Vic Theatre

3145 N. Sheffield Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60657

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Related Websites

Jam Productions -- The Vic (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Essaness Theaters Corp.

Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson

Functions: Concerts, Movies (Revival)

Styles: Art Nouveau, French Renaissance

Previous Names: New Victoria Theatre, Victoria Theatre, German Theatre, Teatro Roberto Clemente, Bharat Cinema

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 773.472.0449

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

VIC Theatre; Chicago, Illinois.

The New Victoria Theatre was opened on September 29, 1912 with actor Dave Lewis in the stage play “Don’t Lie to Your Wife”. The venue was a vaudeville showcase for several years until it became a movie house. Later, the theatre’s name was shortened to the more familiar Vic and it began to host concerts and live shows.

The Vic Theatre is home of the Brew & View which has three different bars that stay open during second- and third-run, cult, and revival film screenings.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 43 comments)

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on December 7, 2012 at 9:25 pm

The Vic is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. This article points out the bits and pieces of some lost Chicago theaters have been incorporated in the Vic. A recent interior picture can be seen here.

LouRugani
LouRugani on January 16, 2013 at 7:55 pm

I put together an online memorial to Walter Klein, Jr. Comments and remembrances are welcome. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103679729

Broan
Broan on August 30, 2015 at 9:41 am

Added a Chicago Tribune announcement which credited John Eberson as architect.

Broan
Broan on January 17, 2016 at 1:27 pm

The American on Ashland bore a strong resemblance to the Vic in form

GFeret
GFeret on July 22, 2016 at 11:21 am

the balcony is open. I saw a movie at the Vic a month or two ago and the main floor area was closed-off and seating was now only in balcony (not sure why all this was but really doesn’t matter). Really neat IMO though, because the railings, staggered seats, lighted steps were still in their original style. At the low admission price the film was a terrific deal

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 17, 2019 at 2:54 pm

Just found out that Clubland was a concept in Detroit as well. It was “Clubland at the State Theatre”, 2115 Woodward Avenue. The image used the exact same candy cane font as Clubland at the Vic

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/241/photos/263895?fbclid=IwAR10hmntiCrdrtOmhM8m9DOUn-Oey_kFmBuk-JAnlOV6efyIc4gzFq9_EVc

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Jam Productions downloadable coloring book of the Vic and other theatres.

https://www.jamusa.com/coloringbook/?utm_source=Chicago+–+Jam+Mail+List&utm_campaign=b5807b82ef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_01_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1cddcb52a5-b5807b82ef-247204449&mc_cid=b5807b82ef&mc_eid=2a384cf67a

Broan
Broan on March 1, 2021 at 9:33 am

I have yet to see any original sources that list J.E.O. Pridmore as the architect for the Vic, but several list John Eberson. The design is similar to other early Eberson designs like the Crown in Chicago which was also built by one of the Victoria backers, Robert Rickson. Also visibly similar to the Austin Paramount. I think it’s evident that someone wrote E.O. Pridmore at some point instead of Eberson and it’s been repeated ever since.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on March 2, 2021 at 7:15 am

Currently closed due to the pandemic. Updated website link: https://www.jamusa.com/venues/the-vic

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 8, 2023 at 3:06 pm

Sunday, September 29, 1912 Opening Day newspaper ad added via Tim O'Neill. Opened with the stage play “Don’t Lie To Your Wife” starring Dave Lewis which was previously staged on October 16, 1911 at the Fox West in Trinidad Colorado among other places I would assume.

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