Portage Theatre

The Portage Theatre is a cinema housed in a megaphone-shaped auditorium with classical architectural details characteristic of early-20th-century movie palaces. The grand space accommodates around 2,250 seats arranged throughout the main hall and its accompanying balcony level.

The theater opened in 1920 as the first cinema building constructed specifically for film screenings in the Portage Park neighborhood. This opening coincided with the rapid expansion of dedicated movie theaters across American cities during the early cinema era.

The theater remains a living space for Chicago's film heritage, hosting screenings that celebrate early cinema traditions with live musical accompaniment. Visitors experience how this venue keeps the era of silent films and theatrical presentation alive for contemporary audiences.

The theater sits on North Milwaukee Avenue with convenient access via public transportation and parking available in the surrounding area. Visitors should expect older theatrical infrastructure including vintage seating arrangements and multiple levels to navigate within the building.

The interior spaces served as filming locations for the 2008 movie Public Enemies, which told the story of bank robber John Dillinger. This connection means visitors walk through the same rooms where scenes from that Hollywood production were shot.

Location: Chicago

Inception: December 11, 1920

Official opening: December 11, 1920

Capacity: 2250

Address: 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641

Website: http://theportagetheater.com

GPS coordinates: 41.95420,-87.74840

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00