Tucson’s historic Rialto Theatre has drawn crowds since 1920. It opened as a vaudeville theater and silent movie house before reinventing itself over the decades as everything from the Paramount Theatre to El Cine Plaza. Now, the beautifully restored venue in downtown Tucson is one of the city’s favorite places to gather for live music, educational programming, and community-driven events.

 

This historic venue has quirks and distinctions that make it as exciting to see as it is to hear your favorite bands. The theater’s distinctive sloped floor was strategically designed so every audience member had a clear view of the stage. Underground tunnels (now sealed) once connected the Rialto Theatre to Hotel Congress right across Congress Street, where performers lived, dined, and spirited away bootleg liquor during Prohibition.

 

If you look stage right, you might see the Rialto’s glowing ghost light–a plastic horse mounted to the wall. Ghost lights once served a practical purpose: keeping staff safe, and every theater has one. Today, they appease superstitions to keep resident spirits happy. And yes, the Rialto Theatre has its fair share of ghosts. Staff, musicians, and stage crews all have tales of mysterious figures wandering the theater long after the audience has gone home.

As one of Tucson’s revered live music venues, sound is paramount. The theater has invested significantly in recent upgrades, such as the addition of a Rat Sound System, with even more upgrades planned to to create an even more immersive experience.

“You’re coming to hear live music; we want it to sound great, so we got a new monitor rig and front of house system and board. It is the same equipment used at premier venues and festivals like Coachella,” said Executive Director of the Rialto Theatre Foundation Cathy Rivers. “We will have L-Acoustics return to tune the room, which we’ll do again as we continue to make improvements to the theater with new seating and sound treatments in the coming years.” 

Don’t miss the chance to drop in R BAR, located behind the theater in Herbert Alley, and support the nonprofit theater by enjoying seasonal cocktails, local beer, and wine. The intimate alley bar also hosts free music, karaoke, trivia nights, and neighborhood gatherings throughout the week.

The newly opened El Regalo gift shop celebrates Tucson’s creative spirit with locally made jewelry, art prints, music memorabilia, Rialto Theatre merchandise, and one-of-a-kind gifts. It’s the perfect place to shop, where every purchase raises funds for this historical gem.