Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

This past weekend I was finally able to attend a show at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. It’s a gorgeous building and being my first time here I was taken aback by what an amazing venue it was. The lobbies are on two levels, one for the Orchestra level and another for the mezzanine levels with both stairs and escalators helping to move patrons between them.
It’s a fairly modern looking venue, with comfortable seating and excellent views of the stage from now matter where your seats are. We were on the mezzanine level (front row) so we had a a great view of the discussion.
On Saturday the two defense attorneys responsible for defending the now famous wrongfully accused Steven Avery gave a 90 minute discussion on justice as well as elaborated on elements of the case that people had additional questions on.
It was a really different sort of performance with questions being pulled from audience members in advance with a local lawyer and podcast announcer moderating the discussion for the evening.
My one complaint about the show and of the Sony Centre is what others have already mentioned — there are no supporting screens anywhere inside the theatre to help provide a better view (close up) of the performance. I can understand if this was a play or musical it might be difficult, but where the subject of the performance is stationary for the duration of the event, I don’t see why they wouldn’t have some A/​V set up to help people follow along more closely.

I saw a concert here and it was an OK experience. I’m rounding to four stars though because when rated on the fundamentals; the Sony Centre is a great place to see a show:
SUMMARY:
1) Staff is friendly.
2) Bathrooms are accessible.
3) Acoustics are fine.
4) Coat check is $ 3; reasonable.
5) Drinks are $ 2 for coffee/​tea, $ 3 or 4 for water and $ 8 or 9 for alcohol. I’ve seen worse.
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The acoustics were decent and I had a good seat; security was fine; they did a decent job clearing the aisles and maintaining stability and decorum (which is good or bad, depending on how you like your concerts). Someone ended up taking my seat actually when I went to grab some water, but I rolled with it and found a better seat up front, so whoever took my seat; thank you!
The coat check was $ 3 CDN which is pretty good, although they didn’t have change for a $ 20 and didn’t want to take my $ 2 (even tho that’s like $ 2.50 CDN!) and wanted me to buy a concession and get change and bring it to them. That was a little annoying, it’s not my fault you don’t have change! Just take my $ 2, then; but it all worked out because Canadians are super nice and some guy just came by and bought my coat check for me. What a chap! :D
There’s a lot of seats and I can imagine this would be a great place for a play or a philharmonic show. Parking wise, I did a little research and parked in an underground parking garage on York & University. It’s about a 10 minute walk away, but it was only $ 7 CDN and no hassle to find the spots. I didn’t mind walking ten minutes and figured it would make it easier to leave the venue when the show was over.
Drinks are expensive, but not absurd; I’ve seen way higher prices and I thought it was actually pretty reasonable for a stadium venue show.

BOTTOM LINE: A poor sound system and awkward view lines from balcony seating seems to be the last thing you want from a performance arts centre.
Clearly the ugly duckling out of the 4 downtown of the performance arts venues (Koerner Hall, the Four Seasons Centre and Roy Thomson Hall), the Sony Centre leaves a lot to be desired. But at least they let you drink inside and even give you cup holders!
That said, where it matters aurally and visually, it disappoints. First, the sound system seems really poor; part of this has to do with acoustics of the space, but the speakers are set up in such a way that you lose any sense of a sound stage. Basically, if you closed your eyes, you could pinpoint the closest speaker to you because that’s all you would hear. Even budget movie theatres do a better job of creating a sound stage than this place.
Second, if you grab a seat on the second floor balcony seats, your sight lines of the stage is fairly awkward, not only int terms of the angle, but also of how much you can see of the stage.
There’s not much you can do about the latter, but please, please, please, can they put some money in improving the former — it would make the experience so much better!

This is a large theatre, in fact the largest soft-​seat theatre in Canada, or so the ushers told us. Due to it’s size it is hard to see when you are up in the balcony, unless you’re in the 1^st 2 or 3 rows of such. It depends on what’s playing there though. If it is a show that was designed for such a large space then you’ll be OK, well better than OK as it can be amazing at that point. But if it’s only a medium sized show then it can be less than great.
There is discounted parking across the street under the office building where the restaurants are if you dine at one of those restaurants before or after your show, so do consider that. Of course it’s not far from the TTC if that is what you prefer.
Right diagonal is the Marche Restaurant which is a great place to go before the show for a full meal or afterwards for coffee and fresh backed dessert.

Warning! — do not purchase tickets through
I mistakenly purchased from Toronto-​Theatre. com and paid approximately 2x the price. It is tantamount to a scam.

Came here for SOs grad and it’s a lovely venue for that type of event. The acoustics are great for any speakers and music if need be. It’s good for large groups bc there’s plenty of seating, and there really isn’t a bad seat. It’s a pretty big space for bang downtown core and it looks like it has an old timey yet classic maintained appearance if that makes any sense. I always enjoy events I see here. It’s always an experience.

