Charline Mccombs Empire Theatre

Beautiful, small facility. Came to see Magik Theatre preform here. We bought our tickets online. Chairs were comfy. Bathroom was downstairs but It was clean. Parking is close by. Good restaurants close by.

I like this theater. It’s cozy, comfortable, and I love coming here to watch Cornyation every year.
There is a bar on each level (although, first floor bar may be faster-​more bartenders compared to floor two’s single server).
Ive never had to wait long to get inside.
My only complaint is that the bathrooms are downstairs/​underground. So if you’ve got the urge to go, you better book it; there can also be lines.
There’s not really a bad view in the house, which is great.

I was recently there for a conference that last 7 hours. The theater is obviously very beautiful but you would expect that a theater of this type would have theater seats. Instead, they have regular chairs. That was the only disappointing thing.

On my treks around San Antonio can’t count how many times I’ve walked past this place and have never gotten the chance to step inside, until now. This theatre really is quite beautiful! It’s a big surprise in a small package. All of the staff members we came in contact with greeted us with a smile, friendly banter and helpful attitudes. We were shown where our seats were and though I know better, I sat and eavesdropped as two ushers discussed the theatre’s architecture. And because as everyone knows when you eavesdrop you don’t always get the info in full or correct, I went home and looked up the theatre for myself.
It was built back in 1913, in 1921 it went through 9ft flood damage, which wasn’t properly handled and left to suffer. Eventually closed it’s doors in 1978 but was reborn and restored to it’s forgotten beauty ten years later with the help of San Antonio and the Las Casas Foundation. If you’d like to read more, check out
I found it a very interesting read! All in all my first visit to the Empire Theatre was wonderful. The architecture was inspiring, and makes you feel transported to a past time and place where going to the theatre was more the special occasion norm than it is today.
The performance I was able to see was by violinist Charles Yang. Who is a very funny and talented young man! He has such a passion for music that while listening you catch yourself not wanting him to stop playing. And when the time came, you are only hungry for more!
My hope is to visit the Empire Theatre again so I can enjoy the beauty and history of it’s architecture and check out a new performance to become a new fan of. One thing is for sure I’m a big fan of the Empire Theatre!

This theater reminds us of the smaller, older theaters on Broadway. The floor seats are not permanent. The architecture is simple. Bar has no fountain beverages — cans only. Staff are a bit more «casual» than at other theaters. It’s a basic theater that gets the job done.

What a great restoration job! We went to a production of Opera Piccola and were pleased by the formal yet intimate setting. Seats were more comfortable than most and lighting /​sound were above average.
During intermission, the bar at the back of the theater was open.
One negative– they do not have rest rooms on the theater level– instead you can take the steep stairs (as described by the usher) or the elevator. Not a problem– but don’t come last minute and expect to get in a quick trip to the ladies’ room prior to the show.

The word «empire» alone evokes visions of grandeur and flare. Well, the Empire Theatre’s got all that and more.
I first visited the theatre to see Cornyation (a hilarious and puro San Antonio Fiesta experience, you should go if you haven’t) and immediately fell in love just waiting in line to get in! Houston Street is probably my favorite downtown street, what with The Majestic, Hotel Valencia, Bohanan’s, Acénar all sharing the Houston Street address. If the line is long enough for your show, it’ll wrap around the bustling corner of St. Mary’s and Houston, and there’s nothing I love more than hanging out in excitement waiting for a show in a busy downtown.
Upon entering, the theatre itself is quite breathtaking. A different décor theme than it’s sister theatre, The Majestic, but pretty in it’s own right. Three levels provide ample seating, and rows of chairs at the floor level can be removed for standing room for concerts or even banquet tables for groups. Stairs are steep, providing inadvertent sobriety tests (yes, they do serve booze), but there’s also an elevator if the stairs look daunting.
While the types of shows the host vary, I’m confident in saying you’ll never have a bad time at the Empire!

This is a historic gem of a theater in the heart of Downtown San Antonio!
It has been beautifully restored to its former glory, with lush carpeting, beautiful architectural motifs, and wonderful air conditioning! Seriously, the A/​C here is so powerful, you can feel it blasting across the street when the doors are opened! LOVE IT!
There are two levels of mezzanines, but not a bad seat in the whole house! If you’re lucky, they have seats on the 1^st mezzanine with a place to put a plate of food, or put your feet up. (Not sure if you’re supposed to do that)
It’s a bit weird that the only restrooms in the house that I could find were down in the basement, with the dressing rooms. But they are ample, and very clean.
The staff here was very professional, and kept their eyes on things as the evening progressed.
If you get the chance to catch a show or an event here, don’t pass it up! It’s a testament to San Antonio’s former glory days, and the McCombs have done a spectacular job of refurbishing it.

Had a great time with a great group of people for a killer Unilocal event. So happy to have been able to attend. Hope to get to attend another one.