After being closed for over a decade, The Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach is back, with a nostalgia-fueled movie lineup and live performances.
The theater at 315 Corey Ave. has been a local landmark since the 1940s. It closed in 2012 after financial struggles and the owner’s death.
In 2021, Christopher Scott, bought the Beach Theatre and planned to reopen in 2025 not only as a cinema but also as a live performing arts venue. That was going to be a big lift, so Scott sold it to Hannah Hockman and her parents, Bob and Sissy in 2023.
Last Friday, the Hockmans hosted a big grand opening ahead of more public happenings this weekend.
The Theatre itself stars in one of its upcoming movies, “Summer Rental,” which was filmed around Tampa Bay. For the film’s 40th anniversary next month, the Theatre is showing it Aug. 6-10.
Other films coming to St. Pete’s Beach Theatre this summer include “Goldeneye” (July 25), “A New Wave: Revival of The Beach Theatre” (July 30-31) and “The Green Flash” (Aug. 1-4 ).
Bands like Festive Florida Singers (July 27), Celtic Conundrum (Aug. 17), and the Fleetwood Gold tribute (Nov. 16) are also headed for the venue along with a theater festival (Sept. 19-21)
See the full list of upcoming movies and shows at thebeachtheatre.org. See photos from the grand opening above.
