Orpheum Theater Concert Venue / Music Venue

Hidden away in plain sight by the back entrance of the Corner Mall in Downtown Crossing, the Orpheum Theater is one of Beantown’s most historic venues.

Built in 1852, it was at first the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and acquired its current name in 1906. Throughout the years, the Orpheum Theater underwent many changes of direction and hands, during various periods serving as a vaudeville show house, a movie theater, the home of the Opera Company of Boston, and a live concert hall, hosting such powerhouses as James Brown, the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and the Police.

In its current manifestation, the Orpheum Theater is a music venue, billing mid-level alternative bands suited for the 2,700-seat auditorium. Concerts at the Orpheum Theater include everything from Grizzly Bear and Metric to David Byrne.

Several garages in the area mean that parking at the Orpheum Theater isn’t too difficult, and the proximity of the Downtown Crossing T stop, merging the Green, Red, and Orange lines, make traveling via public transportation a cinch. Seeing concerts at the Orpheum Theater are a delight for history nerds as well – the interior harkens back to the ‘20s, with high white arches and intricately detailed molding.