- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Laurelhurst Theater
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland
2735 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-5511
2735 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-5511
- Good for Kids:
- No
90 reviews for Laurelhurst Theater
When it's not 2 for 1 night at The Academy, this is THE place to go see a movie. What's not to love?
it's a lovely second run movie theater that you can couple with pizza and beer instead of that popcorn crap I severely dislike. So for the price of a Regal, you're getting super star treatment! I'm falling in love more and more with this concept with each and every movie I see.
No, these aren't the epitome of sight and sound. No, you're not seeing it in HD. But you are getting more bang for your buck than you do at most movie theaters.
My only complaint is the blatant addition of "gourmet" to the front of pizza. I can't stand that word in front of pizza. You really shouldn't use it. It gives the wrong impression, especially when you then take that slice that sits out and put it back into the oven for a few seconds. Yeah, for $3 it was worthy, but for the love of god, take off the word gourmet.
Free water. I love free water.
There aren't too many movies in this world that get released that need to be seen first run and at a top-of-the-line theater are there? No, I didn't think so.
Go here. Trust me.
It feels overdone to write a good review of the Laurelhurst Theater, because they've already got a slew of "Oh, Laurelhurst is so great!" remarks. Psh, been there, done that.
No! I won't do it! I'll write a bad review, so I can stand out from the crowd...
...They... sell pizza.... and beer... to eat & drink... while you watch movies?!
AGH! Fine, okay?! Laurelhurst rocks. Are you happy?!
Cheap beer and a movie? YEAH!
But why did you play Wolverine? That movie sucked.
Bad news, the reason for one docked star, night shows are for 21+, even if you aren't drinking. That sucks for me because I'm the oldest out of my friends... and my brother is 16 and he's like the coolest person to chill and watch movies with.
Oh well.
what is not to like about 2nd run and classic films at a beer-serving theater?
so one day i was working at my day job and ragging to one of my coworkers about how someone was standing up and being disruptive in the middle of whatever movie it was i was seeing and then, one of the customers said "which theater was it" i said "the laurelhurst" and he handed over 2 free passes and said to find him the next time I went to a movie and he would comp a couple beers. wow. i never actually went back for the beers, but i kept going back for the movies.
thanks laurelhurst theater for being awesome.
highest recommendations for the laurelhurst theater
i'm sure all of the other reviews say this, but $3 theater that serves pitchers of beer! this was a totally fun and quirky way to get out of the rain. for those of you who are wondering "but where do i put my pitcher???", don't worry because there are little tables in front of the seats. this also means that you have a ton of legroom.
why doesnt california have these? i dont want a 32 oz dr pepper but i'll take a microbrewed ale, thanks.
Laurelhurst, you had me at nutritional yeast.
Any time I can spend an evening out watching a recently released movie with a friend, drinking a beer and snacking on popcorn topped with nutritional yeast, I'm guaranteed to have a good time. When I do it all under $10? That means I'm in love.
I love the movie selections, the beyond reasonable $3 fee, the fantastic beer selection, and the yummy popcorn with an assortment of toppings. Nutritional yeast? Garlic powder? Yes please! Everything is reasonably priced, unlike most theaters. The theaters themselves are intimate and comfortable with a ledge in front of your seat to rest your drinks and snacks. Whenever I get a craving to see a movie, I always check what's playing at Laurelhurst first. The chances that they're playing a worthwhile movie at a good time is high. Why go anywhere else?
Some of my hottest party o one dates have gone down here. "Why hello Laurelhurst Theater, you look quite enchanting this evening..."
Enter Laurelhurst Theater, Portland's secret weapon movie house offering indie, second run and cult classics at a mere three bucks a pop. As if this weren't enough of miracle, the concession stand of this quaint indie-plex is a veritable field of dreams serving up pizza, beer and wine for your moviegoing pleasure.
I'm what you'd call a bona fide raw vegan gangsta so I usually smuggle in some raw chocolate/ other organic goodie before bellying up to the concession stand for a glass of red, served in a plastic red cup no less. Quintessential Portland, being all 80's and OG about it.
