Conferences, seminars, product launches, galas and weddings for up to 500 standing guests, or 250 to 300 seated depending on the layout, can be organized at The Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The venue occupies the second floor of the ZCBJ building, a 1908 hall on 3rd Street SE, and has operated as an event space since 2020.
There is no guest minimum. Rentals run for at least four hours, with the option to extend. Setup, teardown, cleaning and the use of furniture and equipment are part of the hire, and an event coordinator works out the floor plan with the client.
Seminars and company events
The venue lists conferences, seminars, product launches, company celebrations and corporate retreats, along with nonprofit galas, benefit concerts and silent auctions. A large stage, a large-screen projector, microphones and a sound system are included in the rental. Live bands and DJs are welcome. Using the house sound system for live music requires a sound manager, booked separately. In-house event staff are present during events.
Weddings and receptions
Ceremonies take place indoors. A California seating plan lets couples marry and dine on the main floor without turning the room around, and a theater-style ceremony followed by a reset for the reception is also possible. Receptions use the ballroom floor, the stage and the mezzanine. On wedding days the venue is available from 8 a.m. to midnight. The building has no outdoor space of its own, but the stage and lawn of NewBo City Market, across the street, can be rented separately.
Rooms and capacities
The main floor seats 250 to 300 guests depending on layout and holds 500 standing. The stage faces the room. On the third floor, the mezzanine serves as a bridal loft or VIP lounge, with natural light, three full-length mirrors, lounge seating and space for breakfast. A private suite under the stage, with its own bathroom and storage, works as a green room for speakers or performers. Both suites are included and available all day. An elevator from the main lobby serves the second floor. It does not reach the mezzanine.
Catering
The venue does not supply catering, decor or rentals, and it is open to all vendors. A kitchenette is available, and the team recommends local caterers it has worked with. The bar is run by the venue, with one bartender included in the base rental. Event insurance is required at least two weeks before the date. Glitter and confetti are not allowed.
History and setting
The building went up in 1908 for the Západní Česko Bratrská Jednota (ZCBJ), the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association, which provided life insurance to Czech immigrants and still operates as Western Fraternal Life. The hall served as a social center for the Czech community of Cedar Rapids. Today the theater shares the building with Brewhemia and HBK Engineering, on the floors below.
Getting there
The address is 1202 3rd St SE, Suite 200, Cedar Rapids, across the street from NewBo City Market. The main door opens onto the free parking lot on the south side of the building. Free street parking and nearby garages add more spaces for large events. The Eastern Iowa Airport is the nearest airport.
