Oberlin Nightlife Tips by grandmaR

Apollo Theatre: Oberlin's Only Movie Theatre

Oberlin’s best loved historic commercial structure is the 1913 Apollo Theatre. It has housed Oberlin’s first 300-seat theatre and in 1928, the talkies were introduced to Oberlin here. The building was built by Mr. Hobbs, who operated the eastern storefront as the well-appointed Hobbs Restaurant and Bakery. An elegant evening out in Oberlin was dinner at the Hobbs followed by a play, or movie at the Apollo.

In 1917 the building was sold to Ira West, who owned another silent movie theatre, The Rex, on South Main. In 1923 the Steele family, who still owns and operates the theatre today, purchased it.

The 1930s style remodel with black vitrolite, black and red brushed aluminum, and a tile walled ticket booth makes this one of Oberlin’s special buildings.

Dress Code: If you want to go out of an evening and don't want to attend a play or concert at the college, then this is about it for night life. They used to show "The Wizard of Oz" every fall.

From1949 to 1952 (when Hall Auditorium was built) performances of the Oberlin G&S group were held in the Oberlin High School Auditorium or in the Apollo Theatre

At present "Pagan Movie Night" meets at the Apollo for a movie on the first Tuesday of each month. [It doesn't matter what movie is playing]

Movies cost about $2.50 /$3.00 a person

Address: 19 E College St in Oberlin

Directions: Across from the Oberlin Inn

Phone: (440) 774-7091

Theme: Theater