Riverside Theater
A 2,480-seat historic concert hall and former movie theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Riverside Theater is a historic live-entertainment venue in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The building opened on April 29, 1928, as part of the Empire Building, a twelve-story office and theater complex commissioned by RKO Pictures. Designed by Milwaukee architects Charles Kirchhoff and Thomas Rose in a French Baroque style, it was originally intended for a mixed program of vaudeville, big-band performances, and motion pictures. Over time, its role shifted toward cinema, and by the 1950s it was used primarily for first-run movies. The theater changed hands and operating arrangements several times during the twentieth century. The Empire Building was sold in 1962 to Towne Realty, an organization now associated with Zilber Ltd., while the theater was leased to United Artists. In 1966, a cigarette thrown by a patron onto the stage caused a fire that destroyed important decorative elements, including the ornate ceiling and theater curtains. During the 1970s, the venue deteriorated and increasingly showed lower-budget B-movies as multiplex cinemas drew audiences away from traditional single-screen theaters. United Artists declined to renew its lease in 1982, and the Riverside closed. A major preservation effort led by Joseph Zilber subsequently returned the building to active use. Zilber committed $1.5 million to renovate the theater and also supported restoration of its original Wurlitzer theater organ. The Riverside reopened on November 2, 1984, this time as a live-performance venue rather than a conventional cinema. That transition established the operating identity it retains today: a mid-sized room for touring musicians, comedians, and other stage productions. In 2005, the venue was leased to the Pabst Theater Foundation, now known as the Pabst Theater Group. Under that stewardship, the Riverside received artistic and facility improvements. Additional work carried out between 2015 and 2016 included replacement of the carpeting, stage floor, and seating. The exterior was also updated with a new marquee and a 40-foot vertical sign designed to evoke the theater's historical appearance. The Riverside has a stated seating capacity of approximately 2,480 people. Its present business is centered on ticketed live events, including concerts, comedy performances, and other shows. It functions as one venue within Milwaukee's historic theater and concert infrastructure rather than as a national consumer brand. Its enduring appeal combines a large-capacity downtown room, a preserved theatrical setting, and the programming and event-management capabilities of the Pabst Theater Group.
History
Riverside Theater opened in Milwaukee on April 29, 1928. It was commissioned by RKO Pictures and incorporated into the Empire Building, a twelve-story office complex. Local architects Charles Kirchhoff and Thomas Rose designed the theater in a French Baroque style. Its early programming was broad, encompassing vaudeville, big-band entertainment, and films, reflecting the hybrid use common among major urban theaters of the period. During the 1950s, the Riverside increasingly became a movie house, eventually concentrating on first-run films. In 1962, the property was sold to Towne Realty, now associated with Zilber Ltd., and the theater was leased to United Artists. A serious fire occurred in 1966 after a patron threw a cigarette onto the stage. The incident destroyed the highly decorated ceiling and the curtains, removing significant elements of the original interior scheme. The theater's condition worsened during the 1970s. The growth of multiplex cinemas weakened the position of large traditional movie palaces, and the Riverside shifted toward B-movie programming while falling into general disrepair. United Artists chose not to renew its lease in 1982, leaving the building closed. Joseph Zilber then backed a substantial restoration, providing $1.5 million for renovation and supporting restoration of the original Wurlitzer organ. The Riverside reopened on November 2, 1984, as a live-performance venue. This was the central operational turning point in its modern history: the building moved from a declining single-screen cinema into a room designed for concerts and other touring performances. In 2005, the theater was leased to the Pabst Theater Foundation, which later became the Pabst Theater Group. The new operating arrangement brought artistic and facility improvements and integrated the Riverside into a broader Milwaukee venue network. Further renovations were undertaken from 2015 through 2016. The work included new carpeting, a replacement stage floor, and updated seating. Exterior improvements included a new marquee and a 40-foot vertical sign intended to recall the building's historic presentation. The venue now operates as a 2,480-seat concert hall and hosts musicians, comedians, and other live shows. Its historical significance rests both on its surviving theater architecture and on its successful conversion from a movie theater into a contemporary performance venue.
- 2015
Facility renovation program begins
[1]Renovations carried out during 2015–2016 replaced carpeting, the stage floor, and seating, while the exterior received a new marquee and vertical sign.
- 2005
Pabst Theater Group stewardship begins
[1]The theater was leased to the Pabst Theater Foundation, now the Pabst Theater Group, and received artistic renovations.
- 1984
Reopens as live-performance venue
[1]Following a $1.5 million renovation and restoration of its Wurlitzer organ, the theater reopened on November 2 as a live venue.
- 1982
Cinema operation ends
[1]United Artists declined to renew its lease, and the Riverside closed after years of decline.
- 1966
Fire damages decorative interior
[1]A cigarette thrown onto the stage caused a fire that destroyed the theater's decorated ceiling and curtains.
- 1962
Property changes ownership
[1]The building was sold to Towne Realty, with the theater subsequently leased to United Artists.
- 1950
Programming shifts toward cinema
[1]By the 1950s, the Riverside had transitioned to showing primarily first-run movies.
- 1928
Riverside Theater opens
[1]The theater opened on April 29 as part of Milwaukee's Empire Building, presenting vaudeville, big bands, and movies.
Products and positioning
A historic Milwaukee live-performance venue combining a large-capacity concert room with the architectural character of a 1920s theater.
Live entertainment venue · 1984
Riverside Theater live events
The venue's principal offering is admission to live performances in a 2,480-seat historic theater. Its programming includes touring musicians, comedians, and other shows. The Riverside's value is based on its combination of substantial audience capacity, downtown Milwaukee location, preserved theatrical architecture, and the event-presentation infrastructure associated with the Pabst Theater Group.
Motion-picture exhibition · 1928
Riverside Theater cinema programming
Before its conversion to a live venue, the Riverside operated as a movie theater. Early programming combined films with vaudeville and big-band entertainment, while by the 1950s the theater focused largely on first-run movies. In the 1970s, it increasingly showed B-movies before closing in 1982.
Historic theater equipment · 1928
Wurlitzer theater organ
The Riverside's original Wurlitzer theater organ was included in the restoration program that preceded the venue's 1984 reopening. It represents the building's earlier role as a large multi-purpose theater and forms part of its historical identity.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2015
Modernize audience and exterior facilitiesOtherBackground
The historic venue required continued upkeep to maintain its role as a contemporary concert hall while retaining visual links to its past.
Action taken
Renovations during 2015–2016 replaced carpeting, the stage floor, and seating, and added a new marquee and 40-foot vertical exterior sign.
Aftermath
The improvements refreshed visitor facilities and reinforced the Riverside's historic theater presentation.
2005
Lease venue to the Pabst Theater FoundationStrategyBackground
After its restoration as a live venue, the Riverside required an operating structure capable of presenting and managing ongoing performance programming.
Action taken
The theater was leased to the Pabst Theater Foundation, now known as the Pabst Theater Group.
Aftermath
The Riverside became part of the Pabst Theater Group's Milwaukee venue portfolio and received artistic renovations.
1984
Convert the theater from cinema to live entertainmentStrategyBackground
The Riverside had closed after declining movie-theater use, competition from multiplexes, and a period of physical disrepair.
Action taken
Joseph Zilber funded a $1.5 million renovation and supported restoration of the original Wurlitzer organ, enabling the building to reopen as a live-performance venue.
Aftermath
The November 1984 reopening established the Riverside's modern identity as a concert and performance hall.
Renovation funding. $1.5 million (1982–1984)
Sources2 sources
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