Paramount Bristol is a multi-use performing arts center in downtown Bristol, Tennessee, presenting music, dance, comedy, film, theater and family entertainment. Its Art Deco character and varied programme make it a distinctive place to catch a show while you’re in Bristol.
- Location: 518 State Street, Bristol, Tennessee 37620.
- Venue: A historic performing arts center with seating for 750.
- Tickets: Buy through the venue’s authorized channels; ticket sales are final except in specified cancellation circumstances.
- Before a performance: The lobby opens one hour before showtime, and auditorium doors open one-half hour before curtain.
What kind of venue is Paramount Bristol?
Paramount Bristol is a historic theater whose Art Deco interior and marquee reflect the movie palaces built in the 1930s. The Paramount Foundation, a nonprofit organization, owns and operates the venue, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The theater opened in 1931 and later closed in 1979. Restoration work ran from December 1989 to April 1991, and it reopened in 1991. Its original proscenium was moved forward to create a performing stage house, reducing seating capacity from 1,200 to 750.
How do you find Paramount Bristol events?
Check the venue’s official events page for current Paramount Bristol events and performance details. The programme spans concerts, dance, comedy, film, theater and family entertainment, so the listing is the place to confirm what’s on and choose a date.
If you’re planning a wider downtown visit, the Bristol City Centre and State Street guide covers the surrounding district. Event listings can change, so verify the performance information with the venue before making plans.
How do Paramount Bristol tickets and venue policies work?
You can buy Paramount Bristol tickets online through the venue, by phone at (423) 274-8920, or at the box office. The theater does not authorize other ticket sellers, and its stated ticket cost is the same online and at the box office. The price includes the face value, facility and box-office service fees, plus Tennessee and Bristol sales taxes.
On show nights, the box office opens two hours before the performance. The lobby opens one hour before, and auditorium doors open one-half hour before curtain. Check the official site before you go for current event and box-office details.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Friday: 12 PM–6 PM
- Monday, Saturday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
All ticket sales are final. If a show is canceled without a make-up date, tickets are refundable; tickets for a rescheduled show are honored on the new date. Accessible and companion seating is available online, by phone or in person.
For general-admission performances, contact the box office in advance or ask an usher about accessible seating. If you have a hearing or vision impairment, contact the box office to ask about possible accommodations; performances may use strobe lighting, haze, fog or similar effects.
Plan to stay inside once a performance begins: the theater has a strict no-re-entry policy. Bags larger than a standard backpack or diaper bag are not allowed, and outside food and drinks, coolers, weapons, laser pens and pets other than documented service animals are prohibited.
Flash photography is not permitted during concerts; other photography and video depend on the promoter or performer.
How do you get to Paramount Bristol?
The theater is at 518 State Street in downtown Bristol. From Virginia, the venue directs drivers south on I-81 to Exit 3 (Commonwealth Avenue), then into town to State Street. From Tennessee, follow Volunteer Parkway north to State Street.
Parking directly in front of the theater on State Street is not guaranteed, so review downtown parking options before you set out. The hotel’s city-centre travel time is about 4 minutes by car or 24 minutes on foot from Travel Inn near State Street.
What can you combine with a show downtown?
Make time for downtown Bristol’s shopping, galleries, restaurants, breweries and distilleries, which the venue identifies among nearby attractions. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is another downtown stop, and its exhibits connect with Bristol’s musical history.
For context before or after a performance, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum guide covers what to know about the museum. Keep the show’s door and re-entry policies in mind when planning your evening around a meal or another stop.
FAQs
Where is Paramount Bristol?
Paramount Bristol is at 518 State Street, Bristol, Tennessee 37620, in downtown Bristol.
What types of performances does Paramount Bristol present?
The venue presents music, dance, comedy, film, theater and family entertainment.
Where should you buy Paramount Bristol tickets?
Buy tickets online through the venue, by phone at (423) 274-8920, or at its box office. The venue does not authorize other ticket sellers.
When do the lobby and auditorium open?
Open Tuesday to Friday; closed Saturday to Monday. On show nights, the lobby opens one hour before the performance and auditorium doors open one-half hour before curtain.