Palais Theatre 2027

Palais Theatre in 2027: the venue

The present Palais opened in 1927, designed by Henry Eli White to replace an earlier building lost to fire. It began as a picture palace and became a live venue from the 1950s, and it is the largest seated theatre in Australia. Live Nation took a 30-year lease in 2016, and after a A$20 million restoration it reopened in 2017 with its original sand-coloured exterior. It is on the Victorian Heritage Register and was inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame in 2015. Inside, seating is split between the stalls and the dress circle. Its 2027 programme leans to artists with long catalogues: The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Squeeze, Level 42, Del Amitri, Smokie, Micky Dolenz, Marcus Miller and Passenger in October.

Palais Theatre: getting there and back

The Palais faces the bay on the Lower Esplanade, beside Luna Park. Tram route 96 from Bourke Street ends at Acland Street, a two-minute walk away, and route 16 runs via St Kilda Road and Fitzroy Street to the same area. From the CBD the ride takes around 25–30 minutes. There is no train station in St Kilda. Street parking is metered and scarce on weekend evenings, particularly in summer when the foreshore is busy. After a late show, trams back to the city run less often, so check the timetable rather than assuming the next one is close.

Tips for a show at Palais Theatre

All seats, so no early queue is needed. The stalls are long; the front half of the dress circle often gives the best balance of view and sound. Acland Street and Fitzroy Street have plenty of places to eat, and a bayside walk after the show is part of the appeal. The foyer gets crowded at interval for theatre-style shows with two sets, so order drinks early.