The 40th Street Theatre

I went to a burlesque show at the 40th St. theatre the other night and as a venue it still stands out in my mind. It's very charming and I believe over 100 years old. There are lots of little touches here and there that are very unique and a nod to the past. I love the creaky wood floors and they've done an excellent job of keeping as much of the original architecture and building intact. You definitely feel like you're stepping into a bygone era. They had a full bar and very decent drink prices. I would definitely rent out this venue if I needed a space in the future.

If you're into eclectic, unique, one-of-a-kind places (like I am), this venue gets 5 stars for atmosphere, decor and spaces. Depending upon your event, there are a couple of areas to choose from, and the outdoor space is simply beautiful. What made this review a 3 instead of a 5 is two things:1) Parking. It's on-street and not plentiful near the venue. When I attended, I did a terrible thing (because I got so frustrated with driving around the blocks for parking); I parked on the sidewalk. Not the best choice, I admit. Now I know to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of any event there.2) The chairs. HORRIBLE. I attended a theatrical production as part of the Great Plains Theatre Conference. Including announcements, the production lasted 90 minutes--90 excruciating minutes. To make sure it wasn't just my reaction, I looked around. What I discovered was an audience of so many people moving, bending, adjusting, and re-adjusting in their seats. It's as if the owners of 40th Street said, "What are the cheapest, most uncomfortable chairs on the planet? Yep! Let's buy those!!" If you attend an event here in which you will be sitting for longer than 20 minutes, bring a seat cushion with you.If you've read some of my other reviews, you'll note that I'm unforgiving when it comes to uncomfortable seating. This venue had the worst by far. The owners should eat their own dog food and sit in those chairs for at least half an hour just to experience what their guests are experiencing. That said, if you're looking for a place to hold an event--and you want something out of the ordinary and memorable--I recommend 40th Street Theatre. If you're a business and want a get away event where your employees can have some nosh and network, I think it's great for that. Standing, chatting, mixing, mingling--40th Street Theatre hits a home run for that.

From the outside the venue doesn't look like much but it really is amazing! Mary was wonderful to work with and very helpful during the wedding. It was amazing!