Hipster antics ensue so opt for your plaid shirt/skinny jeans and get your cinematic cheap on.
Never had a bad time @ the Laurelhurst. You can always count on a sizable line at the box office or at the concession stand which makes perfect sense, cos they're super cheap and have decent food.
The main draw, though, is the beer. I mean, the lady & I grabbed a seat and a pitcher and were set. Not a bad date at all.
I'm lucky this place is so close to where I live... I went out for a movie the other night and saw the movie had a beer and some popcorn all for under $10 dollars. You can't beat that! It's cozy and the bathrooms are clean. Good friendly service,,, haven't tried the food yet but I surely will next time.
I love second run movie theaters. They are cheap and usually not as crowded as Regal Cinemas. Laurelhurst is definitely on my top "frugal" movie theaters list.
They have more than one showtimes for their movies, $3 per person, and $1.75 for Medium Soda (Regal charged $4.50 for small). I didn't try the popcorn, but they sure smell good.
The sound quality is excellent, pictures were good quality. Seats are a little bit uncomfortable, but for the price, you can't really complain about it. I can see myself spending more time at Laurelhurst in the near future, like tomorrow...or tonight...or right now. Entertainment for cheap, for the win!
Wow....looking at the reviews for this place, I guess I should have liked this place better. The problem is that my expectations were really low; I had last been here some 18 odd years ago when I was youngish, and I saw "Lawrence of Arabia" for some reason that I cant remember.
What I do remember is that they didn't have beer and pizza available at that time; only stale popcorn and watery soda. While that part hasn't changed much, the clientele certainly has. Ollie and I went here to go and see "Drag Me to Hell" (which btw is way cool) on the cheap, and so it was - cheap!
No problems with the pricing, but walking in the place, and knowing that pizza was served there, I half-expected it to smell pretty good inside. Instead I was overpowered with the horrid smell of cheap melted cheese, hippy sweat, and the scent of a moldy rug drying out in the heat.
The theater itself was nice and cool, but it had the faint smell of an old barn - that was still inhabited by livestock of some kind. I didn't really mind as much as it sounds though; the movie was awesome, and it only cost us $3 apiece.
Not bad, and that's why I give them 3 stars - it's not bad for what it is; a cheap hippy theater.
There are a few important things I look for in a movie theater. First, it has to be cheap, because $10 for two hours of entertainment is just ridiculous. Second, it has to play movies I actually want to see (I want to love you, Avalon, but I just can't). And, most importantly, I need nutritional yeast for my popcorn because how else would I get my b12?
Thank goodness Laurelhurst meets all of these qualifications, plus I can drink a pitcher of pretty good beer while enjoying my movie of choice, all within a few blocks of home. I do wish I could bring my under-21 friends, but that's the OLCC's fault.
One thing I always wondered about movie theaters is how they offer food and drinks that no one really likes, and then charge you an arm and a leg for the sorry excuses for snacks. The Laurelhurst will give the junk food if you want it, but they also offer beer, coffee, pizza and beyond. And with admission being only $3, it's cheaper than renting a movie. Think about it. It's cheaper than renting, better food than it at your home, and it's on the big screen.
Even if you see a bad show at the Laurelhurst, you won't have a bad experience. Though, bad movies aren't too much of a problem here as the theater has a long standing habit of picking rather likable flicks to showcase (a benefit of being a second run theater). Perhaps the greatest thing about the place is how they show older movies that haven't graced the big screen in years, even decades.
allow me to drop some knowledge on the uninitiated:
tickets to the show are $3. DID YOU HEAR ME I SAID THREE DOLLARS PEOPLE!!!
snacks are cheap, too. i got a coke and medium popcorn for only $5. (you can get a beer instead of coke if you want) the same thing at a big chain movie theater would be upwards of $9. they have pizza, too, but i wasn't in the mood for that.
ultra-mega-bonus points for having nutritional yeast available at no cost. now i can stop plotting how i'm going to sneak in my own. also, they serve red vines. none of that waxy twizzler b.s.
now, if only they had tacos...
