A Historic Iowa Dinner Theater Will Reopen After More Than a Decade

An iconic theater in Des Moines is getting a makeover! According to a new article from the Des Moines Register, the Ingersoll Dinner Theater is set to make a comeback in 2025!

Ingersoll Dinner Theater has called 3711 Ingersoll Avenue home since 1939. It was built by a local businessman named A.H. Blank, originally serving as a single-screen movie theater. According to a 2022 article from the Des Moines Register, "It was one of the first in central Iowa built specifically for movies with sound rather than silent films." In 1978, after nearly 40 years of showing movies, the building transitioned into a dinner theater, hosting plays and other live performances.

In 2004, Ingersoll Dinner Theater made its final transformation, serving as an after-hours club. The building has been empty since the club shut down in 2014.

In 2022, Ingersoll Theater was purchased by Connor Delaney. The building had been neglected for years, so it was in pretty rough shape. In fact, the theatre was at risk of being torn down if drastic measures weren't taken. Soon after buying the building, Connor went to work on replacing the roof and preventing any further deterioration. The Des Moines Register reports that the work was complete by the fall of 2023.

The Ingersoll Dinner Theater is now getting new life thanks to "White Oak Realty, VenuWorks, and their dedicated partners," according to a press release from the Avenue DSM. The reimagined space will have room for around 225 guests and feature a mezzanine, a lounge and bar area, improved parking, and a dinner menu. The Register reports, "the theater will have a menu featuring six entrees as well as desserts that will be served at intermission." The neighboring alley will also get a makeover, transforming into the "Ingersoll Walk of Fame."

Construction on the Ingersoll Dinner Theater will soon be underway, and they hope to have the project done this fall. The plan right now is for a November opening, and some of the first headliners will be announced in the next few months. Expect comedians, concerts, theatrical productions, and other live performances!

For the latest progress updates, you can sign up using your email on the Ingersoll's website HERE. We can't wait to see the transformation!