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Bridge Theatre
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights
3010 Geary Blvd
(between Blake St & Cook St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 267-4893
3010 Geary Blvd
(between Blake St & Cook St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 267-4893
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113 reviews for Bridge Theatre
Truth is, giant Multiplex Theaters give me a migrane. I love movies. I love all sorts of movies. Loud noisy blockbusters, quiet character studies, silly comedies, documentaries, and cheesy horror films. Sometimes there is simply no choice but see a film at a multiplex, because that's the only place it's playing.
But make no mistake, my preference would be to ALWAYS see a film at a place like the Bridge. Old-fashioned, with a sense of history, named after the Golden Gate Bridge, this gorgeous theater is a movie-lover's dream. What do you get: one screen and an experience you won't forget.
The Bridge has been running a Midnight Movie series all summer, and the horror decor that accompanies this series is tacky and cool all at once. The finale of this series, brought to you by Peaches Christ, features an appearance by Elvira Mistriss of the Dark herself. Special events like this make an already wonderful theater even more special.
The film cult underground has a home and it's name is The Bridge. Its leader? Peaches Christ ( http://peacheschrist.com )
I can't even express my love for this old theatre. So many wonderful memories I have made here, I will keep forever.
This is the home of Peaches Christ's MIDNIGHT MASS! Amazing stars gave graced this gently aging theatre because of Peaches. Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) herself is coming tonight and tomorrow! And this won't be her first time here!
As Jennifer P mentioned, yes, the bathrooms are cool. The tile work alone is cool and old-skool, but in the awesome way. The urinals in the mens' room are unlike anything I've ever seen before. And the vintage movie posters everywhere? Perfect! Who Killed Teddy Bear?
Built in 1939 & operated by Landmark since 1991, the Bridge Theatre is conveniently & centrally located in the Inner Richmond District. It was named after the Golden Gate bridge which was built two years before, it is one of San Francisco's most beloved single-screen movie palaces, featuring independent films & foreign language cinema since the 1950s.
Santa's Yelper sez: "I'm gonna miss the Midnight Masses! Elvira will be a fitting last act..."
Love it.
Awesome theater!
Great old-timey theater. Old school everything, even the urinals. Love the old sign out front. The seats have been updated though, which is key - nothing romantic about old seats. Most importantly, they consistently get a great selection of films here.
"Um, we'd like to make a couple of announcements before we start our film but even before that, we have a set of keys found on the floor of the lobby in front of the concession stand!"
The man held up said keys. No one moved or raised their hand to claim them. I assumed he was yelling so the people in the back of the theater could hear him.
"It's uh, it's uh got some stuff on it," he continued and eyed the keys for defining traits.
"It's got a Hello Kitty on it! A Hello Kitty dressed as a...umm, I think she's dressed as pig!"
I raised my hand.
Umm, thanks movie man.
Hello Kitty thanks you too.
Date & Time: Friday January 16, 2009 @ 7pm
Movie: The Wrestler
Movie Rating: 4-Stars
Company: Michael
Crowd: Educated Older White Couples
Vibe: Chill
Decor: Art Deco. Poster of The Original Stepford Wives in The Women's Lavatory.
Service: Efficient
Imbibe: Izzes
Devour: Caramel Popcorn & Ice Cream
Total: $21.50 For Movie & $12.75 @ Concession Stand
I love this retro movie theater- just one grand screen. it's a bit run down and i certainly wish that it could be restored to old glory. regardless, i am thrilled that it exists, they show excellent independent films, and have very friendly staff. i also wish they had healthier snacks, but the mighty-lead tea is nice.
i'm so over the whole 'mega-theater-plex' thing. there are so many great little theaters in this city that offer something different and special. you know what to expect when you come here: quirky service, one room theater with nice stadium seating (screen is totally big enough), and a great flick at a partially dilapidated old movie-house
This is one of the nicer older theaters in the area. It's roomy enough so you don' t feel stuffy and have that nausea that comes along when you see old seats. The colors inside and the symmetry really make it work, and the sound system is also not too bad for a non-multiplex tech chain theater. Parking in this part of the inner Richmond/Laurel Heights area is much easier than further up the avenues. I hope it stays open for a long time and their coming attractions are worth the visit again.
