Spreckels Theatre

When you first walk in to the foyer it is an open format. There is a restaurant on each side that you can eat or drink at while waiting for the show to begin. This was my first time at Spreckles. I found it to be quaint. The bathrooms were nice and clean. Ushers were welcoming. As I was waiting for the show to start I visually enjoyed the architecture. The parapets, the sconces, the ceiling, the stage. We sat ROCH Row D Seats 6 and 8! I thought we were very up close and personal to the band. We were here to see Steam Powered Giraffe. What a great show and the theater had great audio and visual aspects. I was excited to be part of the Vice Quadrant album release. This theater is in a prime location with restraunts, bars, and pubs around each corner. After the show we went a block down to eat at Spike Africa’s. We parked at a garage for $ 10 that was very close to the two establishments we visited.

We got free tickets to see Conan here during Comic-​Con and we sat at the very back row of the balcony. Gorgeous theater and fantastic viewing for the back row, but some repairs could certainly be made with the chairs and banisters. Get ready to be hot up there. It’s an old theater and it gets toasty! Guests around me were fanning themselves the entire 4−5pm show.

This is an older theater. I liked how it’s smaller inside, so you get to enjoy a more intimate show. During intermission, the line for the women’s restroom can get pretty long, but there’s another women’s restroom on another floor of the building. You can take the elevator up to the other restroom, and the ushers will let you know how to get there.
Before the show, cars were backed up trying to get into the parking garage right around the corner from the theater. I didn’t bother and went to park in the Horton Plaza parking garage instead, where I was able to get parking validation in the mall. It was just a one-​block walk to the theater from there, so I’d recommend trying the Horton Plaza parking garage if you want to bypass the line getting into the Spreckels Theatre parking garage.

My first, and only experience so far I had at the Spreckels theatre was when Dave Chappelle performed there. As Dave put it, the theatre reminded me of where Abraham Lincoln was shot dead in the head. I believe it was within the last two years. (Check my pictures, I posted a picture from the event).
I went with a buddy of mine to the show, and at the time I was using a cane since I was recovering from a car accident. We get inside, and before the show starts we are just standing there in the main lobby talking trying to figure out where the hell are seats are, plus my walking mobility situation I got going on here. Then out of no where this woman comes up to us (holding a clipboard), and started asking us genuine questions about our evening. She then asked if we needed any help. I then proceeded to tell her our situation, and she then replied if she can see our tickets to help.
Next thing you know she says give me a minute and wait here. My buddy, and I start looking at each other like what the hell is going on, and where did our tickets just take off to? Within 5−10min she comes back and says «you know what follow me.» She decided or some how gave us a booth by the stage (totally not where my seats where, but a great upgrade!) As she helped us to our seats, all eyes were on us, and for some old reason I kept thinking I was going to get a surprise visitor in my booth like old Ab did, but I didn’t thank god. Best service I ever received in a theatre, and I look forward to going back for another show.

First off, I wanted to thank Gary at the corporate office for helping me out with my ticket situation. Awesome guy!
Spreckels theatre wasn’t as big as I imagined but it’s so cute! When you walk in, you see a door on both sides. They each lead to sushi or a deli. I saw some people holding Starbucks cups and it made me regret not buying one earlier. You are slowly filed in to the doors and a sweet little man takes your ticket and directs you to the door that you’re supposed to go through. Every turn has someone in a white jacket ready to help you get to your seat. By the way, I had orchestra seats but it seems as if every seat has the same view. Pretty cool right?
Anyway, I’m only giving 4 stars because there was an odd smell from the lobby to the bathroom that you can kind of smell even near the seats. I attributed it to the building being so old.
Overall an awesome experience. Great play. Great view. Great service. Will definitely be back!

Don’t ever go here. They clearly do not value you here. The seats are the worst your packed in like sardines. No elevator for my mother who can barely walk. I know it’s old but I’m sure they’ve redone the chairs sense 1912. This place is terrible!

