There’s an interesting history of the Tricky Falls venue in El Paso, TX as the venue was a variety of buildings. Tricky Falls has been a movie theater, music venue, some clubs and to this day, a megachurch. The building has been a staple in El Paso’s history as one of the best places to go for entertainment that spawned for decades. The building also played a part in my personal life when it came to music.

History of Tricky Falls

Tricky Falls opened in downtown El Paso on August 1st, 1914. The building was designed by Henry Trost, who had worked in downtown El Paso for many years. This theater was originally called the Alhambra. It was used for playhouses before becoming a movie theater in 1920 after film became popular. Over time, the Palace became the Alhambra in 1920, and over time, it was constructed to conform to the architectural fashions of the time. In 1975, movie theaters were in serious competition with television, so The Palace was turned into an adult film theater until 1984. In 1992, the Palace was sold and transformed into a nightclub after a brief period as a live music venue. It has had several names such as the Xscape, The Zone, and Club Blu.

Opening in 2011, Tricky Falls became the venue for many shows. Although the first artist or band to perform at the venue is unknown, a variety of large artists and bands would attend.

The Music and the Church

Tricky Falls featured a wide range of bands and artists from different genres. Though Tricky Falls wasn’t strictly a “Rock” venue, many notable Rock acts performed there. The venue hosted metal bands such as Ghost, Morbid Angel, and Napalm Death. Pop Punk bands like Sum 41 and Jimmy Eat World also performed there. Several Rap artists also performed, such as Lil Peep, Kahlid, and Azalea Banks. With a capacity of 1,500 people, the concert experience was much more intimate than a stadium shows or a festival. This allowed me to experience seeing one of my favorite bands in a close environment.

In 2013, I got to see Green Day at Tricky Falls as my first ever concert. Since they are my favorite band, this was a huge deal. It was an unbelievable experience seeing the band that close with such a limited number of attendees in the audience. I have seen the band again since then, but nothing will compare to seeing them at Tricky Falls. The intimacy of the show surpasses any stadium show I have seen them in.

Tricky Fall’s time as a concert venue came to an end in 2018 when the building was sold to a megachurch. In an effort to expand their locations and bring more people to the downtown area, Abundant Living Faith Center bought the building after the lease had expired. As of now, the church has not used the building and no date has been set for the venue to become a church.

Always remembered…

As a part of the history of El Paso, the Alhambra Theatre/Tricky Falls is truly a historical landmark. This venue elevated El Paso’s music scene and put the city on the map. This particular venue has hosted iconic performances by artists such as Green Day, Lil Peep, and Ghost. Even though Tricky Falls is now owned by a megachurch, local music lovers will always remember their shows.

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