Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Alex Theatre is a performing arts and entertainment venue located in Glendale, CA. Built in 1925 it's known for its distinctive 100-foot neon tower that was designed by S. Charles Lee in 1940. The venue seats 1,400 and is owned by the City of Glendale. It hosts concerts, theatrical productions, film screenings, and special events. The building combines neo-classic Greek & Egyptian architectural elements with Art Deco décor. It is two stories with terrace & balcony seating and a bar upstairs. I recently attended my nephew's High School graduation here. The theatre was clean, the seats were comfortable, and the acoustics were good. Concessions weren't available, so I can't comment on that. The theatre has lots of charm. I'd come back for a movie screening. *Metered street parking or public lots. read more

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The Bottom Line 4 stars: Nice historic venue to enjoy some good entertainment. Location 4: On the Northeast corner of Brand and East Wilson Avenues in Glendale, California. Limited and time-limited (2 hours max) metered street parking and plenty of paid parking lots. The theater does not have their own self-parking or valet. If you use certain city-owned parking lots you can validate at the theater and only pay $1 for 4 hours (as of the time of my last visit). Check their website for more info. Plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants around and some awesome Armenian food! Venue 4: Historic, nostalgic Art Deco venue originally built in 1925 and renovated a couple of times. Currently owned by the City of Glendale. Smaller venue with a capacity of fourteen hundred people. Main Floor, Terrace and Balcony seating. It's a small place so virtually every seat is a good seat. Seats are comfortable and legroom is acceptable. They do live performances and also movie screenings. Service 4: Staff were friendly and polite during my limited interaction of getting my ticket scanned at the entrance and being ushered to my seat. Food & Drinks N/A: I did not have any food or drinks there. There are plenty of nice bars and restaurants nearby :) read more

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Crazy as it seems, today was my first time going to The Alex Theater even though I've lived in Los Angeles nearly 40 years. And just in time for their 100th anniversary year. It's a nicely renovated theater from the height of movie palace development, with lovely Art Deco touches on the walls and ceiling. The seats aren't quite as comfortable as you'd have in newer theaters, but they ARE roomier than the oldest of the Broadway houses in NYC, so I'll consider this a win. I was here to see the annual Oscar Preview event presented by LAist with Larry Mantle and the full roster of film critics that rotate onto his Friday Film Week show. The presentation was well organized and run very smoothly for a one-off, sound was very good, visuals nicely presented, and I get the sense that the team at The Alex knows how to make these events happen seamlessly for their clients. I can imagine it's a nice place to see a film, though I know they also have live performances (orchestras, dance, theater), and I'll make a point fo coming back before too long, as this is a lovely environment with plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Glad I finally made it... read more

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The Alex Theater is a historic theater in downtown Glendale. I love when I have opportunities to visit old-school theaters like this one that have been preserved. The design of the Alex Theater was inspired by the Egyptian theater so if you've been to the Egyptian you'll immediately recognize the open courtyard area between the box office and entrance. I have been attending events at this location for over 4 decades and have seen both movies and live musical performances here. I prefer sitting upstairs in the balcony seats, but I've sat downstairs as well. If you're attending an event here come early. Parking can be challenging but there are plenty of flat lots and structures within walking distance. read more

Right in the heart of Glendale. This theater was a surprise. I loved the walk up from the street, and the seating was really nice and spacious. Every seat gets a good view of the stage. The entryway was nice and clean and very spacious. Parking is within walking distance and most likely paid, so prepare for that. Lots of club life near by and a few places to eat after the show. read more

Yearly tradition to watch the nutcracker at the Alex theatre. Tickets sell out fast! We have always been in the balcony and don't mind it. My youngest is 4 and was able to see in between people, they have boosters if needed. The seats are pretty close together but there is enough space to sit comfortably. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

The Alex is a beautiful, historic theater. It is smaller than some of the incredible Hollywood theaters, but definitely shouldn't be ignored! The theater has been well maintained and is full of historic detail. We have seen a few performances here in the last few years. I think they tend to specialize mostly in ballets and choirs. The performances we saw here were wonderful, with national touring companies. The atmosphere is semi-formal, with a lot of people dressing up and making it a fun night out. To me it feels a lot like a miniature pantages, it's just much easier to park and get in and out! read more

