Palace Theatre moves to cashless payments

The Palace Theatre in Greensburg has gone cashless.

Audience members looking to purchase snacks and drinks while attending shows will be required to use plastic and digital payment options, according to Daniel Stainer, spokesman for the Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

The trust, which owns and operates the Palace Theatre, instituted the cashless payments last week.

“A lot venues around the country have gone cashless. We’re trying to get people in and out quickly. We had our first show (June 5) and I was there and the lines went a lot faster,” Stainer said.

The Palace joins other local entertainment venues including PNC Park, PPG Paints Arena, Acrisure Stadium, and The Pavilion at Star Lake that utilize cashless and digital payments for concessions, bars and ticketing.

Officials said cash payments may still be accepted by private merchants and for community events, such as the Greensburg Music Fest, that are held at the venue.

The switch to cashless payments continues a modernization push for the century-old landmark.

In March, the Palace instituted mobile ticketing for its shows and in addition to what Stainer said was a refreshed website, upgraded point-of-sale systems and ongoing facility enhancements. Officials said it is expected more headline acts will be booked into the Palace Theatre next year when it celebrates it’s 100th birthday.

About 90,000 people attended 120 events at the 1,300-seat theatre and adjoining facility last year, according the cultural trust.