This is a great venue for concerts. I saw Bassnectar and Moguai here and the ATL was a great place...intimate and cozy. I also like coming here to watch football/basketball. I love that they bring your food to your table. Their food is pretty good. They have good selection of beer on tap.
Review Source:I do have to add something to other reviews. This is NOT a great place to dance. Not unless you count just STANDING in a crowd ON the so-called dance floor. It is a sticky terrible bumpy floor to begin with. not suitable for real partner dancing. Most people in the Dancing Community Avoid it. They varnish it and oil it and do all kinds of things to it that are not dance Friendly. Plus the grit, grime,beer and wet shoes. and the people who normally go there aren't really dancers, they're just drinkers/tweekers who take up the whole floor just bobbing up and down in place, "expressing" themselves. I have been there a couple times when I knew real dancers would be there, there were local bands i knew people actually did real dances to, but the floor will hack on your knees/ankles and rip up your hips in half an hour. I even wear special extra slippery dance "slippers" and it's still not good. Â Also, for bands, concerts, etc. if you don't get a table right in a front row, you won't see what's going on because there's a second "dance space", on another level before you get to the supposedly real sunken dance floor in front of the stage, that everyone STANDS ON right in front of you. So when you're sitting down at one of those tables, you can't see. and complaining won't do any good. They didn't nip all this in the bud right from the beginning, so there is NO Dance Etiquette here. It's pretty much a free-for-all and people just stand in front of you wherever they want. Even if you get one of the front row tables on the 2nd level facing the stage, people will squeeze extra chairs or their BODIES in between the tables or push right up against the back of your chair 'til you can't get in or out. If you leave your chair/table, you better bring a big sign to put on it because they think it's up for grabs if you go to the bathroom!
Review Source:Arcata Theater lounge definitely books the best shows in town. Â The woman at the door checking IDs and stamping wrists is super awesome!!! Â She definitely adds to the ambiance and being greeted by her incredibly friendly smile and energy is a real blessing.... Â That said, the owner is a seriously unfriendly and non- smiling nazi who has embarrassingly yelled at performers on stage for lighting a doobie....and the fools who work there cleaning up and locking people out after shows are exactly that....FOOLS!!!! Â They have a mop in one hand a keys in another and all of a sudden want to demean and condescend their patrons as we leave the club.....it's kinda sad that just a tiny speck of authority makes people treat each other like a piece of sh*t they picked up off the bottom of their shoe. Â Not to mention they do a HORRIBLE job cleaning and the floor is ALWAYS sticky in there making it very hard to dance.
Review Source:The ATL is one of the most fun new places to go in Arcata. You sit down at a table and order food and watch movies. They have a very diverse set of events, my favorite being the sci-fi and pizza nights.
Nothing beats buying $5+ of food and getting to watch old cheesy sci fi movies. NOTHING. The movies range from hilarious laugh-out-loud to "this is sort of bizarre but I'm getting bored." I usually only stayed for the first previews/short films, the first movie, and then the start of the second. By then I'd be pretty bored and also my butt would hurt from the uncomfortable chairs. But up until then it's great fun.
During sci-fi night they also have raffle that you automatically get a ticket to when you pay for your food. They have anywhere from 5-10 prizes. These usually include weird books, stickers, action figures, and tickets to their other shows.
Their other movies are usually older movies that are still awesome that maybe you never got the chance to see on the big screen. I've gone to several favorites that were released before I was of movie-going age, and always been excited to see them big and loud. Some of the movies are cheesy campy movies that you don't really want to see but you end up going for some reason. Who cares, it's cheap and something to do.
The food is ok sometimes, and other times it borders on a little gross. I hate the burgers; they always taste weird to me. I like the fries. The pizzas are generic but edible. There's also a full bar in the back so I think you're supposed to be drunk by the time you get your food, because it takes a while. But it's hard to hate the food when technically you get dinner AND a movie for cheaper than going to one of the other theaters in town. That makes the deal super awesome and helps you ignore the so-so quality of the eats.
Its just all around fun!  I enjoy taking our out of town guests here for a fun experience.  Decent food, pretty good drinks and a great atmosphere.  The only complaint was that one time we went and it seemed like the audio for the movie was way too  high and when an action part of the movie came on, the group I was with actually had to plug their ears and I saw some people at surrounding tables do the same.  But that only happened once, and my have been just an mistake on that particular night.  Otherwise, it is a unique fun night out in Humboldt County!
Review Source:Great place to see a show or catch a major sporting event.  They have decent snacking options and a nice selection of beer and wine.  They also show random classic movies for 5 $ on their one screen.   Fun times are had here.  This place is a step back in time with modern improvements  that spice it up and raise the level of enjoyment.  I am happy to have this place in my life.  Best venue around to see a concert.
Review Source:Im very happy the ATL has been re-opened and is hosting some really good, and diverse events. The retro sci-fi movies are fun just to have a beer and stare at...the setup is good for seeing live music, the football games and local events are a plus too. They have a full bar and fair prices. The food is OK in a pinch. I have found the bathrooms to be quite clean and the staff friendly.
Review Source:I love this place, finally a night out that doesn't cost a million bucks. Â The staff are all really friendly and the service is good. Â The food's not half bad either, which I was surprised at. Â I love taking my nephew to see a classic movie and being able to enjoy a beer too, it's awesome!
Review Source:I'm excited weeks ahead for every movie I see at this theater. If I go a whole month without dropping by, I feel like I missed something. This theater is a great place to go to with a group of friends to enjoy some food, beer, and a nostalgia trip. It's wonderful to have a chance to see old favorites on the big screen, especially ones you may never of had the chance to see.
Review Source:Three words: Oh hell yeah!
