State Theatre

State Theatre, North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia

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State Theatre

The State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia opened in 1936. The first film shown was Thanks A Million starring Dick Powell. It operated as a popular movie until the late 1980’s when on November 27, 1988 the doors closed for the final time after showing Die Hard starring Bruce Willis.

The State Theater was the first theatre on the East Coast to be centrally air-conditioned. It was the flagship of the family-owned Neighborhood Theatres chain and is the only one to remain in the entertainment business, although no longer as a movie theater. Neighborhood Theatres also operated, among others, the Glebe (now a Duron paint store), the Buckingham (now a Post Office) and the Jefferson (now a Chile’s restaurant).

A multi-million dollar restoration in the late 1990’s turned it into one of the Washington Metro area’s favorite new venues for live music and private events. The full theatrical stage is the original, as are the 200 balcony seats and both lobbies. The theatre seats on the main floor were removed to allow for the re-design of the auditorium providing standing and dancing areas and two full service bars. The restoration also added a full service restaurant for dining and catering private events.