check was a disaster. There was no line for it just a bunch of people crowding around being yelled at by the coat check guy. He would only give you your coat if you tipped him, otherwise you had to wait until the very end. The only good things I can say about this place were how amazing the bartenders were with their quickness, multi tasking abilities, and great customer service. Also, the designs and lighting in this place were cool, but a bit outdated. I highly do not recommend coming here and I hope artists stop booking this place and making fans uncomfortable.

Ki
Review №8

My boyfriend and I are from out of town and went here for a concert. We H A T E D everything about this venue. The outcome (thanks to the performer) was great but the process was made very difficult and it didn’t have to be. The staff was unorganized, unprofessional and the space had zero heat (unless they did not want to turn it on).We had VIP passes and still had to wait outside and we paid extra so we didn’t have to. They could have allowed us to wait inside. Once we got inside for the VIP experience, the venue staff did too much. They kept yelling at us trying to tell us where to go. My boyfriend is a photographer and brings his camera to most events we go to. They said his camera was not allowed but they could have said the via email. I received many email prior to the event and did not get one saying no cameras.The DJ the venue provided was trash, heck worse than trash. We did not have any good music to give a good vibe while we waited for our performer, understanding the rest of the experience was pretty bad.I will not be returning to the venue at all.

To
Review №9

Old but nice theater good for concerts and movies. Around 1300 mixed capacity; seats and standing. Same level bleecher-like balcony seats in the back.I would give more stars, however there is no heat or AC at this time.Has a flown sound system Nexo GeoT with Camco amps. FOH and monitor boards on site. Nexo PS15 monitors.No lighting or backline. You can get it from the local production company Liquitt.us

Ma
Review №10

A good place to watch a movie. Needs more bathroom stalls for the ladies though

Mm
Review №11

Beautiful place! Concert was great! And seating every where wasnt too bad view wise. The only bad thing is that there are only 4 stalls in the womans bathroom and two of them were broken. So there was a line of about 30-50 woman for about an hour...

Fr
Review №12

Went to go see DakhaBrakha,great Performance!.Im still talking about it. Venue was good easy parking.Very simple lay out to,finding seats was easy. They sold alcoholic drinks and there seats were cushioned. Did you need to know anything else.

Mi
Review №13

Beautiful building that needs a little love. Great sound system. Very fair prices for snacks and drinks. Great place to see classic movies on a big screen.

Do
Review №14

Amazing concert but the theater needs help. The place is amazing but falling in pieces... We arrive to a concert and had to remove empty beer cans from the seats... The floor was sticky and there is mayor issues with the state of the building.

Lu
Review №15

This place was built in 1927 and it shows. They say it has been renovated but I am sure that was just really basic to get it operational. Bathrooms are in the basement. My girlfriend called it scary.

Ly
Review №16

Love it seen tech n9ne there on may 12th

St
Review №17

A historic theater venue thats historic in the predates the concept of ventilation sense. Hot and swampy the entire show.Views were nice and acoustics were solid as well, however. Seats were a bit cramped, but better than some venues.The restrooms were a bit of a disaster. Not the worst ever, but definitely in need of work.

Vi
Review №18

This place is great. Its clean and the tickets are a good price. All the employees that have serviced me seem extremely sweet.They assure all of my needs are met. And they dont mind a few kids running around.

Sy
Review №19

The best sound system. Freaking love it. Could be more clean tho

An
Review №20

Awesome set awesome venue just dont pee. bring a bottle lmao. lines were horrendous

Ke
Review №21

Had a blast. The location felt safe, the neighborhood was very chill, and the area was very nice. Inside felt nostalgic in such a cool way. I loved the vibe of the building. Def got a new venue to frequent more.

Da
Review №22

I went here for Shpongle over the weekend. While the show was fantastic, the venue left little to be desired. The building is rundown and dirty. It seems they oversold the event by a couple hundred people as there was barely anywhere to stand or sit. There were four bathroom stalls for the women with a crowd of like a thousand. Thats just asking for accidents to happen, which maybe would explain why the entire venue smelled like pee and throw up. At the end, the coat check was absolute madness with no organization whatsoever. I will not be returning.

