The Sims 3 Showtime Guide Essentials New Venues & Real Estate
New Venues
The new performance careers are like nothing found in The Sims 3 or any previous expansion. Performance careers require aspiring Acrobats, Magicians, and Singers to book their own gigs, rather than go to the office or work from home.
To support these new careers, several new venues dominate the main drag in Starlight Shores, giving up-and-coming performers the chance to audition and hit the stage.
The venues are divided into five different categories: Park, Coffeehouse, Live Show, Private, and Big Show. As you advance through a performance career, you’ll unlock access to more venues, opening up chances to earn more Simoleons and gain more career experience.
Venue Categories
| Name | Unlock Level |
|---|---|
|
Park |
2 |
|
Coffeehouse |
3 |
|
Live Show |
5 |
|
Private |
7 |
|
Big Show |
8 |
Verde Park
Verde Park is a big open space in the center of Starlight Shores with a large outdoor stage, ideal for community gatherings and shows. SimFests are often held here, giving talented Sims a chance to show off their skills in front of a live audience.
Primary Use
In addition to taking part in SimFests, Sims can audition to perform gigs at Verde Park’s outdoor stage. To perform here a Sim must be in a performance career at Level 2 or higher.
As the first venue open to performing Sims, Verde Park’s stage is a good place for up-and-coming acts to cut their teeth in show business.
While playing gigs at Verde Park doesn’t pay much, it definitely beats performing for tips, and it’s a great way to boost career experience and level up.
Additional Activities
While Verde Park primarily serves as a venue for gigs and SimFests, there’s plenty more to do here. This public lot is a great place to perform for tips when starting out your performance career.
Regardless of your talent, you’re likely to draw a decent crowd eager to part with some pocket change.
A public restroom not far from the outdoor stage allows you to take care of your needs without rushing back home. Fun-seeking Sims can also fish in the park’s pond, practice their swing on the driving range, or take in a game of dominoes to build their Logic skill.
Flying V’s Coffeehouse
This quaint coffeehouse sits on the edge of Verde Park, making it a popular hangout for Sims frequenting gigs or SimFests at the park or nearby venues like Mick’s Master Karaoke.
The coffeehouse is open 24 hours a day, catering to night owls eager to discuss shows over drinks and a quick meal.
Primary Use
In addition to serving as a restaurant, Flying V’s Coffeehouse is also a venue available to Sims in a performance career of Level 3 or higher.
There’s a small outdoor stage on the lot’s patio, perfect for entertaining Sims who have stopped in for food or drinks.
Given the high foot-traffic and outdoor setting, it’s also possible to draw in pedestrians walking between the nearby venues. This is the second unlocked venue, so don’t forget to audition here as soon as you reach Level 3 in your performance career.
Additional Activities
Flying V’s Coffeehouse’s central location (and reasonable prices) make it the perfect place to visit when you can’t take the hunger pangs any longer.
When possible, eat or drink here with others to simultaneously fulfill both your Hunger and Social needs.
There’s always a small crowd of Sims hanging around here, making it a perfect place to perform for tips or make new friends. It’s also possible to join the Culinary career here.
Mick’s Master Karaoke
As its name suggests, this is a karaoke hotspot where wannabe singers can impress (or disgust) their peers with their vocal abilities. But Mick’s is a lot more than just a karaoke bar.
The first floor sports a separate stage where more accomplished performers can book gigs, earning both money and career experience.
If that’s not enough, the second floor of Mick’s offers a variety of entertainment options for those less interested in performing for an audience.
Primary Use
Mick’s Master Karaoke is one of three Live Show venues unlocked when career performers reach Level 5.
While the stage here isn’t the venue’s main draw, the variety of activities at Mick’s attracts a steady stream of customers, helping maximize exposure for performers on the rise.
The venue’s default stage configuration is decent, but by the time you can book this venue you should have a better collection of Stage FX objects and Stage Props to create a more effective setup. Set up a good stage to boost your performance score and secure a steady gig here.
Additional Activities
The karaoke machine on the first floor is always a big draw for Sims. You can usually find a small crowd gathered around the machine either dancing or waiting for their turn to sing.
When singing here you can choose to sing solo or with a partner—a good option if on a date or in a group.
There is also a restroom on the first floor in case you’ve ordered too much juice from the proprietor.
Head upstairs for more entertainment options. Here you can play pool, dominoes, or a game of Robots vs. Monsters on the arcade table. Or hop into the photo booth to take some photos by yourself or with a friend.
