CineArts at the Empire
85 West Portal Avenue
(between Claremont Blvd & Portola Dr)
San Francisco, CA 94127 (415) 661-2539
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Good for Kids: Yes
64 Reviews for CineArts at the Empire
I've got a thing for neighborhood theaters. They're cute, they're cozy, and I like spending my money at places that aren't owned by a megacorporate monster.
This is a lovely little theater that has a good selection of titles that appeal to a wide audience - OK, I'll admit that I saw "Sex and the City" there - and it's in this great little gem of a neighborhood.
Definitely worth the trip! It almost feels like escaping San Francisco for a small town.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
If you want to watch a movie, and you're looking to avoid the crowds in downtown, this place is a good choice. It looks old school and one of those indie flick theatres from the outside and I think they only show 3 movies at a time, but the theaters inside are spacious and it's widescreen. We watched "Get Smart" here. The sound and picture quality were fine. We didn't notice the quality was any different from any other theatre in downtown.
Parking is kind of a pain because it's street or the lot on Ulloa and Claremont that's run by pay by phone that we didn't know how to use. I think you have to register beforehand ot use it. You can put quarters in also but it's 2 hours maximum, so you better time your movie if you're going to park there. We had to skip previews and go to our movie at 1:15p instead of 1:10p because our movie was 2 hrs and 6 minutes. Haha.
Overall, a solid theatre that isn't run amuck by crowds.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Funky little theater in West Portal.
The screen was at an angle. Strange.
No one was at the ticket window or at the door to check tickets. Hmmm. Good thing I pre-purchased a ticket from Fandango that I didn't seem to need to.
I won't comment on the movie we saw because it doesn't matter. I suppose if I was in the neighborhood I'd come back but, I probably won't.
I used to go here often about 6 years ago. I havent been back since. 1) they stopped showing the good stuff and decided to show only lame movies like waitress or juno. 2) they took out the arcade. 3)They only have 2 show rooms or was it 3 I dont remember, but anyway, if you dont see the movie early, you always ended up watching it on the small screen. Lame.
This is my neighborhood theater. It shows great films... A variety of independent/artsy/mainstream flicks to ensure I am a happy little moviegoer. It's clean and has armrest/cupholders that lift up. Note: retractable armrests can prove to be a problem when a stranger next to ya keeps trying to cuddle and you don't want to because: A) Dude probably has herpes and B) He looks like a fire sign.
I felt a little weird entering this place tonight, because I was wearing a trench-coat designed to conceal contraband. You see, I'm not a big fan of artery-clogging movie food (in fact, the smell of buttery theater popcorn activates a gag-reflex that I thought I got over years ago) BUT, this place doesn't really monitor the food you bring into the theater, which explains why I was able to bring a bag of carrots, almonds, whole-wheat bagel, a bottle of water, AND string cheese. (Cut the little binger some slack, okay?).
I suppose this is my low-maintenance idea of dinner & a movie.
It wasn't the first time I behaved like a naughty little rule-breaker, and it won't be the last. CineArts, thank you for being such a great dinner host. Maybe next time I'll bring a bottle of wine to show my appreciation...
People thought this was:
Useful (11)
Funny (13)
Cool (12)
I've seen a couple movies at this theater since I've been living in SF the last 5 years. I've lived in the Sunset/Parkside living here and it's nice to go to a theater that's close by.
Fairly easy to find parking which is a plus. How many theaters in the city can you say it's easy to grab a parking spot?? Easily accessible via the L, K, M, 48 and 17.
The theater's small, but shows independent and some mainstream films.
One time I went it smelled sorta funny inside, but no biggie.
Good alternative to Century City in Daly City or theaters downtown if you're looking to avoid crowds which I don't mind!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
The reason to go here is the art house feel. It is definitely smaller than your usual Daly City Century 20 or Century Union City 25. It only has 3 screens but it's sooo worth seeing movies here. Sure it's a smaller screen, but the location says it all. West Portal is a cute community of mom and pop shops .
The CineArts is nice because of the less 'Pop' type of films they show. They're smart really...They usually have 2 films that are more independent type movies with one more 'mainstream' film to keep them in business. The prices are comparable to other movie theaters. 10 bucks for an evening show...no different than anyone else. But the $10 is so worth paying. You don't have a crowd of 'can't shut your pie hole' type people, and phones don't go off during the show.
