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The Rickshaw Theatre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
254 E Hastings StVancouver, BC V6A 1A1
Neighbourhood: Downtown Eastside
(604) 681-8915
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for The Rickshaw Theatre
17 reviews in English
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Review from Rheanna F.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2010 12 Check-ins Here
One of my favorite places to be!! I've been going here since day one, and holy shit, have the staff worked at fixing this place up! When they started out the paint was peeling, it smelled and... well, you don't even want to know what the bathroom was like. They've fixed it up but kept it's character! It's now my favorite live music venue in the city, and i've seen some incredible acts here like Skinny Puppy, Goat Whore, Isis and Russian Circles.
The staff are great, and you can tell they have a lot of pride in the music scene and the venue. Go enough and you'll experience that great feeling of community you used to get from Cobalt (RIP!) Drink selection is limited as they only have basic high balls and a few shooters (Mmm, Jager) but the prices are good and they sure don't pour lightly, so i'm not complaining!
I can also guarantee that they are a pretty clean venue. I know it looks dingy, but let me tell you, i once did a bar mat shot and survived to tell the tale. I don't REMEMBER doing the spot, but apparently it was spectacular... Don't know what a bar mat shot is? It's when the bartender pours whatever liquid has fallen onto the rubber bar mat he or she pours booze on into a shot glass.
If i'm not at Club 23, this is where you'll find me!!Listed in: Best Places to Drink Til You…, Make Mine Music!
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Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
2/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Rickshaw has a special place in my heart. The space itself we rented when I was in high school to throw "raves". After graduating we never really saw anything come of it until David Duprey bought it and made it what it is now.
I like the Rickshaw. I like that every show I see there I feel like I'm stepping into a whole new world.
I really like now that they do have a liquor license, I get that it makes it challenging for all ages stuff, but I like a beer or five when I see music.
I also love that there is seating and an open floor. When the Rickshaw first opened I wasn't sure what they were going to do with the interior, but I like it.
I also like the upside down photo of Colbert.
Two thumbs up. -
Review from Monique B.
Port Moody, BC
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Even though The Rickshaw has been open in it's reincarnated form for a while now, I only managed to make it out there for the first time last week. I have to say I was really impressed with it as a live music venue.
We were here for a (blast from the past) Concrete Blonde show and the band certainly didn't disappoint. There was an incredible mix of patrons from groups of rockers much younger than me to those that have clearly been fans for years and everyone seemed to be enjoying getting their drink on until the performance started, albeit somewhat later than I had anticipated.
I especially love the initerior set up with a half-open dance floor, half-seated area and a bar up by the stage. There never seemed to be a crazy lineup for drinks and the beer was definitely reasonably priced. I did think it was kind of highway robbery that they were charging over ten bux for double highballs, but maybe this has something to with the clientele on the night I was there? The sound was terrific - the cavernous space gave the show a really full sound, but of course this would depend on who you were seeing.
It's great to have another small concert venue in the city, and now that I've experienced The Rickshaw, I will most definitely be returning. My only complaint is that it was downright frigid in this theatre. Bundle up before your show! -
Review from Craig H.
Surrey, BC
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
A little dirty...A little Gungy...a great place to see a rock and roll show!
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Review from Lex B.
8/16/2011
So, I LOVE The Rickshaw. It is a much needed venue for live music and culture. They show awesome bands, and the place has been fixed up amazingly by an extremely dedicated group of people who are passionate about what they do and who are integral to keeping Vancouver culturally diverse.
It used to be a laid back place to grab a drink, with fun staff, and just a great atmosphere and comfortable place to be. It meshed well with the DTES - with both the rough edges and the heart.
When The Rickshaw applied for a permanent liquor license, I (along with many others) wrote a long and detailed letter in their support. And to the delight of many, they got one.
However, I went to see a show there a few weeks ago and something had changed. I spoke to some of the old staff that I know and love, and their morale had shifted. Some people had quit. It stopped feeling as much like a community.
In I go. I grab a $20 to get my guy and I some drinks, but stopped dead at the bar. Doubles: $10.25
WHAT? Are we at a strip club? Are we on Granville? Nope, we're on the DTES, and suddenly a $20 is not more than enough for two doubles and a tip. I keep my $20 - for that price, I'm staying sober on principle.
