Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
4.5
About
As one of the last surviving theater venues on Broadway, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall keeps the tradition of hosting prolific performances alive in this historic part of Portland. The building that now houses what locals lovingly call “The Schnitz” was originally the Portland Public Theatre, built in 1928, and later renamed the Paramount Theatre. The Italian Rococo Revival architecture was said to be the national showcase of renowned Chicago theatre architects Rapp & Rapp, and has been beautifully restored through a generous donation from Portlanders Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. The Concert Hall plays host to a variety of presentations including classical, comedy, jazz, pop, rock, folk and gospel music, dance, theatre, travel films, and much more.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
402 reviews
Excellent
265
Very good
105
Average
26
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Madeline Cook
Portland, OR102 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
This is a very nice place to see an event or musical performance. It has great acoustics and feels pretty intimate without feeling too small. The ticket prices here are usually very expensive though so I only go here for very special events.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah S
80 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We went to see, "Sarah Mclachlan" at the concert hall. We saw her almost 15 years ago in Boise, Idaho. When arriving at our seats in the very last row I had concerns about the sound. When she came on stage and began to talk and play is was like sitting up close. The architecture is absolutely beautiful and so are the acoustics. My only complaint would be the old seats are squished together. If you're tall or have long legs you might be a bit cramped. That being said, bad knees and all I will gladly go back to this venue.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lopper
oregon97 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Daughter and I greatly enjoyed a holiday concert at this hall. I’ve lived here 20 years and had never been. It is beautiful. The staff was fabulous throughout and it was nice to experience the beautiful old atmosphere I’d not seen since some places in other cities. I didnt know this gem right here in Portland! A visitor tip, some of the aisle seats have small tables next to where you can set a beverage. It was a surprise bonus with our seat selection, and I gladly shared the little table space with the woman behind me. She said, wow I didnt know what the images meant on the seating chart, that it was a table! Me, I didn’t either, and you are welcome to set your drink here too! Beautiful place, with so much nostalgia. Daughter and I glad we dressed for the occasion. A trip back in time to before we were born!
Written 14 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Portland, OR318 contributions
Mar 2022
Musically, the Oregon Symphony is excellent, and the performance we saw was entirely admirable. That is, once we were seated. Ushers were polite, kind, and efficient; on-site service was pleasant and friendly. After-market interaction was not at all helpful.
My wife and I are seniors. We do fine as we get around, but we both need to use handrails as we negotiate stairs. Our seats were in the balcony where, it turns out, there are NO HANDRAILS! Even after a major renovation a few years ago, they couldn't figure out how to put in handrails. Or to include that information in their ticket sales information. Getting to our seats was difficult and somewhat frightening. Getting to the exits was only slightly better. In between, we enjoyed the concert.
We learned, when we asked the next day, that the only choice we had, would be to switch from our seats upstairs to unacceptable (very poor acoustic placement) seats downstairs. Not much sense of interest in or feeling for our problem. Just "Take it or leave it." We've left it.
The Schnitzer is a grand old concert hall in many ways, but the renovation sadly omitted a part of the history they might miss: some of the folks that used to buy tickets.
My wife and I are seniors. We do fine as we get around, but we both need to use handrails as we negotiate stairs. Our seats were in the balcony where, it turns out, there are NO HANDRAILS! Even after a major renovation a few years ago, they couldn't figure out how to put in handrails. Or to include that information in their ticket sales information. Getting to our seats was difficult and somewhat frightening. Getting to the exits was only slightly better. In between, we enjoyed the concert.
We learned, when we asked the next day, that the only choice we had, would be to switch from our seats upstairs to unacceptable (very poor acoustic placement) seats downstairs. Not much sense of interest in or feeling for our problem. Just "Take it or leave it." We've left it.
The Schnitzer is a grand old concert hall in many ways, but the renovation sadly omitted a part of the history they might miss: some of the folks that used to buy tickets.
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hawthorne P
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Saw The Jinkx and Dela Holiday Show and had a great time. We needed accessibility help and the theater was easy to access, had elevators, plus provided complimentary wheelchairs. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and courteous. It was a great night out!
