List of theatres in Louisville, Kentucky

As with all older American cities, Louisville, Kentucky, has several generations of theatres, spanning from live stage theatres to large ornate downtown theatres to standalone neighborhood theatres to modern multiplexes. A great deal of the older theatres have been razed, or their buildings converted to other purposes.

"Years active" refers to years the building was actively used as a theatre. Due to renumbering and consolidation over the years, the address given may not exactly correspond to the modern building or lot at that location.

  Masonic 318 W. Chestnut.  Downtown theatre also known as the Shubert and the Strand
Movie City
Orpheum Theatre(Also known as the Rodeo) 320 West Jefferson|

Orpheus Theatre

Name Years Address 444 S. Fourth Street Notes
Alamo Theatre 1914 – c. 1930 444 S. Fourth St. Razed. Also called the Ohio (different from the later one on 4th St.)
Alpha 1 Theatre
Alpha 2 Theatre
Alpha 3 Theatre Holiday Manor
Alpha 4 Theatre 9202 Westport Rd. Converted into an AutoZone store.
Aristo Theatre 1603 S. Second St. Razed. Also known as The Ritz and The New Ritz
Avenue Theatre Razed
Bard Theatre 1941-? 2470 Bardstown Road Razed in 1998. (After closing as a movie theater, the former Bard was converted to a nightclub called Armando's Palace, and then later, after significant remodeling, became a health club that operated on two stories, and included a small pool and indoor track.)
Baxter Avenue Theatre also (later) the Airway Apex Theatres. Located in Mid City Mall. Eight screens.
Baxter Theatre (later the Airway) 1055 Bardstown Rd. Building still stands, after a brief period as a youth center, part of back auditorium was razed and interior gutted, theatre converted to a restaurant/sports bar. Theatre originally called The Lincoln when first opened. Called The Airway in the 1950s. Now a restaurant.
Bijou 211 S. Fourth Razed; Also called The Columbia
Bijou 104 E. Liberty Razed; Also called The Liberty
Bijou 1230 W. Walnut Razed; Also called The Olio and The Victory
Broadway Cinemas 1999–2004 1211 W Broadway Converted from a Winn-Dixie building into 10-screen complex. It was an effort to bring a theater back to the predominantly black West End, after the last of 6 area theaters, Cinema West, closed in 1975.[1] Broadway Cinemas failed due to slow ticket sales and trouble with its creditors. The building was converted again into retail space.[2]
Broadway Theatre 1915–1960 816 E. Broadway Closed. Originally vaudeville, later featured radio performances by a then unknown Gene Autry. Building has been restored, currently retail/showroom space for an office furniture company.
Brown Theatre 1925- 317 W. Broadway Stopped showing films in 1962. Currently operating as a concert/live performance venue in conjunction with The Kentucky Center.
Buckingham also known (at times) as the Savoy and Grand Opera House 1820–1897 (operated as the Savoy until ca. 1989.) 223-27 W. Jefferson Razed; Burlesque. Owned by John Henry Whallen.
Bunbury Theatre Company 1985–present 604 South Third Street/ The Henry Clay Building Performing at The Bunbury Theatre, the company renovated the space in 2007. 144-seat theatre.
Capitol Theatre 2129 S. Preston Neighborhood theatre. Building later converted to retail space. Around 850 seats.
Carriage House 1101 S. Fourth St.
Casino 317 S. Fourth St.
Cherokee Blues Club 1989–1994 1589 Bardstown Rd. In the late 1980s it was converted into a nightclub called The Cherokee Blues Club. It was a well-known spot frequented by popular blues artists and hailed as the 'real-deal' for blues clubs. Capacity issues and neighborhood noise complaints led to the club closing in 1994 and re-opened under new management at another location. It should be noted that original spot was never a theater, and the second location occupied the former space of a Louisville legend, 'Tewligan's'. The second spot is now a club called Cahoots. The original location is now a consignment shop.
Cherokee 326 W. Market
Cinema West ?-1975 3312 W. Broadway Last theater in the West End until the short-lived Broadway Cinemas from 1999 to 2004.[1]
Clifton 2003-5 Frankfort Ave.
Colonial 1801 W. Market
Cozy Theatre ?-1965 3105 S. Third St. 450 seats. Closed in 1965. Razed.[3]
Crescent Theatre (also called the Masonic) 1926-? 2862 Frankfort Ave. Closed. Also called The Masonic. Art theatre in the 1960s, became a porn theatre before closing. Building eventually became the Brasserie Deitrich restaurant, which opened in 1988 and closed in May 2003.[4] In 2004 the property was purchased by investors to be turned into condos.[5]
Crescent Air Dome 2322 Frankfort Ave. Closed.
