Vic Theatre
3145 N. Sheffield Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60657
3145 N. Sheffield Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60657
14 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Jam Productions -- The Vic (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Essaness Theaters Corp.
Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson
Functions: Concerts, Live Performances
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
The New Victoria Theatre was opened on September 29, 1912 with actor Dave Lewis in the stage play “Don’t Lie to Your Wife”. Seating was provided for 1,000-seats in the orchstrra and 800-seats in the balcony. 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 operated by Jan Productions, which has three different bars that stay open during second- and third-run, cult, and revival film screenings. It was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2021, but has since reopened dropping the movies and presenting live bands and concerts.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 43 comments)
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.
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
Added a Chicago Tribune announcement which credited John Eberson as architect.
The American on Ashland bore a strong resemblance to the Vic in form
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
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
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
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.
Currently closed due to the pandemic. Updated website link: https://www.jamusa.com/venues/the-vic
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.