The Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a historic movie palace from 1928 that now serves as a premier performing arts venue, hosting Broadway shows, concerts, classic films, and more, after a major restoration in 2005. Known for its opulent Spanish-Moorish design with global influences, it is the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and a landmark on South Gay Street. read more

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I came with a friend to see The Outsiders. The building is beautiful. The show was fantastic. I live near Chattanooga and the great thing about having this theatre so close is that we can see shows here that don't come to Chattanooga. I'll definitely be back. read more

Another wonderful night out at the Tennessee Theatre. I bought the Broadway subscription a few months back, and yesterday night was my first time seeing the Tina Turner musical. It completely blew me away: the costumes, the singing, and the set design. The main actress just did an unbelievable job from the singing to even the leg shaking that Tina Turner used to do. If you get a chance to see this one, don't pass it up. The audience gave a standing ovation to this fine cast in the end. This time around I didn't get anything from the concession stand, but as always the drinks and popcorn are fairly priced ($4 for a small bucket of popcorn and $4 for soft drinks). They also offer certain beers/wine. For parking at the theatre, I use the State Street Garage. By the time, I left the theatre, the gates were up and my parking was free. read more

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Such a gem, a beautiful historic theater, convenient to lots of places to eat, drink and stay around Knoxville's wonderful downtown. The rows are very long, but there are good sightlines even from pretty far on the sides. The seats are pretty tight, with little legroom, and it's hard to let others pass you to get to their seats. For a taller person, having an aisle seat is a blessing. The bathrooms are downstairs, but the stairs are wide, and railing separates the up and down traffic nicely. Though we live in the Nashville area, we keep close tabs on upcoming shows at the Tennessee Theatre, because it makes for a nice drive and a pleasant weekend. read more

Gorgeous theater, but poorly managed and way overpriced, with tickets costing more than you'd pay in New York to see a Broadway show.

Absolutely loved our visit here!! We went for the Christmas movie series and saw polar express. It was just like watching it in theaters. Sound quality and screen quality we're fantastic! The snacks were affordable and delicious. Love this place! read more

Tennessee Theatre - Movie Night - Music Venues Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Very old highly recommend there shows tho ! Went there to go for a comedy show and all functions like any regular show but a very old building lmao read more

Tennessee Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Beautiful theatre! Came for a comedy show and had a wonderful night! They serve liquor, beer and wine, plus snscks! The architecture is absolutely gorgeous and it's not too big so I think every seat has a good view. Staff was wonderful as well! Will definitely be back for a play. read more

Tennessee Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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We went to this beautiful theater for a concert. I loved the ambience and theater itself but unfortunately the sound system wasn't working well so we had trouble hearing the singers when the bands played. The sound was going in and out it seems. But overall a great experience. read more

Tennessee Theatre - Gorgeous ceiling - Music Venues Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Longtime frequenter here - will continue to be! 5/5! So glad this is here to enjoy broadway and other shows! Get tickets. Go there. Enjoy! read more

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I love love love the Tennessee theatre! The continually bring big acts and shows. The seats are comfortable. I love that they continue to maintain the chandeliers and other things that make it feel so welcoming. The restrooms are always clean and maintained. read more

There's no where in Knoxville better than the historic Tennessee Theatre to see a show!!! Whether it's a rock concert, a Broadway musical or watching a film...the Tennessee Theatre is the place to see it. There's not a bad seat in the house, the sound is incredible and the architecture is absolutely brilliant and beautiful. If you get the chance to see ANYTHING in this historical theatre, DO IT!!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!! read more

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For a traveling show this was good. However.... We were not aware that 1. You had to have your ID with your COVID Vaccine card 2. You HAVE to wear a mask the entire time. 3. It was extremely HOT in the theater The Blue Man group was a good 4 star show. There was much not to like or too love to it. Tickets were pricey for what you got. So like I said it was good and a nice night out. read more

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A positively lovely place to see a show. I hope to return someday.

