The Teatro Bolívar on Espejo Street in the Historic Centre is one of the finest Art Deco theatres in Latin America — a 1,800-seat venue built in 1933 that combines European Art Deco grandeur with South American scale and ambition. The auditorium, with its gilded plasterwork, ornate ceiling, and horseshoe-shaped balconies, is an extraordinary space when seen at a performance.
After years of partial closure and gradual restoration following a devastating fire in 1999, the Teatro Bolívar now hosts a regular programme of concerts, theatre, opera, and ballet, and offers guided tours of the building during the day. The tours are worthwhile: the backstage areas, the restoration workshops, and the historical photographs of the original theatre tell a story of Quito's cultural ambitions and of the dedicated group of people who have spent years bringing this building back. Check the programme before you go — attending a performance here is one of the best evenings out in Quito.