San Francisco Theatres

Greetings!

Welcome to our exploration of San Francisco Theatres. You'll find pages on venues large and small, vintage and recent.

Are you on a phone or tablet and missing the list on the right? Scroll down to the bottom of this or any other post and click on "view web version" to see the right column list of theatres.

If you can't find what you're looking for in the right hand column, perhaps head to the listings of theatres by address or check out the alternate name list.

Thanks for visiting!

- Bill

The Castro Theatre: post-reopening interior views

429 Castro St. | map |

The Castro Theatre pages: history + exterior views | post-reopening interior views | 2024-2026 interior renovations | earlier interior views |

The theatre reopened February 6, 2026 with a sold out 35mm benefit screening of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

A busy bar on opening night. It's a shot from a 30 second video clip shared February 10 on the Castro Theatre Facebook page.

The lobby from house left. It's one of 23 photos included in a February 13 Facebook post from Matías Antonio Bombal taken during his visit for the February 12, 2026 premiere of "Pillion." He also included many comments about the renovation.

The sink area in the men's room, located in the basement space house left that had previously been the ladies room. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 2026

Another men's room shot. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 2026

Thanks to Michael Coleman for this opening night look across the new main floor seats. On the screen that night: "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

The lady gracing the base of the proscenium house left. Thanks to James Miller for sharing his February 7, 2026 photo in a post for the San Francisco Photography and Baghdad By the Bay San Francisco Facebook groups. The show that night was "D'Arcy's Drag+Disco."

David Hegarty coming up on the new lift opening night to show off the new organ console. The instrument wasn't yet ready to play. It's a shot from "Castro Theatre Reopening Ceremony and Gathering of Iconic Drag Stars," a 34 minute clip of the festivities on YouTube from San Francisco Bay Times.

Another angle on the organ console's ascent. It's a shot from the 30 second video clip shared February 10 on the Castro Theatre Facebook page.

The MGM logo on the curtain opening night. It's another shot from the San Francisco Bay Times video "Castro Theatre Reopening..." that's on YouTube

A February 12, 2026 screen view. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal

Above the proscenium. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 2026

The house right organ grille. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 2026

The restored house right sgraffito mural. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 2026

The ceiling in a blue mood. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 2026

The back of the house the afternoon of the first show. It's a shot from "SF's Historic Castro Theater reopens after a historic $41 mil renovation, " a two-and-a half minute video segment from KTVU Fox 2.

The back of the house before the February 12, 2026 premiere of "Pillion." Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal

A view from the balcony crossaisle. Photo: Matías Antonio Bombal - February 12, 2026. Thanks, Matías!

The ceiling in a green mood. Thanks to James Miller for sharing his February 7, 2026 photo in a post for the San Francisco Photography Facebook group. The show that night was "D'Arcy's Drag+Disco."

The chandelier going through its different color possibilities. Photo: James Miller - February 7, 2026 - San Francisco Photography Facebook group

A February 10, 2026 shot by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for Capitol Records taken during the opening night of Sam Smith's engagement. The photo appeared with "Platinum-selling artist called SF concert 'the most special' of their career," a SF gate review of the performance by Tamara Palmer.

The back of the balcony on reopening night. It's one of ten photos shared by the theatre in a February 7 post on the Castro Theatre Facebook page.

KRON covered the opening with "San Francisco’s historic Castro Theater reopens with ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ screening," a story that aired the afternoon of the event. See a short opening night video clip of the vertical sign on Facebook from David Perry and Associates. There's a 30 second video clip that includes opening night views shared on the Castro Theatre Facebook page on February 10.

KTVU Fox 2 had a two-and-a-half minute segment about the reopening festivities. The Bay Area Reporter reviewed the opening with their February 8 story "The Castro Theatre reopens: a stunning, spectacular, stupendous renewal." Aidin Vazari lets you know what to expect in "Castro Theatre: Everything you need to know before visiting the reopened S.F. landmark," his story for the Chronicle, updated on February 10. Thanks to Gary Meyer for spotting it.

