Los Angeles has always been a city that shines on stage as much as on screen. Walking along Broadway or Hollywood Boulevard, you can still see the grand theaters that once hosted film premieres, live bands, and stage performances. Their art deco façades, bright marquees, and ornate interiors recall a time when going out meant chandeliers, velvet curtains, and a live orchestra warming up. These theaters helped shape LA’s cultural identity long before movies had sound.
TL;DR
- LA’s theaters shaped the city’s arts identity; many are restored and active today.
- DTLA’s Broadway corridor, Hollywood Boulevard, and Wilshire host standout venues.
- Open-air icons—the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek—anchor summer seasons.
- Preservation efforts saved gems like the Wiltern and Orpheum; tours and screenings return them to public use.
- Use Metro B (Red) Line and shuttles; book popular shows early and check venue policies.
Related Reads:
- The Traveler’s Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles
- Filming Locations You Can Visit in Los Angeles
- Art and Architecture Highlights in Los Angeles
Overview
Los Angeles’s historic theaters are more than old buildings; they are the foundation of the city’s performing arts culture. In the early 1900s, Broadway in Downtown LA earned a reputation as the West Coast’s version of New York’s theater district, filled with grand venues like the Orpheum and the Million Dollar Theatre. As the city grew, more theaters appeared across Hollywood, mid-Wilshire, and North Hollywood, creating a network of performance spaces that still shape LA’s cultural life today.
Many of these venues went through difficult years as audiences shifted to new forms of entertainment. Some theaters closed, others became movie houses or places of worship. But over time, restoration projects and community efforts brought many of them back to life. Today, their mix of original charm and modern updates makes them some of the most memorable places in the city to see a show.
Visitors can watch touring musicals in Art Deco landmarks, concerts in century-old halls, or outdoor performances under the stars. From the restored theaters of Downtown Broadway to the famous stages of Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles’s performance venues continue to reflect the city’s creativity, resilience, and love for live entertainment. This guide highlights the city’s most iconic historic theaters and performance venues, where entertainment history is still alive and thriving today.
The Los Angeles Theatre (Downtown Broadway District, 1931)
Stepping into the Los Angeles Theatre is like stepping into 1920s Paris by way of Hollywood. Opened in 1931 as the last and most lavish movie palace on Downtown’s Broadway , this 2,000-seat theater was so extravagant that Charlie Chaplin himself helped fund its completion so it could premiere his film City Lights on opening night.
Designed by S. Charles Lee in French Baroque style, the Los Angeles Theatre features a five-story Renaissance Revival façade adorned with columns, urns, and angels. Inside, mirrors and crystal chandeliers line a majestic lobby modeled after Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, complete with a grand staircase leading to a fountain.
In its heyday, patrons enjoyed unheard-of amenities: a plush children’s playroom, a glamorous women’s powder lounge with marble-lined private booths, even “crying rooms” – soundproof boxes where parents could calm fussy babies without missing the show.
After its brief golden age (it closed as a public cinema in 1994), the Los Angeles Theatre mostly sleeps in darkness, awakening occasionally for film shoots, special events, or rare public tours.
When those 90-year-old projectors flicker to life for the LA Conservancy’s classic film nights, or a concert fills the gilded auditorium with music once more, you feel the past come roaring back. Beneath the dust is a time capsule of cinematic glamour – proof that in Los Angeles, even “temporary” dreams can become timeless landmarks.
The Orpheum Theatre (Downtown Broadway, 1926)
The Orpheum anchors downtown’s historic Broadway Theater District with a legacy of showbiz royalty. Opened in 1926 as the fourth and final Los Angeles venue of the famed Orpheum vaudeville circuit, it was designed to be the grandest of them all.
Its Beaux-Arts façade – all gray terra cotta, winged helmet sculptures and griffins – still presides over South Broadway, while a vintage neon “Orpheum” blade sign and 1940s marquee glow above the sidewalk. Step inside and the style shifts to French Renaissance splendor: a two-story lobby with marble walls and glittering chandeliers, an auditorium draped in gold detailing, stained-glass rosettes, and two immense crystal chandeliers suspended from a gilded ceiling.
During vaudeville’s heyday, this stage hosted legends like the Marx Brothers, Lena Horne, Jack Benny, and a teenage Judy Garland – a parade of talent whose ghostlight might still warm the boards each night.
By the 1930s, vaudeville waned and the Orpheum transitioned to films and later concerts, but it never lost its soul. Remarkably, its original Mighty Wurlitzer organ – installed in 1928 to accompany silent films – survives and was fully restored in 2001. Today, the Orpheum thrives as a meticulously restored live performance venue and popular filming location.