Written 12 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dlbos
Boston, MA102 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
This venue is in downtown Portland and maintains its old and classic charm. Went to a concert here on 9/25/18. Some light snacks and drinks available. They will let you take drinks inside but not food which seems on par with other similar establishments. Service was friendly. The older plush seats are best for theatre shows rather than concerts where people are going in and out as they are a bit difficult to get in and out of multiple times but otherwise very comfortable. Everyone stood for most of the night anyway.
Written 29 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BirgM
Portland, OR138 contributions
Nov 2016
The concert hall is very nice and there are tours to visit it without a concert on Saturdays mornings.
The main group who plays in this hall is the Oregon Symphony with a variety of programs. The sound quality is average and definitely better in the upper parts of the balcony. Dress circle is good but pricey and for some reason the air seems to blow on those seats and it feels cold at times.
Watch out not to get a seat under the balcony on the first level. It really takes away from the sound.
The main group who plays in this hall is the Oregon Symphony with a variety of programs. The sound quality is average and definitely better in the upper parts of the balcony. Dress circle is good but pricey and for some reason the air seems to blow on those seats and it feels cold at times.
Watch out not to get a seat under the balcony on the first level. It really takes away from the sound.
Written 26 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bedandbreakfaster
Salem12 contributions
Dec 2019
I love going to Schnitz. It's an older building but that adds to it's charm. The seating is such that one has no problem seeing the stage. The acoustics are good so that you get the most out of the sounds on the stage.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your review of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall! We are so glad that you've enjoyed coming to our theatre. Please visit our website, portland5.com for tickets and information on upcoming performances in all five of our venues!
Written 7 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PDXmorgan
Portland, OR7 contributions
Jun 2019
This is such a delightful place to see a show, because the venue itself is a pleasure to experience. It's classy and lovely, and attending performances with young family members becomes easier and more fun when there's so much to look at while waiting. On the other hand, the seats are a bit narrow and there are often a lot of stairs to climb, so it's been challenging at times with my older parents. The location is fantastic; street parking can be a challenge but there are multiple parking garages within a few blocks and one right across the street. Definitely a must-visit for Portlanders and, for visitors, a great photo opportunity with the iconic "Portland" sign on the marquee.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fredl642
Vancouver31 contributions
Dec 2016
We have been to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall a number of times and have never been disappointed in any performance. The acoustics are outstanding. There is one drawback as far as we are concerned and that is as you enter the auditorium on the main floor you are confronted with a very steep aisle. If you have a balance problem, as my wife and I have, you could find yourself on the floor the hard way. We do not let this drawback stop us from attending different performances. The up side is that the interior takes you back in time. There is not a bad seat in the house, there are no posts to get in your way. You only hope some lady with an oversized hat does not sit in front of you. GO, ATTEND and ENJOY the show.
Written 10 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where in the concert hall are the general admission tickets for? Is it the “pit?”
Written 6 October 2021
For performances accompanying a movie, can you see the movie screen from the lower and upper balcony or will you be listening only?
Written 9 November 2018
jonesfamilythree
Hillsboro, Oregon
How is the seat comfort in Orchestra B? My Dad is a pretty big guy and was wondering if he would fit comfortably in the seat?
Written 4 March 2018
I agree. The seats are not super roomy. An end -of- the row-seat gives more space/flexibility.
Written 4 March 2018
Are the pit seats at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall great for seeing comedians or should I try another area? Can you give me the pros and cons for each, please? I appreciate your input.
Written 2 December 2017

Csilva
Pit seats are great, I’ve seen Anthony Bourdain there and we just saw Nick Offerman both seats were on the first floor area and not in the pit—they were totally fine. The floor has an incline so you still have a good view.
Written 13 December 2017
I am not sure my answer will be considered helpful however here it is. I talk with someone live when choosing seats for any event. Whereas I have been going to the Schnitz for years I do discuss where I want to me depending upon the event. I let the person know the amount I can pay and go from there. I have never been disappointed whether seeing the Symphony or or a play. The only challenge can be the seats. I am peitete and fit well but I know the leg room can be a challenge.
Written 1 October 2016
The Mezzanine would be great. We sat in the front row of the balcony which we thought were the best seats we could imagine. As the other answer states the centre would probably be best, but it is an awesome theatre and I don't think any seat would be bad ... just some a little better ....
Written 13 February 2015
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