Southern Theatre Tickets

Southern Theatre Tickets & Events

The oldest surviving theater in Columbus, Southern Theatre brings concerts, chamber music, jazz, theater, comedy, family shows, and cultural programming to a restored 19th-century proscenium hall on East Main Street. Southern Theatre tickets place you inside an intimate, approximately 900-seat room known for ornate Victorian-era design and outstanding natural acoustics.

This page covers everything you need to know before you go — from finding the right seats to getting there, navigating the venue, and buying with confidence.

About Southern Theatre

Southern Theatre opened in 1896 as part of the Great Southern Hotel & Theatre complex, making it the oldest surviving theater in Columbus. Managed by CAPA, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, the venue was restored and reopened in 1998 after a major renovation. Today, it seats approximately 900 guests in downtown Columbus at 21 East Main Street, where its compact size gives performances a close, room-filling feel.

The Southern hosts a steady calendar of singer/songwriter, acoustic, folk, jazz, classical, chamber orchestra, theatrical, comedy, family, and cultural events. It is home to ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and performances by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra through the Jazz Arts Group, and its programming has included artists such as Colin Hay and touring productions including The Sound of Music. Its reputation rests on an elegant restored interior, detailed plasterwork, decorative finishes, and acoustics especially well suited to orchestral, chamber, and acoustic performances.

Built with fireproof construction that was pioneering for its era, Southern Theatre remains one of Columbus’s most historic cultural landmarks.

Location & Transportation

Southern Theatre is located at 21 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43215 — at the corner of South High Street and East Main Street in downtown Columbus.

Driving and Parking: Southern Theatre sits in the downtown Columbus core, with numerous public parking garages and surface lots nearby, including facilities serving the surrounding downtown and theater district. Street parking and metered spaces are also found in the area. For popular performances, arriving early is wise so you have time to park, walk to the theater, and settle in before curtain.

Transit: COTA bus routes serve High Street, downtown Columbus’s primary transit corridor, putting bus access close to the theater. Columbus has no rail transit, so buses and personal vehicles are the main transportation options for Southern Theatre events.

Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate widely throughout downtown Columbus, with convenient drop-off and pickup along Main and High Streets near the theater. After a show, allowing a few extra minutes for rideshare demand around downtown can make departure smoother.

Nearby Accommodation: Downtown Columbus offers many hotel options within walking distance of Southern Theatre. Additional places to stay are found in the downtown core and in the nearby Brewery District and German Village neighborhoods just south of the venue.

Venue Navigation

Southern Theatre is a compact historic performance hall, so navigation is straightforward compared with larger multi-level venues. Knowing the basic layout in advance still helps, especially if your seats are in the balcony or you want extra time before the performance begins.

Entrances and Access: The main entrance faces East Main Street at the corner with South High Street. Guests enter from downtown Columbus street level and proceed into the lobby before being directed toward the auditorium.

Seating Levels: The theater is arranged in a classic proscenium configuration with orchestra-level seating on the main floor and a balcony level above. All seating is oriented toward the stage, and the intimate size keeps most sections close to the performance.

Accessibility: As a CAPA-operated venue, Southern Theatre offers accessible seating and services. Guests who need accommodations can contact the box office in advance for assistance with seating and access needs.

Getting to Your Section: Staff and ushers help patrons find seats, and the theater’s compact footprint makes it easy to move from the lobby into the orchestra or balcony. Because the balcony level includes stairs and the building is historic, giving yourself extra time is helpful if you prefer an unhurried arrival.

Dining Options

Inside Southern Theatre

Lobby bar and concession service are typically offered for performances at Southern Theatre. Beverage options commonly include alcohol, making it easy to get a drink before the show or during an appropriate break.

Outside the Venue — Downtown Columbus

Downtown Columbus has abundant dining near Southern Theatre, with restaurants throughout the downtown core and along High Street. The Brewery District and historic German Village sit just south of the theater, giving attendees additional pre-show and post-show options within a short trip of the venue.

Security & Policies

Southern Theatre maintains security and venue policies that are updated regularly and may vary by event. Before attending, reviewing the current policy on the venue's official website is strongly recommended.

Bag Policy: Bag size restrictions and inspection may apply at CAPA venues. Smaller bags are generally permitted, while larger bags may be searched or restricted depending on the event.

Commonly Prohibited Items: Weapons, outside food and drink, and professional recording equipment are commonly restricted. Event and production requirements can affect the final list of prohibited items.

Entry Procedures: Bag checks and digital or printed ticket verification are standard at CAPA-operated venues. Arriving with a compliant bag and tickets ready to scan helps speed up entry.

Other Venues in the Columbus Area

Southern Theatre is part of a deep Columbus live-events market that includes historic theaters, downtown arenas, university venues, and restored cultural spaces. Fans looking across the metro can find everything from intimate performing arts to major concerts and Big Ten game days.

• Ohio Theatre Tickets — Historic 1928 CAPA-operated movie palace; home of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and BalletMet performances
• Palace Theatre Tickets — Historic CAPA-operated theater hosting concerts, comedy, and touring productions
• Nationwide Arena Tickets — Major downtown indoor arena; home of the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
• Schottenstein Center Tickets — Large multi-purpose arena on the Ohio State University campus; home of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's and women's basketball
• Ohio Stadium Tickets — Historic football stadium; home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football
• Express Live! Tickets — Indoor/outdoor concert venue in the Arena District
• Mershon Auditorium Tickets — Performing-arts hall at Ohio State's Wexner Center for the Arts
• Davidson Theatre Tickets — Performance venue within the Riffe Center downtown
• Lincoln Theatre Tickets — Historic restored theater hosting jazz, gospel, and cultural performances
• McCoy Center for the Arts Tickets — Performing-arts venue in the northern suburb of New Albany

How Much Do Tickets to Southern Theatre Cost?

