The Chicago Theatre
4.7(11K)google
4.2(565)yelp
Historic BuildingPerformanceMusicPhoto Spot
Overview
The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, is a theater on North State Street in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was the flagship for the Balaban and Katz (B&K) group of theaters run by A. J. Balaban, his brother Barney Balaban and partner Sam Katz. Along with the other B&K theaters, from 1925 to 1945 the Chicago Theatre was a dominant movie theater enterprise.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeThe exterior is best photographed at dusk when the legendary, six-story vertical 'CHICAGO' neon sign blazes to life against the evening sky. To appreciate the opulent French Baroque interior, you must pre-book an official daytime 'Historic Theater Tour' through their official website to stand on the historic stage.
Getting ThereCommanding State Street in the central Loop. Transit is flawless: the CTA Red Line (State/Lake station) and Blue Line (Washington station) have station portals right outside the theater's front marquee. Elevated loop trains (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple) drop off at the State/Lake platform just half a block north.
Travel Tips
- Interior exploration without show tickets is restricted exclusively to the official paid Marquee Tour sessions; independent walk-in tourism inside the auditorium is structurally banned.
- State Street outside the marquee gridlocks completely post-performance; walk two blocks west to Dearborn Street before executing rideshare requests to bypass local traffic snarls.
- This landmark layout features no elevator accessibility for the upper Balcony seating configurations; travelers with mobility constraints must restrict booking to the Orchestra level.
Reviews
Positive
- The iconic giant red-and-yellow 'CHICAGO' neon sign is breathtaking; the grand Baroque French-inspired auditorium murals offer incredible visual impact.
- Whether catching a Broadway show, stand-up comedy, or joining the daytime Marquee Tour, the acoustic quality and entertainment value are legendary.
- Superb location in the heart of the downtown theater district with multiple subway lines dropping off directly; transit access is exceptionally seamless.
- Interior crowd control is highly strict; security personnel and ushers are professional and efficient, ensuring high comfort and safety during shows.
Heads up
- As a century-old historic theater, seating pitches are quite narrow; taller patrons will struggle with legroom, causing stiffness during long shows.
- Restroom capacities are heavily inadequate; during the 15-minute show intermissions, the lines for women's toilets become staggeringly long and chaotic.
- Surrounding theater-district parking rates are sky-high, and snacks like popcorn or wine sold inside carry immense premiums, feeling like a wallet drain.
- Without a show ticket, the standalone daytime historical tours run on very limited slots and sell out quickly, leaving walk-ins stuck taking outside exterior photos.