Huntington's concert hall, the former IMAC
The Paramount is a concert and comedy venue at 370 New York Avenue in Huntington village, on Long Island's North Shore. It holds up to 1,573 people and hosts more than 300 events a year: rock, pop, tribute and country acts, comedians, and touring shows that skip the Nassau and Suffolk arenas. The choice to make is simple. Stand on the main floor if you want to be close and do not mind standing; buy a reserved loge or front mezzanine seat if you want a guaranteed spot and a clear look over the crowd.
The building opened on May 5, 1927, as the Huntington Theatre, a vaudeville and movie house. It later operated as The Balcony and, from 1981, as Spaceport, a laser-show theater. From the mid-1980s until 2009 it was the Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC), and many Long Islanders still call it that. A group of investors rebuilt it as The Paramount, which opened on September 30, 2011, with a sold-out Elvis Costello concert.
How the room is laid out
The venue describes four areas, and tickets are sold by area rather than by a large numbered section map.
- Main floor: a large floor in front of the stage. Most rock and pop shows sell it as general-admission standing room; some comedy and seated concerts put chairs on it. The venue sells standing, hybrid and fully seated layouts, so check the event's map.
- Loge: fixed seating along the side walls, raised above the floor.
- Mezzanine: the upper seating level facing the stage. Some mezzanine tickets are marked Obstructed View, meaning a column or other structure may block part of the stage.
- Skybar: an upper-level bar area with views down to the stage.
A quirk of the history explains the shape. When IMAC took over in 1983, it built a new stage and used the old theater's balcony as the auditorium, so the room you stand in today is not the 1927 orchestra floor.
Where to stand or sit for a show
General-admission floor
For a loud rock show, the floor is the reason to go. Position is first come, first served, so arrival time matters more than ticket type. The center of the floor about two-thirds of the way back usually gives the best balance of view and sound, since you are in line with the main speakers and can see over the crowd near the stage. Fans who want the rail should be at the door well before it opens.
Loge seats
The side loges give you a seat and a raised angle. Seats nearer the stage end look at the performers in profile, while those farther back see more of the stage head-on.
Mezzanine
The front of the mezzanine is the best seated view in the room for a full production, with the whole stage and lighting rig in front of you. Read the listing carefully: tickets flagged Obstructed View are cheaper because part of the stage may be hidden. For comedy, where you mainly need to see one person at a microphone, the partial view matters less.
When to skip the floor
- If you are under about five foot six and the show is standing room, a front mezzanine seat will show you more of the stage.
- If you need step-free access, note that the elevator reaches only the main floor.
- If you plan to leave mid-show, remember there is no re-entry.
Getting there: LIRR and village parking
The Paramount does not own or run a parking lot. Several Town of Huntington municipal lots in the village are within walking distance, and many are free; metered street spaces can be paid at the meter or through the village parking app. On a sellout night, the closest lots fill early, so plan extra time to circle.
By train, take the Long Island Rail Road to Huntington station. The station is not in the village, so the venue suggests a taxi from the station lots, about a five- to seven-minute ride. Check the last westbound train before you go, since late concerts can run past the final convenient departure.
Doors and box office hours vary by show; will call opens about an hour before doors. Ella's, the restaurant next door at 364 New York Avenue, and Spotlight, a bar with live music, are the obvious pre-show stops, and the village has many more restaurants.
Bag policy and house rules
As of 2026, The Paramount allows bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, and every bag is searched at entry. Backpacks and larger bags must be checked at the coat check, which charges a fee. Check the current policy before you go.
- Re-entry: not permitted at any ticketed event.
- Age: limits vary by show and are listed on the event page; guests under 14 must be with a responsible adult, and you need ID showing you are 21 or older to buy alcohol.
- Prohibited: outside food and drink, professional cameras and video gear, laser pointers, drones, skateboards and weapons.
- Accessibility: the main entrance, restrooms and bars are accessible, and an elevator from the main lobby serves the floor only. Accessible seating on the floor is assigned at the box office on the day of the show, first come, first served, and can fill early.
See the venue's visit page and accessibility page for current details.
From vaudeville house to club venue
Cinema Treasures records that the Huntington Theatre was built by A. H. Schwartz, opened with 1,666 seats and was one of the first theaters built beyond New York City limits. It declined in the 1970s, and IMAC, a nonprofit arts center, renovated the roof, wiring and mechanical systems before reopening in 1984. IMAC left in 2009, citing maintenance costs.
The investors who took a 30-year lease turned it into The Paramount with architect Neal Hoffman. Since 2011 it has hosted artists including Billy Joel, Ed Sheeran, Willie Nelson and Pitbull. In September 2024, News 12 Long Island reported that the venue was being sold to Live Nation, which already booked its shows. The building also houses the Founder's Room, a 1920s speakeasy-style private event space.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Paramount the same as IMAC?
Yes, it is the same building. The Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC) occupied it from the mid-1980s until 2009, and it reopened as The Paramount in 2011.
What is The Paramount's capacity?
Up to 1,573 people, depending on whether the floor is set up for standing, seating or a mix of the two.
Is The Paramount in Huntington standing room only?
The main floor is usually general-admission standing for concerts, but the loge and mezzanine have fixed seats, and some shows put chairs on the floor.
What is the Paramount Huntington bag policy?
As of 2026, bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed and searched; backpacks and larger bags must be checked for a fee. Check the current policy before you go.
Where do you park for The Paramount?
The venue has no lot of its own. Use the Town of Huntington municipal lots and metered streets in the village, many of which are free.
Can I leave The Paramount and come back?
No. Re-entry is not permitted at ticketed events.