McElroy Auditorium

McElroy Auditorium is a multipurpose arena in Waterloo with an art deco lobby entrance that sets the tone for the interior. The space holds 234 box seats throughout the main performance area and includes multiple dressing rooms, ticket windows, and concession stands to serve crowds of up to 7,000 people.

The building opened in 1919 originally named The Hippodrome, serving as an entertainment venue during that era. It was renamed McElroy Auditorium in 1965 to honor R.J. McElroy, a prominent local radio broadcaster who had shaped the region's media landscape.

The venue has become a central place where major recording artists performed over the decades, shaping how people in the region experience live music. These performances are woven into the local identity and how the community remembers its cultural moments.

The auditorium is well equipped with dressing rooms for performers and multiple ticket windows to manage entry crowds. The facility can accommodate up to 7,000 people and has several concession areas spread throughout the space to serve visitors.

An unusual feature of the venue is a converted milk truck that serves as a mobile beverage station during special events. The truck is equipped with eight tap lines and represents the resourceful approach the venue has taken to serving visitors.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1919

GPS coordinates: 42.50970,-92.37360

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:02