Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles

The Hollywood Palladium is a theater situated on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, specifically in the Hollywood area. This venue was constructed in the Streamline Moderne and Art Deco architectural styles and boasts an 11,200-square-foot (equivalent to 1,040 square meters) dance floor, including a mezzanine and a ground floor area that can accommodate up to 4,000 people. The theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 2016.

The funding for the construction of the Hollywood Palladium in 1940 came from Norman Chandler, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times. The location chosen for its construction was where the original Paramount lot had once stood, situated between Argyle and El Centro avenues. The renowned architect Gordon Kaufmann was responsible for designing the dance hall. The Palladium held its grand opening on October 31, 1940, with a dance event featuring Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, along with the famous band vocalist Frank Sinatra.

A noteworthy historical event took place at the Palladium when President John F. Kennedy attended a dinner held in his honor by the California Democratic Party on November 18, 1961. In 1973, a notable "Afrocentric concert" featuring Stevie Wonder and Taj Mahal was held to benefit African refugees. During the 1980s and 90s, the Palladium expanded its range of events to include punk rock, rap, and heavy metal concerts.

The Hollywood Palladium has established itself as one of the most versatile and distinctive venues in Southern California. Since its inception in 1940, it has hosted numerous prominent figures from the entertainment industry. Recently, Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, has undertaken efforts to revitalize the venue, giving it a classic Hollywood makeover while maintaining its 3,700-person capacity.