Merrill Auditorium
4.6(722)google
3.6(33)yelp
Date SpotIndoorCity LandmarkPerformanceConcertHistoric Building
Overview
Merrill Auditorium is a 1,908-seat auditorium located in Portland, Maine, United States. Originally known as Portland City Hall Auditorium, it is located in the eastern section of Portland City Hall. The auditorium was built in 1912 and underwent a major rebuild and renovation in 1997.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat–SunClosed
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeAn esteemed historic performing arts cathedral open year-round. Securing orchestra seats for a Friday or Saturday evening headline show at 7:30 PM during the symphony season (September to May) is paramount. Arrive at 6:30 PM to marvel at the grand auditorium's opulent neoclassical tiers and the legendary Kotzschmar Organ—one of the world's largest classical pipe organs—before the curtains rise.
Getting TherePerfectly integrated into the historic Portland City Hall complex at 20 Myrtle Street. By car, take I-295 Exit 7 down Franklin Street, turn right onto Congress Street, and make a quick turn onto Myrtle Street; the multi-level paid Temple Street Parking Garage sits directly behind the theatre walls. For transit, Portland METRO Routes 1, 5, and 8 stop sequentially right at the Myrtle Street curbside terminal.
Travel Tips
- The adjacent Myrtle Street Garage experiences extreme, standstill gridlock 45 minutes pre-performance due to massive regional show-going arrivals; theater-goers must engineer arrivals over 60 minutes early or reroute to distant peripheral lots.
- The venue enforces rigid acoustic rules via PortTIX exclusive ticketing architectures; digital advance purchase is mandatory as day-of walk-ups are non-viable, and late-arrival policies strictly lock out tardy patrons until designated intermissions.
- Copyright and public safety statutes absolute ban unauthorized digital audio-visual recording and illuminated smartphone operation inside the hall; severe security screenings filter and reject outside liquids and backpacks exceeding 11x15 inches.
Reviews
Positive
- Portland's premier performing arts hall! This historic grand auditorium features plush red-and-gold tier decor and legendary world-class acoustics.
- It houses a rare, century-old giant Kotzschmar pipe organ. When it plays, the majestic roaring resonance delivers an unmatched acoustic thrill.
- The venue management is highly professional with prompt lines. Ushers are dressed neatly and polite; restrooms are upscale and abundant.
- Superb location right by City Hall downtown, with clear pedestrian road signs. Easy walk to Old Port, making it a perfect cultural hub stop.
Heads up
- Tickets for landmark shows (like the Portland Symphony) are very expensive, plus extra online ticketing fees, making total spending steep.
- Located in a tight downtown commercial block, it has zero dedicated free parking; drivers must use timed commercial garages, which is a hassle.
- As a classic tiered theater, the upper balcony steps are extremely steep and seat legroom is tight, making it tough for taller guests or frail elders.
- Within ten minutes of a show ending, surrounding narrow city streets face severe traffic jams, causing driving gridlocks due to sudden high density.