Sundance Kabuki Cinema
1881 Post St
(between Fillmore St & Webster St)
San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 346-3243
- Good for Kids: No
484 Reviews for Sundance Kabuki Cinema
I must ask myself .... why do all other theaters hate me so much??
I love the Kabuki .... no kids allowed in the balcony section... ahi tuna to eat and a shaken margarita made with Heradurra??? Are you kidding me ???and with a name like Kabuki I kept waiting for the seat to give me a reacharound.... it may as well have .. they have everything else. :)
Parking here is pretty easy as well .....
Tip: Tipping is not just for canoes!!!! Take care of your bartenders in here... just cuz it's a movie theater don't think the rules have changed ... they will take care of you in return :)
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I don't want to go to see movies anywhere where I can't reserve a seat. I am addicted to coming into a movie 3 minutes before the movie time and getting a prime seat.
Oh, and they have a freaking bar. I will pay for convenience.
Everything the city takes from you, Kabuki gives back!
Spacious quarters, plenty of room to stretch out and relax! Seats are amazingly roomy with tables!
Plenty of parking in the area.
Affordable ticket prices.
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I remember coming to the Kabuki quite often as a kid, partly because I lived a few blocks away in Pac Heights. However, ever since Sundance took over and renovated, this place has gotten a little weird.
I went to see The Dark Knight at a 9:30pm showing, and it was so completely empty. In addition to the awkward movie theater emptiness, there was no music, no ads on the screen...not even any projection lights so I could create shadowy hand puppets on the screen. It was just...so...awkward. Finally, a few more people walked in and, in the midst of the silence, we all started talking to one another. Would it kill them to play some tunes?
The seats and the screen size were all great. No complaints about that.
What I didn't really like were the ticket prices. I know movies are expensive nowadays, but $12.50 for a movie + $1.50 amenities fee? What the heck is the amenities fee? It's not like this theater offers anything different from the other theaters. It's not like I asked for a back rub or champagne. For 14 bucks, I'd rather go to a Giants game.
For a long time, I did my best to steer clear of the Kabuki when it was owned by AMC. When I saw that Sundance took over, there was a great transformation in the movie experience altogether.
I finally visited the Sundance Kabuki Cinema for the first time. The movie I saw was "Bottle Shock". In our showing, the producer gave a introduction before the movie and did a Q&A session after the movie. The movie turned out to be a lot of fun.
The Sundance lobby has bamboo trees in front of the ticket counter. There is a bar/bistro on the second floor, of which you do not need a movie ticket to enter this area. Movie theatre and movie chairs are comfy too!
Can't wait to see my next indie movie here at Sundance Kabuki Cinema!
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When I first came here I did not like the extra fee for "no commercials", as i don't think they should force commercials on you in any theatrre. I did not get the concept of reserved assigned seating either (as it there were only 12 people in the entire movie we saw).
BUT, in thinking about it after getting home and seeing Dark Knight at our Shi__y mall theatre, I get it!
and I like it!
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I hadn't been to the Kabuki since its "rebranding". and I couldn't have been more pleased. To start, the reserved seats are a dream. Being able to walk in at showtime and sit right where you want is a great treat. On top of that, the place is loaded with helpful, accommodating staff, and the snacks are top notch. Finally, for the showing of Bottle Shock that I saw: 21+ with a wine bar at the entrance to the theatre. Seriously - does it get any better?
awww yeah! comfy seating, pick your own seats, relax with a glass (bottle?) of wine and..... fall asleep. yeah, the movie was hella boring but the balcony seating rocked and i love the feng shuied atmosphere. expensive but i guess perks have their due price.
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What a civilized way to enjoy a movie! The foods were nice and I LOVE that there is a full bar!
I thought the screen was a bit on the small side, but maybe my perspective is off since the last movie I saw was in IMAX.
