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music
Paramount Center for the Arts
Bristol's grand 1931 theater, alive with performance
Bristol, Tennessee
Photo: ceedub13, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- City
- Bristol
- Cell signal
- strong signal
- Admission
- See website for pricing
- National Register of Historic Places · 1985
The Paramount Center for the Arts is a stunning 765-seat theater in the heart of downtown Bristol, lovingly restored to its 1931 Art Deco glory. Originally built as a movie palace during the golden age of cinema, the Paramount now hosts live music, theater, comedy, film screenings, and community events. The ornate interior, with its gilded details, sweeping balcony, and atmospheric ceiling, is worth the price of admission alone. Check the calendar for everything from nationally touring musicians to local theater productions.
The Paramount Theatre opened February 20, 1931, during the Great Depression, with a screening of "It Pays to Advertise" starring Carole Lombard. Designed by McDonald and Company of Atlanta in Art Deco style, the 765-seat movie palace featured a Mighty Wurlitzer organ raised hydraulically from the orchestra pit. It showed its last film in 1979 and went dark before a restoration returned it to its original splendor; the Paramount reopened in 1991 with a gala headlined by Bristol native Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Visit Info
box-office: Tue-Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and 1 hour before showtime
Performance schedule varies. Check website for current shows and tickets.
518 State Street, Bristol, TN 37620
Parking: Street parking and public lots within walking distance on State Street.
Visitor Tips
- ›The building itself is a work of art, arrive early to admire the Art Deco details
- ›State Street dining options are steps away for a pre-show dinner
- ›Check for special events during Bristol Rhythm & Roots weekend
- ›Balcony seats offer the best view of the ornate ceiling and stage together
Stay near this stop
Turn this into an overnight trip.
These places to stay are closest to Paramount Center for the Arts. Use them as your base, then add nearby food, trails, and events.
Featured in Routes
What to know before you go
- Access
- ADA accessible entrance and seating. Elevator to balcony level. Assistive listening devices available.
- Parking
- Street parking and public lots within walking distance on State Street.
- Cell signal
- Strong cell signal throughout the site
- Tips
- The building itself is a work of art, arrive early to admire the Art Deco details
- State Street dining options are steps away for a pre-show dinner
- Check for special events during Bristol Rhythm & Roots weekend
- Balcony seats offer the best view of the ornate ceiling and stage together
Pair this with
Pair Paramount Center for the Arts with Burger Bar, The Cameo Theater, and The Sessions Hotel.
Within 6 miles, you can chain these into a half-day without driving back.
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Verified 2026-07-01 · next review 2026-09-29
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