Ch
Review №23

Had a great time but there are not enough bathrooms. People were purposely avoiding fluids (while we were basically at a rave listening to shpongle melt everyones faces) just so they wouldnt have to go to the restrooms.

Je
Review №24

Nice theater. Definitely would go back for another concert. Not happy bout the bathrooms being downstairs however. Especially when you(i) have bad knees.

Re
Review №25

Based on what other reviews have said about heating and cooling issues, the trick seems to be only going to shows here when the outside temperature is pleasant. Surprisingly good venue for a metal show. Theatre slopes towards the stage, so no matter where you sit, you can both see and hear.

Me
Review №26

It was a nice small spot for a concert. Very intimate, so any seats is a great view

Ha
Review №27

Saw Shpongle here and I love the venue but the womens bathrooms are too small the waitlines were 45 minutes which took away time from seeing the show.

As
Review №28

Why can’t we give a ZERO star? This place was horrible. The sound, the lights, the organization, everything. Very sketch.We saw a show with 4 comedians. They did not disappoint. But if you can get away without coming here, don’t come.No one knew what time the doors opened. We asked, they gave us a time, we saw on the poster that it was different. And in the end, they opened the doors at a time that was completely different.We called beforehand to see how the ‘meet and greet’ worked & of course, no working numbers. We paid extra for this. We know the guys we came to see always stick around & they will see every person that came. We bought these passes thinking we would see them before or at least boost us to the front of the line later.Instead we fought to get to the lobby after the show & once we worked our way towards the table, we were instructed to go back into the theater and get in a line that went from the door, back to the stage & wrap around. This could have easily been communicated. They pretty much just up charged for this meet & greet that the guys always do. It got us nothin special. I wonder if the act even got any money from the M&G upcharge.....They hustle everything here. The bartender would just randomly yell out asking if anyone wanted another drink, & same for the merch. It was endless. They were just interested in the stuff they would get a cut off of which is fine, but nothing about that place makes you want to put any more money into their pockets.This place COULD be beautiful with some work. It never will be with the current management or “team.” The staff was thrown together. All you need to do is show up with a “SECURITY” shirt & you’ve got the gig, but they didn’t know what to do. The seats are gross, the bathroom was gross.As far as the show went, you could hear the comedians. But they tried to play LOUD music before & it’s was rough. The lighting was the worse part of the show aspect.Unless there is a specific act you want to see, try to avoid this place.

Le
Review №29

Amazing theater. Great for movies and gives a great old vibe. 10/10

Fo
Review №30

Went to see a movie here pretty auditorium and no issues really

Ja
Review №31

Awesome concert Hall I love the nostalgic feeling it gives you having a bathroom on the second floor wouldnt hurt though

Er
Review №32

This venue is great! The seating is awesome and the sound quality was perfect

Lu
Review №33

Love the staff. Love that they let the shows bring in killer sound systems!

Ni
Review №34

Seats are uncomfortable, bathrooms are a bit to be desired. Sound is ok. Not a bad seat in the house. Great sightlines! If you go for a concert your standing most of the time anyways. If you go for an event where you need to be seated it could be a problem.

Je
Review №35

The sound quality here is not good at all. This place should not be used for concerts, its really old and run down, needs to be remodeled

Mi
Review №36

We went to see Coolio, a rescheduled show from about 4 months before. He did not go on until 4 hours after showtime, and then only performed for an hour, and not what was advertised. He was also drunk, intoxicated, high, whatever you want to call it. While the venue of course cannot always control what the performer does, this experience pretty much matched the price of admission (free), as well as the decrepit look of the building and devil-may-care attitude of the staff, including the security officers (several times other patrons were on the verge of fighting and apparently nothing was done about it to protect the safety of other concert-goers).

Ju
Review №37

Old theater, hidden in portage park! If you ever see an event worth going to, go! Inside the place has not changed a bit, it was restored a few times, as I was growing up, but to maintain its old charm, not the change it. Beautiful and old! (The ceiling is also a replica of a night sky, with clouds, and stars. As a kid this was amazing to me.)