Attended the AirTalk FilmWeek Oscar Preview this past weekend, a roughly hour and a half show where the great Larry Mantle shares the stage with a group of film critics to talk about the upcoming Oscar nominees and their picks on what is likely to win, what ought to win, and everything in between. Compared to last year's venue over in DTLA at the Orpheum, traffic here was a lot less hectic and parking was a breeze. If you want free parking, you can walk a couple blocks to/from the Galleria. Parking on the streets and in the structures is free for the first 90 minutes, and validated parking is available for $1 for the first four hours when you scan at the theater. Our group sat in the Orchestra Center so the view and sound were decent. The group of critics provided a lot of charm and insight, though it did feel as if they were really pressed for time. The discussion on "the heart" of animated films this year started things off, with differing opinions on the level of polish in one film and the industry's perception of commercial success not translating to probability of wins. My takeaway was adding Sing Sing, I'm Still Here, Black Box Diaries, Soundtrack to a Coup D'etat, and more to my ever-expanding list. Their last discussion was on the films that changed their lives, including Chinatown, Closer, The Learning Tree, My Neighbor Totoro, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, and Fantasia. A fun discussion for movie enjoyers. read more

Alex Theatre - Oscar preview - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

Wow, the minute I saw the movie that I wanted to see and on my way there I purchased a ticket. It was so easy and then when I got there, the employees were great and overall it's just such a pro operation. I've been to many theaters in my life and they're good theaters with good employees and good managers but this one was top notch. It seems like the people really know the movie industry and I could sense that they really love the movie industry and wanted me or the other patrons to enjoy their experience along with enjoy enjoying the movie! There is a area where you can buy some concessions and the theater itself is just fantastic. The whole building structure is phenomenal. It's great to see this theater and I'm very grateful for the experience I had today. read more

Alex Theatre - One of the greatest movies in America cinema history - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

I went to the Alex Theatre recently. I attended the Pee-Wee's Big Adventure 40th Anniversary Reunion event. I had a great experience. I like that concessions were available. I love that the courtyard could easily accomodate the event's exhibitors, vendors, and photo op setups. I sat in the rear orchestra for the film screening and felt I had a good view of the stage. read more

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We went a few times over the holiday season with family. We love this venue. Concessions / bar were another story. Waited in line for what seemed like 20 minutes while watching some older grumpy guy teach a younger staff member to open a bottle of champagne while the line was about 40 people deep. We left w/out purchasing anything. The same old school charm still exists. Steps in the upper theatre are steep. Sound /lighting were decent. We would attempt one more try this upcoming year. read more

The exterior of the theater was beautiful, and the staff was fantastic. We saw Hans Zimmer and others and were expecting something more symphony-centered, but found the AI visuals distracting. The live singers for Dune and The Lion King were a nice touch, though overall it felt a bit cheesy. The seating was tight, but we still had a good view of the stage. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

Went to the Alex Theater on the 20th of September to see Angelina Jordan headline her first LA area show! The venue has an old school nostalgic feel, not quite old Hollywood but close. From the marquee to the box office the courtyard and the lobby the vibe brings back a mid 20th century feel. The auditorium and stage were set up beautifully with great acoustics and site lines. The seats were comfortable for the audience. Really enjoyed the whole experience! All in all a great way to enjoy the musical talents of Angelina Jordan at a venue that was perfect for a tuneup before her major tour. read more

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This was my first time going to this theater for Hans Zimmer and other films. The event was cancelled but no email or text. When I got to the venue, there was no sign or notice to let the patron know it's been cancelled. Horrible drive to Glendale and even worst finding out the concert was cancelled. read more

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Loved seeing the Glendale youth orchestra but there was a man in a fedora there with a bad vibe who was looming over all of the attendees. I think he was the owner? It ruined the performance a bit and created a bad atmosphere, but the kids were great! read more

Their Box Office customer service is pretty bad. They will hang up on you instead of answering your questions. This is the second time I've had a bad experience. read more

