Holy Hell, this place is dirty. Like...legitimate fear of contracting scabies or hobo AIDS dirty. And run down. Half the seats are broken, and most of the others will be soon. The bathroom is unspeakable. Generally, it's a crapbox. And yet, it's kind of amazing. Why? Because it's dirt cheap. Because it's super-close to the brown line. And near some awesome bars/restaurants for pre- and post- movie delicousness. Because sometimes it's nice to be able to go to the movies in sweatpants without feeling judged (I never do that--sweatpants should never leave your house or the gym). Because it makes you appreciate other theaters more. Did I mention it's cheap? read more

this place is pretty sweet. it smells like grandma's basement. the bathroom smells like the bathroom in grandma's basement after it's been given a once-over with a mop and some lysol. $5.50 for a matinee. booya. it was weird that the screen was on an angle, but really, i can deal. $5.50 for a matinee, remember? I can take my extra leftover money across the street to costello's for a sangwich after the movie is over. i like that. {tangent: i feel like my first date with the dude i end up marrying will happen here. maybe when the next batman movie comes out. and then we'll go to cold stone for cake batter ice cream with chopped up oreos, and walk around the rest of the square. and years later when we're on the verge of divorce, we'll remember how the bathrooms here smelled like grandma and lysol on our first date.} it's got character and charm and new releases and they sell vitamin water at the concession stand. and it's biking distance from my apartment. party time, excelleeeeeeent. read more

The Davis feels like one of those porn theatres that pop up next to inner city churches and bodegas. Oh but it isn't. I mean it plays real movies, has real employees, and popcorn and a bathroom. The seats haven't been replaced since FDR died but I like that. I like the rawness of this place. I mean if you grew up north of Evanston, you'd be uncomfortable here but if not you should be okay...although your ass might regret it. read more

I Looove The Davis. It's so charming and quaint, prices are awesome, and the staff is always terrific. I just wish they had more screens so we could come more often, although then it would lose its charming appeal. It's like stepping back in time, in a good way :) read more

Looking for a great bargain on a movie? Davis is where you wanna go! Before 6 it's $5.75. Never went to the concession stand so I don't know what those prices are. The seats are squeaky, somewhat comfortable and appear to be clean. The floors are sticky sometimes because, well, it's a movie theater and some people are slobs. Seats are also on a weird angle to where the screen is. To be fair, you get what you pay for. Great thing is that it's never really packed. Bad thing is if someone sits in front of you... your line of sight can be obstructed. read more

I always have a wonderful time at the Davis! Maybe that is because it brings back very fond childhood memories of my movie theater in small town Indiana. The tickets are way cheaper than the price you will pay at a movie theater downtown and the theater itself has way more charm too. By charm I mean, a big slope in the floor of one of the theaters and an unusually sticky floor. read more

Ok Davis theater, I like what you've done with the place. We came here early to try the new Carbon Arc bar. It was pretty fun. Food was ok. Drinks are pricey, if you ask me. Stick with beer. Movie and beer, It's a nice outing. read more

I love love love this theater- the chairs are super comfy and there's not all that unnecessary stimulus that other movie theaters impose upon their guests. The theater is simple and charming- the candy machines are delicious and I am almost positive that the theater I sat in was on a slant. Quirks and all, Davis is my favorite movie-watching destination. read more

Ahhh, the simpler times. The Davis is straight outta the past. A marquee, giant neon letters, movies in theaters without stadium seating in seats that feel like they could fall apart any minute (but won't). This is a great place to wander in to escape the Summer heat as you watch the latest blockbuster for less than you'll pay at most other theaters in the city and some films are better when viewed here like Grindhouse which comes to mind. Cash only. read more

This is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood. It is small and old but shows current movies at cheaper prices. And I don't have to drive or pay for parking! read more

