This place is so beautiful. The sound system is great. And they got the temp under control!

El Rey did not want to let my friend with a service dog that was used for mobility into the theater. We attended theDrew lynch show the people in the front checking tickets refuse to let them in. Another person with a service dog was also told they could not come in, and the men started to yell at them. After we messaged Drew through Facebook, his wife came out and called the owner, and they finally let them in, they were advised they were breaking ADA laws and their front door. People said they didn't care it was private property again they were let in only after the headliners wife came out and insisted they be let in along the fact that there is no heat in the building, we will never attend that theater again. read more

if I could leave zero stars I would the ceiling fell on me while trying attend a show and no one seems to care

Great venue and location! The restoration so far has been incredible and the new management is really great to work with. Brand new sound and production, easily one of Chico's best music venues! Will support. read more

El Rey Theatre - Zhu performing live! - Music Venues Near Me - Chico, California

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$2 Tuesdays bitches!!! This is my most favorite thing to do on a Tuesday night in Chico. The El Rey offers rad throwback movies in their cavernous old school movie theater every week. Movies like The Goonies (win), Ghost Busters, Super Troopers, Hook, etc etc. Movies you know every line of and always wished you had seen in the theater, now you can! They show movies more than one night a week, but Tuesday is the day my friend, as it's $2 for the flick, $2 for Sierra on tap (yeah boyee!), and $2 for movie food and candy. The early show is less crowded, the late show rambunctious as hell. You want to get faded off cheap delicious beers and yell out the lines to your favorite 80's movie with a bunch of other fun-lovin' hooligans? This is the place!!! Also they have $3 Thursdays, if Tuesday is a no-go. Plus they have a list when you pay to suggest future movies. Also: Don't bring the kids, there will be swearing I can guarantee it. AND: DO NOT come to this if you want a quiet movie experience, this is all about INTERACTIVITY! And bless 'em for it!!! The El Rey is a WAY better place to see live music than The Senator, because they actually have good acoustics. read more

Came here to see Floater this past weekend. Was a great venue fo the concert. Soda and food prices were decent, not overpriced at all. A little on the older side which is why it's not a perfect 5, but still a great concert venue. read more

it is 110 degrees in the venue. hundreds of people and 3 bathroom stalls and no f***ing a/c. i will never come back to this venue.

Totally worth a weekday hangover. Say Part Favor there on a Wednesday night and it was lit. I appreciate the cool atmosphere and have that type of event in an old fashioned theater like that. They were organized at the door and the security was present but NOT overwhelming and did not kill the vibe. Much appreciated, and of course Party Favor killed it. read more

The sound is amazing. Everyone who works there is awesome and it really feels like a personal experience!!

This place would be great is who ever owned this would get off their duff and invest back into the El Rey ~ the sound is very poor and the walls reak of mold from water damage. Bobcat Goldwith said it best "It looks like a Crack Den!" I hope someday someone will restore this historic Chico landmark back to its glory days! read more

The El Ray is a classic theater located right downtown. They play classic movies from all the decades. It has historical value, fun value, and a great place to see a show. I have seen lots of old movies like Top Gun, Star Trek, Goonies, Ghost Busters, and many more. read more

Love this venue!! Have been going to shows here for the past year now, and the restoration is beautiful. The sound system is better than anywhere else in town. The brick backdrop and murals still on the wall give it such a cool vibe! read more

El Rey, It is a historical place, my g/f got us ticket for Collie Buddz concert that happen to be in these place after a change of Venues, sound system sucked but we had fun. Love the ambiance read more

We dig this place. Intimate makes for a better club. It's a safe clean place and that's important now! We've never had a problem outside and inside we were treated like royalty! read more

Been to both of J. Boog's shows at this venue last year and this year. Last year wasn't so bad, they were a lot more lenient and the theatre was well maintained that time. Yesterday was a whole other experience, it was hotter than shit and it was stuffy as hell. There was no ventilation up in there whatsoever so it didn't smell so great! It was hella musty up in there, we had to leave before the show ended. And the girls bathroom was disgusting!!! read more