Date & Time: Saturday August 2, 2008 @ 2:45pm
Movie: American Teen(Documentary that Follows 5 HS Seniors in Warsaw, Indiana) Breakfast Club for this Generation
Movie Rating: Five Stars
Crowd: Young Hip Crowd
Vibe: Energetic
Decor: Contemporary & Zen-Like. Plush Seating. Select Seating as you Purchase Tickets, Certain Theatres have an Adult Section Balcony where Food & Wine are Available
Imbibe: Izze Sodas
Devour: Turkey Sandwiches, Gelato, Chocolate Cupcakes w/ CreamCheese Centers
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I will gladly pay the extra fees for:
- "The Dark Knight" on opening night without waiting in line for several hours beforehand or having a crink in the neck for ending up in the very first row. Reserved and assigned seating! It's about time too. There are a few theaters in LA that already do that.
- A comfy/chill spot to wait before the movie and to get your drinking on. They will be at movie theater prices, but what did you expect?
- Reclining seats with armrests that magically disappear if you want to snuggle. The only problem with them is that you should warn the person next to you that you're about to lift the armrest, or it might take off an arm instead.
- Selection of movies! They've got the Hollywood hits AND the indie flicks. Their affiliation with Sundance probably helps.
- Not being interrupted by some 13-year olds who keep flipping their cell phones open during the movie to check their text messages and then who threaten to kick our asses for absolutely nothing. Gotta love Century Tanforan for that.
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This could be a 4-star review, and I know that means so much to this particular business, but THEY RAN OUT OF NUTRITIONAL YEAST at the snack bar.
Those who know me (god how I hate it when people say that in reviews. thought I'd give it a try. now I hate myself) know that nutritional yeast is my preferred popcorn topping. Good for you, too!
The seats are fabulous, but the facility itself is looking pretty sad and neglected....and it's so young! There's a tired bamboo plant hanging onto life by a thread on the 3rd floor, the paint is wearing off on the bathroom doors.....if you look around it's getting to be kind of a dump.
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I gotta believe that yeah, this is as good as it gets. It'd be great to see some bigger theaters adapt the "movies as entertainment for civilized adults" theme. Saw "Bottle Shock" this past week. Surprisingly, one of the producers was there and he spoke before and after the movie; that was kind of cool, as he clarified some points of artistic license. The movie is worth seeing. It's a big sappy valentine to the Napa that no longer exists and simple fun for any fan of NoCal wine country, the greater Bay Area and/or tweaking the nose of the French.
I guess the extra $3 service charge on to of the $10 movie ticket is worth reserving your seat for.
The decor is beautiful. Def upscale and clean! The crowd is the young hip type. The food is definitely way better than normal movie food...but then again, sometimes I have nacho cravings!
I just wish they had an interactive seating chart. I can't tell if what I'm choosing is too far back or to close!
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OMGZ!
I CAN HAZ DRINK IN THEATRE????????....LEGALLY!?
i went to kabuki theatre on opening night of Mama Mia (shhhh, i know im so lame) with 5 girlfriends. we got there an hour early and ordered the cheeseplate, some salads, and an assload of margaritas. its amazing what theyve done to this place!
the bar is like a real bar with no popcorn scent or babies crying. all 21+ and i definitely appreciate that.
then when the movie started i thought the fun would be ripped away from us booze-hounds but as soon as we entered the theatre, there was another cash bar inside! there is nothing better than a glass of wine while watching a musical.
the best part about it is the assigned seating. no more worrying about getting seats together. if this place wasnt so far away i would definitely be a regular.
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I love that I can reserve my seat AND get Hot Tamales - my favorite movie snack and one not always available. Also the place has a good variety of mainstream and indie flicks.
Sit in the balcony seats. But let me explain, first.
The lower-level seats are pretty cool. The theater is clean and I've at least, so far, never been to a showing here with any kind of irritation, kid or otherwise. But the seats are no better than the seats at the newer theaters downtown, including the Century theater above Bloomie's. So three stars for those.
But the balcony seats (where I watched The Dark Knight recently) are the best thing since sliced bread or buttered popcorn, earning the section four whole stars. The seats come at a premium (a few bucks more than the regular ones), but they're well worth the extra fee. Think of it as a fee to free you from saving seats with your coat, your purse AND all your limbs. That's right, you pay for the seat you'll be sitting in, live theater style. Oh, and it frees you from having to push everyone out of the way all Southwest Airlines-style in order to get a decent seat. Nuh uh.
