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Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

226 N. St. Mary's St. | River Walk (Downtown Reach) 210.226.5700 Capacity - 857 people

About

The Charline McCombs Empire Theatre was built in 1914 on the site of the former Rische's Opera House in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Designed in the style of a European palazzo by architects Mauran, Russell & Crow of St. Louis, the Empire operated as a vaudeville house and then a motion picture theatre. The Empire's grandeur was prematurely concealed by inappropriate repairs due to extensive flood damage in 1921. After a long, slow decline, the vaudeville house, turned B-run movie theatre, closed its doors in 1978. Redeveloped as part of the neighboring Majestic Theatre project, fundraising efforts by Las Casas Foundation, a local non-profit organization, restored the forgotten luster of the interior of the theatre, and the venue reopened as the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre in 1998 after $5 million in renovations. The Empire is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Getting there

Parking

City-operated garages nearest the theatre include Houston Street Garage (111 College St), St. Mary’s Garage (205 E Travis St), and City Tower Garage (60 N Flores St). Event parking can be reserved in advance via ACE Parking, and valet is offered for select shows.

Public transit

VIA Metropolitan Transit routes serving the immediate Houston St and St. Mary’s St corridors include Routes 22 (Hays), 24 (East Houston), 32 (Steves), and 34 (South St. Mary’s).