Policies

Ticket Purchasing Policy

• There are no refunds or ticket exchanges. All sales are final unless required by law.
• Ticket fees and applicable taxes are included in the ticket price unless expressly stated otherwise.
• One admission per ticket.
• If you’re unwell, please do not attend. If you or anyone from your party is symptomatic, you may be denied entry or asked to leave the theatre for the safety and wellbeing of others.
• Please check with the Ticket Centre regarding specific event restrictions.
• The theatre is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, or personal property.
• Programs, artists, performers, repertoire, running times and other event details are subject to change.
• Admission may be refused where a ticket is counterfeit, duplicated, invalid, cancelled, improperly obtained, or has already been used.
• License granted herein may be revoked upon refund of purchase price.

Theatre Policy

All persons attending or entering the Port Theatre must comply with the reasonable and lawful directions of authorized Port Theatre staff and volunteers, including directions relating to safety, security, accessibility, emergency procedures, patron conduct, and the orderly operation of the venue. Failure to comply may result in refusal of admission or removal from the premises.

• Latecomers will be seated at management’s discretion. In some cases, latecomers may not be permitted into the performance. 
• Children under 13 years old must always be accompanied by an adult while at the Port Theatre. Adults are defined as individuals aged 18 and over. Children under 13 are not to be unsupervised in different areas of the building.
• Cellular phones, digital watches, and devices that make noise must be turned off or silenced inside the theatre.
• Photography or recording during an event are prohibited unless expressly permitted by the Port Theatre, event presenter or artist. Photography and recording requirements may vary by event.
• Refrain from wearing scented products in respect for those with asthma, allergies and other chemical and fragrance sensitivities.
• Umbrellas and large bags must be checked at Audience Services as they are not allowed inside the theatre.
• Security measures may be increased for certain events. These measures include but are not limited to a more thorough search of persons and property, including but not limited to coats/jackets, bags, and purses.
• Patrons are not permitted to sit or stand in aisles during the performance. Due to fire regulations, aisles must be kept clear.
• Food sold in the lobby is not permitted inside the theatre.
• Empty refillable water bottles, with or without lids, up to 1 litre capacity are permitted inside the theatre and are subject to inspection at the door. Permitted bottles can be filled with water at drinking fountains located at each Lobby Bar. Bottled water can also be purchased from Audience Services. Please see the Alcohol Policy for other restrictions. 
• Fire codes and capacity ratings by the Province of British Columbia Fire Marshal will be strictly enforced by Management and Event Staff for the protection of you and others.
• Smoking and vaping, including but not limited to tobacco, cannabis, electronic cigarettes and other vaping products, are prohibited inside the Port Theatre and in any other area where prohibited by law.
• Cannabis may not be smoked, vaped or otherwise consumed inside the Port Theatre.
• Patrons and members of the public may enter only those areas of the Port Theatre that are open or authorized for their use.
• Backstage areas, dressing rooms, technical areas, catwalks, loading areas, offices and other restricted areas may be entered only with authorization.
• Persons entering a restricted area without authorization may be required to leave the area or the premises.
• In an emergency or evacuation, all persons must promptly follow the directions of Port Theatre staff, emergency personnel and emergency announcements.
• Emergency exits, aisles, stairways, corridors, fire doors and other means of egress must remain unobstructed at all times.
• No person may interfere with or tamper with fire-protection, life-safety, emergency or security equipment.
• Harassing, abusive, discriminatory, threatening, intimidating, violent or seriously disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Conduct that creates a safety or security risk, substantially interferes with an event or with the reasonable enjoyment of others, damages property, or violates applicable law or these policies may result in refusal of admission or removal from the Port Theatre.
• A person who is refused admission or removed for violating these policies may not be entitled to a ticket refund.
• Serious or repeated violations may result in restrictions on future admission to the Port Theatre.
• Events may include physical performances, stunts, special effects, theatrical effects or audience interaction. Where the Port Theatre has been appropriately advised in advance that an event contains an unusual element that may affect materially audience safety or participation, additional event-specific information, restrictions or safety requirements may be provided.
• To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Port Theatre Society is not responsible for injury, loss or damage arising from the acts or omissions of a rental client, promoter, producer, performer, contractor or other independent third party.

Service and Assistance Animals

The Port Theatre operates in accordance with British Columbia's Guide Dog and Service Dog Act and Human Rights Code. Certification under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act is voluntary. Persons with disabilities who rely on an uncertified guide dog, service dog or other disability-related assistance animal may also have rights under the Human Rights Code.

• Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome at the Port Theatre in accordance with applicable British Columbia law.
• Certified guide dog teams, service dog teams and qualifying dog-in-training teams are permitted access in accordance with British Columbia’s Guide Dog and Service Dog Act.
• Certification is not required in every circumstance. Persons with disabilities who rely on an uncertified service or assistance animal may request accommodation in accordance with the British Columbia Human Rights Code. BC government guidance confirms that certification under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act is voluntary and that persons relying on uncertified guide or service dogs may still be protected from discrimination.
• Requests involving assistance animals not covered by the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act will be considered individually in accordance with applicable human-rights law.
• Patrons with a guide dog, service dog or other disability-related assistance animal are encouraged, but are not required, to contact the Ticket Centre in advance. Advance notice can assist with appropriate seating and other accommodation needs.
• Service and assistance animals must remain under the care and complete control of their handler while in the Port Theatre.
• The Port Theatre will work with patrons requiring disability-related accommodation to identify an appropriate accommodation in accordance with applicable law.
• Service and assistance animals must not obstruct aisles, exits, emergency routes or other required means of egress. Where a patron’s assigned location cannot safely accommodate an animal without creating an obstruction or other safety concern, the Port Theatre will work with the patron to identify an appropriate alternative accommodation.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include items prohibited by applicable federal, provincial or municipal law and other items that the Port Theatre reasonably determines may create a safety, security or operational concern. Prohibited-item requirements may vary by event.