Crown Theatre 1215 S. Seventh Street Closed. Current home of B.C. Plumbing.
Crystal 456 S. Fourth St
Crystal 314 W. Market
Dixie 4 4921 Dixie Hwy Razed. Currently the site of Factory Card Outlet and Rent-a-Center.
Dixie Dozen Cinemas 1993–2013 6801 Dixie Hwy Republic Theatres. Originally owned by Associated Theatres. 12 screens.
Dixie Drive-In Theatre 4915 Dixie Hwy (now Kmart) Closed. Pleasure Ridge Park area.[6]
Dixie Theater 941 S. Preston Closed. Also called The New Dixie. One of four theatres open to blacks before desegregation.[1]
Downs 3423 Taylor Blvd. Razed; First called The Aljo
Dreamland 1904-? 444 W. Market
East Drive-In Theatre 1948-? Shelbyville Rd Also called: Drive-In Theatre. Razed. Outdoor.
Gayety 1910–1936 323 W. Jefferson St. Razed; Burlesque
Globe 1880- 2010 Portland Ave. Once a Vaudeville Theater, renamed Nelligan Hall in the 1930s and adopted as area Democratic Campaign Headquarters and home to the North End Social Club. Artists have recently renovated into an artists' studio/gallery/performance space.
Grand Theater 607-11 W. Walnut St. Closed. One of four theatres open to blacks before desegregation.[1]
Highland 1014-16 Bardstown Rd. Later called Shibboleth Hall
Highland Amusement Co. 919 Baxter Ave. Later became the Gem.
Highland Park 1924-? 4506 Park Blvd. Razed; First called Hi-Land/New Superba. Highland Park
Hilltop Theatre 1920-? 1757 Frankfort Ave. First theatre in Louisville's east end. Building still stands, currently retail/warehouse space for a novelty company.[7]
Hippodrome 1920-? 144-146 W. Market St
Hopkins 1905-? 133 W. Market St.
Ideal Theatre 1912-? 2315 W. Market St. Razed sometime after 1983. Listed individually on National Register of Historic Places.
J-Town 4 9601 Taylorsville Rd
Kentucky Theater 1921- 649-651 S Fourth St. Theater had been recently operating as a live performance/concert venue, with occasional film presentations, but is currently closed. Designed by Louisville firm Joseph & Joseph, original interior included Italian marble and chandeliers from Czechoslovakia.[8]
Kenwood Drive-In 1949–2009 7001 Southside Dr Closed January 2009 by National Amusements.
Knox Theatre 311 W Oak St Also called the Tower Theatre. Theatre razed, front entrance still stands.
Lakewood Drive-In Theatre Highway 3 & Highway 62 Closed
Lincoln Theater Closed (ALSO SEE: Baxter Theatre 1055 Bardstown Road)
Louisville Science Center IMAX Theatre 1988- 727 W Main St Located in the upper floors of the Kentucky Science Center.
Lyric Theater 1926-? 604 W. Walnut Street [1] Closed. One of four theatres open to blacks before desegregation.[1] In 2003, proposed to have its name live on as a youth center to be called the Grand Lyric Theatre.[9] Closed by the late 1980s, part of the Walnut Street corridor, a center of a black-owned businesses and entertainment venues.
Macauley's Theatre 1873–1925 Razed in 1925
Majestic Theatre Majestic Theatre Downtown Palace, 544 S. Fourth Street 1908-1929
Mall St. Matthews 2013- 5000 Shelbyville Road Cinemark Theaters
Mary Anderson Theatre 612 S. 4th Street Closed in the 1970s. 1405 seats. Named for Mary Anderson. Theatre was gutted in the late 1980s and converted into office space. Designed by William J. Dodd and Kenneth McDonald.[10]
9070 Dixie Hwy
National Theatre (also known as B. F. Keith Theatre) 1913–1952 500 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard Razed in 1953
New Superba Theatre Razed
Norman Movie Theatre Years active 1911 to 1952 2051 Portland Ave. Was previously a vaudeville theatre. Established and run by the Wentzell family of the Portland neighborhood.
Oak Theatre Dixie Highway & Oak Street Razed
Ohio Theatre 1941- 655 S. 4th Street Razed, facade and front entrance still stands, converted to retail space. Art Deco style.[11]
Razed
Oxmoor Cinemas Oxmoor Mall, 7900 Shelbyville Road Closed. Multiplex theater consisted of a total of five screens, two larger ones located on the ground floor level and three smaller screens located on the second floor of the Oxmoor Mall. Fifth screen used a platter system and could show two films back-to-back without switching projectors. Ground floor converted to retail space, second floor no longer accessible.
Palace Theatre 1928- 625 S Fourth St Also called: Loews, State, United Artists, United Artists Penthouse. Theatre has been restored and now functions as a live concert/performance venue, with occasional film presentations. Facade and interior designed by John Eberson
Parkland Theatre 
 2817 W. Dumesnil
 Razed. Parkland neighborhood.
Parkway Drive-In Theatre 2702 Millers Ln Closed
Pix Theatre Razed 
Portland Theatre 2204 Portland Avenue (razed)


