Portage Theatre
4050 N Milwaukee Av
Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 205-7372
- Good for Kids: Yes
20 Reviews for Portage Theatre
I came here shortly after the remodel and was lucky enough to score tickets to the Devendra Banhart show. Excellent performance and if you know his music he's quite the performer. I think that was a year ago. I've never actually seen a flick here, but one of my friend's shorts (Wheezy Waiter) is playing this Sat 26th at 8pm- so i might have to check that out. Neat theater beautiful ceiling articulation...
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the daycare my daughter is in made their holiday show at this theatre
is sooo dirty..the seats are all stinky and sticky..they chrage you about $4for a tasteless soda and the popcorn ewww I trow it away taste so old so salty....yakity yukkk and the restrooms...I rather to go into a gas station.
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I'm so glad the Portage is around to show weird and classic movies, like the recent release of Postal by the cinematic GENIUS, Uwe Boll. Seriously, this was like one of twenty theaters in the country to show this movie, and I'm glad there was a showing here in Chicago.
The theater has an amazing amount of seating as well as a huge screen, but the seats themselves are worn and the floor is sticky. Also my friend said that the people behind the counter are really slow when it comes to concessions and that he almost missed the beginning of the movie waiting for them.
Personally, I am a Music Box Theatre girl all the way, but it's nice to have an alternative independent theater that gets some movies the Music Box doesn't.
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Came here or the first time last week to watch the Chicago entries for The 48 Hour Film Project (go Flashpoint!) The first thing that hit me was that they served beer and wine...definitely a plus. Sadly, they charged my buddy for water since all they had was the bottled variety.
The second thing that I noticed, once going inside, was that the theater was HUGE. It didn't have the stadium seating that most modern theaters have so maybe it was because I hadn't seen a "normal" layout in a long time, but it definitely felt like we were there to watch a play. Unfortunately, the sound quality was pretty poor, and at some points the film seemed to de-synch from the audio (not sure if the theater or the film makers are to blame).
Still, it had a great timeless feel to it and overall it was pretty comfortable. A bit far from me, but if there's a limited engagement of a film I want to see playing there, I wouldn't hesitate to pick the Portage.
I wrote an article about the Portage that was published in the Streetwise Newspaper recently. I also had it published on the Associated Content site; here is a link to the article. Enjoy!
http://www.associatedc...
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I saw Star Wars here when I was 2 years old. No shit.
Glad to see that it's back to the glory of a single plex. At some point in the mid 80's they made it a horrlbly awkward two plex and it was all down hill from there.
I absolutely love this theater and this neighborhood and always will. Much love for Portage Park.
I've been to the Portage Theatre for the annual Silent Film Festival. Like Amaliya says, I somewhat agree with Paul F's comments about the restoration of this theatre. It looks like they did more structural repair than anything, and I understand that they converted it back from a twin to a single screen. I also understand that the stage and screen are actually new.
I was never here during the "bad old days" when it was a twin. But I think that has been a great community effort to rehabilitate this place. Now, you may ask why go to a classic or silent film fest when you can rent the DVDs. Well, mes amis you can see the films as they were meant to be seen. You can share the experience with other movie lovers. And I don't mean to repeat myself on the same subject, but I like going to the movies too. Besides, the Silent Film Festival is a lot of fun.
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Lebowski Fest 2008 had their first night here and what a freakin' great place!! It's a big gorgeous old theatre that had plenty of room for all us Achievers. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go look it up www.lebowskifest.com)
Really great venue that was equally perfect for the CCR cover band as it was for the special screening of The Big Lebowski.
Biggest complaint is that ladies room was too small and not well enough stocked with TP. Thankfully, Achievers are a courteous bunch and a mildly drunk gal spared me a square.
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What an amazingly beautiful old theatre! I first visited last year for the silent film festival and was blown away by the interior restoration work. Granted, I had never seen the deteriorated version before the rehab, but I've heard plenty of stories about its former sorry state. I'm just so glad that this theatre was able to be saved.
Right now, it's mostly used for niche film festivals and the occasional concert, but in my opinion it is seriously underutilized. It would be lovely if the owners would show more independent or foreign movies on a regular basis. Having a version of the Music Box Theatre on the northwest side would be sweet.
Will the Portage Theatre be able to help rouse its sleepy surroundings and elevate the neighborhood to a higher level on the entertainment scale? As a resident and all-around Six Corner's cheerleader, I certainly hope so.
Its great that this old theatre is still open and not just the megaplexes are showing movies. And not only is it open, but in the words of Mark S below, but it is more than "where Hollywood blockbusters go to die."
I went recently to see some campy 80s horror flicks, and Svengoolie!, with friends and we had a great time. Everyone working there was courteous. The tablers/vendors that they brought in were fun to talk to. You could tell the other attendees were enjoying themselves. The whole atmosphere was one of fun. The Portage definately knows how to put together an event.
I am just bummed that their matinees are in the middle of the week; hellooo, some of us work! But they seem to keep a regular bunch of events going during the weekends. Maybe if those prove popular there will be more. They could do some more with decorating the lobby area; it seemed a bit drab and lifeless. I was hoping there would be something more to it to harken back to the way it was in its former glory.
And did I mention? Svengoolie was stellar. :b
The Golden Age of cinema has long since passed, and unfortunately all eight of the former cinema halls/nickleodeons that once existed in my home neighborhood, Avondale, are long since closed, thanks to the invention of the television. I can't imagine how integral cinema once was to the well-being and vitality of Chicago neighborhoods long ago.