The list of Prohibited Items includes but is not limited to:

• Weapons
• Fireworks
• Laser Pointers
• Illegal Drugs and Substances
• Drones
• Bottles or containers with capacity greater than 1 litre. Glass bottles of any size are not permitted. 
• Perfume or cologne bottles
• Poles and Selfie Sticks
• Aerosol cans, Paints or Flammable Liquids
• Skateboards, Rollerblades or Bicycles
• Outside alcohol (please refer to our alcohol policy)
• Outside food or non-alcoholic beverages (exceptions may be made for medical or dietary reasons)
• Cameras larger than 6 inches (150mm) in length with lens attached (Note: camera policy may vary for specific events)
• Helium balloons, beach balls, and air pumps
• Noise makers, air horns, and whistles of any kind
• Drums are subject to search upon entry and may only be used with express permission and must fit on a patron's lap
• Vuvuzelas and cowbells
• Signs, banners, flags or displays that obstruct sightlines, interfere with the safe movement of persons, disrupt an event, contain threatening or discriminatory content, inappropriate language or symbols, political messages, are used for unauthorized commercial solicitation, or otherwise create a safety or security concern.

Alcohol Policy

The Port Theatre Society operates in accordance with British Columbia's Liquor Control and Licensing Act, applicable regulations and the conditions of its liquor licence. 

With your cooperation, the staff at the Port Theatre will uphold these rules:

1) Monitoring the Entrances/Exits/Building Perimeters:

When relevant and as determined by Management, Security personnel will be on duty to check ID, conduct searches of bags and patrons, deny entry to rowdy, belligerent or intoxicated persons, prevent overcrowding or manage any patron exhibiting troublesome behaviour at concerts where alcohol is available. Valid ID includes a Provincial Driver’s Licence, Canadian Passport, Citizenship Card or a Canadian Armed Forces ID Card.

2) Use of Alcohol:

• All persons consuming alcohol in the Port Theatre must be 19 years of age or over. Any person wishing to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages may be asked for valid ID before being served.
• Staff will not serve any patron to the point of intoxication.
• Alcohol will not be sold or served to a person who appears intoxicated, and service may be discontinued where continued service would be unsafe or contrary to law or licence requirements.
• Staff will offer only non-alcoholic drinks to any patron who appears to be nearing or reaching the point of intoxication.
• Alcohol is permitted only in licensed areas and not on-stage or backstage.
• Only beverages in aluminium cans, sealable water bottles, and Port Theatre-approved reusable drinkwear are permitted in the seating area. 
• Glassware of any kind is strictly prohibited in the seating area.
• All washrooms and stairwells leading to washrooms are licensed to enable patrons to take drinks to washrooms for their personal safety and protection.
• A maximum of two (2) alcoholic drinks will be served to each patron at any one time.
• The venue reserves the right to limit the number of drinks sold to each patron at any one time.
• No alcohol, by either glass or bottle, shall be permitted to leave the building.
• Unauthorized alcohol may not be brought into or consumed in the Port Theatre.
• Persons possessing unauthorized alcohol may be required to remove it from the premises or leave the venue.
• The venue has the right to cease liquor sales at any time without notice. It is not a service guaranteed with your ticket purchase.

3) Underage Patrons:

Underage patrons are permitted to most events; however, they will not be allowed to purchase and/or consume alcohol. ID will be checked when a patron appears to be under the age of 25. Some events or areas may be restricted to persons 19 years and over.

4) Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

With alcohol service, competitively priced non-alcoholic beverages and snack foods will be available at every performance.

5) Transportation:

To find a safe way home for you, or anyone in your party, please talk to a staff member for assistance.

6) Use of Illegal Drugs:

The use of illegal drugs is not permitted by law anywhere in the venue.

7) Troublesome Patrons:

Patrons involved in troublesome behaviour, due to use of alcohol or not, will be asked to leave the premises and will not be permitted to return. Troublesome behaviours include, but are not limited to vandalism, fighting, selling / using illegal drugs, sexual harassment, physical or verbal abuse, belligerence, or other similar behaviours. Management reserves the right to indefinitely ban entry to those patrons as well as to contact the police should circumstances require their involvement. Management reserves the right to close the bars should the situation warrant such action.

Cookies Policy

We use cookies and similar technologies on our website to provide essential functionality, analyze site usage, and remember your preferences. Essential cookies are necessary for our website to function and cannot be disabled, while other cookies require your consent. These may include analytics cookies (like Google Analytics) and functional cookies that remember your settings. By using our website, you are consenting to these cookies being used.

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view, delete, or block cookies, though disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality. For analytics cookies, you can opt out using tools like the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. We may use both first-party cookies (set by us) and third-party cookies (set by external services like Google Analytics).

In accordance with Canadian privacy laws including PIPEDA, we collect and process cookie data based on your consent for non-essential cookies and legitimate interests for essential functionality. You have the right to know what information we collect, access your data, withdraw consent, and file complaints with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. For questions about our cookie practices, contact us. This policy may be updated periodically, and we will post any changes on our website.