Our other local Art theater.
Smaller theather shows cool art and non Pop films.
Decor: cool Art deco feeling, look for the Art deco drinking fountain in the lobby.
Smaller concession stand with pop corn, imported candies, etc.
Parking: street only, if you're lucky.
Worth checking out.
I've been living around the corner from this place for a year and never realized what a hidden gem it was. If you're a retro-lover like me, you'll love coming here for a flick. It's like a time-warp back to the 1950s with the old school drapes and carpets, quaint snack bar, and plush velvety chairs. A lady even comes up in the beginning to wish you an enjoyable show! What multi-plex would ever do something like that?! With the loss of the Coronet and Alexandria theaters, I hope this place stays up and running for a long time to come!
Two heads bobbing together in a row all to themselves.
I was distracted from the movie trying to figure out how in the heck can anyone make out to a movie like "W."!!
Seriously. How?
Watching "W." was frustrating. It was I should have hid the cerveza under my jacket frustrating.
Bushisms are just not laughable anymore. Not when you take into consideration that this idiot has been our President for the last eight years.
Yes, his idiot manner is hilarious, but not when you realize this isn't just a SNL skit.
This guy led us into a war without an ending in sight. Not funny.
"W." is a big de-boner factor. "W." is not tonight, I have a headache factor.
Obviously, not the same type of factors for the two kids bobbing up and down in their own row.
These kids weren't just hand squeezing while cozying up to each other with long meaningful kisses while watching the movie.
Their session was more like I just got home from Cheney's War, don't just give me sugar, I want the whole sweet pie type of make out.
They were going at it like everyone exit the theater because it's gonna get nasty.
Anyways, at least you now know how much these seats can accommodate.
OVERALL: Excellent independent, single screen, and historical theater with accommodating seats. This independent movie house plays movies rarely released, controversial, or just plain independent. There is a bit of an old smell to the theater, but not bad enough to take a star away. Support your local independent theaters!
The Bridge is an okay theatre. I appreciate the lean towards independent /less commercial films. But it's okay to show these films and have a decent concession stand (ie: not one guy behind the counter slinging popcorn for a line of 20 customers). There's an effective way to do this without sacrificing the old school charm of the building. The Empire Cinemas in West Portal have done it, and the Vogue on Sacramento St. also does it better (though admittedly, you will find more blockbuster movies at these two theatres than you're likely to find at The Bridge).
P.S. My fave spot is still the Sundance Kabuki - something for everyone, even if it does cost $100 (okay, not really - but kind of).
This is a great independent theater, one of the best in the city. I am a sucker for old theaters and movie palaces in general. Lumiere, Castro, Roxy, Red Vic, 4 Star etc. The Bridge is exceptional in this regard for having that small theater feel but doesn't come off as crummy. Your feet don't stick to the floor.
I doesn't hurt that Peaches Christ does the midnight matinee either. I saw Beyond the Valley of the Dolls here with a interview with the original cast. But I've also seen great contemporary films here. No Country for Old Men, The Wrestler etc. Don't underestimate this little movie house. Cherry Coke and Popcorn. Good to go.
I love this small indy theater, and not only because they dared show the fabulously bad movie SHOWGIRLS with the amazingly awful acting of Kyle MacLachlan's chin having relations with an apparently epileptic Elizabeth Barkley in a pool, which I hope (to the patron saint of VD) was heavily chlorinated after the scene was shot. Gah-ross.
The reason I love The Bridge is because they show everything you would never normally see, not even at Opera Plaza or the Embarcadero.
The films are sometimes so indy, you would normally have to either hunt them down in a small enclave of college-land Berkeley, or add them to your queue in Netflix. The Bridge gets my love for saving me the trouble of doing actual time-consuming detective work to find interesting, new films.