My daughter took me to see Tina last night. What a great show!! Jayna Elise plays Tina, she was stunning! Beautiful voice and great actress!! The entire cast and crew were amazing! I can't recommend this show enough! We had a great time! Go see it! You won't regret it!! read more

Lovely! This is a restored, old-time movie theater in the heart of the downtown Knoxville business district. Very elegant, I believe it's ? Art deco furnishings/ambience (sorry, I'm not sure of my interior design eras)..Just walking around inside is good for the price of admission! So much fun to walk up and down the stairs, look over the balcony and wave to your friend below. Pull up the schedule and try to get an early evening show--have dinner downtown! It's affordable, and there are so many places to choose from in the Market Square area read more

Gorgeous historical theater that has been lovingly maintained like a time capsule of the glamour and glitz of the Art Deco era. I love attending events at this theater, especially now that COVID restrictions have been relaxed or dropped entirely. The theater has bars on multiple floors serving a variety of drinks and snacks, and the bathrooms are kept very clean. The only reason that I'm taking away a star is because the acoustics are not as great as some of the other theaters that I've attended for Broadway touring musicals. (Gammage in Phoenix spoiled me!) read more

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What an absolutely horrible business. They have no regard for people. They prefer that you either risk your life to get to their show or they are willing to keep your money with no recourse. Absolutely reckless and have no protocols to manage dangerous weather events appropriately And have no regard or adherence to state agency advisories. read more

My husband and I had an amazing customer service experience at The Tennessee Theatre this evening. It was our first time to this stunningly beautiful theatre. Tanya Tucker put on a phenomenal show. We were struggling with the tickets we purchased on-line. Two women and two gentleman helped us to try to get the tickets downloaded and to call the agency. The ticket agency we purchased from did not send the tickets thru. The team at Tennessee Theatre honored the tickets snd made sure we saw the show. It was an anniversary celebration. They were kind and compassionate. They went far above and beyond anything they needed to do to help us! read more

Always enjoy performances held at this theater. The great acoustics makes for OUTSTANDING shows. There are NO bad seats, the visual of the stage can be seen from all angles. The seating comfort and overall feel of the entire theater is well appointed. Friendly staff, Great Bar area, clean and adequate restroom stalls -- usually NO waiting lines ;) read more

Theatre only cares about almighty dollar and NOT about its patrons. TDOT and Knoxville Police state the roads are too dangerous for travel and to shelter in place yet theatre will not issue refunds, even partial refunds or provide tickets to a show in the future or anything to allow its patrons to not just be out of luck and money. read more

On Friday, September 17th, we attended the Righteous BrothersConcert. We went expecting to hear songs we remembered in our youth and we got them! The Righteous Brothers' songs will live in our minds forever and thanks to Bill Medley and his friends, they still endure through the ages! The staff at the theater was very polite even though the circumstances are though. The long line to enter the venue we're disperse quickly thanks to the efficient process. All in all, a good time! read more

Tennessee Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

We took a day for Urban Hiking in Knoxville, TN and our first stop was the Visitors Center. We grabbed a cold drink and muffin, while I made a list of the historical buildings that I wanted to check out while in Knoxville. We walked down Gay Street which is the main street for the center of this historical town. One of my first stops was the historical Tennessee Theater. Too bad it was not opened. It was too early in the morning still and there was nothing being held there, so we had no option of buying tickets for any event. I found some historical information about that the theater on my smartphone to share with Tony and Noel about the lovely theater.. Here is what I found out: The Tennessee Theatre is a 1920s-era movie palace, located within the Burwell Building in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, at 604 South Gay Street. The Burwell Building was built in 1907. Measuring in at 166 feet (51 m) in height, it was Knoxville's tallest building until 1912. The Tennessee Theater occupies an annex to the building that was added in 1928.[1] In the 1790s, the lot now occupied by the Burwell Building was home to a two-story log structure where the classes of Blount College-- the forerunner of the University of Tennessee-- were first held. he theatre first opened on October 1, 1928, and with nearly 2,000 seats in the auditorium, was billed as "Knoxville's Grand Entertainment Palace". Its interior was designed by Chicago architects Graven & Mayger in the Spanish-Moorish style, although the design incorporates elements from all parts of the world: Czechoslovakian crystals in the French-style chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring in the Grand Lobby, and Oriental influences in the carpet and drapery patterns. The theatre was one of the first public buildings in Knoxville to have air conditioning. It also featured a beautiful Wurlitzer Organ. After a refurbishment in 1966, the theatre's seating capacity was reduced to 1,545 The Wurlitzer was installed in the Tennessee Theatre at the time of its opening in 1928. It was built by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in North Tonawanda, New York, and cost about $50,000 at that time. In October 2000, virtually the entire organ was shipped to Reno, Nevada, to master organ rebuilder Ken Crome, who painstakingly restored the instrument piece by piece, and artisans and craftsmen returned the organ's appearance to its original 1928 color scheme and design. The chambers on either side of the stage, which house the pipes, were replastered to fully ensure the protection and preservation of the restored instrument. The Wurlitzer returned to Knoxville in August 2001 and was re-installed over the course of the next month. Acclaimed theatre organist Lyn Larsen was involved in the configuration and tonal regulation of the organ, and was the first to publicly perform it at a gala concert on October 1, 2001 I enjoy sharing the history of these lovely old buildings. I am so excited that in October the Last Comic Standing Tour will be here..FINALLY my reason to go inside this gorgeous Retro decor theater..I will definitely have to buy a ticket So excited can't wait..on a count down to October 2014 read more

