I highly recommend doing the Tampa Theater tour. It is only $5 and the tour lasts for 90 minutes. You hear about the incredible history of the theater in addition to the organist playing a little melody for you as well.
The staff is very friendly, I have not been to see a movie there but I plan to go very soon.
Beautiful place!
This place is pretty awesome. Walking inside is like stepping into a scene from Phantom of the Opera, it even feels a little Harry Potter-ish with it dark, rich decor. I love the ambiance and I love that they show oldies or odd ball shows all summer. I'd see a more current show here too. I'm a huge fan.
Review Source:What an awesome place. The staff and city have really taken care of this place. Doesn't at all look like a theater that opened over 80 years ago.
We came to watch 'Robin Hood'...the original from the 30's I believe. On Sunday afternoons they show old classic movies. I was really impressed with the inside. The seats are cushioned but my knees did hit the ones in front. No big deal.
The staff was very friendly and the movie was entertaining. The screen was larger than I thought it would be. We are lucky to have such a cool place in Tampa.
This is hands down my favorite movie theater and one of the best places to see a movie and have the entire experience of being transported to a more elegant time and place. Â I love the vintage feel, the decor, the stage, the painted ceiling, the organ player, everything. Â It's a Tampa treasure for sure.
Review Source:Beautiful and Historic! I really love this place from the preshow music that vanishes into the stage to the stary skies that wish me sweet dreams as I leave after the show!
I heard they just went digital and the sound booms and no one has to carry film rolls of Gone with the Wind that weigh over 100 pounds (thanks NPR).
Paid 10 bucks for a Sunday night show. Only one movie to choose from, makes the decision easy. But even considering the higher cost and limited selection, this place is AMAZING!
I really love the architecture and decor. I could come here with no movie playing and just wanted around. It is really old school and really cool.
I did not try the food and the seats could be more comfortable, but this is a unique Nd authentic movie going experience, and I cannot complain about a thing. I plan to go out of my way to come back here. The Tampa Theatre is a true landmark.
This is definitely the best place in Tampa to see a movie. I have absolutely no complaints about our trip there tonight. The ambience is so much better than a normal theater. You really have to see it to understand. They also have great service compared to other theaters. It's not crowded, so you aren't waiting in line for tickets or snacks.
Other positives - the film selection is always great, they serve beer an wine if that is your thing, and you can sit up in the balcony and feel fancy!
FIVE Stars is not enough, if you ask me. The Tampa Theatre has been my "home away from home" for a couple years now, and it never ceases to amaze me. The staff there is always so friendly and the selection in film is superb. I love Independent and Foriegn films, so this is definitely the place for me. I have been to the Tampa Theatre over 60 times now, and I have never had anything bad to say about it. It is truly a gem in the city of Tampa and there is really nothing like it, anywhere, around.
Come in, expect to be awed, sit back, and relax. The ONLY place to watch film here in this area, is at the Tampa Theatre!
As a Tampa native, I've been to the Tampa Theatre about a million times. Yes, I'm that fortunate and yes, I'm bragging. As a kid, we went to numerous plays and musicals here. I saw the Gift of the Magi and I think a few puppet shows here. This was one of my all time favorite places for a field trip.
The Tampa Theatre is a magical place for adults too. The statuary on the balconies and the starlit ceiling are gorgeous and allow you to feel small and quiet as you watch a movie or show.
One of the other great things about this venue is the live organist that plays before every movie. It's old timey and charming and rises up from the floor. This place is a gem and it's a venue that everyone should go to at least once.
Love love love this theatre. Â Did I say love? Â I mean I LOVE this theatre. Â I've seen a whole plethora of flims here over the years, and go every chance I get. Â The architecture is unforgettable, Â The seating is comfortable and inviting. Â It's a heavenly sanctuary during the oppressive summer heat. Â If you have the opportunity to attend an event or film here, jump at it with both feet!
Review Source:Growing up in the Tampa Bay area I started going to this theatre on field trips in elementary school. I knew this place was special from the first time I stepped foot in it.
It's one of Tampa's prettiest buildings in my opinion. It really captures that "Old Tampa" feel. The outside looks like a old time movie theatre but the inside is where it really shines.
Just walking into the theatre there isn't a shortage of things to look at. The walls have so much detail that going there just once would not be enough to see everything there is to see. As much as I love the deatils on the walls on the inside of the building, my favorite part, hands down, is the ceiling. As you go into the building, you look up and the ceiling looks like a beautiful starry night. This place is honestly a great place for a date.
I've been there to see plays, live music and movies. I've had a wonderful experience for everything. If you live in the Tampa Bay area, you really need to go to the Tampa Theatre at LEAST once. You will not be sorry!