These days there's nothin' but ghosts at Portage Park's Six Corners, which is all the more reason to be thankful that Portage Theatre is up and running. The theatre's sponsors clearly have an interest in the surrounding community, as evidenced by the local business commercials that take the place of previews at the start of the film. In some cases (goodbye, Hancock Fabrics), these commercials are already too late.
There's nothing like watching a movie in and old and beautiful palace (looks quite a bit like the Music Box to my untrained eye), with an organ player to introduce the movie. The whole "experience" beats a DVD any day. You can see movies here that you won't see anywhere else including the current $4 Wednesday afternoon matinees and something coming up about the Three Stooges going to outer space.
After the show, supposedly your ticket stub will entitle you to discounts at local businesses, or what's left of them.
We've lived in the Portage Park area for over 9 years. I have no idea why we never visited before.
We went to view the screening of "You Weren't There". We were fortunate to find Rock Star parking. The lines moved quickly, and though I agree with some of Paul F's view of the renovation, the theater itself is actually beautiful. I don't think that they aimed to make it completely new, they did what they set out to do. To be honest..for a moment there it reminded me of the Music Box Theater on Southport. The bathrooms were clean, toilet paper stocked, concessions cheap compared to most theaters, and the staff friendly. I can't complain...especially since they are cool enough to host independent films and festivals. I think that I prefer this kind of theater.
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I went to the Horror Film Festival this past weekend and I have to say...as far as run down theaters go...this one was great.
Buttery popcorn, friendly staff, lots of seating and just the right amount of stickiness on the floors. I couldn't move my foot at one point! It was great. A perfect place to waste away a hot umm fall day.
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I went to the Horror Film Festival this last Friday for a friend's brother that directed one of the films, dug the antique feel to it, and loved the gigantic seating area.
I felt a little betrayed when the staff at the front and concession remained lighthearted and friendly. I expected them to get me into the mood of horror films or something. You know, maybe a punch to the face, or perhaps eat my soul. *shrug* None of that.
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Portage Theatre ROCKS! The owners have done a superb job in restoring the theater to a single screen. Not only have I had the pleasure of appearing there 4 times along vith my Countess, but I even had my name in lights on the marquee...Check out the photo! Vho vouldn't LOVE this place after all that?!
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My only experience at the Portage theater was kind of a strange one. Went to go see Bonnie 'Prince' Billy when he was here last year, but this happened to be the same night as the Bears vs Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Whoops.. me and a friend of mine ended up watching the first half at a nearby bar and went to the concert 15 minutes before show time. Got a great seat(it's a really cool place to see a show where you want to sit down, such as BPB), the sound was really good- but man, I was so bummed/worried the whole time I was there due to the game.
Not the theaters fault in the least, I was actually pretty at ease when I was concentrating on the show and for a stressful situation, it was pretty comfortable. Also, it was a very good setup- a lot of places don't really know how to do the whole seated concert thing, but Portage seemed to have good sightlines all the way around. Hopefully one of these days I'll get to go back on a day where one of the greatest come backs in Chicago sports history isn't taking place, because I'm sure it's really nice in a better state of mind.
Yeah the Portage opened!!! And it isn't another dollar theater where Hollywood blockbusters go to die- the Portage is on a mission to bring movie culture to Portage Park! And we already have the LaSalle Bank Cinema- if you like film, Portage Park's the place to be!
So obviously the Portage is first and foremost a movie house. The Chicago Silent Film Society moved here, and every Friday night, for $11 a different silent is played, accompanied by a live organ player. They played an old Sci-Fi movie and got a live Theremin player in there too- beat that! On other nights they show movies with sound that are equally offbeat- art movies, foreign films, documentaries, etc. For the silents they do a nice review of the film to start things out which gets everybody on the same page in terms of the film's history and the key players in making it, etc. Overall you get a real sense of pride and excitement in how the movies have found a home here. With the live music, special events and even neighborhood sponsors (bring your ticket after the show to Las Tables for a $1 sangria) you know everybody is pitching in to make it work.
I understand the theater will be used for non-movie events as well. As a single screen theater, it's really quite large inside. And they have a small stage where I hear local schools will be doing their band recitals and such. But given the professional lighting they've got hung, I'm sure the stage will be put to use for public performances as well- I'm keeping my eyes open.
Overall this place is a great addition to the Chicago movie theater scene- I can think of little they could have done better in resurrecting a fine old theater like this which is an extremely costly proposition.
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When I had my first job, I quit. I walked from six corners down to the theatre and watched Steal Magnolias all by myself. Crying alone. Not sure if the sad story or the fear of telling my Dad that I quit.
I read that its recently opened showing silent films. I cant wait to bring my kid here, to one of the first theatres that i attended growing up.
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The Portage is an 80+ year old theater which had been shuttered for several years, but just recently was restored to it's original single-screen format and has re-opened to host a festival of silent film screenings (with live organ accompaniment) for five Fridays this spring. They also plan to hold regular screenings of classic, art, and foreign films. I wanted to give them 5 stars just for taking the effort to restore this theater and dedicate their programming to non-commercial fare, but they need to do a bit of work on running their concession stand more efficiently - I'm still kind of steaming over my half-hour wait for a hot dog on opening night...
The Portage Theater has been lovingly restored and is open for business www.portagetheater.org for a listing of upcoming events. Oct 27th - Oct 31, 2006 will host the first annual Six Corners Monster Film Festival. Catch a flick at the restored Portage Theater, meet Svengoolie in person, take a pedicab ride along Milwaukee Ave and check out Fantasy Costume headquarters. for more info go to http://www.sixcornersc...
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