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Review Highlights
“My friend was given tickets to watch Amateur Night and I have to say that it is an experience I recommend to everyone!” in 77 reviews
“Its Showtime At The Apollo.....Yasssssss The Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr.” in 5 reviews
“Comedian Capone is hilarious, the kids are super talented and cute, and the talent is world-class.” in 7 reviews
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The apollo is a small venue and sure to be loud for anything. If you're over 5'5', the only way to go is the orchestra. Mezz is too cramped and requires tiny legs to accommodate the few inches of foot room you get. I had to move down to be… more
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181 reviews
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- Feb 6, 2023
I wasn't aware that there was a cafe at the Apollo! It is located above the main theatre.
We did have to go through a metal detector.
I think we went up two flights of stairs. Everyone from security and staff were friendly and professional! When you enter the room, it is first come, first served. You choose from tables for four or high tables that sit two. They will inform you that if you are a party of two and sitting at a table for 4, two more people may sit next to you.
You order and pay for your food and drinks with the QR code and it is delivered in minutes.
Great live music!
Great staff!
Great vibes!
I Plan on returning !Helpful 4Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Aug 17, 2018
So the queen of soul died. So I went to the Apollo and paid my RESPECTs to Aretha Franklin.
The Apollo always has a celebration of live when a legend passes on. They play music and fans stop by and leave photos , flowers, trinkets. Fans just feel the love and comfort from like minded peeps.
I've seen concerts here too. Really the inside is pretty fab. Beautiful. Enjoy the photos of the world BEST ENTERTAINERS that have performed here!!. Such history!!
They have theater tours and you can take lots of pics and hear the stories!!
Make sure you see The Tree of Hope!!Helpful 12Thanks 0Love this 15Oh no 0 - Jul 4, 2018
Came here after having lunch at Amy Ruth's. I just had to see the legendary Apollo Theater live and in person, since I was already up in Harlem.
It looks a lot smaller than I had imagined it to be. Given how long it has been around, it's really well maintained. They were selling tickets for the famous Amateur Nights when I was there, which is something that would be really fun to watch.
Don't forget to look down on the sidewalk out front! You'll see the Walk of Fame, with stars for celebrities we all know, like Louis Armstrong and Stevie Wonder (check out my photos).Helpful 31Thanks 0Love this 31Oh no 0 - Aug 25, 2018
I scored a $10 ticket on Stub Hub to attend Amateur Night (every Wednesday) at the Apollo on my recent trip to New York. I stayed at an Air Bnb in Harlem and wanted to explore the neighborhood.
THIS WAS BY FAR THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP TO NYC.
The host, Capone, was worth the price of admission.
The show started with children contestants and Capone went out of his way to explain the importance of showing love to these young talented artists. We applauded and clapped as if we were about to witness living legends.
After that, the regular contestants performed. I was honestly shocked at the level of talent of each performer. BUT- I will say that there are people there in the audience that sadly- have come just to BOO people off the stage.
There was a Japanese Michael Jackson impersonator that was tolerable until he started singing and the theater ERUPTED in BOOS. I like to think that he was placed in the line-up just so people could boo him off the stage.
The crowd was very diverse and everyone was there for a good time.
When the show ended, I was looking for a bite to eat around the theatre and was VERY DISAPPOINTED in the offerings. There are about 5 different chain fried chicken establishments and that's it. So make sure you eat before you go to the Apollo.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 - Aug 2, 2017
Did you know that you can book tours of this world famous theater? Its Showtime At The Apollo.....Yasssssss The Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in the heart of Harlem was a venue to showcase black entertainment at a time when segregation left us very little choices for live entertainment. Ella Fitzgerald won amateur night there as a teen. Pearl Bailey, Count Bassie, Louis Armstrong, Moms Mabley, Pigmeat Markham, Richard Pryor, Redd Fox, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Tony Bennett, and Paul Mc Cartney, and many others have played here.
The tour gives you the history by Billy Mitchell, known as "Mr Apollo". He has been here on and off for 49 years. He started running errands for the Apollo back in 1965, when he was 15 years old. Now he's the in-house historian and tour director.
When music icon Elvis visited NYC for the first time he insisted to visit The Apollo Theater. This is a mecca for entertainers.
The tour will take you thru the 1500 red velvet seats and the pristine balconies. You will see the signature wall off-stage behind stage right which features years of history in signature, sign by the likes of Grammy Winner Lauren Hill to our first black President Barack Obama, then upstairs to a small dressing room that is used by performers including Comedian Nipsey Russell and R&B singer Beyonce, then back down to the green room (which is all white) located right under the stage. Once you leave the green room you and your party will have the opportunity to have your own personal "Amateur Night" as your friends clap, hiss, or boo at your performance.