This isn't the kind of theater where you can theater hop. I guess you could try, but you won't be very successful. The theater food is like other movie houses...expensive pop corn/drinks/candy/etc. The major differences you'll find are in the ability to actually focus on the movie you paid for. It's just a nice chance of pace from other bigger theaters.
My only hesitation for coming here is that during the day, parking in the neighborhood is usually 2 hours max. If you feed the meter for 2 hours and your movie is 2 hours 7 minutes, you might have to skip out some time in the middle to feed the meter an extra quarter and avoid the parking meter nazis. Otherwise, after 6 or on Sundays, parking is free and seeing a movie is no problem.
Try it out at least once for the experience.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
May this small neighborhood theatre never leave. I've been coming here since I was a kid. It's old and funky, but then again, so am I. Ok, I'm not really that old, but this place has withstood the test of time. They show great lesser-known movies here, and I'm never annoyed by the patrons.
I don't expect much from the snack bar because, well, I just don't. I've never been hassled about bringing in outside food, but I never let anything I bring in be seen.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
My neighborhood theater (well, adopted theater, since there's no cinemas in the Ingleside proper). I'm always glad to see the smaller venues surviving (and one dares hope, thriving) in SF. Easy to get to, since it's just a block away from West Portal station. Parking can be a bit of a trial, unless you know the super secret spots, so just take Muni and be a good green citizen.
From what I remember, the smallest screening room has a nice little twist to it. The largest screen is on par with what you'd find anywhere else. Pricey? No more so than any other multiplex. Hit the matinees if that's your worry, Ebenezer.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I've been coming here since I was a kid and it hasn't changed one bit. My neighborhood theatre with a "mom and pop shop" taste. The staff has always been great and amiable. Clean and homey environment. Bring your family!
They fixed this place!!!... Okay, maybe I was the last one to know. But seriously, when I ws in college, I went here once to see American Beauty and the place was a dump! But now it's pretty nice. Great selection of independent flicks, and even though it's a CineArt, but it still has an independent movie theatre feel to it.
The theatres themselves are kinda small, but it's not bad, really. Just make sure that if you're shorter than 5'5", then you should choose your seat carefully because you may end up sitting right behind some big-haired 80s woman (with leg warmers, but you don't need to know that). And you know, with the place being kinda small-ish the seats is not auditorium style, so yeah, definitely need to pick your seat behind someone your size or shorter.
Lotsa old-timers go here though, so it may not be a place to pick up chicks. =D
Small theater but with the comforts of a larger one.
Tonight I went to go see JUNO at the CineArts at the Empire, it was my first time ever seeing a movie here. Nice staff.Super easy location to find parking and if you are of the public transportation taking variety ,hop on the K and the West Portal station is right there !
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I find the trashiness of some people to be astounding. For example, last night I saw 30 Days of Night at the Daly City theater. Not a great movie, but the experience was tainted even further with the large number of families that decided to make a 10:30pm showing of an exceptionally violent movie their family activity (with small children) for the weekend. Needless to say, many parent of the year nominees were in the audience.
Not only did I get to see many colorful hats, creatively tilted on many brainless heads, but I got to listen to roughly 1,000,000,000 variations of the word "hella" throughout the film.
That being said, I wish all films came to Cine Arts in West Portal. I saw Spiderman 3 here incident free. Can you imagine going to a movie like that in the City and not having it spoiled by retards and losers talking through the whole thing? Basically impossible. Metreon? Forget about it. Kabuki? Not even close.
I am so pleased that Into the Wild came to this theater. I can't wait to see it.
Highly recommended.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
I go to the movies here more than any other theatre in the city. It's got the small town, lost in the 60's deal everyone likes and there's plenty of previewing dining options nearby.
It can get crowded during prime time but by parking is easy, only minus is one star for a noisy air-conditioning unit in the summer, (make that a half a star).
