The Fox Cabaret

I came to the Fox a few weeks ago for a friend’s birthday on a Saturday night.
The event was called «Love», and I have to say the atmosphere was extremely positive, energetic, and absolutely FUN.
I’ve come back to the Fox on Friday and Saturday nights and will continue to do so simply because of the atmosphere and people. Definitely a go-​to spot for a fun night out with friends or just to meet some super cool new people!

Great venue for live music! Awesome sound system.

I like this place for music shows. It’s narrow and intimate with a few remnants of its past life used as décor.
Tonight I saw Jenn Grant here. Wonderful show! Got to stand up close and hear top Canadian talent live. The smaller size of the venue makes for great acoustic sets.
The drinks are also quite reasonably priced. I hope to see a few more shows here!

The Fox hosts some good acts, including some very interesting presentations, but it can be a really crammed and sometimes very hot place to visit, making it ideal only for people who want to imagine they’ve gone to see a show in the jungle, without the dangers of bugs or stalking jaguars.
If you’re very tall and/​or a giraffe, you’ll have a better time at the Fox Cabaret, since you’ll be sold a ticket even if there’s not much room left and will likely have to share either standing space next to a noisy bar, or the very limited room on the hot, stuffy and distant balcony, straining to see and sweating like a rejected Juliet.
Get there early if you can. Or go with a friend who is some form of large creature that you can mount or perch upon.

Good venue but poorly run. The layout is poorly thought out too, esp. for shows. There’s «standing room» between the seating are and the stage. I’ve been to Sunday Service twice now and ended up just watching the back of the heads of the crowd between the tables and the stage. Room is overcrowded. Draft beer has been warm and flat both times. Bartenders are really nice and really inexperienced. Wish I could give a better rating — I really like the place and its potential.

This review is not so much a reflection of the Venue, but the Halloween Event Oct 31, 2015.
Hands down the least talented DJ’s in the city, they could not beat match if their lives depended on it. Every time the DJ tried to drop a beat, our group of 20+ people all looked at eachother and shook our heads. Cool Venue, but wow, whoever put together the night, needs a slap.

I am not above it all to openly say that I have been here during two phases of this place, this being of course better. It still has a bit of the Fox Theater charm, however, now it is a really small music venue in which I have seen limited shows. It is not 100% designed as a music venue and the few concerts I have been to have sound issues of their own. Compared to the Rickshaw this is still a step up. Very narrow hallway on the main floor so it gets weirdly packed. Punk shows get questionable with this layout. Great stuff.

Really enjoyed Y2K millennial night, dancing with the gals to old skool hip hop r&B without being accosted and surrounded by the Bridges & Tunnels/​Granville douches.

Not only is Fox Cabaret a beautiful and unique venue, they are managed by professional, courteous staff.
My partner is a comedian, and it’s often difficult for me to attend shows because I broke my back recently, and have a very hard time sitting in normal seats.
I emailed Fox Cabaret via their website, and heard back within a few hours from both the General Manager, Chris Hesje, and Daniel Fazio of the Arrival Agency.
Even though the event I was inquiring about is wildly popular and sells out, they were more than happy to reserve a table that would be comfortable for me to enjoy the show from. They also made sure the table would accommodate a few friends, as well…
Thank you, Fox Cabaret, for being one of Vancouver’s few really hip AND accessible venues.

This is my favorite place to dance in Vancouver. Y2K night so fun-​great crowd, great funny music! Also Heaven is a good night for disaffected 80’s music.

I am a huge fan of more venues of this kind popping up. Vancouver needs more places to DO things and I am always keen to see a place bring foot traffic to an area at night (even better if it is a stretch where it doesn’t disturb apartments or houses). I cannot think of a place more suited for a venue,
Everyone seems to know the history of this place,. it was an Indian porn theatre for decades and seems a miracle to me that it wasn’t torn down. And it is a good thing, the bones of it are perfect for a sustainable sized venue not on the disgusting Granville downtown douche-​bag row.
I think the reno was ok, though it is a bit dark in there, but I love that they kept the sign form the outside and used it as a feature inside. One minor complaint is that the venue is a long, narrow chute,. and table layout might have been better, but that is getting picky. There is also this crazy louge upstairs! Vancouver’s best kept secret! I highly recommend taking a look at that and the balcony, both allowing for special events and making this a true «multi-​purpose» venue.
Not to end on a low note, but my biggest beef about this place is the same as what it would have been for the Waldorf: programming. We went for Nerd Nite, maybe not the best venue for that kind of quiet event, but the usual programming historically has not been for me, I hate DJs. and prefer real musicians. I like to be able to socialize when I go out to socialize meaning being able to hear (I guess I’m older than the demographic they are aiming for). They do however have a regular improv group on Sunday Night that is touted as one of Vancouver’s best featuring comedian Ryan Biel,. I’m coming back for that! (I think they are called the Sunday Service)

