Portsmouth Guildhall Reviews 

last time i went the loo facilities were reduced..
sound was poor with one speaker failing, think was same next time went
another time was sat in cold draught from aircon, left at half time. didn't help that the people in front of me, one of them was soaked in aftershave or summat. could have moved to another seat but by that point had had enough, shame cos the performers were giving it their all, oh well!
does make me think twice about going again all the time there is the option of going elsewhere
oo and seats were pretty ropey one time, lurched every time the fat drunk next to me moved. i went and stood propped up against the wall and enjoyed the resounding bass thru feet!
security were a bit over zealous, people were dancing and they kept moving them over to the permitted area, spoiled the atmos for some i expect!
and i wish they'd repair those lights in the constellation bar, it can't be that difficult. got a lovely feature and it's not been repaired for years...
otherwise a few good experiences there but yep there are other places.
white wine in bar very good

Visited here for a Blue concert. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Lovely concert venue would definitely come here again.

I booked tickets to see The Magic Of Motown. I would class it as Alright. I would not wish to see again, which is a shame as it was a Xmas gift.
Probably would have preferred to have saved my money. I have seen far better, so did have higher hopes. Costumes were cheap / some silly. One lady had to keep looking that she was in time re dance moves / off putting.

Jane and I went to see the Royal Marines School of Music, and we were blown away! With our father being an ex-RM band sergeant, we wanted to share something in his honour. The only let down was the seats were too small for the larger person and were not comfortable. But as for the performance, out of this world!

Recommend some bigger seating options please.

For my wife and I this was our first recent visit to Portsmouth Guildhall.
We booked the 'special deal' pre-show pizza & drink plus discounted parking (close by).
First impressions - the security staff were polite and made us welcome & directed us to the box office to collect the discounted parking ticket. A very polite young lady directed us to the Cafe for the pre-show "Sip & Slice' (very reasonable price) very tasty and promptly and politely served.
The show was fantastic, the dancing, the lighting, the music. Nadia & Kai worked so hard and produced a top class show worthy of a London venue.
Out total experience of the show and venue was 'beyond our expectations'.
Well done Nadia, Kai and production team. Well done Portsmouth Guildhall staff. "we'll be back!!!"

Have booked tickets to attend Takedown Festival in April 2023. The festival boasted Sleep Token and Skindred as headliners. Amazing! So I thought. They’ve been listed as playing at the same time!! Awful decision. I’d like to sell my ticket but I’ve paid for a hotel and can’t afford to waste the money. Was really excited about it but now not so much. I’ve attend over 80 festivals so far and this is one of the worst clashes I’ve ever experienced. Wouldn’t return.

Have been a visitor for decades, pleased to say Portsmouth Guildhall is now being run by a more energetic team (shouts out to Craig, Shane and all the hardworking security, bar and hosting staff particularly). The acts booked in recent years are right up there in terms of quality, diversity and entertainment. Always a top night out, whether a cider festival, orchestra night, comedy gig or anything in between. Keep it up guys, you do Pompey proud.

I bought tickets to see a band in 2020. Three years later, the tickets were faded and I was extremely anxious and stressed about getting in. Courtney, from the box office, put my mind at rest when I phoned. All the staff on the night were professional and friendly. Fantastic venue for a metal gig and the acoustics were brilliant. A fantastic and memorable night that I'll never forget. Well done, Portsmouth Guildhall. 👏

I went with some family and friends as I was having spinal surgery the next day. I managed to sit most of the show but towards the end my back was in spasm so I got up to stretch in the corridor. When I got out walking stiffly and with a limp due to my back I stretch over a tall bin. There was nobody around as everyone was watching the show. I was then approached by a large male security worker who came up to me and said I couldn't walk properly because I was drunk and had to leave. I said to him its because I had a bad back. I was then approached by a small male security worker so I tried to show him on my phone that I was disabled and having spinal surgery the next day. By this point as a lone female approached by two men with nobody around I was scared and intimidated. The smaller one said I was slurring my speech. I tried to then explain that I am on controlled drugs and strong pain killers so that affects my speech. They wouldn't listen or look at my evidence and after I said I was alone with two men, they called a female security worker. Now three of them to one person alone and anxious. They accused me of raising my voice which I did due to feeling intimidated and not listened to. The female one tried to put hands on me to make me leave. I said my belongings included my coat were in there. She said she would get them which I refused to have her touch my belongings so I was escorted in to my seat two rows from the front for everybody to see. My friend then came with me. I held myself together until we left and then broke down in tears.
I am a senior manager for people with disabilities and aware of disability discrimination but I never imagined being on the receiving end. I was humiliated and intimidated. I reported my concerns immediately and received a response the following day, so it wasn't investigated and they said I was asked to leave because I was abusive. I have never been abusive. They are not going to say they made me leave because they didn't understand a hidden disability. I have asked to see the incident reports but they won't let me. I am viewing CCTV next week

Always a meh experience as a venue. Often the bars are too busy to serve the required number of people looking for drinks (not like they know how many tickets have been sold) and ofcourse, you cant use cash there now either.... shame it could be so much better.

Attended soul to soul last night Totally ridiculous getting in , my whole body was frisked by security woman , who then didn’t check my bag properly !! Once we were in there we couldn’t put our coats in they said it was full !!!!What, they didn’t know how many people were going ? Hugh queues at the bar , crap evening . Soul to soul
took it as an opportunity to spread the love 🥺as in spread the show out Very disappointing venue and show

I recently attended Jimmy Carr following 9 months of lockdown and being the opening show following goverment covid-19 social distancing guidelines. It was very well organised, track and trace was noted with temperatures taken, masks worn and hand sanitiser provided. Seats were distanced with staff very friendly, professional and approachable. I pre-orderd on the app so had my drink ready for when I entered. I had a great night and did not feel concerned for the current situation and look forward to attend again.

I have spent a lot of time on line to find a seating plan visual or video of the Guildhall for seats for my family to see Riverdance next year. Having not been able to see a detailed plan (other than the flat printed and laminated A4 page layout at the Guildhall) I went to visit the Guildhall to see the actual layout myself the other day as I had concerns about the steps up to levels and wanted to ensure I got the right seat whatever the price but reluctant to pay before I see.

The reception area had one person who we waited for and told us that we could not go into the theatre as there was some kind of meeting going on which was disappointing however we asked if there was an image available and the girl replied no. Whilst I accept that the timing of my visit didn’t allow me to go in the theatre I asked when I could and she said there wasn’t an opportunity to do so and nothing else was offered to assist to aid the purchase of the tickets so I left disappointed advising we will look at other venues such as Bristol and Southampton for the show.

Whilst we have booked tickets for Riverdance in Southampton after seeing a better clear visual of the seating plan I am disgusted that they couldn’t assist in anyway in my own city of Portsmouth and would suggest that some kind of facility is provided to improve sight of the theatre seating plan before purchase of tickets other than a piece of flat A4.