The Balcony Bar is expensive, but worth it once in a while so you can actually have a nice drink while watching your flick. That said, there are the oh-snap party fouls when someone's glass crashes to the floor in the middle of the movie. But, really, if you give people alcoholic drinks in real glassware, and expect them to drink it in a dark, quiet room, it's to be expected.
While we're at it, Sundance Kitchen = eh. So-so food and wine for a lot of money. Keep it to the burger, no apps, no dessert and a glass of coke, and you might be better off for your pre-movie yums.
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Went here to see the Sex and the City movie with 3 friends, and we had cosmopolitans while we watched.
Aside for being mortified by our own triteness, we were happy with the experience.
I feel as though I am walking into a museum/jungle every time I go to this theater. The seats are SO comfortable and I absolutely love the snack bar selection- coffee, gelato, sweets, cupcakes.....mmmm. The best part is that you can purchase tickets online and select seats, allowing you to get there at the very last minute, yet still sit in a perfectly centered seat.
The bars in this theater have high prices and awful service, a bad combination if you want to get lots of stars from me. The gallery seating is quite comfortable but that too comes at a hefty price, including some spurious facilities fees. I've seen other theaters based on the same concept of "your living room with a big screen", but this one is executed poorly by comparison. Parking nearby isn't cheap or easy, either.
For my money, I'm happier with the Century theater - at least the bars/restaurants in that shopping mall know what they're doing, the parking is easy and and the pricing is more palatable.
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They did an amazing remodelling job. Wow!
The best thing is you can order your tickets online and reserve your seats! Awesome for people (like me) who are always arrive last but don't want to be seated in the far back or away from your friends.
It amazes me that it took this long for a theater like this to come along! Overall, food and cocktails add to the viewing experience, though it can be distracting in the balcony area as people come and go frequently, obscuring one's view of the screen. I would recommend the theater for the experience, particularly if it's a date movie. If, however, you're going to see a movie that requires your close attention, hit another movie house.
I went on opening night to Batman and had NO problem getting a ticket and a seat, even though I showed up 5 minutes before the movie started. This place is great -- you can buy your tickets AND reserve your seat online.
Plus, the theater has been remodeled and has a new zen like feel.
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This theater is probably one of the nicest in town - it's clean with a hip "green" decor. Good place for movie dates : )
Aside from the fresh nice new allegedly sustainable decor, the expanded yuppy-friendly food selections, assigned seating (no need to get there early anymore) and the uber-comfortable seats, the greatest thing about the Kabuki is you can drink during the movie. Finished that beer - no sweat - go order another one. Booze! During a movie! That's got to be the best idea EVER. This could put NetFlix completely out of business.
Everybody gripes about the ticket prices, but I'll pay that premium never again to have to watch a movie while sober.
5-stars.
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Ok....
So i havnt been to a movie theatre in 8 years...yes 8 years.
The last movie I saw was Tom Greens Award winning performance in "Freddy got Fingered." Yes I am just as embarrassed to say it as I am to write it. So i decided to leave the movie theatres behind me in life and keep my movie watching to my couch.
After years and years of being treated like some kind of a communist from my friends, I decided to go and give it another shot, and I was lucky as piss to have gone to Kabuki. I like the leg room, the comfortable chairs and the food..But what really puts it over the mark is the booze. Ahhhh YES...Booze, my best friend. So you can get drinks and food and bring them right into the theatre and enjoy. Thats the way to see a movie.
I liked it and have a restored faith for theatres as long as they are like this. I will go again!
Went here to watch the Wackness. You can order tickets online and reserve your seats, so there is no need to rush. The theatres are smaller but the chairs are comfortable. It feels like you're watching a movie on your couch at home. I love that they have indie and art house films. There is a diverse crowd, and there's even a 21+ viewing area with a bar so you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage to enhance your viewing pleasure. Can't wait to come back
OMG Can I please give them six stars?
