My and a few buddies back in 1991 partialy renevated the theatre and opened it as the Pismo Beach Central Coast Theatre. Prior to us a sit down dinner playhouse was there who cut the movie screen into a arched opening. Prior to the Dinner/Playhouse was a promotor who had rock bands such as Blue oyster Cult perform. The promotor at some point held a event were he stole the box office money and left town no longer to be found. In 1991 we rented the building and restored 800 seats that were original to the buildings movie days. Other improvements were made. I was in a rock band called Delicate Edge and we all put our money together to open it thinking we could make money to support our touring. The city refused to support us and even mandated we only could have Country music. Allthough this was a battle we still had performances such as Elvin Bishop, Foghat, BTO and many others. After constant pressure from the city with our entertainment licence we were forced to produce plays such as Dracula. we eventual left becuase we financial problems. This builing was rumored to host performances by Charlie Chaplin for Hearst privatly. Hence the old back drop of the Garden(Hearst’s garden). It is a shame to hear someone has painted over such a Historical art piece. Radio address’s were broadcast from the Theatre during World War II. A floor has been built over the seating all the way to the stage were a Bar has been installed. The records I have from the Owner we rented the building from is that it was built in the 1920’s. I still have lots of Parafanelia from the time we ran the Theatre. If you would like more information on the Theatre please feel free to contact me at
I only hope somehow this building could be put on the Historical Landmarks registry and be saved. It is my belief the City has poorly underestimated its Historical importance. If someone dose not do something it will be lost forever. Just thinking now it has been turned into a Pool Hall is horrible.
This building has just been named in the top 100 theatres in the Country by Pollstar.
My and a few buddies back in 1991 partialy renevated the theatre and opened it as the Pismo Beach Central Coast Theatre. Prior to us a sit down dinner playhouse was there who cut the movie screen into a arched opening. Prior to the Dinner/Playhouse was a promotor who had rock bands such as Blue oyster Cult perform. The promotor at some point held a event were he stole the box office money and left town no longer to be found. In 1991 we rented the building and restored 800 seats that were original to the buildings movie days. Other improvements were made. I was in a rock band called Delicate Edge and we all put our money together to open it thinking we could make money to support our touring. The city refused to support us and even mandated we only could have Country music. Allthough this was a battle we still had performances such as Elvin Bishop, Foghat, BTO and many others. After constant pressure from the city with our entertainment licence we were forced to produce plays such as Dracula. we eventual left becuase we financial problems. This builing was rumored to host performances by Charlie Chaplin for Hearst privatly. Hence the old back drop of the Garden(Hearst’s garden). It is a shame to hear someone has painted over such a Historical art piece. Radio address’s were broadcast from the Theatre during World War II. A floor has been built over the seating all the way to the stage were a Bar has been installed. The records I have from the Owner we rented the building from is that it was built in the 1920’s. I still have lots of Parafanelia from the time we ran the Theatre. If you would like more information on the Theatre please feel free to contact me at
I only hope somehow this building could be put on the Historical Landmarks registry and be saved. It is my belief the City has poorly underestimated its Historical importance. If someone dose not do something it will be lost forever. Just thinking now it has been turned into a Pool Hall is horrible.