First time coming to Montalbán and it is nice old school theatre. It's not too big but holds enough people. They have a fast process of entering and it's very clean. They don't have any elevator or handicap accessible for those who are disabled, which is unfortunate. However, they have a good concession stand with popcorn and bar area on the 2nd floor!! You can also take your food and drinks inside. Not a fan of the seats because they are too tight and small. It is outdated but it will do the job for the type of event I went to. We sat in orchestra section and it was good seats and close to stage! It's parking garages for public parking on Vine right next to theatre! Overall, 4/5 for me. I enjoyed my time at The Conversation with Brandy Event. -Marshay D. read more

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We saw the Twenty-Sided Tavern here in mid-December. I had never been to the Montalban. It was a smaller theater, but we had great seats in the orchestra section. Had no problem hearing the performers (now understanding the rules that governed the play? That's a different issue). The play was fun - definitely for those who know Dungeons & Dragons, but they explain a lot as well. Seating is dated. Think 1985 movie cinema seats, and there you go. Concessions were fine, but cursory - more like hot dogs and popcorn. Parking - I got valet parking at the W hotel across the street via Parkwhiz. Hubs said there is parking next stop, but I did not want to chance it. read more

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I went to see the singer Brandy for a meet and greet of her new book "Phases." This is a historical theater by the actor from Love Boat Mr. Montalbán. The theater is small with a big heart. Seats have a good view from every seat. Cute bar and SBA k area upstairs with a nice amount of drinks and alcohol. A variety of everyone's favorite snacks. All of the staff are very nice and the line to get in moved fast. Parking is next door to the theatre. read more

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Recently saw Suzy Eddie Izzard's Hamlet at the Montalblan theater. Had a front row seat so I didn't miss a thing. Incredible performance and very cool space in the heart of Hollywood. Helpful staff at the venue too! read more

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I went to the Montalban to see Empire Strips Back - which was quite an amazing show in itself. The parking is super duper easy - right next door! The line moved quickly to get in, bathrooms are on the first floor, concessions on the second floor - this theatre is not as big as I thought it would be, but definitely provided a cozier environment because of this. All the staff was friendly, just wished they had more food options (popcorn and nachos, but I was starved- we finished both before the show even started ). Although the bathrooms are decently clean, they don't have much ventilation. Go before the show as it's almost impossible during intermission and after the show. Overall a decent venue with no hiccups, I would come again for another show! read more

The Montalbán - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This was our first time at the theater and we had a great time. We saw David Letterman and Martin Short in the indoor theater. The seating is comfortable, sound great and the staff are great. They have a bar adn snack-type concessions. The parking lot next door was very convenient. Our show was sold out and the lot had plenty of space. read more

I took my grandson to see The Vampire Circus at the Montalban. This review concerns performances that are indoors and not the rooftop movie, although I would love to go sometime. The theater itself is a great vintage theater, located in the heart of Hollywood on Vine, right before Hollywood Blvd. and other great things to do nearby. There is also a cool breakfast eatery right across the street. Parking can be a tad of a bear. There is a lot right next to the theater, but getting in and out takes longer than it should. This lot is not owned by the theater so there is nothing they can do about this. You can find parking on the street, but mind the signs. The exterior is pretty cool. Again, this is a vintage theater and I know that the owner is continually working on it to bring it back to its all time glory. Such a task is expensive so it is taking some time. It is super pretty though outside. The lights are nice as is the marquee. The interior, an ongoing work in progress is super cool. The seats are comfortable and the spacing is nice. They also have a nice balcony. It is large enough for a concert or any performance, yet small enough to where you will be able to see well. The place is clean and comfortable. The sound for The Vampire Circus was very good. My grandson just loved the show. There were some issues with seating, but this is not the fault of the theater, rather the seller of tickets (Fever) who just made a mess of assigned seating. We got in fine, we got a seat we wanted and the show did not have to start too late--again, the ticketing agency is the one that made a mess. Everyone working there was very nice and it must have been a stressful night for them with seating issues. We will be back. The owner is super nice and it is great to support these older theaters. Have a great time. read more

