One Of The Oldest Surviving Theaters In The Country Is Here In WNY

Anytime people talk about theaters in Western New York, they often think of Shea's Theater, Riviera Theater, or Lockport Palace Theater. But did you know one of the oldest surviving theaters in the country is not only still standing in Western New York, but it has been renovated into an incredibly beautiful space? It's called Bent's Opera House, and it's still standing in the heart of Medina, New York.

This past weekend, we drove to Medina to check out a restaurant, and while we were there, we explored the town for a while. Our curiosity got the best of us as we walked by a place called "Bent's Opera House" that was right on Main Street. We all started guessing what they could do there. Was it an actual opera house where they put on operas? While looking through the window, it appeared to be a pretty upscale bar or a restaurant, so why was it called the Opera house?

So instead of just standing outside, we went in to check it out.

Bent's Opera House is a beautiful restaurant/bar/event space

We were so glad we walked in. The hostess at the front desk was more than accommodating. You could hear her beaming with pride about not only the building and everyone who had passed through there, but also about her little town of Medina. Not only did she field all of our questions about the space, but she also offered to show us the entertainment space that was once the opera house.

It was beautiful. My wife even said that she would've booked that place for our wedding if it were an option when we were getting married.

The Opera House never actually held any opera performances

While the Opera House never actually held any opera performances, there were speeches from some very well known people in history like Buffalo Bill Cody, Fredrick Douglas, and William Randolph Hearst.

It has since, been renovated and serves as a restaurant called Harvest Restaurant. It also has beauifully restored rooms where you can stay, and an entertainment space that can hold around 200 people for weddings and other events.

You have to see this place.