Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres

I visited the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre recently, and it honestly felt like stepping into another era. This historic double-decker theatre is truly one of a kind — the only remaining stacked theatre in the world. The lower level, Elgin Theatre, is classic, golden, and grand, while the upper level, Winter Garden, feels like a secret dream — the ceiling covered with real dried leaves, like you’re sitting inside a forest under warm lights. It’s breathtaking. I attended A Night Under The Stars and it was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere, the details, the acoustics — everything felt thoughtful and magical. There’s also a detailed architectural scale model inside the building that shows how the two theatres are built on top of each other. I loved this part — it helps you understand how rare and special this place is. Just a heads up: I parked at the Eaton Centre parking, and it came to around $30, which was definitely pricey. So if you’re going, maybe look for a different parking option. Overall, this theatre is not just a venue — it’s a piece of art, history, and memory. If you live in Toronto or are visiting, this is something you should experience at least once.

Came for a tour and was absolutely delighted! This theatre is gorgeous and its history is really unique and interesting. I highly recommend stopping by if you want to visit the last operating stacked theatre in the world and to see some truly impressive architecture and decor!

Went to experience The Magic Flute (Mozart) performed by Opera Atelier. Terrific performance (and performances!). [The aria of The Queen of the Night was mesmerizing.]This old theatre has it all: history, class, acoustics, an orchestra pit, grand interior architecture, design and decoration (think neo-baroque). What it lacks in convenient amenities like adjacent washrooms it makes up for with classical style. And hope there aren’t a bunch of police sirens nearby; they tried (without success) to interrupt the program.

Very nice theatre, resembling antique, but well taken care of, comfortable chairs and nice view of stage even from far away

We had the opportunity to watch Music Travel Love at the Elgin Theatre last Nov15th and it was just so charming and magical. I think it works perfectly with the artists who took us back in time through nostalgic songs and more. Amazing place— the traditional elevators were interesting too.

This theatre venue is like a museum, dream like, and magical. I saw Tango after Dark here, and my Oh my had a blast. I love everything about this theatre and it's warranted a visit.

I had the privilege of working on a project at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre, and I must say, the place radiates an incredible sense of history, art, and cultural heritage. From the moment you step inside, you can feel the blend of past and present. The theatre’s vintage charm, with its intricate details and timeless architecture, is truly captivating. The unique combination of artistic grandeur and natural beauty, especially the Winter Garden’s foliage-inspired design, makes it unlike any other theatre. Every corner tells a story, making it not just a venue, but a historical gem that continues to inspire creativity. This version expands on your original idea and highlights the theater’s uniqueness.

This theater is an absolute beauty. We visited during DoorsOpen 2024 and enjoyed walking around and the inside information provided by the staff. The Elgin theatre is located on the first floor and you need to go a level up for mezzanine. In order to get to the Winter Garden, you need to hop on the elevator and go to the seventh floor. The cool thing about the elevators is they are the original elevators built by OTIS and an operator needs to manually control them. It definitely was worth the visit.

I stopped by on a weekday for a talk hosted by Ryan Holiday (stoicism) The theater has beautiful architecture. The elevators are older and there are attendants. They offer drinks, food and also signed books by the author. Parking is pricy and hard to find which is to be expected in a big Metropolitan city. Definitely plan ahead while commuting!

This theater is an absolute beauty. We visited during DoorsOpen 2024 and enjoyed walking around and the inside information provided by the staff. The Elgin theatre is located on the first floor and you need to go a level up for mezzanine. In order to get to the Winter Garden, you need to hop on the elevator and go to the seventh floor. The cool thing about the elevators is they are the original elevators built by OTIS and an operator needs to manually control them. It definitely was worth the visit.

I haven't been here for years possible a decade. I've seen alot of shows in alot of different cities and Elgin is one of the classic ones left that's in great shape. Sure it's not as famous as the St. James or the Broadway theater in New York, but it stacks up nicely. I saw my first movie ever in life here (the Fox and the Hound) and I hope I'll be able to keep coming back.

