Lights up. Showtime.
Usually $8–$12 for movies, $15–$30 for live events. Parking: Free street parking is surprisingly available, plus a small lot behind the theater. Have you been to the Parkway recently? What’s the best thing you’ve seen there—a movie, a concert, or maybe just that perfect slice of pizza? Drop a comment below.
It’s the sound of 200 people laughing together at a comedy. It’s the collective gasp during a horror movie. It’s the feeling of sitting in a room that has hosted nearly a century of human emotion. parkway theater minneapolis mn
By the early 2000s, the Parkway had fallen on hard times. It was dark, dilapidated, and facing the wrecking ball. For a while, it operated as a second-run dollar theater, but that couldn't last. It looked like the final credits were about to roll on a piece of Minneapolis history. The plot twist came in 2007 when a group of five neighborhood investors—dubbed the "Parkway Five"—bought the theater. They didn't have Hollywood budgets, but they had vision. Over the next several years, they painstakingly restored the art-deco charm, replaced the roof, rebuilt the stage, and upgraded the sound and projection.
The isn’t just another place to watch a movie. It’s a phoenix that rose from the ashes of urban decay, a neighborhood anchor, and a shining example of what happens when a community refuses to let history fade to black. Lights up
Here’s the full story of why the Parkway should be on your must-visit list. The Parkway first opened its doors in 1931 as a single-screen movie palace. For decades, it served the then-thriving commercial hub of South Minneapolis, showing first-run films to packed houses. But like many historic theaters, it suffered through the suburban flight of the 1970s and the multiplex boom of the 80s and 90s.
Whether you're a film buff, a live music fan, a pizza lover, or just someone looking for a unique date night, the Parkway delivers. Parking: Free street parking is surprisingly available, plus
4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417 Neighborhood: Tangletown (just a few blocks south of Lake Street)