The Esquire Theater holds a special place in my heart. For years I have frequented this comfortable theater and enjoyed many interesting independent films. Their food and beverages are pricey just like any movie theater but they offer really good candy, not your ordinary chocolate and gummy selection. You can catch a movie for $5.50 all day on Tuesdays. On any other day, with a student I.D. you can enter for $6.00 any day. read more

I love going to the movie theaters and my favorite theater in the city is defiantly the Esquire Theater in Clifton. I think this place is super charming and has a great soul. I love the outside marquee. It adds a character to the main drag of Clifton. Inside the theater, you will find a pleasant staff always working well together. The theater is small but cozy. I will say that recently I have been a little bed bug crazed. I am super paranoid about public spaces that could be at risk. But this place seems very clean so I try not to even think about it while I am watching a foreign film or a rocking independent film. Also this place is super competitive with prices. Let's face it sometimes it's cheaper to just buy the movie than to take you and your boo to the theater. If movie prices discourages you from going to the theater, then I recommend you to check out this place. They are reasonable and have specials to make the movie experience affordable. read more

Can I write a review by not writing a review? Is that possible? Easy in, easy out. Yay! I'm a fan. We don't need no stinkin' megaplex.

LOVE this theatre! If you're a movie buff, this is the place to be. Mostly independent movies with a few foreign films. You can park across the street in the public parking lot, accessible from Howell Street. Or, take the small road (next door to the new Clifton Grocery) and access Howell from there. Esquire Theatre will validate your parking ticket. They have great popcorn, too. And their Coke icees are terrific, too The staff is very gracious and friendly. read more

We love this theater and the great restaurants you can walk to before or after a show. The theater and bathrooms are always spotless and the staff is friendly and polite. read more

my only beef with the esquire is that they have begun leaning towards more mainstream films. you know, friends with benefits, planet of the apes, etc. not to knock those movies (i've seen 'em both, and they weren't terrible), but part of the appeal of the esquire has been its under-the-radar films, not its blockbusters. that being said, i can't help but love the borderline porn theater vibe of the place, not to mention bargain tuesdays ($6 a ticket). so my complaint isn't major, just a minor annoyance. i still love the place. read more

Love this place! Movies you can't see just anywhere! Great refreshments! Grown up beverages! LOVE IT!!

I was shocked to find this gem. This is a great and cute movie date night spot. They serve beer here and it has an old timey feel to it. This is just down the road from UC and is surrounded by good eats. read more

Love that they show independent films! That is their absolute best feature! Don't like the seating or movie screen quality that much though. Relatively better food and drink options than AMC. They host the Rocky Horror Picture Show every other Saturday, which is a plus! They say they validate parking in some garage nearby but have never got to utilize that yet. They're surrounded by lovely establishments nearby. The back alley exit is neat! They have student discounts! Staff is nice! read more

The Esquire has little indie movies that you wouldn't see at the bigger theaters. Great atmosphere and they don't clobber you with high ticket/concession prices. Love the atmosphere and location. Lots of window shopping or places to get a bite to eat before or afterwards on Ludlow Ave. read more

4.5 stars. Great movie selection, very comfortable for an art theater. Could use better bargain shows or days (cheapest is one $5.50 all-day ticket day). And better coffee! read more

Best small art theater I've ever attended. First saw Groove and So I'm a Cheerleader here. Changed the way I view films. Decent popcorn, friendly staff, sticky floors, funny patrons and a great selection of independent films. No problem here with first-run bigger pictures playing here; it's not unlike a business owner getting a part-time job to finance his first love. Great for dates and just to get away from the world for a few hours. read more

I know this is silly, but try the plain salted pretzel. I know soft pretzels, and this one is just the right size and consistency IF it is fresh. The counter help know: ask them if it is. If it is not, they will honestly tell you and then offer to heat up a fresh one, then bring it to your seat. No kidding. The Esquire is an old style big-screen cinema that chopped itself up and then expanded to become on large and five really small screens. At one time it specialized in art/independent films, but now it plays bigger name shows as well. The neighborhood around the cinema is part of the experience. From old people to college students, the area is home to an eclectic mix. People drive in from outside to share in the wealth of restaurants and bars. Once the grocery across the street reopens after tax problems the local parking difficulties will return on weekend evenings. read more

I enjoyed this cute little theater. It obviously and justly had an "older" feel but I liked it's charm. The only things I would change during my visit were: The ice machine started going off outside our theater about halfway through the movie and never stopped. It was a loud noise that was extremely distracting during the movie. Someone got up and went to see what it was about 20 minutes into it. Not sure why an ice machine would sound like that but that is what the staff said it was. The only other thing is my pretzel was stale :( But... things can't be perfect. I will return and I absolutely love the location and staff. read more