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Intimate theatre setting. Santa's Circus was an incredible family friendly show. Loved being the first row on the Mezzanine. We could see everything and it was definitely close enough. Associate offered us seating on the ground floor and said it was good but pretty sure my kids wouldn't be able to see over adults so I just kept my original seats. I watched the second show of the night and there was popcorn everywhere from the first show unfortunately. Also, stickers that said "empire strips back" were on the arm rests and that's not family friendly - yikes - good thing my kids didn't notice those!!! Parking structure right next door. Flat rate was $10 on a Saturday night. read more

The Montalbán - Amazing cast of Santa's Circus! - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The Vampire Circus at the Montalbán yesterday was enjoyable. Entertaining, funny, overall a great show! With that being said, the venue itself was very unorganized. It seems some guests had assigned seating and some didn't. Because of this, people were sitting wherever they wanted and refused to move when those with assigned seating arrived. I personally witnessed three confrontations and the ushers did absolutely nothing to assist. If seating is an issue, ushers should be present to make sure people are sitting where they are supposed to. Paid parking is available adjacent to the venue. read more

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ahhh the Motalban! second time back fro date night!! they are so unique with their selection of performances! this time we saw Batette Follies of 1939! decent show but it lacked something! they gave out a Gotham history book! that was pretty cool! they had a bar downstairs and one upstairs all thematic to the show!! you can always enjoy that! the ONLY downside to this is the AC! they could really work on this! it felt like it was barely even on! my partner and i were fanning ourselves with the book and going for another refreshment because it was the only way to keep cool! ( you can have your beverages in the theater) made it for an uncomfortable experience. Imagine if the show would have been sold out ?? oh my lord. HOT! bathrooms were well kept and big enough. you can find plenty of parking in the building adjacent to the montalban; nice short walk to the theater. max $10 fee for the day! read more

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We saw the Batette Follies and had a fantastic time! The show was hilarious and revealing at the same time. The venue itself is fairly small, guaranteeing an intimate experience. The theatre seating is comfortable and spacious, even as a plus sized person. The upstairs has a bar, snack, and lounge area. Drinks were pricey, but the alcohol in them was generously poured. You can take these drinks and snacks into the theatre. Downstairs there are bathrooms and water fountains. This is located across from Trader Joe's and there is a parking garage located below the Trader Joe's building. There are several parking garages located within a short walk of the theatre. There are also a lot of restaurants in the area, but not too much else to do before a show. read more

I'm between 3 & 4 stars, but I'm going 3 only because I'm too generous with my grades. The Montalbán has charm, history and character. My group sat in the balcony (row E), I felt we had a good perch/vantage point. We could generally see everything, unless the action flowed offstage and went into the audience, so technically the balcony has obstructed viewing. The general theater is WARN, the bloom is off the rose. If you are in the balcony, there are a number of stairs, which is not ideal for anyone with physical challenges. My mom & dad had no problem (80 years young), but they did think twice about going to the bathroom during the intermission, they are located on the ground floor. Parking is going to be a challenge, unless you are content with $20-$25 for a private lot, metered parking is limited but can be found. I paid the $25 and was happy with the lot, which was on the coroner of Ivar & Selma (6366 Selma Avenue). The Vampire Circus at the Montalbán yesterday was enjoyable. Entertaining, funny, an overall a solid show! I saw several acts/performances which were new to me, so that was exhilarating. Small gripe, the venue did not feel super organized. For one, the seating was confusing and not all the ushers had a firm grip on the system, which caused some chaos. They have concessions which include alcoholic themed beverages and popcorn. Looking at this event in the rearview mirror, we had a fun evening, and I had no regrets. We even enjoyed getting a picture with the cast afterward. read more

