Reviews of Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (University)

Nicole W

Beautiful performing arts center. We heard the Kingston Symphony and they are a real treat!

Helena Cheu

What an absolutely stunning space. Statebof the art equipment, acoustics and lighting. Right by the water. Perfect to catch a show, reverse or even host an event!

Tao Chen

The room sounds fantastic. Its been acoustically treated well. They cut no corners with the audio system either. Its good that Kingston has a world class venue like this.

Christoph Fischer

Beautiful venue, atrium and patio the most gorgeous in the city. Food was good but not phenomenal, I expected more, honestly. Staff was fantastic. Acoustics in the performance hall were truly outstanding.

Natarajan Ravikumar

What great acoustics!!!

Joan Mercier

This place is BEAUTIFUL! They have 2 or 3 different theatres so there may be more than one event going on at any one time but it’s nice and new and looks over the lake.

Lydia Stevens-Ackley

Unfortunately there are tradeoffs for the incredible views of lake Ontario, a wonderfully designed interior space and a some truly delicious food. (You won't be disappointed with the beef or the cheesecake) I was there for a wedding with about 60 people and the night was beautiful weather-wise and we truly had a wonderful time despite the reasons listed below. Apparently university students today are treated like they are petulant children so a number of degrading policies were put in place for the space even if it is not for students. First off, the bar would not serve an actual shot of liquor, we were told they must be diluted with water or put on ice. Obviously asking for a double shot was off the table. Just think about that concept for a second, you're at a wedding looking to do some shots with your cousins and you get told about this asinine policy. Secondly standing by a table talking with your own family with a drink in your hand and your mask off was not allowed. Thirdly the staff were incredibly rude about enforcing these policies, at one point a threat was made to call security on a group of people who had the audacity to speak to their family members while standing up. We found out after the fact that apparently one of their supervisors was in attendance, which makes sense the workers had to do what they were told. In my opinion that reflects poorly on the quality of supervision at this place. Threatening to call security on a wedding is simply an astounding thing to do. We did our best to ignore these glaring flaws for an event space and still had an incredible evening. The all glass wall design gives you unique waterfront view for Kingston and you certainly won't go wrong booking this place for your event I just want the people to be aware that there are surprise drawbacks to an otherwise beautiful venue.

Ryan Carroll

Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts is a stunning building on the shores of Saint Lawrence River and Ontario Lake. It includes a beautifully equipped concert hall with great sound. Staff is very helpful.

Ghz

The space is absolutely gorgeous!! I love being able to see the water from the lobby.

Ursa Major

Beautiful hall! Amazing acoustics!

Linda Fraser

My daughters orchestra was there performing. Beautiful facilities. Absolutely gorgeous! Amazing acoustics and friendly staff. Only pit fall, parking. That was a nightmare. Get there early.

Ashlynn Heinrich

Gorgeous venue!

James Fu

World class performance center for orchestras run by Queens University. My favorite is the Wind Ensemble with amazing and innovative sounds.

Andrei Sonoc

Great place. The theatre is a masterpiece and has been built with very good attention to detail. The views from the place are great and looks out onto the Lake Ontario. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the theatre since any spillage would would damage the ventilation system. The theatre is designed so that it doesn't require any amplification system. It can seat approximately 400 people. Can be accessed by people with disabilities. Good parking spaces available.

Jacob Dey

Great space for events. Nice space to study for students as well

Neil Hyderman

Nice place for students to relax and do some creative work. The center faces Lake Ontario which gives a great view both when the sun sets and when the lake is frozen.

John Beenen

The building is right on the river. What a view! Inside the building is tons of large windows allowing one to see outsude - to see the beautiful water and thr city beyond.

Ian Childs

Absolutely fabulous performing arts center for Kingston. I simply love the atmosphere of the place with the open glass right by the lake.it feels contemporary, almost futuristic but in all the best ways!

David Timan

Outstanding on every level. This is a comfortable venue with legroom, fantastic acoustics, set beside Lake Ontario.

Dick Wong

A beautiful building on the edge of Lake Ontario. Which hosts a great little restaurant coffee shop. Amazing entertainers from all over.

Ian Longo

Snowy night, no staff to help people to cars. Parking is far so pick up area gets congested fast

Jordan Toohey Carignan

Super good

ecmcdougall

Gorgeous facility with state of the art equipment and competent staff. Green room and rehearsal rooms are cozy as well. A great space for creative and consumer alike.