This building itself is a masterpiece, work of art. It is on core downtown and home to musicals and plays.

After watching multiple specials and stand-up routines we traveled from Detroit Michigan to The Elgin Theater in Toronto (which is truly an amazing venue) to experience Mike Birbiglia's comedy tour Please Stop The Ride Live. As mentioned during the performance, those watching his specials at home miss out on the unedited / unfiltered versions of the in-person performance. The timing and reaction between Mike and the audience is truly special. From the deafening silence until Mike gives the audience permission to laugh at those jokes that push comfort levels / to the standing ovation of a performance delivered flawlessly, Mike takes the audience through religion, parenting, world news, and shows us all we need to laugh a little bit more.

Beautiful old playhouse and theatre. Got dragged to either LES MIS or PHANTOM (hate musicals), but I was left with the beauty of the building, from a different era.

If you're in Toronto and are looking for that classic theatre experience, the Elgin & Winter Garden -- a Canadian National Historic Site -- is a place you have to see! Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the theatre opened in 1913 and was designed by Thomas Lamb ... a.k.a. the guy who built Madison Square Garden as well as most of the classic early 1900s movie theaters. E&WG is the last remaining Edwardian-styled "stacked" theatre ... essentially, it's one theatre (Elgin) stacked on top of another (Winter Garden). And if you remember the now-defunct Loews, the movie chain that had a good century-long run, well, Elgin & Winter Garden was their flagship location. There aren't many theaters I've been to few theaters I've been to with such a distinct, grandiose personality. First, a lot of the structure harkens back to the extravagant movie "palace," nickelodeon, and vaudeville eras. And the ornate Corinthian-columns in the lobby really grabbed my attention. While the Elgin is more of a classic theatre, I was glad our show was in the upper-level, ~1k-seat Winter Garden. It is described as an "atmospheric country garden under the stars" with plant- and garden-themed murals, lantern lighting, and tree-trunk columns. The most distinct feature (IMHO) are the countless artificial plants that drape down from most of the ceiling's real estate. Quite breathtaking and, I'm sure, a real pain in the a** to dust. While E&WG is best known as a host of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and as the home of many musicals, but our show was a concert by Jonathan Antoine, a young British operatic singer. It was two-night performance filmed as part of television special. So that being said, most of you won't have the distraction of overhead cameras as I did. But if you do, be prepared for an assault on your peripheral vision. The acoustics are excellent, the stage fit several backup singers as well as a few-dozen musicians from classic strings to horns and guitars. The view was good, and Antoine's lights and interactive displays proved the Winter Garden's capabilities in pulling off a modern day show without a hitch. The seats were somewhat comfortable, but the leg space is closer to coach than first class (so to speak). We were part of a post-show meet-and-greet, which proved to be a bit cumbersome as the area was packed and the overflow had to wait on the lower floor. Overall, it's a great theatre and one that should be on every theatrephile's bucket list.

Went to see LETS DANCE THE MUSICAL on Aug 12 2023 the show was absolutely amazing! It is fun funny and a great way to put your worries aside for 2 hours and just feel happy! The talent was amazing some serious voices from the leading ladies ... like amazing talent! A must see!

I saw A Christmas Carol here yesterday and it was fantastic. There is literally no bad seat in the house so never worry about not getting a good view. The sound was perfect and the seats narrow but comfy. The snack bar isn't the greatest with hardly any items. Nothing hot other than coffee. Lots of factory packaged items. The restrooms are a bit too small and you have to walk down to them if you are up in the balcony.

Nice Venue, the theatre inferior is nice...chairs are very comfy.. The only thing is it has too many stairs! Up and down..you'll have a good legs workout while attending a show!! :) They have a nice bar outside, so it's always great to get drinks and snacks while watching the show.. The staff is helpful and professional.. Parking is a great deal, just like it is anywhere in downtown toronto..