Have been here for a couple concerts and shows, and do like this theatre. Nice acoustics throughout the space and good seats to see the stage from anywhere makes this one of the better theatres.
Staff are nice and friendly, very helpful and efficient as well. The theatre and lobby areas are clean and well maintained, which is always a plus. Don’t want to go somewhere for a concert and have the seats falling apart, or your shoes sticking to the floors. (Trust me when I tell you it isn’t pleasant).
Overall, a great place to see something more on the low-​key side. Probably not the best place for a huge concert for artists like Lady Gaga, but does the trick for something more classical!

This was my first experience at this spot. Otherwise my main exposure passing by has been the driveway of this center being a food truck spot. Not an inviting site for a place that’s dedicated to the performing arts IMO. The experience for performance itself will differ from person to person so I will just comment on the venue.
Nice space though its more for sit down and enjoy kind for concerts etc. The acoustics were decent, the sound was a bit distorted at times though this maybe due to the equipment being used by the performers. The seating is decent and almost everyone gets a decent view of the stage provided someone very tall (or with a tall hat) isn’t sitting in front of you. I wish they used sprung seat backs as one does get tired of sitting in the same posture after a prolonged period.
The entrance got slammed though and the security was overwhelmed (no drinks or food from outside) only added to the issue as a lot of time was wasted just having people throw out water bottles etc.
3.5 Stars.

Location is good ’cause as it’s steps away from Union Station. No contest there.
However, what is lacking are screens on either side of the stage for people on the Balcony. Prince was the size of a Lego figurine. I know the dude’s short, but can we not have some sort of technology to project his face so we can actually SEE him!!! Very old school.
I’m not a sound expert, but I don’t think this place has the best acoustics. Very loud at times, but not entirely clear. Again, I’m not an expert in the field, so I’m just going by my concert-​going experience.
The Orchestra was general admission, re: you hafta stand, but I am not paying a premium to 1) stand and 2) just have some towering monstrosity of a human being stand directly in front of me… after I’ve paid the big bucks. Geez, I have enough probs with attracting #bigheads who inevitably sit directly in front of me!
So depending on what kind of performance, I think your experience here will vary. I would NEVER see a ballet here, but a concert might be o-​k. Parking was ridiculously expensive at over $ 20, but then again, look at the area we’re in.

Attending a classical ballet performance here is not the greatest… the latecomer policy seems to allow staff to seat patrons constantly after the start of the performance. This causes a significant disturbance as people are constantly getting up to let others into their rows. The performance also starts as soon as the lights are dimmed, even though people are still getting seated, shuffling about, and talking. A delay of a few seconds after the lights dim would go a long way to helping people enjoy the performance… People seem to also be allowed to bring their intermission beverages into the auditorium during a classical ballet performance. Their slurping and sloshing during the second half of the performance doesn’t add anything to the event. I will seriously consider avoiding future performances at the Sony Centre unless house rules are changed.

This theatre is quite good. I was here last weekend for Shen Yun and although I didn’t care much for the production, the seating was great and they had a nice elevation. We were in the centre orchestra section so you’d be hard-​pressed not to have a good seat.
The Sony Centre is easy to get to with ample parking and restaurants close by. I would definitely come here to see another performance.

I’ve only been here once but they seem well organized. A/​C was blasting the whole time; if you’re the type who gets chilly, I recommend bringing a sweater. Seating isn’t generous but it’s not as cramped as some places. Bathrooms seem well maintained and clean.

One of the easiest theaters to get to simply because of its location to many forms of alternative transportation. I like the openness of this theater and the recent renovations look great. Has a very New York feel to it once inside.

I was here last Saturday with a friend for the Kraftwerk 3-​D show. It is a pretty comfortable place to see a show.
I have been here for an Elvis Costello concert too, back in 2012. I think that worked a bit better than Kraftwerk, only because Kraftwerk really made me want to dance, not sit back.
But that isn’t anything to do with the venue itself. Easy to find seats, great sound, pretty good sight lines no matter where you are. The layout is super simple and of course it is an easy walk from Union or King Station.
I can’t comment on the drink service – I have never bothered. The seats do have cup holders.
If somebody I wanted to see was coming into town, and playing this venue, I would not be discouraged to buy a ticket. I wouldn’t see a band just because they were playing this venue but I only see shows if I’m particularly interested in the band.
Great venue – recommended!

I was here most recently for RabioLab, a spectacular performance in a decent venue. I have seen several shows here and find the acoustics muted and theater lacking in intimacy or any great warmth. It is functional but not an engaging space. That said, they do get some fantastic performances coming to the theater and it is a super convenient part of the city from a public transit perspective
As an aside, watch for construction. It makes traffic a bit harry as of late. Take a bit of extra time and park away from the area.

