BOOKING DETAILS

The WISE Hall is a 250 capacity concert venue located in east Vancouver, BC. The WISE offers great sight lines, a modern sound and lighting system, a large green room, a full walk up bar, and a great staff to help make your event a success. We offer cash-only bar service, with an ATM available on site.

The Hall itself was built in the 1930’s and the WISE Club has operated the space since the 1950’s. In 2015 the Club began to focus on live music and in 2017 made extensive improvements to the sound and lighting systems, the stage, and the green room. The WISE has since become one of the city’s best music venues and has played host to a huge variety of artists including Corb Lund, Orville Peck, Buffy St. Marie, Pup, The Pointed Sticks, and many more.

The WISE’s focus is on live music however we are able to accommodate a variety of performance types. Concerts with 150 to 250 attendees work best in the space, if you are expecting a smaller crowd you may want to consider a more appropriate venue. The WISE is NOT available for all ages events, all attendees must be 19+ with 2 physical pieces of government ID. Please contact us if you have questions regarding the suitability of the venue for your event.

Note: The WISE Hall currently has limited availability for private events, but please inquire with your event details if you would like to rent our Hall for a private event.

TECHINCAL INFORMATION

Accessibility

The front of house (via the back door) and washrooms are accessible for attendees with mobility challenges. Unfortunately the stage is not accessible.

Front of House

The audience area consists of one large rectangular room with a flexible floor plan, walk up bar, and box office area. Theatre seating or custom floor plans are available. Setup fees may apply. Alternate floor plans may decrease the total capacity for the event.

Stage

The stage is approximately 20 ft wide, 15 ft deep, and 4 ft high. It features two back stage entrances on the upstage left and right and stairs to the house down stage right. There is a back drape, a pair of legs, and a traveling main drape.

Back of House

The WISE has a single large green room with tables, chairs and couches, a three seat makeup station, costume rack, and a small fridge. The green room does not have a bathroom, shower, or laundry facilities. The green room is accessible for people with limited mobility.

Technical Specifications

Tech specs (subject to change) are available here:

Hours of Operation

Standard bookings include eight hours of venue access. Doors and Bar opening may not be earlier than 4 PM and events must end by 11 PM Sunday through Thursday and 12 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ticketing and Box Office

The client is responsible for operating their own ticketing and box office as well as verifying guests are entitled to enter the venue. The WISE has a dedicated desk area with a power outlet for operating the box office. The WISE cannot provide a float for box office.

Merchandise

The client is responsible for merchandise sales. The WISE does not take a fee or commission on merchandise sales. The WISE can provide grid racks and 3’x6’ tables for merchandise sales up to what the seating plan/capacity will allow. All displays must be freestanding, merch cannot be attached to the ceilings, or any other part of the WISE structure by any means. The WISE cannot provide a float or change for merchandise sales.

Decorations and Debris

All decor, decorations or installations must be approved in writing by the WISE. The use of confetti, loose glitter, sprayed or dripping liquids (eg. fake blood, bubble fluid, etc.), or other substances that may cause damage or excessive mess is strictly prohibited in all areas. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in additional cleaning and administrative charges.

Proof of Insurance

The WISE requires proof of liability insurance for all events. Promoter general liability insurance or event insurance with a minimum of $2m coverage is acceptable.

Booking Process

If you are interested in booking an event at the WISE, please email bookings@wisehall.ca with a summary of your event and the date(s) you are interested in. We will let you know if your requested date is: available; available with holds; or booked.

If the date is available you can place the first hold or confirm the booking with a deposit of ~50% of the base booking fee. The remainder of the fee will be due the day of the event.

If the date is available with holds you can add a hold to the list or challenge the holds. If the holds clear you can confirm the booking with a deposit of $500. The remainder of the fee will be due the day of the event.

If the date is booked we can try to find another date that would work for the event.

Holds

The WISE accepts holds from promoters. Holds are taken in the order they are received. Promoters with holds on a date will be notified if a prior hold confirms the date, or if someone challenges the hold, the promoter will be given 48hrs to confirm the booking or release the hold.

Challenging Holds

If a promoter is prepared to confirm a date with holds on it they may challenge the holds. In this case the promoters with the holds will be contacted, in order, and given 48hrs to confirm their booking or release their hold. If all the prior holds clear, the promoter can confirm the booking.

Booking Fees

Weeknights (Sun - Thurs) - $995 + GST Base Rate

Includes:

8 Hours of venue Access1
Lighting or Assistant Audio Technician
Use of house PA and lighting systems
House technician2 3 4
Venue Liaison
Security Staff5
Bar Staff
Standard floor plan with approximately 40-50 seats and 250 capacity6

Weekends (Fri & Sat) - $1,295 + GST Base Rate

Includes same as weeknights plus:

Lighting or Assistant Audio Technician

Standard Schedules

Note: schedule may be adjusted to fit each event, however additional hours will have an additional cost.

Standard Schedule - Friday - Saturday

Venue Access/Load in 4:00-4:30 pm

Sound Check/Tech 4:30-7:30 pm

Doors and Bar Open 8:00 pm

Performance 9:00 pm-12:00 am

Bar Closes 12:00 am

Audience Clear 12:30 am

Loadout 12:30-1:00 am

Standard Schedule - Sunday - Thursday

Venue Access/Load in 3:00-3:30 pm

Sound Check/Tech 3:30-6:30 pm

Doors and Bar Open 7:00 pm

Performance 8:00-11:00 pm

Bar Closes 12:00 am

Audience Clear 11:30 pm

Loadout 11:30 pm-12:00 am

The WISE also provides a rebate on the base booking fee based on concession sales.

Sunday-Thursday Base Rate: $995 + GST

Friday-Saturday Base Rate: $1,295 + GST

Bar sales >$3000: $295 rebate

Bar sales >$4000: $595 rebate

Bar sales >$5000: $995 rebate

Bar sales >$3500: $395 rebate
Bar sales >$5000: $795 rebate
Bar sales >$6000: $1,295 rebate

Booking Contact

bookings@wisehall.ca