Louisville Palace Theatre

The Palace Theater is a beautiful venue, every seat offers a great view since it’s a smaller, more intimate space. While the seats aren’t the most comfortable or spacious, the overall atmosphere makes up for it. Unfortunately, our experience was dampened by an encounter with an overzealous security guard at the entrance. My wife had accidentally left a bottle of tea in her purse, and instead of a quick reminder or polite request, the guard went through every single item in her bag. It felt excessive, especially since it wasn’t contraband. Overall, it’s a lovely theater with great sightlines, but the entry experience could definitely be handled with more courtesy and common sense.

What a stunning building. The staff did a really good job going through your belongings to ensure safety (he took almost everything out of my purse which was odd and uncomfortable). He was really into it. Otherwise, it was lovely.

Great little theater. Seats in Loge level were comfortable and had a drink holder near floor level. Seemed to be well staffed at concessions. Short walk after show to 4th Street live where there's lots to do.

The venue definitely put a good amount of effort into its look, some time ago. It's definitely dated, with the roof having stains and paint falling off. I'm unsure what "style" their design is as it seems to want to be Italian and/or fantasy, yet a slight Chinese vibe as well. I went to a Stephen Wilson Jr concert here and the sound was quite awful. They have not invested in a proper sound system. The first 2.5 hours of the concert was uncomfortably hot, with many people around us complaining. Seats were comfortable. Plenty of bars. Water $6. Double cocktail $26. Bathrooms were clean. Staff didn't know how to make the cocktail specials. Ushers consistently sent people to the wrong seats, I believe we saw a total of 5 groups of people have to get up as they were sitting in the wrong place that an usher helped get them to. Overall, the operations management should be revisited and sound + lightning need a significant investment if plan to have a long term future in concept productions.

Great venue with amazing architecture. The cons: very expensive concessions and no cash is accepted. Seating is tight so I recommend getting your seats close to the aisle if possible.

Went here for my first time tonight for a show. The venue is gorgeous, the staff was helpful, and of course the show is great. Can't wait to visit here again!

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL space! Attended the 50th Anniveraary showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and was left spellbound by the beauty and personality filling the Palace. I was there for the show, but I wish I'd spent more time wandering around and taking photographs of the incredible, artful place! Gorgeous!!

Took my son to see SWJ on a November Saturday. 2nd time seeing a show here. Very nice theatre with comfortable seating and plenty of easy access bathrooms and places to get drinks.

If you've never seen a show at the Palace, I hope you get there soon. From the historic marquee to the interior ceilings, and even bathroom fixtures, this venue is spectacular. But the reason it is 5 stars to me is that there is not a bad seat in the house for a concert, a celebration, or a musical. I recommend arriving early because you'll want a picture of the sign lit up at night, and then you need to budget time to take in the lobby area. It is absolutely breathtaking. But don't wait too long before getting in line for drinks because if people are ordering cocktails, it can take a minute. I've never gotten food, but I think they have light snacks. The drink prices will give you sticker shock the first time, but if you get over it and scan the menu, you can find something that makes sense. Our go-to is the bottle of wine because there are at least four full pours, it's about $40 (which ain't bad), and it comes in a cool container you can take home. My wife and I have sat in the balcony twice and the lower level for our last concert. Full, unobstructed, view of the stage for all three and the acoustics are awesome. My first show was really special because the Goo Goo Dolls were one of my favorite bands growing up, and they came in November 2022. Last year, we went twice, for Shrek the Musical and Mitchell Tenpenny, a country artist. Tenpenny was fantastic and played the venue and crowd perfectly. For Shrek, we got dressed up in fancy clothes for the show, only to find that there were a lot of kids and people wearing green masks and t-shirts. Didn't matter - the show was great and everyone enjoyed. Whether it's your favorite artist or someone passing through town, I highly recommend seeing a show here. The venue is just as memorable as any performance. It's also located along a strip of bars and restaurants that you can stop in on your way, which will help you save money at the shoe and enjoy the night.

