Admiral Theater

515 Pacific Avenue,
Bremerton, WA 98337

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Admiral Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Evergreen State Amusement Corp.

Architects: Victor N. Jones, Robert F. McClelland

Firms: McClelland & Jones

Functions: Live Performances, Special Events

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 360.373.6743
Manager: 360.373.6743

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News About This Theater

Sep 22, 2014 — Big Anniversary coming for the Admiral
Feb 7, 2011 — Viewing the Oscars at the local theater

The Admiral Theater originally had 1,500 seats when it was built in 1942 at a cost of $250,000. It opened on May 7, 1942 with Ray Milland in “Reap the Wild Wind”. On September 12, 1979 it was split into three theaters but closed in 1988. In 1990 the citizens of Bremerton formed the non-profit Admiral Theater Foundation to restore and operate it. After $4.2 million dollars were raised, the Admiral Theater opened again in 1997.

Today the cabaret-style main floor seats 300 and the traditional balcony seats 502. The Admiral Theater, which is called “the premiere arts presenting venue in the West Puget Sound Region” offers catering services and is available for both public and private events.

Contributed by Ron Pierce

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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)

RobertR on February 25, 2007 at 5:43 pm

What a great marquee

kencmcintyre on April 5, 2009 at 9:04 pm

There is a 1983 photo on this site:
http://tinyurl.com/dzjr3y

William on September 11, 2011 at 4:24 pm

The picture at the top of the thread is the Admiral Theatre in Seattle Washington.

popcornprincess on January 25, 2012 at 4:18 pm

William is incorrect. The photo at the top is indeed the Admiral in Bremerton.

Spent many hours here as a kid in the 60’s and early 70’s. We would buy cheap popcorn at the Kresge’s 5&10 next door and hide it under our coats until we made it to our seats for the movie.

KenLayton on January 22, 2013 at 12:14 pm

I understand Bill Gates donated a significant amount of money to this theater. He attended this theater as a child.

SteveSwanson on December 18, 2013 at 7:32 pm

I’ve had the pleasure of attending a few concerts here. Fantastic acoustics and intimate atmosphere. They have a regular film series each year, which I believe is DVD projection.

Joe Vogel on April 4, 2015 at 12:27 am

An early item about the house that was to become the Admiral Theatre appeared in the January 3, 1941, issue of The Film Daily:

“Newman Awards Contract For New $300,000 Stand

“Portland, Ore. — Frank Newman, Sr., of the Evergreen Theaters, operating some 39 theaters in Oregon and Washington, announces that contract has been let for a 1,500-seat house, the Rivoli, at Bremerton, Wash., known as the Navy Yard city.

“The new theater to cost an estimated $300,000, will occupy a site 103x135 feet in size at Fifth Ave. and Pacific St. Plans are being prepared by McClelland & Jones, architects, who announce that the new house will be similar to the Academy Theater in Los Angeles.”

An article in the September 19, 2014, issue of The Bremerton Patriot about the 75th anniversary of the house confirms that it was originally to have been called the Rivoli, but in June, 1941, Evergreen Theatres held a “name the theater” contest and Admiral was the winner.

I’ve been unable to find any other sources naming McClelland & Jones as the architects of the Admiral, but neither are there sources naming anyone else. The firm, consisting of principals Robert F. McClelland and Victor N. Jones, was active from around 1933 to around 1946.

David_Schneider on October 2, 2017 at 2:58 pm

September 30, 2017 article in the Kitsap Sun newspaper:

“At 75, Admiral Poised for Another Big Opening”

Includes many photos from different decades in the Admiral’s life.