The Paramount Theater on Bay Street, close to the  waterfront in Stapleton, was considered the second most prestigious  theater in the borough next to the Rococo-inspired St. George Theater.  It was designed by architects Rapp and Rapp and opened in 1935 with a capacity of 2500 seats and two pipe organs. It became an adult movie  venue in the 1970s, and was later transformed into a rock club. Before  public performances where halted altogether in the early 80ies, the  venue was famous for hosting The Ramones, Metallica, The B52’s, The New  York Dolls among others.

Most of the interior has been gutted and the  vast underground area with its old plumbing and stage facilities would  give the perfect set for a horror movie. Running water that emerges  from the ground and cracks in the walls stems from ancient springs that  have been the lifeline to the many local breweries at the turn of the  last century. Today the basic theater structure, inside wall ornaments  and the outside façade are still in view.