ORIGIN: The site of the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center is said to be the oldest movie theater in Connecticut. A local grocer, Domenico Evangelisti, opened the then named Rivoli Theater in 1929. Apparently equally visionary, the owner of neighboring Bantam Ball Bearing Company had periodically entertained employees with silent movies, and sold the projector to Evangelisti's son before shifting manufacturing out-of-state to be near the emerging South Bend automobile industry. CONCEPT: Their vision has since been sustained by local aficionados of the arts -- most recently a dedicated group of community members who established non-profit status for the historic theater in 2021. EXPERIENCE: Expect to see viewers reconnecting and chatting before and after the showings. The Cinema remains a community space. TIP: Enjoy dinner, sweet, and/or drink at neighboring restaurants -- La Catrina, Arethusa, Materia. read more

Bantam Cinema & Arts Center - Exterior sign - Cinema Near Me - Bantam, Connecticut

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Attended an amazing 20 year anniversary The Devil's Reject screening with a Q&A with Rob Zombie and Sherri Moon Zombie. I must say the event was handled very professionally. The parking had check-in on arrival . Entering the cinema there was a quaint concession stand that supports local breweries, LOVE THAT ! I enjoyed a Kent Hills Pilsner "The Hollow"- a clean, crisp, and hoppy canned beer . Reasonable prices for freshly popped popcorn topped with REAL butter . Cookies , candies other goodies for sale. This cinema is a non profit organization run by some awesome people . It was a pleasure supporting such a wonderful event and local community. read more

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Love that they show indies and that they have adult beverages. Star off for pricey tickets $10.50 for a 1pm showing. Another off due to hearing the movie on the other side of the wall. As an indie-movie fan, I don't want to be distracted from the outside world. I could even hear the doors opening when their movie ended before mine. Get there early to get seats in the back; the front half of the theater is very close to the screen requiring you to look up. read more

The theater has been around (mostly) since 1929, and we're just now getting around to it? Shame on us. Double shame. The Bantam Cinema is a genuine treat in our midst, and we so happy to write about it. It hasn't been open continuously since 1929, but fairly recently it was purchased and renovated, and while it's still old-fashioned and a tad rustic in appearance, it's a delight inside. There are two theaters each comfortably seating maybe 100 people (just a guess) with a good sized screen and excellent sound. The concessions are a treat: a big popcorn is $6, and if you want (real) butter they'll stop halfway through loading it to apply some, then do it again to top it off. There's wine and soft drinks and candies, and the concessionaires, like everyone associated with the cinema, are as pleasant as can be. Going to see a movie here is a pleasure. They also seem to pick up top-grade movies: currently playing are "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer." Nice. read more

Bantam Cinema & Arts Center - Cinema Near Me - Bantam, Connecticut

Great little cinema to see a movie! Small and cozy. Great sound too. A nice selection of craft beer or wine and popcorn is always excellent. They often show current movies as well as some interesting documenteries. I highly reccommend this little gem! read more

Why did it take me so long to discover this gem. Well .... Covid happened and it did shut down. Actually went out of business. Until some wonderful local folks took it on and now it is operated as a non-profit historic landmark. Carefully chosen new films run as well as unusual picks that you won't find in the "big box" theaters. Two lovely small theaters running two choices. In addition to popcorn and the usual candy goodies, they offer wine and selections from the Litchfield Distillery. Sip and watch! A friend and I went for the first time to a 4 pm showing then headed out for dinner. Perfect afternoon/early evening treat. You can order tickets online, if you so choose. https://www.bantamcinema.org/ read more

Friendly staff (asked if she should pause to add more popcorn so I could put melted butter halfway through!) - different snacks (chocolate-covered blueberries!) - good leg room - and a dry erase board for your own mini-review after the film! Was a good place to end our frantic Oscar nominee viewings (hope the Oscars are never moved up half a month early ever again!) - but by all means do NOT go next door for dinner; the meat is revolting. read more

Lovely experience with friendly staff and delicious popcorn! Will definitely be back for the old school movies and intimate atmosphere.

I love the contrast and the experience vs. our regular outings in Manhattan to see a movie. This place is charming, has great character, popcorn portion control is perfect and the movies are current. Actually, excuse me, the films are current. You won't find the latest 'check your brain at the door' mindless entertainment - these are award nominees and winners. From festivals worldwide that is. I am loving the fact that this movie theater is a renovated barn. read more

Two theaters. Unusual films - sometimes main stream. Leg room between the seats. Real sound. Hi-def visuals. No lines. Popcorn is real. Coffee and tea are available. And the butter. Oh yes, the butter. It's real. And if you get bored on your date, you can run next door to woods pit bbq and down a shot and be back in time it takes to go to the bathroom. read more

I'm so thankful that I don't have to drive all the way to Hartford's Cinema City to see a good indie flick. Bantam Cinema is Connecticut's oldest operating movie house and continuously shows two independent movies at a time. It is basically a renovated barn in the backwoods of Litchfield, but it's got all the comforts of any other movieplex (popcorn, candy, etc.) and it shows better movies. read more

When you close your eyes and imagine a quaint little two screen movie house that has been housed and continously run in an old barn for nearly 90 years this is it. A small concession stand with the staples of popcorn, candy and soft drinks fortified with a selection of adult beverages. Showing a lot of art house and independent films as well as some mainstream current choices. I have fond memories of going when I was a child and seeing Charlotte's Web and A Christmas Carol. The surrounding town has recently seen a resurgence of life with the openings of a couple smaller restaurants that boast of local small farm ingredients that could easily round out a great evening out. read more

A true pleasure for movie fans. Old fashioned and rustic but wonderfully nostalgic! The staff are genuinely friendly as they go about their multiple roles at the theater. Real popcorn popping in the lobby welcomes you as you enter the front door. The screening rooms are roomy and comfortable with great views and acoustics. Fabulous way to spend a summer evening or rainy day!! See for yourself what made the movie going experience of long ago really magical. read more

If you want to get away from the megaplex movie theaters to sit down and really enjoy a film, go to Bantam Cinema. I'm partial because I live nearby but it still offers a charm you can't get anywhere else. The movie selection varies from an occasional top grosser to a string of Oscar nominees to a healthy smattering of foreign films. Both screens are digital now too so the picture and sound are of a much higher quality than before. Support small business and check it out. read more

Very small theater with fold up chairs. They are very selective about the movies they show. I have been there several times. I saw "The Book Thief", "The Hundred Foot Journey", "The Life of Pi" and several others. They also show independent films. Bantam Cinema is not your typical commercial Cinema. They actually show good movies. read more

This is cinema paradiso. Great films for real film buffs. They're carefully selected and I've seen many memorable ones there. The seats are comfortable unless you're used to Lazy Boys at the Cineplex. Good coffee and cookies, but the greatest feature is the quality films shown there. read more

$10.00 dollars to sit in uncomfortable seats in an old drafty wooden building......No thanks! We Rather go to Hartford or New Haven to watch an indie flick. read more

LOVED this theater! Small, nice selection of snacks and oh so cozy. Such a treat not to be in a ginormous multiplex that is over air conditioned. Seats were surprisingly comfy and had lots of space. Can't wait to go back. read more