Stories in the San Francisco Bay Times included "A New Chapter Begins for the Castro Theatre," "The Return of the Grand Dame of the Castro" and "Castro Theatre Reopening Ceremony and Gathering of Iconic Drag Stars." Another Planet Entertainment's Mary Conde and others were interviewed in "How the Reopening of SF’s Castro Theater Could Revitalize Nightlife," a February 11, 2026 KQED segment.

The Castro Theatre pages: back to top - post-reopening interior views | 2024-2026 interior renovations | earlier interior views | history + exterior views |

Also: Castro website | Castro Facebook page | Evergreene Architectural Arts/Castro |

The York Theatre

2885 24th St. | map |

Opening: Sometime around 1907. It's listed in the 1907-1908 edition of "Henry's Official Theatrical Guide" as at 24th and York. Henry's is on Google Books. They listed the managers as Bauer & Adamson.

Seating: 300 was the number given in the Henry's listing. 235 showed up on a later list.

The York was listed among the theatres that were participating in a Children's Hospital benefit in this article from the May 27, 1911 issue of The Film Index:

Thanks to Jack for locating this list via Internet Archive.

The theatre didn't get a listing in the 1911, 1912 or 1913 city directories.

The south side of 24th St. between Florida St. and York St. as seen page 617 of the 1914 Sanborn Map. The York Theatre is on the left, three buildings east of Florida, the street on the left side of the image. The Photoplay Theatre is toward the right, three buildings east of Bryant, the street running up the center of the image. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating this via the Library of Congress collection.

A closer look at the York Theatre block with Florida St. on the left and Bryant on the tight. The theatre is shown as "Moving Pictures" at 2885 24th.

Free movies at the York, Garrick and the Panama in 1913 as part of a land sales deal. Somehow they thought the York was at 24th and Howard:

Thanks to Art Siegel for locating this ad in the August 20, 1913 SF Call. The issue is on the website of the California Digital Newspaper Collection. They list the Garrick as Fillmore St. when it was actually on Ellis. The Panama they have as being on 24th St. We had two running under that name at the time, neither on 24th. One was at 1025 Market, the other was at 4621 Mission.

The York isn't listed in the 1914 city directory but is listed again in 1915.

Final closing: Evidently around 1925. Art notes that it's in the city directory that year, still with the 2885 address. It's not in the 1926 edition.

Status: It's been demolished. Art notes that it appears to be a different building appearing on the 1950 Sanborn map.

More information: There isn't any.

Nearby: Brava Theatre, 2781 24th -- also called the York for a spell | Photoplay Theatre, 2833 24th |

The Photoplay Theatre

2833 24th St. | map |

Opening: Sometime around 1914. It's on the 1914 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map as "Moving Pictures."

The south side of 24th St. between Florida St. and York St. as seen on page 617 of the 1914 Sanborn Map. The Photoplay is toward the right, three buildings east of Bryant, the street running up the center of the image. The York Theatre is on the left, three buildings east of Florida, the street on the left side of the image. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating this via the Library of Congress collection.

A closer look at the Photoplay block with Bryant on the left and York on the right. The theatre is shown as "Moving Pictures" at 2831 24th.

It's in the 1915 city directory it's listed as the Photo Play Theater with a 2833 24th address. It's not in the 1914 or earlier directories. In the 1916 city directory it's listed as the Photo-Play Theater, 2833 24th.

Look under "Mondays" for the theatre's listing in this February 28, 1916 SF Call ad for the Pathé serial "The Red Circle." Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it via the California Digital Newspaper collection.

The Photoplay was listed in a September 4, 1921 Paramount ad in the Chronicle as being at 24th and Bryant. The page is on Newsbank. It's also listed in a 1922 "Paramount Week" ad.

It's not in 1917 and 1918 directories. Art Siegel found it in the 1919 directory as "Photoplay Theatre Gus Geick mgr 2825-2835 24th." The 1920 through 1924 directories lists the Photoplay at 2825 24th.

Closing: Evidently the end was sometime around 1924. Art notes that it's not in the 1925 directory.

Status: It's been demolished. Art notes that the 1950 Sanborn shows a different building on the site.