Definitely a three-star/four-star tweener. THE GOOD It's a historic theater with a long history, and some of its exterior architectural details are interesting, especially considering what a Podunk place Glendale must have been in the 1920s. Besides the lovely old marquee and quaint Futurist (?) box office, there's a nice courtyard between the gates and the theater building itself. I came recently to see my cousin conduct the Armenian Pops Orchestra, and the outdoor area really enlivened the experience, as people had plenty of room to mingle in the perfect weather without crowding the theater itself. It was also fun after the performance, although the employees seemed a little too premature in shooing audience members off the premises entirely. The acoustics of the theater are very good, and the seating feels wide rather than deep, which makes it so that more people can be close to the stage. THE BAD It's an old theater. Some old theaters age like fine wine, but most start to show their age. Unfortunately, the Alex is showing its age. The seats have obviously been replaced many times over 100 years, but it doesn't look (or feel) like they've been replaced or reupholstered in the last thirty. The seats and rows could also use better, more visible numbers and letters, respectively, so that it's not so difficult to find your seat in the dark. The slope of the aisles as they approach the stage is nice and gradual, but when you enter the theater itself from the lobby, you have to go down two small sets of stairs, with different doors feeding into the same place. It seems like a minor thing, but that additional set of stairs really serves no purpose except to create more risk for a fall, especially if there's an emergency. The stage itself is very small for the size of the theater. This really only matters to the people performing here, so if you're thinking of using the venue for an event, be sure you have enough room for your performance. The interior of the theater is also shabby in a run-down rather than a classic way. Old places like this should transport you back in time to when they were new; they're not supposed to look old. They need to repaint or at least touch up the decorative details above and around the stage. I don't think it's advertised anywhere, but the Alex Theatre is supposed to validate parking for the municipal structure nearby on North Orange Street. I happened to know about this when I arrived, so I validated my ticket in the machine right away, but after the performance, the workers said that the machine wasn't working, so whoever parked in that structure and hadn't already validated their ticket ended up having to pay way too much for parking on a Sunday night. FURTHER THOUGHTS Am I being too hard on the old boy? Possibly. Its location is perfect, especially if you have time before the show to grab something to eat--you'll have plenty of choices within walking distance. It's also very close to the freeway. Still, after the buildup of the exterior structure and the marquee and the courtyard, the theater itself feels disappointing. I would definitely come back to see another musical performance, but there are plenty of better historic and new theaters around. The Alex doesn't stand out. read more

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It's definitely an older theater but small and intimate! We watched the Nutcracker and happened to be upfront so had an amazing view. I dont love that there is only ONE stand for refreshments so its extremely slow! Other than the entrance where it looks grandiose and amazing. Going in.. its very underwhelming. I love that courtyard though so gives you a good space as a breather during breaks. parking- the perks they offer $1 parking for 4 hours in 3 different lots close by. i used the one on Orange street and then i had walked all the way to the end of the street to go around to the Alex Theater. However there is a little alleyway with greenery tunnel that helps you cut through the buidings so you come out right across for the Alex theater than having to walk all the way around. if you come out from the parking, turn right and you will see it! read more

The Service: Every staff we have encountered are very friendly & helpful. The Theater: It's a landmark in Glendale. Love the historical exterior look. Nice courtyard to hangout before the show. Mid size theater with good sound system. The Parking: They validate parking for 3 close by public parking structures. We went to 222 S. Orange which is about 2 minutes walk only. read more

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Alex theater is a landmark in Glendale, specially for Armenians. Most major shows and concerts happen here. I have been here so many times and always enjoyed my time here. A beautiful, clean and nice theater in the middle of Glendale. It's kept well and I really value that. Friendly staff helping everyone. Many restaurants and bars all around. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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Went to the theater to see the Hans Zimmer concert. Absolutely phenomenal! Would recommend highly! However if you have mobility issues, like you use a wheelchair or a scooter or a cane, avoid this theater if your seats are in the balcony. They do not have an elevator or escalator or anything to assist mobility impaired to get to the balcony. You have to climb up stairs. Approximately two flights. I use a cane. I made it, but not without great difficulty. read more

Nice views throughout the place. Very clean and calm ambience. I'd come here anytime. The parking is almost free if you park in Orange St Parking structure. Don't forget to validate the ticket at the theater read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

We atended a event there last night, Paula Poundstone and were seated in the highest balcony, row H. The accoustics were so bad that we could make out less than 10% of the show - in addition, since a stand up comedian works the front part of the stage, Ms. Poundstone was not visible at any point in the performance. Finally, the seats are old and small and there is apparently no policy about extremely obese customers sitting in a designated section so they "spill over" into the seat adjacent to them. This section of the theater should be closed off during this type of performance since you can't see or hear the performer. read more

I just saw Bill Burr July 3, 2025, Bill was great, but because the sound system was so horrible It was very difficult to hear everything he was saying, so I missed most of the jokes. I was a sound man for approximately 6 years and it's not hard to get a sound system to sound wonderful. I noted they had all the right gear and it should've sounded amazing, but it didn't. It was very very loud but lacking low mid range and very heavy on the high frequencies. My ears were still ringing many hours after the concert.. everything else about the venue, layout the people, was quite excellent, but I'll never go to this venue again. read more

Alex Theatre - lol, just the top of my head! - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

A magnificent vintage theater dedicated during to an era when movie viewing and stage performances were a special event. So wonderful to see it is in such wonderful condition. read more

