Alcazar Theatre

Stepping into 1917, imagine San Francisco buzzing with excitement. The Shriners, a fraternal organization known for their elaborate ceremonies and charitable work, were unveiling their magnificent new temple. The Alcazar Theatre, as we know it today, began its life not as a stage for plays and musicals, but as this very temple. Designed by architect T. Patterson Ross, the building cost a staggering $150,000. It was designed in the Exotic Revival style, resembling an Islamic temple. The June 1917 edition of Architect and Engineer magazine described the Alcazar Theatre as “an adaptation from Alhambra, a building that stands as the highest mark of Arabian art and civilization.” The Shriners held court here until 1970. But the story of the Alcazar Theatre doesn’t begin here. There’s a fascinating history involving two earlier theaters, also named Alcazar, that graced San Francisco’s stages. The original Alcazar Theatre, located at 114 O’Farrell Street, opened in 1885. Sadly, it met its demise in the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire. A second Alcazar Theatre rose from the ashes in 1911 at 260 O’Farrell Street. It thrived as a legitimate theatre for years, eventually becoming a movie house and finally meeting the wrecking ball in 1962. In 1976, the former Shriner’s temple at 650 Geary Street adopted the Alcazar name. It became the third theatre to bear this title. This Alcazar Theatre has seen its own share of transformations. In 1982, it was gutted and then beautifully renovated, reopening in 1993. Today, the Alcazar Theatre boasts a seating capacity of 511. It continues to entertain audiences with touring Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, along with a variety of other shows. In 1989, the Alcazar Theatre earned its rightful place as a San Francisco Designated Landmark.