Arcata Theatre Lounge
Arcata Theatre Lounge is a historic Art Deco and Art Moderne cinema and mixed-use entertainment venue in Arcata, California.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Arcata Theatre Lounge is the operating identity associated with the historic Arcata Theatre, an entertainment venue in Arcata, Humboldt County, California. The building was commissioned by local theater operator George Mann and designed by architect William B. David in the late 1920s. Although the project originated in 1927, the theater opened to the public in 1938, with an opening-night presentation of Thin Ice, starring Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power. Its early programming followed the traditional American movie-palace model: feature films were supplemented by cartoons, newsreels, sports programming, and other attractions. At its height as a conventional cinema, the theater could present as many as six films a week. The building was designed in a combination of Art Deco and Art Moderne styles. Its interior originally featured geometric lighting, marine-themed decoration, painted clouds, and murals depicting mermaids and an imagined underwater garden. These motifs gave the theater a distinctive coastal and fantasy-oriented character, while the prominent exterior sign promoted the building as a gateway landmark for travelers entering Arcata. The venue's historic identity is closely tied to these architectural details, including circular lobby windows and decorative elements associated with the original auditorium. A major physical expansion took place in 1948. The auditorium was extended approximately 30 feet eastward, increasing its length by about one-third and bringing total capacity to roughly 900 seats. The original proscenium and screen were replaced with a larger CinemaScope screen. The remodeling also introduced acoustical plaster, new lighting, carpeting, seating with air cushions, and heating. Some of the original Art Deco borders and murals were concealed by the plaster and later alterations. During restoration work in the early 2000s, eight circular windows that had been covered during the 1948 remodeling were uncovered. The property remained a movie house through several ownership changes. David Phillips acquired it in 1982, and Robert White purchased it in 2000. Lara and Brian Cox bought the theater in May 2004 and pursued a more flexible entertainment model. They removed the permanent theater-style seating and installed platforms that could be rearranged for concerts, comedy, films, and other events. A bar was added at the rear of the auditorium, transforming the venue from a conventional cinema into a lounge-style performance space. Following these changes, it reopened in April 2009 as the Arcata Theatre Lounge. The mixed-use format broadened the venue's role in the local cultural economy. In addition to movie screenings, the space has hosted live music, comedy, and other entertainment. Its bar obtained a full liquor license in 2010, and published occupancy guidance has allowed up to 618 attendees depending on event configuration. Acts associated with the venue's live-music programming have included Riff Raff, Odesza, TroyBoi, and GRiZ. The venue therefore combines the functions of a historic theater, concert hall, nightclub, bar, and community entertainment space rather than operating solely as a first-run cinema. The property was listed for sale in August 2016 at $1,850,000 and sold in August 2019 to Timothy Overturf for $1,135,000. The broader Arcata Theatre Building has also contained small storefronts. Those spaces have housed a succession of local businesses, including a sweet shop, watch repair and jewelry businesses, an employment agency, an ice-cream shop, a beauty parlor, a real-estate office, an accounting office, and barbershops. The COVID-19 outbreak forced Terry's Bluegrass Barbershop to close permanently in April 2020; the storefront later became associated with a salon called Director's Cut. In 2020, a Diana the Huntress mural was added to the theater's rear wall, complementing an Art Deco figure also represented in the lobby's historic circular windows.
History
The Arcata Theatre originated in the late 1920s, when George Mann, who controlled theater businesses in the surrounding area, commissioned architect William B. David to design a new cinema in Arcata. Construction was reported to have cost between $40,000 and $60,000. The resulting building combined Art Deco and Art Moderne influences, reflecting the period's interest in streamlined geometry, theatrical spectacle, and modern technological design. The theater opened in 1938. Its first-night program featured Thin Ice, a film starring Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power. It quickly became an important local movie house, showing a regular schedule of feature films while also presenting cartoons such as Popeye and Betty Boop, news material, sports, and other supplementary attractions. The building's exterior sign was regarded as a prominent arrival marker for visitors entering Arcata, and its interior was conceived as an immersive decorative environment rather than a plain screening room. The auditorium's original ornament included painted clouds, marine imagery, geometric borders, and murals of mermaids or selkies rising from an imagined sea garden. Circular windows in the lobby provided views into the auditorium. These details expressed a fantasy version of ocean life and helped distinguish the building from more utilitarian cinemas. The architecture and decoration remain central to the theater's identity as a historic Arcata landmark. In 1948, the building underwent a substantial expansion. Approximately 30 feet was added to the east side, increasing the auditorium's length by about one-third and raising capacity to approximately 900 seats. The original proscenium and screen were removed in favor of a larger CinemaScope screen. The project also introduced acoustical plaster across the ceiling and much of the wall surface, together with new light fixtures, carpeting, air-cushion seats, and heating. These improvements modernized the cinema but covered much of the original decorative treatment, including some Art Deco borders and mural work. The theater continued operating as a movie house through later decades. David Phillips acquired the property in 1982, followed by Robert White in 2000. Lara and Brian Cox purchased it in May 2004 and initiated the most consequential change in its operating model. Permanent theater seating was removed and replaced with platforms, allowing the room to be configured for concerts, comedy performances, film showings, and other forms of entertainment. A bar was installed at the rear of the auditorium. After the conversion, the building reopened in April 2009 as the Arcata Theatre Lounge. The lounge format positioned the site as a multipurpose entertainment venue. It retained movie programming while adding live music, comedy, nightlife, and beverage service. A full liquor license was obtained in 2010. Depending on the arrangement of the room, published occupancy guidance has allowed up to 618 patrons. Performers associated with the venue have included Riff Raff, Odesza, TroyBoi, and GRiZ, illustrating the breadth of its contemporary music programming. The property was listed for sale in August 2016 for $1,850,000 and sold in August 2019 to Timothy Overturf for $1,135,000. The theater building also includes small storefronts whose occupants have changed repeatedly since the late 1930s. Businesses have included a sweet shop, watch repair and jewelry stores, an employment agency, an ice-cream shop, a beauty parlor, real-estate and accounting offices, and barbershops. Terry's Bluegrass Barbershop closed permanently in April 2020 after the COVID-19 outbreak forced its shutdown; a salon called Director's Cut later occupied the space. The building's decorative history has continued to evolve. In 2020, a Diana the Huntress mural was installed on the rear wall. Diana is a recurring Art Deco motif and is also represented in the historic circular windows in the lobby. Through its conversion from a conventional cinema to a lounge and live-event venue, the Arcata Theatre has preserved its role as a local gathering place while adapting its physical layout and programming to changing entertainment habits.