Catch a contemporary concert or a comedy show here, and you’ll enjoy state-of-the-art sound alongside historic ambience (plush seats, ceiling frescos and all). When classic movie screenings pop up during special events, the Wurlitzer rises from the orchestra pit in full voice, transporting the audience to the Roaring Twenties. The Orpheum’s successful revival has even spurred lofts and restaurants in its adjacent 12-story office building, fueling Broadway’s wider renaissance.
The Palace Theatre (Downtown Broadway, 1911)
Predating Hollywood’s rise, the Palace Theatre has been entertaining Angelenos for over a century, making it one of the oldest surviving theaters in Los Angeles. It opened in 1911 as the third Los Angeles home of the Orpheum vaudeville circuit – and today it remains the oldest original Orpheum theater still standing in the U.S..
In its early years, the Palace’s stage saw the likes of master illusionist Harry Houdini, humorist Will Rogers, a young Fred Astaire, and even animal acrobats and trick ponies – the full vaudeville spectrum. Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, the theater’s eclectic style marries an Italian Renaissance Revival façade (multicolored terra cotta swags, flowers, and theatrical masks sculpted by Domingo Mora) with a French-inspired interior of garland-draped columns and pastel hues.
High above Broadway, look for four plaster panels depicting the muses of Vaudeville – Song, Dance, Music, and Drama – smiling down from the Palace’s facade, embodying the “spirit of entertainment”.
Inside, though scaled more intimately than its later movie-palace cousins, the Palace was engineered for live performance: superb pre-amplification acoustics and two balconies that ensured no seat was too far from the action. It transitioned to a movie house in the late 1920s and continued as a cinema for decades. By the 1990s the Palace, like many Broadway theaters, faced an uncertain future.
A restoration around its 100th anniversary polished the original décor (revealing long-hidden wall murals of pastoral scenes) and reduced capacity to about 1,000 for modern comfort. Today, the Palace hosts occasional concerts, film screenings, and special events – often reopening for Last Remaining Seats screenings or as a filming location – allowing visitors to relish its turn-of-the-century charm.
Even on quiet days, its proud marquee and vintage ticket booth still adorn Broadway, whispering of a time when “all the world’s a stage” and Los Angeles was already on its way there.
The Million Dollar Theatre (Downtown Historic Core, 1918)
In 1918, showman Sid Grauman (who later built the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood) unveiled downtown’s first true movie palace – a theater so extravagant it was nicknamed the “Million Dollar” for its then-astonishing cost. Grauman’s Million Dollar Theatre helped kick off LA’s roaring twenties entertainment boom, offering 2,345 seats (one of the largest venues of its time) and Hollywood flair to spare.
The opening night feature, The Silent Man, played with a live 30-piece orchestra for an audience that included early film royalty like Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Charlie Chaplin. To catch eyes on bustling Broadway, the theater’s twelve-story edifice was given a fantastical Spanish Churrigueresque façade – a riot of sculptural detail designed by Joseph Mora.
Look closely at the exterior and you’ll spot bison heads, longhorn skulls, angels and allegorical figures representing the arts, and even carved maidens strumming harps, legs dangling whimsically above the street. This playful grandeur celebrated both California’s Western heritage and the magic of storytelling.
Inside, architect William Lee Woollett outfitted the auditorium with unique flourishes inspired by a fairy tale (The King of the Golden River) – from organ grille panels depicting characters like the Wind and the evil brothers, to a massive domed ceiling chandelier salvaged from another demolished theater.
Technological firsts accompanied the fantasy: the Million Dollar’s huge balcony was built using one of the world’s first reinforced concrete girders, a necessity due to wartime steel shortages (it was strength-tested with 1.5 million pounds of sandbags!).
Over the years, the theater found new life hosting top jazz and big band acts in the 1940s (Billie Holiday and Lionel Hampton among them) , and later became Broadway’s premier Spanish-language venue in the 1950s, staging variedades variety shows and Mexican film premieres for LA’s Latinx community.
Though it spent years closed and even served time as a church, the Million Dollar Theatre was lovingly refurbished and reopened for special events in 2008. Today it often partners with the adjacent Grand Central Market for film nights, concerts, and cultural festivals.
When its ornate interior lights up again – murals uncovered, mighty organ playing – the Million Dollar lives up to its name, proving that a century later, its value to LA’s heritage is truly priceless.
The Wiltern (Koreatown – Wilshire & Western, 1931)
An Art Deco fantasy in sea-green terra cotta, The Wiltern Theatre stands at the busy corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue – its very name a portmanteau of those cross-streets.
Opened in 1931 as Warner Bros.’ flagship Hollywood rival, the Wiltern boasts a 12-story adjoining office tower (the Pellissier Building) that soars with sleek vertical lines, giving the illusion of a skyscraper and making it an instant landmark on LA’s skyline. Designed by architect Stiles O. Clements of Morgan, Walls & Clements, this theater is often described as a “dictionary of Art Deco style”.