Got invited for a wedding, and who knew a theater would be such a fantastic venue for that?? It felt magical... Everywhere you looked something catches the eye, whether it's faces of figures like Mozart and Bach, or just the unique wall patterns and flooring. The theater itself is multi-level and huge. While the wedding itself wasn't on stage (it was in front), the theater feel was all the same, and the seats were cozy. Outside of the theater, the lobby had such epic stairways and lots of openness to see what's happening on the upper levels. The staff were all very friendly and answered any questions we had. Signs conveniently point to bathrooms in the basement, which was neat and clean as well. Whenever I return to Louisville, I'd love to attend a show.

Legitimately the best little venue filled with lots to see in the architecture, with awesome acoustics and not a bad seat in the venue. You feel comfortable in the seats and drink holders. Definitely a spot to take in a show, a concert and feel safe at night in the area.

I've been to the Louisville Palace a numerous time in my life going up in Louisville. My latest adventure was we saw a comedian here on Friday with a buddy of mine. We had a great time. It was a great show. The atmosphere the palace is second to none. I really enjoy the designs And the field. The architecture is very nice and pleasing to the eye. Prices are always pretty good to this show. Bartenders are nice. I've never had food here, but I'm a big fan of a little Palace and it's always good to catch a show.

Louisville Palace is a Louisville gem! My favorite venue in the city! From the first few steps into the Palace, you can tell this is a special place. My favorite is the ceiling of the lobby, which includes 139 sculpted busts of historical figures including Beethoven, Mozart, Shakespeare and more. Statues and ornate fountains also line the lobby and stairs. And then in the main theater, you can look up into the night sky of dark blue with twinkling lights. Other statues line the alcoves around the space. And on my most recent trip, to see Gary Clark Jr. perform, I attended with VIP tickets and was able to enjoy the VIP Marquee Lounge on the second floor. There was a separate entrance to the left of the main entrance, and the spacious lounge included separate bars and a small balcony overlooking Fourth Street. Yes, I wish the drink prices were more reasonable. $22 for a cocktail -- yowza! But the great experience balances it out. The Louisville Palace is unlike the many other venues I've been to. It is an experience in and of itself. A definite must-visit!

Great venue for concerts and is sized right to be able to easily see the stage and performers. Terrific sound and lighting, as well as comfortable seating. Guest services with regard to the scanning and screening process, checking bags, checking IDs, stamping hands and/or attaching wrist bands is always speedy and painless. Lines move fast. Ushers are near each doorway to assist with locating where patrons need to go. Plenty of restroom facilities which are well maintained. Multiple bars to grab a drink, lines are a bit slower here, but not impossible to tolerate. Credit only, no cash payments are accepted at the bar. Make sure to check the size of your bag before you prepare to enter because I believe the requirements are approximately 8x12-inch maximum when we have attended various events here. Parking garage located directly across the street and a parking lot next to garage that typically costs slightly less.

Love this venue for concerts! Variety of parking options garage, street and lots. Restaurants and coffee shops in walking distance. Restroom's easily accessible on both floors. BAR The are for the bar is a grey meeting place and hangout, this is where they set up merchandise. I sit in the balcony I like the view from Balcony 2/3 you look right down on the stage. Staff is always friendly easy entrance and there's a box office!

I have seen dozens of wonderful concerts at the Louisville Palace. But I had no idea this was such a top-notch place to hold a special event. It felt curated and elevated without being stuffy. I highly recommend The Palace for a special event! The service was delightful and the catering from Crushed Ice was delicious. 10/10

A stunning venue. I just have one large complaint. When charging hard-working people hundreds of dollars more for the first three rows, aka VIP, that's not so VIP, please do not stuff the chairs on top of each other. I get they wanted to make as much money as possible, but it was disrespectful and at the buying customers' expense. Especially for those of us with disabilities. I spent the last three shows in 'VIP' extremely uncomfortable and in pain. If I didn't want to meet the act, it would have been far better to sit in the normal seats and pay normal pricing. Do better Louisville Palace - because I am done being disrespected as a hard paying customer. From now on, I refuse to pay more money to sit on top of someone in a small chair that's as big as a bar stool.

Beautiful theater. Friendly employees. Big stage. Great sound. Plenty of bars and clean bathrooms. We had a great time here. Would return, would recommend.

