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Royal Alexandra Theatre

The Royal Alexandra Theatre is a national historic landmark – the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in North America and the continent’s first truly “royal” theatre, granted official letters patent by Edward VII entitling it to the royal designation, along with his permission to name it after his consort, Alexandra. Built in 1907 by Cawthra Mulock (Toronto’s “boy millionaire”), and designed by John M Lyle, it is a masterpiece of beaux-arts architecture that also holds distinction as the city’s first steel-framed structure (allowing cantilevered balconies), one of the first “air-conditioned” buildings in North America, and the first theatre to be deemed legitimately “fireproof”. Its proscenium-stage has seen almost 3400 productions since its opening and has been graced by such legendary performers as John Gielgud, Mary Pickford, the Marx Brothers, Edith Piaf, Paul Robeson… to name just a few.

Address

260 King St W, Toronto
ON, M5V 1H9
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Box Office Hours

February 5 - March 31

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 3PM - 8PM
Wednesday: 11AM - 8PM
Thursday: 3PM - 8PM
Friday: 3:30PM - 8:30PM
Saturday: 11AM - 8:30PM
Sunday: 11AM - 3PM

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Theatre and Facilities

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floorplans  of the Royal Alexandra Theatre
Venue Access Guides and Maps
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Seating Map
At The Theatre
At The Theatre
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Accessibility Services
royal alexandra theatre old external view

Edwin "Honest Ed" Mirvish purchased the Royal Alexandra from the Mulock estate in 1963 and closed the theatre for extensive modernisation, repair and renovation, restoring the old house to the splendour of its early days. Ed Mirvish personally oversaw the operation of the theatre for the next 23 years, until 1986 when he handed management and administration over to his son, David, and David's company, Mirvish Productions. In 2016, the theatre underwent another restoration, a $2.5 million project that revived the building’s splendour while also welcoming it into the 21st century. Learn more about it here.

BY CAR: If you are arriving by car from out of town, the Royal Alexandra Theatre is just north of the Gardiner Expressway (the QEW, to and from Hamilton, Niagara and Buffalo).

BY RAIL: Visitors arriving by VIA or GO Train can walk to the Royal Alexandra theatre from Union Station. It is just a ten-minute walk to reach the theatre; west along Front St. to Simcoe, and north on Simcoe to King or you can take the TTC subway from Union Station [Line 1 (Yonge-University) towards Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station] one stop north to the St. Andrew subway station; from there, it is a short walk, one block west, along King Street West.

BY TRANSIT: The Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King Street West) is located one block west of the TTC St. Andrew subway station. Visit the TTC website to plan your visit.

MIRVISH PARKING (Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King Street West): There are four levels of parking located beneath the theatre, with an entrance ramp off John Street. The maximum height clearance is 6 feet 5 and 3/4 inches. Accessible spaces, elevators and access ramps are available. See the accessibility section below for more information.

PARKING LOT HOURS: Hours of operation subject to change

Monday to Wednesday: 6AM to 2AM
Thursday & Friday: 6AM to 4AM
Saturday & Sunday: 11AM to 4AM

Parking attendant on duty during office hours.

Note: It is possible for the demand for parking to exceed our capacity. Accessible spaces are not available for advance reservation.

Thanks for parking!

MUNICIPAL LOTS: Search for “off-street parking” by location (Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King Street West). 

STREET PARKING: Search for “on-street parking” overview by location (Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King Street West).

MOTOR COACH & BUS PARKING: Check the City of Toronto website to find out more about designated motor coach and bus loading areas. PICK UP / DROP OFF: Look for signage posted on King Street West between Simcoe Street and John Street, east and west of the Royal Alexandra Theatre main entrance (260 King Street West).

As a national historic landmark, the Royal Alexandra Theatre is required to maintain the style and appearance of a 19th century theatre. It has no elevator or escalator; stair access is required throughout much of the building, including to reach the Dress Circle and Balcony seating levels, and the Yale Simpson Lounge on the basement level.

The main level is accessible, including automated doors at the front entrance (260 King Street West), private barrier-free restroom facilities, access to box office, bar and concession services and merchandise sales. Coat check service (located on the basement level) can be arranged with the help of front of house staff.

Wheelchair accessible, special access and bariatric seating are available on the Orchestra level.