Fluted spires, zigzag motifs, and a sunburst-patterned ceiling adorn the interior, where architect G. Albert Lansburgh’s decorative touches include mosaic-like terrazzo floors and murals in rich turquoise, gold, and coral hues. When the Wiltern first opened (originally called the Warner Western Theatre), it housed the largest theater pipe organ on the West Coast and promised a modern movie-going experience on the western edge of the city.
Yet, the Wiltern struggled during the Great Depression and closed after only a year. It reopened in the mid-1930s under its new moniker (a nod to Wilshire/Western) and operated as a premier film house for decades. By the late 1970s, however, the theater had fallen on hard times and was slated for demolition.
Enter the Los Angeles Conservancy and passionate preservationists: in 1979, a grass-roots campaign successfully fought to save The Wiltern – marking the Conservancy’s first major victory and resulting in a sweeping restoration. After a $3 million renovation in 1985 revived its stage and upgraded facilities, The Wiltern was reborn as a live performance venue.
Today, it’s one of the city’s favorite live music venues Los Angeles has to offer, hosting rock, pop, and comedy acts with equal flair. The seating can convert between general admission standing and seated formats (capacity around 1,800), drawing crowds who come as much for the acoustics and ambiance as the show itself.
As you stand under the Wiltern’s giant sunburst dome, with each ray painted as an Art Deco skyscraper, you can’t help but feel the optimism and glamor of 1930s Los Angeles radiating back at you – a testament to the power of preservation and the city’s ever-evolving entertainment legacy.
The Pantages Theatre (Hollywood, 1930)
Glamour has a permanent home at Hollywood and Vine, and its name is Pantages. Opened June 4, 1930, the Hollywood Pantages was the last great movie palace built in Hollywood’s Golden Age and the final theater erected by vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages.
Everything about it was designed to dazzle. Architect B. Marcus Priteca delivered a tour-de-force of Art Deco design: the exterior is relatively austere in pale stone, but step under the marquee and you’re met with a vestibule of geometric bronze designs and a grand lobby exploding with chevrons, zigzags, and starburst motifs in gold and silver.
Two sweeping staircases embrace patrons as they ascend to the balcony, beneath massive Czechoslovakian-crystal chandeliers. Inside the 2,700-seat auditorium, concentric Art Deco sunbursts on the ceiling (backlit by deep blue light) draw eyes upward, while a proscenium of angular, gilded shapes frames the stage. In the 1930s, audiences flocked here both for live vaudeville revues and first-run “talkies.”
However, as the Depression ground on, the lavish live shows became too costly; by 1932 the Pantages was primarily a movie theater, and Pantages himself was forced to sell following financial troubles and scandal.
New owner Howard Hughes took over in 1949 (moving his personal RKO offices into the building’s upstairs), and under his tenure the Pantages achieved another claim to fame: it hosted the Academy Awards ceremony for 11 years from 1950 to 1960. In fact, the first-ever televised Oscars were broadcast from the Pantages’ stage in 1953 , with Hollywood’s biggest stars of the era walking its lobby.
By the 1970s, the theater transitioned exclusively to live stage productions, and in 2000 a painstaking restoration peeled back mid-century alterations to reveal the original Art Deco splendor – from the etched glass balustrades to the vibrant ceiling murals – earning a Conservancy Preservation Award.
Now operated by Broadway in Hollywood (a Nederlander organization subsidiary), the Pantages has reclaimed its status as LA’s palace of live theater, presenting blockbuster Broadway touring shows (from Wicked to Hamilton) year-round. Visitors can simply walk up to admire the iconic marquee and lobby (often open to ticket holders before shows), or better yet, attend a performance to bask in the full experience.
When the lights dim and the orchestra strikes the first notes, it’s easy to imagine Fred Astaire or Bob Hope might just saunter onstage – that’s the kind of timeless charm the Pantages exudes.
The Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood Hills – Open-Air Amphitheater, 1922)
Los Angeles’s love affair with music under the stars began at the Hollywood Bowl, the city’s world-renowned open-air amphitheater. Nestled in a natural canyon of the Hollywood Hills (the “bowl” is literally the concave shape of the hillside), the Hollywood Bowl opened in 1922 and has evolved into an icon of outdoor entertainment.
With a colossal seating capacity of about 17,500, it’s consistently ranked among the top live music venues in the United States – Rolling Stone even named it one of the 10 best in the country in 2018. The Bowl is famed for its concentric-arches band shell, which for decades formed a white domed proscenium framing the stage.
Those arches, first erected in 1929, became instantly identifiable – silhouetted against dusk skies, backed by the Hollywood Sign and hills, they have provided an unforgettable backdrop for performers from Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland to The Beatles and Prince. (The shell was redesigned and enlarged in 2004 for better acoustics , but its spirit remains the same.)
