Came here for a free watch party for the World Cup. Love the idea! It was very family friendly. The…read morescreen obviously is huge and so great to watch the game on. Full concessions and bar was open. We ate dinner around the corner at the Santa Barbara public house then walked over for the game. Such a unique experience to watch the game in a historical theater setting with other football fans

You have read enough about live performances in this space. I am sorry to say it also sucks as a…read moremovie theater. It smells. Like somebody else's storage unit. The stage curtains can no longer be fully retracted for a widescreen movie. Super Mario Galaxy, of all things, had about 3 feet on each side projected onto the curtains. Abandoning the beautiful entryway and its kiosk is unforgiveable. Instead you are to buy your tickets in the box office, which bears no resemblance to the rest of the building. It looks like a pop-up version of the office at your middle school. It's beautiful inside, and the unpleasant smell is faint enough you'll forget it once your popcorn and red licorice ick int. But be sure you sit in the front 10 to 20 rows if you want to actually feel you are watching a projected film on a big screen. My negativity is here to apply what small share of pressure I can contribute to what should be one of Santa Barbara's iconic landmarks. The theater is worth visiting anyway. On a certain level it is wonderful. But boy does it need a lot of work.

First time to come here for a concert. Very nice venue for a concert. Not very big so there's…read morereally no bad seat in the room. Parking was surprisingly easy and it wasn't hard to find any space even with a sold out venue. Lobby area is tiny so everyone waited outside before doors open. The ushers look like they were all students on campus. They were selling shirts and souvenir items in the tiny lobby. No snack bar or concession stand. Food and drinks not allowed in the theater anyway so I guess that's alright. But they were selling some cookies and water outside and taking donations for coffee. We would definitely come back to this place and watch another show.

A&L provides cheaper tickets for students which is great to see shows you wouldn't be able to…read moreafford otherwise like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. I love seeing the dance and music shows they offer on campus and in downtown Santa Barbara.

(Attended 07/24/25 TH @ 2:00pm and once before): This theatre was more inland than along any…read moreriviera! I returned from an overnight getaway in nearby Solvang when I decided to catch a film at the SBIFF Riviera Theatre. I became aware of the theatre during the recent Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), and thought this stop would be a nice relaxing break before I got back to L.A.. Originally, the theatre was an auditorium building designed by architect Alfred Eichler in 1926 as part of the University of California, Santa Barbara's Mesa Campus. It opened as the Riviera Theatre on May 12, 1964 with Ludmla Tcherna in "The Lovers of Teruel". ​​In June 2016, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival entered a new era with the acquisition of this beloved theatre. After a $5 million dollar capital campaign and renovation, the theatre was now SBIFF's new state-of-the-art, 360+ seat capacity, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. The theatre was now an irreplaceable resource for the community and a representation of Santa Barbara's rich history. Would this theatre be on my radar the next time I was in the area!? PURCHASE Ticket - General Admission ($12.50): I watched the international film, "Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight" https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=229mdFVeyJEvIkH3f7ecUA because this was the only option, which surprisingly held my interest throughout. This seemed to be a bargain as I felt standard non-matinee promotion prices were upwards of $15.00 or more... but I could be wrong. Tejava The Unsweetened Tea Peach Black Tea 16.9floz Bottle ($5.50): I wasn't in the mood for beer or soda, so this was the next best healthier option - not bad. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=cR_MOZMMlHwt90VdThv5ig Large Buttered Popcorn ($8.25): Fluffy and buttery, this was one of life's simple pleasures. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=tpiIOBQsf4ta4Dm70IUWgw SERVICE From the onsite ticket purchase to the concessions, everything was a breeze - thank you! PARKING (FREE): They had their own multi-tiered spacious private lot - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE An older exterior with the ticket window https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=-hLfv9vvbxacXONMzZ4nhQ just outside the entrance door, you entered into an open lobby area with a small concession stand https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=6ooIHZ51UkHBLRthQhNUxA to your left and the restrooms on your right, respectively, before you entered https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=ME05hVwbTLw7z7vXOVbzPA into the single-screen theatre. Enter a cleaner https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=0m-xsOpcXOJktGs1-iI18A more glamorous modern cinema ambience, with larger, plush seats, equipped with the all-important cup holders. Most importantly, the theater was rigged with a stunning new projector and sound system comprising a Dolby Vision laser projector and the expansively spatial Dolby Atmos audio system, which took the output from four to some 50 speakers around the room. The Riviera was now one of only 26 theaters in the U.S. with such technology and the only nonprofit so equipped in the country and possibly the world. Natural lighting only existed in the lobby through the doors/windows while the electric house and stage lighting filled in the rest. There weren't any monitors or background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=s-VR-koXfa89fAeeUxHdSg ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I had a fun afternoon at The SBIFF Riviera Theatre and would definitely return the next time I was in the area if not during the next film festival. I loved the old-time appeal, and of course the surrounding area was beautiful. I loved everything about the theatre itself, the concession drinks (no alcohol) https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=tSCzN1yDJCO-1MC-k9L7qg and food https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=FY8rbodociQn9r0jnImGvg prices seemed very reasonable, and the service was straightforward. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $26.00 BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

This was at the 900 State new theaters that was so fantastic…read more Very well done and elegant

This is NOT a cinema and draft house. It's a regular movie theatre. Period. Regular movie seats…read more Typical concessions and food. Not as advertised at all.