Small old fashioned movie theater. Freshly popping popcorn with real butter is the best reason to see a movie here. The place to see independent movies in Cincinnati. Parking can be a challenge since they don't have a designated lot. Street parking is the only option. read more

A cozy place to see a movie...none of that large theater fanfare...you can even enjoy a an adult beverage and delish desserts...truly a level above your normal movie theater experience. This is a must go. Looking for a spot to dine? Slip to Biagio's Bistro a few steps away for a wonderful, intimate dining experience within your budget. read more

Didn't mind this place until our experience the other night. Staff was smug and unfriendly to say the least. They were way more concerned about closing up in time rather than giving their customers a good experience. My advice, show up early for your movie in the event that they try to close early and make YOU feel like the one doing something wrong. read more

This is the only place besides occasionally Mariemont Theatre or Newport on the Levee to offer indie films (I say that having worked for one of the local Showcase theaters). According to someone who works at the Esquire, the owner loves to also run big films because for some reason he believes they'll take in more money. Of course, the faulty logic there is that anyone who'd want to see those films would much rather go to the stadium-seating, bells-and-whistles big theaters instead of the Esquire, so it seems like they don't make money on those. Nevertheless, I always see them trying to run movies like Batman, etc. and shake my head and laugh. Aside from all of that, though, it really is a great theater. I go there as often as I can and you should too if you're at all a fan of indie movies. read more

Theater has a neighborhood feel and the employees are welcoming and polite. A small bar and bakery items are offerred in addition to the standard concessions.. Feels like I am seeing a movie with friends. Lots of interesting shops restaurants and bars around too. Love it. read more

A wonderful place to take in a film. Old-time atmosphere, quality movies, good popcorn, and friendly workers. They also frequently post coupons for non-weekend nights, which is great since I live within walking distance! Also: student discounts! Clifton owes much of its charm to the Esquire theater. read more

Great independent theater that runs independent films as well as its share of blockbusters. The quaint theater sits in the Gaslight district in Clifton. Parking may be a little difficult to find, but I usually don't have a problem finding street parking either on Ludlow or on the side streets just north of Ludlow. Ticket prices and concessions are cheaper than Newport. A nice plus is the different flavored "salt" you can get to put on your popcorn. Staff is extremely friendly as well. The theaters are small, but since the shows are normally not sold out, you have your choice of seats. You don't have to go too far to go to the bathroom. Overall this is a very comfortable, quaint, convenient theater. read more

4 stars because the Esquire Theatre offers films that can't be found at the large suburban theaters. However, just because they have a loyal customer base they should not be complacent. I took some out of town guests there this week to see Truth. We were in the first theater, which is a little larger than a walk-in closet. The arm rest on my seat was broken/missing. The sound coming out of one of the two speakers was off. In the rest room, they were out of paper towels. And, they moved the location where tickets are purchased to the popcorn/snack counter but failed to put even a sign up at the regular indoor register letting customers know and the tickets took longer to purchase than in the past. The Esquire is still a great choice for off-beat and artsy films but the customer experience has definitely declined. read more

The Esquire is great and has been around for a long time and is responsible for really expanding my horizons when I was a kid. There are little things I've taken issue with lately, but I just don't really see the point in nitpicking. "You darn theater that helps me see movies I normally wouldn't! You've changed slightly! This is the Internet, so everyone needs to know how good I am at complaining!" Truthfully, there's been a trend of screens being taken up by bigger, more mainstream movies that you could see at a multiplex. I completely understand that the place needs to make money, but it's a bummer that we might miss some smaller movies that could be on those screens. It can be hard getting in touch with the theater in any way to find out if a movie is still going to be there the next week (the website only extends a week). All that said, the Esquire is great, small, interesting, and only crowded during Oscar season. read more

I love coming here for many reasons, but mainly the fact that they put real butter on their popcorn. Sometimes my girlfriend and I go here for the popcorn because its so delicious and then pick a movie to see after we get the popcorn. Don't get me wrong, the movie selection is phenomenal, the people are nice and the chairs are moderately comfy, but the popcorn is amazing. I think I might have to go by for a bag after work... read more