As the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the base of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Bowl hosts classical concerts, epic film score nights, jazz extravaganzas and classic rock shows, often capped by fireworks blooming in the night. The experience of a Hollywood Bowl concert is a beloved LA tradition.
On a warm evening, locals and visitors alike arrive early with picnic baskets and bottles of wine, settling into the hillside with views of city lights. The venue actually began as a community park space – one of its first events was a 1921 Easter sunrise service – and that communal vibe endures. Today, a seasonal schedule typically runs from June through September, including the always-popular Fourth of July Spectacular (complete with live cannons and fireworks).
When not in use for concerts, the Bowl is open as a park during the day, and you can hike up to the infamous “Bowl Overlook” for a panoramic peek. Few experiences capture Hollywood’s magic like hearing the crescendo of an orchestra at the Bowl while a gentle breeze ruffles the eucalyptus trees and the stage shimmers in a wash of colored light. It’s pure California summer enchantment – performance venues LA style, where nature and culture perform in harmony.
The Greek Theatre (Griffith Park – Open-Air, 1930)
Tucked among the pine trees of Griffith Park, the Greek Theatre offers a more intimate open-air alternative to the Bowl – a “twin under the stars” with its own devoted following.
Opened in 1930 and named for its classical Greek temple-style façade, this amphitheater was actually the realized dream of Griffith J. Griffith (the park’s benefactor), who earmarked funds in his will to build a theater for Los Angeles’s cultural enrichment.
The project took shape in the late 1920s, with a stage and seating inspired by ancient Greek amphitheaters and set against a canyon hillside. The Greek Theatre officially dedicated on September 25, 1930, with an inaugural show in 1931 drawing 4,000 people – instantly establishing the venue as a magical place to experience live entertainment al fresco.
For its first couple of decades, the Greek saw sporadic use (including being repurposed as barracks during WWII!). But from the 1950s onward, under promoter James Doolittle and later the Nederlander Organization, the Greek hit its stride as one of LA’s premier concert venues.
Historic jazz and classical performances took place here, as well as legendary pop concerts – from Neil Diamond’s Hot August Night recordings in 1972 to blockbuster rock shows. With a current capacity of about 5,900 seats, the Greek is lauded for its acoustics and the feeling that you’re close to the stage no matter where you sit.
The backdrop is a simple yet picturesque outdoor stage framed by that Greek portico, often lit in colors to match the mood. Surrounded by chaparral-covered slopes and with open sky above, the Greek Theatre creates a unique ambiance of tranquility and focus – artists frequently remark on the inspiration they draw from the setting.
Today, the Greek’s season (typically April to October) features a wide mix: contemporary bands, classic rock reunions, R&B legends, symphonies, comedy shows, even occasional Broadway musicals or ballet under the stars.
Managed by ASM Global on behalf of the city, the venue has benefited from upgrades like improved seating, sound systems, and even a renovated stage façade (refreshed in 2006 for its 75th anniversary ). Yet it retains a vintage charm – including retro neon signage at the entrance – that harks back to simpler times.
One of the best ways to enjoy the Greek is to arrive early and take a short hike in Griffith Park (the observatory is nearby), then let the sounds of nature transition into music at dusk. As the first notes reverberate off the canyon walls, you’ll understand why Angelenos fiercely love this place. It’s more than a concert; it’s an experience of Los Angeles itself, blending culture, history, and nature in perfect harmony.
The Avalon Hollywood (Hollywood, 1927)
Not all of LA’s historic venues are theaters in the traditional sense – some, like Avalon Hollywood, began as stage-and-screen hybrids and evolved into modern nightlife hubs. Sitting across from the iconic Capitol Records tower at Hollywood & Vine, the Avalon has been reinvented many times since it opened in 1927 as the Hollywood Playhouse.
In its first life, it was a legitimate live theater hosting vaudeville and stage plays (Carter DeHaven’s revues and even early appearances by actors like a young Clark Gable at neighboring theaters). By the 1940s, it had been renamed the El Capitan (not to be confused with Disney’s El Capitan on Hollywood Blvd) and became a venue for live radio broadcasts and big band performances – stars such as Frank Sinatra crooned here live on national radio.
In the 1950s, the theater found fame on television as the stage for variety shows like “This Is Your Life” and “The Hollywood Palace,” the latter lending the building a new name: the Hollywood Palace Theatre. During this era, a who’s who of entertainment graced the stage – from jugglers and comedians to The Beatles, who played their first West Coast performance here in 1964 during a TV taping ! (Imagine the pandemonium on Vine Street with fans clamoring around the theater’s rooftop and fire escapes.)
