Crest Theatre

The Crest Theater is a historic entertainment venue located at 1013 K Street in the heart of downtown Sacramento, California, just blocks from the State Capitol and the Sacramento Convention Center. Originally opened in 1912 as the Empress Theatre — a vaudeville palace — the building was completely reimagined following a major renovation in 1949 and emerged as the Crest Theatre in its current form. A further refurbishment in 1995 restored the venue's ornate gold-leaf art deco interior to its mid-century splendor. Today, The Crest Theater hosts a broad range of events in its main auditorium, including classic and specialty film screenings, live concerts, comedy performances, lectures, and community festivals. With seating for up to 975 guests and a full stage, professional sound system, and professional lighting, the venue accommodates productions of genuine scale. The theater also features an onsite restaurant, Empress Tavern, in its lower level. For private events, The Crest Theater is available for day and evening rentals and has hosted political fundraisers, receptions, corporate conferences, employee orientations, and wedding celebrations. The venue is wheelchair accessible and situated in a walkable downtown neighborhood with paid parking options nearby.