📸 Shrine Auditorium 2025, Margot Gerber.
The Al Malaikah Shriners open the doors to their phenomenal exotic 1926 building for an in-depth private tour for ADSLA members. Not only will we see magnificent historic movie theater architecture, we will also learn about the history of the site as the home of the Los Angeles Al Malaikah Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America. The tour will include the museum of this Masonic fraternal organization, the theater, Expo Hall and other areas not normally accessible to the public.
📸Mike Hume/Historic Theatre Photos.
The Shrine Auditorium and its adjoining Shrine Expo Center were designed by architects John C. Austin and Abram M. Edelman with interiors by noted theatre architect G. Albert Lansburgh in a Moorish Revival style. When it opened in 1926 with over 6,700 seats, the Shrine was the largest theatre in the United States. It is still the largest proscenium arch stage in North America. As it still seats 6,300, it remains one of the largest venues in the U.S. and has the distinction of being the largest theatre in Los Angeles. It was once the home of the Academy Awards and is now only open for special events. (LA Conservancy)
In 1906 The Al Malaikah Shriners built the original Shrine Auditorium to serve as a civic center as well as to house their home base and clubhouse. In 1920 a fire burned the building down in just 45 minutes. The Shriners began rebuilding almost immediately and in January 1926 a new Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall opened and swiftly became the center of entertainment in Los Angeles as well as a sought after membership for businessmen.The building is still in use today for its original purpose and is on the National and California registers of historic places as well as a Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Monument.
The tour times are staggered, so that groups won't collide with each other. The tour will run about 70-80 minutes.
Tour-goers must be able to walk and stand for the duration of the tour, to see all aspects of the venue. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.
ABOUT THE SHRINERS:
The Order of Shriners International, so far as the historical record shows, is an American institution. Oriental signs, tokens and costumes were adopted by those who originated the Order for the sake of pageantry. The jeweled costumes, the picturesque Arab and Fez, all appealed to the organizers and the result today is the greatest Fraternal Order the world has ever known, with 193 Shrine Centers and Shriners Hospital for Children. It is these 22 Hospitals -“Temples of Mercy”- that are the “Heart of the Order.” For a more in depth history click here to go to the organization's official website.
TICKETS:
$23 (plus fees) Art Deco Society of Los Angeles Members
$30 (plus fees) General Admission
Please note that all tickets will say 12:00 PM on them as this is the end time of the tour. Your ticket will also display the specific time that you selected.
FOOD & BEVERAGE:
No food and beverage will be available during the tour. You are welcome to bring water along!
ADA:
Please be aware that as a historical building, not all areas are ADA compliant, but we will attempt to accommodate where we can. To see everything you will need to be able to climb stairs and stand (except when in the auditorium where there are 6400 seats!).
PARKING:
Free parking will be provided in the Shriner's structure (730 W. 32nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007). Tell the attendant you are there for the "Shrine Event." When you exit the structure walk toward the front doors of the Shrine Auditorium. There are directional signs. The property is located near the USC.
POLICIES:
No pets are permitted on the tour. Please leave them at home.
You are welcome to take photos for personal use only.