After serving as a TV studio into the late ’70s, the venue was reborn in 1978 as a nightclub and concert hall simply called The Palace , perfectly positioned to ride Hollywood’s punk and new-wave rock explosion. Everyone from Prince to the Rolling Stones performed intimate shows within its historic walls. By the early 2000s, however, The Palace had grown a bit shabby.
A major renovation in 2002–2003 upgraded the sound, lighting, and décor (restoring some original 1920s features like its ceiling “scallops”), and the club was re-launched as Avalon Hollywood. Today, Avalon is a state-of-the-art nightclub and special events venue with a capacity of about 1,200.
On weekend nights, its dance floor throbs with electronic music fans, while other evenings see live concerts, movie premiere after-parties, and even theatrical events. The main auditorium retains a glamorous vibe with its proscenium arch and balcony, now complemented by modern VIP lounges and an adjacent cocktail bar (Bardot).
Avalon’s ability to shapeshift with the times is a testament to LA’s evolving entertainment scene. Yet, even amid lasers and DJ decks, the building’s bones hearken back to a jazzier age.
Attending an event here means walking the same lobby that Orson Welles once roamed (his Mercury Theater troupe staged shows here in the ’40s) and dancing under the same ceiling where Bing Crosby hosted television specials. In Hollywood, history and hipness often go hand in hand – and at Avalon, that dance continues every weekend.
El Portal Theatre (North Hollywood, 1926)
Away from the Hollywood hustle, the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood shines as the “Jewel in the Crown” of the San Fernando Valley’s arts scene. Opened in 1926 on Lankershim Boulevard (directly across from the historic train depot and now-Academy of Television Arts & Sciences), El Portal began as a 1,400-seat vaudeville and silent movie house in what was then a quaint LA suburb.
Its design by Lewis A. Smith combined Spanish Renaissance Revival style with Art Deco touches – most evident in the original glowing neon marquee and the decorative bas-relief murals added in the 1930s by WPA artists inside the lobby (depicting scenes of California’s history).
In its early years, local residents could catch traveling stage shows or the latest Charlie Chaplin reel for just a few cents. A young Donald O’Connor even danced here as a child performer in the ’20s, long before Singin’ in the Rain made him a star.
As talkies took over, El Portal became a full-time movie theater – a beloved neighborhood cinema through the mid-century, including a stint as a Spanish-language film house in the 1970s. By the early ’90s, however, time had taken its toll. Then in 1994, the devastating Northridge earthquake nearly finished the job: El Portal suffered major damage, including a collapsed ceiling.
Rather than tear it down, the community rallied to save and reinvent the theater. After extensive reconstruction, El Portal reopened in 2000 as a modern performing arts complex, cleverly partitioned into a 360-seat main stage, a 95-seat Forum theater, and a 42-seat black box — all while retaining the original exterior facade, marquee, and ticket window to preserve its historic charm.
Today, El Portal is a busy hub for plays, musicals, comedy shows, and film festivals, anchoring the thriving NoHo Arts District that has grown up around it.
Attending a show at El Portal feels a bit like time travel. Outside, the vintage 1926 marquee shines bright, often advertising an eclectic mix of upcoming acts – a magic show one week, a classic play the next. Inside, the renovated auditorium offers comfy seating and modern tech, but with a nostalgic atmosphere (look for historic photos in the lobby).
And because it’s a smaller venue, you’re never far from the stage – a delightful change from downtown’s cavernous palaces. Before or after a performance, you can wander the surrounding neighborhood’s galleries, cafes, and theaters, feeling how El Portal helped spark an arts renaissance in North Hollywood. This theater may not boast Oscars or world premieres, but it’s cherished for something more: true community spirit and the resilience to survive into a new century.
The Fonda Theatre (Hollywood, 1926)
In the heart of Hollywood on bustling Hollywood Boulevard, the Fonda Theatre marries roaring ’20s history with 21st-century indie music culture. This 1926 venue has worn many hats over the years, but it was originally born as the Music Box Theatre, a stage for live musical revues produced by Broadway notable Carter DeHaven.
Designed by the architectural firm Morgan, Walls & Clements in Spanish Colonial Revival style, the Music Box featured a grand 1,000+ seat auditorium and Spanish Baroque detailing, from its ornate entrance arch to tiled fountains in the lobby courtyard.
Early investors included Hollywood royalty (John Barrymore and King Vidor among them) who hoped to bring a bit of New York glamour west. In 1927, the theater switched from revues to legitimate plays, famously hosting the West Coast premiere of the comedy Chicago – with a then-unknown Clark Gable in the cast.
By the 1940s, the Music Box had transitioned to film, getting a Streamline Moderne makeover and operating under various names – Guild Theatre, then Fox, then Pix – as a movie house until 1977.