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre is a true gem in downtown Toronto - it's full of elegance and a truly classy venue. We came here for the JFL to see Lil Rel and Dax Shepard, and as we waited all we did was stare at how detailed and intricate the designs on the walls and ceilings were. There was an elevator to go upstairs and there is an operator in charge since it's one of those old-school ones that I've only seen in movies and dreamed on being in (the elevator experience alone was worth it!) We sat upstairs, but the floor seats are so beautiful with foliage decorations. If you get the chance to see anything in this Theatre, do it! The interior decor just adds to the experience!

I visited this theatre yesterday and had a really good time. The main entrance is set up really nicely and the employees are all very professional. The entrance to the Garden Theatre is down the hall and up one level. They even have big old fashioned elevators in use to take you there. It is definitely an experience. The Garden Theatre is absolutely stunning! When you enter the theatre, it looks like magical winter garden. There is greenery everywhere and it is truly a site to see. It is so beautiful! The ushers direct you to your seats and you can enjoy looking at the garden before the show begins. We were sitting in the orchestra and had fantastic seats. No one was in front of us and we had a great view of the stage. The actors put on an amazing performance and I would definitely return to this theatre. My only complaint would be how cold it was. However, this is my complaint at most theatres. I think they blast the A/C, even in the heart of winter so the actors don't boil under all of the lights. They actually use dry ice to do this. If you get cold regularly, I would definitely recommend wearing a sweater, and or bringing a blanket scarf to keep you warm.

This is the second nicest theater I have had the pleasure of visiting. (The best one I liked was Palais Garnier in Paris) These are two theaters stacked on top of each other. These are the last surviving Edwardian stacked theaters in the world. The Elgin theatre is more classically opulent (the color theme is golden, red and beige; plush seats) and larger of the two with the capacity to seat 1600 people. The acoustics are wonderful. The Winter garden theatre is 7 storeys above the Elgin theatre and has a more natural feel to it. It was very different than any other theatre I have seen. The color theme was green. The roof gave the illusion of being in a garden with leaves protruding from it, hand painted walls that resemble a garden. Even the light fixtures were the twinkling lanterns you would see in a garden. They have tours twice a week. Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Would highly recommend a visit. This is a gem not many know about.

This is a nice but old theatre. There are stairs to get to the mezzanine and balcony levels along with an old fashioned elevator. There is a bar and small concession stand on the mail floor. The view from the top of the balcony is fine for a movie as the screen is large but I'm not sure I'd like to sit there for a live theatre show. Right on Yonge street so plenty of restaurants and parking lots close by.

I arrived at the theatre with my 12 year-old niece, who was so looking forward to seeing "Rock Of Ages." Turns out the tickets we got through Ticketcentre.com were a scam. The people at the theater were not helpful, laughed at us, told us to go find wifi at the eaton centre across the street as the ticket centre. com people said we had to download their email to retrieve a bar code which never appeared. They did nothing to help us. They should be aware that there are tickets being sold through this website that are scamming people. I lost $400. Perhaps the theatre could have rectified this situation but they did nothing. Never going back there!

I have to admit that I only found out that this was a double decker theatre after I visited in that there is literally a theatre (Winter Garden) stacked on top of another (Elgin). When I visited, I didn't understand why there were two names. I saw a show (Souzatzka) at the Elgin theatre. It's historic, ornate and beautifully maintained and probably the nicest theatre I've been to. I was fortunate enough to have very good seats, so I can't comment too much on the acoustics as they weren't really tested from where I was seated. Being a proper, historic theatre however, I imagine that they're very good. The seating was quite comfortable and they don't have to rows pushed together too tight which is important for tall people such as myself.

Had a great experience here! I came with a large group in May 2019 to see come from away, and we arrived quite close to the start of the show and managed to move through the ticket area quite quickly. Loved the interior architecture and detailing of every wall and ceiling - it definitely elevates your experience at the theatre. They even had a large photo taking area so that your group can take a photo in front of the giant billboard/poster for the show. The seats inside the actual theatre were reasonably comfy, but there was not too much leg room. We ended up getting the cheapest seats in the very last row at the back of the balcony, and I was quite amazed by the view of the stage from that distance. Also worth mentioning that the washrooms were large and clean as well. There was a small concession stand with slightly overpriced snacks, but I think that's expected at any venue.