I will continue to frequent the Rickshaw, because I do still absolutely love the place. Bands are fabulous, ticket prices are fair, lights and sound are always stellar. But it is different, and I will likely not be making use of the bar unless those drink prices improve. Hello, drinking at another bar before I arrive. -
Review from Nicole F.
9/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The Rickshaw is one of my favourite concert venues now! It comes second after the Commodore.
I love that it never gets hot, because I'd rather be chilly than overheated. I love that there is a ton of floor space and a ton of seating, so you can pick whichever you want. It's the perfect size for pretty much every band I've seen here.
I've always been fairly impressed with the cleanliness of the washrooms as well, although it's been awhile since I've had to use it.
The beers are cheap with a few carefully selected choices, I can't say much for the rest of the bar selection because I haven't really checked it out.
The staff are super friendly and I've always felt welcome here! I'll obviously be returning. :) -
Review from Luisa D.
11/6/2010 ROTD 1/10/2011
Finally made it here last night and now I definitely want to see more bands in this venue.
My ticket was $20 for three bands of blistering rock. Hells yeah! The beer was cheap - $5.50 if you're splurging, $4.50 for PBR. The bar pours look minimalistic but whatevs - I'm not coming here for fancy tarbending.
The venue was chilly which meant I could keep my jacket on and not worry about where to put it. The slanted floor/theatre seats make for good viewing in between bands. I didn't make it up to the balcony level to check out the view there. We slunk along the wall in about the fourth row and made the 'mistake' of getting up to dance. Some loser behind us was insistent on sitting throughout the show and told us in no uncertain terms that we should sit or move. Yeah ok buddy. I supressed the urge to flip him the middle finger 'cause really, I'm not that punk anymore. When the lead singer asked everyone to get up and dance I asked him if he wanted to dance with me. He didn't. Naturally we ended up front and centre for the main band. Overt thrashing and moshing seemed to be discouraged by security which surprised me but I didn't mind as I only got crushed a couple of times.
The washrooms probably wouldn't stand up to forensic testing for bodily fluids but the seats were clean, the toilet paper rolls were full, the taps functioned and there were paper towels to dry your hands. What more do you need? A mirror? They have them too.
We had fun and we'll be back!Listed in: Review of the Day, Ain't Nothing Like the Real…
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Review from Tai V.
does it ever quit?
ps: cheap beer -
Review from Kelley R.
Vancouver, BC
7/20/2009 ROTD 12/16/2009
A new music venue is on the scene and its near perfect by my standards. Malice (of Pub340 fame) is at it again. Booking local and touring acts on decently priced bills (most shows under $10) in a newly renovated space. The Rickshaw Theatre has been out of commission since the earlier 80's (or so I'm told) which is hard to believe because its such a great space. Seating where you can actually see the band - check, space for standing room and dancing - check, a bar with decently priced drinks - check, good sound system and a sound guy who knows what he's doing - check. What more could a music lover ask for? Not much really.
The Main and Hastings adjacent address does make it a bit sketchy to visit, but grab a buddy and go. You won't be sorry. -
Review from Evilyn T.
2/10/2010
The Good:
Although this place still needs a little TLC, it sure does shine! the Rickshaw gives all the old punks who used to hang out at the Cobalt a new home. The Rickshaw constantly puts on live shows for young and underground people to check out. The ticket prices are totally decent, usually $20 or less, for a night full of bands and entertainment, how can you go wrong?
The Bad:
It does get cold in the Rickshaw before the shows start, but by the time everyone is jumping around, dancing, moshing or whatever, the room gets warm enough that you don't need to shotgun any more beers to stay warm. However, if you do get too hot after ripping it up on the floor, the coatcheck is all the way up three flights of stairs, so try to check your jacket before you finish all those shots of jager, so you can still make it up the stairs. The floor is kind of strange since it is on a slant, but keep in mind this place used to be an old movie theatre, and there are still a few rows of seats on the cement floor too.
The Ugly:
Beware! This place is not fully licensed, so it does carry a minimal selection of beer and coolers, and they can mix a few highball drinks, but not the variety that you would get at a normal bar. And the bouncers will check your bag, so no sneaking in flasks or road pops, not that I know from experience.Listed in: Best Pubs/Clubs
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
It is a giant, dirty, concrete theatre with a stage. The sound is reasonably good considering that there is very little sound insulation in the room. I would recommend earplugs so you can actually hear the band.
