Where Music is King
Immediately upon entering the main performing area, visitors are reminded of the days when no expense was spared in building a theater. Rich in architectural details such as gilded columns, ornate friezes and art deco-inspired chandeliers, the Castle is the perfect link between Bloomington’s past, present and future.
Today, the entire venue is designed to provide the best experience for patrons and performers alike. With removable seats on the venue’s main floor and fixed seating along the upper balcony, the Castle can host audiences ranging from 300 to 700 or more, depending on configuration and event requirements. The main venue area can accommodate comfortable seating and has excellent sightlines, backed by state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Located on each side of the main floor are two bars, ready to serve a classic selection of beverages. The venue is supported by an efficient and experienced hospitality, house and backstage staff, complete with security, ticketing, and technical support.
This combination has turned the Castle into the most exciting live music venue between St Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis.
The Castle features local and national emerging and established touring artists in a variety of music types, including Rock, Alternative Rock , Americana, Alternative Country, Blues, Jazz and Contemporary Alternative. Additionally, the space may provide corporate events and weekend children’s musical performances during the day, with the balance of the calendar available to rent for private parties, shows, recitals and other events.
The Venue
Venue Features
- Stage: 34 x 20
- eCommerce, Box Office and Vendor Ticketing
- State-of-the-art Concert Sound System
- 48 Channel Mixing Console
- Professional Stage Lighting
- Wireless Digital Projector
- Projection Screen: 20 x 10
- Secure WIFI
- Preparation Kitchen Facilities
- Full Handicap Accessibility
Venue Seating Configurations
The following images illustrate some of the various seating configurations that our room can be set.
History
If Walls Could Sing
Once upon a time, in cities from Bismark to Boise and Beverly Hills to Boston, there was one special place everybody knew. Located right in the heart of the downtown, it was where dreams became memories for young and old alike, who came to escape for a few hours and let their imaginations run free.
For without a majestic and ornate theater, a city simply wasn’t really a city, and a town wasn’t anyplace that mattered. For Bloomington, that special place was The Castle Theater. First opened in 1916 as a 1,000-seat theater, the Castle was a jewel in the series of gems created by the legendary theater builders Balaban & Katz, original inventors of the classic movie palace.
For decades, the property served as one of the area’s premier destinations.
A Destination Sensation
During the past 10 years, a once-dormant arts and entertainment district has been reborn within Bloomington’s downtown. This Cultural District, which the Castle calls home, serves the larger Bloomington-Normal region, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
The Castle has been restored to its former glory with a $1.5 million renovation. Today the Castle opens its doors to the next generation of dreamers seeking entertainment along Bloomington’s Cultural District. With a diverse mix of live music, corporate, public and private events, the Castle is poised to once again strike the right note in the future of Bloomington’s cultural life. Together, the Castle and the Twin Cities have once again found the groove that comes from being perfectly in sync.