The Hippodrome was located in downtown Toronto, at the southwest corner of Albert and Bay streets (now Nathan Phillips Square).

The theatre featured an allegorical painting by George Brant, and uniquely included a coin-operated candy dispenser.

[5] Before installing a Wurlitzer organ in 1926,[5] Shea's included an Orchestron machine, a punch-tape programmed precursor to a modern synthesizer.

It hosted many of the world's greatest vaudeville acts, including:[3][6] In 1924, Shea's debuted its first 'talkie' – a non-silent film, called a 'phonofilm'.

Originally thought to be a novelty, talkies later became the main source of income for supporting the declining vaudeville revenue.