Martin Neuland

Beautiful building. I especially like that I can have my Tesla charging while I'm there : )

Miranda Buwalda (Wanja)

One of the most beautiful performing arts centers in Eastern Ontario. The high vaulted celeings in almost every room provide an open and welcoming feel while also demonstrating the grandeur of the space. Enjoyable in all aspects.

Chantel Whitter

Attended a screening for the film festival here. Parking was slightly challenging, leave 15 minutes to get parked. Nice facility for a screening. Sound is excellent. No cell service inside the performance space (likely by design).

Azi JA

i rocked with KASADOR Kingstons hometown band

Amara Vidya Yoga (Chantel Ehler RMT RYT 500)

The auditorium sound is simply amazing. You must go listen to something there when you get a chance! Definitely a hidden gem.

sarah hudj

Beautiful facility, roomy and upscale, definitely a high point for Kingston and Queens U. Acoustics are good, avoid the corners though.

Julia Sobolewska

Beautiful new multimillion dollar venue. Attracts globally recognized performers and showcases student performers. Beautiful building right on Lake Ontario

kayrish

Beautiful building and nice location. Also really nice auditorium.

Bryan Scott

Wonderful facilities with great acoustic and a very nice view of the lake while you wait for the show to start. The hall looks amazing from any point of view

LANMAC

The cafe is wonderful. Great staff.

Daryl Tremain

Beautiful new facility! Love love! Right on the shores of Lake ontario and lots of parking (which you pay for before 5:00 and during events so have change or a credit card handy.

Sam Sabourin (BetweenTheBumpers)

Beautiful venue with fantastic acoustics. Kingston Symphony and Choral Society were outstanding.

Ian Leslie

A stunning facility! Lots of various arts-based businesses/groups and the most lovely and delicious cafe in the basement.

Charles Boyles

Gorgeous sound inside - outside, seamless along the shoreline.

Jocelyn Medina

Beautiful building. Amazing waterfront patio.

Jennie Marshall

Beautiful venue in the lake!! We went to see my Son’s piano recital here and it was really nice. The only down side is the lack of parking.

Brent R

Wow! What a beautiful place! I have seen the Kingston symphony perform here a few times now and the acoustics are great!

Andrew Wilkins

Is a beautiful place, the architecture is incredible and the view is breathtaking

Aprajita Sarcar

Great atmosphere. Helpful staff.

Patrick Cote

I attended the venue for a wedding, and lake Ontario was a breath taking background. The center itself was renovated very nicely, everything from the long bar, to the clean bathrooms really made me feel like the venue was meant to do 5 star events.

Bryan Valderrama

Gorgeous building, but a bit hard to see from the road! The building in front blocks it almost completely if you're coming from the left of it. Otherwise, helpful staff and the room(s) the event I was seeing was using were clean and well maintained.

Holly White

Very awesome place to watch concerts at Queen's University Kingston. My husband and I watched our son Paul performed at Isabel Bader Centre. The Concert Hall is very beautiful. I love the place! ❤

Derek C.

Only seats available were in a corner behind the stage where we could not see. We were very disappointed. We are not season ticket holders so had to accept the only tickets available. We did not know this until after we arrived but were told when we booked that the seats were good.

Sebastian Kluth

The black box Studio is an adequate theatre space; it would have been nice if the mainstage was designed to be a bit more flexible with it's performance types (really only music performances work in the space) The building itself is quite beautiful, and I've never had an issue with the staff being rude or condescending (*coughcough The Grand Theatre)

Caitlin Mack

Depending on the show/concert/... you watch, you need to arrive early to get a seat. Some seats on the balcony are behind the stage so you see the back of the artist which is interesting but not the reason why one would go to a play/show. Intriguing architectural layout all around though.

Graham Tattersall

Very pretty and great for events. Staff are phenomenal! Young lady who helped last night was v helpful:) not the most functional space if you want to go there to study though, and it's not always open

Guillermo Castellanos

Facility is a work of art. Was there for Miss Emily Fennel a singer singer writer of extordinary ability and talent.

Catherine DeVreeze

First tome there loved. Thw place clean

Chris Lee

This magnificent hall provides an intimate experience and excellent accoustics to about 500 people. The foyer is an architectural wonder unto itself. Kingston is very lucky to have a world-class yet human-sized facility of this quality. I attend perhaps 5 concerts a year at The Isabel, and appreciate it every time. Thank you very much to the Baders and to Queen's.

