Will Rogers Auditorium is a historic performing arts venue located in Fort Worth, Texas. It opened in 1936 and has hosted numerous concerts, Broadway shows, graduations, and other events over the decades. As a popular event space, many people wonder if food and drinks are available for purchase at Will Rogers Auditorium. There are a few quick answers to this question that provide an overview of the food situation at this venue.
First, there is no permanent restaurant or concessions stand located directly within Will Rogers Auditorium. The venue itself does not have an in-house kitchen or bar to serve food and drinks. However, the auditorium can arrange catering for events through its preferred caterers. Any events that want food service during their event at Will Rogers Auditorium will need to organize catering logistics through the venue’s event coordinators.
Second, there are some concessions that are occasionally available for purchase at Will Rogers Auditorium. When the venue hosts certain special events, concert promoters or event organizers may set up temporary concession stands to sell snacks and drinks. These concessions options are only available sporadically for certain high-profile events. For most everyday events at the auditorium, no concessions are for sale.
Finally, while there are no permanent food options inside Will Rogers Auditorium, there are restaurants located close by to the venue. Will Rogers Memorial Center, where the auditorium is located, contains a food court with various dining options. There are also restaurants a short walk away on Lancaster Avenue near the Memorial Center. So event attendees at the auditorium do have food and drink choices nearby, even if concessions are not for sale inside the venue itself.
In summary, the quick answers are that Will Rogers Auditorium does not have its own permanent food service, may offer temporary concessions for special events, and is located near off-site dining options that people can access. These details provide an overview of the food situation concertgoers, graduation attendees, and other event attendees can expect when visiting the Will Rogers Auditorium venue.
History of Will Rogers Auditorium
Will Rogers Auditorium has a long and storied history as a significant performing arts center in Fort Worth. When it opened in 1936, it was known as the Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium. It was constructed as a memorial to the famous humorist and performer Will Rogers, who was born in Oklahoma but had ties to Fort Worth.
The construction of the auditorium was funded by donations from over 72,000 people across the country. It was intentionally built as a multi-purpose venue suitable for concerts, community events, rodeos, livestock shows, and other diverse activities. Upon its completion in 1936, the 4,400 seat auditorium was considered one of the finest and most modern event venues in Texas at the time.
Some key dates in the first few decades of Will Rogers Auditorium include:
| 1936 | Venue officially opens and hosts its first event |
| 1937 | Venue hosts the world premiere of the film Vogues of 1938 |
| 1945 | Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra begins performing regularly at the auditorium |
| 1955 | Elvis Presley performs his first concerts in Fort Worth at the auditorium |
| 1968 | Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at the auditorium just 10 days before his assassination |
Over the decades, Will Rogers Auditorium continued hosting community events, concerts, graduations, and performing arts shows. Notable performers like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bob Hope all graced the stage during the mid-1900s. Rodeos, livestock shows, political rallies and more all took place within the auditorium’s unique art deco walls.
Major renovations and expansions occurred in 2001 and 2015 to improve the infrastructure and accessibility of the aging venue. Though it is now over 80 years old, Will Rogers Auditorium remains a relevant Fort Worth events center thanks to these careful updates and historic preservation efforts. Today, it can accommodate over 6,000 guests and hosts around 175 events per year.
Types of Events Held at Will Rogers Auditorium
Will Rogers Auditorium hosts an impressively diverse lineup of events each year. Some of the most common types of happenings held at this Fort Worth venue include:
Concerts
From classic rock to country music, Will Rogers Auditorium attracts major concerts by contemporary artists. The venue’s excellent acoustics and spacious stage make it ideal for musical performances. Some artists who have performed concerts at Will Rogers Auditorium in recent years include:
- Bob Dylan
- Willie Nelson
- Chris Stapleton
- Slayer
- Lyle Lovett
Family Shows
Will Rogers Auditorium frequently hosts family-friendly stage shows featuring magicians, acrobats, monster trucks, Disney on Ice, and more. These vibrant, engaging performances cater to younger audiences and families.
Graduations
Thanks to its large seating capacity, Will Rogers Auditorium is one of the most popular graduation ceremony venues in the Fort Worth area. High schools commonly hold their graduation events in the auditorium’s main performance hall.
Galas & Awards Events
Various galas, pageants, award ceremonies, and formal events utilize the grand, upscale spaces at Will Rogers Auditorium for their celebrations. The venue provides an atmosphere of distinction for these elite special events.
Comedy Shows
Stand-up comedians like to perform at Will Rogers Auditorium to connect with audiences in an intimate theater setting. The venue has hosted many comedy tour stops over the years.
