- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Vancity Theatre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
1181 Seymour StVancouver, BC V6B 3M7
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
(604) 683-3456
- Good for Kids:
- No
12 reviews for Vancity Theatre
12 reviews in English
-
Review from Robin M.
5/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Hooollleee, you guys! Want the best seat in the house? No problem -- every single one of the seats at Vancity Theatre is it. All the seats, they all be the best. Big and wide and plush with fuzzy armrests that have cup holders built into them, the seats here are by far the most comfortable in all of Vancouver. By far. The best. And that's just the seat! There's so much legroom that my gargantuan bag can sit comfortably at my feet while I avoid the awkward "do I stand up or just bring my legs to my chest as this person shuffles in front of me to get to their seat" thing because there is SO MUCH ROOM.
It's no wonder this is my favourite theatre in the city -- the building itself is a bright and beautiful space with a concession stand that sells more than just popcorn (read: beer and wine), and the showings make it pretty much like a year-long film festival. Add a state-of-the-art sound system, and Vancity Theatre becomes one of the most interesting venues in Vancouver.
So while you won't see a mainstream flick here, you will get a daylong Game of Thrones marathon or Sigur Ros documentary or avant garde Norwegian comedy. No wonder I love it so much.Listed in: Five Star Holler, Rainy Days Are Here
-
Review from Roanna Z.
2/4/2012 3 photos
Holy smokin' películandia!
I don't think I've been to a more posh cinema. I love the modern exterior architecture, the almost grand foyer with it's super comfy leather chairs and bistro tables, and the concession is more of a cafe and which also serves wine by the glass.
The theater is bigger than it looks with an upper balcony, and the seats are large and comfortable. I was really surprised by the amount of space in front of each seat. Even the drapery is nice, a rich orange-red velvet that I could hardly take my eyes off until the film started.
Our film choice on the other hand was sincerely poor. (A huge understatement). This film we saw could've been edited in half and achieved the same result instead of dragging us torturously along for 2 hours and dropping us off at a dead end, scratching our heads wondering what the hell we just witnessed. One of the most unclear stories I've ever had the misfortune of watching. Our own fault as we waited until the last day to use our vouchers which included a (good quality) popcorn and a beverage.Listed in: Fi*ve st*rs of awesomeness
-
Review from Antonia U.
Burnaby, BC
12/19/2011
I've been to Vancity Theatre several times over the past few years during VIFF and I must say that this is definitely my favourite theatre in Vancouver.
The concession serves the usual popcorn, chocolates and pop, but it also offers wine and beer. The staff at the concession and at the door are so friendly! My favourite part are the seats which are so soft and you do not have to fight for an arm rest as they are twice the width. There is ample leg room (a real issue for me), and the theatre floor is not sticky.
You do have to pay a nominal charge of $2 for a one year membership, but that is to get around playing films that may not have been rated. -
Review from Rob C.
North Vancouver, BC
5/13/2012
I have been here a few times now. Most recently for DOXA the documentary festival. This is very nice, well thought out welcoming space. The seats in the theatre are so comfortable. They swallow you up and hold you there for the movie. The sight lines are good even for short people like myself. The sound quality is excellent. There is a great gathering space at the front of theatre. This place works well at making a night out a good experience.
-
Review from Matthew P.
Vancouver, BC
You can't beat the seats here at this theater. They're both wide and deep offering plenty of leg and shoulder room. There is mezzanine seating that is accessible from only the lobby as they most always are. If I would have known about the mezzanine seating before hand I would've sat up there, but the staff didn't mentioned it. On the up side, we scored dead center seats which offered a great viewing of the show. I was impressed with the sound system, the show I watched was a doc/concert of Sigur Ros and the sound came through beautifully.
Beer and wine are both sold here, along with pop, popcorn and candy. If you've never been here before you will have to become a member... It's only $2 and last one year.
Great venue, even greater seats... It's first class flying for sure. -
Review from Sarah A.
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
How have I never been here before? This place is amazing. They only play foreign and independent films. The first time you go, you have to pay a $2 membership fee (good for a year) as this is a loophole that lets them play films that have not been screened/rated.
The concession stand serves wine and beer, the seats are comfy, they have a balcony, and the people are friendly. Basically the ideal theatre experience. -
Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
11/3/2010
Best seats ever.
Oh Vancity Theatre, how you rock my socks... with big comfy Quinette seats in an intimate space it feels like a private show, for about 175 people. Oh, and I forgot the legroom. There's lots. Want to soak your feet during the show? Be my guest... it might not be allowed but there'd be room to do it if they approve.
Another bonus? It has a great mingling space, with a grown up concession stand that serves alcohol. Word. So great for events.
I'm all over it, in case you haven't noticed ; ) -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
12/10/2008
This is my favourite movie theatre in Vancouver. It is seriously like an all year round film festival. I love that they screen foreign films before they have even been approved by the rating agencies in BC! So you have to get a membership (so they can say it is a private screening) and be 18 or older. Membership is a whopping $2 per year. Thankfully there is no application so they couldn't reject me! (Although do I really want to be a member of a society that accepts me? Hm...I digress.)
The films are selected by the same people behind the Vancouver International Film Festival - which explains why they have so many interesting unknown films well in advance of them being available anyplace else in Canada.
It is a mid-sized theatre with only 175 seats - but those are really comfortable, cushy, and have LOTS of room. Everything is designed for the film buff to really enjoy a top selection of flicks in a theatre that gives you a bit of a feel of being in someone's living room (particularly the volunteer run concession stand that frequently has homemade cookies!).
Tip: Check out their double billings where it is only $13 to watch two movies. Great deal!Listed in: Vancouver Movie Theatres
-
Review from Dani B.
4/23/2009
I love the movies they show here. They have different themes and film festivals that go on throughout the year and they are all unique and very interesting. The space is lovely and the seats are a little too comfortable (almost fell asleep a couple of times).
I've also gone here for law conferences and the technical and front desk services are wonderful. I've had more experience with the technical department and I must say they really know what they are doing. They are nice and on top of the ball, and that is not always common when using other audio visual companies.
If you want to go to an international film fest or see an obscure movie that they are showing again, this is definitely a good place to go. -
Review from Kirk C.
Vancouver, BC
10/9/2011
Home to many fantastic films and events.
-
Review from Christian M.
Vancouver, BC
10/14/2010 3 Check-ins Here
The most comfortable seats and beer at the concession stand? Hell yes!
I've been to Vancity Theatre quite a few times between Doxa and VIFF and I'm going to continue to patronize the place because of my good experiences here!
I wish all movie theatres were this comfortable! -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2008
Vancity is definitely the best theater in the city. There's no question of the quality of the seats, the screen and the sound. It has the same indie flare of the Cinematheque but with such a high quality space.
That said, I knock one mark off for the programming. While the Cinematheque tends to have at least a couple movies a month that interest me, Vancity falls short of that mark frequently. Its obsession with seemingly any doc and Canadian content often have it showing less-than fantastic stuff. I've been very disappointed at numerous selections by Vancity.
They also have a bad habit of getting very popular or hard to find films and playing them for only one or two days. Sellouts happen all the time with Vancity's small size so it's sad to see your only chance to watch a film on the big screen taken away by their inability to program more nights.
So yes, if you see a movie coming you're interested in, don't hesitate to go see it at Vancity. I just think you may have to wait a few months before anything that interests you comes along.