I'm not sure I'll ever forget my first trip to the Tampa Theater. I forgot the movie, remembered the theater. I was a teenager seeing something independent and I fell head over heels in love with the twinkling stars on the ceiling. I couldn't take my eyes off them the whole time. I also vividly remember the organist playing before the show, and how the organ lowered below the stage at show time. The theater has continued to stay relevant in modern times even though their beautiful decorations are of another era. They're still trying to raise the funds to buy a digital projector, which will HAVE to happen as film expires. Continue to support the theater! Really neat and intellectual film series including the Sex Symbols of the Silver Screens Series and the Gaspirilla Film Festival. Plus you can buy adult beverages at the snack counter. Try doing that at the megaplex.
Review Source:I have been to this location on various occasions for private events and movies and so far it has been great. I think the best thing about this place is that it doesn't just play your everyday Hollywood movies it specializes in classics as well as International movies something that you don't find anywhere else around here. It's definitely a must try in Tampa Bay.
Review Source:How can I add to the fame the Tampa Theater has garnered since the 1920s?
It is a great place for a date, much better than the mega-super multiscreen postage stamp. There are never kids texting and people on cell phones during the movie. It is a place for the kindered soul who wants a movie, in a wonderful place.
Get there early, buy a ticket, and pick a place nearby for a quick meal. (Use the Yelp monocle, Luke) If you want liquid dinner the Hub pub is a Tampa fixture, they use to be famous for having Patsy Cline on the jukebox.
Its an older movie house. Its not going to have bucket seats, stadium seating or a full menu. It will have stars in the ceiling, classic statuary, a real organist, a wood stage and they usually show the "creme de la creme" of movie offerings.
If you're a suburbanite, best to stick to your local AMC megalex. You're not going to get easy parking, theater seating, reclining chairs. Â You're not going here to see the latest Twilight movie. You're coming here for an edgy performance or an Indy movie. The ambiance, the historical feel, the ornate decor... that's what you get here. It's a ode to our past but it's been remolded and maintained so you don't feel like you're slumming it. Â Do what you can to see shows here. Keep this place in business, Tampa Bay needs to keep it's culture.
Review Source:This place is beautiful and always has been, but long ago, people were much smaller. My fat ass hurts after watching a three-hour classic at this place. No, they shouldn't raze it and build a MuviCo. Of course not. Just sayin. You will see a great selection of older films here that you would never otherwise have access to on the big screen, and for that I applaude them. Also, I'm usually wasted-The Hub is within stumbling distance.
Review Source:This is a hidden gem in Tampa. The theater itself is beautiful, historic, and ornately decorated. Â It's charm is undeniable and you just feel like you are transported back in time as you listen to the organ player prior to showings. Â The popcorn is delish and the wide variety of events from indie flicks to comedy shows are sure to keep you interested and open minded. This is a wonderful place to go for a unique date night.
Review Source:This weekend I fell in love with the Tampa Theatre! Â This theatre is so historic and romantic inside... I felt like I travelled back in time!
I have been meaning to visit this theatre for years and kept forgetting to check out the schedule so I finally joined the Tampa Theatre's email list so I could receive their weekly entertainment schedule. Â The entertainment ranges from classic and indie movies, concerts, and a variety of festivals and fundraisers.
There was a nice crowd gathered at the theater 20 minutes before the movie started. Â We were able to bypass the wait in the ticket line by going to the "cash only" window. Â The guys grabbed seats for us on the middle of the floor, under the balcony while we waited in the concession line. (I read a review that the sound is better here.) Â The concessions were really cheap! Â A medium soda, bottled water, small popcorn and a bag of twizzlers were less than $15! Â Since there were no previews during the movie I would advise arriving at the movie thirty minutes prior to the show for plenty of time to find parking, buy your ticket and concession snacks and find a good seat.
A few minor complaints... The evening crowd seemed to forget their movie etiquette and several groups around us were having conversations. Â This was not cool since the sound system is not the best and I was already having trouble hearing in the beginning of the movie. Â One guy behind us actually had the nerve to take a call during the movie! Â The seats are a little snug and they aren't stadium seating style so I was a little annoyed that the girl in front of us chose to wear a fedora hat. Â We were luckily able to scoot over a seat so that we could see the movie without obstruction. Â Because of a few bad apples in the audience I would consider seeing a matinee next time - less crowded and cheaper tickets!
All in all I had a wonderful time and I cannot wait to return to the Tampa Theatre!
Werner Herzog called it one of the most beautiful buildings he'd ever seen, and to that I say: DAMN STRAIGHT.