MN8
Live performances are the main attraction at MN8. The first floor is dominated by a large stage and lounge-like seating, encouraging customers to kick back and take in a live performance.
More relaxing seating can be found on the second floor promenade overlooking the feature stage.
Primary Use
Once your Sim has reached Level 5 in a performance career, they can audition for the proprietor of MN8 to land a gig. Performing here is similar to performing gigs at Mick’s Master Karaoke and Rodeo-Go-Go.
The venue’s default stage setup is respectable, but it doesn’t take much effort (or many Simoleons) to create a customized setup that’s even better. Try to woo the audience (and proprietor) with a high quality performance to land a steady gig here.
Additional Activities
The focus at MN8 is drinking juice and watching live performances. After all that juice, you’ll be glad of the restrooms on the first floor. Take pictures in the photo booth or head upstairs to nap on one of the sofas or play a game of Exploding Tank Man on the arcade table.
Rodeo-Go-Go
Prospective buckaroos and headlining performers all have a place at Rodeo-Go-Go. This rustic bar and venue gives Starlight Shores’ urban cowpokes a chance to experience the thrills (and fatigue) of riding a mechanical bull.
While the mechanical bull is one of Rodeo-Go-Go’s main attractions, the venue also has a large stage on the first floor and games on the second floor.
Primary Use
Like Mick’s Master Karaoke and MN8, Rodeo-Go-Go is a Live Show venue unlocked at Level 5 of your Sim’s performance career.
Soon after reaching Level 5, send your Sim to visit the venue and audition for the proprietor to land a gig. Consider acquiring some Stage FX objects and Stage Props and giving the stage a customized makeover before starting your performance.
Additional Activities
When you’re not performing on-stage at Rodeo-Go-Go, there’s still plenty of fun to have in this western-themed venue. The mechanical bull is one of the main draws, giving aspiring cowboys and cowgirls a chance to show off their moves.
The venue’s restrooms are also located on the first floor, not far from the stage. The second floor offers even more options including a pool table, foosball table, jukebox, and photo booth.
Brotherhood of Fine Fellows Hall
The Brotherhood of Fine Fellows Hall is a large private club where any upper crust Sim can feel right at home among the classy (yet somewhat stale) amenities. A massive ballroom dominates the sprawling floor plan, featuring a large stage and a bar.
The ballroom is where the Fellows gather for live shows put on by Starlight Shores’ upper tier talent. Other uses for this hall are largely unknown and a subject of much speculation by outsiders.
Primary Use
This is one of three Private venues unlocked when Sims reach Level 7 in a performance career. After auditioning for the proprietor and securing a gig, take a moment to walk around the facility so you can get a bearing on where the stage is located.
Simply walking to the stage can take several minutes, so take this into consideration when arriving for a gig. Show up at least half an hour before showtime so you have plenty of time to reach the stage and make any adjustments to the rather modest stage configuration.
Additional Activities
Adjacent to the stage is a small lounge where you can access a dresser and mirror to alter your outfits and appearance, ideal for performers looking for a quick change before a show.
Otherwise, occupy yourself with the computers behind the reception desk in the lobby, or watch some High Definition TV in the lounge.
Los Sueños Private Club
The hip and swanky Los Sueños Private Club stands in stark contrast to the conservative Brotherhood of Fine Fellows Hall, catering to a younger crowd with short attention spans and a penchant for partying.
Among the club’s many amenities is a large stage available to the most established performers in town. So whether you’re looking to put on a killer show or just want to hang out with the hippest Sims in town, the Los Sueños Private Club is the place to be seen.
Primary Use
While the club offers a variety of activities, performing on this exclusive stage is a highlight in any performer’s career. Like other Private Show venues, your Sim must be at Level 7 or higher in their performance career before they can book a gig here.
On your first visit, take note of the stage’s position and be sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach it prior to a show.
The default stage configuration is quite respectable, featuring several Stage FX objects. However, by the time you reach this level, you should have better objects and props to help guarantee a Legendary performance.
Additional Activities
When you’re not performing here, hang out and partake of the club’s amenities. A DJ booth sits directly across from the main entrance, giving your Sim a chance to try spinning tracks for the exclusive clientele.
Not far from the club’s bar is a pool table, karaoke machine, and Captain Starplanet arcade table.
If that’s not enough, head outdoors and take a dip in the pool to cool off and boost your Athletic skill. With so many available activities, this is a great place to throw a memorable party.
Port-A-Party Warehouse
Compared to the other Private Show venues in town, this converted warehouse may not look like much.