More information: There isn't any

Nearby: Brava Theatre, 2781 24th | York Theatre, 2885 24th St. |

The Nickelodium

237-241 Church St. | map |

Opening: It was running by 1909. Sol Lesser was operating something called The Nickelodium Co. (no, not a typo) at this location in 1909. They were listed in the city directory that year with a 237 Church address.

The theatre appears with a 241 Church St. address in this detail from a page of the 1914 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating this in the Library of Congress collection. Note the second theatre, the Electric, two doors north. The angled street at the top is Market. The horizontal one in the upper right is 14th.

The Lessers are mentioned in "The Lessers Arrive," a section of an article on page 400 of the July 15, 1916 issue of Moving Picture World. It's on Google Books. Later, as the Golden Gate Film Exchange, they had offices at 964 Market, then at 44 Golden Gate Ave. and then moving to 166 Golden Gate Ave.

Closing: Sometime prior to 1919.

Both this theatre at 237-241 (#33a) and the Electric at 227 (#34) were vacant when this Sanborn Fire Insurance Map was annotated in 1919. Thanks to Art Sirgel for locating a PDF of this on some Amazon server.

Some of the 1919 notes for the annotated map page.

The theatre had been in a single-story building. The three-story structure in the center of this 1946 image was its replacement on the site. The Municipal Market to the left is the former Electric Theatre with its nickelodeon-style entrance arch filled in.

It's a detail from a shot taken by Municipal Railway photographer George Fanning that's in the SFMTA Photo Archive, their #D5139. We're looking south from Market St. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating this.

More information: See the page for the Electric Theatre, 227 Church St.

The Castro Theatre: 2024-2026 interior restoration

429 Castro St. | map |

The Castro Theatre pages: history + exterior views | earlier interior views | 2024-2026 interior renovations | post-reopening interior views |

March / April 2024:

The chandelier coming down for a rebuild by Phoenix Day, the company that originally constructed it. See photos and a video of their work on the Castro project on their Restoration page.

Looking in from the back of the main floor as scaffolding goes up for ceiling restoration. At the time, they were anticipating a mid-2025 reopening. It's a shot from "Restoration work at SF Castro Theatre starts..," a March 8, 2024 KTVU story and video from Amber Lee. The restoration work is being headed by Jeff Greene of EverGreene Architectural Arts.

Steven Bracco has a fine shot looking in from the back of the main floor that he included in a April 6, 2024 Facebook post of thirteen photos. Also see "The century old Castro Theatre in SF undergoes a $15 million renovation," a March 25 story and video from ABC 7.

A look to house right. Image: KTVU - March 2024

The murals house right. Image: KTVU - March 2024

A mural detail after cleaning. Thanks to Jeff Greene, the head of EverGreene Architectural Arts, for sharing this photo, as well as six others that appear on the page, in a March 8, 2024 Facebook post.

A sidewall mural detail. These panels were executed using a technique called sgraffito, a process whereby scratching through a top layer of stucco or plaster reveals a contrasting color layer underneath. Photo: Jeff Greene - March 2024

Another mural feature. Photo: Jeff Greene - March 2024

A drapery detail. Image: KTVU - March 2024

The front exit house right. Image: KTVU - March 2024

A nice look at the ante-proscenium area. Thanks to Steven Bracco for sharing his photo. It's one of 13 he included in an April 6 Facebook post.

A vista from the balcony. Image: KTVU - March 2024

Looking back toward the booth. Thanks to Steven Bracco for sharing his photo. It's one of 13 he included in an April 6 Facebook post.

A fine shot taken in the balcony by Astrid Kane for her misleadingly-titled April 4, 2024 story for the San Francisco Standard: "Castro Theatre reveal: $15 million renovation finds 100-year-old arch no one knew existed." The arch in question was the original proscenium, hardly a secret. The Standard also has a short video taken during their visit that's on Facebook.

A view up just a bit higher taken by John Ferrannini that appears with his April 5, 2024 Bay Area Reporter story "Public will be able to purchase much-debated SF Castro Theatre seats." The proceeds from sale of the old main floor seats will be donated to Oasis Arts and the Castro Organ Devotees Association.