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Where do you even begin with the Tennessee Theatre?! I suppose with the obvious. You'd be right to have rather moderate expectations of the theatre based on it's modest exterior, but from the second that you walk in the front door you will know that you are inside somewhere special. 10 years ago they restored the theatre back to it's historic and opulent ways. The exquisite detail is obvious from the chandeliers to the lavish curtains and the ornate textured walls. They spared no expense when bringing this work of art back to it's original beauty. One of my favorite things about the theatre is the intimate feel. Regardless of where you sit, you will not find a bad seat. The slight decline in the floor and the balcony make it possible for even the shortest or latest of attendants to find a good seat with a great view. The partnership between the theatre and AC entertainment is match made in heaven. The only problem with their calendar is paring down the number of shows to attend. I've seen Broadway shows, rock shows, The Blue Man Group, Stomp, etc here. If that's not diversity, I don' t know what is. Seriously, check out their calendar and you will certainly find something that will blow up your skirt! There are only 2 bars, one near the entrance and one downstairs, but they are usually well attended and the lines move quickly. Prices are on par with what you'd expect to pay. I have never had a bad experience at the Tennessee Theatre and no matter how many times I've attended an event here, it feels like a treat each and every time! read more

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If you are privileged enough to visit The Tennessee Theater then you have received a real gift. This theater is absolutely beautiful! The architecture is impressive and the rich history of this theater and The entire Gay Street area is very intriguing. Any event I have ever attended at this theater was executed beautifully. Parking can be tricky so arrive early. There are plenty of local trendy restaurants and bars in the area to enjoy before or after your show. read more

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Reviewing a theatre can be difficult when the performance and audience can influence how I feel about a place. In this case we saw an uninspired performance of the Nutcracker with an awful audience. I will try not to hold that against the theater itself. I thought the interior of the theater had a lot of eye appeal. Certainly not what I was expecting. From floor to ceiling, the hall and stairs leading to the seating area looks fantastic. I appreciated the attention paid to detail on the ceiling. The chandeliers enhanced the regal feel. Walking up to the balcony level, you get a chance to see one of them up close. There is a bar in the right hand side where refreshments can be purchased. Alcohol is served here. The theater itself open up into a beautiful oval dome. The pictures posted here give it no justice. The place where the dome meets the wall back lights a carved border of griffins that runs most the perimeter. Alcoves containing large cases border either side of decorative arched panels above exit doors. The stage itself is arched by a detailed decorative border. It is a sight to see. Seating was comfortable and roomy. You are going to share an armrest with your neighbor but I didn't find that to be a problem. We sat in the front row of the balcony which was extra spacious. I was a little disappointed that eating was allowed during the performance. Listening to someone chomp on popcorn and slurp liquid through a straw doesn't lend itself to ballet. There is only on balcony level so the performance was easy to see. Our seats were off to one side and part of the performance was blocked by a curtain which was unfortunate. If I am in town again I wouldn't hesitate to see another performance here. I suspect the behavior of the audience was due to a lack of experience with this kind of performance who were drawn to a well known ballet around Christmas. I was pleasantly wowed by the theater itself. It's worth the experience of seeing at least once. read more

