The story
Gustave A. Dick and Alex Bauer designed the Oriental, which opened in 1927 as a movie palace with East Indian decor and two minaret towers. It is said to be the only movie palace that used East Indian artwork. It seats about 1,530.
In July 2018 the nonprofit Milwaukee Film began leasing the theater and running it. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
Everything that was here
- 1927–present · still open
The Oriental TheatreTheater
The Oriental, a 1927 movie palace with two minaret towers, is said to be the only one ever built with East Indian decor.
See the map in 1928 →
Did you know?
It holds the world record for continual showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
Its two minaret towers are part of the original 1927 design.
It was listed on the National Register in 2023.
Nearby history
Frenchy's Restaurant
1901 E North Avenue · 99 m away
Sally's Steak House
1028 E Juneau Avenue · 1.9 km away
John Ernst Cafe
600 E. Ogden Ave. · 2.3 km away
Valentin Blatz Brewing Company
1120 North Broadway · 2.4 km away
Schlitz Brewing Company
235 W Galena Street · 2.5 km away
Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company
221 West Galena Street · 2.5 km away
Know something about The Oriental Theatre? An old photo, a date, a memory of what stood here before?
Add it on the map