Jen P.
Yelp
We visited the Royale on 1/30 for the Mayer Hawthorne show. After reading some of the reviews, we decided to head over early and wait in line just in case the show was sold out and/or staff at the door was limited (as other reviewers noted it could take a long time to get inside). We arrived at 6:30 pm and there were maybe 6 people waiting. Doors were supposed to open at 7 pm.
Doors actually opened around 7:10, and from that point, everything about the experience was easy: we showed ID to get a wrist band for drinks; we had our tickets on our phone and the QR code was scanned by a woman at the door; there was no coat check, but the concert had not sold out, so a lot of people were just stashing their coats behind couches or behind curtains - we chose to keep ours with us.
Bar was open and drinks were relatively cheap - a single scotch on the rocks and a juice-forward mocktail were $23 with tip. That's less than we usually pay at bars. There was no drink minimum (as noted by other reviewers), but maybe that depends on the event.
The opening act started around 7:30 and played over an hour (it was a DJ duo, Chulita Vinyl Club), and then we waited another 30 or so minutes for the main act. Mayer Hawthorne was on the stage for approx 70 min with the show ending between 10:30 and 10:45 pm.
The sound system, lights, etc were all great. We could see and hear everything perfectly and enjoyed the show. The only thing we would have liked was the option to go up to the second level and watch the show from above, but for some reason the upstairs was all closed off.
Details in the other reviews were very helpful in finding this place as the sign is very small. We ubered over and back (from Somerville) and that was also easy and affordable (less for the round trip than parking across the street would have been).
Also worth noting is that the theatre district is right on the edge of China Town, and there are a bunch of casual restaurants nearby if you head down for dinner before hand. On the same street as the venue were 3 places to eat, and at the top of Tremont and Stuart, there were another 5 to choose from, plus just another block or so and you're in the heart of China Town.
We would definitely see a show there again!