Enmore Theatre

This article is part of our local series, where we highlight local venues, parks and attractions near our clinics. Learn more about Marrickville by clicking here.

All You Need to Know Before Visiting The Enmore Theatre

Located on the historic King Street, Enmore Theatre is undeniably one of Sydney's most beautiful theatres. The theatre is the longest running live theatre in Sydney. The theatre plays host to live music performances, film festivals, comedy shows, and so much more. It is a popular destination for both the locals and visitors that want to rock the night away as many of the work biggest comedians and indie acts to book in here when they are on tour.

One of the most distinct aspects of the Enmore Theatre is its unique art deco, which has earned it a place on the Historic Buildings Register. And this has made the theatre a great social significance for the Enmore community. While the prestige and size of the Enmore Theatre are strong enough to attract big acts, the performance space remains intimate and cozy. 

The combination of an immense front-of-house system and the theatre’s traditional acoustics also results in exceptional sound, which makes the theatre one of Sydney's premier live venues. Enmore Theatre has its own bar, and the surrounding streets offer a great-value pub a-plenty and eateries to fuel up in before or after a show. On the scale of things, the Enmore Theatre is a medium-sized venue, with a capacity of up to 2500 guests and 1630 seated.

History of Enmore Theatre

Enmore Theatre was built in 1908 and opened to the public in 1912 as a photoplay theatre. The theatre was later bought by the Szarka Brothers and underwent a major renovation, which included private boxes as well as comfortable seating and an open view of the screen and the stage. In 1936, the theatre was sold to Hoyts, who made more restorations. During the 30s and 40s, the Newtown area was cluttered with at least eight theatres, but during the 60s, there was a decline in attendances, which caused a lot of the theatres to close.

In 1967, the theatre was sold to the Louis Film Company who used it to screen films. And during the 90s, the theatre also undergoes more restorations and renovations to become less of a cinema and more of a theatre catering for live performances such as music concerts, drama, and comedy acts. Over the years, major names have performed at Enmore Theatre, which include The Rolling Stones, KISS, Coldplay, and Kylie Minogue.

Enmore Theatre Events in 2021

2021 might be a great year for local artists, due to the restricted travel around the world. Enmore Theatre is reopening with a surprise new facelift and the theatre relaunch promises a fresh experience for everyone. The owners decided to use the lockdown period to bring forward a planned refurbishment of the theatre.

The theatre is poised to host some huge local acts, and you should also be on the look-out for a host of international artists when they have the chance to come to Australia. Enmore Theatre is a mainstay for both local and international performers and will be a significant part of the return to unrestricted nightlife and full capacity concerts.