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The Opera House
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
735 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1H1
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
(416) 466-0313
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for The Opera House
11 reviews in English
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Review from Phillip Jessie j.
Toronto, ON
3/7/2010
great venue,
I didn't drink when I was here so I can't comment on the prices but there are a total of 4 bars in the place, 3 on the first floor and one on the balcony.
security is good here, they pat everyone down and have security making sure that if any shit goes down they can stop it really quick. There was an attendant in the washroom i am assuming for this reason, although he stands there and gives you soap I'm guessing his main purpose is to stop people fucking and fighting in the basement (he also makes sure everyone washes his hands, extra bonus)
The acoustics in this place are great, its plenty spacious and no matter where you are you should be able to see the stage, unless there is a tall guy in front of you I suppose.
For those with sensitive ears if you stay back or on the balcony you should be fine.
All in all a great venue that is extremely safe and fun to be in, its got lots of room to move around and plenty of good spots to watch your show. I highly recommend. -
Review from Kat F.
4/14/2009
There seems to be a lot of disdain for The Opera House's location, but bear in mind the MULTIPLE methods of transportation that lead to it. If you think about it it's actually quite convenient - you've got the 501 Queen and 504 King Streetcars going eastbound, plus you can also catch the 504 at Broadview station on the Bloor subway line.
Anyhoodle, about the venue... There's Blue Moon next door for all your pre- and post-drinking needs, not to mention Jilly's if you're into strippers. The sound quality is decent and the layout is nice. They don't always open the second floor balcony for shows and if they do, the seats get snatched up quickly, so arrive extra early if you hope to sit for the duration of the performance.
Opera House has extremely poor ventilation in the summer - I nearly had to peel myself off the floor at a July Four Tet/Caribou show - so wear as little as possible that still keeps you decent. And don't forget about the stone flooring - shows here must be an impossibility for those afflicted with Plantar Fasciitis. Wear comfortable, well padded/insoled shoes because your heels will be burning in pain if you don't shift from side to side.
My favourite things about Opera House:
- they sell earplugs at the bar for $2 (how socially responsible!)
- they take debit at the bar, with cashback
- it's super easy to move to the front without being a pushy douche if you show up late. It's not often oversold and the crowd isn't thick so people tend to act in a civil manner. There's more than enough space on the sides of the venue to safely walk by if you need to get to the bar or bathroom, unlike at some venues (Sound Academy comes to mind).
Oh, and one more thing: DO NOT get coat check in the winter if you know what's good for you - the coat check area is tiny and cumbersome and there's nowhere to line up so what inevitably happens is a stairwell lineup that coils its way up to the second floor balcony. It's nightmare inducing and has taken hours to weave through in the past - I remember one show in particular, I believe it was the all ages DFA1979 show in 2005, where the show ended at 11pm and the coat check took nearly two hours. Just stash your coat somewhere and be done with it!Listed in: The Best Places To Eat, Shop &…, Concert Venues
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Review from Eli G.
8/6/2008
I played here on my 25th birthday. It was 13 degrees fahrenheit outside. Amazing show, local kids got me a penis cake that I ate mid-set. I had some food down the street.
Good times. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/9/2008 1 photo
Yes! I was surprised to see such high reviews for this place when most of the people I know cringe when I mention its name.
Like these other Yelpers, I've had some really good times at the Opera House. Most of them were in my Brit-pop years, where I was more stunned by the twinkling of the mop-headed boys' eyes than the actual venue, but I do have some wonderful, vivid memories of the venue, and it's never really turned me off. Well, aside from that one time I saw Matthew Jay open for the Doves, and my concert partner kept talking and the guy behind me wouldn't stop exhaling forcefully on the back of my neck.
The atmosphere, though, is great; the size is, dare I say, perfect; and the stage is high enough so little people like me can see wherever they stand. The balcony is a nice touch, too, and I think it's a great environment for a live music band -- and comedy shows, too, which I have seen there on occasion.
My only wish is that it wasn't as far to get to. I don't mind walking in the day time (and have), but in the evenings, a streetcar is necessary to get here. But then that's not the Opera House's problem; it's me and my discontent with the TTC. And that's a whole other review.Listed in: Get your gig on
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Review from Thomas B.
North Bay, ON
6/1/2009
Despite the fact that the music playing when I went was absolutely terrible (with the exception of one band - "two seconds") I think the opera house is a pretty sweet venue. With a sound system to kill. I love the style of the decor inside. It's a little creepy being felt up when you come through the door but all that says to me is that you should feel a little bit safer being here than at bars without people who feel you up!
I didn't eat, or drink anything while here so I can't comment on that. The opera house seems to have an unnecessary washroom attendant with a bad attitude but big whoop. Just don't tip him for standing there and watching you pee then not doing anything.
Overall, great venue. Hope I go back to see some good music sometime soon! -
Review from Kasi N.
5/26/2009
This place might get such a good rating from me because it reminds me so much of my favorite place to see a concert back home (the Uptown Theatre). I'm very into old-style converted venues. Also, because the first band I saw there was The Gaslight Anthem, and c'mon, how could that be a bad thing?
