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By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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Internet users have once again become obsessed with where one of the most-glamorous and talked‑about nights in entertainment—the Academy Awards—actually takes place.
Each year, Hollywood’s biggest stars dress to the nines to hear the announcements of the Oscar winners. But, despite the red-carpet prestige, the venue itself isn’t one that most people would instinctively associate with movie‑industry glamour.
"Annual reminder that the Oscars take place in a theater housed in a shopping mall that also contains a Dave and Buster’s."
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"I still have $60 on my Dave and Buster’s Power Card!" wrote a Threads user, @fixedairheather, an LA‑based comedian and writer.
The Oscars are held at the Dolby Theatre, a 3,400‑seat venue located inside Ovation Hollywood—formerly known as the Hollywood & Highland Center—a large shopping and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard. The mall sits directly across from the TCL Chinese Theatre and includes chain restaurants, souvenir shops, tourist attractions, and entertainment venues, including a Dave & Buster’s.
Dave & Buster’s is a nationwide sports and arcade restaurant.—not exactly the image many people associate with couture gowns and Oscar statues.
That contrast wasn’t lost on this year’s host, Conan O’Brien.
"I should warn you: Tonight could get political. And if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock. It’s at the Dave and Buster’s down the street," O’Brien said during the awards show, poking fun at the alternative MAGA Super Bowl event hosted in retaliation to Bad Bunny's Spanish show in February.
"Name dropped Dave and Buster’s before Conan!! I’m a soothsayer," @fixedairheather continued.
Despite the internet’s fixation on the venue, the night itself was a major one for several filmmakers. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the ceremony, winning Best Picture alongside five other awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Anderson.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners also emerged as a major contender, taking home four Oscars, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. The film’s cinematographer, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, made history as the first woman to win Best Cinematography.
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On Threads, users continued to marvel at the disconnect between Hollywood mythology and reality.
"I understand why they had to change it but damn, it used to be at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and DAMN, that place is unbelievably gorgeous. Highly recommend the tour if you’re ever in LA," said Hanna Dobrynski.
The poster was referring to the Oscars’ move away from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre—now known as the TCL Chinese Theatre—where the ceremony was held for several years in the mid‑20th century. The Academy relocated the event in 2002 to the then‑new Kodak Theatre (now the Dolby Theatre), a purpose‑built venue designed specifically to accommodate the growing scale, production demands, and broadcast needs of the modern Oscars.
"Every time I think about this I remember how unserious Hollywood is," joked Martine.
"So silly. Wax museum, bowling alley, Ripley’s Believe it or not and the Oscars," another commentator agreed, referencing the cluster of tourist attractions surrounding the venue.
"I was so shocked! Came out of the metro station, saw the red carpet in the middle of the street surrounded by chain link fencing and an American Apparel store across the street," said Biba.
"The magic of Hollywood!!!" the author of the post concluded.
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