Visitor Information
Tickets
How do I get tickets?
Visit us in person, call our Box Office at 250-385-6815 or buy your tickets online. Either way, we will get you the best seats possible – our theatres are small and no seat is farther than 8 meters (25 feet) from the stage. Our service fees are the same, whichever way you buy.
The Belfry accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express for online, telephone, or in-person purchases, as well as Interac, cheques (please make payable to the Belfry Theatre), and cash when booking in person.
What are the Box Office hours?
During performance weeks:
- Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm
- and 90 minutes prior to each performance (Tuesday – Sunday) for ticket pick-ups for that performance only
Non-performance weeks:
- Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm
What should I wear?
We’re casual. While you can dress up if you wish, there’s no need to at the Belfry. Like the song says, we love you just the way you are.
What if I buy tickets but can’t go?
Tickets are non-refundable but may be exchanged for another performance (within that production and subject to availability) providing you notify the box office prior to the start of the performance for which they were issued. For the 2022-23 Season, ticket exchanges are offered at no additional charge.
What are previews?
Tuesday and Wednesday Previews are the customary performance period at the very start of a show’s run before the critics have been invited to see it. We continue to make refinements to shows in our previews, though what you see on the stage during that period will not be markedly different from what the critics see.
At the show
When should I arrive?
Doors typically open for seating about 1 hour before the “curtain” (while we don’t have a curtain –“curtain” is theatre jargon for “start of the show”). Prior to your performance, we’ll send you an email with a suggested arrival time within that hour.
Can I get food or drink at the theatre?
For the 2022-2023 Season, Concession is open with limited service. Drinks purchased at the concession may be enjoyed in the lobby, but no food or drink is permitted within the theatre auditorium at this time. Please do not bring any food or drink from home (except water bottles). While the public water fountain will not be usable, there is a self-serve water station at the bar.
After the show–now what?
Have a drink or a dessert, of course – then go tell all your friends and encourage them to get out and see more theatre!
Following select performances, we offer Afterplay – an opportunity to have a facilitated conversation with fellow audience members about the play you’ve just seen.
Audience Advisories / Running Times
The Box Office will let you know if there is strong language, mature subject matter or extreme technical effects (strobe lights, fog) in the show. Please look for signs at the entrances to the theatre. Advisories and running times are available at the Box Office as of the first preview.
Latecomers and Re-admission
The Director of each production designates moments in the show when the seating of latecomers will cause the least amount of distraction for actors and audience members. Should you leave the theatre, our House Manager will reseat you during one of these moments.
Theatre Spaces
We have two theatres in the building – our 274-seat Stewart Mainstage Theatre and our 90-seat BMO Studio Theatre. Both spaces are wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchair Access
The Belfry is fully wheelchair accessible, including a wheelchair-accessible washroom. As space within the theatres is limited, we ask you to book wheelchair seating in advance. Please let us know if you have an attendant with whom you wish to sit.
Hearing Assistance Devices
Yes, we have free headsets. You can get a headset when you collect your tickets – just visit our Front of House Office beside the Box Office. For patrons who are hard of hearing, the theatre is equipped with an infra-red hearing assist system and neck loop system. We have twelve devices of each of the two systems available through the Box Office.
Gender Inclusive Washrooms
We have three gender-inclusive washrooms in the building – one is just past the women’s washroom in the lobby and the other two are on our lower level – just past the men’s washrooms.
Guide and Companion Dogs
Guide and medically required companion dogs are welcome in the theatre. For audience safety and comfort you must inform us that you are bringing a dog when you book your tickets.
Children / Babes in Arms
The Belfry is proud to produce adult contemporary theatre. Our productions are not suitable for children 10 and under. Sorry, we do not admit babes in arms.
Perfume and Cologne
Please refrain from wearing perfume and cologne when you come to the theatre. Some of our patrons are highly allergic to scents.
Recording Devices
No cameras or recording devices are permitted in the theatre.
Phones
When you take your seat in the theatre please turn your phone off or turn the ringer to silent.
Good to know
Our theatres are small and acoustically dynamic. Trust us, if you talk to your neighbour during a show, the actors on stage will hear you.
Social Media
Please no pictures or video in the theatre. Feel free to take pictures or selfies in the lobby and don’t forget to tag us @belfrytheatre #belfrytheatre.
Getting Here / Dining Here
How do I get to the Belfry?
Our street address is 1291 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC. Scroll down for more information about getting to the Belfry, or you can download a map here.
Parking
As of September 2022, ongoing construction in the Fernwood neighbourhood has reduced parking options around the theatre. Limited parking can be found at the Victoria High School parking lot on Gladstone Avenue for evening and weekend performances. During our Wednesday Matinees, that parking lot is reserved, and your car will be towed.
Additional parking lots have generously been made available at St. Nicholas Church (on Cook Street at Caledonia Avenue) for evening performances and at Victor School (on Victor Street at Denman Street) for evening and weekend performances. These lots are about a 10-minute walk away from the theatre.
(Disclaimer: all parking is at vehicle owner’s own risk. St. Nicholas Church/School District 61/the Belfry Theatre assume no responsibility for theft or damages.)
When these lots are full or unavailable, please look for street parking in zones NOT marked “Residential Only”. If you park in zones marked “Residential” you will be ticketed. Unsigned street parking can be found within a few blocks, north and east of the theatre.
Bus Service
The Belfry is serviced directly by the 22 Vic General / Hillside Centre Bus. Routes 1, 2, 10, 24, 25, 27 & 28 all stop within three blocks of the theatre. Routes 11 & 14 stop within five blocks of the theatre. You can plan your journey here >>
Taxis
If you need to call a taxi you’ll find a courtesy phone at the Box Office – just press 9 to get an outside line. There’s also a list of phone numbers for our local taxi companies if you wish to call a particular cab company.
Bicycles
There are a number of bike racks in the courtyard outside the theatre. The City of Victoria has published a Bike Network Map. You can get it here >>
Restaurants
There are five restaurants /cafes within metres of the theatre:
Fernwood Inn
1302 Gladstone Avenue
250-412-2001
Walking time /1 minute
Stage
1307 Gladstone Avenue
250-388-4222
Walking time /1 minute
Mesa Familiar
1296 Gladstone Avenue
778-265-4725
Walking time /1 minute
Little June
1301 Gladstone Avenue
Walking time /1 minute
Fernwood Pizza Company
2009 Fernwood Road
778-430-4446
Walking time /1 minute
There are five restaurants within walking distance of the theatre:
Little Thai Place
1839 Cook Street
250-477-8900
Walking time / 10 minutes
Jones Bar-B-Q
1720 Cook Street
778-265-4227
Walking time / 10 minutes
Fernwood Coffee Company / Parsonage Café
1105 Caledonia Avenue
(250) 383-5999
Walking distance / 10 minutes
Fern Cafe and Bakery
1-1115 N Park Street
(250) 590-3376
Walking distance / 10 minutes
JOIE French Café
1610 Cook Street
(250) 590-5520
Walking distance / 10 minutes
We also recommend the following restaurants in the city:
Blue Crab Seafood House
146 Kingston Street
250-480-1999
Driving time /15 minutes
Heron Rock Bistro
435 Simcoe Street
250-383-1545
Driving time /15 minutes
Moxie’s Grill & Bar
1 – 1010 Yates Street
250-360-1660
Driving time / 5 minutes