Stepping into Mayan Revival Architecture
in Downtown Los Angeles

In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, the Mayan Theater has stood watch over the city since the summer of 1927. Originally a traditional theater, The Mayan became a nightclub in 1990.

Built in Mayan Revival architectural style, the pre-Columbian sculptures were designed by Francisco Cornejo (1892-1963), a Mexican painter and sculptor. More on him below. His sculptures are used in every corner of the theater – inside and out, on floors and ceilings. The central chandelier hanging high above the main floor and balcony is based on an ancient calendar stone.

In popular culture, The Mayan has been featured in movies like The Bodyguard and A Night at the Roxbury.

Various styles of live music can be heard during the week. Friday and Saturday nights are reserved DJs spinning Latin, Tropical, Top 40 and Dance music. Live Salsa and Tropical bands take the stage as well. Dress code is enforced on Friday and Saturday nights.

Check out their website to learn about The Mayan Night Club.

Who Were the Real Mayans?

The real Mayans were a group of indigenous people who lived in modern-day southern Mexico (Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo), Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras beginning in around 2600 B.C.

Painter and Sculptor Francisco Cornejo

Francisco Cornejo was a painter and sculptor born in La Paz, Mexico in 1892. Having studied in Mexico City, he left the capital and moved to Los Angeles in 1911 at the age of 19. While in California he taught ancient American art to San Francisco public school teachers. Moving back to Mexico in the 1930’s, he lived and worked there until his death in 1963.