For what this movie theater is, 5-stars. Easy.
No, it doesn't have the biggest screens, or the newest projectors, or even the most badass stadium seating. In fact, it doesn't even play first-run movies. If you're looking for those things, stop reading and look up "Regal" or "Cinemark."
Laurelhurst is a Portland institution. A classic theater pub serving up great second run and vintage movies, good beer, pizza, and charm. On any given night of the week you can pay $3 to see an array of random movies (last time I went it was an original print of Sean Connery and James Bond in Thunderball!) in decently large theaters on nice-sized screens. Add in some free water (big plastic cups), tables to set you beer/slices/water on, comfy seats, and laid back employees, and, well, you've got yourself a winner.
We've got a few of these theaters in Portland and for me, Laurelhurst is right up there with Academy as the place to go to see second run flicks. I love that they pick random movies like Thunderball and run them for a week on one of the screens.
What else can I say? You can see a movie, quaff a local microbrew and eat a small popcorn all for less than what it would cost you for just the ticket alone for a first-run film.
Just another one of the many reasons I love this town.
Been here a few times so i think i can write an honest review.
Always had a great time. cheap tickets, ok beer, good pizza great movies. lovely staff. and i saw Saturday Night Fever on the big screen. drunk. so you know, awesome.
This is a great old theater with good food (yummy pizza) and beer to boot!!! The seats are comfortable with tables to put your meal on.
I do wish they had hearing-impared devices for people who need them.
It is a clean theater and nice staff!!!! I love that they show old movies....I wish they would show more of them...too many theaters showing the overwhelming bad stuff coming out of Hollywood today.
I just like the fact that at the last movie I saw here they were jamming minor threat before the movie started =D...
the pizza and beer is a bonus too!
They have good movies, pizza, and good beer. Price is right. Parking is almost nonexistent.
A message to approximately 20% of the clientele: "SHUT THE FUCK UP."
Seriously, the movie is more, not less, enjoyable when YOU ARE NOT TALKING. This also applies when the film is in a foreign language. I may not be able to understand Swedish, but that does not mean I want to hear your bullshit during "Let the Right One In." If you can't understand the movie, do not take that time to ask your date for real-time cliffs notes. Just go away.
To the other 80% of clientele who continue to support local cinema, keep on keeping on.
It never fails that when asked what the last movie I saw in the theater was, the response elicits a shocked (and sometimes horrified) response. Why, you ask, is your movie taste really that horrible, Chloë W.? Though it may be, the shock generally results from the fact that I visit movie theaters with alarming infrequency.
I blame the Alamo Drafthouse (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). Damn you Alamo Drafthouse, with your tasty treats, alcoholic beverages, comfy seats, child-free environment, and sometimes off-kilter movie selections. Two of my best friends got engaged at the Alamo Drafthouse, it is truly a special, special place.
Having said all that, I think that it most likely becomes obvious at to why I, as a general rule, am not willing to shell out the requisite $10 to have some adolescent fool spill his 40 ounce soda pop all over me, while laughing at something, that, well, just ain't funny.
But wait, someone cue the epiphany-indicating musics!
Abhorrence of movie theaters aside, I couldn't resist the chance to see the 1984 classic film, "Night of the Comet" with beer in hand. Upon seating my derrière in a reasonably comfortable seat and making friends with a pitcher of micro, I realized that this whole "movie theater" thing might not be so heinous after all. In fact, it could be rather lovely--particularly when coupled with 21+ age requirements, and beer, rather than soda.
Minus one star for well, not being the Alamo
Plus one star for, well, being in Portland, being cheap, and lovely.
Pizza, beer, wine, popcorn!! Very good slices of gourmet pizza. Current movies. Best is the layout in the theatre. You get extra wide rows and a shelf to set your pizza & wine. We need a place like this back home.