The Montalbán - The cast of Vampire Circus. 12.28.2023 (view from balcony, Mezzanine, Right, Row E, seats 31-37 - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Such a great theatre to watch a show in! First time here for the Empire Strips Back, and it was such a great venue for the show. Big enough for the audience camaraderie, but still small enough that pretty much every seat in the theatre is still a good seat. We sat near the back, and our showtime was still super enjoyable. Seats were pretty comfortable too. The bathrooms were nice, but they could get backed up during intermission. They also had a little concession stand set up for food and drinks. While the theatre is in LA, it's perfectly located right next to a parking structure that only charged $10 for our parking for the show. I don't think it's associated with the theatre, but $10 for parking in LA is always a great deal. Greatly recommend seeing a show here, and if it happens to be the Empire Strips Back, even better. read more

The Montalbán - Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This was my second visit to the Montalban, and it was a pleasant experience! We visited New Year's Day for a showing of the Empire Strips Back, a galactic Star Wars themed parody. It's a small cozy venue, and regardless of where you sit, you have a great view! The facilities were clean, and the staff were friendly, and helpful - we were about a minute late to the show as we picked up our VIP freebies and 2 complimentary beverages at the start to avoid the lines at the intermission - and staff helped us locate our seats in the dark. The only drawback of the venue is that there is only one bathroom for ladies and gentlemen each - with multiple stalls - but there's likely not much they can do about that given it's a historical venue. It's always an enjoyable experience at the Montalban! Tip: there is a 24 hour parking garage adjacent to the Montalban with a max $10 fee for the day! read more

My very first time at the Montalbán was attending the Gotham Follies on June 7th. I knew the theme, Batman foes and some burlesque; still, I no idea what to expect but was all in to be surprised. With the intention of arriving 30 min early, I only had about 15 min before the show started. Thank goodness parking was a breeze as it was right next door to the theatre ($13). The Montalbán Theatre was definitely giving a Hollywood vibe. I liked the red lighting and the display of Gotham Follies posters, costumes, and the framed photos of Ricardo Montalbán in his iconic role from the show Fantasy Island. I enjoyed the show very much. The performances were given by super talented singers and dancers. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed! I would recommend watching this production! I would definitely return to the Montalbán for another show given by this cast and production company. read more

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Came here for a private event which I loved. Love their popcorn & little kiosks to buy food. A bit small/cramped as I go to Rooftop Cinema in El Segundo and Arts District a lot. The seating is also a bit shaky. read more

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Small vintage local theater reminiscent of The Wiltern (but even more intimate). There's a cool rooftop events area and bar but it is separate from The Montalban. Very disappointing. We had our own not as lovely bar area upstairs but the cocktails sadly didn't taste like they had any alcohol in them. There was only 1 restroom so the lines were long. The seating was cramped. The parking structure next door was convenient to get in, but nearly impossible to get out of after the show! Would I come back to the this theater? Yes because I love the "antique" feel, but I'd definitely have drinks elsewhere (we drove to Bar Barcari after the show). read more

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There's a public parking garage next to the theater so get there early to get a spot! I think it's $10 at the pay machine. We watched Empire Strips Back. The MC Eric was great, music good and performances good as well. The only thing I would recommend for this show is to create somewhat of a storyline to connect each performance. Very professional cast and fun night out. There is a small bar downstairs that only serves beer and VIP sparkling wine (I think). Then upstairs is a full bar with 2 lines and a coffee and tea pop up. I really liked the lavender latte I got from that pop up. When I went to get a drink during intermission the line was so long I missed one of the performances. So yeah didn't like how slow the bar line was going and the theater interior could use a little TLC. read more

The Montalbán - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Awesome little venue. Any show I've seen here is awesome and there's not a bad seat in the house. The MVP of this place is Marshall the Manager at the front. Super hospitable and customer service is on point. Marshall made our entire experience. He's awesome. read more

The Montalbán - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Decent theater. Definitely aged. Shows it's old. Feel like the theater could be improved with cleanliness Bar service was weak. Came here for a specific show only. read more

Came to watch The Vampire Circus on a date night and I love the show. The restroom line was long but the alcohol line was real quick. The parking structure is next door. The front of the structure is hard to get into due to traffic but you can also enter from the other side which is no traffic. read more