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Tom Bugg cancelled our tickets for no reason. We paid the money and got a confirmation but Tom Bugg decided he didn't like something so he cancelled the tickets. Ticketmaster dosen't even know why. All Tom Bugg needed to do was look to see that we had tickets to another event at the same venue. It took his assistant all of 5 seconds to see this. Beware, as this could happen to you and there is no recourse. You may even show up the day of the event and your ticket is worthless. He is the general manager and, according to his employees, answers to no one. read more

I attended the Tennessee Theatre last evening. It was the works theatre experience I have ever encountered and I have been attending legitimate for more than 50 years in many states. Uoon entering all attendees were subjected to a beavertail metal detector scan and required to open our purses for inspection. We were told masks were required for the entire 2 hour performance. My companion suffers from COPD and lowered her mask to breathe. An usher immediately came to our seat and advised the manager would be called if she did so again. Upon leaving I advised an attendant that until their policies were changed and the Mask police were defunded, I would not return. It was reminiscent of the early days of the Hitler rise to power, I suggest everyone think twice before attending anything at the Tennessee Theatre. read more

This is a great location for shows. The interior is absolutely gorgeous. If you decide to order a cocktail before you go into the theatre, you better hope you have an airplane bottle with you too. The drinks are weak, so spice it up and bring in a flask or airplane bottle so you will feel a buzz instead of your pocket lacking on cash flow because of the drink expenses. read more

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This little theatre, located in downtown Knoxville, has won my heart. I daresay, after all of the restoration it has been through, that it's beauty may rival the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. But it does not rival its size! But that only worked to my benefit when seeing Morrissey perform there the other night! The less people vying for his attention, the better! Seating about 2,000 people, it makes it a great venue for cozy events! You can tell they have spent many years rebuilding the theatre to it's original glory. Rich, lush draperies and crystal encrusted chandeliers abound, and the Spanish- Moorish design of the interior reminds me of the Fox in many ways. Make sure when you get into the theatre itself you look up at the ceiling when the room darkens- the shimmering blue ceiling will hypnotize you! read more

Tennessee Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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I've had the great fortune to see a few shows here and it is amazing. Between the Paramount in Bristol, The Tennessee Theater in Knoxville, and the Ryman in Music City, I think this is the best of the best. Impressive as you walk in, the restoration on this treasure was done in grand fashion. But we're here for music or a show, so how're the stage, sightlines, and acoustics. In a word, perfect. Really you get a sense of history even if you're seeing a very modern act. You can often score a reasonable price on a scalped ticket right outside if something is sold out. If you're visiting Knoxvegas, really go check out ANYTHING playing here just to experience a great old venue. read more

I always wondered what life might have been like for my grandparents when they were young and in love and went out for an evening. I do believe that I have had a fairly accurate glimpse into a glamorous night out in the 40s when I look around at the vintage gem that is the Tennessee Theatre. Rich colors abound in the paint, wood, carpet and fabrics throughout Tennessee Theatre. There is a delightful vibrancy of a building that has seen much and been a gathering place for so many historic performances over the years. The functional flow from will call in the anteroom, to the refreshment area and then the slow walk up the main promenade that has an elevation change which allows you to stop and look back for any missing members of your party without tip-toe balancing. Gracious ushers who show you to your seats and encourage you to use the best entrance for where you'll be seated. Spacious ladies bathrooms that allow you time to fix your hair or make-up and not be bumped out of place by someone jockeying for a shared sink/counter spot themselves. Free parking in the deck behind. MANY wonderful eateries within a two block radius. This Grand Doyenne has had a skilled plastic surgeon of a contractor to do a gentle nip and tuck...the lines and sag of age have all been erased, and the amazing beauty from her heyday is simply dazzling. read more