Ok, it saves me the trouble of doing actual WORK. I'm a lazy cinema-phile...I'll own it.
Wish there were more old theaters like this around.
People have complained about the seats being uncomfortable but I didn't notice. Only place in town showing Timecrimes, it meant we didn't have to drive all the way to Berkeley.
so glad it's still around to show us the limited releases.
The movie was about to start. The first ad was for Patron. The second was for Stella Artois. My brother turned to me and said, "This is an awesome theater."
Indeed, little brother. He, the young one, grew up with CD's, cell phones, computers and multiplexes. Whereas I, the old one, am from the era of LP's, face-to-face correspondence, hand-written notes, and independent, single-screen theaters.
The Bridge is a wonderful old theater, and supporter of limited-release, independent movies. It's set up with a stage and a curtain, making the screen a star in its own right, and has small, yet fairly comfortable seats. Compared to big theaters, it does feel cramped - but the experience makes up for it one thousandfold.
Going to the Bridge means you may be in store for a little extra with the price of your ticket. The staff is nice and genuine, as far from the "fries with that?" mentality as you might hope. The atmosphere is dark and funky, all Edward Hopper reds and blacks. Often there will be an announcement by one of the staff, and it creates a feeling of being part of a connected audience, rather than sterile, fabricated experience.
Last night we saw "Bustin' Down the Door" a surfing documentary produced by Shaun Tompson and narrated by Edward Norton. It was a great experience. Shaun Tompson was there to introduce the movie and do a Q & A after wards, and he stayed to sign posters and talk to the fans.
Not an experience you would ever have at the Century 10.
It's not all highbrow: they do midnight shows, so you can see your old favorites on the big screen in their proper glory.
My work is done. Little brother has been schooled. And my love of cinema has been reignited yet again.
I was here was several years ago during Peaches Christs' Midnight Mass showing of Purple Rain.
I'll admit that I was a drunk asshole for kicking the chairs of the seats in front of me. (Yes, there were people in them).
I was ashamed of my actions...until one of them told me to "go back to Hayward!"
um, excuse me?...*HAYWARD*?
oh *HELLZ* NO!
I kicked their chairs even harder...and managed to get kicked out ;)
I regret nothing!
I have this bad habit of subconsciously assuming that the rest of the world pretty much learns the same lessons as I do, at the same time. For instance, when they actually came out before the show and thanked us for supporting historic, indie movie houses, I was like, well duh, hasn't that been the hot fad for a while now? But then I remembered that suburban megaplex America didn't just die off when I moved to San Francisco and had my Great Urban Awakening (sadly, *that* day will have to wait for Peak Oil:). And I know it was only a Tuesday-night surfumentary and all, but it would have been heartening to see more people here.
At any rate, the Bridge completes my tour of the 4 Richmond-area theaters (sheesh, how about donating one to the Inner Sunset?), and it just might be my fave. Only one auditorium, so no worries about getting stuck with one of the er, secondary screens (although the screen does seem unnecessarily small given the size of the wall). And also, that great red'n'black lobby, with those old-style paintings and cobwebs promoting Midnight Mass. But haven't they heard that 10:00 is the new midnight, and that the moviegoing public concurs there's no need to disrupt our sacred sleep schedules and waste precious morning light just to enjoy a cult classic?
No wait, that's just me again.
If you spend way too much time living vicariously lives on a big screen, like I do, you have to be picky. A movie theater is like a partner. You should always aim for the finest.
Yeah. Choosing the right movie theater is a matter of uttermost importance. The medium is the message. Your place should be a palace.
This is why you should seriously consider projecting your fragmented sense of self onto the gigantic screen of Bridge.
You see, this is not an ordinary movie theater.
This is a legendary venue that defies digital downloads, streaming, peer-to-peer, home video, hbo, and netflix. Its bright red insignia, the white lettering, the old-school décor: Bridge is a monument to celluloid, a shrine to silver nitrate, a restaurant that only serves good food for thought - the menu features art house, indie, and foreign flicks from countries.