This one's for you Corey G:
What a bummer that this theater is in PDX and not SEA. Grumble grumble bitch and moan. I rarely go out to see a movie cause it's so damn expensive. But for the cost of a movie in downtown Seattle, Laurelhurst will treat you to a movie, beer, and some food.
When I heard a ticket was $3, I thought it was a joke. But no, it's real and it wasn't even for some old crappy movie -- we saw Religulous (I don't think it was even out on DVD yet). And at the tender age of 31, I believe this was also the first time I legally drank in a theater. So that was exciting. Decent beer selection to boot. We didn't get any food but noticed that bottled water costs what it should and not like $10. The chairs aren't that comfortable, but oh well, everything else pretty much makes up for it. On the way out we also noticed a few booths in the lobby area, so it appears as if you could just chill out and have a beer if you so desired. Laurelhurst was an awesome experience and I'm sure I'll be back next time I'm in Portland.
Well, I have no doubt it's all been said.
When it comes to movies, I have a choice. Spend $10 and see it new in the nearest Regal Cinema. Or wait a few weeks and see it at Laurelhurst, where the same $10 will buy my ticket, a pint of microbrew, and a slice of fresh pizza.
Gee, I wonder which choice I make?
The first theater pub I went to when I turned 21 was The Laurelhurst. I could not believe admission was $3 ( which is still is to this day). That and you had to be 21 and over for the later shows. Throughout the years, the Laurelhurst continues to deliver to my high expectations. The concession stand is still cheap compared to corporate Regal and Cinemark. A beer and small popcorn is only $5.75 which along with the $3 is $8.75. I tell people who say they don't want to spend $20 bucks for a movie experience just go to a theater pub. The experience is certainly more rewarding and they will have extra money in the wallet for something else.
They sell Stacato Gellato donuts fresh Fri-Sun. Pizza can be ordered and the menu changes so there is usually something different everytime I go. The microbrews give the customers a lot of options in terms of light and dark beers. My favorite thus far is the Mt. Hood Oatmeal Stout. It has a great oatmeal aftertaste when the glass is gone. Not only do they show current movies that have been out for a while, but they show older ones depending on the theme of the month. The last movie I saw there was "Treasure of Sierra Madre". It is one of favorite Humphrey Bogart movie besides Casablanca. There was a wide mix of people who went to see it. I was privileged enough to see "The Godfather part I and II" which was a real treat.
It is true that movies that are just released at the theater pub is to get there early. They will sell out and they only have one register at the Theater so lines can be long during the weekend nights. Be sure to attend "Found Footage Festival" in the late Fall as it was a blast when they had that festival last year. More details to come. As long as they continue to deliver great classics and continue offering those great concessions, I will be there!
Let me see here... spend just about 10 dollars on a movie and beer... or not even get a movie ticket now for 10 dollars... the choice is as clear as those commercials dropping sprinkles.
They always play movies I want to see. Recently I saw Let The Right One In, but not too long ago they showed Pineapple Express. This is the way to do it ladies and gentleman, they seriously always have the best selection going on!
I don't know why other states haven't figured this out (San Diegans, are you listening??) but 3 dollar tickets, great beers on tap (a pitcher of PBR for like 8 bucks or something I believe, also), and yummy pizza that isn't going to force you to break your piggy bank open even wider. Its great going to the theater and not having to deal with stupid 13 year olds making out and throwing popcorn at the 12 year olds 5 rows ahead of you.
This place represents some of what I missed most when living outside of Portland. I prefer Laurelhurst any day to the mainstream theaters! It's certainly more funky than the chains, so you should be prepared to enjoy the experience as much as the movie. It's not the place to go if you want absolute quiet and anonymity. The grub is decent.
Quality microbrews combined with pizza and $3 dollar second run movies is a genius business.
More often than not, if I want to see a movie in the theaters, I'll wait until it shows up at the Lauelhurst. And there are a number of reasons:
1. It's often not too crowded. Don't get me wrong, they sell out all the time for newer movies and for showings during the weekend. Pretty much any weeknight, you can get a pitcher of beer and enjoy a movie on a humongous screen for cheap.