But the Port-A-Party Warehouse is one of the more exclusive venues in Starlight Shores, making it a popular hotspot for parties and high-quality performances.
This two-story venue features a stage, bar, and lounge seating on the first floor and a variety of entertaining activities on the second floor. You don’t have to walk very far to find something to do in this relatively compact venue.
Primary Use
For Sims in performance careers, the main draw of the Port-A-Party Warehouse is the stage. The stage and adjoining lounge is relatively small compared to other Private Show venues.
However, you still need to reach Level 7 in a performance career before you can complete a successful audition and book a gig here.
There’s no need to arrive to this venue super-early because the stage is relatively close to the front door. Still, before you hop on-stage and begin your performance, take some time customizing the stage with your own Stage FX and Stage Props.
Additional Activities
The first floor of the Port-A-Party Warehouse is largely dedicated to live performances on the feature stage.
But if you want to do more than take in a live show, head upstairs for a variety of fun activities. The second floor features a DJ booth, pool table, jukebox, Captain Starplanet arcade table, and skee ball.
The nausea-inducing PlasmaPunch Gyroscopic Conductor (PPGC) near the stairs is a popular and unique attraction, allowing your Sim to be spun wildly in three dimensions at three different speeds.
It’s strongly advised to avoid large meals following a spin in the PlasmaPunch Gyroscopic Conductor.
The Binder Clips Center
The Binder Clips Center is one of Starlight Shores’ biggest venues, hosting a variety of events including concerts, professional sports, and live performances by the most talented acts in town.
It’s home to Starlight Shores’ professional sports team, so Sims in the Professional Sports career report here for work. But Sims in the performance careers have a long hard road ahead of them before they’re talented (and famous) enough to play this epic venue.
Primary Use
If your Sim is pursuing one of the performance careers, landing a gig at the Binder Clips Center should be a long-term goal. Only Level 8 Sims in a performance career can get a gig at this venue.
Approach the backstage door to summon the proprietor and audition. The venue can only be entered shortly before showtime utilizing the backstage doors. Unlike the Private Show venues, it doesn’t take long to reach the stage here.
While the venue’s default stage configuration is impressive, spend some time (and Simoleons) to create your own customized setup. Don’t be afraid of investing heavily in Stage FX objects and Stage Props. If you land a steady gig here, you’ll easily recoup your investment.
Additional Activities
Big Show venues like the Binder Clips Center remain closed to the public unless there is an upcoming event.
Your Sims can attend plenty of events here, including concerts and professional sports games as well as live performances.
Sims seeking to improve their Athletic skill can also take an Athletic class here. This is also where Sims in Starlight Shores can join the Professional Sport career.
Hoi Polloi Event Center
The Hoi Polloi Event Center is a performing arts venue that also doubles as a movie theater. Known for its advanced acoustics, the venue is also the professional home of Sims in the Music career.
While musicians come here every work day to perfect their craft, the stage is off-limits to all but only the finest performers. Does your Sim have what it takes to headline a show here? It will take years of dedication and hard work before you can feel at home on this stage.
Primary Use
Playing a gig at the Hoi Polloi Event Center is a really big deal. Not only does it pay well, but it’s a great way to level-up your performance career. But to play here you need to pay your dues at Starlight Shores’ smaller venues first.
Like the Binder Clips Center, you must be at Level 8 in your performance career before you can acquire a gig at this venue. Summon the proprietor at the backstage doors and perform a quick audition to book a gig.
On the day of the gig, arrive at least 30 minutes early and enter through the backstage doors to set up your stage.
Spare no expense on designing a custom stage capable of wowing even the most jaded audiences. Pull out all the stops during your performance to land a steady gig here.
Additional Activities
When there are no live performances at the Hoi Polloi Event Center, patrons can take in a movie or go on a tour.
Movies start at 5 PM every day and are a good way to pass the time with a friend or loved one and gain a longlasting mood boost.
Tours of the theater are also offered, allowing Sims to marvel at the architectural features on display in this modern facility.
If you have a musically inclined Sim looking for a job, you can also join the Music career here. Sometimes prospective Singers can find success (and steadier work) in this career path, especially if they’ve built-up their Guitar skill.
Showtime Transplantable Venues
| Venue Type | Name | Lot Size |
|---|---|---|
|
Big Park |
Performance Park |
30x30 |
|
Coffeehouse |
Flying V’s Coffeehouse |
20x34 |
|
Live Show |
Mick’s Master Karaoke |
32x29 |
|
Private |
Port-A-Party Mini Warehouse |
30x30 |
|
Big Show |
Binder Clips Center |
64x64 |