A Little History…

The venue at 1307 University Blvd originally opened in 1940 as a bowling alley.  As the University continued to grow, The Strip became the heart of Tuscaloosa nightlight life with the alley as its anchor.  After almost 30 years of operation, the alley eventually pivoted to a movie theater.

February 5, 1969 — The Tide Theater opened with two screens, “Tide I” and “Tide II.”  A state of the art theater, The Tide was home to Hollywood feature films.  With the arcade still operating in the lobby, the theater saw eleven years of successful operation.

In 1980, local restaurant Nick’s in the Sticks opened a new location closer to campus.  Still a favorite among locals, Nick’s filet house eventually gave way to the continued demand for a local art house to screen films.

November 11, 1983 The Pitcher Show opened it’s doors with “Risky Business.”  Operated by Cobb Theaters with Dolby Surround Sound, the new venue included beer, wine and hot food offerings.  The theater screened second run films, classics and live sporting events – and admission was always $1.

Eventually the theater began hosting live music.  It’s undergone several names since converting to a music hall – “The Bama Beach Club,” “The Varisty,” “The Jupiter,” and, now, Druid City Music Hall. 

In 2020, the venue underwent a major renovation and construction project.  The new construction hosts the backstage area with several dressing rooms and a large green room.  The renovation to the stage, bars and bathrooms, include two new balconies.

Some of the legendary musicians to grace the stage include: The Zac Brown Band, Jason Isbell, The Avett Brothers, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Jamey Johnson, Moon Taxi, Whiskey Myers, Big Gigantic, Griz, Breaking Benjamin, Kane Brown, Judah & The Lion, Riley Green, Luke Combs, Band of Horses, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Cole Swindell, Turnpike Troubadours, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, and Dave Mathews.