Boyfriend and I visited The Fox on Friday to see The Barr Brothers play live, and it was such a great experience!
The venue is intimate, but big enough that there’s a good atmosphere in the crowd. We arrived fairly early and snagged a prime spot in front of the sound booth. There’s a shelf thoughtfully placed all around it so you can rest your drink there to avoid cold hands and/​or awkward clapping accidents!
The drink specials are written on small chalkboards right by the register so it’s super easy to see what deals they have. Our two double gin and tonics were around $ 17, which isn’t too bad at all! The bartenders were friendly and the bussing staff were SO efficient; I think the guy made 4 rounds before the opening act had even finished!
The sound quality is good, the space is large but homey, and I really think this place is due to be a Main St staple! Highly recommended!

Love this place!
Came here for a Unilocal event, and knowing the seedy history of this place I couldn’t help but struggle to swallow some feelings of apprehension.
The room itself is a great size, small enough to be intimate but large enough to not feel too cramped. The high ceilings really open the space up.
Part of the event included a Burlesque show accompanied by a live band, and although the stage looked small, they had no problems doing their thing. Sound was good.
This place really prides itself on being a community venue, they host private events, live music, art showings, movies, ect. It’s about time a place like this popped up on Main. I’ll definitely be back.

The Fox Cabaret has been beautifully redone. Primary colours adorn each wall for a bright, vibrant, and funky look on the interior. There is a patio/​viewing area for those who prefer some exclusivity/​quiet in the club, but the last few times I’ve been here it has not been open to the public.
Their weekly Ice Cream Social is a lot of fun too. It’s a continuation of Tyler Fedchuk’s event that was first at Shine, and then at the Biltmore Cabaret. If you’re a fan of 50’s pop and 60’s garage rock you’ll enjoy their free event.
Great job on the venue Arrival! Hopefully you won’t be haunted by the ghosts of perverts past.

As a performer and patron, this is my favourite entertainment venue in Vancouver.
Performers
Pros: The stage is of great quailty, well-​manicured and quite large. Great sound system and lighting.
Con: Small /​/​minimal dressing room and changing space. We found it quite tricky for a show we did with several costume changes.
Patrons
Pros: Interesting, edgy and unique entertainment. The Ice Cream Social is a must-​do night out. Great atmosphere and bar.
Cons: This is a new venue and is still getting the name out. Some nights are less busy than others (which can be a pro as well).
I have a feeling Fox Cabaret will explode shortly as an entertainment venue on not just Main Street, but for the downtown Vancouver arts crowd.

Amazing!!! Amazing!!! Amazing!!!
The Fox Cabaret fits perfect on Main Street!
I went already a couple of nights and me and my friends had a lot of fun.
Check it out!

Am I really the first to review this place? Holy crap, guys! OK –here it goes:
You know that old porno theatre on Main Street that used to lend the area a super scuzzy vibe? Well, the folks that used to be behind the Waldorf (when it was cool) have totally revamped it and made it into an arts and entertainment venue. And it’s a pretty sweet one at that. Inside, there’s a theme of black and red that runs throughout, and with its dim lighting, balcony seats and long bar, it makes for a swanky-​yet-​hip place to hang out. They have a decent cocktail/​beer/​wine menu, and they even have some pretty delicious-​looking popcorn options if you’re feeling munchy.
As far as entertainment goes, they seem to host a number of small bands, and the Ice Cream Social that used to be at the Biltmore has now moved to the Fox. (Free floats before 10!) What brought me to the Fox Cabaret is the Sunday Service, who host their weekly improv show at 9pm on Sunday nights (which, incidentally, is the same time as Kitty Nights. Oh, the tough choices we must make!) If you make reservations ahead of time, show up before 8:15 to claim your table. There’s a $ 10 minimum spend per person with a reservation, which as far as I’m concerned is a non-​issue, but it’s worth mentioning. I like how they have servers come around to the tables to help keep the good times rolling, which is nice when you’re comfy and too lazy to worm your way to the bar.
Overall, the Fox Cabaret is a welcome new addition to Mount Pleasant’s entertainment scene.
**Edit: I was wrong about the Ice Cream Social. The Biltmore still hosts it one Friday per month; the rest of the time it’s at the Fox Cabaret.**