Now that the world is opening up again it's nice to have THC&PH for some quality movie viewing. And…read moreeven better with their selections of beer and wine, soft drinks, fresh popcorn, and sweets for everyone. Updated stadium seating is very comfortable, and their new sound system is top notch. Their staff makes sure it's a very pleasurable experience. Special shout out to Khamla and Sandra for taking such good care of us all. Located amongst the many auto dealerships, and right next door to The Natural Cafe.

Attended the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival at the Santa Barbara Bowl for the first time, and I…read morewas extremely pleased with the experience. It's a beautiful, intimate venue, and the concert was very entertaining, featuring a variety of talented singers who kept the crowd dancing throughout the evening. It was my first time seeing Joss Favela and Majo Aguilar, and I instantly became a fan of both! Mariachi Los Camperos also performed, and I've been a fan of theirs for years, so it was wonderful to see them live. The small, intimate setting made the experience even more enjoyable. I had a great time and am definitely planning to attend again next year!

We came here to see our favorite comedian Trevor Noah at this beautiful outdoor concert venue. We…read morelistened to our hotel valet to park our car in the neighborhood near the high school and did a mild hike up the hills. They provide trolley rides for guests to get to the actual venue. They have concession stands to sell foods, beers and wines. We'd just had dinner so we just got some mead, seltzer, wine & sparkling water to enjoy. Our seats were among the first few rows on the side. The view was awesome and easy for me get out for restroom trips. The restrooms were very spacious and clean. The show was amazing, the one and only Trevor Noah never disappoints! The staff were friendly and helpful throughout the event. It got chilly at sundown, glad we brought a light jacket to keep warm. We enjoyed our comedy show so much and we loved this beautiful venue as well!

The Garvin is nestled on the beautiful Santa Barbara Community College Campus, complete with an…read moreocean view. I had the great pleasure of watching "In the Next Room" that included a small, but mighty cast. My experience from speaking to the representatives at Will Call to saying hello to the cast members at the end was beyond fantastic! Everyone I encountered was ever so friendly. The theater in itself is beautiful, the seats are comfy, everything is fairly new, or at least well-kept and modern. Snack stand available during intermission and prices are very fair. Restrooms located downstairs, plentiful and clean. I would happily come watch another production at the Garvin!

The Theatre group at Santa Barbara Community College performance of "In the Next Room or the…read morevibrator play by Sarah Ruhl was fantastic. The Garvin Theatre was the perfect size for this production. Each seat in the theatre had full view of the stage with great props for the time period of the play. The comedy "In the Next Room made you laugh with the introduction of the vibrator and how and why it was administered. As the story unfolded sad moments occurred with character "Elizabeth" who was hired to nurse another woman's baby after the death of her own baby. Each character in the play had an awesome performance and the costumes were amazing; especially the details in the female's garments.

WORSE PLACE EVER. manager was SO rude. terrible customer service. i will not be going backread more

This is a small theater downtown with decent pricing for both matinee and evening shows. The…read morewebsite is easy to use for buying tickets, and the service fee isn't ridiculous. The popcorn could be fresher. But I suppose that can be hard to keep up with low attendance, and thus, low turnover.

Great atmosphere, interesting selection of movies. I haven't seen anything where I wanted to…read moreabsolutely walk out but I've seen movies that I've actually recommended to other people Peter Asher documentary that they showed was really good. Going to see the La Bamba inspired one today great seating much better than movie theaters. fair pricing nine dollars is really good for college students considering that everything else is so expensive these days.

After about a year, and a $15 million renovation, the SBIFF Film Center has finally re-opened…read more Formerly the Fiesta 5 -- I think they just should've called it the SBIFF Fiesta Five, instead of doing a re-brand. People will probably just call it the Fiesta Five for years. And I think it's officially titled "The McHurley SBIFF Film Center," but that's REALLY too much of a mouthful. Anyway, it's good we have a snazzy new cinema, just in time for the Film Festival. And it's good for the Downtown to have another movie theater again. The interior is nice, resembling a fancy (although not necessarily elegant) hotel lobby. Hmm -- you'd need to sell one million $15 tickets just to pay for the renovations, in addition to any other expenses. That's a lot of overhead. But please, people, go see movies surrounded by OTHER people, in a public space. That's how movies are MEANT to be seen -- a shared experience with other human beings -- and not just on a computer screen, or even a big screen TV at home. Movies look BETTER with an audience around you, on the big screen. More thoughts later...