The Ritz Ybor
The Ritz Ybor is a historic live-music and special-events venue in Tampa's Ybor City district.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Ritz Ybor is a historic entertainment venue in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. The building opened in 1917 as the Rivoli Theatre, a red-brick property that combined a silent-movie theatre on its first floor with apartments above. Its early operation served the Afro-Cuban community of Ybor City, an important cultural and commercial district whose historic character was later recognized through national preservation designations. In 1931, the building was expanded and reopened as the Ritz Theatre. For several decades it operated primarily as a conventional cinema, showing standard film programs. On December 31, 1965, its use changed substantially when it began presenting nude entertainment and XXX-rated films. This phase continued until the property was acquired by developer William E. Field in 1983. Field remodeled the building with broader redevelopment ambitions, but those plans did not materialize. A bank foreclosure in 1987 led to the closure of his operation. Later in 1987, the building was leased to the Masquerade nightclub. Under that name, it became associated with nightlife and performances by emerging alternative acts. The Capitano family purchased the building in 1988 as an investment property, while the surrounding Ybor City district gained increasing historic significance. The building was recognized as a contributing property in both Ybor City's 1973 National Register of Historic Places listing and its 1989 National Historic Landmark District designation. The Masquerade tenancy ended in 2006, after which the property underwent a reported $2 million renovation. On June 26, 2008, it reopened as The Ritz Ybor, repositioned as a live-music and special-events venue. The current venue occupies more than 17,000 square feet and is organized around three principal rooms: the Royal Room, the Rivoli Room and the Theatre Ballroom. A Grand Foyer links the spaces and retains historic features including original terrazzo floors, Art Deco mirrors and wall sconces. The Theatre Ballroom includes a 25-by-44-foot theatrical stage, while the venue also provides full-service bars, modern lighting and a caterers' preparation kitchen for outside licensed and insured catering. The Ritz Ybor's positioning combines historic architecture with contemporary event infrastructure. It hosts concerts, nightlife programming, private functions and other special events, benefiting from its location in the center of Ybor City. The venue is within walking distance of the Centro Ybor entertainment complex and Hillsborough Community College's Ybor City campus, and is a short distance from Tampa's downtown and Channelside areas. Its identity is therefore rooted both in the adaptive reuse of a century-old theatre building and in its role as a flexible entertainment destination in the Tampa region.
History
The Ritz Ybor occupies a building with a long and varied entertainment history in Tampa's Ybor City. It opened in 1917 under the name Rivoli Theatre. The original structure was notable for combining a silent-film theatre on the ground floor with apartments on the second floor, and it served the Afro-Cuban community that formed an important part of the neighborhood's social and cultural life. The property was expanded in 1931 and reopened as the Ritz Theatre. Its principal function remained cinema exhibition, with conventional film programming continuing for more than three decades. On the final day of 1965, the venue shifted to nude performances and adult films, changing both its programming profile and its place in Ybor City's nightlife economy. In September 1983, developer William E. Field purchased and remodeled the building. His larger plans for the property did not come to fruition, and a bank foreclosure in 1987 forced the operation to close. The building was subsequently leased to the Masquerade nightclub later that year. The Masquerade period brought a renewed emphasis on live nightlife and performances, including appearances by developing alternative acts. In 1988, the Capitano family acquired the property as an investment. The building's historic context became more prominent as Ybor City received formal preservation recognition. Ybor City was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1989. The theatre building was identified as a contributing property in both designations. In 2006, the Masquerade tenants were evicted. The building then received a major renovation reported at approximately $2 million. On June 26, 2008, it reopened as The Ritz Ybor. The new identity emphasized live music and special events rather than cinema or adult entertainment, making the property a contemporary event venue while retaining architectural elements associated with its earlier history. The renovated venue contains more than 17,000 square feet distributed across the Royal Room, Rivoli Room and Theatre Ballroom. The Grand Foyer connects the rooms and preserves original terrazzo flooring, Art Deco mirrors and wall sconces. The Theatre Ballroom has a substantial theatrical stage, and the venue includes bars, modern lighting infrastructure and a kitchen for external licensed and insured caterers. The result is a flexible facility capable of hosting concerts, nightlife events, private functions and other large gatherings. Located in the heart of Ybor City, The Ritz Ybor remains connected to the district's entertainment and historic-tourism ecosystem. Its proximity to Centro Ybor, Hillsborough Community College's Ybor City campus, Channelside and downtown Tampa supports its role as a regional venue rather than a touring brand with a broad national network.