I came here to watch a film at TIFF, it was a very lovely theatre with lots of charm! I just wish the seating was better (it's very squished between people beside and in front of you, and hard to watch the film because we had to look up so much which was uncomfortable) but overall has a very nice atmosphere to it!

What a great theatre. Right across from the Eaton Centre, you would never expect it to be as lovely as it is (and as big as it is) on the inside. The coolest part about the theatre is the manual elevators. Mind you, there aren't too many floors, but anytime you get to travel back in time (circa titanic days - OH JACK), it's worth the short ride. I went to a Little Mermaid junket and saw Avenue Q ("What the fuzz are you looking at?"), two very different shows but two great experiences. During Avenue Q I sat in the balcony. I was able to see despite being in the back, and the seat were relatively comfortable. Very charming and definitely worth a little visit.

Lovely place! I've been here twice now for Matilda and Grease musicals. Each time was at a different stage. I don't recall the name of thr 1st stage but the Winter Garden where Grease was playing was very charming amd rustic - it definitely had a midsummer's night dream vibe. Amazing thing to do with friends/family or as a solo act

Watching Sleeping Beauty tonight with my best friends. Love this venue and it a lot of old charm. It is a good size theatre and the seats were comfy. The only thing was the concession stand only had a few candies. I would have loved a little bit more options. The bar also was limited to only cookies. Great sounds, great performance and really enjoyed my overall experience. Looking forward to watching a show there soon!

First time to this theatre to see A Christmas Carol on a Sat in 17'Dec. I parked at Eaton centre and walked across. It looks small from the outside but is stunning inside. I was sitting at Mezzanine (first 8 rows of Balcony) left of centre section and still got a pretty good view.

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I never visited the Elgin Theatre up until this point, even though I'd been aware of it as a historic theatre and the site of many film festival premieres and the like. It's the kind of place that makes you feel humble and nostalgic in equal measure. I recently received a handful of tickets to attend the preview engagement of Sousatzka, a show that's apparently destined for Broadway and helmed by Garth Drabinsky (a name that strikes fear into the hearts of salty investors across the city). The play itself was great, and I'm sure it's going to win many awards, but it was the venue itself that fascinated me the most. It's a bit surreal to walk into a historic property like this, especially one that's been operating continuously for more than a century. The atmosphere and design of the theatre is incredible and evokes a very different age. Old-school ceilings with chandeleirs, balcony seating with classical designs... just attending an event in this theatre is worth the price of admission itself. I will say that the seating wasn't exactly comfortable - it feels like they haven't updated it in years, and it was starting to bother my back after several hours. The house staff also seems to have a very laissez-faire attitude. The ushers don't seem to stop people who open up their cell phones during a performance, and there was a woman in the snack loudly promoting Haagen-Dazs ice cream while people sat and ate right beside her. I get that they want to make a buck, but they might need to refine their guest procedures just a little bit. Regardless, this was well worth the outing, and I'm looking forward to visiting the theatre again in the future.

I love the Elgin Theatre. It's classy, without feeling pretentious. I think it's the hanging vines and leaves which give it a more homely, organic vibe. The best comedy show that I ever saw was Louis CK at the Elgin a few years ago. He had just separated from his wife, so his comedy was as raw as I've seen it. We were dying for the full 90 minutes, and I would have been rolling on the floor if the seats weren't so comfortable. I've also viewed a bunch of TIFF films and some other dramatic performances here. Consistent warm feeling and atmosphere every time. My pick for top theatre in the city.

THE COOLEST LIVE THEATRE VENUE IN TORONTO. The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the only still operating double-decker theatre complex in the world. The Winter Garden Theatre is located directly atop the Elgin Theatre stage and auditorium. That being said, both spaces are vastly unique and offer an equally pleasant experience. Designed by Marcus Leow and opened originally in 1914, the theatres were originally employed by vaudeville and silent-movie tenants. The upstairs Winter Garden Theatre went the way of the dodo and was sealed off for like 65 years! In the mid-1980's The Ontario Heritage Foundation stepped in and began a massive restoration after the closing of CATS, taking over two years to complete. The Ontario Heritage Trust still offers weekly tours for the public. The EWG offers live programming as a rental house to a wide range of theatre: Ross Petty's Christmas Panto, Opera Atelier and Dancap Productions to name a few. I find it most exciting in September when the Toronto International Film Festival rolls in.. If you can catch a film in the Elgin Theatre, its actually worth the overpriced TIFF cost of admish!

