Patio Theatre
6008 W. Irving Park Road,
Chicago,
IL
60634
6008 W. Irving Park Road,
Chicago,
IL
60634
44 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 100 of 267 comments
I am afraid we may have to wait. I understand the city is making quite a few demands one being new doors with push bar openers due to the E2 night club diaster in Chicago a few years back. There is also many other problems. I hope they can overcome these. It would be a shame if after all the renovations they are not allowed to open and let us see the beauty again. I am amazed how the city and cook county for that matter has the highest taxes in the country. One only has to pass any gas station in the city to see the high price compared to lake or dupage county. I cannot understand how the residents allow this year after year…..and then there is the conditions of the pavements of the streets.
Bobby S.
Unfortunately yes the city tax is to blame. It’s pretty high. The Three Penny Cinema closed because the owner was unable to pay the high city/county amusement taxes.
I’m wondering when this place will re-open.
What is holding up the re-opening of this beautiful gem? I am eager to pay my admission at the box office. I recently paid a visit to the Music Box on a matinee during the week and was surprised to pay $8.25 senior. I thought that was high. The ticket agent said the city tax is to blame. Is that true?
The Patio has the inconvenience of no dedicated parking, where the Pickwick does. That is one of the major issues the Patio Theater faces.
Demetri, I wonder how the Pickwick theater does it in Park Ridge. They show first-run and have a pretty good attendance. I pay $5 because I am a senior citizen, but I see plenty of younger people there when the new film opens. I think the community would pay it. After all, the muli-plexes charge almost $10 and they could never give you the experience of your beautiful theater! But of course, I am prejudice. I think the Patio is a national treasure!
Hmmm, we never planned on showing first run films because we would be forced to charge a $7.50 admission fee. Back when the theater was open from 1987-2001 we had $2 and $3 admission prices. To re-open with a $7.50 admission charge for 1st run films might be to big of a leap for the community. That is…unless we have a lot of support and backup from the community for a $7.50 admission price for first run films?
A first-run film in a beautiful theater with a great screen and a pipe organ before the feature! Sounds like 1950’s Chicago! I am sure this will be a big hit not just for the neighborhood but for all of Chicago! The best of luck, and I and my friends will be regular patrons. Looking forward..
The plan is to show first run movies. Owners are currently negotiating with the studios and assessing the status of the projection and sound systems.
Great photos jwballer. The marquee needs freshning up. Looking forward to attending this theater. Will they be showing first-run, 2nd-run or classic cinema?
i also have more great news its going to open in March 2011!
Great news! The Patio is on the “MUST SEE” list when I get back in town!
Alex, Demitri and the crew have made tremendous progress. I stopped in about a month ago and was amazed. The theater looks better than it did when I was in the booth. They plan to open after Christmas. Watch the web site and Facebook for more.
As a person who grew up in Lombard, and after losing our historic 1928 atmospheric theatre – built by the same architect as yours – I can only wish you the best during your renovation and may the Patio – the spiritual sister to the DuPage Theatre – have many, many more glorious years ahead of her, and bring much fun and joy to all who visit her.
We just moved into the neighborhood and we were hoping this would happen! We had no idea it would be this fast! We must be good luck. Well I’m a teacher and have the summer off, so I’d be happy to help with the renovations…
Good luck with the renovations, it’ll be good to see one of those
old movie houses rise again.
Everyone is welcomed to check out the Patio’s new site at www.patiotheater.net
We are hard at work at starting the renovation process but it is only myself and 2 other people right now who are helping fix the place up. If any of you know any foundations either nationally, state or local that can help with the renovation process by either funding the money needed or with an actual workforce it would greatly be appreciated.
If you have any ideas or suggestions please feel free to email
Good luck with the Patio Theatre. It would be wonderful to see this theatre open again for both film and stage.brucec
A grand idea would be to rent out the St. Pascal School/Church parking lot. Either the parking lot in the back of the school, or the parking lot shared with the Quality car repair shop across the street from the school. They’re just down the block, and it would give The Patio alot of parking, well needed for the grand re-opening!
Hello everyone. My name is Demetri Kouvalis, the son of Alexander Kouvalis, owner of the Patio Theater. I cannot believe the love and support from reading all of your comments on this site. Well I have some good news for all of you. I plan on reopening the Theater and continuing its legacy for generations to come. However, I will need the help of the loving community in order for this to happen. The Patio needs to be renovated. I have started painting the marquee with my father a few days ago, and once that is complete we will be moving inside. I would love to set up a way for the community to get involved to see the Patio open in the near future.
if you are interested in helping out with the reopening of the Patio Theater please email me at
Let this majestic building bring back the wonderful memories and instill new memories to the community as well!
P.S. I am working on an official Patio Theater website, and you can follow the progress of the renovation on twitter if you visit https://twitter.com/PatioTheater
The largest issue the that the Patio faces is a broken A/C. If anyone knows anyone who can repair vintage water-cooled chillers about 50 years old, that would be an immense help!!
I just spoke to Alex the other day. He’s usually at the theater every day working on the theater. He’s also often speaking with people interested in renting an apartment or storefront. He’s still determined to open the Patio.
I live in the neighborhood, have a passion for film, and would really like to speak with the owner about reopening the Patio. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Alex? Thanks.
Hey Patio Mike, can you put me in touch with Alex. I’m getting married in Sept. and would love to have the ceremony there.
Normal, Ill. is a small town. Chicago is a big city with big taxes. The Patio has been closed for NINE years now. Nobody’s offering to re-open it. If I had money to burn, I would re-open it as a multi-purpose venue. I just don’t see it happening. Tim O'Neill
The Patio Theatre will never re-open as a full-time movie theatre ever again. Maybe it’ll re-open as a multi-purpose venue, but as a movie house, forget it. It’s been closed for NINE years now, and Alex is almost 71 years old. He’s not going to operate it again. I love the Patio; I used to moonlight there as a projectionist, but it’s never going to be a full-time movie theatre again.
The organ currently in use at the Portage was built in 1927 and was previously installed at the Copernicus Center (Gateway). I think it began life in yet another theater. It was moved to the Portage and installed in December of 2008. Previous to that, a digital theater organ sat in the orchestra pit. It was installed in time for the reopening in 2006. I recall being told the Portage never had an organ although there is ample room for pipes and related equipment. Jay Warren, the savior of the Portage and one of the nicest people I know, would be happy to relate the story in accurate detail. Check portagetheater.org as there are lots of interesting events coming up.