The Wiltern

Planning a night at The Wiltern

The Wiltern opened in 1931 as a movie palace, and its blue-green terra cotta exterior and sunburst ceiling inside are still the first things most visitors remember. The building sits at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, and after years of decline in the late twentieth century it was saved from demolition and restored as a live music hall. Today it is one of the city's best-known mid-sized rooms, big enough for touring headliners but small enough that the stage never feels far away.

The room itself

For many shows the main floor is cleared for general admission standing, with tiered levels and a balcony offering seated or elevated views. Which areas are open, and whether the floor is seated, depends on the event, so read the ticket description carefully before you buy. Fans who want to be near the barrier usually arrive well before doors. Anyone who prefers a guaranteed seat or an easier exit should look at balcony options when they are offered.

Getting there

One of The Wiltern's biggest practical advantages is transit. The Wilshire/Western station on the Metro D Line is right at the intersection, which makes the venue one of the easier LA concert stops to reach without a car. If you drive, expect nearby lots and street parking to fill up on busy nights, and give yourself extra time on Wilshire during evening traffic. Rideshare pickup after a sold-out show can be slow, so many people walk a block or two away from the entrance before requesting a ride.

Before and after the show

The venue sits in the heart of Koreatown, so there are plenty of late-opening restaurants, barbecue spots and cafés within walking distance. That makes it easy to eat before doors or wait out the post-show crowd. Check the official venue and ticketing pages for each event's bag policy, age restrictions and door times, since these can change from show to show.

For upcoming dates we're tracking, see the schedule, and compare The Wiltern with other rooms in our LA venues guide.