I can't believe this place exists in Tampa, but I am so thankful that it does. They've shown films I thought I'd never have the chance to see in Tampa. I've seen some truly great films here - The Red Shoes, The White Ribbon, Rope, Melancholia, and The Tree of Life, just to name a few. That's only in the last year or so, too. Please, please, please support this place, because we can't afford to lose it!
Great historic theater. It's dimly lit throughout the place, reminding you of the period it was built. Seats are a bit snug if you have long legs. I recommend sitting on the main floor past the balcony ridge for a good view of the screen since It's not as big as the curtain makes it out to be.
Tickets are cheap ($8 for all until the evening). Food is limited to popcorn and candy (they have goobers). The offbeat movie selections that they have is the advantage this place has over others.
Went to see The Artist here (flawless movie, btw).
I love this place, but damnit they really need to fix the sound. The sound has sucked since forever and I just don't know why it is so muddy.
Still sad that they never have shows here anymore - something to do with the Equity contract that makes staging a show way too expensive. Feh.
I love the building and the space - even been to a couple of weddings here.
5 stars in spite of the suck sound system.
I can't say enough about how special and cool this place is. Last night was my third time there and first time upstairs in the balcony. I really enjoyed upstairs for a movie because i felt like I was sitting outside in a courtyard watching the movie. Side note, Pearl Jam 20 was playing and it was amazing!
I plan on becoming a member to the theatre if not for anything else but to help support it. Places like this don't usually last in our state of demolish and just build a new plastic tourist trap. Its worth going there for anything. I have seen two concerts and going to another next month. Â But even a movie there was great. I highly recommend this place for so many reasons but number one has to be for the fact that it's a historic and beautiful landmark!
It is as it was in the olden days of theater ... when masses of all classes would dress in their Sunday best to await the opening of the curtain and enjoy a cartoon or newsreel followed by a real Hollywood movie.
A Spanish style courtyard design surrounds you under the original starlit night sky. Â This was the FIRST air conditioned theater in the area, which proved to be a hit on hot Florida nights.
The "Mighty Wurlitzer" pipe organ's pipes are hidden in the walls, although it is a little less mighty these days assumedly due to leaky pneumatic tubes.
Although the balcony is romantic, I recommend lower level seating toward the front center as the sound system was never improved and still emits monaurally from the original square screen. Â Sounds may be hard to discern in the balcony due to echos. Â Ahhh, the memories of how it used to be!!! Â There are 1,400 seats! Â OH, the seating was not designed to be all that wide, so ....... Â some people might receive some discomfort if not in their own wheelchair.
At this writing, there is a free mini-tour one hour before showtime; taking time for this will vastly improve your appreciation and experience. Â
Then grab your drinks and snacks before the show. Â Beer is a very welcomed addition over the early days.
Also (at this time) metered parking is free after 6PM, and ALL day Sat/Sun.
All I can tell you to do is just to look at the gorgeous pictures people have posted here!
My high school had our graduation at the Tampa Theatre, but I hadn't been back until recently. Â I went to see Jane Eyre and it was great. Â They had an organist performing before the movie.
(Plus their popcorn is really good too!) Â :)
There is no other theater experience like this in the Tampa area
Where to start with this unbelievably well preserved national landmark that stands as an amazing tribute to the extravagant movie theaters of yesteryear!
I caught the movie Blue Valentine a few weeks ago here at 7:30 after hearing some great buzz about Tampa Theater on Yelp, and the movie online, both receiving glowing reviews. Â I got my ticket earlier in the day from an extremely courteous attendant in the old-style outdoor box office, who instructed me to come a little early because they were showing only one preview. Â I arrived and, upon entering, I greeted by exquisitely adorned walls complete with colorful inlays and hand carved patterns, and even ornate light fixtures. Â Everything is delicately preserved and looks very similar to the interior shown in pictures from its days of glory in the 30s. Â Even the bathrooms are original, complete with marble inlays, tiles and mirrors. Â The interior of the theater is extravagant and very spacious, even the seats are comfortable!
The movie-viewing experience itself was great, with a pretty good view from the balcony and good sound throughout. Â I hope to come back to experience a concert here very soon, as the acoustics are exceptional. Â Check out this national landmark, you will not be disappointed!!!
After an afternoon cafe con leche or dinner in nearby historic Ybor city, I highly recommend a visit to the Tampa Theatre. This historical landmark brings you back in time to days long gone, but believe me, this place will leave a lasting impression on you. This place is hands down the coolest and most romantic old theaters in the U.S.