Loving the Davis theatre feels so wrong but damn it, I can't help it. Sure, it's a bit grungy and popping at its creaky chair seams, but it's close (to me - how helpful), near other restaurants in a great neighborhood and isn't offensive with how enormous its bricked arse is like all the other movie malls. The prices are reasonable and I'm always happy with what's showing. It's a great Chicago theatre so quit picking on him!! The end. read more

I love the Davis. It's low key and cheap and the sound system doesn't hurt my ears, like the "modern" places. The popcorn is made fresh and is tasty and the workers are mostly nice. Plus, Lincoln Square is a cool area full of independent businesses and its good to support them, and all that. read more

I wanted to write a review of Carbon Arc, but the search came up with the Davis Theater. So here's my take on both. We visited last week for the first time since the Davis Theatre re-opened after months of renovation. The theater is GORGEOUS! It has a luxurious old-fashioned feel with carpets and wall treatments reminiscent of the grand old days. The bathrooms are bigger (and clean!) which is a really nice change from the old place. There were three registers available at the concession stand, where you could also get a glass of wine or beer, or one of two cocktails offered (Old Fashioned and the various Mules, I believe.) You can also take food from Carbon Arc into the theater. We saw La La Land in Theater One. Surprisingly, the tickets showed we had assigned seats, although the theater does not have the big recliners that usually require reserved seating. All the seats are roomy and comfortable with cup holders. There is a 'traditional' seating area just below the screen and another area (they referred to as 'the balcony') of raised seats. They ARE raised. My husband asked that the seats not be too far back, but we ended up in the second to last row, which was about one whole story up from the floor. The screen is also positioned higher than normal, so the view was great for us. I'm not sure how that works for the people in the lower seats, though. Having 'reserved' seats may not be an improvement. Some people showed up late and usually would not have had to hunt for their seat number before sitting down; however in looking for their assigned seats they disrupted the rest of the audience. Then a lot of people weren't happy with their seats and got up again to move. More disruption. I'd like to know the reasoning behind the assigned seating idea. The only positive I could think of was if a movie were completely sold out, everybody would at least know that with assigned seats they would have a seat with their companion (instead of having single seats sprinkled throughout the audience.) We had some trouble hearing the dialogue, especially at the beginning of the film, but I don't know if that was the film itself or a problem with the sound system at the theater. CARBON ARC We stopped here for dinner before the movie. When the renovation was in process, I could see lovely blue banquettes through narrow openings in the paper covering the windows. I was surprised and disappointed, then, to see that the decor is not as plush as I had expected. The tables and chairs are rather basic, but not uncomfortable. The menu is rather limited, but adequate for a light meal before or after a movie. We ordered two tacos each (at $5 per): two BBQ pork, one veggie, and one Thai chicken. The tacos were okay -- although the BBQ pork tacos were somewhat bland. Still hungry, we ordered the 'herby' hummus, which had a vaguely curry taste. I'm looking forward to trying their burger the next time I visit to see if that's more satisfying. The cocktails were absolutely wonderful. Have the Old Fashioned! I limited myself to one, but, man, it wasn't easy. All in all, this was a successful renovation and I'm looking forward to seeing more movies at the Davis Theater than we used to. (We didn't go to the Davis for action movies because the old sound system was so bad.) read more

I really love this theater. It's old, has seen better days, and lacks the amenities of all the new mega theaters. In exchange you get an independent theater without the hordes of obnoxious kids, yet shows quality movies in a kick-ass neighborhood. read more

The Davis certainly has vintage charm, but I don't go there if I want to see a movie that I care about a great deal. It works if I am already in the neighborhood, but was terrribly disappointed when we went there to see "Thank You For Smoking" (great film!) and it cut off the edges of the film where there was typed commentary. read more

Never had a bad experience here. Cute theater in the heart of the Northside. In walkable distance from my boyfriend's old apartment. The screens are really high and the seats are strange, but not incredibly uncomfortable. Tickets are well priced and the staff is friendly. I probably wouldn't come here if I wanted to see a major action flick with a lot of effects because o the screen size and placement. It was nice to have a theater nearby. read more

