A Night at the Geary (Toni Rembe) Theater – Where San Francisco’s History Still Breathes. 

I just got back from San Francisco, and one of the highlights of my trip wasn’t a restaurant, a bridge, or a cable car — it was an evening at the Geary Theater, now called the Toni Rembe Theater, tucked just off Union Square. There’s something magical about stepping into a space that’s been holding audiences spellbound for more than a century. From the outside, the building has that dignified, old-world charm — glazed terra-cotta facade, intricate detailing, a sense that it’s seen generations of laughter, gasps, and curtain calls. It is a shame that the area this place now lives has taken a turn for the worse. The contrast of livley theater land and homlessness is a stark contrast, so be careful when coming out of a performance. 

Inside, the lobby feels timeless. You can almost imagine the city’s post-earthquake crowd of 1910, dressed to the nines, buzzing with the same anticipation as the people gathered there today. It’s one of those rare theatres that manages to feel both grand and intimate — restored to modern comfort without losing its vintage soul. The night I went, the show was a small production — beautifully staged, intelligent, and raw. Sitting in the dark, watching that stage light up, I couldn’t help thinking about how many incredible performers had stood there before: decades of actors, directors, and dreamers keeping San Francisco’s creative heart beating. What struck me most was the resilience of the place. The theatre survived the 1989 earthquake, rebuilt itself literally from the rubble, and came back stronger. That spirit feels symbolic of San Francisco itself — a city that keeps reinventing, rebuilding, and finding its way back to beauty but this time round, it might not be so easy to fix with the homless issues. I was sad to see, A street car named desire, was not opening until January 26 but this should be aazing if you are in San Fransico that month. 

Of course, the name has changed — it’s now the Toni Rembe Theater, in honor of a generous gift that will help preserve it for future generations. But locals still call it “ the Geary,” and you can feel the affection in that habit, the way people do with places that mean something. If you ever find yourself near Union Square, I can’t recommend it enough. Skip one evening of tech talk and tourist spots, and step inside this living piece of San Francisco’s cultural history. The acoustics are wonderful, the staff welcoming, the atmosphere rich with ghosts and glamour — and as the lights dim and the stage comes alive, you realize you’re part of a story that’s been unfolding for over a hundred years.

It’s not just a theatre. It’s a heartbeat — steady, historic, and still going strong but it is such a shame like I said, the area is becoming dangerous which may put people off visiting in the evening.