It was said to be "just about the last word in theatre construction, a thing of beauty, a valuable addition to the architectural wealth of the nation's capital."

Some of the biggest acts of the 1930s and 1940s came to the theatre, including Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Sophie Tucker, and Duke Ellington.

By the 1970s, the Warner Theatre had fallen into disrepair and was briefly used to screen pornographic films before being revived as a live concert venue.

The Kaempfer Company's $10 million renovations restored the theatre back to its original splendor.

On December 28, 2018, JBG Smith sold the property to CBRE Global Investors for $376.5 million.

The Warner Theatre has the long running tradition of having The Washington Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker every December.

Many other famous acts have played the venue over the years including Liza Minnelli, Shirley MacLaine, David Copperfield, Patti LaBelle, Bob Newhart, Prince, Bob Dylan, Gladys Knight, Kenny Rogers, Eddie Izzard, Tony Bennett, Jon Stewart, Jay-Z, Eddie Vedder, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia and John Kahn,[4] David Chappelle, George Carlin, and B.B.