The Senator Theater is a local music venue with live shows from various local and out of town bands. They get some big name acts, and therefore the ticket prices can be a bit steep compared to some other local venues.

The Senator has an interesting history prior to its current use. It was built in 1927, and was originally used for vaudeville theater. In fact, when it was renovated in the early 2000s, previously unknown dressing rooms were found, revealing much about the past uses. As movies became a more popular, it found a new use as a movie house. It was converted into a four-screen theater in the 1970s, and it remained as such until it closed in 2000. It was bought by a local business person, who renovated it and opened it back up for live musical acts. The divider that made it into separate movie theaters was removed, allowing a venue for nearly 1000 standing patrons.

The art-deco theater has a beautiful mural inside, which is nearly as distinctive as the tower on the corner of the building. The Senator Tower had been an icon of downtown Chico for generations, but was temporarily removed in the late 1990s because it was leaning to the side over 5th Street. For the sake of safety, it was taken down and put away until restoration could occur. After a few years (by the time most Chicoans had given up on ever seeing it ever again) a new, more stable tower was built with the same signature diamond on top.

https://localwiki.org/chico/Senator_Theater