Beautiful theater, significant historical building. Yes, it is in a bit of a «faded glory» state, but they do not make them like this any more, so enjoy and appreciate it for the gem it is.
Theater complements California Ballet productions nicely.

Great seating for shows
Parking is atrocious but what’s new in this area?
Look for half price tix day of show @ kiosk

Excellent time at Spreckels Theatre this past weekend to watch ballet. Having previously lived in a city where we had out own large ballet company for many years, it’s great to know there is similar artistic enjoyment in San Diego as well.
The theatre itself is a little small, however, it has excellent architecture and the seats don’t have you crammed in like sardines, which is a nice touch. I look forward to future events at Spreckels Theatre.
The only thing that was distracting was the food bar. It’s great if you are a little hungry, however, people were making very loud crinkling noises with the wrappers in the middle of the performance! Very distracting…

Parking Downtown is never easy! It can also be costly. I grew up in San Diego and don’t recall ever going to this theater. Maybe once when I was younger. My best friend was able to get us free tickets to their Indonesian Festival 2014. It was a nice 2 hour journey to Indonesia with art, dance, music and martial arts. The décor inside the theater was beautiful. It reminded me of one of the smaller theaters on Broadway. The venue was very interesting. My first time experiencing the Indonesian Culture. I was amazed of how diverse their Culture is with a lot of influences from surrounding Countries. It was a nice venue. I would like to go here again to catch a show.

A must visit old theater, really historic landmark of San Diego (after all, not many old buildings left, Gaslamp/​East Village seems to be growing to the way up eliminating many old buildings in the process). It is very refreshing that this theater has been in business for so long and it has amazing views of the shows from any seat. I have attended many performances there, but was always curious what would it be to feel part of the theater world and in the background.
I had the opportunity by volunteering at the San Diego International Fringe Festival this past weekend and even though only one small portion of the scenario was used for the purpose (this is like an ‘indie’ festival, so every play has only a handful of people as audience). I liked to feel inside an old building with all the pros and cons and for some hours enjoy the ‘natural way’ = not AC anywhere, sweating like crazy but happy to be part of a growing festival.
If you a visitor in San Diego and still don’t want to see any play or show, just stop by and enter in the lobby and admire the neon signs, façade, flooring… all vintage:)

This place is getting a 2 star based on the valet service.
First the theater is amazing and looks beautiful. It’s everything an old theater could be! A definite must visit if you are in San Diego.
Let’s talk about the valet service. It’s was $ 10 to park our, which is not bad at all. So that did not bother us. It’s when we went to pick up our car. This service just leaves the keys in the car. We went to see the Patriot Tour at the theater. Afterwards, people were not waiting in line like they should. Of course it was a make shift line. Everyone was just getting in their car which had the keys and driving off. Some people almost got hit cause no one was paying attention. This place really needs to take the keys out of the car so this can be avoided in the future.

I’m ⁵⁰⁄₅₀. Like I mentioned in Tips, seating and acoustics is KEY–
I saw Jo Koy two years ago and LOVED IT. Sat in ORCHESTRA/​MEZZANINE, practically front and center, comic could’ve called me out!
Saw Dave Chapelle last month sitting high in the BALCONY. And that’s all. I SAW Chapelle, had to squint time to time, I did not HEAR him. You could hear crickets where I was sitting, yet uncontrollable laughter down below.
The problem was the only audio set up was the speakers that was right on stage, which sucks for those who aren’t sitting in front of them.
I’d be selective where I’m sitting. The venue is beautiful, classic. I just wished they’d improve the sound. Would come back but only sit where at one area and one only.

Came here for the first time to see Dave Chappelle on a Friday night (F*cking hilarious BTW). I must say, this venue is so charming! It’s got a vintage feel to it, I was pretty impressed. Just to give you an idea if you have never seen the venue in person: We saw Dave Chappelle’s first show there and when he came out on stage for the first time and looked around he said it looked like the place where Abe Lincoln got shot!
Our seats were in the front row of the left mezzanine section and from there we could see everything! We were so close to the stage and it had sort of an intimate feel to it. There were also people there to show you to your seats which I thought was kind of a cute thing.
A couple notes: it gets HOT in there and if you are very tall, front row of the mezzanine is not a good place to sit because there isn’t that much leg room!

