If you’ve spent any time walking around downtown Bend, you’ve probably noticed the glowing neon marquee on Wall Street.
That’s the Tower Theatre, a historic performing arts venue that has been part of downtown Bend since 1940. Today, the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon hosts live music, theater, comedy, movies, dance performances, community events, and more throughout the year.
It’s also one of those Bend landmarks that’s worth knowing about even if you don’t already have tickets to a show.
Where is the Tower Theatre in Bend?
The Tower Theatre is located at 835 NW Wall Street in Bend, OR 97703. It is just a 15-minute walk straight down Wall Street from our condo rentals at Pioneer Park.
It sits right in the heart of downtown Bend, surrounded by restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and stores. That makes it particularly easy to turn a show into an entire evening downtown. Grab dinner beforehand, see a performance, and head somewhere nearby for dessert or a drink afterward.
How old is the Tower Theatre?
The Tower Theatre was completed in 1940 and originally operated as a movie theater. The building’s distinctive Art Deco Moderne design and neon tower have made it one of downtown Bend’s most recognizable landmarks. But the building visitors see today came surprisingly close to disappearing—or at least becoming something completely different.
As multiplex movie theaters became more common and the aging Tower needed substantial work, the theater eventually closed. In 1994, the property was sold to a group that initially considered converting it into retail and office space. Local residents instead began pushing to preserve the building as a public theater.
That effort ultimately changed the Tower’s future.
How was the Tower Theatre saved?
The road back wasn’t quick. The Regional Arts Council of Central Oregon operated the deteriorating theater as a multipurpose venue for nearly two years. Despite the building’s condition, including a lack of heat, it hosted nearly 100 events and attracted thousands of visitors.
The City of Bend purchased the property in 1995 while supporters worked toward establishing an organization that could restore and operate it. Continued deterioration forced the theater to close again in 1996.
Local residents then organized another effort to save it. In 1997, the Tower Theatre Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization after supporters exceeded a fundraising challenge set by the city. The Foundation purchased the Tower from the City of Bend in 2001, and a major renovation began in November 2002. The project eventually grew into a $4.2 million effort that expanded the interior, added an orchestra pit with a motorized lift, created new box seating, enlarged the lobby, and upgraded the theater’s technical capabilities. The restored Tower Theatre celebrated its grand reopening on January 30, 2004.
So that neon sign downtown isn’t a replica made to look historic. The Tower really has been part of Bend for more than 85 years.
What happens at the Tower Theatre today?
Quite a lot. The restored Tower Theatre is now a 460-seat performing arts venue owned and operated by the nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation.
Its calendar isn’t limited to one kind of entertainment. Depending on when you’re visiting Bend, you might find:
- Live music
- Comedy
- Theater
- Dance and ballet
- Film screenings
- Festivals
- Lectures and presentations
- Community events
- Family programming
- Holiday performances
That variety makes checking the Tower Theatre calendar worthwhile even if you wouldn’t normally plan a vacation around seeing a show. The current calendar, for example, has included blues, folk, classical music, comedy, film events, ballet, and other live performances.
Does the Tower Theatre still show movies?
Yes, although it isn’t a traditional movie theater anymore. Film remains part of the programming at the Tower, with special screenings and film-related events appearing on the calendar. The theater’s programming now extends far beyond movies, however, with live performance at the center of its role as a performing arts venue.
So if you’re looking for the latest blockbuster and a bucket of popcorn, this isn’t your typical multiplex. If you’re interested in a film festival, special screening, or community movie night, keep an eye on the schedule.
How big is the Tower Theatre?
The Tower Theatre seats 460 people. That makes it considerably more intimate than a large concert venue. You’re seeing nationally touring musicians, comedians, local performers, and other productions in a relatively small historic theater.
It’s also a very different experience from seeing a concert at Bend’s much larger outdoor Hayden Homes Amphitheater. The Tower is downtown, indoors, historic, and small enough that a night there feels like a night at the theater rather than a large-scale concert event.
What should you know before seeing a show?
If something on the calendar catches your eye, purchase your tickets directly through the Tower Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or through the box office.
Because performances vary considerably, check the individual event listing for information about showtime, when doors open, ticket prices, age restrictions, and seating.
The Tower also maintains accessibility information and a seating chart on its website.
And because you’re going downtown, give yourself enough time to park and/or walk to the theater. The Tower notes that there are multiple parking options throughout downtown Bend rather than a dedicated theater parking lot immediately outside the venue.
Where should you eat before a show at the Tower Theatre?
You have plenty of choices. The Tower Theatre’s downtown location means you don’t need to drive somewhere else for dinner before your show. Restaurants, breweries, bars, coffee shops, and dessert stops are scattered throughout the surrounding blocks.
If you have reserved seats, make a dinner reservation early enough that you’re not watching the clock through your entire meal. Then walk over to the theater when you’re finished.
It’s one of the advantages of seeing a show downtown: dinner and the entertainment can all happen in the same neighborhood.
Is the Tower Theatre worth visiting?
If there’s a performance that interests you while you’re in Bend, absolutely put it on your itinerary. The Tower isn’t simply another place hosting concerts. It’s one of downtown Bend’s surviving historic landmarks, and its continued existence is the result of a community effort to keep it from being lost.
Even if you aren’t attending a show, you’ll likely pass the theater while exploring downtown. Look for the vertical neon TOWER sign above Wall Street—you won’t have much trouble finding it.
And if you are planning a trip to Bend, check the performance calendar before choosing your dates. You might find something worth building an evening around. Check their website for upcoming shows and events.
Stay near downtown Bend at Pioneer Park Rentals
Staying at Pioneer Park Rentals puts you close to the restaurants, shops, entertainment, and historic landmarks that make downtown Bend worth exploring.
Our condos give you a comfortable home base with a kitchen and more room to settle in than a traditional hotel room, while keeping you conveniently close to downtown Bend.
Spend the afternoon exploring Bend, head downtown for dinner, catch a show at the historic Tower Theatre, and then head back to your condo.
Sometimes the best Bend itinerary doesn’t require leaving town at all.
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