Commodore Ballroom

Commodore Ballroom is a music venue, dance floor and nightclub located on 800 block of Granville Street in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is regarded as Canada's most influential nightclub, and one of North America's best live music venues. The building was built in the Art Deco style of the late 1920s by George Conrad Reifel and designed by architect H.H. Gillingham. Best known for showcasing special performances, the venue is also known for its sprung dance floor, whose horsehair lining absorbs, rather than reflecting back, some of the impact of dancers' feet. At the time it was installed, only a few venues in the world had similar floors. The general-admission ballroom accommodates approximately 990 guests (including standing room and table seating). The building's street level was built for retail outlets, some of them in their time also notable. Downstairs, below street level, is the Commodore Lanes, a vintage bowling alley and poolroom. Commodore was named one of "North America's Top 10 Most Influential Clubs" by Billboard Magazine. It is both the only Canadian venue and the oldest venue on the list. Conde Nast Traveler has also titled it one of North America's finest live music venues.