Commodore Ballroom

Commodore Ballroom
Map
Former namesCommodore Cabaret
Address868 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates49°16′50″N 123°7′15″W / 49.28056°N 123.12083°W / 49.28056; -123.12083
OwnerLive Nation
Seating typeStanding room and table seating
Capacity990
Construction
Built1929
OpenedDecember 1929, reopened November 12, 1999
Renovated1999
Closed1930, 1996–99
Construction costC$3.5 million renovation
Website
www.commodoreballroom.com

Commodore Ballroom is a music venue, dance floor and nightclub located on 800 block of Granville Street in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is regarded as Canada's most influential nightclub, and one of North America's best live music venues.[1][2] The building was built in the Art Deco style of the late 1920s by George Conrad Reifel and designed by architect H.H. Gillingham.[3][4] Best known for showcasing special performances, the venue is also known for its sprung dance floor,[3] whose horsehair lining absorbs, rather than reflecting back, some of the impact of dancers' feet. At the time it was installed, only a few venues in the world had similar floors.[4]

The general-admission ballroom accommodates approximately 990 guests (including standing room and table seating).[3]

The building's street level was built for retail outlets, some of them in their time also notable. Downstairs, below street level, is the Commodore Lanes, a vintage bowling alley and poolroom.

Commodore was named one of "North America's Top 10 Most Influential Clubs" by Billboard Magazine. It is both the only Canadian venue and the oldest venue on the list.[1] Conde Nast Traveler has also titled it one of North America's finest live music venues.[2]

  1. ^ a b Marchand, Francois (July 6, 2011). "Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom named one of North America's 10 most influential clubs". Vancouver Sun.
  2. ^ a b "Commodore Ballroom". Conde Nast Traveler. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Listing:Commodore Ballroom". The Greater Vancouver Visitors and Convention Bureau. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Commodore Ballroom". Yellow Pages Group Co. Archived from the original on January 30, 2004. Retrieved March 2, 2008.