How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Theater?

• Why should you rent a theater?
• How do you rent a theater?
• How to use Peerspace to rent a theater
• Factors that affect the price of a theater rental
• How much does it cost to rent a theater on Peerspace?

Wondering how much does it cost to rent a theater? If so, then you have come to the right place! As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, Peerspace just happens to offer access to hundreds of theaters in cities across North America and beyond. No matter why you want to rent a theater, it will grant you an elegant atmosphere along with all the amenities that come with a theater space.

This article will describe the crucial details of the process of renting a theater, especially how much it costs to do so. Also, we’ll discuss why it’s worth renting a theater and how using Peerspace is definitely the easiest way of doing so. Read on to find out how to make an impressive theater space your own for at least a few hours.

Why should you rent a theater?

First of all, why should you rent a theater in the first place? There are plenty of reasons why a theater may be your perfect venue choice for what you’re planning.

Here are our favorite reasons:

Setting

It’s all about the atmosphere. The unique ambiance of a theater — from the long velvet curtains and the soaring ceilings to the rows of seating and specialty lighting — is one that’s difficult to imitate elsewhere.

Keep in mind that there are different types of theater spaces. Mainly, there are performance theaters with stages and movie theaters with a large screen and projection system. (Just to jump ahead briefly, both types are available to book through Peerspace!).

A theater provides the perfect setting for many events and of course, productions. If you’re a filmmaker who wants to shoot a scene in a theater, you can rent an authentic theater for your shoot, which is often more realistic and more affordable than building a theater set.

Amenities

Let’s not forget all of the typical theater setup and features that make it a standout rental option. For specific types of events, you’ll need a stage or the ability to screen film footage, and theaters are the best place to find those amenities. And that’s not to mention the simple factor of seating — it’s not exactly easy or cheap to rent dozens or hundreds of chairs.

Rather than spending lots of money to bring these features to your event, why not rent out a theater, which will already have all of them available for your use? That’s much more convenient, and will probably be more affordable.

Will my event work at a theater?

There’s no better place than a theater for events like:

• A comedic improv show
• A performance of a play
• A birthday party movie screening with friends
• A benefit concert for an important cause
• A movie screening watch party
• And so much more!

Speaking of birthday parties, check out our favorite movie birthday party ideas!

How do you rent a theater?

In the past, it might have been a hassle to find a theater to rent. You’d probably have to look up local theaters in your area (maybe even in the Yellow Pages!) and call them on the phone, one at a time, to inquire about how to rent out their theater for an event. In all likelihood, you wouldn’t be able to locate or contact every theater. And you might actually miss out on some of the best options in your area. 

Today, it’s a completely different story. The internet has made searching for just about anything immeasurably easier, and that includes event spaces available for rental. Today, in the time it would have taken you to call up one theater, you can find dozens or even hundreds of options throughout your city, your country, and even the whole world.

But it can still be a bit messy to try and find various theaters’ websites on search engines or locate them on local rental sites. So what can you do to make your search easier and more streamlined?

The answer is Peerspace!

Peerspace is the most comprehensive online marketplace for event spaces, with thousands of listings across hundreds of cities. This includes hundreds of theaters throughout every region of the United States.

In addition to the impressive broadness of its selection, Peerspace makes the process of searching for the right theater incredibly simple. It’s easy to find a theater that’s suited to your budget, aesthetic, and logistical needs. And since you rent a space by the hour, you never pay extra for any time you didn’t specifically book.

How to use Peerspace to rent a theater

Using Peerspace to rent a theater is simple and streamlined. First, click the link and type the event you’re planning and the city where it will take place into the search bar. Then, if needed, you can make your search more specific by using a wide range of optional filters: price range, number of attendees, type of space (in this case, you can check “Theater”), extra features (such as fireplaces, exposed brick, kitchens, etc.), and any keywords you think might be useful. As you narrow your search, ensure the theaters you like best are available for your event date directly on the listing page.

Another thing that makes using Peerspace really helpful is the fact that all its listings are incredibly detailed. Each includes detailed descriptions of the event space, high-resolution photos, upfront pricing, and reviews from those who’ve rented the space in the past. These will make it easy to predict what the theater will be like, even before you can visit it. Once again, what a huge improvement from the days of calling each theater and visiting each one to get more details!

