The Commodore Ballroom is a landmark live music venue at 868 Granville Street in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Opened in December 1930 as the Commodore Cabaret during the depths of the Great Depression, the Art Deco room was built by George Conrad Reifel and designed by architect H.H. Gillingham, and it has remained one of Canada’s most storied stages for nearly a century.
Transformed into a rock and roll destination under promoter Drew Burns starting in 1969, the Commodore built its reputation on booking acts across every genre, from punk and new wave to country and heavy metal. After closing in 1996, the venue underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation and reopened in November 1999 with Blue Rodeo, restoring its signature sprung dance floor and cementing its status as Billboard’s only Canadian entry among North America’s most influential clubs.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 868 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Type: Live music club and ballroom
- Opened: December 1930 (as Commodore Cabaret)
- Renamed/Renovated: 1969 (Commodore Ballroom); reopened November 1999 after renovation
- Capacity: About 990
- Owner/Operator: Live Nation
- Famous for: Its sprung, horsehair-lined dance floor
A Sprung Floor Built for Dancing
One of the Commodore’s defining features is its original sprung dance floor, built with a layer of horsehair beneath the floorboards to absorb impact instead of reflecting it. The design, unusual even when installed in the late 1920s, gives the floor a noticeable bounce under a packed crowd and has survived decades of renovations, remaining a talking point for musicians and fans alike.
The room’s Art Deco detailing and intimate sightlines, paired with the springy floor, have made it a favorite stop for touring acts who want a club-sized room with real character rather than an anonymous mid-size hall.
From Depression-Era Cabaret to Rock Landmark
The venue opened just after the 1929 stock market crash and briefly closed in 1931 before reopening under new management for dinner-and-dancing nights. Its transformation into a rock club came decades later under promoter Drew Burns, who rebranded it the Commodore Ballroom in 1969 and began booking the touring acts that built its reputation.
After sitting dark from 1996 to 1999 following a lease dispute, the Commodore reopened with a restored dance floor and has since hosted Grammy and Juno winners including Nirvana, U2, Pearl Jam, Coldplay, and Radiohead, earning recognition from Billboard and Conde Nast Traveler as one of North America’s premier live music rooms.
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Commodore Ballroom FAQs
When did the Commodore Ballroom open?
It opened in December 1930 as the Commodore Cabaret, then was renamed the Commodore Ballroom in 1969 when it shifted focus to live rock and touring acts.
What is the Commodore Ballroom’s capacity?
The venue holds about 990 guests, mixing standing room with table seating.
Who owns the Commodore Ballroom today?
Live Nation owns and operates the venue, which is located at 868 Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.
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Photo: Deinocheirus / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.