The 5th Avenue Theatre

Theaters touring bandhistoric

The 5th Avenue Theatre is a 2,130-seat nonprofit performing arts venue in downtown Seattle's Skinner Building. Opened in 1926, the theater features Chinese-inspired interiors designed by Gustav Liljestrom. It operates as a producing house, developing original musicals and presenting touring Broadway productions. The venue is managed by Seattle Theatre Group (STG) and is available for private event rentals through STG. Wheelchair accessible with elevator access, open captioning, ASL interpretation, and assistive listening devices for all productions.

Not available for private event rentals

This venue is listed because it hosts entertainers or is available for another rental type.

Historic note: Opened September 24, 1926, designed by Robert C. Reamer with Chinese-themed interiors by Gustav Liljestrom. Cost over $1 million to build. Opened 8 months before Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Located in the Skinner Building on land originally part of the University of Washington campus. In 2025, formed strategic alliance with Seattle Theatre Group for venue management.

Capacity

Seated(?) 2,130

Theater(?) 2,130

Facilities

Stage(?) Yes

Green Room(?) Yes

Loading Dock(?) Yes

Parking No dedicated parking lot; Motif Hotel garage northwest of theatre (entrance on 5th Ave); Hilton garage is closest with underground tunnel access to theatre; multiple downtown parking garages nearby

Accessible(?) Wheelchair accessible seating on main floor; elevator access (unlike some other historic Seattle theaters); open captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted performances for all shows; complimentary assistive listening devices and Braille playbills; serves 4,500+ disabled patrons annually; ADA-compliant wall-mounted handrails installed

Audio / Visual

Sound System(?) Yes

Lighting Rig(?) Yes

AV System(?) Yes

Full Broadway-grade production facility. Technical specs and loading dock schematic available at stgpresents.org/stg-venues/5th-avenue-theatre/5th-avenue-theatre-technical-info/

Entertainment Booking

Policy in-house

Contact (206) 682-1414 / boxoffice@stgpresents.org

STG produces and programs all events; bookings are through STG. // TODO: apply same entertainment_booking treatment to other large STG houses in Seattle (Paramount, Moore, Neptune, etc.)

Contact

Website www.5thavenue.org/

Email GuestServices@5thavenue.org

Phone (206) 625-1900

Spaces (2)

Main Theater

Stunning Chinese Imperial-style auditorium with 2,130 seats. Broadway touring shows and concerts. Contact STG for rental info.

Cap: 2130

Lobby

Grand theater lobby for receptions and pre-show events. Contact STG for rental info.

Cap: 500