-Preston Theatre 1249 S. Preston Street (building still stands in 2017)

 Preston Air-Dome, Open-air theater adjacent to Preston Theatre above
 Preston Drive-In Theatre 6705 Preston Hwy Even though it was still doing very good business it was purchased by the Furrow's Home Improvement chain in the early 1980s and immediately razed. Furrow's closed and the building became a Salvation Army store. The building is currently empty and for sale.
Rex Theatre 
 408 S. Fourth Street
 Razed
Rialto Theater 1921–1968 616 S.Fourth St Razed in 1969. Designed by the Louisville firm Joseph & Joseph, opened in May 1921. Featured Italian Renaissance style facade and a white marble staircase, seating capacity of 3,500.[8]
Rodeo Theatre (see Orpheum) Razed
Savoy Theater 1890-1989 211 W. Jefferson St. Initially called the Grand Opera House, was Vaudeville, then Burlesque, then film theatre. Building razed following extensive damage resulting from arson in 1989. Was scheduled for demolition and amid Louisville's downtown "porno district" by that point.[12]
Scoop Theatre also at various times: The Walnut Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre 1910-1940s Building still stands, converted to office/retail space in 2000. Originally known as the Walnut Street Theatre, was a vaudeville house until 1930 when it began showing films. Possibly designed by John Eberson. Then known as the Ritz briefly and the Drury Lane Theatre from 1933 to 1940. Acquired its eventual name in the 1940s when it was a popular newsreel theatre. Converted to convention space by James Graham Brown in the early 1950s.[13]
Shelby Theatre 
 1224 S. Shelby Street
Razed 
 Shelmar (also known as the Empire)  
 736 E. Market Street
Showcase Cinemas Louisville 1965–2004 3408 Bardstown Rd National Amusements. Closed. 13-screen, A local Christian church had expressed interest in purchasing the site, but the deal fell through. Building was recently demolished. 20-acre (81,000 m2) site. Costco is expected to open its second Louisville store on the site in August 2016.[14]
Showcase Cinemas Stonybrook 2745 S Hurstbourne Pky National Amusements