We attended the Christmas Pop Series event with The Louisville Orchestra. The concert started at 7:30, and we arrived at 7. The line to enter the theatre was a block and a half long on rainy night and the doors didn't open until 7:15. When we entered the theatre at 7:40 we guided to our reserved seats by the security guard who simply pointed to the staircase. It was pitch black and no one to usher. We missed the first twenty minutes of the concert and no explanation for the delay getting in was offered by the employees we asked. Be careful when attending the series at The Palace, its a real cluster. Very disappointing. The line was so long to enter and the weather so bad for standing outside that three couples waled past us offering their tickets for free.

Going to the Louisville Palace is always special. I've been here several times for venues and concerts. It's an experience all by itself. I love the old fashioned style theater and the beautiful Italianate decor. My favorite seats are up in the balcony, where you get a sense of the whole scene.

This is such a lovely theater! We came here a few weeks ago to see John Cleese and we loved every minute here. The theater is gorgeous and incredible ornate. The scenery on the walls makes you feel like you're in an opera set and it's really quite lovely overall. The acoustics are great as well and we really enjoyed our show. We stayed at the Brown Hotel, so it was a very quick walk to the theater, which is great as some of the streets looked a bit sketchy at night. We would definitely come to a show here again!

The palace is always impressive! Any show there has the personal touch of a great view of the stage in a remarkable space! The sound is perfect no matter where you are seated. The staff are consistently warm and welcoming. There is a variety of snacks and drinks to purchase which you can bring into the auditorium. The restrooms are plentiful and clean. There is an attendant to help the line move quickly. I would attend any show there!

Took in The String Cheese Incident here last night while vacationing in Louisville. Was blown away by the beauty of this place. They don't make them like this anymore. If you get a chance to go to a show, I highly recommend! Acoustics were great everywhere I went, moved around several times and the sound was great everywhere, from floor to balcony!

We had the thrill once again to see the band Chicago at the Louisville Palace on May 24, 2024 and as always the Palace and Chicago exceeded all expectations. Seating was excellent, acoustics were fabulous, food and beverage service there was over and above and the ambiance was perfect! This is definitely the go-to place to see, hear and enjoy them!

Amazing place to see a concert. Architecture and atmosphere are awesome highly recommend plenty of places to eat and drink right out the front door

This was my first time at this venue. First glance, this place was just beautiful. From the architecture, ornate details, I was in awe. My friend and I were here for a Seal concert. Parking is typical of downtown, but there are plenty of garages nearby . We parked at the one parallel to it. Upon entering, we got our tickets scanned and proceeded to get drinks. Prices are standard of what you would expect at a theatre. One bonus, if you buy popcorn you get unlimited refills while in attendance. We proceeded to our seats that were to the left of the stage. In my personal opinion, there were no bad seats. Overall, great venue to attend a show. I would love to come back and see a play, or another concert.

First time seeing a show at the palace. Very comfortable several places to get beverages and loved that they had popcorn!!!! Tip - take an Uber, Lyft, etc. there are three theaters all within a couple of blocks and it's packed.

I would like to compliment a box office customer service worker at the Louisville Palace. I called and the person on the phone was very informative so I ask her name and said it was Lloyd. I proceeded to go on downtown to the box office to get my tickets and was greeted by Lloyd and treated in the upmost charismatic customer service. I found this so uplifting especially because there's so many rude customer service workers every where. I didn't know exactly where to leave a comment about this so hopefully I am on the right site but had to reach out and let someone know about the ultimate service and respect I received from Lloyd. If her capabilities could be instilled in others everyone would leave with a smile on their face as I did. Thank you for hiring such a mannerly employee. Sincerely, Janice Legge jan04legg@gmail.com

Went to The Palace to see Jim Gaffigan. First time in Louisville. Believe the theater was built in 1920s. It is quite something - ornate yet quaint. Good size and even though we were in the back of the theater on orchestra/main level, we had no problem seeing the stage. No obstacles or poles or heads in the way. Loved it. Would suggest parking a block away. Gets crowded in the street around the theater. No problem finding parking.

Wonderful indoor. classic venue to enjoy a concert or show. A quality sound especially considering the venues age. Bathrooms are clean, modern and ample beverage choices. Parking is street parking and a nearby parking garage.