2. The Workers are awesome. Once after the last showing of the night, my group of friends were a bit peckish. We noticed that there was a little more than half a pizza left over at the front. They'd closed down the registers for the night, so it couldn't be purchased. Plus, we only had about $7 (enough to buy two slices). We proffered that the pizza was cold and would go to waste: we'd take it in exchange for a discounted rate of $7 for the whole thing. The workers accepted, combining our unexpected payment to their tip jar. Well earned, I say.
3. The kinds of movies that are selected range from cult classics to action block busters. Both of which are much improved with a pitcher of beer. This is again a nod to the genius of the establishment's owners.
I'll add that this isn't just another pub/theater. They're careful to make weekend matinees that appeal to children as well. I'll admit, the beer makes those much more enjoyable, too.
Who doesn't give the Laurelhurst theater 5 Stars??? $3 for Movies. Good Beer and Pizza. Quality Projection and good Sound. If this doesn't equal 5 stars, the go to Regal, pay $10 and Suck Some Balls!
I .... LOATHE ... Regal Cinemas.
I hate that when I went to see "Milk," I had to wait in line for 20 minutes outside the theater because they chose to show it ONLY at one cinema (Fox Tower), and then paid $8 to watch 20 minutes worth of commercials so loud and obnoxious and visually distracting that I can't even carry on a conversation with my friends, followed by four or five trailers, and then, oh yeah, a movie. And why are the concessions so damned expensive on top of all that? What on earth is your profit margin?
The Laurelhurst has me waiting outside sometimes, yes, but I'm paying $3 for a ticket, I've got a reasonably priced beer and slice of pizza in front of me, and the only commercials I'm watching are stills advertising local businesses projected on screen without jarring noises or flashing lights, and only two trailers precede the movie I came to see. Even without the comparison to the alternative, the Laurelhurst offers an exceedingly pleasant all-around movie watching experience.
The only way the Laurelhurst could make me happier is if it were to come to life as a big rubbery monster and rampage through the city, messily devouring every Regal Cinema in its path. I might even be willing to pay $8 to see that.
Good prices, beer and pizza, I give it an extra star because this theater/ brew pub has a selection of movies playing ...and take one away because the pizza is bad now.
Can't complain about $3 movies and a pitcher of great beer.
-1 star for always showing weird independent films. I know this is Portland, but can't we non-artsy folks get more love? We're persecuted enough in this town.
Beer theater?! What?! Why don't places like this exist anywhere else in the country? God damn it Portland, how'd you get so FINE?!
$3?! Seriously?! Where esle can you even see a movie for less than $10?!
And, wait, do you mean to tell me, that the theater has removed every other row of seats in favor of table top space on which I can rest MY HOT PIZZA AND PITCHER OF BEER?! That's right! Before you sit down at your seat with its copious amount of leg room, make sure to stop at the concession stand for PIZZA AND BEER!
Aside from the cheap prices, delicious junk food, and microbrews on tap, this a BEAUTIFUL OLD THEATER that shows a lot of great movies, mostly second-run, indies and "classics". That's great!
As I write this, I once again contemplate moving to Portland, Oregon, where I would probably find myself at this marvelous establishment at least once a week. Until that happens, I have to hope that one of the old theaters in Los Angeles wises up and starts giving me what I want...
I am writing this due to all the fabulous selections, cool beers, & pizza business available at this Shan- gri- lah of Entertainment. I am deeply annoyed, tho', that today when I took the 3 Musk-A-Teers here to watch an Indiana Jones flick, they were not permitted inside due to the serving of alcohol. Come On!! It's a movie made for kids (and kids at heart) to enjoy. My guys have seen people enjoying beer before. What possible harm could there be?? Still, we will be back to try again, tomorrow, for the matinee when kids are able to enjoy the largess of this cinematic Wonderland.