Community Events
Will Rogers Auditorium serves as a gathering place for many types of community events such as cultural programs, lectures, town halls, and more. The space is often utilized by local organizations and nonprofits.
This diversity of event types is a testament to the versatility and community-oriented nature of Will Rogers Auditorium. The venue admirably serves Fort Worth’s needs for a premier special events destination.
Food Service & Catering Options at Will Rogers Auditorium
When it comes to food and drink, Will Rogers Auditorium takes a flexible approach tailored to each specific event happening at the venue. As there is no permanent restaurant or in-house catering operation, the food service for events must be arranged individually. There are a few main options available:
Preferred Caterers
Will Rogers Auditorium maintains relationships with several preferred caterers who they recommend to provide food service for events. Clients hosting events at the auditorium have the option to utilize one of these experienced preferred caterers to handle their food and beverage needs. This takes the guesswork out of finding a reputable caterer.
Some of Will Rogers Auditorium’s preferred caterers include:
- Eddie Deen’s Ranch
- Hard Eight BBQ
- Ol’ South Pancake House
- Pokey O’s
- Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que
These caterers offer a variety of menus from down-home barbecue to upscale plated dinners. They are familiar with the venue’s policies and layout.
Outside Caterers
Clients also have the option to hire any licensed, insured caterer of their choosing. Will Rogers Auditorium can provide recommendations for reputable outside caterers beyond their preferred list. All outside caterers must coordinate with the venue’s event staff and follow the auditorium’s guidelines.
Concession Stands
For very large, high-profile events like concerts, the event organizers sometimes set up temporary concession stands. These may sell typical concert fare like soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and light food options. Concessions are not available for every event and are coordinated specifically for each applicable happening.
Nearby Restaurants
There are also restaurants located within walking distance of Will Rogers Auditorium, mainly at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Attendees can dine at these eateries before or after events at the auditorium:
| Straits Food Court | Features various cuisines like Asian, Mexican, barbecue |
| Buford’s Barbeque | Casual barbecue restaurant |
| Das Boot Camp | German restaurant with beer garden |
| Guadalajara Grill | Mexican cantina |
| La Playa Maya | Mexican seafood |
These nearby dining establishments provide easy meal options for people attending events at the auditorium.
In summary, Will Rogers Auditorium provides flexible food service through preferred and outside caterers, temporary concessions, and proximity to restaurants. Event organizers can work with venue staff to arrange the food options that best suit their specific event. Though there is no permanent in-house restaurant, attendees still have ample dining choices available at or near this historic Fort Worth events center.
Notable Events at Will Rogers Auditorium
Throughout its 85+ year history, Will Rogers Auditorium has hosted countless notable concerts, community happenings, and performances. Some of the most memorable events held at this Fort Worth venue include:
Elvis Presley Concerts
Elvis Presley played six sold-out concerts at Will Rogers Auditorium in 1955 and 1956 during his rise to fame. His energetic performances electrified audiences and cemented his status as the King of Rock and Roll.
JFK Speech
In November 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave a major speech at Will Rogers Coliseum just one day before his fateful assassination in Dallas.
Martin Luther King Jr. Speech
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke passionately at Will Rogers Auditorium in March 1968, just 10 days before his assassination. The civil rights leader delivered an inspiring call for unity and peace.
Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnics
Since 1973, country legend Willie Nelson has hosted his famous 4th of July music picnic at Will Rogers Auditorium and Coliseum. It’s an iconic Fort Worth tradition featuring performances by Nelson along with dozens of other artists.
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Annual livestock show and rodeo held at Will Rogers since the 1940s, growing into one of the biggest rodeos in Texas. Top cowboys and rodeo performers compete as thousands watch.
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Events
The auditorium has been a regular stop for the popular Professional Bull Riders sports tour since the 1990s, showcasing daring bull riding contests.
Broadway Across America Shows
Will Rogers Auditorium has hosted national touring Broadway shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Riverdance, and Wicked as part of the Broadway Across America series.
These memorable events represent just a sampling of the historic happenings that have occurred at Will Rogers over the past eight decades. From Elvis to JFK to Broadway blockbusters, the auditorium has cemented its legacy as a Fort Worth cultural institution. More great events are sure to come at this storied venue for years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Will Rogers Auditorium does not have permanent on-site food service, the venue still provides various dining options for event attendees through its preferred caterers, ability to accommodate outside caterers, occasional concession stands, and proximity to nearby restaurants. The auditorium’s lack of an in-house restaurant does not limit guests’ ability to access food and drinks during events. This historic Fort Worth venue has flexibly adapted its food service approach to fit the needs of different events over its 85-year history. From concerts to graduations and beyond, Will Rogers Auditorium continues presenting top-tier entertainment and serving as a community anchor for the city.