Virginia is for Lovers

  • Welcome

    Welcome

    • About Virginia
    • Welcome Centers
    • VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS
    • Accessible Travel
    • International Visitors
    • Weather
    • Transportation
    • Related Links
    • Weddings In Virginia
    • LGBT Travel
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS SHOP

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Things To Do

    Things To Do

    • Family Fun
    • Historic Sites
    • Eat & Drink
    • Outdoors
    • THEME PARKS & WATERPARKS
    • Zoos & Aquariums
    • Music
    • BEACHES
    • State Parks
    • National Parks
    • CAVERNS
    • Golf
    • SPAS
    • SHOPPING
    • MUSEUMS
    • Arts & Culture
    • LOVEworks
    • Filmed in Virginia

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Events

    Events

    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • CIVIL WAR
    • CULINARY
    • FAMILY FUN
    • FESTIVALS
    • HISTORY & HERITAGE
    • MUSIC FESTIVALS
    • PERFORMANCES
    • SPORTING
    • WINE FESTIVALS

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Places To Stay

    Places To Stay

    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • COTTAGES & CABINS
    • INNS
    • RESORTS
    • PET FRIENDLY
    • CAMPING
    • HOTELS & MOTELS
    • LODGES & GUEST RANCHES
    • Vacation Homes & Rentals
    • VIRGINIA GREEN

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Deals

    Deals

    • DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    • FALL PACKAGES
    • FAMILY FUN PACKAGES
    • FOOD AND WINE PACKAGES
    • HISTORY DEALS
    • SPRING PACKAGES
    • MILITARY DISCOUNTS
    • ROMANCE PACKAGES
    • TRAVEL PACKAGES

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Store
  • Maps

    Maps

    • Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia - Blue Ridge Highlands
    • Central Virginia
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
    • Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Virginia Mountains

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Accessible Travel

Dining Commodore Theatre

Exterior of historic Commodore theater in Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia
  • Address
    421 High Street
    Portmouth, VA 23704
  • Phone
    757-393-6962
  • City
    Portmouth
    Locality
    Portsmouth City
    pin for print map of virginia
  • Social
  • Visit Site

A luxuriously restored 1945 Art Deco-style motion picture theater presenting first run films with a casual dining restaurant within the main auditorium.  Traditional theater style seating in the balcony.  Opened in 1945, the Commodore Theater was designed by noted Baltimore architect John J. Zink and built and operated by William S. "Bunkie" Wilder, a Portsmouth native.  It is named for Commodore Barron, a veteran of the War of 1812, who is buried in the churchyard next door to the theater.  The Art Deco theater has a nautical theme and two large murals depicting local and national history.  The Commodore showed motion pictures and hosted community stage presentations until 1975, when it closed for 12 years.  In 1987, Fred Schoenfeld purchased the theater and spent two and a half years restoring it.  He re-opened the Commodore on December 21, 1989 as a first run movie theater with full service dining- the first such cinema-eater in the United States.  Meeting stringent exhibition criteria for sound, image, and audience experience, the Commodore Theater earned THX-certification for excellence.  The Commodore Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Register of Historic Places.

Amenities

  • LGBT Friendly

Region

Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads

Last Updated: 05/01/2019

Related Listings

  • Elizabeth River Ferry
    Elizabeth River Ferry
    333 Waterside Dr.
    Norfolk, VA 23510

What's Nearby

  • Commodore Theatre, The
    Commodore Theatre, The
    421 High Street
    Portsmouth, VA 23704
    0.01 MI
  • Cycle Classics
    Cycle Classics
    427 High Street
    Portsmouth, VA 23704
    0.01 MI
  • Stellar Wine Company
    Stellar Wine Company
    425 High Street
    Portsmouth, VA 23704
    0.01 MI
  • She Swank Marketplace Hampton Roads
    She Swank Marketplace Hampton Roads
    431 High Street
    Portsmouth, VA 23704
    0.02 MI
  • Bier Garden
    Bier Garden
    438 High St.
    Portsmouth, VA 23704
    0.03 MI

    Area Events

    You Might Like

    • Dining
      The Jackspot at Sunset Beach
      32246 Lankford Highway
      Cape Charles, VA
    • Dining
      Me2 Market & Eatery
      2243 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. (Rt. 53)
      Charlottesville, VA
    • Dining
      TradeWinds Restaurant
      2800 Shore Drive
      Virginia Beach, VA
    • Dining
      Brick Anchor Brew-House
      241 Granby Street
      Norfolk, VA
    • Dining
      Brickshire Golf Club-House Bar & Grille
      5520 Virginia Park Drive
      Providence Forge, VA
    • Image Unavailable

      Dining
      Royal New Kent Golf Club House Bar & Grille
      10100 Kentland Trail
      Providence Forge, VA
    • Dining
      Stonehouse Golf Club-House Bar & Grille
      9700 Mill Pond Run
      Toano, VA
    • Dining
      Ocean 27's H-Bar
      2705 Atlantic Avenue
      Virginia Beach, VA
    • Dining
      Maggie McFly's
      701 Lynnhaven Parkway
      Virginia Beach, VA
    • Dining
      Culture Cafe a Kitchen and Bar
      747 Scotland Street
      Williamsburg, VA
    See More
    SV16021603V_008.JPG

    Winter in Virginia

    • Mountain Resorts

      Cabin Rentals

      Skiing

      Ice Skating

      Whale Watching

      Winter Hikes

      Luxury Retreats
    Virginia is for Lovers Trucker Hat

    Shop with us for merchandise and gifts

    Shop Virginia

    We Need Your Feedback

    Take our Survey

    Travel Updates

    Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates.

    Find out why Virginia is for Lovers. You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! Sign up for Virginia is for Lovers Emails now!

    There’s always more to LOVE in Virginia. Please select any topic that interests you!

    About Va
    • Virginia Travel Blog
    • Welcome Centers
    • Cities & Localities
    • Transportation
    • Virginia Is For Lovers
    Contact Us
    • Media/Press Room
    • Send Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
    • Travel Industry
    • Travel Guide Order
    Travel
    • Group Planners
    • Sports Marketers
    • Meetings Professionals
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • Accessible Travel
    Additional Links
    • Virginia Is For Lovers Store
    • Add/Update Your Listings
    • Website Survey
    • Site Map
    • Virginia is for Lovers
    • DiscoverAmerica.com
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • France
    • Germany
    • England
    • Korea
    • China
    • Japan

    Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia ● © 2021 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, VA 23219
    For Virginia citizen and business services visit www.Virginia.gov. ● Virginia Economic Development Partnership visit www.VEDP.org.