Located on busy a street that has seen so many theaters rise and fall - their carcasses still visible, like drunk whales slowly dying on a shore, think Alexandria - Bridge is keeping it real.
Sure, if you're looking for state-of-the-art equipment , you will be disappointed. Fact is: this is not a mall cinema. This is not your average multiplex. Bridge is history in the making. It features a front stage, a curtain, a sense of mystery.
The staff is super courteous. The girls who work there remind me of Enid from Daniel Clowes' "Ghost Story". Smart, passionate, and charmingly nerdy.
They often introduce the film to an eager crowd. They thank you for supporting independent cinema and at that point you just want to hug them and whisper in their ears that everything's gonna be alright, everything's gonna be alright.
Mental note: The last film I've seen at the bridge is "Let the Right One In", possibly the best vampire movie of the decade. It only played here (and at the Embarcadero). The day Bridge disappears, it would be a sad day for the city of San Francisco.
Disclosure: One of my all-time favorite novels is Theodore Roszak's masterpiece, "Flicker". Bridge is exactly how I imagined the movie theater where Jonathan Gates falls in love with film (and with Clare Swann). I am still waiting for a retrospective on Max Castle.
I like this place. It is a good neighborhood theater. No stadium seating, of course, but it's not too bad (have you been to the teenie tiny theater on Chestnut?? It is nothing like that one). Interesting movie selection, not always the most current but that is why it is fun. Been twice, I will go back for sure.
p.s. The Wrestler was GOOD!
After taking the bus for 20 minutes my friend realized we had gone way too far and we had to jump off and re-wait and bus back, only to realize the Bridge is actually superclose to my house. Definitely could've walked and will from now on.
The lady friends and I showed up 5 minutes late for the show but were not chastised, only graciously admitted into our film of choice. The over-eager cashier upsold us some popcorn and Coke, but also hinted we could figure out ways to make the food cheaper (free refills, splitting the foods, he was just being a good employee probably). It's fine, we would've bought that shit regardless.
The screen is huge and the room is the darkest theater I've ever sat in. Charming design and plenty of seats. I dug it.
Saturday night - 7 p.m. prime time date time.
First, the spouse and I duck into Izumiya in the J-Town mall for sushi. More on that later, in a separate review.
As we cruise up to the Bridge Cinema, anticipating what could be a disaster or just a mediocre send-up of a campy chick-flick from the 30s (yes, folks, it's The Women), what to our wondering eyes do appear, but three free parking spaces ... valet style right in fronta the cinema! Wazzzup? Am I in San Francisco or have I been mysteriously transported to some sleepy midwestern town? It was honestly suspicious and caused the spouse to read the signs in the meter.
So, we park and, with ten minutes before the movie starts, we purchase our tix from the a college-aged hipster who's dressed smartly for having to work on a Sat. night. Then we sidle up to the snack counter and the same college-aged hipster sells us our Junior Mints.
Ok, maybe I haven't been to the Bridge in a while, but is something going on? Do they just expect no one to go to the movies anymore and, therefore, don't need a separate staff for the snack counter?
I'm almost feeling as if we're maybe part of some weird Wizard-of-Oz style-cum-Burning Man performance art piece, when we walk into the theater and ... it's true. No one is at the movies on a Saturday night! Well, not no one, but maybe 8-10 of us were in there to watch Meg Ryan's latest cosmetic surgery make its screen debut.
People, this place was empty! It was freaky. And it's so sad cuz the theater is really beautiful and comfortable ... in fact, maybe it was a little more comfortable cuz there was hardly anyone else in there.
And the projectionist came out to make a personal announcement about cell phones and "we know you have many choices when considering going to the movies and we're glad you chose..."
It was a totally comfortable, cozy, fun experience, but I left really sad ... sad for single screen cinemas and what's looking more like a bygone era.
Hm...
You know, often times one must balance the good with the bad.