Up on the "dance floor" as cleaning was beginning. Mary Conde, project manager for Another Planet Entertainment is with Amber Lee of KTVU and Jeff Greene, head of Evergreene Architectural Arts. Image: KTVU - March 2024

A wider ceiling view. Image: KTVU - March 2024

The panoramic shot toward the proscenium. Photo: Jeff Greene - March 2024

Jeff inspecting an area at the back edge of the "tented" ceiling. Image: KTVU - March 2024

Finding Asian motifs, including dragons, on the ceiling. Image: KTVU - March 2024

A worker from EverGreene cleaning part of the ceiling. Photo: Jeff Greene - March 2024

A look at another section of the ceiling. Photo: Jeff Greene - March 2024

One of many areas needing restoration. This shot, as well as the two below, are from a short March 4, 2024 video from APE appearing on the Castro Theatre Facebook page.

A typical area of painted ceiling detail requiring repair. Image: Castro Theatre Facebook page video - March 4, 2024

A lady in distress. Image: Castro Theatre Facebook page video - March 4, 2024

A ceiling detail by John Ferrannini appearing with his April 5, 2024 Bay Area Reporter story "Public will be able to purchase much-debated SF Castro Theatre seats." The article comments on the ceiling work:

"Atop the scaffolding, Conde [Mary Conde, the APE senior VP in charge of the project] pointed to the work that architect Timothy Pflueger had painted on the ceiling, featuring figures drawn from various Asian cultures. He may have been making a political statement, she said. While Orientalism gripped American popular culture, it was also a time of heavy restrictions on immigration, including a complete ban on Chinese immigration via the Chinese Exclusion Act. 'In 1922, the movie theaters were trying to create a place to escape,' Conde said. 'They wanted to create a fantasy land. We're not 100% sure; he may have been trying to make a political statement that these were beautiful cultures.'

"A previous effort to save the art, however, has helped facilitate its demise. 'When things shifted after the [Loma Prieta] earthquake in 1989, they were trying to help it stay in place,' Conde said, leading to polyurethane being added to the ceiling. The paintings — as well as fixtures such as gold leaf-flaked cherubs suspended on the wall — had already long been caked with soot from cigarette smoke and run-of-the-mill dust. That polyurethane is visibly peeling. 'It was too heavy,' Conde said, then pointing to the ceiling, 'It was the wrong product — so that's the plaster falling apart.'

"To restore the paintings, 'they are going to have to do tracings of the detail and replicate the parts that have been damaged,' Conde said. 'All of this artwork is hand painted. They [the restorers] are going with a microscope and really analyzing what the colors in the 1920s were.' The restoration work is being done by EverGreene Architectural Arts, Conde said, which has worked in 48 of America's 50 state capitol buildings."

Another strange creature on the ceiling. Thanks to Astrid Kane for the photo, one appearing with her April 4, 2024 story for the San Francisco Standard.

Along the house right wall. The gladiator panel has the look of something done during a "moderne" renovation project. Image: KTVU - March 2024

Jeff talking with KTVU's Amber Lee about all the dirt and stains on some of the plasterwork. Image: KTVU - March 2024

Another angle on the ornament adjacent to one of the gladiator panels above the organ grille area. Photo: Jeff Greene - March 2024. Thanks, Jeff!

The center of the ceiling, with chandelier removed. Image: KTVU - March 2024

The proscenium plasterwork, on the left, protected with plywood. Image: KTVU - March 2024

A lovely look down onto the original proscenium. The hole in the back wall was created to accommodate the speaker systems when the theatre went to talkies c.1928. Note the chains at the front of the ante-proscenium that had supported the larger screen that had been installed farther forward. Thanks to Astrid Kane for the photo, one appearing with her April 4, 2024 story for the San Francisco Standard. Also see a short video taken during the Standard's visit that's on Facebook.

A centerline view to the stage taken by Steven Bracco. That floor pattern is original. See Steven's April 6, 2024 Facebook post for a dozen more photos he took during his visit.