Yes the palace is archetecturally beautiful but that's the extent of it. If you add the VIP marquee lounge the only thing you're getting is slightly faster drink service and a lounge chair. Biggest rip off EVER. Drinks are 11-58 but hey the entire world has went Insane on pricing. The seats are a nice size. My drink a spilled at the bar before I ever took a sip and the rude bartender didn't even offer another one. So I paid 40 for one drink. Since idiots stand up the entire concert don't expect to see a show sitting in the seat you paid for. Bathrooms are NOT on the main level expect lots of stairs and elevator rides.

The palace is an amazing venue that hosts a myriad of events. You won't be disappointed!

Love the atmosphere and no seat is bad! Wonderful times and the concerts headlining are very good!!!

Bob Weir was wonderful here. We got the vip upgrade and it was well worth it for bar service, coat check, and separate shorter entry lines. Beautiful venue with incredible sound and service!

One of the Best concert venues around! Acoustics are Great! Service by on site personnel was Great!

Oh. My. Gosh. The Palace is absolutely gorgeous! From the ornately decorated ceilings to the sculptures and starry night sky lights in the theater, it is truly a sight to behold. We went to a concert here and the acoustics are great inside the theater. I will definitely be back to see another show soon.

We were in town to see Seal! The staff was kind & funny & the building itself is well marked with directions and bathrooms. It's just gorgeous.

Beautiful venue, incredible staff!!! My son has autism and I took him to see a Baby Shark show here. I had emailed in advance to see if they could make accomodations for him and they really went above and beyond. The managers told me to go to the box office for assistance in the email, to get him seated in their ADA lodge. I asked a security member where that was (I figured she wouldnt know or she would point me towards the box office) instead she asked my name, when I told her my name she immediately knew me. She said "oh yes! we are supposed to treat you very special!!" she introduced me to another member and told him my name, he also immediately knew me and our situation and got us seated in an amazing spot. It was truly because of this that my son was able to enjoy this show. It can be really hard as a person on the spectrum to be in a new environment that is so stimulating but because of the seating my son was able to move around when needed (without disturbing anyone) and it really made a HUGE difference. The staff exceeded any expectation I had. If you have kids with autism or have autism yourself, reach out for assistance when seeing a show here.

I was curious about the Louisville Palace for a long time but nothing that seemed to jive in my schedule nor peak my interest enough to lure me there.  Then my boyfriend won tickets to see Houndmouth in December at the Louisville Palace and I was thrilled I got to visit this mysterious, historical place. The intricate details that cover the walls and ceiling spaces makes this gorgeous venue one of a kind.  The sound quality is superb and with the placement of the seats; there really isn't a bad seat in the house.  Even being 5'4 and a taller person in front of me, I still managed to see the stage.    Parking - A nearby parking garage is easily accessible and less than a block away. Minimal street parking available. Restrooms - plentiful and clean.   Staff - Very helpful and kind, ask anyone a question and they knew the answer and if they did not; could direct you to someone who had your answer. I do have one complaint. As a first time attendee; the signage for Will Call is non-existent.  My boyfriend assumed it was next door at the Mercury Ballroom Ticket Box Office and he was correct.  I floated over to the lobby of the Louisville Palace to find only lines to enter the facility; no signage for the Will Call for the Louisville Palace. The line at the Mercury Ballroom Will Call was out the door; luckily, we were in the correct place as there was no signage there either to indicate where to pick up tickets.   I cannot wait to visit this venue again, I heard they occasionally show old movies.