A handy slap on the wrist here might serve as a reminder that, yes, if more of you were to actually flock to "smaller" films like Finishing the Game, or The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward: Robert Ford (yeah, I straight fuckin' typed all that. Want to see intense?? Check out Brad Pitt's sparing motion as he sits beside Sam Rockwell's bed in the middle of the night!!!) then purpose-oriented theaters such as this one would possibly have sound systems manufactored in the new millenium.
This sad, but manageable fact, can sit comfortably across the balance beam from the glorious red velvet entrance that greets you upon entering, or the genuinely involved staff which, oddly, differ quite stringently from the catatonic entities that lurch around most movie theater concession stands.
This theater shows great films that you may not see anywhere else, and they are committed to continuing along that path. There are also, occasionally, the odd Director hello, and apparently ALWAYS the warm and welcoming on-stage staff introduction to the film you're about to view.
Stop by some night!
It's all about preservation. Landmark's Bridge Theater is keeping three of our great American traditions alive.
1. The old movie house. I appreciate the nostalgic qualities of this theater. It may be a little run-down and the screen is small, but the fact that Landmark has chosen to preserve it, rather than sell it off, as has happened with so many old movie houses, warms my heart.
2. The movie nerd. The folks who run the place are enthusiastic about movies, but not in the film-buff sort of way, so much as the ex-A/V-club-member-obsessive-fanatic-type, and you can only love them for it. Without a Bridge Theater, he would just be another character in Clerks.
3. Midnight Movies. Cult classics and campy favorites are not for DVDs or matinees, and without theaters brave enough to face the sort of crowd that shows up in the middle of the night to see a John Waters film or a low-budget zombie sequel, the experience would be lost forever.
I went to Bridge theater today to see The Wrestler and decided that this is by far my favorite theater in the city. While things here move at a snail's pace (i.e. tickets and getting food), the Bridge makes up for it in its charm and ambiance. A true movie-going gem!
I've only been to the Bridge once, to be fair I feel like I should point that out.
I went for Midnight Mass (to see John Waters' brilliant Desperate Living, one of my favorite movies of all time...and he was there in the audience, only about 4 rows away from us!!!)
I LOVE that they do this event, and I also really love the atmosphere. It definitely has a San Francisco feel, like you're in a pretty special place. I don't know much about the theater, but it seems historic, in an underground sort of way.
For a regular movie, it seems easier to me for someone to just go downtown...there's more space, more options, etc. BUT for a special occasion where you want the theater to be part of the experience, the Bridge is a really fun place to go.
Now for the bad news, which is why I didn't give it five stars. We sat in the center of the back row of the sort of lower section of the theater, with a short wall behind us separating our seats from the main aisle into the theater. I don't know if this is a great description because it's a little foggy now. Anyway, my boyfriend and another friend and I kept noticing the overwhelming scents of stale "butt" and urine...sorry...I know this is a gross way to describe it, but it made us kind of uncomfortable. We were having so much fun at Midnight Mass, and we couldn't pinpoint where the smell was coming from...it kind of wafted in and out...so we were mostly able to kind of ignore it. But every so often we kind of looked at each other, looked down at the floor, at our seats...it was a little uncomfortable.
Any theater that has fountain cherry coke is a winner in my book. The fact that they had Let the right one in before anyone else did is also another added bonus. I like the selection of independent and foreign films that play here. I also like that parking is not a hassle out here. The bathroom in here is pretty rad here, with the old Barbarella poster. It's a breath of fresh air to come to a small theater such as the Bridge and not be bombarded by lame trailers, long lines, and parking garages.
why five stars? i'll goddamn tell you why...
1. they sell milk duds.
2. the sound of an entire theater screeching and yelling, "holy fucking shit" when the trailer for the greatest movie ever revealed its name (you're gonna wanna swallow your milk so it doesn't shoot out your nose, take a quick pee and make sure you're sitting)..."donkey punch".
note to mom: do not google "donkey punch" at work and please don't ask me what it means either.