The movies went dark and the theater was shuttered for a time, but in 1985 the Nederlander Organization rescued it, renovating and reopening the venue as a live stage once more, now dubbed the Henry Fonda Theatre in honor of the classic film actor. Throughout the late ’80s and ’90s, the Fonda hosted notable theater productions (like Glengarry Glen Ross) and also started to moonlight as a concert venue, capitalizing on Hollywood’s music scene.
A major restoration in 2002 returned much of its 1920s charm – removing cladding that had covered the original façade – and briefly restored the old “Music Box” name. Finally, in 2012, concert promoter Goldenvoice took over operations, and the venue settled on “The Fonda Theatre” as its permanent name.
Today, the Fonda is one of LA’s most beloved mid-size concert venues, with a capacity of about 1,200 and a reputation for great sightlines and sound. Its interior blends vintage and modern: beneath the black-painted ceiling (vestige of its movie theater days) are elegant details like wrought-iron railings and a golden proscenium arch.
There’s even a scenic rooftop terrace bar – a perfect spot to grab a drink and gaze at the Hollywood skyline between opening acts. The Fonda’s calendar leans toward contemporary music (rock, electronic, hip-hop, and beyond), and many artists choose it for special shows or tour stops thanks to its intimate atmosphere.
Yet echoes of the past remain: a visitor attending a sold-out indie rock show might not realize they’re standing where a 1920s audience once applauded vaudeville dancers, or where Lucille Ball performed in a play during the 1940s. Such layers of history give the Fonda a character that you can’t manufacture – it’s authentic Hollywood through and through.
Whether you’re there for a play or a punk band, take a moment to appreciate the vintage charm around you. You’re not just enjoying live entertainment; you’re continuing a story that’s been unfolding for nearly a hundred years on that very stage.
Walt Disney Concert Hall (Downtown – A Modern Classic, 2003)
The newest venue on this list isn’t “historic” by age, but it has swiftly become a Los Angeles icon and a continuation of the city’s performance legacy. Opened in 2003 on downtown’s Grand Avenue, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is a modern architectural marvel that stands proudly among its century-old neighbors as if to say that LA’s cultural golden age is now and ahead, not just behind.
Designed by Frank Gehry with his signature sculptural flair, the Concert Hall resembles a series of billowing stainless-steel sails or flower petals. Its striking exterior, with curving metallic surfaces catching the sunlight, has redefined the downtown skyline and become a destination for architecture enthusiasts worldwide.
But beyond looks, it’s a world-class performance venue: the hall’s acoustics, engineered by Yasuhisa Toyota, are often hailed as some of the best on the planet. Inside the 2,265-seat auditorium, vineyard-style seating terraces envelop the stage, creating an intimate circle of sound and ensuring every audience member is close to the music. Warm Douglas-fir wood lines the walls and ceiling in smooth sails, and an eye-popping organ with wooden pipes bursts forth behind the stage like a fantastical bloom.
Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Its creation story speaks to LA’s commitment to culture: Lillian Disney (Walt’s widow) gifted $50 million in the late 1980s to build a venue that would be “a living room for the city” and a tribute to Walt Disney’s love of the arts.
After years of planning and fundraising, the hall opened to immediate acclaim – praised both for Gehry’s breathtaking design and for the “immersive” sonic experience that makes a Mahler symphony or a movie soundtrack concert equally electrifying. The building quickly became a symbol of Downtown’s resurgence in the early 21st century, anchoring the Music Center campus which also houses the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (home of the LA Opera) and other theatres.
Visitors can explore Disney Hall on most days via self-guided audio tours, wandering from the public lobby (don’t miss the enormous, rose-shaped fountain on the outdoor garden terrace) to upper balconies for different views of the architecture.
At night, catching a performance here – be it a classical concert, a jazz gig, or even an avant-garde theater piece – feels a world apart from the vintage theaters of Broadway, yet part of the same continuum. The sense of occasion is palpable as you ascend the dramatic stairs into the vaulted hardwood interior. When the lights dim, there’s that familiar hush of anticipation, proving that even in a futuristic hall, the timeless magic of performance lives on.
Architecture and Preservation Notes
Los Angeles’s historic theaters are as much works of art as the performances they housed, each reflecting the design trends and ambitions of its era. Along Downtown’s Broadway corridor, you’ll find a Beaux-Arts beauty like the Orpheum (with its Parisian-inspired interior) just steps from the French Baroque splendor of the Los Angeles Theatre and the Spanish Churrigueresque extravagance of the Million Dollar Theatre.
In Hollywood, the theaters skew Art Deco – the Pantages and Warner (now Hollywood Pacific) flaunted the zigzags and geometric glamour of the 1920s and ’30s. Meanwhile, neighborhood houses like El Portal blended Spanish Revival exteriors with early Deco marquees, bridging old-world charm and new trends.