This is a magical place that I always loved as a kid, and so did my parents about forty years before me. As you make your way to the Theatre the first thing you notice is the old-time sign in lights atop the entrance. Then, as you make your way pass the ticket booth your eyes begin to take in the interior, which reminds me of an old Spanish hacienda. Then the main room is something to behold - continues the Spanish hacienda or Mediterranean theme, but the audience feels like they are sitting in the courtyard of this estate. You look up to the ceiling and there it is, the night sky with stars, some of which flicker in the distance. Highly recommend to sit in the first row in the balcony to take in the scenery and the movie.
If you happen to be in town when a good movie is playing here, take the time to visit this place, you will not be disappointed. Please note that this Theatre was built in 1926, so the seats are not the most comfortable and the sound system is a little behind the times, but who cares, you will still enjoy the experience.
I live in Orlando, but I spent my early childhood in the 50s in Tampa. Â Brandon to be exact, back when its population was around 5,000!
The first movie theater I ever went to was the Tampa. Â I was young, but I still remember how magical the place was. Â But since it was my first theater, I guess I assumed that every movie theater was a "movie palace" like that.
Then in 2005, I had the great pleasure of seeing Emmylou Harris in concert at the Tampa Theatre. Â It was everything I remembered, only better. Â I'm glad it didn't fall to the wrecking ball -- it's a treasure.
The Pat Matheny group was scheduled for the following night, Â and the movie that was showing at the time was a great documentary, "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room." Â
Emmylou and the Tampa Theatre -- it doesn't get much better than that. Â I wish we had one like that in Orlando!
The Tampa Theatre is truly an amazingly beautiful little theatre! The layout and design of the building itself is gorgeous - it is a classic old style movie house. One of my favorite aspects of this place is the organist who performs on stage prior to the performances/movies, and is then lowered into the stage as the movie begins.
Not only is this theatre a fabulous place to travel to for ambiance, but they show great independent movies that I don't often find elsewhere in Tampa. However, I'm sure I would love this place just as much despite what is being shown, simply for its historical beauty.
This a hidden gem in Tampa. I have been to downtown a million times since I moved to Florida in 1998 and have never even seen the sign for Tampa Theatre until tonight when we went there for a friends birthday. I found myself in awe just from the lights outside and how classic it looks. When we went inside and saw all the decorations it was like entering an old castle or something (ironically we also visited Columbia earlier so it was like a visit to old historic places in Tampa or something). The seating is a little crowded on the balcony but it has a great view and the sky painted on the ceiling with lights that look like stars was interesting.
It was a little hard to hear from the balcony level but that could just be a little deafness I have from listening to loud music and clubbing. Their popcorn and soda was also pretty affordable compared to the ridiculous prices you have to pay today at some movie theaters. Parking was not a problem and we were able to park close by. I will be back to see many more movies here.
Wow, amazing theater! Â This theater was built in the 20s and has been beautifully restored inside and out. Â You walk in and it's like you've entered an open aired Spanish square. Â The ceiling is lit to look like the night sky, the whole place is just wonderfully decorated. Â
The theater it self is split into 3 sectioned areas, the floor and 2 levels of balcony. Â The seats are small, so if you're tall, you might want to sit in the balcony on the first row so you can stretch your legs out. Â
Movie wise, the theater shows independentart house movies and also hosts musicians. Â Check the website for scheduled events. Â Movie tickets are $5, and there are membership programs you can join to get either discounted tickets or free admittance.
Ok. I cannot even believe this place has not been reviewed yet. Â The Tampa Theatre is one of the most gorgeous, majestic, grand old movie theatres in the world!
The husband and I had the opportunity to visit Tampa a few years back. Â We made certain that our trip included a visit to the Tampa Theatre. Â We are both huge film fans and both fans of the beautiful old movie "palaces," a word that certainly describes this fabulous spot. Â We did not want to miss our chance to see one of the best.
We did not care what film was playing. Â We just wanted to get inside and explore. Â Boy, are we glad we did. Â This place is beyond stunning! Â Beyond the high ceilings and the unique features -- like the old time usher "call boxes" -- when you enter this place, you are taken to a whole new world. Â You are suddenly enveloped by night sky of a Mediterranean village. Â My words do not begin to do it justice.
Once upon a time, the Tampa Theatre ran silent movie and is still home to a Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Â Although we were not seeing a silent film that night, we were treated to some "pre film" entertainment -- a woman playing some of the "old songs" on the organ. Â She waved good-bye as the organ disappeared into the floor at the end of her set.
Words do not begin to describe the beauty or uniqueness of this place.  It is so wonderful that so many good people in Tampa and beyond have seen the need to preserve this historical place and are doing all they can to ensure this is done.  If you  live in the Tampa area, or if you happen to be in the neighborhood (it's only an hour from Disney World!), by all means stop in and have a look.  I guarantee, you will not be disappointed!
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