The Globe Theater at 1424 23rd Ave. sits adjacent to the Palace Theater and is a treasure all and of herself. Built in 1912, this theater has a rich and dynamic history. The buildings construction site and build date shows a time period where East Oakland industries were beginning to thrive. This theater is one that established the historic 23rd Ave. Commercial District, a district of historical importance recognized by the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey.
During the late 80’s and 90’s it was called The Art Club. It is interesting to note that this was the first space that was rezoned for a live work loft, which has become a residential reuse of most of the old industrial buildings in the area, such as the Vulcan, Cotton Mill, and Dutch Boy Paint. This building was the first.
The theater was built by a well known architect, who crafted hundreds of unique buildings in Oakland, named A.W. Smith. It is said that he was notably mannered and an exuberant craftsmen.
The Globe was a co project between Benjamin D. Phillips and Steven D. Neppach the first a cattle rancher/real estate owner the latter a produce salesmen with a store next door. The theater held major vaudeville shows but was primarily a movie house with an all day rate, showing mostly family films, newsreels, and documentaries. However there was an instance of great gossip and debate involving the theater being raided in 1919 for showing lewd/pornographic movies to men. The owners at the time Harry Thomas and Earl A. Attlesey were later taken to court and fined, as well as the operator Wallace Assay. It shows the ramblin’ nature of this thriving commercial district where “sarsaparilla” signs hung in the windows of prohibition era “soda” bars, and people came to enjoy theater, movies and nightlife.
The Globe was put out of business by the construction of the larger reinforced Palace Theater in 1923.
A treasure of Oakland; the Globe is still standing today.
Welcome to The Palace Theater presented by Lucid Dream Lounge Inc.
Oakland’s oldest operating theater and newly opened event space. This is a big win for LDL, Inc. and Oakland, bringing art and commerce to our neighborhood, as well as providing space to showcase the works and events of our talented and beautiful community and beyond.
Come be a part of the magic.
The Palace Theater is now available for your event!
With 5600sq/ft of open floor space, 1400sq/ft of stage space, 2500sq/ft Lobby/Mezzanine, a balcony with original seating, and capacity of 820+ persons, the Palace is just that; a palace with enough room and stage space for any event. We are available for music/dance events, plays/musicals, community inspired events, fashion shows, conventions/seminars, weddings, holiday parties, concerts and more. The Palace Theater is also available to film your movie, commercial or TV show. We are always open to hearing about your own special events too.
The Palace Theater is the home of Lucid Dream Lounge, Inc. Look for in house events on a regular basis. Such as: full scale high production plays and musicals, dinner theater/cabaret, speakeasies, marketplace bizarres, game nights, showings of movies and art films, open galleries, open mike/poetry, and community based classes in art, dance, theater, and writing.
The Palace is also home to the projects of LDL members such as the Kenjitsu Dojo Oakland, a private recording studio, and several artist’s studios.
Brief history of the theater:
The Palace Theater was built in 1921 as a vaudevillian theater featuring some of the most talented and long forgotten greats. She was built strong, made of Iron and masonry in attempts to make oakland’s theaters more safe. In 1931 she was built-out to look like a palace, with city scape walls and a large proscenium arch that featured the best movies of the day. This original work is still intact by 80% and is undergoing restoration. In 1953 the theater was converted into a baptist church, and it is in this form that she stayed for 60 years. Until now, taking new directions with LDL Inc. she is once again a theater and neighborhood arts and events fixture.
Lucid Dream Lounge encourages you to think outside the black box, and up your fun!
For more info about hosting your event, LDL, Inc. events, or a detailed history of the theater herself; go to our website: palacetheateroakland.com
Email us @ or
For info about LDL, Inc. go to: lucidddreamlounge.com
Look for us on the web, and YouTube as: The Palace Theater / Lucid Dream Lounge, Inc.
The Globe Theater at 1424 23rd Ave. sits adjacent to the Palace Theater and is a treasure all and of herself. Built in 1912, this theater has a rich and dynamic history. The buildings construction site and build date shows a time period where East Oakland industries were beginning to thrive. This theater is one that established the historic 23rd Ave. Commercial District, a district of historical importance recognized by the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey. During the late 80’s and 90’s it was called The Art Club. It is interesting to note that this was the first space that was rezoned for a live work loft, which has become a residential reuse of most of the old industrial buildings in the area, such as the Vulcan, Cotton Mill, and Dutch Boy Paint. This building was the first. The theater was built by a well known architect, who crafted hundreds of unique buildings in Oakland, named A.W. Smith. It is said that he was notably mannered and an exuberant craftsmen. The Globe was a co project between Benjamin D. Phillips and Steven D. Neppach the first a cattle rancher/real estate owner the latter a produce salesmen with a store next door. The theater held major vaudeville shows but was primarily a movie house with an all day rate, showing mostly family films, newsreels, and documentaries. However there was an instance of great gossip and debate involving the theater being raided in 1919 for showing lewd/pornographic movies to men. The owners at the time Harry Thomas and Earl A. Attlesey were later taken to court and fined, as well as the operator Wallace Assay. It shows the ramblin’ nature of this thriving commercial district where “sarsaparilla” signs hung in the windows of prohibition era “soda” bars, and people came to enjoy theater, movies and nightlife. The Globe was put out of business by the construction of the larger reinforced Palace Theater in 1923. A treasure of Oakland; the Globe is still standing today.
Welcome to The Palace Theater presented by Lucid Dream Lounge Inc. Oakland’s oldest operating theater and newly opened event space. This is a big win for LDL, Inc. and Oakland, bringing art and commerce to our neighborhood, as well as providing space to showcase the works and events of our talented and beautiful community and beyond.
Come be a part of the magic.
The Palace Theater is now available for your event! With 5600sq/ft of open floor space, 1400sq/ft of stage space, 2500sq/ft Lobby/Mezzanine, a balcony with original seating, and capacity of 820+ persons, the Palace is just that; a palace with enough room and stage space for any event. We are available for music/dance events, plays/musicals, community inspired events, fashion shows, conventions/seminars, weddings, holiday parties, concerts and more. The Palace Theater is also available to film your movie, commercial or TV show. We are always open to hearing about your own special events too.
The Palace Theater is the home of Lucid Dream Lounge, Inc. Look for in house events on a regular basis. Such as: full scale high production plays and musicals, dinner theater/cabaret, speakeasies, marketplace bizarres, game nights, showings of movies and art films, open galleries, open mike/poetry, and community based classes in art, dance, theater, and writing.
The Palace is also home to the projects of LDL members such as the Kenjitsu Dojo Oakland, a private recording studio, and several artist’s studios.
Brief history of the theater: The Palace Theater was built in 1921 as a vaudevillian theater featuring some of the most talented and long forgotten greats. She was built strong, made of Iron and masonry in attempts to make oakland’s theaters more safe. In 1931 she was built-out to look like a palace, with city scape walls and a large proscenium arch that featured the best movies of the day. This original work is still intact by 80% and is undergoing restoration. In 1953 the theater was converted into a baptist church, and it is in this form that she stayed for 60 years. Until now, taking new directions with LDL Inc. she is once again a theater and neighborhood arts and events fixture.
Lucid Dream Lounge encourages you to think outside the black box, and up your fun!
For more info about hosting your event, LDL, Inc. events, or a detailed history of the theater herself; go to our website: palacetheateroakland.com Email us @ or For info about LDL, Inc. go to: lucidddreamlounge.com Look for us on the web, and YouTube as: The Palace Theater / Lucid Dream Lounge, Inc.