J Sutherland

Great spot for a wedding! Awesome staff and incredible interface between the waterfront and the building.

Rory Grant

Wonderful concert hall. Orchestra sound great and it is a beautifully designed.

Kitty LeClaw

This has been a great spot in Kingston for shows, events, or just to visit. Shows have a great sound quality and comfortable seating, and staff are friendly and helpful. I've come here during the day to do some work at a table as well and it's one of the most beautiful spots in Kingston to work or chat with a friend, overlooking Lake Ontario

Stephen Arnold

Beautiful small hall. Perfect for chamber music concerts or smaller orchestral concerts. Great acoustic and gorgeous wood interior. A must see.

Michæl Petkov

One of Kingston's beautiful waterfront location for weddings. Amazing staff and on site catering that you and your guests will enjoy.

Johnny Apollo

University students aren't the first group that needs a multi million dollar hall and/or large theatre with pit. But the downtown does. Plus parking.

Cory Tucker

Stunningly clear acoustics. I have enjoyed many shows here and have performed several times. The back stage is just as impressive as the rest and provides ample services for choirs and orchestras while still letting a solo guitar and voice shine in the space.

Heather Dawson (Personal)

Beautiful venue! I hope to enjoy future events here.

Karen Teasdale

Beautiful building. Great acoustics in the theatre. Beautiful views of Lake Ontario

Brendan Montgomery

Stunning place. Great team. Great lobby to hang out in with tables. Drama/Music Students tend to hang out there.

David Paget

We didn't see a show there but had a backstage tour. Our staff guide was very helpful and the tour was interesting. This looks like a great facility with lots to offer. I look forward to seeing a performance there.

Nicole Wilmot

Beautiful theatre, really appreciate the staff and volunteers, Sound quality is as good as Keyano Theatre in McMurray.

Diana Bertin

Excellent venue...parking a little sparse, suggest carpooling if you are going with friends.

Stephen Kirby

Beautiful space for a wedding! The huge glass walls onto the lake make a wonderful back drop anytime

charles harari

Stunning architecture. Wonderful acoustics. A gem of a performance venue.

Rich Pinkerton

Gorgeous building for the Arts. Right by the lake with a nice cafe inside. Very peaceful and quiet.

Lisa McPherson

A spectacular addition to Kingston's performing arts scene! Beautifully designed and located on the Lake Ontario waterfront, the acoustics are understood to be a big attraction to the world-class artistes who perform here. Attending a concert or performance here is a real treat.

Ruth S.

Isabel and Alfred Bader have been major benefactors to Queen's University and, as a consequence, to Kingston. The Agnes Etherington Art Centre has a major art collection, thanks to the Baders. A more recent donation from the Baders is the jewel that sits on the edge of Lake Ontario and known as the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. It's a mystical experience itself to walk into the entrance and down a set of stairs into the foyer. You are surrounded on three sides with glass windows. You then walk over to the south side to see Lake Ontario and Wolfe Island and it's giant windmills. In the winter, the Lake is frozen and the ice and snow make you feel like you're in a winter palace. There are several spaces in the Centre for use but the crown jewel is the main theatre. It's completely encased in horizontal sweeps of light and dark brown woods to enhance the acoustics. The consequence is a feeling of intimacy. There is only you and family and friends to enjoy the performance.

Erin Truesdell

Lovely aesthetics. Good view of the lake. Has a good cafe.

Ted Doleman

Beautiful waterfront

Thelma Bellec

Very nice facility with friendly helpful staff. We enjoyed the show we went to aswell.

Armaan Ladha

One of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in. Great entertainment of a variety of price points.

Valery Watts

Beautiful bader - the walk is worth it even tho it’s SO COLD RIGHT NOW

Kevin Narraway

Wow is this place. Beautiful panoramic of Lake Ontario. There is a parking on promises for those who just want to pack their cars and take a walk by the water side. There is also a park nearby, just before Isabel Bader, where students, Queen's employees and the Kingston General Hospital employees often go to relax.

Verna Lee

This is one awesome spot. The Isabel Bader Centre is a welcome addition to the Kingston Community...One suggestion with regard to programming.....In upcoming Jazz Series, I would like to hear jazz vocalists rather than all instrumental.