In the 1800s, it was a Russian Orthodox Cathedral—now this historic San Francisco theater hosts an array of captivating performances from close-up magic to jazz nights

Save

Share

Blanca Gonzalez

 –  Staff Writer

 ·  October 28, 2026

Add us as a preferred source

On the edge of San Francisco’s North Beach sits a curious historic site that has been known by many names and fulfilled many purposes. Originally built as a Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the site also served as a movie theater and opera house before being abandoned in the 1990s. Today, performers of all kinds grace the Palace Theater’s stage, offering unforgettable nights of immersive theater, close-up magic, and jazz.

The Forgotten History of the Palace Theater

Decades before the Palace Theater opened, its location on San Francisco’s Broadway was home to the stunning Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The original 1888 building was sadly destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, and was later rebuilt as a theater for the first time in 1909. The Washington Square Theater, as it was known at the time, set the precedent for the venue’s continued use as an entertainment space for the following decades.

While it continued to entertain, the venue underwent several transformations throughout the 20th century. The Washington Square Theater became the Milano Theater, then the Palace Theater, the Pagoda Palace and later just the Palace. During this time, the theater offered both movies and live theater, sometimes simultaneously, and even became the home of the iconic drag troupe the Cockettes.

What happened to the Palace Theater?

The ’90s were a difficult time for the San Francisco landmark, which had become a repertory movie theater and suffered from low attendance. The building was stripped and gutted for use as a retail space, losing all of its original Art Deco elements, but remained empty as several plans to re-purpose it fell through. After 20 years of sitting vacant, the old theater building was torn down in 2013.

In a surprising turn of events, construction began on the site in 2016, and what was once a center for arts and culture became a block of luxury condominiums. The theatrical history of the space is not all lost, though…

What is the Palace Theater Today?

The theater is back and open for business—but only for those who know where to find it. Today, the theater’s entrance is hidden in plain sight, and the underground venue features a maze of rooms, stages, and bars. The locale’s mysterious atmosphere makes it the perfect space for immersive music and theater experiences, including a series of 1920s-themed jazz concerts on offer this season.

Visit San Francisco’s Palace Theater at 644 Broadway for an incredible night of intrigue and immerse yourself in the city’s entertainment history.