On North Congress Avenue in downtown Austin sits a historic building that still brings art and culture to visitors today. The Paramount Theater was built in 1915 for the small sum of $150,000. The charming building is made from red brick and white detailing with a mix of classic and baroque revival architecture. The building itself is enchanting, and the shows within are always worth a trip.
In the Paramount Theater’s early days it housed Vaudeville, silent movies, and later the 'talkies'. It played a major role in the war effort during World War II by raising money for troops in the 1940s. The Paramount has a rich history in film it is one of the only theatres remaining in the United States which originally screened Casablanca in 1942. Since then it has featured favourites such as the 1966 Batman movie and Sin City in 2005.
This classic theatre features beautiful paintings, fancy boxes, and bright seats that will have visitors conflicted over whether to pay attention to the décor or to the stage. It has an old-time feel and is a great place to take in the classics as well as contemporary shows. Musical productions such as Evita and My Fair Lady are shown here in addition to folk music. The Paramount also features more intimate events, such as speaking engagements with Glenn Close. Comedy shows and live music can also be enjoyed at the Paramount Theater, so be sure to check the website to see what great events are taking place during your visit to Austin.
Visitors can’t go wrong in the Live Music Capital of the World, and the Paramount contributes to the ambiance. The events are diverse and always-changing, but the streets outside are not the downtown area is set up like a grid and is easy to navigate with buses stopping along Congress Avenue and a train stop a short 10-minute walk from the theatre. Visitors have their pick of many great restaurants before taking in a performance on the stage or the big screen.