Sat in the balcony tonight. Ate my tasty portabella sandwich (friends had beers) and reclined with a ridiculous amount of leg room to enjoy The Dark Knight.
LOVE this theater. (and Christian Bale.... HOT!!!)
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07/24/2008
The most comfortable, roomiest movie theater seats EVER. They recline and bounce and give most… Read more »
I'm not a film freak or anything, so when a movie comes out that I'm interested in enough to go see in a theater, I usually wait a couple of weeks for the hype to die down and then plop myself in a seat at the Century or AMC (the Metreon gives me the whim-whams for some reason. It's all those teenagers).
Finding myself cut early from work the day before my birthday and the opening day of 'The Dark Knight', I find myself itching to go sit in a dark room full of strangers shoving handfuls of $8.00 popcorn into my mouth.
It happens. Lots of butter please. And don't pump it all over the top, spread that shit out, fill it halfway, pump, pump, pump, fill it some more, pump and top it off. Pump.
Knowing the mass hysteria over this movie, I went online, pleased to find ample seating available for the 3:30 PM showing.
I booked the perfect seat. 4 rows back, smack dab in the middle.
Total cost $10. Sweeet. Matinee pricing!
To completely enjoy some of the benefits the kabuki has to offer that other theaters don't-- book a matinee. You get the reclining seats, the option to chose and reserve which gives you the peace of mind to arrive whenever you want to without having to freakout over getting into popular shows.
Any other time a ticket is $13-$14. Sometimes it's worth that price, sometimes not so much.
I docked one star for the non pumping of the butter in the middle of my popcorn sack. Yeah, I'm a douchbag like that.
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Now with cocktails! We're talking upscale Parkway here, friends.
Get your tickets online for the balcony and you can reserve *your actual seat* in advance. This means that even if you get stuck in a bathroom queue before the film, your actual seat will be waiting for you. No jacket or friend with hairy eyeball required. Your actual seat will be very plush and comfy, with an unobstructed view.
Service in the lounge was very attentive. They have a full bar and decent/limited wine beer list. Food was OK by SF restaurant standards, but outstanding by movie concession stand standards.
I'm sure this was just a glitch, but nobody ever checked our tickets when we went....
Note to self: Drinking multiple beers during a long movie is not recommended (see: bathroom queue). Go for something with less liquid volume next time.
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11/27/2006
They showed the movie without any technical glitches, and everything seemed to be more-or-less clean… Read more »
i saw wall-e in one of the smaller screening rooms they have to the right of ticket counter, it was a different experience.
Small, intimate, large comfy rocking seats with a nice little table to rest your snacks on either side at two seat intervals, so you can do the love seat thing.
there were only 25 seats about with a few spaces in the back for rolling up in your pimped out weelchair if you have one.
the screen is smaller, but that is ok considering the intimacy of it all. i loved it.
the total opposite- yet equal in quality of experience to that of an IMAX show.
i understand a little more about the whole sundance movie appreciation vision.
the other theatres are nice as well, big seats, flip us arm rests, you know.
they have a cocktail lounge with appetizers, but i have not experienced that, as i usually like to do matinees.
last, but most, the BEST popcorn in the city according to my tastebuds.
crispy, not chewy, sweet corn with toasty but not roasty crusty. and butter that smells and tastes real.
Thank you Mr Redford for a seriously groovy movie theatre.
I think the seat reservation system is such a good idea. The extra fees are annoying, but the trade-off is getting damn good seats.
I watched The Dark Knight here on a Friday afternoon. I sat up at the balcony in the main theatre...it is quite a set up. I felt like I was at home. Lots of space, no obstructed views and good sound. The bar didn't open till 3pm *after* my movie (boo).
But getting drunk during a movie is like getting a hole in my head. Happy hour before a movie though is amazing... My alcoholism kicked into high gear. They also serve fancy-pants sandwiches and food items at the bar that you can take into the theatre. Alas, I had a family-sized coke and popcorn instead because I was too early.