I first went to the Esquire in high school, and most recently went this past winter. It hasn't really changed, and that's probably okay. It's one of few places to see indie films, but I saw some bigger movies here too, especially when I lived a block away after college. Another reviewer said that they did some shady editing of graphic content, which would be very disappointing and cause me to lose a lot of respect for the place, but I haven't heard that before. At any rate, I'm glad it's still there. read more

This little theater is tried and true americana. If the marque out front doesn't sell it to you, I don't know what will. In college this was my go to spot for Rocky Horror Picture Show (which they till do!!) and I fell instantly in love. Since moving down here this was my first visit back and I was so thankful it finally happened. I used a groupon to get tickets, but with all the deals thy have going on throughout the week, I think I'll be back often. They have lots of Indy films and film festival favorites mixed in with quarky mainstream movies as well. One of my favorite parts of the evening was when we first sat down in the tiny show room and the woman in front of us knew what was up. She politely walked to the bar (yes, the "Back Ally Bar" where they serve drinks and wine and beer and booze for the show) and asked them to turn up the AC because it was "a bit too warm to enjoy the film fully". The bar man agreed and got someone right on it. What other theater could you do this at?! Love my little theater down the road and more importantly if I ever move away. I will make the drive, however long, and continue to support this awesome place! read more

I love this spot. Right on Ludlow in the heart of Clifton, this great arts cinema looks the part, to be sure. Excellent exterior and interior decor make you feel fancy, no matter what you're seeing. And the Esquire carries great international and foreign films year-round, as well as some major American independent films and the big nominees (i.e., King's Speech, Black Swan, etc). I've seen four films here and really loved the experience every time. The crowd is there to enjoy the movies and not to be disruptive. It's a happening spot, so if you're there on a Friday or Saturday, it might be wise to buy your ticket early and pop down to Olive's or Sitwell's for a quick drink, or eat some delicious Indian food at Ambar India just down the street. And that's the other great thing about the Esquire: location, location, location. Can't be beat. A great way to complete a wonderful night out in Clifton. Highly, highly recommended. read more

this place has lots of good movies. i saw amelie there. it was cute.

Excellent films but suffers from poor management that can affect the way one takes in a film.. It seems like the owners put all their good energy into Mariemont and the Kenwood theatre leaving the Esquire to fend for themselves. If you are in the middle of a film you will often hear the talking, laughing crowd from people waiting to see their film, standing outside the doors of your theatre. It can interrupt your concentration and it's annoying. Often people will enter and exit a film trying to see a free film and it seems like the employees are just doing their jobs and not interested in the value of seeing a movie uninterrupted. The Marimont put some effort into their space to avoid such distractions. It might not matter if viewing Disney but people usually travel to the Esquire to see more interesting and emotional films. The women's bathroom has a sign taped to the door, "loose seat use with caution". Really? there's an Ace hardware store up the street ~ why not spend the $20 and replace it. From now on if a movie is showing anyplace else that's where Im headed read more

This place is fun because it's close to my house. It is slightly overpriced, but all movie theaters are. I really enjoy the small theater feel to this place. It is always clean and the popcorn is amazing, get it with real butter. read more

Esquire may not have all the fancy bells and whistles but they play amazing movies you won't be able to find many places elsewhere. It's location on Ludlow is perfect placement for strolling for Graeter's after a date or window shopping for rare precious stone jewelry at some of the new age shops. This theater never gets old. read more

The Esquire Theatre is the best cinephile experience in Cincinnati, in my opinion. They offer great movies that you can't see anywhere else in town (along with the occasional blockbuster), popcorn with real butter, a hyper-local ambience, and a low-key but thoughtful staff. read more

Great place to watch indy films and such. The Esquire is a throwback to days gone by.

Great alternative theater. I always laugh when I go to AMC and they advertise themselves as Cincinnati's theater for independent movies. The Esquire is the place to go. No, it is not posh by any means and it even verges on old school but I love that theater and have seen so many great movies here that I would never have the opportunity to see at AMC. The movies are $9.25 but if you grab a bearcash coupon book from the magazine holders just a block up there is a two for 1 coupon in there somewhere in pages 20-30. I only use those sometimes because it feels like robbery. Concessions aren't bad. You can get fun things like caramel corn and glazed almonds (which I highly recommend) as well as all the normal staples. Just to be clear it isn't all alternative independent movies. They show mainstream stuff too. If you park down in the lot by the grocery store they will validate your ticket and it is super cheap (Free-$1-2). It seems also that the crowd is more into the movies. No obnoxious teenagers giggling and throwing things in the theaters or making comments to impress their friends. You should certainly experience this theater once. Made me sad for going to AMC so often. This place deserves my money much more than Newport. read more