August 2024:

Trenching in the lobby for the new bar. Thanks to Mark Almanza-Soldryk for this late August photo as well as the many others appearing on this page. He shared them in a series of posts on the BAHT Facebook page: post 1 | post 2 | post 3 | post 4 | post 5 |

The back of the main floor. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Along the house right wall toward the stage. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Up on the 'dance floor" looking at the restored ceiling. That dark void is the area beyond the main ceiling above the back of the balcony. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

A view toward one of the side walls. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

The restored section of the ceiling along the top of the ante-proscenium. We're looking toward house left. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

One of the Oriental-themed portraits. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Another area after restoration. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Another Oriental figure. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

House left, above the organ grille area. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

A corner detail. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Column capitals on the house left side of the proscenium. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Decorative work in the ante-proscenium area. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Toward the area above the house right organ grille. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

Restored elements above the house right organ grille. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - August 2024

September / October 2024:

A look at the center of the restored ceiling by Josh Withers Photography. It was part of a September 12 "before and after" post on the Castro Theatre Facebook page.

A collage of some of the restored portraits on the main ceiling. Photo: Josh Withers - Castro Theatre Facebook page - September 12

The scaffolding down at last. Thanks to Mark Almanza-Soldryk for sharing this shot as well as the two below in an October 7 post on the BAHT Facebook page.

The house left organ grille. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - October 2024

The sgraffito mural house right. Photo: Mark Almanza-Soldryk - October 2024

A wide view to house left. Thanks to Jeff Greene for sharing this one in an October 2024 Evergreene Architectural Arts Facebook post. Also see a number of comments when this was shared on the BAHT Facebook page.

May / June 2025:

In the lobby looking toward the entrance doors. It's a shot from a June 3 Facebook reel by Austin Klar. Thanks to Rena Azevedo Kiehn for spotting the post. It's also on Instagram.

The house left end of the lobby. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Another view to the house left side of the lobby. It's a shot from a 2+ minute video that appeared as a June 27 post on the Castro Theatre Facebook page. The piece focuses on the partnership APE had during the renovations with BuildIT, a LGBTQ construction industry association.

Looking in to the back of the main floor. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

A view to the stage. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Across the back of the main floor. Work was continuing on the dig for the new seating platforms. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

The back wall. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

Trenching across the middle of the auditorium. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Work in one of the organ grill areas. It's a photo by Lea Suzuki for the S.F. Chronicle that appeared with "Castro Theatre’s renovation could revive the iconic S.F. neighborhood. But a new backlash is building," Laura Waxmann's May 17 article. Thanks to Mike Hume for spotting it.

The house left proscenium columns. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

A column capital detail. The back wall. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

The long-hidden inner proscenium and work under the stage. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Working on the dig in front of the stage. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

A look to the hole from up in the balcony. It's another shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

A view from house right. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

A look to stage left. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Under the stage, looking to stage left. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

End of the basement offstage left. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

A look up. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

Across the stage. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Upstage, behind the inner proscenium. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

The vista toward the rear of the house. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

"Carpenter Justin Diaz does a survey under the decorative ceiling inside the Castro Theatre during its renovation." Photo: Lea Suzuki for the Chronicle - May 17

In the balcony level lobby. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

Another balcony lobby shot. On the right it's the entrance to the house right side of the balcony. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

A look down from the front of the balcony. That's carpenter Joshua Morales on the scaffolding. Photo: Lea Suzuki for the Chronicle - May 17.

A view to the stage from the middle of the balcony. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

A closer look at the inner proscenium. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

Tents around the scaffolding in areas near the proscenium while restoration work was underway. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

The back of the balcony house right. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

A view back to the booth. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

The back corner of the balcony house left. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025

The chandeliers for the upper section of the balcony in the shop at Phoenix Day, the company that originally built them. See photos and a video of their work for the Castro project on their Restoration page.

A ceiling vista. Image: Austin Klar - June 2025. See his video on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks!

In the attic. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

Another attic view. It's a shot from the June 2025 APE/BuildIT video.

A look to the center of the dome and the platform for the chandelier's winch. It's another shot from the 2+ minute video that appeared as a June 27 post on the Castro Theatre Facebook page. The piece focuses on the partnership APE had during the renovations with BuildIT, an LGBTQ construction industry association.

