The Englert Theatre

The Englert Theatre has anchored downtown Iowa City since September 26, 1912, when William and Etta Englert opened the doors of what would become Iowa City's last surviving historic theater. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and fully renovated in 2004, the building carries more than a century of performance history — from vaudeville and opera to live music, comedy, and civic ceremony — through a Renaissance and Tudor Revival facade that still defines the corner of East Washington Street. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Englert presents more than 120 events each year under its own banner, including Mission Creek Festival and Witching Hour, while opening its spaces to private clients seeking something beyond a standard event hall. The main theatre seats 715 across the orchestra floor and a sweeping balcony, and comes equipped with a newly upgraded sound system and full lighting capabilities suited for concerts, lectures, film screenings, variety shows, and ceremonies. A second-floor lounge — recently renovated, with a full-service bar and kitchen and tall windows that bring in natural light — accommodates up to 100 guests for standing receptions or 50 for seated gatherings. The stage itself is available as a standalone event space for up to 100 guests, offering a setting few private venues can match.