This is a great way to experience black culture, Harlem, and black artists contribution to entertainment and music
I've done this tour three times...worth every penny.Helpful 16Thanks 0Love this 16Oh no 0 - Apr 12, 2017
"It's showtime, at The Apollo ... TONIGHT!"
I was pretty excited to visit The Apollo Theatre as I have fond childhood memories of watching aspiring talent on amateur night, Sinbad hosting, everyone rubbing the "Tree of Hope" before their number, KeKe Sheppard, and "the Sandman" sweeping the boo'd off the stage!
The experience didn't disappoint and we were celebrating Mom's 50th so that made it even more special! Brittany (at the counter) helped us tremendously as we made our plans to visit. We got great seats up front for amateur night, we saw the Tree of Hope, the talent was awesome, and we were immersed in rich history!
The theatre is beautiful, the seats are comfy, and it's a true Harlem jewel. So glad we got to visit on our NYC trip!Helpful 80Thanks 0Love this 79Oh no 0 - 35913033882Jun 13, 2017
I was pretty excited to visit The Apollo Theater (FINALLY!). I used to pass by this iconic theater for years and today's visit was not a disappointment.
Lucky to get free tickets for "It's Showtime at the Apollo with Steve Harvey" show. Lucky that they had Sunday taping and did not worry of taking a day off for the experience.
The theater vibes was moving to think that lots of known artists started at this theater and on that special stage. Steve Harvey himself talked about his days here when he was a starting comedian. The talents rubbed the "Tree of Hope" before performing ( which has been part of the Showtime segments ever since) for us.
The theater is beautiful inside, I heard it is newly renovated. Seats are comfortable. Each seat has a good view of the stage. Lights and sounds are fairly good.
I was impressed with the person in charged in the ladies room during the June 4th show. She didn't let us go inside the stall unless she wiped first the toilet seat cover. She deserved a good tip for doing that.
Kudos to Steve Harvey's production staff for giving us a good and entertaining show. The staff was very organized and made our experience pleasant.
I was glad to be here. Truly a gem of Harlem.Helpful 5Thanks 0Love this 4Oh no 0 - Fancypants X.San Francisco, CA24127126660Aug 18, 2018
Pinch me, I'm dreaming.
I do not take for granted how fortunate I am to have set foot in the famous Apollo Theater where many legends -- Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr. -- have graced the stage.
Earlier this summer, I attended Amateur Night at the Apollo, a show that my cousin & I bonded over as children. Comedian Capone was hilarious as host & the live band was old school cool. The talent portion started with a couple kiddos competing for the Stars of Tomorrow title, but the fun really began when the adults started to perform. Everyone did really well except for a singer who couldn't hit the high notes in Childish Gambino's "Redbone" & a dancer who changed her shoes mid-song. They were properly booed & the Executioner (C.P. Lacey) tapped danced them right off of the stage!
Audience participation hit an all-time high when it came time to vote via a sound meter that registered our boos & applause. Our collective energy reverberated throughout the concert hall.
Unforgettable live entertainment in a historically significant venue. If you ever have the chance, see a show at the Apollo & don't forget to take a pic in front of what's left of the Tree of Hope!Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 8Oh no 0 - Jun 30, 2018
Wow! I finally made it to the Apollo theater! Not as talent, but as a lively audience member that I grew up watch since childhood.
My friend was given tickets to watch Amateur Night and I have to say that it is an experience I recommend to everyone!
Walking up to the legendary Apollo sign, I was in awe of such a magical place with so much history. After getting checked, we made our way in stopped for an adult beverage. I was pleased that the drinks were strong and not too expensive. We were ushered to our seats and soon after the show began. It was non-stop dancing an laughing during the entire time. Capone was the host and he was so funny! The talent was amazing. So good that we didn't even get to boo anyone. Now normally I would never boo anyone, but that's one of the things that makes the Apollo the Apollo, so we did miss out on that.
Overall it was beyond amazing to be in a room with people from all different places, races, and backgrounds that all came together to have a great night of entertainment! Make sure you go!Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 4Oh no 0 - Nettie A.San Francisco, CA162862057Mar 29, 2018
Ummmmm totally fabulous! We had so much fun. They know how to put on a show. Capone was the MC and hilarious, charming and quick on his feet. The tone was positive and unifying. We had so much fun. I wish I would have done this when I lived here. We lived amateur Night at the Apollo.
Take public transportation and enjoy. It was a fabulous, funny, positive, family friendly show. We bought tickets in the box on the top right. We could see the performers preparing to come out but you are by the speaker.
Absolutely brilliant.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
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