Elena K.

Maybe the most beautiful theater I've ever seen?? The Olympia Theater just takes your breath away - it's so ornate and detailed in its design, they just don't make theatres like this anymore. From all the classical statues to the flickering lamps that emulate soft candlelight, it's just art. I went for a Miami Film Festival event and enjoyed a movie and award presentation here. My biggest concern is that the organizers served concessions like popcorn, candy and hot dogs and unfortunately attendees were super negligent and there was popcorn and garbage everywhere on the floor and seats after the presentation. It was heartbreaking to see - this is not a mass movie theater chain, it's a historic site! I wish people didn't need to be told to be respectful of such a historic place and definitely the organizers aren't fully accountable for people's negligence but maybe worth considering reminding people to take care of their trash and/or don't serve any concessions at all if people can't be respectful. I hope the Olympia will be cared for and enjoyed by our community for years to come.

Joe D.

5-star ambience, 5-star service. A knock-your-socks-off beautiful silent movie palace in downtown Miami, transformed for the 21st Century. If you get a chance to go to any exhibit or performance here, do it. If nothing else you get to see the interior. This is an astoundingly beautiful silent movie palace from 1926, styled in a sort of New World idea of a 300 year Old World Spanish garden. It's one of very few Florida buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been renovated and adapted to modern usage quite well. We saw Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience there, which involved 3D light shows, artificial reality and 75 bucks, but was well worth it. Side note on Van Gogh the Immersive Experience, which was one of two dueling Van Gogh 3D exhibits. The other one was confusingly titled BEYOND Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience. A similar 3D impressionism show was also at the Arsht Center (titled not EVEN MORE Beyond Van Gogh, but Lasting Impressions) We saw all three but IMHO the Olympia venue made this far and away the best experience. Aside from the beautiful, every-surface-carved/molded glamor of the old movie palace itself, the staffers are amazing at the venue (both the Olympia employees and the Van Gogh employees). We got there a few minutes early for our time slot, but it was raining, so the nice gal at the door said stay dry and come on in boys. If you keep me dry in a Miami monsoon, you automatically get an extra star : ) Inside the trend continued: it was the first day or two they were open, so there were a couple of bumps but nothing major, and everyone adapted in practical and friendly ways. Even the gift shop people are stellar (one of them even walked around with us helping find things).

Ariel W.

This historic theater is located in downtown Miami on Flagler and 2nd Ave. Parking is limited but there is a city garage 2 blocks away for $15 flat rate. The Olympia's history dates back to 1925 when it was built on the site of the Airdrome, an open air movie theater in operation from 1918 to 1926. The Olympia was designed in atmospheric style by John Eberson and built by Paramount Enterprises for 1.5 million dollars. The Olympia and it's sister, The Tampa Theater are the only two atmospheric theater's left in Florida. Eberson departed from the traditional theater design that was popular at the time in favor of a Spanish design with turrets and towers. It was the most elaborate designed theater of its time and the first theater in the south to have air conditioning. The Olympia opened on February 18, 1926 as a silent movie theater. Some of the famous performers who graced the Olympia's stage included The Marx Brothers, Gypsy Rose Lee, Jackie Gleason, Rudy Vallee, and Elvis Presley who famously sold out 15 performances. In the 1960's Etta James, Della Reese, and B.B. King performed here. Movies were shown from 1954 until 1971 when the theater closed. In 1971 the theater was purchased by Maurice Gusman for the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in. Morris Lapidus oversaw the 5 million dollar restoration. The theater was renamed the Gusman and it reopened on October 21, 1972. In 1975 Gusman gave the theater to Miami with the unique stipulation that it be managed by the Department of Off Street Parking. At the time, Gusman was friends with Colonel Mitchell Wolfson, the Board Chairman of the Agency. In 1977 the Wurlitzer organ was restored. It is the only pipe organ south of Atlanta housed in its original theater. The restoration took 7 years to complete. In 1985 a replica of the theaters original 1925 ticket booth was added to the outside. Also in 1985, the theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In the late 1980's the theater suffered another decline. Plans were made to convert the theater into retail space but a group called Friends of Gusman formed to raise funds to preserve the theater. The theater reopened in 1994 under the name Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. In the 1980's and 1990's a new generation of stars performed at the theater including Annie Lennox, Johnny Cash, Luciano Pavarotti, Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson, and Nestor Torres. In 2000 the theaters original artwork, exterior frame, and building structure were restored. In 2002 the theater opened as Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. In 2009 more restoration took place on the marquee and seating. Since 2010 the theater has been managed by the Olympia Center, Inc. The theater has staged performance by the Miami City Ballet, The Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New World Symphony, as well as screened movies for The Miami Film Festival. In 2025 the Olympia will celebrate its 100th birthday. I recently got a chance to visit the theater during the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. The ensuing years have not been kind to the area this glorious theater is located in. Outside the door is a sea of homeless. Once you step inside however you are taken back in time to Florida's wealthy land boom years when the architecture was ornate and opulent. The projection for the exhibit was set up on the stage so the theaters beautifully carved proscenium arch became part of the show. I loved exploring all of the features of this theater, like the intricate wall sconces and carved ceilings. I hope to take one of this history tours one day. Right now there are two competing Van Gogh exhibits in Miami and I would probably pick this one just to be able to visit the Olympia.

Sarah P.