The Palace is possibly my favorite indoor (concert? event? They do so much) venue in Louisville. I've never had a bad time here! The theater is intimate enough that there aren't many bad seats in the place (with a gradually sloping floor as long as you don't get stuck behind a behemoth of a person in front of you you're generally okay) and the acoustics are on par with your above average theaters. What makes The Palace stand out though is it's sheer unique look-at-me presence in the Louisville theater district. The iconic Palace marquis. The ornate decor that seeps into every staircase, corner, sconce and bannister. From the arched carved outer hallway to the over-the-top Rococo decadence and lovely twilight blue sky ceiling of the theater itself. It is a pleasure just to be inside the building and that is even before your show starts. We had the opportunity to have one of my favorite Yelp Art In Action events at The Palace a few years ago and while it was a bit crazy at times was it the most gorgeous, indulgent, spectacular Palace kind of crazy around. I have been here for Christmas movies and concerts and plays and stand-up comedians. The Palace staff appears to be fearless in their promotion of the Louisville art scene and a well oiled machine in their hosting abilities. The Louisville Palace is nothing of not versatile. If there was anything that I would love to see The Palace do in the future it would be to make the arts more accessible to all socioeconomic levels in our city. I have seen this in other cities / arts venues and know it can be done! There are VIP packages which are great for those who have the change for it but how great would it be to also have programs to expose people of all ages to live entertainment who maybe can't get there completely on their own? Perhaps these programs exist but I couldn't find anything. Not a criticism, simply a future suggestion to make a Louisville arts icon even better!

Love the ambience at the Palace theatre. It is elegant and reminds you of the way theatres used to be. I always dress up when attending a performance there. Not that it is required but because it just feels right. They of course have a bar so you can have a drink before the performance or during intermission. It reminds me of the theaters in New York city off of times square. Not a huge space but a good size. The lobby is just beautiful. There is plenty of leg room in the isles which is nice. Parking is available at several garages near by or on the street. Plenty of bars/restaurants within walking distance to have a drink or bite to eat either before or after your show.

If you haven't been to a show at the Palace, you are missing out on an amazing venue. The place is beautiful and I love showing up early to a show just to admire the interior architecture. Not only does the place look great but they keep bringing in great lineups for both comedy and music.

Cool ambiance. Nice staff. Sadly, the beer prices are insane. A West 6 IPA - 19 oz = $17

I have been to several shows here and I love it! It is absolutely beautiful even after many visits here. For me, concerts and shows here just feel more classy and intimate than a big venue like the Yum center. I think that snacks and drinks -both alcoholic and nonalcoholic are pricey. I guess that comes along with a night out on the town. Something I noticed the last time I was at the palace was a sign inside the women's restroom that explained if someone was feeling unsafe to go to the bar and order a special drink and they would alert authorities. I thought this was a really great idea.

The Louisville Palace is a beautiful, unique event venue that is much bigger than you realize, having hidden private spaces you can rent. It is most known for intimate concerts and performances, or its summer movie series. If you are heading there, make time to go early to explore, snap pics and get a drink. Most of the seating is good, especially on the floor level. I am not a fan of being too far back where the second level creates a short ceiling above you. For some shows the balcony will also be open. Beware that some of the drink prices are outrageous. I got 2 large beers and it was almost $30! I thought I was reading the screen wrong when I had to pay my tab. They have also stopped offering straws which was unfortunate for my mixed drink that needed to be stirred. Parking is available at nearby side streets or a garage. You are also around several restaurants if you want to grab dinner before / after your program.

Great older concert hall. The acoustics (for me) are good, the history of the place and layout are great. I prefer the balcony seating for the view. There are lots of places to get drinks and you are in the heart of Fourth Street so getting a bite to eat before a show is easy. Parking in a local garage, pay lot, or on the street is easy. Obviously it is the show that matters, but this is a great place even if the show isn't everything you wanted it to be, or your there for the person you're with for the evening.

The Palace is awesome. Other than the expensive drinks there is nothing to complain about. Entry is quick, security is quick. Staff is super friendly. As with any show, use the restroom before to avoid missing the show and interrupting other guests. If you've never been, find an interesting event and book! Take your SO or a group of friends. Guaranteed enjoyable evening!

Loved the sound, the architecture. Will be back. The venue staff was friendly. The venue was clean

A/C not working. Ceiling has water damage. Carpet is gross. 5.00 can of water was actually Luke warm. Shame on LIVE NATION the owners of this facility.

Wonderful venue! My favorite by far! I've seen The Avett Brothers and Ray LaMontagne here before. I've sat on the bottom floor and the balcony. The view is great no matter what. It's beautiful on the inside. Historical and you can't help but look at the ceilings. It's such an amazing space! Would love to go back again! Bathrooms are old. It really shows you the age of such a building, but they've done a good job in terms of upkeep. The concerts I've been to never felt rowdy, but kind of intimate despite how large it is.