It was also easy to get here by Muni on the 37L or 2. I'm definitely coming back here for films screened for the SF Film Society... and to drink a martini during the movie.
Disclaimer: I'm getting old and teenagers bug me.
That said, I absolutely love going to the Kabuki. Reserved comfy, couch-like seats and audiences that seem to know proper movie etiquette make movie watching at the Kabuki so worth the extra $3. It's kinda like the ArcLight in LA minus all the plastic and trendiness and snobbery.
I just saw Dark Knight there last night and couldn't have had a more enjoyable time. Plus, the 21+ cocktail lounge is a great idea for those on a first date who will awkwardly sit next to one another in silence for two hours, kinda relaxes the situation.
Overall a 5. If I could afford it, I'd be a super member with my own permanent seat.
I'm going to go do a cartwheel now...
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Glad they finally cleaned it up...it is a nice destination...the staff is friendly and quite helpful. So why only three stars? I find it audacious that it cost so much to see a movie two weeks after it opened: amenity fees and the ability to choose what seat you'll get are pretty poor reasons to charge so much. How about offering patrons a discount at the restaurant or a free popcorn? SOMETHING to explain this fee.
The restaurant is again staffed by very pleasant people but for the mediocre offerings (a tasty sausage pizza that was soggy in the middle and a panini sandwich that was pretty bland) certainly did not justify a $30.00 tab.
So...stars get knocked off for basically gouging people.
The hubby and I had a date night and part of we spent here. I hadn't been the Kabuki in a while, we were early so we thought "hey, we'll go play video games for a bit" (as I've said, it has been a LONG time since we've been here).
Whoa. Remodel. Looks great. No more video games. Okay, no big deal.
Wait. There's an "amenity fee"? What's that? Oh, an extra $3 charge since they don't have major sponsors so we pay more instead of watching a commercial for Coke before the movie. Hmmm.
OH. I have to "reserve" a seat? That's weird. I felt a little pressured to pick one.
Totally comfy on the inside.
I suppose I'd come back if I ever make it out to the movies. I'm averaging about once every 2 years.
I've been coming to the Kabuki since I moved into the neighborhood about five years ago. Sadly, after years of being the nightly main attraction in Japantown (since Japantown closes at 8pm for the most part) the Kabuki had gotten too comfortable and let itself go....and was picked up and dusted off by the Sundance Institute. Now she's sexy and polished and even a little bit glamorous. Wowza.
I'm going to resist the temptation to knock off one star because movies really shouldn't cost $12 to see...honestly people, with the dawn of the Internet and accessibility to movies being what it is, movie theaters need to do a little more the attract people to actual THEATER showings. But aside from that, the conversion of the AMC Kabuki to the Sundance Kabuki Cinema has been pretty positive. They still play big mainstream films, but they are also host to a number of independent films, documentaries, and the SF International Film Festival.
Purchasing your tickets is no longer done through an impersonal plexiglass barrier - the desk is more like a concierge desk at a nice hotel. You can even select EXACTLY what seats you're in - no more asking solo moviegoers to "scooch over one" so you can sit with your friends.
Upstairs, they have a bar, a bistro, and your standard movie fare (popcorn, candy, soda), but my favorite part are the luxuriously deep leather sofa and chairs on the second floor, where you can sit and wait and sip your $3.00 Peet's latte (purchased from the snack bar) if you find you've arrived way too early for your movie. The theaters themselves are really nice, with wider aisles and rows and comfortable seats.
Despite the higher ticket prices, I'd still prefer to see movies here, not just because of proximity to my apartment, but because it feels more grown up than, say, the Metreon.
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Seriously...why would you go anywhere else for a movie?
Reserved seats that both recline and lift the arms up...tasty food...beautiful atmosphere...cheaper than most theaters now....indie flicks too!
I love this theater. The screen is a little small and high, the seats sometimes make my butt sore, the food is a little expensive (but that was definitely one of the best BLTs I've eaten), the sound doesn't bowl you over, but it's still a damn good place to watch a movie. I LOVE that I can pick my seat online and not have to show up super early in order to find good seats. That alone is worth everything.