Southern Theatre ticket prices vary widely depending on the type of event, the artist or production, seating section, and demand — which is what you'd expect from a venue that hosts everything from chamber orchestra concerts to touring theatrical productions.

For singer/songwriter and concert performances, tickets are often priced at approximately $35–$85, with demand, artist profile, and proximity to the stage influencing the final cost.

For chamber and orchestral concerts, Southern Theatre tickets typically range from approximately $30–$75. Balcony and rear orchestra seats are usually among the more accessible options, while prime center orchestra locations tend to cost more.

For touring theatrical productions, tickets can range from approximately $40–$100 or more, especially for popular productions and stronger seat locations in the orchestra.

Popular performances in this intimate 900-seat theater can sell out, so buying earlier generally gives you better seat selection and stronger availability. As inventory shrinks and the event date approaches, the best remaining sections can become more competitive.

> No hidden fees. At Box Office Ticket Sales, the price you see is the price you pay. All fees are shown before checkout — no surprise charges when you reach the final step.

How to Buy Southern Theatre Tickets

Getting your tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com is fast and secure. Here's how the process works:

1. Browse Southern Theatre events — Search for Southern Theatre tickets and select the show or event you want to attend
2. Pick your seats — Use the interactive seating map to compare sections, rows, views, and real-time pricing side by side
3. Secure checkout — Pay with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Affirm for flexible payment options
4. Receive your tickets — Digital tickets are delivered to your email or mobile wallet before the event, ready to scan at the entrance

Every order is backed by our 100% verified ticket guarantee and on-time delivery promise. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your invoice and all event details you need before show night.

Southern Theatre Seating Guide

Southern Theatre uses a classic proscenium layout with two main seating levels: the orchestra on the main floor and the balcony above. Because the room seats approximately 900 guests and is known for strong acoustics, the best choice often comes down to whether you prefer proximity to the stage, a centered view, or the value of elevated seating.

Best Seats at Southern Theatre

• Best value: Balcony and rear orchestra seats are typically the most affordable options, offering a full view of the stage in an intimate theater where few seats are far from the performance.
• Closest to the action: Front and center orchestra rows put you nearest to the stage, making them a strong choice for singer/songwriters, theatrical productions, and performances where facial expression and detail matter.
• Best overall experience: Center orchestra seats offer the best balance of sightlines, sound, and proximity. These locations are especially appealing for chamber, orchestral, and acoustic events that benefit from the room’s natural acoustics.
• Premium and suite options: Prime center orchestra locations serve as premium seating at Southern Theatre, with elevated demand for high-profile artists and productions.
• For groups: Coordinating seats early is helpful for popular shows, especially in an approximately 900-seat theater where contiguous availability can tighten as the event approaches.

Southern Theatre Seating Chart

You can view an interactive seating map for Southern Theatre events directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while browsing available listings. The map lets you compare sections side by side, check row depth and distance from the stage, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before committing to a purchase.

Can I See Where My Seats Are?

Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy. Use it to understand your position in the venue, your distance from the stage, and whether you're in the orchestra or up in the balcony — so the tickets you choose match exactly what you're looking for on event night.

Getting Ready for Your Southern Theatre Event

Once your tickets are confirmed, a few practical preparations make the night run significantly smoother — especially at a historic downtown theater where parking, stairs, and curtain time all matter.

• Download your tickets before you leave. Save your tickets to your phone's wallet or screenshot them before departing so you're ready at the entrance without needing a signal.
• Charge your phone fully. Digital ticketing is standard, and your phone is your entry. A portable battery pack is worth having for a full evening.
• Arrive early. Give yourself time for downtown parking and to be seated before curtain, since latecomers may be held until a suitable break.
• Wear the right footwear. Southern Theatre is a historic venue with a balcony level reached by stairs and some interior steps between levels, so supportive shoes can make moving through the building more comfortable.
• Build extra time into your transit plan. Downtown parking, walking from nearby garages or lots, and pre-show entry can all take time on popular performance nights.
• Check the bag policy in advance. Reviewing the venue's guidelines before packing prevents delays at security.

Is Box Office Ticket Sales Legit?

Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy Southern Theatre tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs every purchase:

• 100% verified ticket listings — every listing is authenticated before it reaches you
• On-time delivery guarantee — your tickets arrive before the event, or we make it right
• All seats together unless explicitly noted otherwise in the listing
• SSL-encrypted checkout — your payment information is protected at every step
• 24/7 TrustGuard monitoring — active security oversight around the clock
• Access to 125,000+ live events nationwide, from Southern Theatre concerts to major sports and entertainment across the country
• BoxOfficeTicketSales.com has been selling tickets for 21 years and is BBB accredited

Southern Theatre events — particularly marquee artists, touring productions, and popular chamber or jazz performances — move fast. The best-value listings disappear well before event night, and inventory for popular events tightens quickly once demand builds. If you have a specific event in mind, acting sooner gets you better seats at better prices. Browse Southern Theatre tickets now and lock in your spot before inventory moves.

Need Help With Your Southern Theatre Tickets?

Our support team is available before, during, and after your purchase. Reach us through any of these channels:

• Live chat: Log in to your account at BoxOfficeTicketSales.com to chat with an agent
• Email: customersupport@boxofficeticketsales.com
• Phone: Call the number on your order confirmation invoice
• Buy by phone: Call 1-800-515-2171 to purchase tickets directly with a representative