You will find the historic Mainstreet Theater, also known as The Empire Theater, nestled in downtown Kansas City’s bustling Power & Light District. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, this 90,000-square-foot venue originally opened in 1921 as a grand 3,200-seat vaudeville and movie house. Designed by the renowned Chicago firm Rapp & Rapp, it stands out as the only theater they created in Kansas City.
When you visit, take time to admire its striking architectural fusion: the exterior blends neoclassical and French Second Empire aesthetics, while the lavish interior showcases a French Baroque style topped by an impressive dome encircled by circular windows in the lobby. Over the decades, legendary stars like Charlie Chaplin, Cab Calloway, and the Marx Brothers took the stage here. The theater's storied past even includes a historic basement nursery, space once used to house performance animals like seals and elephants, and a famous subterranean passage to the nearby President Hotel linked to Prohibition-era bootleggers.
Modernized renovations added high-tech cinema suites, 4k digital projection, 11-channel sound, seat-mounted bass shakers, and The Marquee restaurant.
What to see at Mainstreet Theater
- Architectural design by Rapp & Rapp blending French Baroque, neoclassical, and French Second Empire styles.
- Grand lobby topped by a dome encircled by circular windows.
- Vaudeville history hosting icons like Charlie Chaplin, Cab Calloway, and the Marx Brothers.
- Fascinating past featuring a former basement nursery and a Prohibition-era tunnel to the President Hotel.
- Advanced tech elements like 4k digital projection, seat bass shakers, and 11-channel sound.
Visiting tips
Look up while exploring the main lobby to admire the magnificent dome encircled by circular windows.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Afternoon
How to get there & what’s nearby
Mainstreet Theater is easy to reach on Kansas City’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Kansas City travel guide.
See the full Kansas City travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.