Small venue yet no ticket lines on a Sunday evening when we came. Even though it is an older theatre, they do have the comfy seats with arms that go up (for improved first date hand-holding action -- nice). No trouble finding parking. I love that this neighborhood feels removed from the hectic action of other SF theaters. West Portal feels more like a hillier version of downtown Burlingame or San Mateo, complete with quiet wholesome mainstream inhabitants... exactly the type of people I want in the audience when I go see a nice wholesome mainstream movie.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
If they could just get the temperature right....it would be a lovely cinematic experience. I know movie theatres are not known for climate control, but my recent trip to CineArts was a mix of frigid air mixed with humid, stinky heat. Not fun. Temps aside, I love the mix of movies they show here - and the fact that it's right down the street in West Portal. Hubby and I can have a nice dinner/movie night without battling downtown crowds or crosstown traffic. Hop on MUNI and get yourself to West Portal, STAT!
Finally I get to try this place! after been reading Yelp reviews. And I tried their popcorn also. Nothing amazing. I think the theater is too small for me... The seat is not that comfortable. BUT my bf loves this place because of the people who go there. They are lovely mature adults. He doesn't like to be in a theater with a bunch of loud and disrespected teenagers like Century daly city. So he thanked me after watching the movie for introducing him to a better environment of a better movie theater...but I'm still not sure if I like it tho. I'll try it again because my bf likes it :)
the west portal theater has renewed my love for going to the movies. literally, for the past several years, i had resigned myself to living on netflix. the metreon and bloomingdale's mall are just too much and too difficult, parking is such a hastle at kabuki, and daly city. . .well, 'nuff said. but i recently discovered going to west portal on weeknights and now we have movie night at least every other week. for the first time in ages i feel ready to express an informed opinion about which films truly deserve oscars. plus, there are several good, affordable dinner options near by, and we have yet to experience any parking woes. additionally, the theater is usually close to empty mid-week, so no worries about lines. it loses a star for being a bit dated and small, but all things considered, its a great find.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
4 stars because I have never had a negative experience here.Parking can be a little hard to find,but look around at all the choices of places you can eat before or after a movie here.
Popcorn is good,lots of snacks and bathroom is decent.
Decent size.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Fresh Popped Popcorn $4.75 small, $5.25 for medium and $5.75 for large (with one refill)----- (lots of butter added upon request). Don't eat the hot dogs (each time it was awful - take my advice) I have been going to this movie house for over 23 years and since the renovation (amphitheatre style) and breaking it up into 3 theatres is a definite asset for this neighborhood. Bargain Matinee cost (so far) is: $7.50. Sure miss it when it was $1.00! For the early summer Movie special at 10:00 am once a week - $5.00 for ten cartoon (children) movies or $1.00 each. Check out www.cinearts.com website for details.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (2)
The break down:
Old people. Sweet, no little kids making noise. Just side-run the guys in the walkers and you're good.
Usually one mainstream, two "indie" films. Good place to catch the mainstream without the hordes and a good place to catch an indie because this is where you'd go, duh.
Big, modern, non-stadium theaters. Good, good, wa wa waaaa. The only saving grace here is that it's big and very few people come here (in my experience). Pick a clear spot and hope for the best.
Parking is metered, muni runs right by. What can say other than it's better than some/most areas of the city.
No comment on the junk food other than people were eating it. Don't they always?
Price? probably a tad higher than some, but I didn't check, nor care.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
cool theater i've been going there forever. i wouldn't go there if i didn't live close by though. its tiny and the same price as anywhere else.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Sleepy T and I came here last week to catch a flick. I always thought this was an average theater, and this visit confirmed it.
Pluses;
- For some reason this theater has a somewhat older crowd. ie. no screaming children or screeching teens
- Plenty of post movie bars, restaurants and shops in the neighborhood.
- The BEST fake butter, crappy, bad for you movie popcorn of any theater in SF, hands down!
Minuses;
- The coffee setup...why would you have the coffee in a different place than the cream and sugar which are in a different place than the lids? Unless to try to dissuade you from getting coffee, which is probably the best option (its pretty damn awful)
- The movie selection is usually average at best
- The lines move slowly and the box office is closed until right before the movie, so you cant buy your tickets in advance if you want to tool around before hand.
Its okay. It is what it is.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (5)
Cool (5)
Came here for the first time last week since their name change. (How long ago did they change that??) I came here to watch "The Kite Runner" with a good (did I say good? I meant great!) friend and we ended up in the smaller, right theater, not the big main one. Since my friend hadn't eaten and was hungry, she stopped by Walgreens down the street to buy some snacks. Unfortunately, once inside she was asked to check the food in since outside food/snacks aren't permitted.