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Do not sit in the balcony! This theater needs serious updating. I saw Paula Poundstone at the Alex last night and she was great but the venue's balcony seating was absolutely terrible. First, my view from Row D was obstructed by a railing that went clear across the lower balcony, obstructing people's line of sight to the stage. There should have been some large video screens on either side of the theater so balcony patrons could enjoy seeing the performer, or there should have been a warning at the time of purchase that some balcony seats would have obstructed views. Second, the balcony is not safe for older adults. (1) There is no elevator or escalator for the patrons to use to get up to the balcony, and (2) the stairs in the upper balcony are precarious for older patrons or patrons with mobility issues. read more

I came to the Alex Theater tonight to see The Nutcracker with my old man, and I felt like I was at a Chuck-E-Cheese. It was such a bummer. Children and adults were carrying on loud conversations, using flash photography during the ballet; children were literally running up and down the aisles during the show! It was so hard to appreciate any of the play. The show couldn't end soon enough. There was no attempt by the ushers to mitigate the chaos, maybe because this is a standard now? In addition, there appear to be no easily accessible elevators or ramps in the upper areas. For folks with mobility issues, like my dad, that is not cool and pretty nerve-wracking. There were no announcements made announcing the beginning of the show or intermission. If you're not sitting near the front of the stage, you'll likely not be able to see much. This theatre has so much potential, but it really needs an overhaul physically and with the expectations set for its attendees. I don't see myself coming back unless major changes are made. read more

Went to watch a premiere here and they did a great job with organizing the event. Checkin went smoothly. Set up inside was gorgeous. They had drinks and food outside that allowed people to mingle and chat and the ushers were very helpful. read more

Alex Theatre - Outside - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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I've been here multiple times over the last 20 years. Honestly it's a cute theater, not too big. I have seen The Nutcracker and Annie here a few times. I feel like the theater is a bit worn out and could use a little tlc. I get that it's an old theater, but perhaps they could update a few things. Staff have always been very nice to us with each visit. Usually before or after shows, we like to walk around the street in front as there's plenty to do there. read more

So sad to see a beautiful venue run so terribly. Management is a disorganized mess at best. I was simply trying to figure out if I was in the correct line at check in as I purchased VIP tickets. I kept getting different responses from everyone, nobody seemed to be on the same page. Finally asked to speak to someone in charge just to make sure if I was where I was supposed to be....the team member from management (a young lady with green streaks in her hair) not only couldn't answer my question but her breath REEKED of alcohol and she was visibly intoxicated then just walked away from me without offering any help. Needless to say, I will never be coming back unless new management takes over, then I may give the Alex another chance but until then this farewell read more

The Alex Theatre has a Hocus Pocus event. The staff was helpful and attentive. The theatre and the bathrooms were clean. I would definitely go again! read more

Came here for the Nuggets show back in May. The theatre is beautiful and set up great. The show was amazing and the sound was awesome. I attended the same show in NY where I live and i am so glad I went to the one at Alex Theatre because it was a million times better! Staff was friendly and efficient. The outdoor area is very beautiful. Lots of parking around too. read more

The Alex Theater is in the center of the downtown Glendale on Brand Ave.. It looks like a small theater from the outside, but the inside is pretty big with an Orchestra level and two different level on the balcony seating. They don't have elevators, but the stairway is not too steep, only a few steps. The architecture is beautiful although it is a bit outdated. An older theater but kept in good condition , which is perfect for the Art deco 1920's vintage style. They do have a small refreshment stand that sells water and soda, and I believe you can take that into the theater. The stage is magnificent. We were invited here for a filming of a capella group, Pentatonix's Christmas Special concert and it is amazing how they transform a regular stage to a beautiful Christmas setting. You can literally sit anywhere and get a good view of the stage. (I know because I had 4 different seatings for this stage. From Balcony level to Orchestra middle section and Orchestra back let section) They validate parking for the nearby parking lots, and there are two lots behind the theater almost adjacent to each other. Easy access and love a more stress free, and intimate venue to see a good show or concert compare to Hollywood Bowl or the Greek Theater. read more

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It was really difficult to admire all of the beauty this theater had to offer once. Long lines to grab a refreshment/snack, which is to be expected with a busy night. It was the selection of snacks that really had me puzzled. I went for a ballet so the noise of popcorn bags being opened and cans of cola being opened was not necessarily what I was hoping for. Programs were not avail when we walked in, so instead they started handing out programs in the middle of the second act. In-between acts, several folks got up with stretch, walk around, use the restroom... there were no announcements made that this is not an intermission, or any ushers around indicating this is not the time to get up. Mind you, I sat in the balcony where several phones were out during the show, a phone call was made, several tardy people were still allowed in to grab a seat after the show started, and I'm not sure if the crowd I was sitting with thought this was a ball game; they were just so rowdy. Maybe it's me, but I've been to a nice production before, and perhaps everyone forgot how to act in such an event. read more