I haven't sat in the balcony yet, but it looks fun. I'll give it a try next time to see if the seats are better and/or the craning of the neck is less.
The world needs more theaters like this.
Let's welcome a new guest reviewer. Direct from my Catholic Jr. High school in Mexico: La Reverenda Madre Conchita!
Me: Welcome reverend mother Conchi. What do you think of the new re-modeled Kabuki Cinema?
Mother Conchi: Ay! So much glass! So much light! Que lindo!!!
Me: Hmmm. So...you like it???
MC: Yes! It is JUST like a CATHEDRAL!! Let's go to our assigned seats! ASSIGNED SEATS! Que lindo!!
Me: Hmmm...they just spiffy it up a bit and raised the prices! And they did it so quickly. When I was here during the damm remodeling the fumes made my eyes water. And if I may say Madre, cathedrals don't have bars and amenity fees!
MC: Muchacho! Don't cuss! Look at the crowd they attract now! They are all scrubbed, well dressed people! Just like in church! Y tan blanquitos! Que lindos!
Me: Yeah, and they are standing everywhere! Over privileged mofo's! (mumbling) So, no gun toting ghetto kids. You are all for ethnic cleansing, mother? I'm not surprised....
USHER: May I direct you to your seats??
Me: No thanks.
USHER: Oh..OK then. Enjoy the film!
Me: It is a movie, not a FILM! It is Batman for god's sakes! And I saw the seating map when I bought the damm ticket. How hard can it be to find the seats??
MC: (Crossing herself) Muchacho de porra! Don't you start with your devilish complaints! You always find something to complain about! At least the new Kabuki wont' show any ungodly voluptuous pre-show commercials! Don't you think that is worth the amenity fee??!!
Me: Well, I must admit that I've been here several times. I'm not crazy about the amenity fees...you COULD bring an elderly relative, or in this case, a Mexican Nun without too much of a fuzz or drama. I'll give it 3 stars.
MC: Three stars? Que lindo! Maybe we should start doing something like this at church. We could charge a fee and provide assigned seating. Maybe you'll go to church once in a while if we start serving espresso drinks....
Me: Don't push it.
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An ultramodern concept theater.
We walked in at 3:50 to see what the show times were, and discovered Indiana Jones was playing at 4:25. What would, in a normal theater, be the ticket booth, turned out to be two guys giving information. The tickets were sold next to the info booth at on-line terminals with card swipes. After buying 2 tickets for $25.00, we were asked to reserve a pair of seats in Theater 7, which had only 5 rows of seats.
As we waited for showtime, we wandered up the escalators around the two bars, and back to Peets on the mezzanine. Then we lounged in an actual lounge, with VERY deep couches. After hours, this would be a great make out spot. The glass atrium facade warmed the whole lobby and mezzanine area.
Theater 7 was back on the west side of the lobby, down a long corridor that seemed to tunnel to a far side of the building. The men's restroom along the way had ONE urinal and ONE stall.
The theater itself was an intimate space, again with over sized chairs and side tables between each pair of chairs. It felt like first class. The person in front of me disappeared in her chair while the movie was playing. The screen, from just 5 rows back, looked like a large HDTV, although we confirmed they were projecting from real film. The whole theater had the feeling of a private screening room in some multimillionaire's mansion.
Indiana Jones turned out to be a long chase scene ready to be made into more amusement park rides. The Kabuki Theater, though was a delightful experience, and I'll look for more opportunities to watch movies there.
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Roses:
+ Greeters galore! "Hello, can I help you find your theater?"
+ Reserved seating! Pick your seat when you purchase your ticket.
+ Movable armrests! Hold hands with your sugar pie honey bunch--or the stranger next to you.
+ Reclining seats! Sit back and relax.
+ Independent (and other lesser known) movies! They showed Juno before anyone else.
+ Beautiful decor! It feels like a hotel.
Thorns:
- Free parking, where are you?
- Amenities fees = pricey tickets.
Justin C. says: "Extra points if you find the robot greeter!"
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