I have seen a number of things at the Sony Centre, from stand-​up to theatre to ballet to kids’ programming. The venue is large, the seats comfortable, and the location perfect for locals, commuters, and tourists alike.
My single complaint is a large one, and it is my reason for giving two stars: the audience members are allowed to be incredibly rude and disruptive.
I see staff lining the walls during performances, but they never step in and shush people or remind people to turn off their cell phones, disengage in conversation, or keep their feet off other people’s chairs. You’re allowed to bring beverages into the theatre, and 50% of any given audience will take this to mean they can come and go as they please, interrupting the performance incessantly and annoyingly. When I saw Aziz Ansari perform here, he had to pull his mic down, walk to the side of the stage, and yell at some drunken teenagers. I saw staff members watch him do this, and they never intervened. Aziz repeatedly yelled at them, eventually threatening to kick them out of the theatre himself, and not once did a staff member make a move to help. After the performance ended, I saw a large bodyguard-​esque gentleman move into the theatre to watch the teens, but I never saw anyone directly address them other than Aziz.
Events aren’t cheap at this venue, and the price is largely not worth what you’ll have to deal with during the performance. If you’re not bothered by audience members whistling, singing, carrying on lengthy discussions, repeatedly entering and exiting with alcohol and pop, or numerous kicks to the back of your chair, then you will have an excellent time and see some top-​notch performers. If you’re opposed to those things (ie if you behave like a well-​raised, well-​behaved human being and expect the same from other adults), you should probably see your favourite artists elsewhere.
Not recommended.

Listen, this venue itself was nice enough, but the drunken yokels all over the place were not enough to convince me to want to come back for my $ 70 tickets for a culinary related speaking event on vacation. Do you know how many drunken/​clumsy idiots I saw fall down, or fall up, the balcony stairs? Entertaining sure, but pathetic and sad.
Most respectable venues limit the alcohol consumption to the bar/​outside the performance space, and with good reason.

This is a lovely venue for a high brow staged play or a small piece Renaissance musical act.
Not the best venue to see New Order. But beggars can’t be choosers, so I danced in my assigned spot.
The concession stand is actually more affordable than other venue’s (looking at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts).

I really love the Sony Centre, probably because it is away from the hustle and bustle of the ‘Entertainment District’ yet it really holds its own. The location is unbeatable within steps from Union Station. Part of the reason why I love coming to this venue is the area, with the whole Front Street and the Esplanade… if I had tons of money, I would totally have bought the L-​shaped condo being built now. The idea of going to St. Lawrence Market to pick up some artisanal bread with fine cheeses and cured meats and bring it back home with a glass of Port etc… I digress.
I was here to see Cirque Eloize and my bf and I came an hour earlier. I didn’t feel like rushing through a bar so we decided to eat and drink right at the venue. The main hall is quite small, with the lower level serving pizza slices and the upper level serving popcorn, candies and drinks. The seating area is pretty ample and they also serve wine and beer. In the middle, there was a Martini station of sorts which was pretty neat.
You can bring your drinks inside, but no food which is so very nice. My bf purchased tickets at a discounted rate of $ 15/​person which brought us to the upper level, Mezzanine. Can I just say those seats were REALLY GOOD! We had a great view of the stage and not as nose-​bleed as one would think. Hey, for $ 15, I’ll take Mezzanine anytime.
I had such a fun time!
⁵⁄₃₀

I have only been to the Sony Centre once to see a tribute concert which consisted of a partial orchestra and the band’s instruments (acoutisc/​electric guitar, a drum set and a piano). I am not an audiophile so I can’t comment much on the acousitcs. But I thought the sound was pretty good. I guess it also depends what type of event you’re attending (e.g. orchestral, rock concert, skit etc).
The first thing that was a plus for me, was that we could actually bring our drinks/​snacks purchased from the concessions stand into the auditorium. I like to sip my coffee, but when intermission only lasts 15 minutes, and there’s a line up all the way to Timbuktu, I end up having to down it like a shot of hard liquor (and then hope and pray that my bladder holds out until the 2^nd intermission or the finale). So it was nice that I could actually enjoy the refreshment that I just purchased, and the theatre no doubt made 5 times the cost in profits for.
I have to agree that the interiors of the theatre are rather minimalistic, but you’re not here really for the décor are you? I also have to agree that it does get quite chilly inside the theatre as it does have high ceilings. I saw in row V of the orchestra section, which is close to the back, but I disagree that you need a pair of binoculars to see the stage.
Parking can be found on the Esplanade (and its only enforced until 9PM). So if you’re catching a 7:15PM show (which seems to be the usual start time) so you can save a few dollars there too. Its refreshing that I don’t have to be ripped off with «Special Event» parking prices (like I do when I go to the Four Seasons Centre).