The Fox Theatre in downtown is a prime example of the lavish 1920s architecture that can be found in Atlanta. The 4,600-seat venue hosts around 300 performances a year, from big-name Broadway shows to movies and stand-up comedy. Tour the venue during the day or get tickets to a show at night to marvel at the decadence of this building.
The former movie theater was built in 1929 by the Shriners organization, an offshoot of the Freemasonry. It was modeled on a mosque, with domes and minarets on the outside, while the interior was detailed to excess. Even the broom closets were intricately decorated with painted detailing and bronze ornaments. The auditorium looks like the courtyard of a palace. The vaulted ceiling is painted an electric blue color with crystal lights that look like twinkling stars. Clouds drift across the “sky” thanks to a projector.
In the 1970s, the building was bought by a local non-profit organization that restored the theater to its former glory and had it listed as a National Historic Landmark. Tours of the theater are run every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are available in the foyer of the building.
Check the Fox Theatre website for performance times and details. You may catch a pop band, a jazz quartet or a film festival screening during your visit. Before some performances, you might hear the theater’s original 3,622-pipe theatrical organ.
There’s no dress code for the theater, but locals like to come in their best.
The ticket office is open Monday through Saturday. Doors open two hours before a show.
There are paid parking lots nearby, but public transport is the easiest option. Come by train or bus. The theater is surrounded by cafes, restaurants and bars.
