The Theatre at Ace Hotel

This place far surpassed any and all expectations I had for a show my husband and I recently went to. First of all I love the area… lots of trendy bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, perfect for before or after a show. We stopped into the box office here to ask a question and the staff working there were very friendly and helpful.
As soon as we walked into the venue, we were pretty wowed. I’m not one to care about architecture or history or anything like that (I’m weird, I know), but it was very impressive even to me. It definitely had that classic, historical feel and the ceilings were amazing. I took a few pics.
There were a few different bars set up on the different floors for drinks and snacks (and popcorn, yay!). We had great seats right by the stage and the sound was perfect. It was the perfect intimate, yet accommodating venue. I’d definitely be interested in seeing other performances at this venue.

This is an incredibly beautiful venue. I ducked in during Night on Broadway. The space is Spanish gothic revival style, built in 1927 by Charles Howard Crane. The lighting is perfect… brooding and romantic. The theatre itself is an interesting space with many different options of stairs and passages. The designs are intricate and beautiful. For Night on Broadway, a dj was spinning some rap/​hip-​hop, fashion designers were selling their wares, there was an art show in one hallway, and there were numerous bars to get a drink. Any show at this theatre will probably have this awesome dissonance of historic meets modern. Love love love it! I’ll be keeping my eye out for good events coming through here!

A little list of do’s and don’ts for the Theatre at the Ace Hotel:
DO park in a lot nearby. That long line of cars backing up Broadway? That’s the line for the valet.
DON’T stop traffic in the middle of Broadway to drop people off. The hell is wrong with you.
DO get there early enough that you can walk around a little and take photos of the incredible interior from when this place was the most baller church of the 1920’s for your instagram/​facebook/​person you’re trying to show you have a life.
DON’T drink so much at the bar that you’re making everyone in your row get up so your ass can go to the bathroom. This ain’t the ArcLight; these seats were made when people were smaller, in the 1920’s.
DO feel free to give your S.O. a peck on the cheek or something equivalent before the show starts to be like, «we’re here, I’m happy to be with you, maybe that’s a little preview of what’s the come later.»
DON’T spend the entire fucking show canoodling and making out and laying your heads against one another. That gap between you two? That’s where people SEE THROUGH. Where the FUCK YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE SEEING THROUGH. OVER you? See above: «This ain’t the ArcLight.» See above: «this place was built in the 1920’s.» People didn’t canoodle with each other through an entire show in the 1920’s and this is the reason WHY. Your love is not a pretty shining light. It is — literally — a darkness, a closed door, a great smothering blanket obscuring the light from the people in back of you. Because the people in back of you then have to crane their heads around you, thus blocking the little gap for the people in back of THEM. Do you see how your love is a chain reaction of darkness to those around you? This show we’re at features multiple guests, not just Father John Misty. If you’re only here to canoodle to Father John Misty singing about plantations and shit you can do that at home in Los Feliz and not be a chain reaction of darkness to those around you who aren’t monsters and would never be like «uh ‘scuse me, can you not touch each other so much» and have to resort to typing out teeth-​gnashing reviews on Unilocal that you’ll never see. I have nothing against PDA. But FUCK. Your PDA is a PITA.

I didn’t even know this place existed until I bought tickets for an event last night. The old ornate theater was lovely. Stadium style seating and a balcony ensured that pretty much anywhere is a good place to sit.
Glad to have discovered this place, and would happily go there again.

This is a great, historic theater built in 1927, complete with 1,600 seats.
It is ornate and beautiful. It has stadium style seating and has a grand balcony with additional seating. The seats are nothing fancy but comfortable enough. The acoustics are better than anticipated. It’s worth seeing a movie or attending an event here just to experience this historic building.

What an amazing building, I know it’s been said before, I’m saying it again. Just gorgeous. The restrooms even have an old school style powder room for women. No clue about the men’s but I’m sure it’s lovely. I didn’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. The bar is cool, the bartender are attentive and friendly, which you don’t find often at venues. Drinks will run you about $ 10 and they have popcorn. Parking is only about $ 5 right around the corner in every direction. Such I gem. I wish every show was here

This venue space is beautiful. I came here for Pop Up Magazine. I’m not an expert, but I felt the acoustics were good, sound projected well. Seats (even the cheaper ones) had good views. I hope I can come back to the Theatre at Ace for future events!

+7 stars for theatre — beautiful historic venue — you don’t see Spanish Gothic Revival every day in LA — thanks, Mary, Charlie and Doug! And C. Howard Crane! I’m so glad you’re not a church anymore. Sorry, Dr. Scott…
— 2 stars for operations (good luck finding your seat sans decent signage, light or ushers + poorly stocked restrooms + other careless service issues)
–1 star for not putting a little more money into cleaning/​sprucing the theatre up a little bit more — it could be even more wow
If you have long legs, this is not your theatre unless you have an aisle seat. As a slightly leggy 5’7′, I found myself just barely within the comfort zone. My companion remarked that it made Southwest Airlines seem quite spacious.
Oh, and (not included in theatre rating) –2 for LA douchebags who stand/​walk on upholstered seats in a historic theatre. WTF?

This theater is gorgeous! It was a beautiful architecture inside and out. Alot of seating room and great acoustics. I hope to come back here abs watch a few more movies or performances.