July 2025:

"Let there be light." The rebuilt chandelier returns. This shot of them taking part of it out of the truck, as well as many of those below, are from a 90 second July 9 video on the Castro Theatre Facebook page.

The chandelier dates from 1937, a replacement installed after a fire. It was rebuilt by Phoenix Day, the company that originally constructed it. See photos and another video on their Restoration page. The Phoenix Day video is also on YouTube. Also involved in the project was the design collective Lightswitch.

A section coming in through a side door. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

Another section coming in. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

Attaching the top part to the cable. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

The wiring harness. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

Adding another section. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

The top going up. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

Adding the middle of the fixture. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

The new LED arrays in the bottom section. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

Another look at the interior. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

A test before full assembly. Photo: Phoenix Day

Getting the bottom piece in place. Photo: Phoenix Day

Another electrical test before raising it. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

Getting winched up. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

A test with the chandelier in place. Image: "Let There Be Light" - Castro Theatre on FB

A closer look. Image: "Let There Be Light" video - Castro Theatre on FB

A view of the bagged chandelier and lots of construction action onstage. It's a July 10 photo that was shared in a July 23 Evergreene Architectural Arts Facebook post.

A ceiling view. Photo: Evergreene Architectural Arts - July 10

Some of the painted detail on the ceiling above the upper section of the balcony. Photo: Evergreene Architectural Arts - July 10

November / December 2025:

A proscenium shot from an 8 minute Engineering News-Record video that can be seen on YouTube. It was part of Scott Blair's November 2025 ENR article "Castro Theatre Team Reinvents a San Francisco Icon." Thanks to Bob Ristelhueber and Gary Meyer for spotting the story.

The ongoing work for the floor terracing project. It's another shot from the November 2025 ENR video.

Working on new decking for the bar area at the rear of the main floor. It's a photo by Paul Kuroda appearing with "Second act for a queer icon: San Francisco’s Castro Theatre relaunches at pivotal moment," a December 2025 story by Kevin Rector for the L.A. Times.

Thanks to David Perry and Associates for sharing this photo and two that appear below in a December 4 post on the BAHT Facebook page.

A detail taken from the David Perry photo showing the new lighting truss below the sounding board. Note the chains coming down from new hanging points in the auditorium. We see the chain motors in the next shot.

A look to the rear of the house. Photo: David Perry and Associates

Work continuing on the walls up in the balcony. Photo: David Perry and Associates

Installing an air conditioning condensate line under the stage. It's a Paul Kuroda photo appearing with "Second act for a queer icon: San Francisco’s Castro Theatre relaunches at pivotal moment," the December 2025 story by Kevin Rector for the L.A. Times.

January 2026:

The console for the new digital organ. It pops up through the center of the stage on a new lift. A sliding panel covers the opening when the console is down. Thanks to David Perry and Associates for sharing the photo in a February 1, 2026 post on the BAHT Facebook page. Behind the console note part of the speaker arrays for film sound.

February 2026:

The lobby on February 4, two days before the opening. It's a shot from "Tour of the Newly Restored & Renovated Castro Theatre," a ten minute San Francisco Bay Times video that's on You Tube. David Perry was leading the tour and discussing the project.

Inside the front doors. Thanks to Jay Barmann for sharing this photo and others appearing here. They appeared with "The Castro Theatre Reopens Today, and We Have Photos," his February 6, 2026 article for SFist. And thanks to Mike Hume for spotting the story. Visit his Historic Theatre Photography site for thousands of great photos as well as historical data concerning the many theatres he's documented in the Bay Area and elsewhere.

Coming down the house right stairs. The image is from the February 4 "Tour of the Newly Restored..." the San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

Working on the bar on February 4. It's another shot from "Tour of the Newly Restored..." the San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

A look in toward the auditorium from a one-minute pre-opening KQED video clip was spotted by Gary Meyer on YouTube.

A look to the house left end of the lobby. Image: KQED video clip - February 2026

The sink area of the new men's room, in the basement house left. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6. In a February 5 San Francisco Standard article Astrid Kane commented: "In a big change, the former men’s room is now the women’s room, and the women’s room is now a 'men’s/unisex' room. Each has more stalls and urinals, doubling the theater’s facilities and, in theory, preventing those long, snaking queues from forming during intermission."

