Oaks Theatre
1875 Solano Ave
(between Fresno Ave & Indian Rock Path)
Berkeley, CA 94707 (510) 526-1836
- Good for Kids: Yes
13 reviews
Concord, CA
"$6.75 per person to get in. Two screens, both double features. The first movie usually starts around 845, second movie around 11...check the…" read more »
8 Reviews for Oaks Theatre
I like this little theater, I come visit my daughter in berkeley and we park on Marin, and walk over to Solano Ave. Grab a bit to eat @ The House of Curries (though there are so many good little restaurants along the way) and then its a nice walk to the theater. Plus interesting shops to look in along the way, and people out walking their dogs( we make many new furry friends along the way!) And it your a bit early for your film theres a Pegasus Books right there next to the theater to browse while waiting. Makes for a totally pleasant day.
This was my first job...I learned a lot about the art of making popcorn. Additionally, I learned the trade of sweeping up trash from underneath theater seats. At $6.75 an hour, you get best of both worlds.
They do not get too many movies since the downtown Berkeley theaters steal all of them before little baby Oaks can get to 'em. When they do have a popular movie playing, there can be a lengthy line on opening night.
Otherwise, the seat selection is up to you and often people are the only ones in the whole theater if one chooses to go during weekdays in the afternoon.
They use real butter.
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PRO: Nice Film Selection at These Twin Theatres
Clean Theatre and Bathrooms (albeit small)
Good Snackbar and Real Budda
Comfortable Neighbourhood Feel. Cool art deco interior.
Comfortable Seats and Yes it is Dark!
Good Sound and Picture Quality
Convenient Restaurants and Coffee Shops Nearby.
Better Maintained Than the Albany Twin Down the Hill.
CON: Parking requires patience and luck. I usually walk.
Staff not as interactive as Albany Twin Down the Hill.
How do they stay in business. There's usually few here.
Today is 4 days short of the official day of Epiphany (for those of you who are a little fuzzy on what this day is about, I'll be brief). The day supposedly is when The Three Wise Men arrived bearing gifts for You-Know-Who. It's also the "12th Day of Christmas" and it's when, typically in Italy or Spain or sometimes in France, children receive a small gift. This is all background info...I had a personal epiphany today (of course, when least expecting it)...
Took the boys to The Oaks Theater to see the new Scottish film, "The Waterhorse" (which is terrific). The Oaks has an old-fashioned box office in the Deco facade of the building. There are enormous old cameras in the lobby from the Silent Era, the fittings, water fountains, bathrooms are all the real deal. We sat down in the theater, it was clean, the sound system was great, and the floors weren't sticky (always a plus.). Just when I thought it could not get any better, it did!
On our way out, the manager asked to see our ticket stubs. Uh-oh, I thought...what fresh hell could this be?? Turns out, the box office person had made a mistake and over-charged us, then he had told his manager (kudos for owning up!!), and the manager had waited to find us, and return our money!! Can you believe this great fortune?? Well, this is why I don't go to the big multiplexes that are soulless. Can I just give this place a big 10 stars?? I would, if I could. It's a terrific neighborhood theater and we all need to support these places. If we don't, they will disappear faster than you can say "multiplex at the mall". Huge kudos to this spot, the manager, the ticket man, and the film itself!!
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The inside of the theater itself is plain, not ornate as I expected after seeing the hallway, stadium seating extends only half way down (we had to move once because the tall guy in front of us refused to slouch...) and it smelled stale at first (didn't notice it past the entrance).
I thought the video and audio were fine.
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I really hate the general public. Especially most of the movie-going segment of the general public. I hate the chewing sounds, the groans, the rustling, the talking, the breathing, everything. If I could afford to build a movie theatre in my apartment, by god I would.
But luckily nobody really goes to the Oaks, so it's like having my own personal movie theatre. I guess I want people to go so they stay in business, but I'm rather reluctant to sacrifice my own personal theatrical experience.
The only thing I don't really like about the Oaks is that the theatres are REALLY dark, which makes me think about axe murderers or escaped psychopaths when I'm there alone.
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Part of the Renaissance Rialto chain, and like the other Rialto theaters (Orinda & Grand Lake) it's a small, classic first-run theater with drapes and felt seats and old grey-haired ticket-takers. And like the others it also has the feeling it could close at any time, so take one in while you still can...
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The Oaks is almost a neighborhood secret. Everyone either goes to the trashy corporate multiplex or the Landmark pseudo-arthouses. It's a shame, really, because the Oaks has a gorgeous art deco interior, like a less grandiose Grand Lake. I think most of the movies shown here are not quite first-run, but not second-run. Occasionally, a movie that doesn't show anywhere else will show up here. Those are the times I make the haul up to Solano. I don't drive, so it's not really a convenient location, not near BART and serviced by bus lines that don't run very frequently.
The awesome thing about the Oaks is that matinees are only $6, compared to $7.50 elsewhere. The small popcorn is $4 but it's the same as the medium at the other theaters. However, Landmark Theaters has them beat in the popcorn department. The Oaks popcorn has a weird funky smell. It's either the oil they use to pop it being old, or the machine not being squeaky clean.
I'm afraid the Oaks may close because most people would rather pay $5 at the Cerrito to see the same movies second run. So try to see your movies here!! If we all go here and eat popcorn, they will eventually have to open a new jug of oil and I can give them one more star.
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