A Tale of Two Trocaderos

The Trocadero Theatre, originally the Arch Street Opera House, was a historic theater located in Chinatown, Philadelphia. Opening in 1870, The Troc offered musical comedies, vaudeville, opera, and burlesque. The Theatre was refurbished for use as an art house cinema and fine arts theatre in the 1970s, and by the 1990s it had become an iconic venue for rock and punk concerts. Today we’re going to take a deep dive on the history of Philadelphia’s filthiest opera house.