- 2020
Diana the Huntress mural added
[1]A mural depicting Diana the Huntress was installed on the theater's rear wall.
- 2019
Property sold to Timothy Overturf
[1]The property sold in August 2019 for a reported $1,135,000.
- 2016
Property listed for sale
[1]The property was listed with an asking price of $1,850,000.
- 2010
Full liquor license obtained
[1]The bar expanded its service with a full liquor license.
- 2009
Reopening as Arcata Theatre Lounge
[1]The converted venue reopened with platforms, a rear bar, and programming spanning films, concerts, comedy, and other events.
- 2004
Cox ownership and venue conversion begin
[1]Lara and Brian Cox purchased the theater and began adapting it for flexible entertainment uses.
- 2000
Robert White acquires the property
[1]Robert White purchased the theater.
- 1982
David Phillips acquires the theater
[1]The theater was sold to David Phillips and continued operating as a movie house.
- 1948
Auditorium expanded and modernized
[1]The auditorium was extended eastward, expanded to approximately 900 seats, and fitted with a larger CinemaScope screen and updated interior amenities.
- 1938
Arcata Theatre opens
[1]The theater opened with a presentation of Thin Ice, starring Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power.
Products and positioning
A historic, independently operated entertainment venue that combines cinema, concerts, comedy, nightlife, and bar service within a preserved Art Deco and Art Moderne theater.
Cinema programming · 1938
Film screenings
Film exhibition was the theater's original core activity and remained part of the venue's offering after its conversion into a lounge. The historic building began as a conventional cinema presenting feature films, cartoons, news, sports, and other screen attractions. Contemporary film programming operates alongside live entertainment rather than defining the venue exclusively.
Concert venue · 2009
Live music
The post-2009 platform-based layout allows the auditorium to host concerts and other live performances. The venue has presented a varied range of music acts, including electronic, hip-hop, and dance-oriented performers such as Odesza, TroyBoi, GRiZ, and Riff Raff.
Live entertainment · 2009
Comedy and special events
The flexible room is used for comedy shows and other entertainment events in addition to films and concerts. Removing fixed theater seating enabled different audience layouts and supported the venue's transition into a multipurpose community entertainment space.
Hospitality · 2009
Bar service
A bar was installed at the rear of the auditorium during the early-2000s conversion. The venue had a full liquor license from 2010, making beverage service a central part of its lounge and nightlife positioning.
Brand decisions
2010
Expand beverage serviceOtherBackground
The lounge model included a bar intended to support evening entertainment.
Action taken
The venue obtained a full liquor license.
Aftermath
Alcohol service became an established part of the venue's concert, nightlife, and event offering.
2009
Rebrand and reopen as Arcata Theatre LoungeStrategyBackground
The auditorium conversion created a format broader than conventional movie exhibition.
Action taken
The theater reopened under the Arcata Theatre Lounge name as a mixed-use entertainment and hospitality venue.
Aftermath
The venue became a local focal point for live music, comedy, movie screenings, and nightlife.
2004
Convert the cinema into a flexible entertainment venueStrategyBackground
Lara and Brian Cox acquired the theater while it was operating as a traditional movie house.
Action taken
They removed permanent theater seating, installed platforms for configurable layouts, and added a bar at the rear of the auditorium.
Aftermath
The venue reopened in 2009 as Arcata Theatre Lounge and expanded into concerts, comedy, nightlife, films, and other entertainment.
Recent events
- 2020
Historic theater mural added to rear wall[1]
Other
A mural depicting Diana the Huntress, a recurring Art Deco subject, was placed on the rear wall of the theater.
- 2019
Arcata Theatre property sold to Timothy Overturf[1]
M&A
The property changed ownership in August 2019 in a reported transaction valued at $1,135,000.
- 2016
Arcata Theatre property listed for sale[1]
Other
The theater property was placed on the market with an asking price of $1,850,000.
- 2010
Arcata Theatre Lounge receives full liquor license[1]
Other
The venue's mixed-use entertainment model expanded to include full-liquor bar service, supporting its development as a lounge and nightlife destination as well as a cinema and performance space.
- 2009
Arcata Theatre reopens as Arcata Theatre Lounge[1]
Other
After the auditorium was converted from fixed theater seating to a flexible platform-based layout and a bar was installed, the venue reopened under the Arcata Theatre Lounge identity for films, concerts, comedy, and other events.
Sources2 sources
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