text: I love this room. I fall in love with spaces when they find the gentle magic to be both intimate and open, romantic and friendly, neighborly and exotic. The size of National is perfect for shows - standing room on the floor is maybe 400? When the balcony is open it probably doubles the capacity, but even with just 200 on the floor it doesn't feel empty at all, you just feel right, and lucky to be there watching Sloan (for example ;) in a room that always feels like it's full of old friends. \n\nThe floor is slanted so every view is a good view, this is preferable (to me) over having steps in the middle of the floor to trip you up in the dark. The coat check is at the back of the main room, and the bar is in the lobby - both feel sort of oddly placed but not in a bad way. Drinks aren't crazy over priced and all the staff I've encountered have been super funny and nice. The sound is fairly good, and I think better for warmer, more acoustic shows. \n\nThe building itself is stunning. Inaugurated in 1900 in the heart of St Catherine est it's a historic home for Quebecois theatre, comedy and music and still of of our very best rooms in a city with a fair number of heart breakers. Red, gold, and ornate in the old high way of spectacle love.