-

 Skyway Drive-In Theatre 3609 Bardstown Rd Closed
Southpark Drive-In Theatre 9205 National Tpke Closed
Star Theatre 226 S. Fourth Street Razed
Strand Theatre (also known as the Masonic and the Shubert) Chestnut St. Razed. Also called: Shubert Theatre.
Sun Theatre 
 1116 S. 18th Street
 Razed
Tinseltown Louisville 1997- 4400 Towne Center Dr Cinemark Theatres
Twilite Drive-In Theatre 1950-? 4015 Crittenden Dr Razed. Also called: Twin Drive-In, Twilight Drive-In
Twin Drive-In Theatre Closed
Uptown Theatre 1928–1989 1502 Bardstown Rd Closed. Part of The Schuster Building, the theatre's auditorium was razed in 1994 but the former front entrance and lobby area remain as part of the building fronting Bardstown Road. Louisville's first sound theater, also had an orchestra pit. 1000 seats.
Valley Drive-In Theatre Dixie Hwy S Closed
Village 8 Theatres 4014 Dutchmans Ln Apex Theatres
Vogue Theatre 1939–1998 3727 Lexington Rd Closed. Theatre gutted and converted in 2006 to a retail center called "The Vogue", marquee was restored and is still prominent. As a theater, the Vogue was known in later years for its long run showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Was described by The Courier-Journal as "perhaps the last genuine neighborhood movie house in Louisville" at the time of its closing.[15]
Walden Theatre 233 W Broadway
Westend Theatre[16] 
 3312 W. Broadway
 Razed
Westland Mall Open in 1987 9070 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40258 Location on map
Westonian Theatre Razed
Wood's Theatre Razed

[1] The Lyric Theatre was actually at 601 W. Walnut per a 1929 advertisement.

See also

The one you have titled the Cherokee Blues Club at 1589 Bardstown Rd. was at one time the Cherokee Theater, I do not know if it is the same building or not, but that address of 1589 Bardstown Rd. in 1927 was the Cherokee Theater with the President being B.O. Ford and the Sec. being H.W. Nadal, and by at least 1932 that address of 1589 was the Shrader Bros Clothes Pressers, and it was the Cherokee Theater as far back to at least 1919. This info comes from old Louisville City Directories.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 McDonough, Rock (1999-05-05). "Cinemas may be sign of revival in West End". Courier-Journal.
  2. ↑ Goetz, David (2004-03-21). "Accounts differ on why West End theater failed; owners, bank point fingers". Courier-Journal.
  3. ↑ "Cozy Theatre at cinematreasures.org". Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  4. ↑ Robin Garr's Louisville Restaurant Guide / Brasserie Deitrich
  5. ↑ Elson, Martha (2004-06-22). "Restaurant to become condos". The Courier-Journal.
  6. ↑ http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/kytdix2
  7. ↑ Elson, Martha (1995-08-30). "Seeing the Sights". Courier-Journal.
  8. 1 2 Kramer, Carl (1978). Louisville Survey: Central & South. City of Louisville. p. 109.
  9. ↑ "Group to build $6.5 million community center in Russell area". Courier-Journal. 2003-02-26.
  10. ↑ "William J Dodd: Eclectic Classicism ~Midwest to West Coast Album, Past & Present". Archived from the original on 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  11. ↑ Kramer, Carl (1978). Louisville Survey: Central & South. City of Louisville. p. 152.
  12. ↑ Estlick, Stacy (1992-09-12). "Former owner of Old Savoy, Mary Ed Williams, Dies". Courier-Journal. p. 9A.
  13. ↑ Shafer, Sheldon (2000-02-04). "Scoop redo: Back to the future - 1910 building restored as home of high-tech firm". Courier-Journal. p. 1B.
  14. ↑ http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2016/06/opening-of-louisvilles-new-costco-might-be-sooner.html
  15. ↑ Shafer, Sheldon (2000-08-26). "Group wants landmark status for Vogue". The Courier-Journal. p. 1B.
  16. ↑ http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/20186
Notes
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