The Montalbán - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Vacationing in Los Angeles... One of the main reasons for my last trip to LA was to attend an Oscars Viewing Party in Hollywood, California. It was held on 2.9.20 at the Montalban Theater (named after Ricardo Montalban). We easily parked in the lot next door for $13 flat rate at 10:30am. The doors to the theater were to open at 1:30pm on a First Come, First Served basis. We were worried that streets in Hollywood would be closed off. By arriving 3 hours early, we avoided all obstacles! Another concern was access to the restroom. The friendly staff outside of the theater assured us that we would be allowed in before 1:30pm for the facilities. Personnel were very attentive towards us and adjusted the line in a zigzag pattern so we could stand under cover and out of the rain. At 1:30pm, we made our way through security and checked in at the reception table. Our names were checked off the list and we entered the historic theater! We took selfies in front of the backdrop and headed to the seats. My friends wanted to sit in the middle while i took an end seat. The setup was like a regular theater with two aisles dividing up the audience into three sections. The floor was slanted so that everyone had a good view of the stage. On each seat, there was a black tote bag (with a People Magazine logo on the bottom corner) filled with snacks, a bottled water, a checklist of Oscar nominees, a pencil, and a current People magazine. This is an older building, so the restroom was on the smaller side. Maybe there were about six stalls. By the end of the event, the bathroom tissue was almost out and the garbage cans were full. About half an hour before The Oscars started, we stood in line to get our free meal. Upstairs, there was a table with Umami Burgers and tater tots. The bar was tended by two gentlemen who were very patiently answering questions about the beer and wine selections. Overall, the theater was satisfactory for this Viewing Party. The lighting, sound system, and environment were fine. I'd like to return some day for a rooftop movie. Maybe I will park a bit further away for $10 flat rate or be lucky and find metered street parking. read more

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This review is about the physical venue, not the show we saw. The Montalban is tired and shabby, badly in need of a renovation. The ushers have no idea what row is where, and were using their phone's flashlight to read tickets. No one seemed to have a clue as to how to bring people into the theater; people started standing on the will-call line even though they had tickets. Until it's renovated, promoters should find another venue to use rather than the Montalban. read more

02/09/2020 This is for the Oscar Viewing Party, review below. This theater is amazing with all the photos of Ricardo Montalban. I went with a group of friends getting there early to be front of the line. The man in charge of the line and entrance is getting everything ready seem to have everything organized for the entrance and check-in process. Finding our seats and able to save seats was a great bonus as our friends were further back in the line. Watching the red carpet on the screen was great. I was expecting some sort of dialogue or commentary while viewing the red carpet. I thought there would be more involvement with everyone there in the audience. Besides introducing everyone who would be in front of the camera, there were no other interaction until the red carpet was turned off in order to have trivia for swag giveaway contest for the audience. Waiting in line for the food after trivia, tater tots were out of stock. We all had to wait for more tater tots to arrive or return to our seats without tater tots as a side to go with the burger. Each security person kept telling the line to please stay closer to the wall to make room for people returning after their turn for food and drinks. More information about that could have been mentioned so everyone is aware rather than moving around trying to view the beginning of the Oscars show on the TV screens downstairs. Yes, we missed the beginning of the show since there weren't any viewing screens upstairs. I think coordinating with friends to meet at my house for a potluck would have been the same thing watching this on my couch in a more comfortable environment. We had friends from San Diego drive up and one from Maryland fly in for this event. The People gift bag had a few snacks which I could have brought in the same snacks myself or something more enjoyable. We were highly discouraged by the man organizing the line outside to be able to bring in food. read more