Loved the old Davis, not especially impressed with the do-over. My biggest annoyance was the fact that they left a pair of lights on either side of the screen on during the trailers which washed the image out to an unsuitable degree. I appreciate safety lighting, just put those particular lights on their own dimmer please. Even worse they left them on during the film's post credit sequence (yes it was one of 'those' films) which really detracted from the experience for me. Not sure when I will be coming back here having discovered the Regal Webster 11 on Fullerton which has truly advanced comfort seating and understands what to light up and what to leave dark. read more

Cheap, independently run theatre. While the seats may be a bit rough around the edges, you get first rate movies at better prices with the feeling that you are supporting the little guy. read more

Aging boomer that I am, I nonetheless try to stay modern to the minute in terms of technology, politics and general cultural awareness. But, I've got to admit there's a soft spot in my heart for old movie theaters and the "old" movie experience in general. Well, the Davis satisfies on all counts. It's ticket taker "cage", modest concessions and smallish theaters all hark back to the fifties, but in a good way. It's a great neighborhood place to see first run films at a price Chicagoans don't get to enjoy on a regular basis. Since I've moved back to the city it's my movie theater of choice. read more

Recent renovations are stunning. Definitely check it out if you haven't seen the new theater yet. They also sell beer and wine now. My parents love coming here when they visit me in Chicago. read more

This is my favorite movie theater in Chicago. Lincoln Square is adorable and the theater is just nice enough to be charming, but not ridiculous. The tickets are below normal prices and the popcorn is delicious. I never had a bad time here! read more

Decent theater but dirty on the inside. Food is decently priced but could not get a reservation online =( overall small but cozy theater good for a local joint. read more

The prices are very reasonable and the staff is friendly, but you get what you pay for. The seats are not super comfortable, the bathrooms are kind of gross and the screens angle inward. Despite its flaws, I like having this theater in the neighborhood and try to frequent it as often as possible. read more

THE DAVIS!!!!!! LOL a place with sticky floors and bad movie seats. A great place to go see a movie if your low on cash and like salty pop corn. read more

When I was six I would take my warped He-Man ViewFinder disc with a series of He-Man pictures on it and stare at the pictures through the ViewFinder for hours. The pictures, while not 3-D, had a certain "3-D quality" about them. I would invariably get a headache and move on to kicking stones or whittling sticks. Seeing a movie at the Davis reminds me of staring through the ViewFinder. The convex shape of the movie screens creates that same "3-D Quality". The popcorn tastes like styrofoam peanuts, and the staff generally looks hypnotized. Still, there's something strangely alluring about the Davis that keeps me coming back. After the picture show I generally walk down to Welles Park, kick some rocks and whittle a few sticks. read more

this may not be the cleanliest or have thx surround sound but it does have a charm about it despite it's funny aromas. as someone has mentioned, the screen is on an angle. but you can still see the whole screen no matter where you are sitting. the location of the theater is great because it is surrounded by charming restaurants and trendy boutiques. that makes it a great place to take a date. the theater we went to had love seats for us to cuddle up in which made watching a 3 hour movie bearable. the prices are standard movie prices and don't even think about whipping out your student or military id because they don't offer any discounts unless you're really young or really old. but they do have pretty cheap matinee prices ($5.50-$6.00, i think). read more

The Davis Theater has undergone a major overhaul and it is looking fantastic. The new seats are great, you can reserve your exact seat when buying your tickets online and the new Carbon Arc bar is a great place to escape the cold before or after your show. The Dolby sound in theater 2 (we saw Rouge One) was very impressive. read more