I liked the theater because the patrons weren't the rowdy, loud, high-schoolers. Instead, the other patrons watching the movie with us were mid-30's to their late 60's. With a total of only 10-15 mature people in the theater, we were essentially assured a nice and relaxing movie-going experience.
For those of you who haven't seen it or read the book, do it. As for the theater, I'd be willing to come back here if it weren't for the 2 hour parking situation all along West Portal. Your best bet would be to take the Muni and get off at West Portal station as it's only a short distance away.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I like this theatre, I really do. It's small and so are the theatres themselves, but there's something very whimsical about it. I also really appreciate that they let you bring in your own food...at least they've never said anything to me about it.
This isn't my favorite theater. As a big fan of independent cinema and old school theaters, I always hate to see the beautiful old structures get turned into awkward multi-screen buildings.
The only theater I've been to at Cinearts was strangely laid out and the screen was at an odd angle. We initially sat on the right of the center aisle, but moved over to the left wall so we weren't look at such a weird angle.
It still has that small town charm where you can see a good movie in a half empty or less theater. Parking can be tough and yes, the prices are Metreon-high, but its worth it to circumvent the madness of the multiplexes.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
We went here for an afternoon showing. They "proudly brew Starbucks" ... which is awful. It was especially disappointing that afternoon, but they had a decent chocolate selection for snacking. The seats were comfortable with built in cup holders. If only they could have reclined a little. We were seeing a foreign film, so there was none of the rowdy crowds experienced at downtown theaters, but even at mainstream showings, the crowd seems a bit older and more civilized. The place seems well run and maintained. The bathrooms were shockingly clean, compared to most theaters. Okay the fixtures were corroded but the place was brightly lit and paint and tiles were 'sparkling clean'. Parking here is a pain so I always taxi it or take a streetcar out here.
Bonus - Multiple bars to choose from for before or after libations. - We had both.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Decent sightlines, sound, and projection (though screens are small). Good flick selection (saw Sicko here the other day). Easy access to public transport @ West Portal. This gets extra points for nostalgia, as this place has been here forever (I used to come here as a kid).
It sucks that I can only give this place 3 stars, because I grew up at this movie theater and now coming back to it, as an adult which is a HUGE LETDOWN.
It desperately needs to be updated, from the carpeting to the seats, to the food and concession stand. On my this most recent visit, it was dirty, and the staff was slow. Also there was a roach in the candy display. Add this to the small screen, and I'm not a happy camper.
BUT the popcorn was amazing, perfect amount of butter. Of course I saw the roach after I had finished the entire thing of popcorn.
The other plus is that unlike Century in Daly City, this place isn't crawling with teenagers that talk during movies and throw popcorn, and the floor though in need of a vacuum cleaner, isn't sticky and covered in popcorn and Slurpee overflow.
Even though I do bitch about Century's noisy kids, and the food everywhere, I still like the newness of it better than this place and that makes me really sad, as I really wish CineArts could earn some more stars.
Place has gotten a funkier (in a good way) over time. But . . . if you are not in the main theater . . . . woe to you with the need for a screen bigger than your TV. Now that may be a slight exaggerations, but it really is a little cramped. The main theater is pretty awesome, old time feeling, but we NEVER go if we know that we are in smaller venues.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
In truth, I went here to celebrate 4/20.
A double feature picture show (Grindhouse) at matinee price, ultra comfy seats, mass quantities of popcorn and a big fountain drink left me with a silly grin for 3+ hours.
Or it coulda been the pot.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
I love this theatre. Rarely crowed, everyone's polite, the concession stand has always actually got food. It's walkable for me, so parking isn't an issue.
There are only three screens but that's okay. Usually two show some sort of independent or foreign film and the third shows a more mainstream film. This works out well.
I've never had a bad time at this place.
Going to see a movie the Empire is a pleasure, unlike the hassle involved with going to a multiplex.
Why:
- West Portal neighborhood offers plenty of pre-theater dining options, within steps of the theater
- Great selection of mostly independent films
- Hardly ever crowded
- Comfortable seats
- Good popcorn
- Not weird if you go alone
- No obnoxious teens text-messaging and snickering during the performance
- Nice staff
One time, we were at the Century Daly City Theaters and the fire alarm went off during the movie. We were on the top floor, last theater. While they moved the crowd out as quickly as possible, it felt like it took forever to make our way down three flights of stairs (on the outside of the theater) to the safety of the ground level.