F
Review №38

Okay place... Mostly whatever. No re entry policy that is written no where. People smoking and vaping inside but I dont care about that. Will not be coming back.... without pregaming hard.

Ke
Review №39

Awesome! The coat check sucked though.

Ja
Review №40

This place is cozy in that it gives me a Korean feel in a LA scene since seats are pre-chosen and there is a little waiting area with televisions before you actually go into the theatre. The movie theatre is smaller than a usual AMC, but I do like that. Best part is the release of Korean movies with English subtitle for someone like me who doesnt know Korean. Remember to get a membership card to save $1 and to accumulate points.

Kc
Review №41

Great time, staff was easy going. Seats werent the most comfortable.

St
Review №42

Much bigger inside than I anticipated. Saw a fantastic Ukrainian band here called Dahkabraka. Bathrooms are small, and limited in number for a capacity crowd but the wait wasnt too bad on my visit.

Ca
Review №43

Foyer was breathtaking. Lots of potential in the theatre.

Ta
Review №44

It wasnt a venue I was used to.

Al
Review №45

A little run down but the architecture is beautiful. A little TLC and this place would be gorgeous! Had a a good time though!

Al
Review №46

Venue was a bit disappointing. It was hot, they had big standing fans and a side door open which allowed very little breeze in. the floor by our seats was very uneven. I kept tripping getting in and out of the aisle. AND PARKING was a major issue!! there is no venue parking and website states that you park on the side streets which was a big headache to try and find a spot ANYWHERE! I will not go back there, no matter what band is playing

Na
Review №47

Saw a concert here, its great! A little on the outdated but was nice and close to home.

Mi
Review №48

A beautiful theater.well Ive seen so many old theaters around Chicago And I think I bet they were amazing in their day. The patio looks just as it should, like an ornate jewel box.truly lovely & good accustics

Jo
Review №49

The theater is dirty, old, and in need of updating; seats, carpet, and paint. However, it is nice to have that architecture preserved. I recently attended the concert by Kenny Lattimore, the lighting was very poor, no spot light/s on the entertainer. Also the sound level mainly the bass was to high/loud so it was difficult to hear every word/lyric when they performed, especially the opening act.

Ro
Review №50

Had a great time watching Hocus Pocus Sunday

Cl
Review №51

Great people, friendly service. The theater could use some attention.

Co
Review №52

Great venue, check to see what they have showing.

Jo
Review №53

The venue its self I enjoyed, it looked very nice had a pleasant atmosphere and the show was wonderful and fun. But in the encore I had lost my phone and as everyone was leaving I was still searching. The security instead of helping me look a tad bit for my phone they simply ushered me out telling me to come back for it another day. Ive tried calling security and the number doesnt work on the door, tried contacting customer services, and even called the number on their website but still nothing I hope this can be resolved.

Br
Review №54

Pretty cool what they did for the kids for Halloween.

Kh
Review №55

Saw the Kevin Gates concert. Wonderful show and venue.

Da
Review №56

Older style. Easy to get drinks

Ni
Review №57

Nice venue with good sound quality considering the age. No AC.

Ja
Review №58

Great work in keeping the Patio open a having great films!! Keep the classics coming!

Ke
Review №59

The theater is musty and the bathrooms are terrible. The whole place desperately needs an update. At least they had a roped off area for the VIP section of the concert so if you pay for VIP tickets you will have a separate space. The security guards were extremely rude and unprofessional after the show. They yelled at my Fiancée and were forcing her out the door while she was waiting for me to come out of the bathroom. Only giving 2 stars because Avantasia was great, the lighting and sound were also great.

Ko
Review №60

Beautiful theatre with amazing Barton organ, cons :We waited two hours before the concert started! 9pm is 9pm not 11pm!There is now heating in the building!Dress warm or you will freeze.

Ja
Review №61

Great place to see bands, it is very intimate location, the band is 20 feet away from you and it is a great experience. Standing and sitting spaces available and the staff is helpful. Security is on the look out and does remove any person that is a bother.Loved my time here and im sure you guys will as well.

