Martini Theater

522 21st Street,
Galveston, TX 77550

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Interstate Theatres Inc. & Texas Consolidated Theaters Inc.

Architects: W. Scott Dunne

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: New Martini Theater

Nearby Theaters

Martini Theater

The Martini Theater occupies a corner in downtown Galveston. It replaced the Grand Opera House, which had been operating as the Martini Theastre(it has its own page on Cinema Treasures) It was opened May 27, 1937 and closed December 9, 1979. The building appears to be sound, but a once showy marquee is trashed. “MARTINI” is spelled out in large individual orange letters accross the top of the marquee. The name and signage do not fit the feel of the theater as if it has undergone a name change at some point.

Contributed by Don Lewis

Recent comments (view all 18 comments)

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez on December 5, 2009 at 6:39 pm

Just visited Galveston last weekend and this theater is in bad shape. It’s a shame. Postings above indicate that this theater may be demolished for a parking lot. If there is anything this town needs less of it is more parking lots. Galveston still has a fair number of historic structures. However, there a way too many vacant lots making it look kind of desolate. These lots need to be filled in by architecturally sympathetic structures. of course that takes money, and this being Texas, which doesn’t seem to like zoning, it will never happen. It’s too bad, because Galveston has the right bones for a thriving historic district. A theater is important to get people downtown. Here is an empty one in a prime location, but again, this being Texas, they’ll tear it down.

CarrieG
CarrieG on March 18, 2010 at 9:44 am

Several theaters have failed in Galveston, but if someone could turn the Martini around it would be a fantastic gift to the city. Plenty of street parking, and you could probably locate additional parking from some of the unused lots downtown. The area is fine, close to nightspots. Maybe beer/wine and food service ala the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin would turn a profit. Galveston values historic preservation very highly, but as stated,money is always an issue. The Galveston Historical Foundation relies heavily on private efforts. You should contact them for guidance, probably love to help. You could probably even find investors.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on March 18, 2010 at 10:06 am

Sad photos of the MARTINI.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on January 29, 2012 at 10:26 pm

From Galveston a view of the Martini Theater.

davisa
davisa on December 12, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Is there a update on it ???

davisa
davisa on December 12, 2012 at 3:06 pm

snickstx I would like to chat with you some time .

spectrum
spectrum on January 4, 2015 at 6:57 pm

As of June 2013 google street view, the theatre is still there – no changes.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 24, 2019 at 8:58 pm

Current Google street view is August 2018. The sidewalk and street surrounding the theater are both blocked off, presumably for safety of the marquee falling.

Texasguy
Texasguy on August 27, 2021 at 2:00 am

I was born in Galveston in 1951, & when I was a kid I went to movies at the Martini. I always had a good time.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on April 29, 2023 at 11:55 am

This replaced an older Martini Theatre (formerly the Grand Opera House) which closed shortly before the new Martini Theatre opened.

Throughout the years, all theaters in Galveston (the Martini, State, Broadway, Queen, Tremont, Key, and the Oleander D-I) were operated under the Interstate Theatres chain.

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