Castro Theatre

Built in 1922, the Castro Theatre provides a blend of entertainment and history found in just a few locations throughout California. The theatre was originally owned by the Nasser Brothers, who were responsible for the Castro are nickelodeon theatre. The Castro was designed by Timothy L. Pflueger was built for $300,000. The theatre became a City of San Francisco landmark in 1977 and its large windows and Mexican cathedral style design makes it truly an original. The marquee was added in the 1930's, as were the neon sign that still lights the front of the building. Inside you will find Italian, Spanish, and Oriental inspiration. The seating area is an acre large and capable of seating 1,400 people. The walls are covered in murals and the theatre is ornate from top to bottom. There is now a large screen in the theatre, but the Art Deco style chandelier that hangs from the center of the auditorium was placed there in the mid-1930's. There is a mezzanine and balcony seating area, both reach via ornate staircases that wind upwards. The theatre showed first-run movies up until the mid-1970's. The original owners of the theatre sold it mid-century, but later took ownership again in 2001 and have gone to work restoring the theatre. It is now capable of handling live performances and the sound system has been modernized. The theatre can be rented for corporate events, parties, festivals, award ceremonies, fundraisers, concerts, plays, fashion shows, and more.