The theatre is equipped with the Sennheiser FM assisted listening system which requires use of headsets that are available to borrow, free of charge (advance reservation required).

See the ACCESSIBILITY page on our website for more information on the building layout, facilities, accessibility services, and policies. Please contact Audiences Services at 1.800.461.3333 to book accessible seating.

The Mirvish Parking garage, located below the Princess of Wales Theatre, includes three accessible parking spaces on P1 level (no advance reservations). Elevators, located on either side of the theatre main entrance on King Street West, service all parking levels, with access ramps and automated doors on P1 (east and west side) and P2, P3, P4 (east side).

You may also find useful information on the City of Toronto Accessible Streets webpage.

YALE SIMPSON LOUNGE - The Yale Simpson Lounge is the largest lounge at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, located on the lowest level, beneath the auditorium. It features restrooms, coat check, bar and concession services and is open to all guests of the theatre, pre-show and intermission. It is also available for rent as a semi-private (pre-show, 100 guests) and private (post-show, 300 guests) event space. (Stair access only.)

CAA LOUNGE - The elegant CAA Lounge is located on the Dress Circle level of the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and is distinguished by its high ceiling, baby grand piano and French doors that overlook King Street West. It features restrooms, bar and concession services, and is open to all guests of the theatre, pre-show and intermission. The lounge can also be rented as a semi-private (pre-show, 100) and private (post-show, 300 guests) event space.  (Stair access only.)

THE ROYAL ALEXANDRA SUITE - This private room, located just off the Yale Simpson Lounge, is available to rent as a pre-show, intermission and/or post-show event space for small groups of up to 10 people. (Stair access only.)

Each level of the theatre features four bar/concession counters available to guests during pre-show and intermission – the Yale Simpson Lounge (lower level), Louis XIV Lounge (main / Orchestra level), CAA Lounge (Dress Circle level) and Balcony Lobby.

Each counter sells a limited selection of alcoholic beverages - wine, liquor, liqueurs and bottled beer - as well as non-alcoholic beverages, including bottled spring water, soft drinks and coffee. In addition, an assortment of snacks is available at each counter, including cookies, packaged candy and ice cream. Enjoy exclusive American Express Cardmember access to the Priority Bar located in the Yale Simpson Lounge.

In addition to the counters, there are carts set up in various lobby spaces offering a selection of concession items and non-alcoholic beverages, along with rovers who walk around the building selling items (most often ice cream and bottled water).

Bars and concessions are open pre-show and during intermission and food and beverage can be consumed in the lobbies and auditorium.

Patrons may take all products that are sold in our lobby spaces to their seats. Outside food and drinks are not permitted in the theatre.

Bars accept debit and credit cards, Mirvish Subscriber Cards, cash and pre-paid vouchers. Contactless (tap) payment is available for all card payment methods.

For your convenience, a coat check is located in the Yale Simpson Lounge (lower level) . The cost is $3.00 per checked item. Guests who are CAA Members may present their valid membership card to receive complimentary coat check service.

Did you lose an item in the theatre?

Call 1.800.461.3333
Press 4 for Lost & Found
Email: lostandfound@mirvish.com

What theatre is more deserving of a historical tour than the Royal Alexandra Theatre? Named a National Historic Monument in 1987, it is a masterpiece of beaux-arts architecture and has been the home to almost 3400 productions since its opening in 1907. It is the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in North America, and has played a significant role in shaping the Toronto entertainment district for well over a century. It has certainly fulfilled the dream of its original owner, Cawthra Mulock, to build a theatre that would put his hometown on the world’s cultural map.

The Royal Alexandra Theatre is located in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment district and is Canada’s oldest legitimate theatre. Built in 1907, the theatre is a national historic landmark and its stage has seen almost 3,400 productions since its first opening night. With a seating capacity of 1224, it continues to be the crown jewel of the Mirvish theatres and a much sought-after venue for both musical and dramatic productions. It is a perfect venue for theatrical productions, concerts, comedy, benefits, press conferences, lectures, product launches, private functions and much more

Although slightly smaller in size than the Princess of Wales Theatre, it is similar in its design, with three levels of seating, lobbies with bar/refreshment counters on each level and the large and elegant Yale Simpson Lounge - which is fully licensed and can accommodate up to 300 guests - in the basement. These areas are ideal for cocktail receptions, small business meetings and product launches.

Contact us for more information.