Lincoln Theatre (Washington, D.C.)

38°55′1″N 77°1′46″W / 38.91694°N 77.02944°W / 38.91694; -77.02944

Lincoln Theatre
Lincoln Theatre in 2025
Address1215 U Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009-4442
LocationShaw
Public transitU Street station
OwnerDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
OperatorI.M.P.
Capacity1,225
Construction
OpenedJanuary 22, 1922 (1922-01-22)
Renovated1989–1993
ArchitectReginald W. Geare
Website
Venue Website
Lincoln Theatre
Architectural styleClassical Revival
Part ofGreater U Street Historic District (ID93001129)
NRHP reference No.93001129
Added to NRHPOctober 27, 1993

Lincoln Theatre is a historic theater in Washington, D.C., located at 1215 U Street, next to Ben's Chili Bowl. The theater, located on "Washington's Black Broadway", served the city's African American community when segregation kept them out of other venues. The Lincoln Theatre included a movie house and ballroom, and hosted jazz and big band performers such as Duke Ellington. The theater closed after the 1968 race-related riots. It was restored and reopened in 1994, and hosts a variety of performances and events. The U Street Metro station, which opened in 1991, is located across the street from the Lincoln Theatre.