GE
Review №62

Nice spot kinda hood

Ma
Review №63

First time at this theater and had a blast with Avantasia! Drinks were fine, parking was easy, bathrooms were accessible and the stage lighting was unique!!

Pe
Review №64

I loved the Place easy travel and not a hassle to enter and staff pleasant

oc
Review №65

Trash venue took my money and didn’t let me into the show. When i asked for the security’s name they escorted me out. I contacted their support and haven’t had any help. Didn’t mind taking the loss on my uber ride there and back but not for the ticket of the show i never got to see. Trash service would recommend people seeing their favorite act next time they come into town at a Moreno profession venue. -5 stars

Sh
Review №66

It was FREEZING in the theater. Called the theater numerous times for I formation and to try to upgrade ticket (which Im glad didnt happen), NEVER received a call back. The actual show, Marsha Ambrosius, was Awesome. Otherwise would be 1 star

Da
Review №67

A little pricy for watching a movie.. But their seats are nice and comfy. And their caramel popcorn is awesomely delicious :) i always go there for the popcorns lol

Em
Review №68

Good venue. Not the best sound

Al
Review №69

Real professional the staff was all the bartenders in security guards were also great at doing their job

Re
Review №70

Great old theatre. They have free showings of old films, I saw the Dark Crystal here recently. True, some of the chair fabric is torn and worn but its got charm. They have fans to cool the place and sell soda and popcorn but bring cash. It felt good to support a local business and the staff were friendly.

la
Review №71

You can pick your on seats. Parking on the street so so up early! And dont drink to much bathrooms are downstairs. The sound system was decent.

Ga
Review №72

Cozy old theater that offers great attractions for a bargain. Run down building but truly worth the discount if youre a fan of the Artist!

Da
Review №73

Its nice there, but could use some maintenance. Nevertheless, they have some good shows.

He
Review №74

Small but great place. Great acoustics and good view from anywhere.

Mi
Review №75

Really cool place. Enjoyed the old time atmosphere of this theater. Beautiful place.

Af
Review №76

Nice place. Saw Eric B and Rakim here.

To
Review №77

If you want to go retro this the place where memories come back to life its great

Ph
Review №78

The worst experience possible!! Not only was it freezing cold in the theatre but all the seats were very old. Uncomfortable and floor was very sticky! It was disgusting. Not to mention the inadequate lighting and the first 10 rows were actually foldable chairs! The movie was the only saving grace out of this absolutely horrible experience. I will be requesting a refund and a explanation from the manager about why the heat wasnt turned on. It was actually warmer outside (45°) than inside!! DO NOT GO HERE! ZERO STARS IF I COULD!

Je
Review №79

Sound system was great, lighting so so. Big drawback is parking. I will definitely return, but during warmer weather

Se
Review №80

Another reason why Chicago SUCKS! This is a Horrible venue that, for the sake of profit only, holds events meant for well-respected theaters.Very poor customer service: first, you run into security guards that look like the cartel thugs from the southern border; second, a nasty-mean girl checking customers tickets and rudely pointing them towards the hallway, where people gather in one big crowd with no lines designed; third, you come across a hole in the wall where they sell you disgusting hot-dogs and beer: they call it (the bar); although to the credit of the bartender who seems to be somewhat professional, washrooms are located in the basement and are attended by a quite man who deserves respect and tips, thats of course if you ever decide to go to this place; then, in the total absence of the management, someone would open the door to a dark gloomy room where you can literally smell human urine. Welcome to the show! The sound mixing in the middle of the room belongs to antique shops from the bygone years, not to mention how the dude who is in charge of mixing and fixing the sound smells like, avoid being nearby! And not too far from the archaic sound system, a bicycle is parked against the chairs, yeah, right in the middle of it all, in case some drunkie needs a tour de France inside. The VIP tickets are not honored and there is no one to talk to, so you would end up in general admissions while your tickets cost you a fictitious VIP status. Lastly, the band would have to delay the performance due to the failures of the acoustics resulting in alien noises that continue during the show.I would not name the band because I have been their fan for quite a long time, and its not entirely their fault to choose this horrible so called music venue. I saw them in Europe and they performed in front of thousands in well known arenas where one would be taken by the sate of the art, well designed, properly equipped, and well staffed theaters.The Patio Theatre is one among many failures in Chicago, a city that was once known for music and art appreciation, including the legacy and influence of the Blues generation. What a shame!

