4. The RKO Dyker, Bay Ridge

  • Former RKO Dyker Theater in Brooklyn
  • Former RKO Dyker Theater in Brooklyn

Just a block further down 86th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, RKO had another theater, Dyker Theater. This was a vaudeville and movie house that opened in November 1926. Equipped with a Marr & Colton organ, the theater could hold over 2,000 movie watchers.

The RKO Dyker closed in 1977 and was soon filled with retail shops. Today, a Modell’s sporting goods store occupies the balcony level. As in the Harbor and other former historic theaters, you can still see architectural remnants inside, and outside in this case. The historical vertical marquee sign has been refitted to advertise the Modells name instead of the theater.