Barrymore Theatre — Attraction in Madison

The Barrymore is a cash only facility. Come for the event or the performance, and stay for the popcorn. This lobby is committed to their craft. Several handwritten, taped up signs, reminding that they top popcorn with real butter. WoW! Livin so large that this popcorn smells and is good enough to believe men are churning butter in random creepy basement rooms. The restrooms are lower level. I'd check the website when traveling with anyone who has alternate means and needs. Once below, hope the other doors are open and lit. You don't want them closed. Anything can come at you if they're closed. Open to the vacuum and hoses. I broom closet says you. The energy, dare I say, the vibe of that tiny room of terrors is disturbing. Everyone was saying something about it. Well, probably because I was. Nonetheless, you can update me on the closet and the weird colored restroom doors. A larger storage room with the door open and lit is permanently scary. Not for entertaining, though the three steps down could allow for quite an entrance. The theater is magical when one is on the main level. The Barrymore has been a part of my whole life. Seeing it in its original gloves and bonnet. By the time I understood her role, she had fallen into disrepair. Over my earlier years, The Barrymore came to resemble the type of town Hill Valley aspired to clean up now that Goldie Wilson was Mayor. And up for the needed second term. Save the clock tower! I later learned what three Xs meant from her marquee. Those days, it was only lit at night and with nearly no bulbs. At some point, the marquee was restored. Maybe near '84. Things didn't happen for families too often after dark in '84. We weren't out running a street. That was a phrase used far too frequently back in those days. 80s We were just leaning as much as we could. On rare occasions, I would be out past dark, and each time we'd pass that newly lit and often flashing and oddly buzzing marquee, I would scramble in what might've been someone's passing car like a total dork. Just to see the lights. Even later, learning to be prepared to pass to see the lights and never miss it. Now, the theater is a masterpiece. I'm grateful for The Barrymore's restoration and Madison's dedication to her over the years. The Barrymore is beautiful and looks like she's in good hands. I saw Ziwe tonight. Check her out if you haven't. I'm home after her show and now I think I'm funny. Everyone is welcome. So get...

Barrymore is located in an iconic Madison neighborhood at top of Willy Street on Atwood. Can't beat the vibe, and new seats in the theatre and other renovations along with some great shows make it all unbeatable for a night out on the town.

Very nice lobby bar, and popcorn is for sale lobby. Balcony is not acrophobia-inducing nor steeply raked, but there is plenty of main floor seating. Be careful to not sit in back of the sound controls area in the center of the main floor though - blocks the view from some seats.

SO many restaurants right there on Atwood if you would like food before or after show. Lao Laan Xang immediately next door for superb Laotian and curry dishes, Monty's across the street for always excellent diner fare/comfort food/vegan dishes/drinks/desserts, Tex Tubb's Taco Palace on the corner for a fun fiesta atmosphere complete with margaritas. Don't forget Dobhan - so good!!! Too many great places to list - all within walking distance of theatre.

Not sure about parking..... available on street and some lots are right next to theatre. Take the bus or bike if you can and you'll be right in there doing high fives with the locals.

One note: Great drink options, but popcorn could use an upgrade. Not sure what brand they use - and I'm not saying I'm going to Marcus theatres instead of Barrymore - but the popcorn is definitely yummier at the giant corporate theater. Easy to fix,...

I want to start by saying the artist (yelawolf) performing put on one hell of a show. Here is my problem with the Barrymore Theater, terrible security, lack of space in front of the stage, drinks were extensively overpriced. I’m not sure if whoever was in charge of organizing the concert was aware of the crowd yelawolf draws or how his audience acts. They clearly did not do there research and security was way understaffed. Security had absolutely no control and pure chaos erupted once the main act was on stage. My girlfriend and I were trampled by an out of shape security guard who was attempting to escort someone out for fighting. (He broke my girlfriend’s foot) Then when I got angry about it they asked me to leave. When the security escorted out unruly guests, they escorted them to the entrance of the theater and not out the door. People were getting kicked out and walking in another door and right back to the mosh pit. They had three "security" guards by the mosh pit, two by the door and that was all i saw. The out of shape security guards were winded and limping after the opening act. The concert would have been the best I’ve been to if it wasn’t for these downfalls. I refuse to return to The Barrymore because of this. $12 dollars for a single mixed drink is outrageous. Might i add when i bought a double they simply put more coke with my one...