Spreckels is an amazing place to catch a show.
I have been a few times over the years and always had a good time. Wife and I came down on Saturday night for the Dave Chappelle show… which was fucking hilarious… but holy hell did they drop the ball on the ticket situation. My wife opted to save a few bucks and just have our tickets waiting at will call.
Dave had two shows that night, we had tix for the 10pm.
We showed up around 8 to grab our tickets but the guy in the box office told us they had not printed them out yet? Huh? Show is in two hours…
Ok…well… whatever… bitch (in the voice of Jesse Pinkman).
We show up an hour and a half later to a complete shit show. The line to get the tickets from the box office was so damn long since there were only two windows open at the box office. The line wrapped in and around the line for people trying to order drinks at the bar, and the people just trying to get in to sit down had to fight their way lines of people who weren’t exactly sure which line they were in to start with. People were cutting and pushing, there were no security or anyone to ensure people were OK. A simple roped off line would have been useful, hasn’t Spreckels never had a sold out show before? I’m sure they have.
Luckily the show didn’t start until most people were seated. Show was awesome but thinking back the whole ticket thing brought down the experience.

Spreckels is without a doubt a beautiful theatre that carries plenty of history dating back to the 1900’s. Located in the heart of the Downtown theatre district on Broadway, there’s no way you can miss this vintage jewel. Its architecture is definitely rich in history, however what this theatre lacks is comfortability and air flow when this venue is filled to capacity. I will elaborate more on this in just a moment…
I may not be big on plays, but I do love stand up improve performances! I wanted to make my first visit to this venue well worth my time and money so when I saw that Dave Chappelle would be making an appearance in San Diego, I jumped on it without hesitation! When choosing seats, I’d say there isn’t a bad seat in the house except perhaps the far back after Aisles T in the Orchestra section and sitting anywhere in between people especially upstairs. Luckily, I purchased great corner seats in the Orchestra section so that I’d be able to enter and exit easily without having to step on any toes. It was so close, I was able to see Dave Chappelle’s nose hairs! Also, after sitting for about an hour in those chairs, it can be fairly uncomfortable. I found myself becoming a little squirmish at the end of the first hour as it became warm and the air flow became scarce. I can’t imagine what the people felt up in the Mezzanine and Balcony sections! It was so hot, even Dave Chappelle (admitted that) wore what looked to me like workout clothes for them heavy leg days! Yea, I was diggin’ his #OOTD that night haha! If you decide to get faded before a show at this venue, GOOD LUCK! There was one fellow and his gf who arrived at their seats some time during the opening act and left right when Dave got up since it appeared to me that he was tossing around in his seat and was probably the only one who would jump out of his seat at every single joke, LOL! Then he finally slumped over, calling it a night. Faded much?
If you purchase tickets online and decide to do WILL CALL, prepare ahead and get there an hour before show time to pick up your tickets at the main window because the line will be very long! Now, if you already have your tickets in hand, there’s no need to be in your seat by the «showtime» because it takes a while for everyone to fill up their seats and then performers usually have someone else open for them where as in my case, the show was supposed to start at 10PM, but ended up starting at 10:45PM. Lesson learned. I could have spent more time doing whatever I was doing before arriving on time to this venue.
As for parking, again arrive early if you plan to park in the Spreckels Theatre garage. It is usually $ 10 on nights when there is an event going on. In my case, I arrived at a very busy time (7PM) and the Spreckels garage was already filled and traffic became horrific. Heading to Horton to park just seemed so exhausting from where I was prior to parking so my man and I took Option C and Valet’d at the Westin. When arriving, the parking attendant said it would cost $ 15 the whole night, WRONG! DOH, by the end of the night we got caught up in a «BAIT AND SWITCH» tactic. If you’ve worked in sales, you know how that goes. As we approached the attendant at the window to get our car back, they asked if we attended the Dave Chappelle event to which we responded, «yes». Then he said it would be «$ 28». How did $ 15 become $ 28? After we explained our story, it felt like the $ 28 was not worth the time, place and energy to duke it out so we paid and left. I mean, it’s not like we don’t have the money to pay it, but common it’s the principle! Oh well, the dude gave us free bottles of water. Maybe he read my mind that night! Whatevs…
Just happy I got to visit this venue for the first time and was able see Dave Chappelle, Wu-​Tang and Chris Spencer! Ahhhh — mazing show!!! As for the venue, it is truly a gem, but when it comes to staying a while, prepare to feel sore afterwards!