What kind of a monster would I be to hate on this quintessential neighborhood movie theater? Sure, the (kind of puny) screens are weirdly offset from the seats, sure those seats are often broken, sure the sound is muddy and some of your fellow moviegoers are looking a little muddy themselves. But! It's local! It's cheap! It's got a certain faded charm that defies all of its flaws. And, you know. It's air conditioned, the popcorn is fresh, and I only have to go about five blocks to get there. So who's complaining? read more

It is grungy, no doubt. I'd hate to shine a blacklight. But it's cheap and close and draws a fun crowd. I can watch a movie here by myself. Sometimes you need alone time, but still want to be "in the world" -- here I feel surrounded by friendly faces. This is unlike the mega-movie houses, where it's so impersonal that you feel like it's too solitary to be fun. It's the comfort of a dive, just in a movie theatre. read more

Hang on. HOW is anyone complaining about this movie theatre? A matinee here costs $5.50 - oh, and that goes until 6 p.m. For an adult. For a first-run movie. In Chicago, and in a neighborhood where you can have a whole evening out. (An evening show costs $8.) Come on guys. Sticky floors? Weird smells? You just saved like seven dollars. That's enough money to go get a fancy beer at the Grafton afterward. I wouldn't go here for a giant action movie I guess, but other than that...the Davis is pretty good to us. read more

Great for what it is. Never crowded and not a nightmare to get to/park at like all other theaters in the city. In the middle of Lincoln square with tons of shops and restaurants to check out. Yes,the seats are creaky, yes the ceiling makes noise, but it's also a very cool vintage theatre. When i go there its like I'm back in time. Way more character than any AMC I've been to. Plus, the tickets are cheap for the city. read more

OK. So, Davis is not my favorite theater. But it's in such a great location and it's cheap, so it definitely serves a purpose. I think my biggest complaint is that the seats just are not that comfortable. It's very retro, which is fun. The snack options are good. The bathrooms are meh. They're clean, but could use some TLC. But in the age of the $15 movie ticket, Davis is good enough for me. read more

The remodel is fantastic! I've been going here for a lifetime and it's great to see the refresh. The carbon arc is also a cool restaurant connected to the theatre. Check it out and another WIN for Lincoln Square. read more

Came 20 min after hellish experience trying to get my movie pass the door was locked and had to wait for 5 min to be let in after being told i couldnt see the movie. read more

Smells like someone torched a wet dog and some of the screens are positioned on weird angles, but its a good cheap place to catch a flick on a rainy day. read more

This is a hidden gem. The theater is old, let's face it. It's a classic old school theater that is cash-only and has bad seats with small theaters and the screens are at an angle. But, they have fantastic $5.50 shows before 6 which is awesome. It reminds me of the place I went to as a kid and I can actually enjoy the movie without suffering through an extra 2 hours of commercials, advertising and corporate movie-going. read more

A cool little old-style theater in my neighborhood. I like it! The concessions are cheap as are the tickets. If I remember right, I paid $5.50 to see the Fighter around 4pm. As long as you go in expecting the chairs to be old and the screen to be small, you'll really enjoy this throwback to the 50s/60s and a (rare) cheap cinema experience. read more

Davis Theater, how do I love thee!?!?! Sure, the screens are small and the bathrooms are old and the seats are creaky. But the tickets are cheap, the location's amazing, the staff is super nice and there's just something so charming about a little movie theater blending in with little shops and restaurants along that fantastic stretch of Lincoln Avenue. I'd see every movie here if I could! read more

Charming and intimate neighborhood movie theater. The staff was always smiling - it's refreshing to see happy staff. The only negative were the uncomfy seats but that won't stop me from going back :) read more

This is the old time movie theater of your childhood. It's nostalgic and has great charm. Cheap tickets make the whole experience worth it. The lobby smells like popcorn, and it the whole building is nested on a hill. You notice the difference, while to find your seat in any of the theaters. The seats are old but comfortable enough to sit in for the duration of a movie. If you want to experience a good ol' fashioned neighborhood movie theater check of Davis. It's not flashy, but you will actually enjoy it. read more