Alex Theatre - Marquee outside - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

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Beautiful theater! Great acoustics. Both the interior and the exterior are beautiful. Artists' entrance is to the rear by the alley. Parking can be found in the lot across the street to the rear of the theater. Conveniently located near food establishments so you can enjoy a meal before or after the show and just walk there. read more

Huge venue with two levels of balcony seating and an orchestra level, so if you are expecting a small venue, this is not it. Still, we enjoyed our performance here of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles featuring special guest Alan Cumming this past weekend. Acoustics weren't great (not as crisp and clear as the Ahmanson in downtown LA), but I think sound issue were due to microphone problems as there were a few moments where the sound dropped out. It's great that they offer validated parking at three different nearby structures (see my photo for locations and addresses), giving you 4 hours of parking for only $1 if you validate in the lobby. The outdoor has a large patio that is enclosed from the city street and gives you a beautiful view of the facade of this historic 91-year-old beautiful theater. For concessions, they serve Porto's cookies and pastries! You can get a guava or cheese roll or cookies for only $2 each here and the beer was only $5. The location is in central downtown Glendale, so right next to cool bars and the Giggles club, and right across the street from the Halal Guys which is open until midnight so makes for a great bite after a show. It's also across from the world famous bakery 85 Degrees if you want authentic Taiwanese/Chinese baked goods or tea drinks. read more

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We attended Gatsby here -- initially I was scared based on the negative reviews, but it wasn't that bad. The parking trick from fellow Yelpers was the best -- use the garage on Orange, walk through the 1st floor garden area, and you're right directly across the street from the Alex. They have a machine in the lobby to self-validate the parking so it was $1 for 3-4 hours. The theater was old and tired and smelled really bad, but the seats were ok -- fairly large and comfortable enough. we sat in the first row terrace and had a great view -- only very slight obstruction by the guardrails in front of us. The downside for us was that I had an elderly person with bad knees and there is no elevator, just a lot of stairs to reach the terrace/balcony. If you have a senior or disabled person just stay on the lower level seating -- they definitely aren't modernized to help disabled people. I'd probably go again for something here just based on the parking alone.. what a bargain. read more

Absolutely stunning inside and out. Huge fan of keeping our #LA landmarks intact and wow, just wow! A variety of programming to select from, do be sure to catch a show and support a neighborhood gem. Went for the Opening Night of the LACO and it was our first time to the Alex, since being restored. From the twinkly courtyard lights, the guilded cielings, and wonderful sound quality- an experience to be shared and enjoyed. Leave time for parking, or consider uber. Plenty of places nearby to have a pre and/or post show indulgence. We opted for dinner nearby and courtyard bevs at intermission. read more

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I love Art Deco theatres, and this one is so charming with all the outdoor space out front to hang out before the performances. There is a concession stand out front, and the seasonal cocktails were excellent, and good thing, because I really needed it for this matinee performance of the Nutcracker. Unfortunately, as with most older theaters, seating sucks unless you are close to the stage. Combine that with lots of kids who need to prop up their fold down seats and sit on the edge, and an unobstructed view of the stage becomes near impossible. The kid next to me was smart and carted in his own booster seat. From the glimpses of the stage I did get, dancing was fabulous and the set was more traditional looking. Some of the costumes needed work--example: The mice looked like scary rats. The lesson here--buy your tickets early or bring a booster seat like the kid next to me. read more

Alex Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Glendale, California

Came here last night to see the LiveTalksLA speaker series, with Bob Iger and Brian Grazer. Bob is the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and he had just written a book, so this was his time to talk about his book, answer questions from the audience, and try to sell more books! Apparently, Iger is donating proceeds from "The Ride of a Lifetime" to educational initiatives aimed at fostering more diversity in the field of journalism. I sat in the orchestra section, about 5-6 rows back and had a perfect view of the 2 celebrities. This was my first time at a LiveTalksLA event, so it was interesting to see what it was about. Long lines to get in, event did not start on time, maybe about 12 minute delay. Parking was available in 3 lots around Alex Theater, and you only pay $1 for parking, as long as it's validated by the theater, for up to 4 hours. I parked in 222 Orange Ave lot. It seemed the closest to the theater in my opinion. read more