Today, I want to introduce you to one of Nora’s and my favorite hangouts. Well, it’s actually three separate venues under a single roof: The Clyde Theater, The Club Room at the Clyde, and the Crescendo Coffee shop. The Clyde, located at 1806 Bluffton Road, is a short seven-minute (2.6 mile) drive from the convention center.
The Clyde Theater stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural and entertainment heritage. Originally built during the golden age of cinema, the theater has experienced a remarkable transformation, evolving from a beloved neighborhood movie house into a premier live music venue.
The theater opened its doors in April 1951. It was constructed by Clyde Quimby, a local businessman and operator of the Embassy Theater. The Cyde was designed in the Art Moderne style, which was popular in the mid-20th century, featuring sleek lines, geometric forms, and a striking façade. With seating for approximately 1,700 patrons, the Clyde was considered one of the most modern and luxurious theaters in the region at the time of its opening.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Clyde Theater became a hub for the Fort Wayne community. Families and movie enthusiasts flocked to the venue to enjoy first-run films, newsreels, and special events.
By the 1970s and 1980s, the entertainment landscape began to change. The rise of multiplex cinemas, television, and home videos contributed to declining attendance at single-screen theaters like The Clyde. In 1993, after more than four decades of operation, the Clyde Theater closed its doors. The building sat vacant for many years, its future uncertain, and became a symbol of both nostalgia and urban decline for many Fort Wayne residents.
Thanks to the generosity of Chuck and Lisa Surack (of Sweetwater Sound), along with the support of countless community partners, The Clyde Theatre underwent an incredible $9 million renovation in 2017 and 2018, transforming the stunning historic venue from a forgotten treasure to a state-of-the-art performance hall.
Today, the Clyde Theater is celebrated as one of Fort Wayne’s premier cultural destinations. Its successful transformation is a source of pride for the community and serves as a model for historic preservation and adaptive reuse. The theater continues to draw visitors from across the region, ensuring that the legacy of the Clyde endures for generations to come.
The Club Room at The Clyde is one of Nora’s and my favorite haunts. No visit to The Club Room is complete without sampling its food and beverage offerings. The menu features a blend of classic favorites and inventive creations, with options to suit every palate. Locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted cocktails reflect the venue’s dedication to quality.
The food is quite tasty (Nora likes the mac & cheese with pulled pork and I love the flat breads), reasonably priced and there is no cover charge or minimum.
However, music is at the heart of The Club Room’s identity. The venue boasts state-of-the-art acoustics and a professionally designed stage, ensuring that every performance is delivered with stunning clarity. The layout allows for close interaction between performers and audiences, fostering a sense of connection that’s often missing in larger, impersonal venues. Musicians appreciate the sound quality and the welcoming vibe, while guests revel in the immersive experience.
The Club Room at The Clyde boasts live music six nights a week, each day dedicated to a different musical genre. Mondays are blues jam sessions night; Tuesdays rock; Wednesdays jazz; Thursdays country and blue grass; Fridays pop; R&B and soul; and Saturdays pop, R&B, soul, and funk.
Rounding out the three venues is the Crescendo Coffee Shop adjacent to the Club Room. The Crescendo is a great place to pick up a coffee and a snack (the Buckeye Brownies are not to be missed). It has a patio where you can enjoy your ice cream, pastries, and coffee, or, if you choose, you can enjoy them in the Club Room.
Here are a couple of short videos on the Club Room. Don’t watch the second video if you’re hungry… I'm just sayin'...
We look forward to seeing you next summer.
John Figueroa
IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention
Chairperson