This architectural diversity tells the story of a young city eager to establish cultural credibility: each theater was an exercise in one-upmanship, resulting in a rich tapestry of styles from Italian Renaissance (Palace’s façade) to Mayan Revival (yes, Downtown’s Los Angeles Theatre has hidden Mayan-inspired details in its decor!).
Even the open-air venues nod to classical antiquity – the Greek Theatre literally emulates an ancient amphitheater – underscoring how performance in LA has always been about both innovation and homage.
Just as vital as the bricks and terra cotta is the story of preservation. By mid-century, many of these buildings were endangered by neglect or redevelopment. But passionate Angelenos fought to save them. The Los Angeles Conservancy’s formation in the late 1970s – notably to save the Wiltern and the entire Broadway Theater District – proved a turning point.
Through landmark designations, creative new uses, and sheer love, theaters like the Wiltern, Orpheum, and Palace were spared the wrecking ball and painstakingly restored. Others, like the Tower Theatre, have been repurposed (in that case, as an Apple Store) in ways that respect their historic integrity.
The City of LA’s “Bringing Back Broadway” initiative continues to support renovation and reopening of these venues, recognizing their potential as engines of economic and cultural revival. Private owners have also played heroes: families like the Delijanis invested in multiple Broadway theaters (Los Angeles, Palace, State) to maintain them, and entrepreneurs turned spaces like the Fonda and Avalon into thriving businesses while honoring their history.
Preservation isn’t just about nostalgia – it has real, tangible rewards for the community. Every summer, classic film screenings and concerts in these venues (such as the Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats series) allow new generations to experience the thrill of these magnificent spaces in their intended glory.
Many theaters offer backstage tours during the day, giving a peek at original dressing rooms, mechanical organs, and projection booths. When you run your hand along a polished brass rail or sit beneath a century-old mural, you feel a connection to the Angelenos of decades past, all united by the magic of performance.
And with new chapters being written – like Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall taking its place among the greats – Los Angeles shows that preservation and modern progress can harmonize. The result is a city where the historic theaters aren’t just static monuments, but living, evolving spaces that continue to host applause, laughter, and encores, just as they have for up to 100 years.
Planning Your Theater Tour
With so many venues spread across Los Angeles, a little planning will help you make the most of your theater-hopping adventure. Here are a few themed routes and tips to consider:
“Broadway’s Golden Age” Walking Tour (Downtown):
Start at Pershing Square and stroll south along Broadway to encounter the grand dames of LA’s theater district. Within a few blocks you’ll pass the Million Dollar Theatre, Bradbury Building (across the street, an architectural gem), Grand Central Market (great for a snack), then the cluster of theaters including the Los Angeles, Palace, State, Globe (formerly Morosco), Tower, Orpheum, and United Artists (now the Ace Hotel).
Pop into the ones that are open – the Ace Hotel often allows a peek inside their United Artists Theatre lobby for patrons – or join a Broadway walking tour (the Conservancy offers an excellent one on Saturday mornings). Even from the sidewalk, you’ll see fabulous marquees and restored facades. Time your walk to end around sunset when neon signs flicker on, evoking the street’s Jazz Age bustle.
“Hollywood’s Live Legacy” Tour:
Centered around Hollywood & Vine, this route connects venues that shaped entertainment history. Begin at the Pantages Theatre (take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Vine station, which conveniently leaves you right at the Pantages’ doorstep). If you can, see a Broadway show there, or at least peek at the lobby.
Next, walk two blocks west on Hollywood Blvd to The Fonda Theatre (near Gower Street) – check its concert schedule for an evening gig or see if you can swing by when its rooftop bar is open to catch a view. A short walk south on Vine St. brings you to Avalon Hollywood (at Vine and Yucca), which often hosts weekend club nights and occasional live shows – the historic interior is usually accessible only during events, but you can admire the Spanish Colonial exterior anytime.
Just across the street is the Capitol Records Building, a mid-century icon (not a venue, but worth a photo). Cap off your tour with a drink at Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, since 1919) to really feel the old Tinseltown vibe.
“Open-Air LA” Experience:
If visiting in summer, plan an evening at both of the city’s legendary outdoor venues. The Greek Theatre has a more relaxed, local feel – check their calendar for a concert and arrive early to explore Griffith Park (perhaps visit the Observatory in the afternoon). A few days later, spend a night at the Hollywood Bowl, ideally for a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert or one of the Bowl’s themed nights (movie music, jazz, or the popular sing-along events).
To avoid parking stress at the Bowl, use the park-and-ride shuttles or rideshare (traffic gets dense on concert nights). Pack your picnic and a blanket for the Bowl; for the Greek, note that some shows allow food, others might not – check the policy. Both venues are casual dress, but temperatures drop at night, so layers are your friend.