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So, where do I start. I'm here A LOT (and would consider myself a regular), and I can still never get over how beautiful this place looks. It's very unassuming from the outside, but the moment you walk in, you feel like you're in another era. I cannot speak to how beautiful the lobby and auditorium is (which has great acoustics, by the way). I can without a doubt say this is the most beautiful venue I've ever seen. The only way I can describe it would be to say it's like being inside of a Fabergé egg! The only cons here are the drinks are pretty pricey for the small amount you receive. Depending on your concert, the crowd may also get a bit rowdy. In the springtime, they hold a free open-house, to which I urge everyone to stop in for a visit and learn a bit about the history from the staff. If you are able, be sure to catch The Wurlitzer in action! read more

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We saw the symphony here the other day and it was fantastic! I loved the ambiance which was a throw back to the early 1900's with red velvet seats. The acoustics carry sound well and you feel surrounded by sound. The beer and wine are a bit over priced but it goes to a good cause. This an absolute gem in the city center. A must to catch a show here if you are in the area! read more

Such a delight to have a place like this in Knoxville. It's beautiful old world beauty really strikes you as you walk in to take your seat. I love how this theater can seat so many yet still be intimate. I'm not sure there is a bad seat. I've personally never sat in the balcony but it seems like it would be just as nice. The bar is a little pricey but that's to be expected and the drinks are good. If you've not seen a show here you should definitely check it out! read more

The exterior does not represent how beautiful this venue is. I have been here several times for KSO concerts and for Broadway shows and the acoustics were great. Ticket prices are very reasonable. If you are a student, take advantage of the discounted price. read more

I visited the Tennessee theatre when Mary Poppins came into town. I was very pleasantly surprised as I would never have expected anything so grand and beautiful in little old Knoxville. Don't get me wrong, I love Knoxville and I think it is an amazing city but I certainly did not expect this caliber of amazingness in Knoxville. The amount of thought and detail that went into the renovation was very elaborate. I thought I had been transported to a different world when I stepped through the doors. The acoustics are excellent and the seating arrangement was well optimized. I got the least expensive ticket and sat in the limited view area but didn't feel like I missed a thing. I am so thankful I live in Knoxville and cannot wait to see another show here. read more

This is a gorgeous venue, an ornate, restored theater perfect for catching live shows. I haven't been here that often, for me it's a special event type place. Great sound, still an intimate setting, and spectacular lighting and effects. The lobby is immense, parking is plentiful around Gay Street and the State Street parking garage or even the Market Square garage or on Gay Street bridge if you don't mind walking a bit. Plenty of places too on Gay Street or Market Square to grab a bite to eat or drink before or after the show. Waiting for the restrooms would be my only minor quibble with this place. This and The Bijou are the best venues in town for more popular acts coming through town. read more

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Absolutely the best concert venue in K-town. I've seen a variety of acts here from Nickel Creek to a magician to having my senior Prom here! So I have lots of great memories attached. It is beautiful and classy. It's not overwhelmingly big, but not tiny either. The perfect amount of seating in my opinion. I always choose floor seating b/c I like to be closer to the action, but I know those who are balcony die hards. I heart Tennessee Theater (and did you know it was in the movie, October Sky... they blanked out the T so in the movie it read ENESSEE Theatre :) (they were supposed to be in WV in the movie!) read more

The first time I went to the Tennessee Theater (for one of their Rocky Horror showings), I spent a good part of my time just distracted by how utterly beautiful the theater is. It was built in the twenties, and the influence of that era can definitely be seen in the gilded architecture and the heavy, red drapes. I went there most recently for a concert where I sat in the right side of the balcony. The view was actually a lot better than I thought it would be - because the theatre isn't TOO large, I still felt pretty close up. In fact, I've been here about three times now, sat in completely different places each time, and never had anything close to a bad view. The rows are kind of narrow though, so if you have to get up or anything, prepare to say lots of awkward "excuse mes" as you wonder if you smashed your rear into that one guy's face like you think you did. A word of warning though! This is standard at a lot of concert venues apparently, but just in case you (like me and my fellow concert goer) did not know: if you need to leave the actual building during the concert, for a smoke break or whatever the case may be, be sure to get the ticket takers to scan your ticket as you leave. It's not really stated clearly on the tickets and there were no signs, so we went outside during intermission and almost weren't allowed back in - but luckily, the staff is gracious and understanding, and remembered us coming through the line the first time. read more