Another slice of history in Downtown Miami. The Olympia Theater is a theater located in Miami, Florida. Designed by John Eberson in his famed atmospheric style, the theater opened in 1926. Throughout its history, the venue has served as a movie theater, concert venue and performing arts center. In 1984, it received historical designation by the NRHP. The Olympia Theater and its sister venue, the Tampa Theatre are the only remaining atmospheric theatres in Florida.

John C.

My girlfriend and I got Vip passes to the Van Gogh exhibit. It was pretty good we finished everything in about an hour and 10 minutes. The best part was the virtual reality experience at the end that was very unique and worth the extra money.

Alexa C.

A historic and ornate icon of the Miami golden days perfectly preserved and located in the heart of Downtown Miami seems to be a crowd favorite for many obvious reasons. The detail in every crevice of this theater resonates and exudes vintage glamour in every way. They host a multitude of cultured events such as art exhibits during seasoned events, independent film showings, movie releases, concerts, orchestra performances, and more. Although availability is limited and events are sometimes exclusive, there are many opportunities to come witness this architectural beauty. I find their calendar of events to be quite riveting and have yet to be disappointed with my multiple visits to this lovely slice of true Miami in its raw beauty. Certain events require purchasing tickets in person while at other times you're able to checkout online. If you're lucky to find a metervsoot nearby, parking can be a breeze. There's also a few garages and lots available but I recommend arriving earlier to give time to find a spot with time. I love this place. It's truly beautiful in every way.

Stephanie L.

Reading Maria's review about the Summer flicking at the Gusman center made me wanna go badly. I don't particularly spend time in downtown Miami so this was a good opportunity to discover the area and explore such an amazing building. Since I missed the screening of Fame the previous week, I jumped on the opportunity to see Flashdance and you know what? I had a blast! The Gusman has such a feeling of grandiose with its scene with cute balconies, an artificial sky with moving clouds and stars, and red velvet seats. The staff was very friendly and offered $2 raffle tickets to win gift certificates and other gifts. There's a happy hour : a nice touch if you ask me. The drink are cheap (I had my $3 beer) and it's a good way to get this party started. Watching Flashdance on the big screen was very nice. As soon as the music started every girl in the theatre screamed...we are such Flasdance geeks! Great movie and great after. The scene becomes a dance floor thanks to DJ Pauer and we had some great dancers from the New World School of the Arts showing us their talents. I really hope the Gusman continues to do events such like this. The Wiz is screening this Thursday so let's the party continue!

Connie C.

Theater setup spacious interactive Van Gogh exhibition. There is a clean unisex restroom hidden downstairs @ the front of the exhibitions; informative film about famous artist before entering the large immersive exhibition & virtual tour of his travel in Ireland upstairs above the gift shop. Face masks are optional for visitors.

Cindy G.

Purchased the VIP experience. They make it a 'big deal' online but it is far from it when you arrive. You get a special lanyard and that is it. The experience itself is nice, plenty of info, a lot of it repetitive - so if you miss it in one area, you are likely to catch in another. We passed to 'beverage' stations.. we asked for a drink - just needed water - they said they would be set up in 30 - 45 mins. This was after we waited for someone to show up (there is a sign that says do not serve yourself). When you get to the immersion room it is on 3.5 walls.. not sure what happened with the last half. The room is super cold - the loop is about 30 mins and really cool but, there is nothing on the ceiling plus 1/2 a wall so you can't do the 'lay down and be immersed' even though they provide several blanket/pillow areas. Everything is fabric so it is not cleaned - so caution advised! Once you leave that area you walk thru a drawing area.. there is no assistance and no information - we guessed that we could do a drawing and figured out how to use the machine for the drawing to be projected. The people were NOT helpful. In fact - I felt like we were in the way - even though we asked for nothing. We made our way upstairs to the VR. No smiles - no welcomes - even though there were 4 of them standing there. btw - once you leave the cold immersion room it stays that way until you leave. We had to ask about the VR - someone helped us but no real instruction. We figured out you could turn around 360 degrees and everything is visable - it's a great experience. It's so real i had to check myself twice to get my bearings ! you can turn around and see where you've been, where you are going, the sky - everything. It's included in the VIP but you wouldn't know - they don't even offer that info. It's $5 without VIP - my adivce - get the regular ticket and pay the $5. If you keep the device on - it will restart and you can do it again. They are not paying attention so it doesn't matter. We left there to go to the shop.. no welcome..and no offer of the VIP benefit - which was supposed to be you get to pick a poster. You don't. There is 1 poster they offer and that's what you get. If i hadn't asked about the poster - no one would have said a thing.. even with the special VIP lanyard. :( If you are a fan of 'starry night' you win! So we both had to get the same one - my friend wanted sunflowers but you can't even pay a small upcharge for an option - even though the site says you get to pick a poster. All in all the experience was worth the REGULAR admission plus the VR. The people were not welcoming, not informative and not helpful. I would not recommend unless you area a real fan of Van Gogh..being cold.. and treated like you are in the way.

John L.

Beautiful architectural historic hidden gem in downtown Miami. Amazing details and decorated ceilings. A must see if you visit Miami.

David L.

The best venue in all of miami. This place is beyond beautiful kinda a shame they barely use it. Any chance you have to come here I would take. When they have the Moth project here I highly recommend it.

Michael M.

Absolutely stunning theatre from the 1920s. Monthly free jazz nights the second Wednesday of every month. This is definitely one of Miami hidden gems, world class musicians, and the theatre... oh the theatre ... just go see it and if you're lucky at the time there's a history tour going on by one of the staff members. You'll be amazed.