Stocking the main floor bar for opening night. It's in three sections so it can be wheeled into the auditorium when it's not an event using seating on the main floor. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

A February 4 view from the back of the house by Rick Gerharter that appeared with "Castro Theatre readies for grand reopening," a story by John Ferrannini for the Bay Area Reporter.

The house left mural. It's a February 4 photo by Douglas Zimmerman that appeared with "A first look inside the $41 million transformation of a 104-year-old San Francisco icon," Amanda Bartlett's February 5 SF Gate article.

The restored ceiling. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

A ceiling detail. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

Proscenium work house right. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

Working on one of the lighting trusses. Beyond, it's a view of the long-covered inner proscenium. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

In front of the stage on February 5, the day before the opening. It's a photo by Lea Suzuki that appeared with "Castro Theatre: Everything you need to know before visiting the reopened S.F. landmark," a Chronicle story by Aidin Vazari that he updated on February 10.

A look to stage left. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

A look across with the screen partially deployed. It's on a roller since the house lacks fly capability. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

A view of the roller screen from farther back. Image: KQED video clip - February 2026

The proscenium maiden house left. It's a February 4 photo appearing with "The Castro Theatre reopens Friday: We got a first peek inside," Astrid Kane's February 5 article for the SF Standard. Thanks to Gary Meyer for spotting the story.

A wider look at the ornament house left. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

The ceiling at the house left side of the proscenium. Photo: Astrid Kane - SF Standard - February 4

The inner proscenium -- and backwall hole. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

A shot giving a better sense of the area behind the inner proscenium. It's from the February 4 "Tour of the Newly Restored..." San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

Ornament on the stage left side of the inner proscenium. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

Offstage left. It's a shot from the February 4 "Tour of the Newly Restored..." San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

A new shower and toilet room off left. It's another shot from the "Tour of the Newly Restored..." San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

One of the new basement dressing rooms. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

The new seat and riser situation. It's a February 4 photo by Rick Gerharter appearing with the BAR article "Castro Theatre readies...." Thanks to Marc Heustis for sharing it in a February 4 Facebook post where it got many comments. And thanks to Lisa Kouza Braddock for spotting the post.

A fine view showing several of the levels of risers retracted. It's from the February 4 "Tour of the Newly Restored..." San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

A wider look to house right. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

The main floor seats get their closeup. It's one of six photos David Perry and Associates shared in their February 4 post on the BAHT Facebook page. The risers are motorized and slide back for concert events resulting in fewer levels than when deployed for theatre seating.

Another look at the new seats. Photo: Astrid Kane - SF Standard - February 4

A look to the rear of the house on February 4. Photo: Astrid Kane - SF Standard

A February 4 view from the house right end of the upstairs lobby. It's a shot from David Perry's "Tour of the Newly Restored & Renovated Castro Theatre," a ten minute San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

The new bar in the upstairs lobby. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

A light fixture in the upstairs lobby. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

A view from the balcony crossaisle. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

A view from house left taken from the February 4 "Tour of the Newly Restored..." San Francisco Bay Times video on You Tube.

A look over the edge. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

A ceiling detail. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

A shot shared by David Perry in a February 4 post on the BAHT Facebook page.

Up one of the balcony aisles. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6

Vintage seating remaining above the crossaisle. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman - SF Gate - February 4

A detail of the ceiling above the balcony. Photo: Jay Barmann - SFist - February 6. Thanks, Jay!

The Century JJ2s in the booth. It's another February 4 Douglas Zimmerman photo that appeared with "A first look inside the $41 million transformation of a 104-year-old San Francisco icon," Amanda Bartlett's February 5 SF Gate article. Thanks!

The theatre reopened February 6, 2026 with a sold out 35mm benefit screening of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." Note the scope lens in projector #2.

The Castro Theatre pages: back to top - 2024-2026 interior restoration | history + exterior views | earlier interior views | post-reopening interior views |

Also: Castro website | Castro Facebook page | Evergreene Architectural Arts/Castro |