The stage is set high and offers a great view from pretty much anywhere (if you can score a spot on the railing at any level you're completely set). The sound is also one of the better systems I've found in these parts.
I don't find it hard to get to as the Queen streetcar runs regularly enough and stops just a short block away. However, I do find the post-show trip complete with crack addicts on said streetcar harassing everyone for money to be less-than-desirable, but what can you do.
Annoyingly there are no ins & outs, mostly because there is a strange little cafe of sorts attached to the venue (you can enter from the sidewalk/smoking area or from inside) that wants you to buy overpriced fries and such. So if you need some "fresh" air (which, you probably will because there seems to be zero ventilation inside the building) you'll be stuck hanging out in the smokers patio.
If you drink there are plenty of bars here for you. The main bar at the back of the top tier of the floor area and 2 smaller bars on the sides of the main floor itself. There is also a bar on the balcony level when it's open (for larger shows).
Security was very thorough (2 people looking at all the ID's, bag searches for girls / pat downs for guys) but really laid back about it. The girl in front of me first got busted on her fake ID, but they just Xed her hand and she went on. Then security found her "pot-in-the-mints-container" stash and dumped it ... but STILL let her go to the show. Where I'm from, you'd probably be arrested for either of those things on the spot, so this was definitely surprising.
All in all it's a good mid-sized concert experience and I won't hesitate to snatch up tickets when good bands stop by and play here. -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/2/2008 3 photos
The Opera House is far on Queen East, so here's what you'll need to go to a concert there.
First, know that you are NOT going to meet up with your friends back in the wet end after even though you said you would because The Opera House is so far and a 30+ cab ride after won't seem worth it. So go, knowing that this is all your doing that night.
Make sure the band you're going to see if one of your favourites so that you don't mind the strict door policies, the lineups for the bathrooms and the fact that you can't seem to bring your drink anywhere cause there are so many stairs.
Finally, when you're finished seeing said mind-blowing concert, go tot he strip club across the street, I believe it's Gillies. The beer prices are decent, they don't mind groups and the strippers are actually pretty friendly and outgoing in a conversation way, but most of them are not hot. The strip bar part is a bit of a ritual thing. Everyone has been there after a concert at some point cause there is almost no where else to go near the venue.
As far as a concert venue goes, The Opera House is a great intimate venue with good sight lines and decent sound. No shame in that. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2008
Queen Street A-Bit-East, not that far from Jilly's (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) (if you need it), the Opera House sits at Queen and Broadview. Large vaulted ceilings, a pronounced proscenium arch, and a balcony give this place the feeling that you're watching a show in, well, an opera house. Except the Rollins Band play there.
This is definitely another one of the premier performance venues in the city. Larger than Lee's Palace, it's able to take bands to the next level of "beginning to lose your intimacy", with a larger dance floor, three bars that surround it, and fairly decent acoustics. Because it's larger, you feel a bit more drowned by the folks surrounding you. A crowded night there can truly feel it, but you should feel up for the task given the acts that go there.
Everything about this place is geared towards bands performing there. The first links found on the Opera House website (http://www.theoperahou...) is all the technical information about the venue, what the hall is like, and for foreign travellers, what will be expected for immigration into the country. The last thing you need is the likes of A Perfect Circle, Björk, or The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones being held up at the border. -
Review from cailen s.
Oakville, ON
3/30/2009
The worst part of the Opera House is where it's located. If it weren't for the Opera House you would never find yourself in this part of Toronto.
That aside it's a great venue. It's all standing, though I believe there are some seats on the upstairs balcony. -
Review from Jimi S.
ON
12/9/2008
the opera house is a really fun venue and convenient on a few fronts. firstly its home to an enormous proscenium stage at the back that is even better viewed from the multi-tiered balcony. that last sentence really combines a couple things. the room itself is intimate enough to easily get within a couple feet of the performers to cry your eyes out and scream if you like. the floor before the stage is pretty large; if this place were not as much of a rock venue, it would have the potential panache of an event hall for a wedding, or the grand presence for, i dont know, let's say...an opera. and putting those two ideas together is a no brainer. i often find myself staring up at the ceiling when im there to look at the ornate embellishments carved out many years ago, when im sure this was an opera house.
the other thing about this place is its balcony which is great when you dont want to be moshing in the mosh pit down below, but just want to dance with your head lets say. it has a bar up there too - easier to get to then the bars that lie on either side of the stage. actually, theres a bar at the back bottom too.
i always remember the sound being great here and i look forward to my return. -
Review from Anonymous A.
11/23/2008
Excellent place. Great atmosphere and it didn't feel too crowded. I went there to see M83 with some friends and the only problem is that there's nowhere nearby to go afterward. You basically have to get on the streetcar and get back downtown.
Coat-check is easy to get to, bathrooms are clean and easy to get to. Bar service was quick. Overall a nice place to see a concert.
