Wednesday, November 30th -0001
The Pabst Theater
By Dan Anderson
Originally built in 1895 to host ballets
and operas, the Pabst Theater set the standard for theater design
and construction. When you walk through its doors, it feels like you are being swept into a different
era. The marble staircases, the intricately designed balconies, and the red velvet accents that surround
you when you wander down Pabst’s halls are all reminders of a time now gone. The theater was built to impress both musical and theatrical, from around the world. Over the years, the Pabst faced some troubling times. Confronted by economic stress and maintenance
concerns, it has changed owners multiple times in the last century and was closed for many years. Thanks to the dedication of the City of Milwaukee, the theater’s current owners, as well as countless other individuals, the Pabst entered its most recent renaissance in 2000. It has been restored to its original beauty and now presents more than 200 events each year. The Pabst even gives credit to the acts that have performed at the theater and continually help rebuild its image
as one of the best venues in the country. Three performers, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Conor Oberst, and Rufus Wainwright, have each been given one of the original seats, which can still be seen on the third floor balcony, as gifts for helping to bring the Pabst back into the limelight.
The Pabst is dedicated to bringing
the best acts from around the country to Milwaukee and does its best to keep them happy when they visit our fair city. Under the stage, there is a large seating area with comfortable couches and chairs, a turntable and extensive record collection. There’s even a a fully functioning Alterra coffee shop for the performers with their friends and family to enjoy. The theater also does its best to keep the fans happy with $3 Pabst tall boys available at every show.