For any theater outing, book tickets in advance whenever possible, especially for one-night events or popular shows (Broadway tours at the Pantages can sell out weeks early). Many venues offer online ticketing; for the smaller theaters (El Portal, etc.), you might also find tickets on Goldstar or TodayTix for discounts.
If you’re a film buff, consider scheduling your trip around special film screenings (the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, another historic cinema, often shows classics; it’s currently being renovated by Netflix).
And if you’re curious to see inside a theater without attending a show, check their websites or call – some, like Walt Disney Concert Hall, have daily tours, while others occasionally open doors during events like the LA Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats or Open House LA.
Transportation: Driving between far-flung venues can eat up time (and parking fees). Instead, try grouping sites by area. Downtown’s theaters are walkable. Hollywood’s venues are connected by the Metro B (Red) Line: you can take it from Union Station (Downtown) to Hollywood in about 20 minutes.
The North Hollywood stop (end of the line) puts you near El Portal Theatre. The Metro system is a great option to avoid notorious LA traffic; just mind the schedules if you’re out late. Ride-shares (Uber/Lyft) are abundant too, especially for nighttime returns.
If you do drive, plan ahead for parking: many theaters list nearby lots on their site (the Hollywood Bowl has its own lots and shuttle system; Broadway Downtown has cheap evening lots around Pershing Square and Olympic Blvd).
Dress Code: Los Angeles is pretty laid-back. For concerts at the Fonda, Avalon, or Greek, casual attire (jeans, sneakers) is the norm. At the Walt Disney Concert Hall or a Pantages opening night, you’ll see some patrons dressed up (business or cocktail attire), but it’s not strictly formal – LA chic is always welcome.
If you’re attending an outdoor show, comfort is key – wear good walking shoes for those hills and steps, and bring that extra layer or even a cushion for seating comfort. Ultimately, the best “dress code” is one that lets you fully enjoy the show.
Finally, consider blending your theater tour with a bite of LA history: many venues are surrounded by historic restaurants and bars (like Clifton’s Cafeteria near Broadway’s theaters, or the Formosa Café near West Hollywood’s historic theatres).
It’s easy to make a day (and night) of exploring a neighborhood’s cultural offerings. In LA, the show often starts before the curtain even rises – perhaps in the lobby bar with a themed cocktail, or a pre-show organ recital – so soak in the atmosphere.
The Takeaway
In a city known for movies and imagination, Los Angeles’s historic theaters remind us that live performance still holds unmatched power. These venues have hosted everything from vaudeville and classic plays to rock concerts and modern musicals. Stepping inside places like the Los Angeles Theatre or the Hollywood Bowl connects you to more than a century of creativity and shared experience. The same excitement that once filled these halls still lingers each time the lights dim and the stage comes to life.
Don’t just stop for a photo outside, take the time to go in, sit down, and feel the atmosphere. Whether you’re in a velvet seat beneath a chandelier or on a hillside under the stars, every show carries echoes of those who came before. Each performance continues the city’s tradition of art, music, and storytelling.
From ornate downtown theaters to outdoor stages in the hills, Los Angeles continues to celebrate live entertainment as part of its identity. These venues are not just historic landmarks but working spaces that keep the city’s creative spirit alive. When the curtain rises, you’re part of that legacy, proof that in LA, the show truly never ends.
FAQ
Q1: What are the must-see historic theaters in LA for first-timers?
A: Start with the Los Angeles Theatre, the Orpheum, and the Pantages. Add the Wiltern for Art Deco and the Hollywood Bowl for an outdoor classic.
Q2: Can I visit these theaters without a ticket?
A: Some offer daytime tours or limited lobby access; policies vary. Check each venue’s website for tour schedules and open-house dates.
Q3: What’s the best way to get between DTLA and Hollywood venues?
A: Take Metro B (Red) Line between Pershing Square and Hollywood/Vine, or rideshare for late-night returns.
Q4: When is the best season for concerts at the Bowl and the Greek?
A: Typically late spring through early fall; schedules often post by spring. Popular nights sell out quickly.
Q5: Are there family-friendly events at historic venues?
A: Yes. Look for classic film series, matinee concerts, and special programs at the Bowl, Greek, Disney Hall, and DTLA palaces.
Q6: How should I dress for shows in LA?
A: Smart-casual works almost everywhere. Bring a light layer for outdoor venues where temps drop at night.
Q7: Any money-saving tips for tickets?
A: Watch for presales, seat maps with partial-view discounts, and apps like Goldstar/TodayTix for select venues.
Q8: What photography etiquette applies inside historic theaters?
A: Exterior photos are fine; inside, follow house rules—no flash during performances and respect staff instructions.