So-I am a bit new to Chico, and to me this place is just okay. I recently went to see a reggae concert there, and the sound system sucked! Not sure if it was the equipment or the sound engineer, but the microphones kept going out, and you couldn't hear the artists from time to time, there was screeching from speakers-it was like a bad high school stage set-up, and you could tell the artists were a bit pissed from the problems, but they kept on, and in spite of the mishaps gave a great show. The theatre is old!! I read up a little history, and it has a really cool background. The building itself has been around since 1906! Impressive! So I guess I can look past the old interior, the minor sound problems, and the huge hole in the ceiling from water damage, but get it together El Rey! It is a historical place that was once fabulous--let's get it back to being that way! I guess if you are in Chico, you do not have many choices to see a show--it's this place or the Senator. So beggers can't be choosers. Just think they can do a little upgrading to the interior, and offer a bit more of a selection on the beers and wines. I think it can draw bigger crowds if they made it a place you actually wanna go to, rather than a place that if you want to see certain artists or shows--it's your only choice. I wouldn't mind grabbing some drinks there with friends, and seeing a good movie old or new- on a night when they don't have a musical act going on--but not if it's creepy and grimey and moldy! For that I will drink in the comforts of my own home and catch a movie on NetFlix. read more

Went here to watch the Chico Comedy Festival. Parking wasn't bad with a garage about a block away. I really like these types of old theaters. It had the normal concession stand in the lobby and I was pleased to find that they served Sierra Nevada beer on tap - two kinds! I don't know if this happens all the time, but I was happy to get an Old Chico. Inside, there is one big viewing room with seats down in front by the screen and a level higher up. The seats were not original - seemed to be less than 10 yrs old. Nice size seat in good shape with cup holders. The arms didn't raise but that was ok for me and I am not a small girl. There are beautiful murals on the walls and ceiling. Very colorful and vibrant looking. Unfortunately, there were two large areas where there had been water damage on the ceiling with some mold in those areas. Hopefully that will get restored at some point. I thought the acoustics were good and I heard and saw everything just fine from my seat off center in the second row of the upper level. Overall, I was very pleased with the venue. In fact, it exceeded my expectations! read more

I have been to several movies at the El Rey. For a cut price theater this place is just fine. The old murals and decor are very nice. The El Rey has a serious problem with volume control. Every movie I've seen has been ear-splitting. The last time I went I walked in to the theater then walked back out to tell employees that it's too loud. They assured me it was the first few minutes only then went back to normal. It wasn't just the first few minutes. All low-register sounds were crackingly loud whereas the dialogue was at usual loud-but-tolerable. Whoever mixes the sound and sets up the speakers (or whatever) needs to rethink the bass. Movies should not be painfully loud. Another complaint is that it is hard to find out what movies are currently playing. I don't really ever walk by and see the posters so I rely on the web. The movies don't seem to be posted on the El Rey website and while they are mentioned on their Facebook feed the info is not readily accessible (e.g. under INFO?). But I do really like two dollar Tuesdays. read more

VERY POOR BUSINESS PRACTICE!!!! I called, emailed, & texted the owners/managers about renting the El Rey for an event this summer & for my husband's company's Christmas party (Christmas 2016) and not one person ever responded back to me!!! The only time I actually spoke to anyone was my 1st phone call and the gentleman said he wasn't the one who set up the bookings. He referred me to a lady who was in charge of that. I lost count of how many times I tried to contact her. I gave up after a month of trying! SUCH A SHAME!!!! The El Rey is such a landmark in Chico & we love supporting local people! read more

This is my new favorite place to see music in Chico, and Justin is bringing a wide variety of well known names to play at the El Rey. Where else can you walk right up in front of the stage to see the likes of Pat Travers, Robin Trower, Chris Robinson, The English Beat, Leon Russell, and the Bacon Brothers all within a period of a few months? Haven't been to a movie here yet, but they play old favorites & offer $2.00 nights. Apparently you can also rent the theatre for private events too. Love it! read more