Esquire Theatre
58 E. Oak Street,
Chicago,
IL
60611
58 E. Oak Street,
Chicago,
IL
60611
28 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: AMC Theatres, Balaban, H & E, Loews Cineplex, M & R Theatres, Plitt Theatres
Architects: William L. Pereira
Firms: Gelick Foran Associates, Pereira and Pereira
Functions: Restaurant
Styles: Streamline Moderne
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News About This Theater
- May 23, 2012 — Celebrating the Original STAR WARS on its 35th Anniversary
- May 21, 2010 — Happy 30th, "Empire"
- May 25, 2007 — Happy 30th, Star Wars!
- Sep 15, 2006 — Long run over for Esquire Theater
Opened on February 16, 1938 with Jeanette McDonald in “The Firefly”. The Esquire Theatre had a single auditorium with over 1,400 seats, but the Esquire Theatre underwent a conversion to a six-plex in late-January 1988. It reopened on February 9, 1990.
Most recently operated by the AMC Entertainment chain after many years under the Loews Cineplex chain, the Esquire Theatre was closed in September 14, 2006.
In 2011, the Esquire Theatre was gutted and its marquee removed, and became retail space. The vertical sign and part of its facade was retained. In late-2019 it was converted into a winery & restaurant
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 190 comments)
Does anyone know the what the premier date for Gone With The Wind was-at the Esquire theater, in 1940? Also the dates for premiers also at esquire in spring, summer 1939. I’m looking for a magazine cover of my grandmother standing in a long line at the Esquire in 1939 or 1940. Any help would be appreciated!
GONE WITH THE WIND premiered simultaneously at the Woods and Oriental Theatres. Maybe GWTW played at the Esquire later in 1940; I’m not sure.
Better quality grand opening ad below:
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House in the shell of the former Esquire building is now permanently closed as of January 2019. Apparently originally announced in November 2018.
Just want to add to the description, the theatre was operated in the 1980’s by Plitt Theatres, when Cineplex Odeon bought the change, the theatre was Loews Theatres entry into the Chicago area.
Seating capacity of the six auditoriums from Loews Cineplex Directory. 1. 212 Ultra Stereo 2. 245 Dolby SR 3. 214 Dolby SR 4. 224 Ultra Stereo 5. 245 Dolby 6. 238 Ultra Stereo
Please update in description, the theatre closed for renovations late January 1988, reopened under Loews and M and R on February 9, 1990. Theatre closed by AMC on September 14, 2006. Just uploaded some material from the Chicago Tribune.
Question is what happened to the orchestra, when I was their in August 1994, it had 6 screens which were on the two old balcony levels. It would of been nice Loews would of built a screen in the old orchestra level.
The former Del Frisco’s is now called Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. They have an Esquire wine, with an exterior image on the bottle…
https://www.facebook.com/coopershawk/photos/p.10157445231095180/10157445231095180/?type=1&theater
Click here for an architectural review of the building’s retail conversion.
Cooper’s Hawk Will Vacate Esquire Theater Space and Close Its Sole Chicago Location, link below:
https://chicago.eater.com/2023/5/25/23737516/coopers-hawk-gold-coast-chicago-wine-closing?utm_campaign=chicago.eater&utm_content=entry&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0a0GvuUGQ58LRbdoVEfbhesqeWsUP47uy-OqsxoYDmoB-eTmllo1ibChI