- 2008
Reopening as The Ritz Ybor
[1]After a reported $2 million renovation, the venue reopened on June 26 as The Ritz Ybor, focused on live music and special events.
- 2006
End of the Masquerade tenancy
[1]The Masquerade tenants were evicted, clearing the way for a substantial redevelopment of the property.
- 1988
Capitano family acquisition
[1]The Capitano family purchased the building as an investment property.
- 1987
Masquerade nightclub tenancy
[1]Following foreclosure and closure of Field's operation, the building was leased to The Masquerade nightclub.
- 1983
Acquisition and remodeling by William E. Field
[1]Developer William E. Field acquired the building and undertook another remodeling, although his broader plans were not realized.
- 1965
Transition to adult entertainment
[1]Beginning on December 31, the venue shifted from conventional film exhibition to nude shows and XXX-rated films.
- 1931
Expansion and reopening as the Ritz Theatre
[1]After an expansion, the property reopened under the Ritz Theatre name and continued operating primarily as a cinema.
- 1917
Opening as the Rivoli Theatre
[1]The building opened as the Rivoli Theatre, with a silent-movie theatre on the first floor and apartments above.
Products and positioning
A historic Ybor City entertainment venue that combines adaptive-reuse architecture, live music, nightlife and flexible private-event facilities.
Live entertainment · 2008
Live music and concert programming
The Ritz Ybor's principal contemporary offering is live entertainment presented in a renovated historic theatre setting. The venue's theatrical stage, lighting system, multiple rooms and bar facilities support concerts and other music-centered programs. Its scale and location make it suitable for regional and touring performances as well as nightlife-oriented events.
Event venue · 2008
Private and special events
The venue provides a flexible setting for private functions and special events. Its three main rooms, connecting Grand Foyer, full-service bars and caterers' preparation kitchen allow event organizers to configure receptions, parties and other gatherings across distinct spaces. Outside catering is supported when providers are licensed and insured.
Venue space · 2008
Theatre Ballroom
The Theatre Ballroom is one of the venue's three principal interior rooms and includes a 25-by-44-foot theatrical stage. It functions as the largest performance-oriented space described for the renovated venue and supports concerts, stage presentations and larger private events.
Venue spaces · 2008
Royal Room and Rivoli Room
The Royal Room and Rivoli Room provide additional event environments within the multi-room venue. Together with the Theatre Ballroom and Grand Foyer, they allow programming to be distributed across several spaces and preserve references to the building's earlier Ritz and Rivoli identities.
Brand decisions
2008
Repositioning as a live-music and special-events venueStrategyBackground
Following the eviction of the Masquerade tenants in 2006, the historic building was extensively renovated for a new operating concept.
Action taken
The property reopened on June 26, 2008, as The Ritz Ybor, with multiple event rooms, a theatrical stage, bars, modern lighting and catering infrastructure.
Aftermath
The venue was established in its current form as a Tampa live-music and special-events destination.
Reported renovation cost. $2 million (2006-2008 renovation)
1965
Shift from conventional cinema to adult programmingStrategyBackground
After decades as a standard cinema, the venue changed its programming model in response to a different entertainment market.
Action taken
Beginning December 31, 1965, it presented nude shows and XXX-rated films.
Aftermath
The building continued in this adult-entertainment role until its later redevelopment and subsequent nightclub use.
Recent events
Alamo Drafthouse plans to close several locations[3]
Reported:
Alamo Drafthouse said it planned to close a few of its 40 locations, including its flagship Ritz location in downtown Austin. The source does not specify when the closures would occur.
Sources4 sources
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