Something I really like about this venue is that there are seats as well as a floor. Because it was a theatre once upon a time, there are good views from all over the venue, and old fogeys like me can rest their legs on torn grey vinyl seats.
There's also an upstairs balcony section. When I went it wasn't open but I imagine they open it up for bigger shows. Great view from up there, if you're standing or at the front, but you get slightly less of the stage if you're back a few rows.
Liquor is not as cheap as I would have liked it to be, but I guess it discourages locals from using The Rickshaw as a drinking establishment - there's cheaper beer in the several other bars on the same block - which means that everyone who's there is there for the show.
Don't expect anything other than a fairly cool but still dirty punk rock venue. It's better than the community centres I saw punk shows in when I was young, that's for sure. -
Review from Mathieu Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/6/2009
Amazing sound system, elevated seating and a stage front dance floor, in house light system and a bar during all-ages shows? How can you get a better concert experience than this?
There's a smoking section right by the door "separated" from the street by some red dividers that the local addicts seem to respect. There's a door guy keeping watch of the street and from my conversation with him on the 1st he's not run in to any problems with the street people in the neighborhood. The venue also recently hosted 100 monkeys for a bunch of under age girls (with their chapperones, of course) that filled the stands. If they can deal with the junkie zombies to see a great show, so can you.
My only complaints are on a case-by-case basis. The stage is a bit higher than most and on a night with 100 people the place still seems completely empty, the stage surreal. They recently figured out their lighting system and have been tinkering with it, but unfortunately aimed one of the spotlights directly in the eyes of the people at the theatre seats. The beer is a bit overpriced and the selection is poor, but liquor is not their main trade. If you have a problem with that you can always go next door to the savoy and deal with hastings street people drinking their cheap pints.Listed in: Dance to this music
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Review from Dean P.
Abbotsford, BC
4/23/2010
Now that the real Cobalt has closed its doors, the Rickshaw has taken over as home to many local and touring punk and metal shows. The ticket prices are usually good and the place is worn enough to have character.
The main floor is usually insane to move through since the area in front of the stage turns into a massive mosh pit once a show starts. If thats not your idea of fun then the balcony offers a less packed spot to kick back and watch from, with a beer garden on hand to cut the heat. -
Review from Shannon M.
North Vancouver, BC
10/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
How can you possibly go wrong with a venue that used to be a movie theatre built specifically to show kung-fu movies?
This is a fantastic live music venue that has lots of character including theatre seating on the floor level and a balcony (which, while normally not important proved to be a lifesaver when I attended a show on an injured knee and couldn't stand nevermind dance around like I really, REALLY wanted to).
According to the Rickshaw's website, their sound system was purchased for cheap from Richard's on Richards (RIP) so it's decent. I did, however, think that it was way too loud, in that way where I couldn't really hear the music for the noise. But! Not to fear! Just head on up to the coat check (which is on the third level? how very odd) and pick up some earplugs for the low low price of $3/pair.
The staff were all really awesome, especially the bartender that let me buy a bottle of water for $1.25 (instead of $2) because it was literally all I had in my wallet. They should probably offer free glasses of water, though, rather than making you buy a bottle.
Don't let the location deter you, if your favourite or soon-to-be-favourite band is making an appearance at the Rickshaw, make sure you check it out!Listed in: Do Stuff!
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Review from Rick C.
9/19/2010
This is a cool, small theatre to see a show. I like the open front area and minimal seating in the back. It's a relaxed, easygoing place and they always book interesting acts. It's a nice, loose theatre located in a developing entertainment area in the Downtown Eastside.
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Review from Ruby D.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2010
Saw The Melvins here in July and thought the venue was pretty good. Like everyone says, it has lots of character and decently priced drinks. Although, I had wished there was more standing room and less seating, it's hard to move around being stuck between rows of theater seats. Also would have loved a bigger bar! The line up was never ending.
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Review from Terry P.
Vancouver, BC
10/1/2010
Hope this venue lasts cuz this city loses decent venues too often. Big old theatre with tons of character and a balcony level, so it accommodate crowds of up to 700+ people. I love the fact that they can hold All Ages shows here yet still serve alcohol to those of legal age. That almost never happens here. Of course the neighborhood sucks, but its better than being located on douchebag avenue (Granville st). Sometimes the door staff can be a bit overbearing, but I guess you'd have to if you're dealing with the riff raff on east hastings all the time.
