For nearly 40 years, Ramova Theater has sat vacant at 35th and Halsted Street in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Beginning operations in 1929, the beloved community theater shut down in 1985 after a final screening of Police Academy 2. At the beginning of this year, the live performance space reopened its doors to the public for the first time since.
The theater opens with several different attractions: a renovated, 1,800-person standing theater, a modern taproom with elevated diner eats and a full brewery supplied by Other Half Brewing. The theater also has a 300-person standing space loft for smaller festivals, DJ sets and community gatherings.
Co-founder Tyler Nevius, a Chicago native, took on the project to bring together his two lifelong passions: craft beer and live music. It was no small undertaking, Nevius told Time Out Chicago.
“None of this project, not one step was easy or close to it,” said Nevius. “But we got some amazing people that had the wherewithal to help us get through it.”
Nevius became an investor and owner in 2017 to bring the revitalization to fruition. After years of campaigning, the theater space was registered under the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. Since then, Nevius has worked tirelessly to solidify sponsorship and investments from celebrity and neighborhood investors alike, including Chance the Rapper, Jennifer Hudson and Quincy Jones.
Even with the massive modernization effort, the remodel has preserved the craft of a 20th century construction. Restored stained glass windows still glimmer in the main lobby and the original decorative molding around the theater entrances has been restored. The theater itself feels refined and lively while still a relic of a different time, representing the project's effort to mix both tradition and modernity.
Kyle LaValley, Programming and Creative Director at Ramova and seasoned expert in the Chicago event planning scene, is more than optimistic about the future of the space.
“A lot of folks are used to watching places from a bygone era turn into ruins,” LaValley said. “Seeing somebody actually taking the care and the time to really restore the space has been amazing.”
The founders and directors are committed to the community aspect of the renewed theater. With commitments to community workshops, incorporating diverse lineups and uplifting local non-profit organizations in the neighborhood, the renewed Ramova hopes to become a staple of Bridgeport and the greater Chicago performance community.
Ramova’s upcoming events already encapsulate the range of offerings the theater aims to provide. Barn Dance Apocalypse, an end-of-the-world themed rodeo, will be an evening for attendees to two-step or square dance to their hearts’ content with the acclaimed Golden Horse Ranch Band on Saturday, January 27. Later in March, Ramova will also host the Rooted and Radical Youth Poetry Finals Showcase in partnership with Chicago-based Young Chicago Authors to support local arts.
“Having something where you can learn and build community is really, really important,” LaValley explained. “I think that it's something we’re able to bring to the table and there needs to be more of that overall everywhere.”
Ramova Grill, the connected eatery that closed in 2012, has also been revamped in the opening. Chef Kevin Hickey and Brandon Phillips of nearby Duck Inn worked to bring this neighborhood classic into the 21st century with enduring odes to Bridgeport through the food menu. Noted as “elevated diner fare,” the Grill offers shareables and snacks including duck fat corn dogs, “pizza in a cup” and Ramova Grill’s specialty chili.
If the music, history or food won’t lure in an audience, the booze definitely will. The cocktails have something for everyone—the Spritz-A-Masala spices up the Italian Aperitif with masala chai tea while the Technicolor Margarita is a fruity amalgamation of tequila, prickly pear, grapefruit and coriander seed. Other Half Brewery, a Brooklyn-based beer house, supplies 14 different in-house brews.
According to the directors behind this launch, Ramova’s just getting started. With plans to become a pillar of creativity and community space on the South Side, the theater is positioned to yield great opportunity for everyone involved.
“We had a fantastic opening, thanks to our team,” Nevius said. “We’re about to announce some really exciting stuff and I cannot wait to see this place do what it’s meant for.”