Oriental Theatre

The Oriental Theatre is a cinema with three screens in Milwaukee that holds about 1530 seats total. The interior is decorated with East Indian elements including minarets, stained glass chandeliers, and numerous elephant motifs throughout.

This building was constructed in 1927 as a grand entertainment venue during the era of ornate movie palaces. It later earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural value.

The theater has hosted The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday at midnight since 1978, attracting devoted fans who come back week after week. This long-running tradition has become woven into the fabric of the local community.

This venue is located on North Farwell Avenue and screens both independent and mainstream films with digital and traditional projection options. Visitors should check the current schedule before visiting as programs can vary throughout the week.

The walls outside the theater display artistic murals including a large green frog painted by French artist MTO. This artwork is part of the Black Cat Alley installation and draws art enthusiasts to see it.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: July 2, 1927

Official opening: July 2, 1927

Capacity: 1530

Address: 2230 N. Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Website: https://mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre

GPS coordinates: 43.05978,-87.88551

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:48