Last, but not least:
- Easy access to the exits
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Looks like they took a big old theater and made it into three more intimate theaters. Comfy seats, a variety of movies, and an older crowd. The concession is alright but I wonder what kind of depraved person would ever try to eat one of those dogs! I mean, seriously, the girl was like spraying Pam directly on the dogs so they'd roll properly on the thing. I watched in morbid fascination . . . who eats those things? Apparently, Miriam and Grace, and Grace was into it! Go figure! I mean.
Yeah, Nathan's is good stuff, so why do they do such atrocious things to a nice hotdog like that?
I love:
- They don't have commercials before hand. Just previews! HELL YEAH!!
- The whole weird hot dog thing kinda enchants me.
- The staff! Zits and all! Friendly kids and I got a good vibe from the well-dressed manager lady.
Not-so-love:
- Man, a proper salt-shaker would rule. C'mon, those little salt-in-a-packet things are not classy!
- $9.75, but I can afford it. Cheaper would be more love, but I'd rather they stayed in business.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
Good sized screens, comfortable seats, decent popcorn, and nearby parking reasonable, if not extraordinary. Some pretty good dining choices afterwards as well, or better yet, a shopping spree at the Irish Delights store next door.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
i'm giving it 4 stars mainly for its movie showing selection. i've never seen a *bad* flick here. also, its never crowded. the theater of course is a bit old and small, but it adds to the West Portal charm. :) it's close to many dining choices and parking is usually not a problem. you can walk in 2 minutes before the movie starts and still get a good seat. a great no-frills theater to see great no-frills movies.
I always enjoy going to this little cozy theater because I can relax with a few friends without hearing teenager make a big commotion, use curse words, or make-out with a boy/girlfriend. The screen is smaller than most other theaters, but the movie selection is always nice. Although I sometimes never heard of the movies here, since they are not main stream, they are usually very mature (and by mature, I do not mean naughty of some kind) and warm movies. Another great thing about the theater is that you can always enjoy a good meal before or after or go and browse the many shops in the neighborhood. Great place.
I saw Memoirs of a geisha here and recently went here Pan's Labyrinth On a fluke because it was the only movie @ that time and I think I ate myself into a junk food coma. Nathan's hotdog(off the hook) and a bunch of other shit that I will not even mention. It's now a Cinearts theatre different from when I used to come here as a kid but equally as good. The parking is not to bad and there are several restaraunts as well as a wine shop that I was interested in trying.
On a side note Pan's Labyrinth was a great film unexpected....
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Wow, my very own neighborhood movie theater. The existence of this place is a big plus for West Portal in my book. At first I was dismayed that the screens were so small, but they are *super* crisp. Also, you can usually sit nice and close, and the theaters are cozy enough that the overall vibe is of being in your friend's basement in Mountain View watching their 200" HDTV.
OK. I am sort of at a loss for words here. For the most part I agree with the other reviews in that the EMPIRE is less noisy/busy than the multiplexes and has a quaint home town feel. The problems are obvious: small screens, the limited staff and scarce parking during the day. These statements would be fine IF I WAS A TRANSPLANT!!! I am a NATIVE and not to sound like a bigger asshole than I already do there once was a time when the EMPIRE was just as nuts as the METREON. Back when there was still Arcade games in the lobby, West Portal was significantly less yuppified and they showed summer block busters instead of art house movies. I feel bad for all the kids who live in the Sunset that had to go all the way downtown or to Daly City to see Transformers. As an adult I can appreciate what CineArts is doing with the Empire and I am glad its STILL open(r.i.p. REGENCY, ALEXANDRIA ETC.), but this not the same place where I waited in line for an hour and a half the day TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES came out.
CONCLUSION: The working class city of my place of origin has been reduced to an overpriced, gen-x yuppie play pin and yet I can't leave.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood/West…
So, while I am temporarily staying with my parents… -
Escape from SF!!!
Ever get that not-so-fresh feeling about San… -
That's entertainment!
Theaters, from the grand ole' timey ones to the… -
West Portal's Best and…
Transit corridor, shopping and dining district,… -