It's actually good to make me wait...then I will build up my anticipation, followed up by what I hope will be a swell meal at Esparza!! Or maybe not...depending on how much pizza, popcorn, & beer gets consumed!
Cheap movies, cheap cider, nice theater. What more can you ask for....maybe someone to feed you or carry your pitchers and popcorn.
I love how it's 21 and older b/c it's such a big pet peeve of mine when there are children in R rated movies. I don't mind waiting for the movies that I want to see to get here, it's worth it!
K-K-H-H-H-A-A-A-A-N-N is on the big screen. Pizza, new flicks, old flicks, $3 shows, pitchers of beer, popcorn, and doughnuts oh my! Last week was 1984's Repo Man. This week was 1982's Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. "Do you know the old Klingon proverb that tells us, revenge is a dish that is best served cold?" Cold like the beer on the mini-table in front of me.
We had a date tonight. My husband and I saw WALL-E at the Laurelhurst Theater. We also had dinner, and I had a great beer with my dinner -- and not only did we do dinner and a movie all at the same time, it cost less than $20 for everything.
Granted, this is not the Regal Bridgeport Theater. Our theater didn't have stadium seating, and the seats were well worn. The screen and the sound system are just fine, however. And the pizza was outstanding. At $3 per ticket, we'll be able to see a whole lot more films at a theater instead of waiting for it to arrive via Netflix, and the communal theater experience is almost always superior to watching a DVD at home.
Why do we not have a theatre like this near me? WHY?!
All movies = $3
Pitcher of their delicious hard cider = $12 (yes, I want one for myself)
Slice of veggie pizza = $3
COME ON! You can eat and get drunk in the theatre whilst watching a movie.
The theatre is kept nice and clean, the staff are super cool and they've got good eats. This is no stadium seating theatre but who the eff cares. It's RAD. I love it. I wish I lived in Portland just so I could watch movies at that theatre.
I despise going to movie theatres in CA for a number of reasons: ridiculous prices, crowds, screaming babies, smelly people, and suckface snacks.
Laurelhurst made me enjoy the movie theatre experience again.
$3 for a movie.
Wow. I don't know how I'm going to follow up after that statement. I think I almost had a stroke typing it out. You can't even get that shit at Blockbuster. You can't even get Jujubes for $3 at Blockbuster. You can't even get... okay I'm done.
I think I've figured out the rationale at Laurelhurst, and that is saying a lot, as Laurelhurst consistently blows my little fish brain out of the water. I think they rarely play movies that score less than a 85% on http://rottentomatoes.com - and that my friends brings a little warmth to my cold, dead heart.
Pabst blue ribbon pitchers for $6 I believe (and I love anything that's won blue ribbons). Sierra Nevada pitchers for $10? Cheap pizza that isn't the best but definitely tastes like pizza. The pizza isn't important, it's the beer buzz during the $3 dollar movie that keeps this big boy happy. The building is old, and the theatre is broken in, which lets you know that people have been appreciating it over the years for a reason. The seats are comfy, the aisles are ample; most theatres don't compensate for 6'4" bodies. I can stretch the ole leggers!
It's right down the street from Masu East, which has tasty Salmon, and makes a great date nite any nite of the week.
Shut your face, I'm trying to drink a pint and watch a film.
No talking during the movie.
and quit spilling your beer.
This theater may be a little dirty sometimes, or have a little issue with sound/picture quality occasionally, but they are too awesome for that to be an issue. I have tried going to the Regal theaters a few times since I started going to the great second run theaters in this town, and it's like an expensive slap in the face.
At the Laurelhurst (which is convenient walking distance from my apartment), you can get donuts, pizza, beer, wine or cider, for reasonable prices. You pay 3 dollars for a ticket to see either a slightly delayed new release, or tons of cool old stuff. This week is Total Recall!! They always have at least one cider on tap as far as I've seen which is awesome, I'm very pro-cider, and a fun variety of beers that changes all the time. I love the Baghdad as well, but I'm not crazy about McMenamins beer or food, and this place has so many more fun movies and a better atmosphere most of the time it seems.
