Gayety Theatre

405 E. Baltimore Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202

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Additional Info

Architects: John Bailey McElfatrick

Functions: Retail

Styles: Beaux-Arts, French Renaissance

Nearby Theaters

Gayety Theatre ... Baltimore Maryland

They Gayety Theatre opened February 5, 1906 as a burlesque theatre, although movies were featured in later years, when during the 1960’s it screened ‘X’ rated adult films. Sadly, a fire on December 21, 1969, destroyed much of the theatre, leaving only the lobby and facade totally intact. The Gayety Theatre name and its adult movie use was transferred to the vacant Plaza Theatre across the road.

Today, the lobby of the former Gayety Theatre is an adult video and book store. The marquee is still in place and the front facade is still intact and has been renovated. I believe that I read some where that the theatre is the Hustler Club but won’t swear to it. When I am released to travel again I am planning a trip to the Annapolis/Baltimore area and will check the theatre out.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on February 12, 2009 at 7:14 pm

I went by it in the 1950s but never went into it. It was a typical Burley theater of that period. Very popular with sailors ! The entrance was brightly lit and rather garish. The nearby area was honky-tonk. I’m fairly certain that it showed movies in between stage shows at that time.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 12, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Here is an article from 2000 about the red light district where the Gayety was located:
http://tinyurl.com/djognl

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on August 15, 2009 at 6:38 pm

From LIFE Photo Archives, 1944; is that the Baltimore Gayety in the far background?

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