The Paramount Theatre is one of Seattle’s oldest and largest theatres. As a result, many great shows, musicals, concerts, comedians, and more pass through this iconic landmark. With more than 2,800 seats, this theatre is larger than nearby 5th Avenue Theatre, but like the 5th, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location
Paramount Theatre
911 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-682-1414
Paramount Seattle History
The Paramount opened to the public in March 1928 as part of a chain of movie palaces built by Paramount Studios. During the 20s, vaudeville and silent films were all the rage. Paramount Seattle had the distinct disadvantage of a location several blocks from the main theater drag of the time, so to make up for the distance, the Paramount was the biggest, most opulent theater in town.
This Seattle theater has seen a huge range of performers over its more than seven decades of existence. During its early days of the 20s and 30s, singers, illusionists, lectures, and other vaudeville acts all took to the stage. By the later 30s and through the 60s, the Paramount was a movie house, at first showing only first-run movies, but later dipping into second-run shows. In 1971, the Clise Corporation bought the theater with the intent of bringing live shows in to take advantage of the theater’s acoustics. Performers like Alice Cooper and Kiss kicked off this new era of live shows at the Paramount, however, the theater would need many system updates and repairs to bring it to the glory it enjoys today. Through most of the 1980s, the Paramount struggled with debt and was in need of these repairs. In the early 1990s, Ida Cole, a vice president at Microsoft, purchased the theater and helped initiate fundraising and renovations. Today, the theater is operated and owned by the Seattle Theatre Group and continues to show a variety of performances.
Events, Shows, and Concerts
The Paramount Theatre in Seattle has always been a venue for a variety of performances. Each season generally brings a mix of concerts by big headliners, local acts, plays or musicals, comedians, and musicians. Along with the 5th Avenue Theater and Key Arena, the Paramount is one of the largest venues in town so gets some of the biggest headliners.
Several performances at the Paramount have been recorded and released. These include a Grateful Dead concert from 1972 that was released as their “Download Series Volume 10” album; Soundgarden recorded their video “Motorvision” at the theatre in 1992; and Heart filmed their DVD “Heart: Alive in Seattle” in 2002 here.
Things to do Nearby
Like most places in downtown Seattle, the Paramount Theatre is not far from other things to do if you want to make an evening or day of your visit here.
If you want to get a little shopping done, Pacific Place is one of the Seattle malls located just two blocks away at 7th and Pine. Walk a little further and that will put you in the heart of downtown Seattle’s shopping area, close to Macy’s and Westlake Center.
If you want to enjoy lunch or dinner before or after your show, you are also in luck. There are many restaurants within a three-block radius of the theatre. For a nicer sit-down meal, look to Il Fornaio, located inside Pacific Place, which serves Italian food in a comfortable atmosphere. The Cheesecake Factory is located on Pike Street and has a large menu, but be aware that this is a popular stop so often has a wait to be seated. Other options include the Dragonfish Asian Café (Asian) and Elephant and Castle (English pub food).
If you just want a quick bite, La Creperie Voila is located on the Pike-side of the Convention Center. Seating is outside only, but the crepes here are very good and moderately priced. There are also a few cheap eateries in Pacific Place as well as a few Starbucks nearby, of course.
The Washington State Convention Center is also within two blocks of the theater, so if you are in Seattle for a convention, a show at the Paramount can be a convenient way to spend an evening.
Tickets and Seating
Seating at the Paramount is organized into either ground-floor or balcony-level seats. The ground seating is usually called Orchestra Level and has rows labeled A through Z, and then after that AA through KK. The Balcony has four sections—the Loge (for members only), as well as three levels of mezzanine seating. Most often, the third mezzanine are the cheapest seats for shows.
Tickets are available through ticket sellers such as Ticketmaster, but can also be purchased without a transaction fee at the box office in front of the theatre.
Parking and Directions
To get to the Paramount Seattle from North-bound I-5, take the Olive Way exit on the right side. Turn right onto Melrose. Turn right on Pine Street. The Paramount is on your left.
To get to the Paramount from south-bound I-5, take the Stewart Street exist. Follow Stewart to 9th Avenue. Turn left. Follow 9th to Pine Street.
There is no parking at the theatre itself, but there are pay lots located all around: at the 7th and Pike Street garage, the Convention Center has a lot with an entrance off of 8th, and Pacific Place has a lot as well. Parking on the streets is metered, but is free on Sundays and evenings after 6 p.m.
