The Dolby Theatre is a performance hall located in the Ovation Hollywood complex, Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. This theatre was opened in 2001 and originally called the Kodak Theatre, having a 180,000-square-foot area with 3,400 seats. It is designed by Rockwell Group and features an opulent, European-style opera house interior, with a sweeping spiral staircase and extensive use of cherrywood and limestone. The primary use of the theatre is to host high-profile events and performances, with the most widely known being the Academy Awards. It features the latest entertainment technology, such as Dolby Vision to see the images clearly and enjoy the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos that sounds through the 215 individually powered speakers. In addition to the Oscars, the theatre is the venue for a range of live performances, including Broadway productions, film premieres and concerts, as well as offering guided public tours that give attendees a backstage view of the place.
What to See & Do at Dolby Theatre?
Here are the six best places and things to see and do at the Dolby Theatre:
- Academy Awards Venue (Oscars Experience)
Visitors are not allowed to attend the Oscar evening, but they can still feel fancy. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, located nearby, has the Oscars experience, in which visitors get to feel like they are at the stage and accepting an award.
- Guided Theatre Tours
Visitors can explore the grandeur of the theatre on a 30-minute walking tour and can get to know about the history and architecture of the theatre. It is possible to see a real statuette Oscar, go to the Dolby Lounge and walk during the Oscars. The grand staircase of the theatre is another architectural highlight of the building. It is the well-known avenue that the celebrities stroll down on Oscar night.
- Live Performances (Concerts, Broadway, Comedy)
The theatre has a variety of enjoyable live shows throughout the year. This involves the performance of big recording artists, Broadway performances, comedies and premieres of films.
- Grand Staircase & Architecture
The Dolby Theatre is a large outdoor entertainment facility. It has various storey shops and restaurants, a hotel, nightclubs and a movie theatre adjacent to the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. It is designed with Babylonian-style arches and columns in its design and presents a complete Hollywood movie setup.
- Events, Screenings & TV Specials
Dolby Theatre is a constituent of Ovation Hollywood retail, dining and entertainment complex. The theatre has audio art and visual technology from Dolby. The Dolby Vision two-laser projection and Dolby Atmos multidimensional sound system allows the audience to enjoy and be immersed in an experience of whatever the movie or performance is.
- Hollywood & Highland Complex
The initial construction, which was called Hollywood and Highland Complex, was redeveloped into the Hollywood Boulevard area by establishing a central entertainment and shopping centre for both tourists and locals. It links various popular Hollywood locations, one of which is the Walk of Fame.
How to Get Around the Dolby Theatre?
Here are the six best transport ways to get around the Dolby Theatre:
- Metro & Public Transit
The Metro Red Line in Ovation Hollywood is the best option to get around Hollywood and Highland Station. It’s a public transport and cheaper than all other transport options. It costs $1.75 for one ride, and passengers have to use a TAP card for payment.
- Ride-Share & Taxis
Ride-share & Taxis are an easy way out, as long as you want and do not have to bother with parking or bus lines. The costs of ridesharing and taxis differ according to the distance and the demand ($3-$4).
- Limo & Car Services
Limo & Car Services is a hassle-free, luxurious ride with the convenience of a private driver waiting in front of you, when requested. These are the best options for a ride and are 24/7 available. It costs $90-$250 per ride.
- Walking & Nearby Attractions
Walking is a perfect way of getting to the Dolby Theatre and enjoying the nature and the scenery around the theatre. It is the best option to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre.
- Driving & Parking
The parking building of the Dolby Theatre is on Highland Avenue, adjacent to the Loews Hollywood Hotel. The SpotHero parking app is used to check nearby parking locations. The parking cost is $6 per hour.
- Biking & Scooters
Biking & Scooters is the best option to visit the Dolby Theatre by using the city roads. The surroundings are very busy; be careful of the traffic around the Dolby Theatre. The cost for bike rental is $75 per day.
