Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre is a concert hall in Port Chester, New York, designed in 1926 by architect Thomas Lamb with terra cotta cornices and classical facades. The interior spans multiple stories, with a large auditorium and balconies that offer visitors different sightlines to the stage.

The building opened in 1926 as a movie cinema and showed films until 1970, when it shifted use and became a venue for live music. Bands like Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead performed here early and shaped its reputation as a place for rock concerts.

The name reflects the 1920s custom of calling large cinemas after grand civic buildings to signal elegance and importance. Musicians and audiences travel from across the region because the room feels close and direct, with little distance between stage and seats.

The building holds around 1800 visitors across multiple levels, with modern sound systems and seating on different floors. Tickets can be purchased online, and the stage is visible from all areas.

Janis Joplin wrote her song Mercedes Benz one evening at a nearby bar and sang it for the first time on this stage, shortly before her death. Since then, fans remember the moment when they enter the building.

Location: Port Chester

Architects: Thomas W. Lamb

Capacity: 1800

Address: 149 Westchester Avenue, Port Chester, NY 10573

GPS coordinates: 41.00167,-73.66556

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30