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Seriously, one of the best shows I've seen thus far. The Empire Stripes Back! Wow, what a great entertaining show. Yes, there is a parking structure right next door, but the parking is packed we arrived 1 hour before the show and the parking structure was full. We went upto Vine and parked at that structure. I will say, that was probably a better idea of walking across the street vs waiting to leave the parking structure after the show. Yes paying the $18 vs $10 was a better deal. Upon entering, the door greeter was courteous and directed us upstairs where we found a nice size bar and concession stand. Yikes, my Moscow Mule had a Kick! The bartenders were quick and very friendly. Every staff working there was nice and seemed happy to be there. The vibe was very upbeat. Upon watching the 1st show exit out, I was glad I had cocktails in hand and had already used the lady's room. Yes, the line was long but moved quickly. The venue has an old-school feel and pictures on the wall. Honestly, I would make the drive back to Hollywood, just to catch another show. The seats were cozy and very much stadium style seating. I like how they offered a QR code to place an order for merchandise. I did take advantage of this feature and it took seconds to retrieve my order. I would recommend this theatre, and especially this production. Eric our host was too funny and had the crowd on their feet. Again, great experience and I would recommend. Please see pics for your viewing pleasure. read more

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I like this theater--plenty of parking spaces in the area. Wherever you sit, you can see the stage. It's organized, and they serve alcohol. You can also drink your alcohol while watching the show. read more

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Its a nice small theater to go to. Like the fact that there is a Bar on the second Floor and rooftop for after show gathering...Buuuuut, the Inside of the theater and seats are a little too run down and possibly needs a little update for customer experience and comfort IMO. read more

I would recommend watching a show here. The friendly staff and old school Hollywood feel made for a perfect night. Expect long lines for bathrooms and bar service though. read more

I've had such fun visiting this historic theatre in the heart of Hollywood. The rooftop venue provides a unique view of Hollywood at night--in lights! I truly enjoy this venue, the management and events held here to promote the arts, theatre and the community. read more

Although on busy Vine Street just south of Hollywood Boulevard, the Montalbán Theatre is so discreet that it can be passed by hundreds of times & not be noticed. Named after Mexican movie star Ricardo Montalbán who is famous for his role on Fantasy Island & as Khan on Star Trek. Two standard ticket windows under the marquee, minimalist foyer with adult libations such as Sangria, liquors, wine manned by two bartenders. Of course, non alcoholic drinks are available. All can be taken into the theatre. We probably have to thank Mr. Montalbán for such culturally liberal policy on drinking & viewing. Besides the main orchestra section, there is a spacious balcony. Seats are comfortable but do not lean back nor rock. I'm also told that the Rooftop holds al fresco showing of vintage movies. Bring heavy jackets for those cool Socal nights. Blankets may be provided for those who unwisely don't think ahead. We saw "The Savoy King", Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America. Great story of an African American who despite his physical handicap became one of the jazz greats at the Savoy in Haarlem which was the only mixed race club and the only major jazz club to allow Blacks in as customers. Other major jazz clubs in the Great Depression of the 1930's did not allow Blacks as guests even though many of the jazz bands that played there were African Americans, and the neighborhood of Haarlem was mostly Black at the time. Such was the prejudice & segregation that occurred even in cosmopolitan New York City. Chick & his band went through great hardship during this money poor era, but his sheer talent, smarts, and guts made him & his band a formidable jazz power. He was the man who discovered the huge singing potential of Ella Fizgerald and helped nurture her talent. Unfortunately, Chick due to his physical handicap was felled at the pinnacle of his jazz career at the age of 30. He was a Jazz innovator, leading state of the art, on the advanced edge of what makes Jazz the true, music of America. Jazz was originated by African Americans in the city of New Orleans. Montalbán is a great niche theatre that caters to aficionados of high quality movies that inform & show the diversity of the human condition. read more

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The theater could use some renovating, but from the reviews, it sounds like the management is working on that. I'm glad we didn't pay more for our tickets. We sat on the first row of the mezzanine. Seats were great to see the stage. Parking was simple next door. We saw an afternoon show so we beat the evening parking crowd. read more

Great venue. Such a great place to view rooftop movies. Only issue is that bathrooms are located on first floor and it's a hike to the rooftop---- definitely good exercise read more