JM
Review №81

Its a classic theater, but it has a feeling that its abandoned, it doesnt have lightning or sound to host concerts. If this theater gets the improvements needed it would be an awesome venue.

Al
Review №82

I liked going to free movies there. Excellent concessions and a good movie night!

Sa
Review №83

I got to experience the legendary patio theater i must say you feel the history and greatness of it

Ay
Review №84

Now this is a good theater but it wont top the Chicago Theatre.

An
Review №85

They cancelled my show and didnt inform me. No notice was posted on the doors or billboard. I saw lots of people with the same confused look as they arrived to a dark building with no posting.

He
Review №86

The worst experience Ive ever had. This place was beyond freezzzzzzzing. A early valentine gift to my fiance turned disaster. We loved Marsha Ambrosius performance but we sat the entire time with our jackets and hats on (literally) very uncomfortable, outdated close seating, no seats were arranged. The entire building felt like outdoors, absolutely no heat including the basement made like and old dungeon. I asked to speak with a manager to voice my complaint, never got a chance to speak with him. This was my first time at this venue and I would have to give this place 2 thumbs down. I will NEVER go to the patio theater ever again.

an
Review №87

Thats so awesome theater

Eu
Review №88

The show was dope... place was meh

Ai
Review №89

Tonight was the Bone Thugs N Harmony and Ying Yang Twins concert and it’s hot and humid outside and they don’t have on any type of air, fan air conditioner on in this place... It feels better outside than it does inside... First and last time coming here..

Wi
Review №90

No backbone! What happened to free speech? You dont like a specific show, dont buy tickets and go to the show! Support the other shows you like. This is the United States of America! #Free Speech

Je
Review №91

NO HEAT at this venue, and I ended up catching a cold due to the 40 degree temp inside. $8 cans of Miller lite, really????!!!Also, a VERY rude girl accepting tickets to the show. I had asked her why the heat had not been turned on and she jumped down my throat; “the heat is on... it’s an old building”. It was not on. I could see my breath inside. What a shame to hold events in an historic theatre when the owners do not care about the comfort of the guests. Don’t buy the building if you don’t have the cash. Patrons and bands will not come back after this experience.

Me
Review №92

Over sold. Not enough restrooms. Poorly managed. Run down.

Ke
Review №93

Pretty small venue with seats like a movie theater

Es
Review №94

Ive got fond memories of this place and probably saw Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone here the first time around, so when I saw Harry Potter on the marquee for weeks I had to come back. A lot has changed here since I was a kid. The addition of beer and pizza to the concession menu was wonderful. A lot has stayed the same as well, which is comforting in a way, but certain things (like the bathrooms!) could do with some changes as well. Hopefully this place stays running for a long time though.

Va
Review №95

A little run down but still beautiful

Re
Review №96

Great place...well it could be better but it has a music concert venue feel to it, so its not a big deal, youre there to enjoy the show not inspect every single inch of the place.

HW
Review №97

Old theater charm with beautiful features. But watch your step and be careful where you sit.

Ta
Review №98

Nice intimate setting.

Bi
Review №99

It was amazing I loved the decor only problem it is run down but they are going to fix that because they are re opening

my
Review №100

I will never go to this place again. How can you such a big venue and have no parking are even valet . plus it was winter time they had some guy outside screaming at people when you stopped for a second to drop people off at the door. We had to park 5 blocks away and walk in heels and the snow....aNEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
3.7 Rating
  • Address:6008 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634, United States
  • Site:http://thepatiotheater.com/
  • Phone:+1 708-669-7380
Categories
  • Concert hall
  • Movie theater
  • Performing arts theater
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Bar on site:Yes
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