The Tower Theatre opened in 1940 and was for decades the social and cultural center of Bend — the place where the town watched films and gathered. When multiplexes made single-screen movie houses obsolete, the Tower closed and sat empty for years. It was restored and reopened in 2004 as a performing arts venue, and now hosts concerts, comedy, lectures, and theater in its intimate 450-seat auditorium.
The building's art deco facade is one of the few remaining examples of that era in Bend, and it anchors the downtown streetscape on Wall Street in a way that newer architecture doesn't. The marquee still announces upcoming shows with old-fashioned changeable letters. Check the calendar when you're in town — the booking policy favors diverse programming, and something interesting is usually scheduled.
The lobby bar opens before and after shows, making it a natural gathering point on concert nights. The theater also hosts an annual film series during the Bend Film Festival each October.