Last Saturday 09/30/2023 attended The Vampire Circus at this venue. The show was acceptable to my liking and enjoyed all the acrobatic acts, etc. What made it a bit NOT so great experience was this venue. After paying for Premium Orchestra center seating and expecting to have an assigned seat upon arrival we had to wait in a line where a staffer was on his laptop confirming our purchase and assigning seats on a copy of a map manually and handing us a POST IT note with our seat assignments. We sat 2nd row left of the stage which is not what I thought I purchased (center middle orchestra) After being seated we were approached like 3-4 different times before the show started with people saying they were assigned the same seats. The performance ended up starting 1/2 hour late due to people being given post it notes for their seats. Also this venue could use a little update on their carpet and paint as it was noticeably very dirty especially their stairs leading up to the bar area. A little organization can make a whole lot of difference! read more

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I recently came here for an LA Times The Envelope screening. I was actually not familiar with this theater before but I'm glad I discovered it! It is an iconic historic theater that feels like a blast from the past, but also elegant and modern. I believe it's a multi-purpose space that not only has movie screenings, but also live stage entertainment, and seems there are rooftop movie screenings according to other reviews I've read. Being an "older" theater, the seating is also the older, cramped, non-stadium style. Not the most comfortable sitting through a 2 hour movie when compared to the new theaters nowadays. But it was fine and I enjoyed the experience overall. I don't know if they usually have concessions, but the upper level had a small table with a popcorn stand and a bar. I think the area can be converted to the needs of the event. They have a parking lot next door with a sign noting $10 event parking. There are also street parking with paid meters. I took the red line metro exiting Hollywood/Vine which was pretty easy. I'll plan to come back here and hopefully I can check out a rooftop movie next spring or summer too. read more

Great venue and helpful staff! Love this place! The ambiance is so Perfect for the show. Attended the show Vampire circus! Awesome show

Came here for the rooftop showing of Elf . Had wanted to visit for the longest time . The staff were all very friendly . The seating was comfortable but if you ran a little late to the showing it does inconvenience to be saying excuse me or trying not to step on other people in the process of getting to your seat. I recommend getting the loveseat for a more cozy experience. You can also bring your own blanket for optimal comfort . Would visit again as that night it was windy and a cold night in the city . read more

Such a great venue. Its not a huge place so most seats are great. Parking is easy and right next door in a covered building. Ive seen lives shows here Ive seen rooftop movies, its really an easy place to have a fun experience. And the tickets prices aren't crazy expensive. read more

Graet idea for a fun date night!! Last night we watched my all time fave movie-Grease on the rooftop under the stars. We brought our own blanket and sat cozy in a love seat that came with complimentary champaign and unlimited tasty popcorn-so worth the $50 bucks.. The Umami burger/fries were yummy good but their service sucked!!! They 'forgot' my hubby's order and he spent more time dealing with them then cuddling with me--:0( Parking was $10 next door and their bar pricing was $9 and up. Go early for seating since it's first come first serve. The stairs up and down to the bathroom brutal & painful but a good workout needless to say. All in all the vibe was great so we look forward to coming back for their upcoming scary flicks in October! read more

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An awesome date night with my man! We decided to watch a rooftop movie "The Greatest Showman" we purchased the love seat tickets and I would say it's worth it for the price. It comes with a love seat lawn chair, a complimentary alcoholic drink and unlimited popcorn! This rooftop isn't just for the movie. They have several games, a little photo booth set up, Umami burger (with a selected menu which was delicious fyi), a bar and ofcourse the popcorn/snack stand. The movie starts around 8/830 however you can arrive at 6pm to enjoy the games and food. I highly recommend you come around 6 to just hang out. This isn't just for dates! Bring your whole family. I'm sure everyone will enjoy. When you arrive you receive the headset and I suggest you place those on the seats you want. Also request for a blanket because it does get chilly! The bartender at their bar gives free shots. He was super kind and easy to talk to. They even let you try some of their drink options if you are having a hard time decide. Highly recommend this for you and your date or even with your fam and friends! Parking: parking garage is $10 for the night as long as you enter after 6pm. It's just to the right of the theatre. read more

Rooftop movies is such a cute experience! Loved the ambience, the food was good, and the headphone audio was great... super cute for a date night or a girls night! read more