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Seattle, Washington / Theaters and music

The Varsity Theatre

A Streamline Moderne landmark in the U-District, the Varsity Theatre served generations of moviegoers from 1940 until its permanent closure in January 2026.

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The Varsity Theatre
www.varsitytheatre.com, website_hero_img_www.varsitytheatre.com

Where is The Varsity Theatre located?

The Varsity Theatre was located at 4329 University Way NE in Seattle, Washington, positioned on The Ave between NE 43rd and NE 45th.

Is The Varsity Theatre still open?

No, the theater closed permanently on January 15, 2026.

What is the history of The Varsity Theatre?

The theater opened on October 2, 1940, as a single-screen venue and was later tripled on February 8, 1985. It occupied the Meister Building, which was designed by architect William White and built in 1921.

What was the theater known for screening?

The Varsity Theatre screened both first-run and classic movies.

What was the seating capacity of the theater?

The venue housed three theaters: a large auditorium with approximately 300 seats on level one, a second auditorium with about 130 seats, and a third auditorium with about 90 seats on level two.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Varsity Theatre was a cornerstone of Seattle's University District, located at 4329 University Way NE. The cinema occupied the Meister Building, a structure built in 1921 and designed by architect William White. Characterized by its Streamline Moderne style, the theatre first opened its doors to the public on October 2, 1940, as a single-screen venue. Over the decades, the theatre evolved to meet changing cinematic trends. On February 8, 1985, the venue was tripled to include two additional screens. This expansion resulted in three distinct auditoriums: a large main hall on level one with approximately 300 seats, and two smaller auditoriums on level two holding roughly 130 and 90 seats respectively. The theatre's management shifted over time, moving from the operation of Landmark Theatres to Far Away Entertainment in January 2015. Throughout its history, the Varsity screened a mix of first-run blockbusters and classic films, serving as a cultural hub for students and local neighbors. In its final days, the theatre continued to show contemporary titles such as Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marty Supreme, and Primate. However, the Varsity Theatre closed permanently on January 15, 2026, leaving the University District without a dedicated movie theater.

Visitor tips

  • Look up at the Meister Building's facade to see the 1921 architectural details.
  • Walk the stretch of The Ave between NE 43rd and NE 45th to experience the high foot-traffic area where the theatre sat.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as this stop is part of the dense, walkable University Way corridor.

Nearby context

The Varsity Theatre is positioned prominently on The Ave, specifically between NE 43rd and NE 45th. This area is known as one of the highest foot-traffic zones in the University District, surrounded by student-oriented shops and eateries.

Sources

Evidence and links