This venue is a total surprise. I had no idea it even existed. What a great way to spend Halloween! We saw Dracula (1931) with music composed and conducted by legendary Philip Glass. It’s an event I’ll never forget.
A classic movie palace with ornate ceiling, frescos and bas relief plaster work that fit the mood of the evening. It looked like a starry sky overhead with not so friendly cherubs staring down at you from the sides.
Parking was very easy about 2 blocks away and only $ 5. The Ace Hotel Theater allows you to buy drinks in the lobby and take them into the theater, I don’t know of any live theater venue that does that.
I hope to see more events offered here.

This is an incredibly cool 1920’s Spanish Gothic Theatre! Hubby and I got tickets to a unique event; a screening of the 1931 version of Dracula with an original score by composer Philip Glass. Glass & the Kronos Quartet performed live behind a see-​thru screen on stage during the playing of the movie. It was Fantastic. I’d give the experience 5 stars.
So why only 4 stars for the theater?
–Show was to start at 8pm and at 7:50pm, there was a ridiculous long line to stand in to get into the theater (doors were supposed to open at 7pm, so I don’t know what happened).
–Lines for drinks were Very Long and Slow (hubby ran to get us a couple glasses of wine when the movie was supposed to start and was able to get them because the movie started about 15 minutes late)
–After the movie, EVERY bathroom line was SLOW and LONG. SO SLOW & LONG, that I left and went next door. When a doorman attempted to tell me that I wasn’t going to get back in if I left, I scoffed (yeah, I got back in).
–After the movie, the theater was hosting a Black & White Ball. Cool idea. Everyone dresses up in Black & White costumes, 2 DJ’s, Tarot Reading, etc. It was sold out. But I quickly realized they oversold. Plus, I was disappointed in the DJ’s music. (Slow music? Ummm, people want to dance.)
–Fortunately, we ubered here cuz the valet line was very long. Plus, upon arrival, all the surrounding lots were backed up.
Overall, the theatre is incredible, but needs to improve efficiency with crowds.

Theatre was lovely, very ornately decorated. I felt like walking into a Spanish church in the 1300’s.
Only qualm was the ladies washroom were hard to get to, at the lower level in the back of venue.

This is such a beautiful well kept theater, I would come here to see any other show just to see the amazing lobby and décor again. I came here last night to see Marilyn Manson, which was such a fitting Gothic venue for such a show. I think any seat in the house would have been a good one. There is quite a big line for drinks, but I’m not complaining, that’s to be expected for any concert venue. I’m glad this venue is still standing and alive and well. I will return :) I would love this venue to implement a no cell phone photos policy, so annoying watching any show through 10 iPhone screens from the row in front of me.

What a great venue!
Went here for the Dave Gahan ft. Soul Savers concert. Once I was inside I couldn’t get over the fact at how beautiful the place is. It has a church/​Gothic feel to it and very detailed architect that will leave you wondering how such a pretty place in the middle of DTLA has survived for this long.
From what I remember there are about three/​four different levels and the seating is comfortable. Staff is super friendly in helping you out as well. I also liked that they allowed you to take pictures as long as it wasn’t flash. Also you could go down to the front if you wanted to as long as you weren’t causing a scene. The acoustics of the building is just spot on and it fit so well with the show.
Highly recommended!

If I could give ZERO stars I would. I have never been to a concert venue that tells you that you cannot stand up to watch the show.
Its bad enough that the security or usher has the worst breathe when he talks to you.
I will NEVER spend a dime at this venue again.

I’ve been here once before for a movie première/​writers edge event but it was my first live music event; Melody Gardot and experiencing its live sound. Terrific evening in this beautiful historic theater. Everywhere you turn there is capture for the eye… even the ceiling… especially the ceiling.
I’m looking forward to going back soon.

Beautiful theater (which most take for granted in LA where extraordinary theaters are ordinary), but My Whoppers were beyond stale. They gave like leathery hollow Milk Duds. Halfway through the box, when one finally cracked in my mouth, it scared me. All but two were stale and chewy. So, try your snacks before you wedge yourself into your seat designed for waists 36″ and under.

The Theater: Beautiful theater with lots characters. Mid-​size theater. The seats are quite tight… not much leg room.
There are two floors and basement. 3 bars in the theater. Lobby is roomy for people to social before the show.
The Parking: $ 10-​$ 15 nearby parking lots

This is a grand historic theatre in the heart of downtown that I love visiting whenever the opportunity comes up. I went here for a benefit event of music, poetry, comedy, and other performances recently and have attended one of the Ace Hotel’s free film events here as well. The theatre is spacious, tons of intricate detail in the high ceilings in the lobby with an old school box office and concession/​bar area.
For the actual seating, it is a pretty tight squeeze in the upper area’s seating– not much leg room and the seats are definitely relics of the past (but still functional and maintained). If you are taller, I would recommend sitting on the floor level so you have more leg space. Be sure to look up at the ceiling for a beautiful display! There was two bathroom stalls for women on the upper level we were seated at, but I believe there are more on the lower levels if you’re okay with stairs.
I recommend parking around the corner for around $ 6 (lots across the street are usually more). If you like the other historic theatres that are being revived on Broadway, you’ll love this one too– be sure to subscribe to the Ace Hotel’s emails to get info on the theatre’s events, many of them are free too!

You’re blown away upon entering the theater by the interior design. There are a few levels worth exploring so get there a little early b4 your screening to appreciate the theater.
It gets really chilli on the inside so bring a jacket just in case you’re lacking the necessary body heat.
Loved it!