And when you’ve decided on the perfect theater for your event, it’s easy to book. You can either click the button to set it up or reach out to the host and figure out all the details of renting the space.

Factors that affect the price of a theater rental

We’ve arrived at the central question of this article: how much does it actually cost to rent a theater? We’d love to give you an exact number since that’d make this whole process a whole lot easier. However, the truth is that the rental cost really depends on a huge number of factors. Like these:

Size

One of the most important variables about theater rental pricing is the size of the theater. Renting a grand, majestic theater will be considerably more expensive than renting a small, simple black box theater. Spacious theaters seat a lot more people and are more expensive for upkeep.

Location

If the theater is located in a major city in the center of town, it will likely be more expensive than a smaller one in the suburbs. This is due to cost of living factors in urban neighborhoods versus rural, as well as the convenience factor. Theaters in the center of a thriving metropolis are close to public transportation, ritzy restaurants, hotels, and bars.

History

Is the theater a local historical landmark? Most cities have several of these, and renting them for a private event costs more than your standard AMC will.

Looking for movie theaters specificially? Learn all about how to rent one and how much it costs to rent a movie theater room next!

How much does it cost to rent a theater on Peerspace?

So how much does it cost to rent a theater? Although we can’t be all that specific, we can certainly give you a more general estimate in the form of a price range!

Lower-range theater examples

When you search on Peerspace, you’ll find that theaters are available to rent for as little as $65 per hour.

For example, check out this plush theater room in Bellevue, WA. It’s a media room with comfy seating for 18, a large screen and projector, surround sound, a wet bar, and popcorn machine. So pretty much everything you need for a movie night! And it is only $65 per hour.

Next up, check out this comedy club theater in Rogers Park, Chicago, IL. The space includes booths and table seating, a sound system, a full bar, a stage, and a dressing room for talent. It’s a sensational space for an event or production and is only $100 per hour.

A comedian who booked this theater for their event shared the following Peerspace review: “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The room was exactly as advertised, everyone was extremely easy to work with, and the event went off without a hitch. I would absolutely work this room again, and I would highly recommend working with Julia, and everyone helping at Red Room Comedy club.”

Mid-range theater rentals

Other listings are somewhere in the middle, between roughly $100 and $300 per hour. For instance, this sweet independent movie theater in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. It also includes a small cafe and is available for $300 per hour.

Another great example is this large, newly remodeled theater in Dallas, TX. It boasts a balcony, a 1,200-square-foot outdoor deck, and costs $300 per hour.

A Peerspace revieewer who hosted their annual meeting here shares: “Kevin and team were extremely easy to work with and the space is gorgeous. All of our attendees enjoyed themselves. It was a great way to kick off the year.”

Higher priced theater rentals

On the higher end of the price scale, check out this Egyptian themed theater in Seattle, WA (pictured above). It was voted one of the best cinemas in the world (which won’t surprise you once you learn more about it!), and provides seating for 570 guests, has a large stage and screen, and professional projection and lighting to enhance your event.

There’s also this gorgeous 200-300 capacity iconic Hollywood theater in Los Angeles, CA. It is a spacious 5,000-square-foot venue with a stage, flexible seating options, an LED wall, and parking. It’s ideal for a screening or a performance, and the host invites you to host your personal events and productions here. All for $650 per hour.

A Peerspace reviewer who booked a production here shares: “Every single person that helped us out on our shoot was incredible! So kind and helpful! The space itself was gorgeous and exactly what we needed. Will definitely be back!”

How much does it cost to rent a theater: conclusion

Whatever your budget, there’s likely to be a theater rental out there for the event you’re planning on Peerspace! You can book classic, historic theaters steeped in charm and ambiance that transport you and your guests.

Or, you can opt to keep it small and book a private screening room in a home that has all the technology you need and the homey touches you appreciate, like a yard and a kitchen. And remember, your Peerspace host is your secret weapon for acquiring extras to make your event incredible. Contact them when you want to maximize your booking with catering, equipment, and more.

Click the link above and see what we have available near you. It’s a fun and easy way to help create a memorable experience that you and your guests will never forget.

Find unique theaters on Peerspace