1930
The Buckhead Theatre opened in 1930 at 3110 Roswell Road, a focal point of the Buckhead Triangle intersection. This former movie theatre now hosts a variety of performances and events such as lectures, comedy, Broadway plays, concerts, private and public events. The Theatre opened on June 2, 1930, and quickly became a popular movie house & icon of Buckhead nightlife.
1960’s – 1980’s
The Buckhead Theater was taken over by Weis Theaters in 1962, and became known as the Capri Theater. The Capri was a first-run movie theater in the 60’s, showing films like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and other top films of the day. The Capri Theater operated as a movie theater until 1977.
Renowned Atlanta concert promoter Alex Cooley turned the defunct movie theater into a short-lived music venue from January 1979 until July 1980. Opening night of the new Capri Ballroom featured Waylon Jennings inside, and a terrible ice storm outside. Other notable acts to perform at the Capri Ballroom included Patti Smith, Peter Tosh, the Boomtown Rats, and Santana.
The theater went back to the movies in 1980, when it became Atlanta’s first cinema and draft house. The Buckhead Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse was a movie theater, but the venue hosted two live concerts while under that name. Punk rock bands Husker Du and the Ramones played the Buckhead Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse in February and March of 1987 respectively.
1990’s – 2000’s
In the early 90’s, the theatre became The Roxy led by renowned promoter Alex Cooley. The Roxy enjoyed countless sold-out performances by some of the most legendary names in music. However, years of rowdy crowds took their toll on the theatre and The Roxy closed in 2009.
Developer and owner Charlie Loudermilk was determined to preserve the historic building, and it was reopened in 2013 under its original name after a $6 million renovation. The Buckhead Theatre still hosts sold out concerts and community/corporate events on one of the most prominent streets on Buckhead. The neighborhood looks quite different these days, including the 22 story Hannover Buckhead Village apartment tower next door to the theatre.
Loudermilk Park occupies the space across the street from the theatre, where a statue of the late Charlie Loudermilk gives a perpetual “thumbs up” to one of his many contributions to the Buckhead community.