One of 5 Landmark Theatres in SF that promote Independent and International films...the only reason I still go to the movies =) cause Hollywood sucks ( ! )
Came through to take part in the opening night of Justin Lin's "Finishing the Game," a comedic-satire that portrays the attempt of finding the next Bruce Lee to complete The Game of Death.
http://static.px.yelp....
Supposedly, Landmark moved the opening of the film from Embarcadero to the Bridge as it has a higher capacity...but I was quite surprised it was done only two days before the opening..anyhow, both evening shows were sold out.
http://static.px.yelp....
It was great being apart of all the excitement of the opening as the Asian American community really came out to support the film and many of the cast and Justin himself were out to observe its reception in the city.
http://static.px.yelp....
The Bridge staff did a great job of organizing the packed house, even though they didn't seem all that informed on the film...oh well, they did know how to balance the butter between the middle and top of my popcorn and have Izze beverages- ahhh!
Asian-american actors can be three-dimensional characters-- not just food delivery boys, harlots, martial arts masters, race rocket kids and model minority (good catch seong!!)
Check out the flick while it's in town!
http://www.youoffendme.../
I'm on a movie kick lately.
I've been reminded one too many times by certain friends that I have not seen enough movies. So I'm making a bonafide effort here.
I really like these older one screen theaters, and this one is a Landmark - the company that shows some great documentaries, foreign films, and the like. I didn't even know this theater existed, even though I've driven by it a bajillion times before. We ended up coming here on a Sunday night for a showing of "Finishing The Game". The theater was pretty empty, so we had the entire upper section to ourselves, which was cool. The screen is set on one of those proscenium-type stages, and the sound system is decent (Lumiere needs to be done up all nice like this one - Landmark, take note.)
On a side note, in case you get there early, like we did, realize that the Richmond (and pretty much most of San Francisco) shuts down around 6pm on Sunday evenings. There's not much nearby to keep to yourself occupied till the show starts, unless you luck out like I did, and are with someone you actually like to talk to.
Alright...yes, its a dilapidated old single screen theater in need of some serious renovations. The chairs are uncomfortable, the popcorn over priced, and they make you stand outside until right before the movie starts. But this theater has awesomeness abound. It exemplifies why I love San Francisco, and I haven't been here in a while, but if anyone wants to go anytime soon, I'm down.
Midnight Mass with famous trannie Peaches Christ is just one of their ways to get people in. They have shown classics like Xanadu, and the great film Showgirls. Coming up soon are films like Flash Gordon, Dead Alive, and they are even getting Elvira to come in live for Creatures of the Black Lagoon. I mean...ELVIRA!! We can still go!! Hasn't happened yet! OMG...did I mention that they are having an entire weekend of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's musical "Once More With Feeling?" Seriously...who wants to go. (due to many requests for dates...its playing Fri & Sat, Sept 21 & 22 at Midnight !!!!)
I missed the sing along version of Teen Witch...but I'm guessing that will come around again....classic.
But if you wanna hang with me I'll give it one shot
Top that, top that
You can give all that you can, but you will never top that!
You can dream until you're blue but you can never top that
huh huh
I'm hot
and your not
But if you wanna hang with me I'll give it one shot
Top that, top that
You can do all that you can but you'll never top that, top that
Okay, tell me I am not alone in this.......
I get into the theater. I take my coat off while shuffling my coffee and purse from one hand to the other. I throw jacket and bag in the crevice of the seat next to me while making a mental note "must turn off cell phone, don't want to be THAT person". I then realize this exercise would have been a whole lot easier if I had remembered the cup holders do exist, they are just attached to the seat in front of me rather than on the arm rest. I turn around to sit and *WHAM* I nail corner of the mother fucking arm rest, full force, I mean, bruise for a week hard.
The worst part....I was just talking to my friend about this exact phenomenon while doing the jacket shuffle (and why didn't I jut ask him to hold my coffee??).
Anyhow, that was just my bruised hip/ass rant....nothing to do with this particular theater. You see, I do this all of the time.
