Pantages Theatre: History, parking, seating and fun facts

Located at the iconic corner of Hollywood and Vine, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre is one of the most celebrated Art Deco landmarks in Los Angeles –– and one of the city’s premier live performance venues. Opened on June 4, 1930, it was the last movie palace built in Hollywood and the final theatre commissioned by vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages. 

Designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca, the 2,703-seat theatre was originally built for vaudeville acts and motion pictures and remains one of the most visually striking venues in Los Angeles. Today, the Pantages is widely regarded as L.A.’s go-to venue for major touring Broadway productions, like Wicked, The Lion King, and The Book of Mormon.  While most programming is presented through Broadway in Hollywood, the calendar also occasionally includes concerts, comedy, and other special events.

History

• The Hollywood Pantages Theatre opened on June 4, 1930, as the last movie palace built in Hollywood and the last theatre commissioned by Alexander Pantages.
• Designed by B. Marcus Priteca, the venue was created to host both vaudeville performances and motion pictures.
• In 1932, the theatre was sold to Fox and became the Fox-Pantages during the Great Depression.
• Howard Hughes purchased the theatre through RKO in 1949 and moved his offices to the second floor.
• Pacific Theatres later acquired the venue, and in 1977 it shifted to live stage productions full time.
• In 1978, the Pantages Theatre was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
• A major restoration in 2000 helped return much of the theatre’s original Art Deco grandeur.

What Makes It Special

• It is one of the last great movie palaces of Hollywood’s golden age and a rare surviving showcase of large-scale Art Deco theatre design.
• The interior features dramatic starbursts, geometric patterns, grand staircases, chandeliers, and richly restored decorative details.

Iconic Moments

• The theatre hosts the Academy Awards from 1950 to 1960, including the first televised Oscars ceremony in 1953.
• The 23rd, 24th and 26th Primetime Emmy Awards originated from the Pantages between 1971 – 1974.
• The Pantages reopens as a legitimate live theatre venue in 1977.  The first production, Bubbling Brown Sugar, marking its transition into a new era focused on plays and musicals.
• In December 2016 the Pantages hosted the world premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
• The 2000 restoration prepared the theatre for Disney’s The Lion King, helping launch a new chapter of blockbuster Broadway engagements in Hollywood.

Seating Chart

Click image to enlarge

Parking

• The theatre has no onsite parking but is surrounded by paid parking lots and garages near Hollywood Boulevard, Vine Street, Argyle Avenue, and Selma Avenue.  Parking prices and availability can vary by event, and many nearby lots are independently operated.
• Parking prices and availability can vary by event, and many nearby lots are independently operated.

Driving Directions

• From Downtown Los Angeles: Take the 101 Freeway northbound and exit at Hollywood Boulevard. Turn left on Hollywood Boulevard and continue west four blocks; the theatre will be on the right, just past Argyle Avenue.
• From the San Fernando Valley: Take the 101 Freeway southbound and exit at Vine Street. Turn right on Vine Street, continue south two blocks to Hollywood Boulevard, then turn left; the theatre is about half a block ahead on the left.
• From the Westside: Take Sunset Boulevard or Santa Monica Boulevard east to Vine Street. Continue to Hollywood Boulevard, turn right, and the theatre will be in that block on the north side of the street.

SEE ALSO:  Kia Forum, SoFi-Stadium, Crypto.com Arena,  Greek Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, More Venues