Riverside Theater

Capacity: 2,450

Opened: April 29, 1928

The Riverside Theater is perhaps the most opulent event facility in Milwaukee; by its name, it was built by fighting the adjacent Milwaukee River off its basement.

When the Radio-Keith Orpheum vaudeville circuit was on the lookout for a bigger, more aesthetically pleasing center to replace its 1908 Majestic Theatre, they resorted to putting money into the company tasked with demolishing the Empire Hotel and Tavern.

At the intersection point between Grand (now Wisconsin) Avnye and West Water Street (now Plankinton Avenue). RKO did this to build the theater within the 12-story Empire Office complex with an alley and river as the other two boundaries.

The Riverside Theater has seen its fair share of ups and downs. However, the restoration in the mid-1980s pulled the failing movie palace out of perdition. Counterpart centers like Miller, The Princess, and Garden launched before Riverside but went under decades ago.

Riverside Theater events

This Wisconsin-based marvel has hosted many high-profile events and performances spanning several entertainment genres. It has welcomed legendary musicians like Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John.

Also, comedic geniuses such as Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Louis C.K. have all performed memorable sets at the venue. More interestingly, it has hosted many Broadway touring productions and musicals, including The Lion King, Wicked, Hamilton, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of the Opera.

Maintaining its track record, the Riverside Theater will host events like Zeppelin's Get the Led Out, a standup comedy by Fortune Feimster, the Disney Princess concert, and the We Who Wrestle With God tour by Dr. Jordan B Peterson.

Riverside Theater seating chart

The center has a total seating capacity of 2,450, yet this count can vary from event to event, depending on the unique configurations adopted by the organizers. Check out the detailed seating chart of on TicketX for a more vivid picture.

Riverside Theater transportation and parking

As far as convenience goes, public transport is one of the most reliable ways to get to the Riverside Theater, as the nearest bus stop, served by a multiplicity of routes,  is at Wisconsin Avenue and Plankinton Avenue.

Other bus routes and the nearby Amtrak train station provide easy access to the downtown area where the theater is located. But should you choose to take the light rail, the Wisconsin Avenue station, which the M-Line serves, is in closest proximity.

Parking at the theater can be limited, particularly during the busiest events. As such, we recommend using nearby alternative parking options like the Gimbels Structure and East Street Car Park, where discounted prices between $10 and $15 are offered to eventgoers.

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft operate in Milwaukee and offer just as many mobility transportation options for those traveling to the theater. Drop-off and pick-up points may vary, so checking with the respective service providers for designated locations is always advisable.