Local Attractions

Located at 1148 East Jersey Street, the Ritz Theatre stands as one of Elizabeth's most iconic cultural landmarks - and one of New Jersey's largest historic performance venues still in operation.

Originally built in 1865 as the Drake Opera House, the site was transformed in the mid-1920s when entrepreneur Jacob Fabian purchased the property and commissioned architect Fred Wesley Wentworth to reimagine it as a grand Art Deco movie palace and live entertainment venue. The newly christened Ritz Theatre opened its doors on March 9, 1926, boasting nearly 2,800 seats and immediately becoming a centerpiece of downtown Elizabeth's social life.

By the early 1940s, the theatre was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management, hosting films, vaudeville acts, and touring performers. Over the decades, the Ritz welcomed an extraordinary roster of legendary artists, including the Marx Brothers, George Burns, Jack Benny, Ray Charles, Harry Chapin, Maya Angelou, Chaka Khan, Rodney Dangerfield, and Miles Davis - cementing its reputation as a premier stop on the national entertainment circuit.

Like many grand theaters, the Ritz experienced a period of decline beginning in the 1960s and narrowly escaped demolition in the early 1980s, when plans called for replacing it with a parking lot. Preservation efforts kept the building standing, but financial challenges stalled restoration until 1994, when it was acquired by George A. Castro II. Under his ownership, the theatre underwent extensive rehabilitation, returning much of its original 1920s elegance while upgrading it for modern performances.

Today, the Ritz Theatre once again serves as a vibrant live-event venue, hosting concerts, comedy, cultural programming, and community celebrations. With its sweeping auditorium, ornate architectural details, and nearly century-long legacy of entertainment, the Ritz remains a powerful symbol of Elizabeth's artistic heritage - and a reminder of the city's enduring role in New Jersey's cultural history.