It appears that I missed all of the hubbub going on here the night before with the free Metallica concert in association with Comic-​Con. I actually came for a HBO taping by Patton Oswalt on Saturday night. 10^th row seats? Loved them.
The theater is beautiful, old, ornate and seats about 1500 on three different levels. It was annoying to be told that there were beverages and snacks available at the concessions stand in the lobby and a mini cash bar in the foyer, but was not able to bring these things back into the theater.
The people at the ticket counter and information desk were completely useless. There is limited $ 10 parking onsite.
Would I go here again? Sure, if I had seats at Orchestra level again.

Spreckels feels so Victorian-​esque… from beautiful sculptures to fancy moldings, everything feels so special.
I come here for City Ballet (my favorite ballet company in SD) and what I love about Spreckels is that you cannot get a bad seat anywhere. The hall is intimate enough that even on the balcony, you can capture every detail in the pas de deux or even the expressions of each dancer.
What I do NOT like about Spreckels is that these balcony seats are so tiny! I am pretty tall so my legs feel gargantuan in these tiny seats… I cannot imagine how men fare in the seats.

I am surprised there’s not that many review for Spreckels Theatre?!
I was here Nov ’11 for an AWESOME — KICK ASS Jason Mraz and Toca Rivera concert. When I read the reviews for Spreckels Theatre at a nearby happy hour spot (*La Puerta — Really GOOD), I expected a tiny place with dingy chairs. We get there, and wow this place is BIG and TALL. It seems like they really maximized the vertical space here with three levels of seats!
***This theatre can fit almost 1500 people at max capacity! The seats are not too comfortable and they was not too much leg room, but it wasn’t a problem for me and I’m 5’7! It would be more of a problem if I were maybe… 5’10 and above.
Parking for the Theatre: They offer valet parking only. The Spreckels Garage is accessible through 2^nd Avenue (Broadway Circle) on the east side of the Spreckles Building. The price for parking at performances and special events at the Spreckel Theatre is $ 10.00 per vehicle. Some restrictions may apply. HOWEVER, there are also tons of metered street parking outside and it’ll probably be free depending on when you go. We lucked out and found street parking near the mall.
The way they handled getting the crowds into the theatre was decent. There was a very long line to get inside but the line moved fast. After the concert, it was fairly easy leaving and getting to your car. I had fun here! Great time!

Watched the «You Are Loved» concert with Jason Mraz.
JM was AWESOME!!! He is a great singer with a quirky personality. He is one of those singers that when you hear him play, it’s EXACTLY like the album. Acoustic is the only way to see him. His voice was soo soothing and I was mesmerized. He started playing at 745p and he kept playing until pass 11p! (30 min intermission) It was one of the best shows I’ve seen. There are some songs that I was not familiar with, but nonetheless, it didn’t matter — I’ve been going thru some personal issues and JM took me away for those couple hours I watched him.
Old venue with a very intimate setting. Had good seats and the acoustics were pretty good!!! I was surprised.
The seats were very uncomfortable and my back/​butt was hurting for 2.5 hours! It was my first visit, so it was a nice change from the usual Civic, Horton or Cricket.
You can park at Horton, but it’s only for 3 hours free parking with validation. Short walk to the theater.