The Tampa Theatre is one of the most significant businesses in the heart of downtown Tampa. In 2026, this astonishing movie palace will celebrate its Centennial on Franklin Street. Ahead the big birthday, a brand new microcinema will open on the property. Called T2, this small scale venue will vitally expand the Tampa Theatre’s offerings, and should open this summer, though an official opening date is still TBA.
The new screening room will seat between 40-50, and will occupy the storefront under Tampa Theatre’s historic marquee that formerly housed The Nature Shop at 711 North Franklin Street. There will be both a street entrance that leads directly to a full bar, and a connecting point in the main lobby.
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Tampa Theatre’s dreamy new microcinema
With this expanded viewing area, Tampa Theatre will be able to to secure screenings for some of the top films in the world. Currently, due to the theatre’s lone screen and consistent events programming, it can’t always secure some of the more sought after cinema hits.
In addition to opening the doors to more new movies, the more intimate T2 venue will offer opportunities for local filmmaker screenings, live comedy events, authors talks and so much more. T2 will be available for rent as a venue, and should prove more approachable for small scale events looking for a local Tampa home.
Expanding the theatre’s offering, and making it more competitive
Local architectural firm Kreher/Barna has already begun the early design phase, working closely with Boston Light & Sound – the industry-leading company also responsible for A/V at the Sundance Film Festival and Martin Scorsese’s private screening room – to create a superior viewing experience from the ground up.
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“Our guiding principle with Tampa Theatre has always been faithful restoration and preservation of the historic building first, with compelling programming coming in a very close second,” said Tampa Theatre President & CEO John Bell back in 2022. “But with T2, we have – for the first time – an opportunity to start with a blank piece of paper and design the ultimate screening room with top-of-the line technology and perfect sight lines. I want Tampa’s true cinephiles to consider it the best screening room in town.”
Visit Tampa Theatre’s website for tickets to events and screenings. Follow Tampa Theatre on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the venue.
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