The Palace Theater is a gem in this Bourbon infused town! My wife sherry and I love exploring and we love to find the local flavor of the places we visit. Full disclaimer, Kentucky is now our home as we live in the one-blinking-light town of Lebanon Junction! Yet we continue to visit places like the Palace all the time. But I'm not a homer! Entering the theater brings you back to the golden age. Gilded and eclectic would we the main words I would use. Everything is ornate and unique. The lobby is beautiful with its arched doors and cocktail lounge. The Grand staircases are covered in a rich dark red carpet. The area shines most when you look up at the ceiling. As there are dozens maybe hundreds of busts of different faces carved into the ceiling. It's amazing. You could spend an hour looking at every different face. The theater itself is again - beautiful. The senses are attached with Roman statues and arches and flowers, rams heads and birds in the ceiling. Seating is old Hollywood red velvet. And we have sat in various places. There are no terrible seats. They have events throughout the year from live concerts, comedians, magicians, etc. but we love the movie nights. There is something special about watching Breakfast at Tiffany's on the big screen with an intermission where the screen prompts you to go to the lobby for something to eat! Here's a tip though they'll search your bag so if you are bringing an outside snack hide it! I saw an 80 year old lady almost brought to tears when they confiscated her pimento sandwich! Honestly the snacks and drinks won't break the bank either... The Palace is truly a classic!

The Louisville Palace is one of the most beautiful venues the city has to offer. Arrive early and take a stroll of this piece of Louisville history. From the ornate bar to the comfortable chairs this place is a flash from the past. Parking is available if you arrive early otherwise you can park across the street. The only drawback is the restrooms which are located down stairs and the lines are usually long. The lower lever seats are great and the balcony seats are just as good. I honestly don't think there is a bad seat in the house. Entering the building is pretty easy the security is quick to check you through, they have showtime arrivals covered! I attended the RuPaul show this last weekend and although the show was quite a disappointment, I totally enjoyed my surroundings! I love the Palace!

My wife, parents and I attended The Piano Guys concert at the Palace Theatre in the heart of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The venue was perfect for the kind of show The Piano Guys put on - everything from the sound quality, lighting and atmosphere made for an enjoyable and memorable evening. If you've never been to The Palace, I recommend going to an event there in the future!

I love the palace! The place is absolutely stunning and I feel fancy just walking into the building. The next time I go I'm going to go for the pre-show tour and see all the cool behind-the-scenes stuff. The acoustics are fantastic - Tony Bennett sang a capella and every seat, even in the very back, could hear perfectly. It's a small enough venue that shows feel intimate, but it's large enough to draw bigger-named performers. I don't think that there's a bad seat in the house. They show old movies year-round which is a nice inexpensive night of entertainment. You're not going to get a 3-D, IMAX, surround sound experience, but there's something so special about seeing a movie on a big screen.

An amazing historic theatre which now is one of the best live music venues in town. Love music, theatre, comedians, and even actual movies in the summer can be found here. One of a kind decor from the 20s, and the bartenders are some of the hardest working ones in the bizness. Bar prices similar to other larger venues (slightly higher than average bar/restaurant), but it's all worth it for the atmosphere of this legendary Louisville location.

Sat upstairs in the balcony, which the view was fine. But seats are very tight, it was a solid 82 degrees plus, and drinks were so overpriced I was throwing water from the bathroom on my neck to cool down. I'm glad I got to see a favorite comedy, but gosh if I wasn't some of the most uncomfortable I've been at a show. (And when I say expensive I mean $14 beers/$20 singles)

The Louisville Palace is hands-down my favorite venue in town. No matter what kind of show they're having, I'm bound to have a great time. It's also one of the most beautiful places in the city, with amazing restored art and a sky on the ceiling that makes you feel like you're enjoying a night under the stars. I've seen musicians including Matchbox 20 and Prince, but my favorite experience is going to see the classic films. Tonight we saw Some Like It Hot for Valentine's Day. Who thought of this?! It was brilliant! I normally don't like this hallmark holiday, but seeing one of the funniest films of all time? Perfect. The staff is always friendly. The place is generally spotless. Heck, even the popcorn is good. What more could a girl ask for? Oh, I know...another date night at the Palace. Count me in.