This review is solely based on previous year's tiff experience, I've been lucky enough to attend gala events in the last 3 years and each time the Elgin has proven itself able to hold it's own amidst big time celebrities, major red carpet events and big news items. It's a beautiful building and really gives off a vibe telling you that you're in a special place. I've never been up to the smaller Winter Garden, but the Elgin itself is a large theatre. It misses out on the 5 star review for happenings outside the venue. If you're a fan that's crowded outside on the other side of Yonge for hours for a glimpse of your favourite celebrity, that's all you're going to get, a glimpse while they get off their Cadillac SUVs and stride across the red carpet which is actually inside the venue and can't be seen at all. This is especially frustrating as the Elgin & Winter Garden play host to some of the biggest tiff events (with the other venue being Roy Thomson Hall). But apart from that the Elgin is a must see venue for tiff (Even if it's not a gala event), it is definitely paying the extra price to catch a tiff movie in here. Director and cast seating: Usually on the middle in the orchestra seating area.

In all of my years living here, I've only been to the Elgin and Winter Garden theatre twice. Once to see Joseph and The Technicolour Dream Coat (yes, with Donny Osmond)and the second time for an event for Patricia Schultz, the author who did a speaking engagement promoting her updated book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die." Obviously, I'm dating myself. VIBE What a treat! The Elgin and the Winter Garden are separated from each other. This time I got to go to the Winter Garden. Everything is pretty opulent in here, even if dated a bit. You'll see cherubs ingrained along staircases, old elevators with an attendant and more. When you get up to the Winter Garden, it's encased with hanging leaves and vines. There's the requisite frescoes along the walls. It's quite fascinating and a surprise to know this kind of venue exists in Toronto. I can see why they use it for TIFF (but too crowded for me). THE GOODS If you get a chance to go to an event, movie, or show here, go! This is classic Toronto. Oh, and the seats are comfy. OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK More like eternal summer inside than winter. But yes, totally unique Toronto. Go!

I've been fortunate enough to see numerous plays/musicals/performances at both the Elgin and Winter Gardens. Of the two, the Winter Gardens is my favourite, although the Elgin can stand amongst the best of them. The Winter Gardens occupies the upper floor of the theatre. The theatre is covered with "leaves" and is supposed to give you the impression of watching a performance "under the stars". It is breathtaking in its beauty. The Elgin Theatre is the more "grander" of the two...gold leaf columns, thick moldings and chandeliers...it's like stepping back in time to the Victorian era. Acoustics in both theatres are surprisingly good. 2013 is the 100th anniversary of their opening......truly not to be missed in Toronto.

- two theaters?! and they're stacked on top of each other? - this is a gorgeous space. simply spell-binding. it's the 2nd oldest cinema in toronto! - go see anything here from a play to a musical to the ghost tours they host around Halloween. - love the fact that this used to be a cinema house, and the wizard of oz would've premiered in toronto back in the day.

The Elgin has a lovely classic old look. It's like the 1950's in here. I love the balconies especially during TIFF, it gives it a different experience. One problem I have is that seats are to short so you can lean back and relax.

This is a gorgeous venue to go to see a play. The inside is beautifully lighted with plants and flowers on the ceiling and the stage is a great view from wherever your sitting! It's very centrally located and easy to get to via ttc and since it is an intimate setting the sound for the orchestra is amazing. Its definitely a fave spot for plays.