So, I am all for the independent theaters. I don't care that I can't get a super sundae and super nachos with a side of pizza at the movies. I don't need food at the movies, and if I do a $20 popcorn works just fine. The seats and sound systems of older theaters leave a little to be desired but you avoid the lines and, lets face it, the older theaters just have more character than the new ones, and generally better movies.
That being said, this one in particular leaves something to be desired. The theater is a little dingy and dark...and not in a character building sort of way...just in a dingy and dark way. Also, I fail to understand, when the theater is so large and the front area could accommodate a larger screen, why in the world the screen is so damn small. I also don't understand why they cant seem to start their movies on time, or let you wait in the lobby on a cold or rainy night.
Not a horrible theater, but there are others I prefer.
Old school charm, but new school movie ticket/concession prices and less than comfortable seats. (Boo!) Nice that they have a small student discount...reminds me that I need to keep carrying around my old ID more. I still get carded ordering alcohol at restaurants, I should be able to get away with an expired student ID, right?
I love how they intersperse old school movie trailers with the current selection...I got to see for myself the fabulous cheese of Labyrinth!
After the Coronet and Alexandria theaters closed their doors, it was nice to see the the Bridge is still standing and in full operation.
The days of the single-screen theaters are numbered, and it was sad to see the Alexandria chopped up into mini theaters.
Thank goodness for the Bridge.
I saw the Blair Witch Project there on opening day. Did they really make that movie for only $45,000? Wow.
More recently, I attended the premiere of Finishing The Game, directed by Justin Lin of Better Luck Tomorrow and Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift. Great show and even better Q&A session.
The Bridge has comfortable seating, a nice big single screen, and a well-designed sound system.
Did I mention the concession stand?
Yes they have a good one, so grab yourself a Coke or whatever soda the subliminal messages embedded in the first reel tells you to drink.
I love old small theaters. I don't love this one, though. I barely fit in the seats, and I am not obese by any means. I'm tall, and was extremely uncomfortable the whole time. I much prefer vogue if I've gotta for the little theater.
Vintage place (1939) and among the last of the single-screen cinemas in SF. Good selection of films and teas, nice big screen, easy parking, a lobby, cup holders in seats, urinals and a toilet in the bathroom. I hope they survive.
Saw "There Will Be Blood There" as I sipped tea and ate a good cookie. No one talked. Ahhhh. Mature audience?
They do not offer burritos. If you're hungry they have popcorn, and cookies.
Okay, the seats aren't my favorites. I'll dock a star for old seats and armrests that don't lift for easier cuddle opportunities. Big, new multiplexes definitely win on the seats.
BUT - I love the places where the guy I buy my ticket from is the guy I buy my popcorn from is the guy who tells me when it's a good time to escape from the three hour movie if I need a break so I won't miss anything is the guy who tolerates my movie date and I trying to decide which horrific things we'd most like to ingest while informing us that we get free refills if we get the larges and it's only a 50 cent difference between sizes anyway and is the same guy who is friendly and decent and not like a sedated zombie at all.
Hooray for the little guys. Seats don't matter so much when you don't have to feel like cattle at the movies.
Every time I walk into the theater it seems like I just entered into the twilight zone. I step into the theater and the seating is huge but the make the screen seem tiny. The screen itself isn't so small but compared to the theater that it seems like if you don't sit in the front half of the theater you'll need binoculars to watch the movie
Though it's a one screen theater it's your typical fare of the same ol', $9.75 a ticket and candy/popcorn/soda that rivals the price of Iraqi crude. You're parking is meters etc.. on Geary St. so if it's the meters are on (before 6pm M-Sat) you're going to have to park it a few blocks in down in the residential neighborhood.
What I do like is that they do usually play good movies. For instance the had "The Bridge", "Aristocrats", "Last King of Scotland", "Babel" etc.. Sometimes they have midnight showings. They even had Elvira and who doesn't love the "Mistress of the Dark".
btw if they had Elvira introduce every show I would have given the Bridge Theater 5 stars. Oh mama.. I'd do anything for Elvira!
