The Commodore Ballroom is a general admission venue with a capacity of 900 people. Table seating is limited so it is advised to arrive early for shows. The large dance floor is located in the centre of the room directly in front of the stage
Unless otherwise noted, no minors admitted (must be 19 years or older). Government ID is required
No Cameras or Recorders permitted
No Re-Entry
Coat Check and Bank Machine are located on site
The Commodore Ballroom is a non-smoking venue
The Commodore Ballroom is fully wheelchair accessible through onsite elevators
Please contact the Commodore Ballroom at 604-739-4550 for table reservations.
Tickets can be purchased at the Commodore Ballroom Box Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or charge by phone at 604-280-4444. All tickets are subject to additional service charges. Tickets arranged for Will Call can be picked up on the night of the show at the Commodore Ballroom Box Office.
The Commodore Ballroom has an excellent food menu and full service kitchen that is open for most events.
Ask any Vancouverite to name one of the city's favourite cultural landmarks and you're sure to hear about the Commodore Ballroom. For over 75 years, the majestic Art Deco venue has been synonymous with Vancouver's entertainment and nightime scenes.
The original Commodore Cabaret opened its doors in 1929. Built by George Conrad Reifel and designed by Vancouver architect H.H. Gillingham, the elegant-style venue was envisioned as an alternative to the increasingly crowded ballroom at Hotel Vancouver.
Unfortunatley, the Commodore's opening on December 3, 1929 came on the heels of the devastating stock market crash, and after only four months, it was forced to close. But Managing Co-Directors Nick Kogas and Johnny Dillias remained determined to make a go of the plush room. Armed with innovative ideas and endless energy, they re-opened the room in November 1930 and introduced what became a sure-fire formula for success : dinner and dancing every Saturday night for an admission of $1 per person, complemented by room rentals for company parties, student celebration and private social events the rest of the week. With its warm, inviting ambiance and the best dance floor in town, the Commodore quickly became the place to be for Vancouver's movers and shakers.
For the next three decades, the Commodore welcomed the biggest names in show business, including The Dorsey Brothers, Count Basie, George Burns, Rudy Vallee and Cab Calloway. A succession of house bands were also hired for exclusive long-term engagements : Dal Richards, Bob Flynn, Walter Daurey were among the bandleaders who soon became legendary figures of Vancouver's entertainment front. Business continued to boom until the early 1960s when a combination of new management - following the death in 1959 of original Managing Co-Director Johnny Dillias, the lease was taken over by Dick Gourley, a nephew of George Reifel -- and competition from popular new venues such as The Cave and The Palomar Room stole the Commodore's limelight.
Things started to pick up significantly in 1968 when Vancouver entrepreneur Drew Burns purchased the lease, obtained a liquor license and renovated the room. The end result was the newly-renamed Commodore Ballroom, which, under Burn's leadership, became the hottest place to hear the newest and hippest live acts in all genres of music. Burn's vision was legendary : Tina Turner, David Bowie, Kiss, U2, the Clash, The Village People, Blondie, The Police and Devo were just a few of the groundbreaking acts to grace the Commodore's stage during his 25+ years at the helm. Not only did Burns enhance Vancouver's place on the international concert circuit, he was also extremely generous with the Commodore Ballroom's space. He gave local bands a chance to perform and often donated the room for fundraisers for such organizations as The Variety Club and Greenpeace.
It was a great time for the Commodore, a booming cycle that lasted for two-and-a-half decades. However, with gradual changes in the entertainment business, the room closed in 1996 following the expiration of the lease.
The room was silent and empty for more than three years. After an extensive $3.5 million renovation, the wonderfully-restored Commodore Ballroom re-opened with great fanfare on November 12, 1999 under the managment of House of Blues Concerts Canada with the operators Bruce Allen and Roger Gibson. Modern amenities and improvements for audiences, performers, and production crews were introduced alongside newly restored elements of the original Art Deco architecture and decor.
Located on Granville Street (between Robson and Smythe), in the heart of Vancouver's entertainment district, the Commodore Ballroom is within walking distance of all major hotels and shopping areas, and is easily accessible by public transit.
Driving Directions
From North/West Vancouver
Cross the Lion's Gate Bridge and head east on Georgia Street
Turn right on Richards and right again on Smythe
Parking is located on Smythe at the corner of both Richards and Seymour
The front entrance to the Commodore is located one block west on Granville Street
From North Vancouver & Deep Cove
Cross the Second Narrows Bridge and take the Hastings exit
Travel West on Hastings into downtown Vancouver
Turn left on Richards and right on Smythe
Parking is located on Smythe at the corner of both Richards and Seymour
The front entrance to the Commodore is located one block west on Granville Street
From East Vancouver
Take either Hastings or Venables/Georgia viaduct into downtown Vancouver
Turn left on Richards and right on Smythe
Parking is located on Smythe at the corner of both Richards and Seymour
The front entrance to the Commodore is located one block west on Granville Street
From the West side of Vancouver
Take either the Burrard Street Bridge or the Granville Street Bridge (north) into Downtown
From Burrard : Turn right on Robson - parking is located either down Howe Street or Richards
From Granville : Park anywhere between Davie and Smythe and walk north to the Commodore
From Richmond & the Vancouver Airport
Take Highway 99 North to the Oak Street Bridge
Follow Oak Street North and turn left at 41st Avenue
Follow 41st Ave West for 5 blocks and turn right at Granville Street
Travel North on Granville Street and across the bridge
From Granville : Park anywhere between Davie and Smythe and walk north to the Commodore
From Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminister, Surrey and the Fraser Valley
Take Highway 1 west to Hasting Street exit
Travel west on Hastings into downtown Vancouver
Turn left on Richards and right on smythe
Parking is located on Smythe at the corner of both Richards and Seymour
The front entrance to the Commodore is located one black west on Granville Street