The Elgin Winter Garden theatre is a fancy venue akin to the Royal Alexandria or the Princess of Wales. The Elgin is used for big stage productions like the musical Wicked. Right now, there's a show based on Cinderlla (being touted as a "sillylicious family musical", that'll be on until early January. Inside, the place is excellent. Every seat is comfortable, but some of the higher up seats get really far away. I would recommend trying to get seats as close to the front of the balcony as you can, because it's an excellent vantage point. Dress code is usually defined by the show you're seeing, but even then nothing is mandatory. I've seen people wearing expensive suits sitting next to a kid in jeans and hoodie.

Came here for the premiere of the Le Havre on the opening night of tiff 2011. We went out of our way to sit in the balcony and had a perfect view of the film. This theatre is historic, beautiful and majestic.

Nicest theatres to watch movies in during the madness that is TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). Very cool inside the theatre and has a lot of history. With all the leaves and garden like deco around the theatre you would think you'd be ready to watch opera or Shakespeare in the park. If you plan on watching anything at TIFF make sure it's at Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. #TIFF14

I've been here multiple times (most recently for Avenue Q - rush tickets are great). It's old and beautiful and not something you really expect, especially in Toronto. Sound is also really great, and I'm not sure that there's not a bad seat in the house. My most recent time going was the first time I got to ride the elevators - I never knew they existed. Very exciting, there is even an elevator operator!

This place is quite grand! It is a double decker theatre which has theatre productions happening on both stages. The upper level (Winter Garden) is a smaller venue which usually houses smaller productions. The Elgin has been seeing a lot of productions since DANcap has been bringing Broadway shows to Toronto. This place has a lot of history starting back to the vaudeville days. The theatre offers tours on Thurs evenings and Saturdays.

Came here to check out Sleeping Beauty with my sisters and it was an absolute delight. The show ended up being humorous than expected and was a fun night for all the kids who also got involved. I love broadway for the singing and this show definitely showcased this with Sleeping Beauty and her love with such amazing voices. It was my first time watching a show at this theatre and it surely gave that classic renaissance feel. Go see this show if you love Sleeping Beauty, you'll find a lovely modern twist to it.

Went to GREASE on November 30th 2017 with a group of 5. Show was fine... my issue is completely with a staff member of the premise named "BETH". An elderly lady who was directing people up the stairs to the right for the show. When I came up the stairs I showed her my ticket and said "ok, so where do we go ?" - she looked at me with such sarcasm and "snotty" face and said "Your going to GREASE!". I said "of course I know i'm going to Grease, I bought 5 tickets for Grease".. (expecting a laugh). She said "whatever". Seriously ? To make matters worse, I told her i found her rude and she dismissed me with a shrug. Not an apology. A shrug. I asked to speak to her manager who was equally inept. (Blond lady with short hair who refused to give me her name.) I have written the theatre to ask whom shall I contact directly to give a complaint to, but so far no one has replied. It is a lovely theatre, and a very good show, but if patrons are absolutely turned off by the insults of the staff than I guarantee that they will not return. Certainly not me at this venue, until I have had a formal apology from "Beth". Beyond rude !!! I'm so very offended. She can email or call me directly at melanieb@hocltd.com or 416-527-4601

It is as simple as a visit to The Elgin and Winter Garden theatre to talk a walk back in time. Historic, majestic and beautifully maintained in it original character including old style elevators complete with attendants in uniform. I always look forward to a visit to this theater. Truly one of the gems of Toronto. I believe this is the last standing Double Decker Theater in the world, (correct me if I am wrong).

A formal historic theater, opulent and lavish. Its restoration and maintenance is a matter of beauty. Truly, a beautiful place.

Both Elgin (VISA Screening Room) and Winter Garden are beautiful historic venues. Love watching movies here.

Amazing tour. A gem to do. Theaters are well maintained. So beautiful inside. Guide was really instructive and fun.

I love this theatre! It's so grand and beautiful. I've also been here as a child, and did not have to crane my neck or have any problems seeing the entire performance. Coming here around the holiday season is definitely a must. There's that certain magic in the air here.

Beuatiful venue to watch a movie or play! The closer you are to the stage the better but you can still see from the back. The building has an historic feel, great place for a classic play.

Breathtaking theatre! I would definitely go back. It is a real gem located in the heart of downtown.