On June 4, 1926, some 6,000 people vied to see San Antonio's newest wonder...the Aztec Theatre. Only 3,000 lucky ticket holders were admitted.

Spending the princely sum of $1.75 million, the theatre's owners created an architectural and technological masterpiece designed to immerse guests in a Meso-American fantasy world. They reproduced authentic columns, reliefs, and artifacts and combined them with "modern" special effects in order to encourage guests to explore the magnificent lobby, mezzanine, balcony, and theatre.

The opening day extravaganza included performances by a 26 piece orchestra, 16 "Aztec Chorus Girls", and on the 13 rank theatre organ, a stage drama The Court of Monteczuma, and the feature silent film Other Women's Husbands.

In response to competition from other theatres, a magnificent chandelier was commissioned and installed, in only 35 days, in the main lobby in 1929. Weighing over 2,000 pounds, this ornate, 2 story, 12 foot in diameter fixture was billed as "The largest chandelier in the largest state in the Union".

Eventually, urban decay led to the close of the theatre in 1984 when, thanks to efforts by the San Antonio Conservation Society, the theatre was saved from destruction and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Over the past 80 years since the Aztec theatre was built, the movie-going experience has changed dramatically. The new Aztec Theatre is the San Antonio RiverWalk's premier destination. Every aspect of the project is designed to thrill guests, young and old, so they will come back again and again.

The Aztec Theatre offers over 16,500 square feet of dining and retail area on the RiverWalk and over 3,400 square feet of retail along Commerce Street.