Knoxville's movie palace on Gay Street
The Tennessee Theatre is a restored 1928 movie palace at 604 South Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, and it carries the designation Official State Theatre of Tennessee. It seats about 1,645 people on two levels, an orchestra and a balcony. Touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedians and the resident Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and Knoxville Opera fill its calendar. For most shows, the best seats are in the center orchestra section (seats 101–118) between about rows D and P, close enough for faces and far enough back to see the whole stage.
The name has not changed since opening night, but the room has. A 1966 refurbishment cut the seat count from about 2,000 to 1,545, and the 2003–2005 restoration brought it back up to about 1,645. If you find an older seating chart online, check the row letters against the theater's current map.
Tennessee Theatre seating chart: how rows and seats are numbered
The layout below comes from the theater's own seating chart.
Orchestra
The orchestra runs from row A at the stage to row ZZ at the back. There is no row I, and a walkway crosses the orchestra after row H; row H itself has only center seats. A second cross-aisle sits after row X, so rows Y, Z and ZZ form a short rear block. The sound board occupies the center of row Z.
- Center section: seats 101 and up, widening to 118 seats in rows K through O.
- Inner side sections: even seats 2 to about 26 on one side, odd seats 1 to about 25 on the other.
- Outer side sections: from row J back, seats 32 to 50 (even) and 31 to 49 (odd) sit along the walls.
Seat 2 and seat 1 are on the aisle next to the center section, so a low number means a seat close to center.
Pit rows
Three rows labeled PA, PB and PC occupy the pit area in front of row A, behind a guardrail; whether they are sold depends on the show. The chart flags leg restrictions in row PB.
Balcony
The balcony runs from row AA to row HH. It has no 100-numbered center section; instead, an aisle splits the middle, with even seats 2–26 on one side and odd seats 1–25 on the other, and outer sections numbered from 31 and 32 upward. Accessible balcony seats are reached by elevator and ramp, but other balcony seats require stairs, and the theater notes there are no handrails.
Best seats for Broadway, concerts and the symphony
Touring Broadway
Center orchestra, rows D through P, is the best seat for a musical: you see choreography as a full picture and catch facial expressions. Rows A–C are close enough that you look up at the stage and can lose the back of the set. If the center section is gone, the inner side seats with low numbers (2–10 or 1–9) in the same rows are nearly as good.
Concerts and comedy
For a band, mid-orchestra center gives the best mix, and the sound board in row Z marks where the engineer hears the room. For comedy, closer is better, and pit rows put you a few feet from the performer.
Symphony and opera
Orchestral sound blends as it rises, so the front of the balcony (rows AA–CC, center) is a strong choice for the Knoxville Symphony, and it costs less than the prime orchestra rows.
Seats to think twice about
- Outer side sections in the front half: seats in the high 40s look at the stage from a sharp angle.
- Row PB: the theater's chart notes leg restrictions.
- Rows Y–ZZ: the back of the house, behind the cross-aisle and sound board.
- Upper balcony for anyone who has trouble with steps: only the accessible balcony seats have elevator access, and there are no handrails.
Parking and getting to Gay Street
The theater does not own any parking. The closest public garages are the Locust Street, Market Square, Langley and Dwight Kessel garages. As of 2026, the theater says more than ten downtown garages and lots are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, which covers most evening and weekend shows; confirm current rates and the map at downtownknoxville.org.
- Drop-off: in front of the theater, approaching northbound on Gay Street.
- Entrance: the main Gay Street entrance is at street level with no steps, and will call is at the box office there.
- Daytime box office: 224 Clinch Avenue, weekdays.
Market Square, next to one of the closest garages, is a short walk, so you can park once for dinner and the show.
Bags, late seating and house rules
As of 2026, backpacks and oversized bags are not allowed, every bag is inspected, and clear bags speed entry. Medical and diaper bags are allowed with extra screening. Staff cannot hold items.
- Tickets for children: everyone needs a ticket, including a child on a lap; some concerts are 18 and over.
- Late arrival: Broadway and symphony performances seat latecomers only at set breaks.
- Re-entry: allowed if you keep your ticket stub.
- Food and drink: the lobby bar sells snacks, beer, wine and mixed drinks, and drinks may go to your seat unless the artist asks otherwise.
- Dress: there is no dress code; symphony and opera nights run dressier.
Read the theater's FAQ before you go, since policies can change by show.
Accessibility
Wheelchair locations are in several orchestra and balcony spots, and some orchestra aisle seats have hinged armrests for transfers. The orchestra pit area is accessible. Free assisted listening devices are available, Sunday Broadway matinees include sign interpretation, and Saturday evening Broadway shows include audio description. Elevators serve the auditorium and restrooms from the street-level entrance.
History: from 1928 movie palace to state theater
The theater opened on October 1, 1928, inside the 1908 Burwell Building, billed as Knoxville's Grand Entertainment Palace. Chicago architects Graven and Mayger designed it in a Spanish-Moorish style. Its Mighty Wurlitzer organ was installed for opening night; it was restored in Reno, Nevada, and played again in public on October 1, 2001. The theater hosted world premieres of So This Is Love in 1953 and All the Way Home in 1963, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Dick Broadcasting donated it to the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation in 1996. It closed in June 2003 for a 29.3-million-dollar restoration and reopened on January 14, 2005. AC Entertainment manages it today.
Frequently asked questions
How many seats are in the Tennessee Theatre?
About 1,645 after the 2005 restoration, split between the orchestra, which includes removable pit rows, and the balcony.
What are the best seats at the Tennessee Theatre?
Center orchestra seats 101–118 in rows D through P. Low-numbered inner side seats in the same rows and the front center of the balcony are strong alternatives.
Where do you park for the Tennessee Theatre?
Locust Street, Market Square, Langley and Dwight Kessel garages are closest. As of 2026, many downtown garages are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
What is the Tennessee Theatre bag policy?
Backpacks and oversized bags are not allowed and all bags are inspected. Clear bags speed entry; check the current policy before you go.
Does the Tennessee Theatre have a balcony elevator?
Accessible balcony seats are reached by elevator and ramp. Other balcony seats require stairs without handrails.
Has the Tennessee Theatre always had the same name?
Yes. It has been the Tennessee Theatre since 1928, and it carries the designation Official State Theatre of Tennessee.