The RITZ Ybor was originally built in 1917 as the the Rivoli Theatre where a play could be seen for 15 to 35 cents each.

By 1945, the building expanded and became The RITZ Theatre until the 1970's. The building was entered in the Register of Historic Places in 1973 and the National Historic Landmark District in 1989.

In 1988, the Capitano family purchased the building where Masquerade Nightclub resided from 1992 to 2006. Masquerade presented mostly alternative rock band concerts and hosted a popular sink-or-swim 80's Thursday night.

Masquerade closed in 2006.

On June 26, 2008 and after a much-touted renovation, the building reopened as The RITZ Ybor, Tampa's premiere special events venue.