October 27, 1916: Greek immigrant Alexander Pantages opens the 26th of what would eventually be a total of 500 theatres. The Minneapolis Pantages, on Hennepin Avenue, was designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Kees & Colburn. It was originally conceived as a twelve-story complex in Beaux Arts style, but was scaled back to a two-story Art Moderne facade with a Beaux arts interior that accommodated 1600 people. Building costs were approximately $15,000. The Pantages boasted the first air-conditioning in a Minneapolis theatre, which involved cooling the air with ice. Alexander Pantages also innovated the mezzanine, a carpeted lobby on the balcony level with restrooms and telephones. The first show at the Minneapolis Pantages was a vaudeville lineup that included singers, comedians, and a banjo player.

Directions & Parking

The Pantages Theatre is located at 710 Hennepin Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55403.

North via I-94
Take I-94 east to the Hennepin/Lyndale exit. Turn left at the first stoplight, which is Hennepin Avenue. The Pantages Theatre is located 3-1/2 blocks north on the left side of Hennepin Avenue at 7th Street.

North via 35W Take Highway 35W south to the 11th Street exit. Follow 11th Street 5-6 blocks to Hennepin Avenue. Turn right on Hennepin Avenue. The Pantages Theatre is located 3-1/2 blocks north on the left side of Hennepin Avenue at 7th Street.

FROM THE SOUTH
Take 35W north to the 11th Street/Grant Street exit. Follow 11th Street 5-6 blocks to Hennepin Avenue. Turn right on Hennepin Avenue. The Pantages Theatre is located 3-1/2 blocks north on the left side of Hennepin Avenue at 7th Street.

FROM THE EAST
Take I-94 west to the 11th Street exit. Follow 11th Street 5-6 blocks to Hennepin Avenue. Turn right on Hennepin Avenue. The Pantages Theatre is located 3-1/2 blocks north on the left side of Hennepin Avenue at 7th Street.

FROM THE WEST
Take Highway 394 east to the Hennepin/Lyndale Exit. Follow Hennepin Avenue into downtown. The Pantages Theatre is located 3-1/2 blocks north on the left side of Hennepin Avenue at 7th Street.

Accessibility

Please call the Box Office for more information on accessibility for the Pantages: 612.339.7007.

Visit the Pantages website at www.hennepintheatredistrict.org.

PARKING
There is ample parking for The Pantages in the area. There are flat lots on the corner of 10th Street and Hennepin Avenue. The Hawthorne Ramp is connected via skyway to the Orpheum Theatre. There are also parking ramps located at Marshall Fields, LaSalle Plaza, Target Center or municipal ramps all within easy walking distance of the theatre.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The Pantages Theatre is located on several MCTO bus routes. Customers can call 612.373.3333 for info or visit metrotransit.org. The following is a telephone directory for Taxi services in the area:

Red & White 612.871.1600
Blue & White 612.333.3333
AYS Taxi 612.874.7974
ABC 612.788.1111
Air Taxi 612.721.8907
Airport Suburban 612.810.0000
Green & White 612.349.9999
Yellow Cab 612.824.4444
Minnesota Cab 612.866.9999
Suburban 612.884.8888

October 27, 1916: Greek immigrant Alexander Pantages opens the 26th of what would eventually be a total of 500 theatres. The Minneapolis Pantages, on Hennepin Avenue, was designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Kees & Colburn. It was originally conceived as a twelve-story complex in Beaux Arts style, but was scaled back to a two-story Art Moderne facade with a Beaux arts interior that accommodated 1600 people. Building costs were approximately $15,000. The Pantages boasted the first air-conditioning in a Minneapolis theatre, which involved cooling the air with ice. Alexander Pantages also innovated the mezzanine, a carpeted lobby on the balcony level with restrooms and telephones. The first show at the Minneapolis Pantages was a vaudeville lineup that included singers, comedians, and a banjo player.