An old theater that has been closed and re-opened again. Â $5 admission at the door for movies. Â Other events do occur there, and I don't know if the price varies, but for a movie, this beats the hell out of the $11 and change that they charge at cinema chains.
In the lobby, there is more than a concession stand, there's actually a counter where you can get snacks or you can order full-on pub fare that will be brought to your table. Â
That's right, I said table. Â Instead of the usual rows of chairs, the place is redone so that there are rows of tables with a couple of chairs each. Â There are multiple levels to sit at as well, all of which provide a decent view of the screen.
At the back of the theater room, there's a full bar. Â A decent pint ran about $3 and change. Â That's a good movie and a beer for less than the cost of some craptastic summer blockbuster at the big name theaters.
And of course, there are the movies themselves. Â While they only have one screen, meaning one feature at a time, they're always playing something unique/nostalgic. Â I went this past Friday and saw Full Metal Jacket. Â
Why do dinner and a movie when you can do dinner AT the movies? Really, there is something awesome about being able to sit down, stretch your legs, sip on a pint and enjoy a burger in front of the big screen. Â A unique and pleasurable experience.
-update-
So I'm still digging this place just as much, and since it seems like people are reading this review I thought I'd add some more detail. They occasionally have music shows (which are a bit more expensive of course) but there are also other seasonal monthly events like an improv comedy night. In addition, they've got one of my personal weekly favorites, sci-fi pint and pizza night, where they show movies like old-skool obscure b-movies, cult classics, etc. A really cool thing about SFPP night is that your admission is to buy $5 worth of food/drinks, meaning specifically that the cost of admission goes entirely towards your food. Just check their website calendar at <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Farcatatheater.com&s=c0836953e5f10c2c4bd28059c91768023893d9ed64fd5362fe9315081d47f19e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://arcatatheater.com</a> for details about what's going on each month. Sporting events like football are also occasionally featured, and this is where I watched the superbowl.
Lastly, know that if you just want a warm place to hang, eat, and chat for a while and you're not really into what's being featured, they've got free wifi.
I love what they have done with this place. I remember back in the day coming here when it was just a movie theater and watching their cheap Sunday evening movies and thinking this place rocked. Since then they have closed it, redid it and now it's a cool little lounge/theater in this college town. I saw Wizard of Oz last week here and loved the whole experience. I will definitely come here regularly. It's like a Humboldt treat and I love what they have done with the place. They serve food.. they serve booze and it's just a recipe for a really good time.
Review Source:Love this place. Â This is a brilliant idea, and they do it well. Â Where else am I going to see these movies on the big screen? I love that, unlike in regular movie theaters, you don't have to suffer the tiny chairs, you get a table to eat your food at, and the food is actually reasonably priced!
For some shows seating can be tricky, so I try to get there right after doors open. Sometimes the line for food is super long and it can take a while to get food (seriously, one time it took about an hour to get fries and a polish dog) but for some reason I just can't hold that against them. This place is too much fun, and the people are always nice.
My fiancee and I have both had disappointing experiences with the burgers here, but I've enjoyed the salads, the polish dogs, and lots of other stuff (the fries are kinda salty and I'm a pretty big fan of salt).
I haven't attended any of the music events, just movies so far.
I really like the ATL it has moderate prices on both food and booze and they have so many events going on weekly it's hard not to find something to love. I'm a geek so sci-fi pizza and pint night is a good thing. Â If you're looking for a quiet place to watch a current movie this is NOT the place to be. Â Also would have been better as an 18+ place sometimes the overcrowding of highschoolers is a little much.
Review Source:This place is lovely! A classic, vintage theatre that has been revamped. All sorts of interesting and unique events are held here. I saw a showing of Jim Hensen's "The Dark Crystal", Also, the Druid Underground Film Festival, and The Glitch Mob!
They have a nice selection of food and snacks. They serve alcohol...It's so nice to sit at a cozy table and have food and drinks brought to you while watching movies. Definitely a jewel in Humboldt county, worth checking out.
The ATL is one of my favorite places in Arcata.
Not only is this a great venue for concerts, such as The Marching Lumberjacks  Concert that happened in April, but is also a great venue for movies.
I always check the website to find out what movies are going to be coming up soon. The movies are pick and choose: I don't go sometimes because they don't always show the best movies, but when I do, it's so worth it.
$5 gets you into the theater: Choose your seats: Whether it's at the bar, or
at a table, it's up to you. I always get there 20 min. or so before the movie starts. That way, you can save a table for your friends, order your food and drinks before the movie starts.
They have a full menu, so whether you just get a basket of fries, or a full meal, you have that option. They also have a full bar, with beers on tap, shots and more.
I love the seating at this place, its like a bar layout, but in a huge-room..with tables and tiers of places to sit/stand & watch/listen from.
Bartenders and Box office employees were excellent.
Staff at the snack counter and front door don't seem to have their wits about them. Â
But get past the annoying security girls at the front door and enjoy show!
Food is theater/bar food, not worth the $$.
But it is the only place you can drink alcohol and watch old movies on the big screen, like Fargo, Ghostbusters, Fight Club, etc..,that's fun!! Glad to have this other venue in Arcata.
What a great resource. Â Have a pint and a pizza (or a glass of wine and an order of sweet potato fries, or a cocktail and some samosas, or whatever) and take in a double bill of grade-Z '50s sci-fi movies, or a classic like Jaws or The Big Lebowski. Lousy sound system, but no big deal - people talking and laughing and cheering, coming and going with food and drinks, everyone having a good time. Every town should have a place like this - reminds me of the late, lamented Parkway in Oakland. Could use some couches up front in addition to the tables, though!
Review Source:Yes yes yes.
This is not only what Arcata needs- this is exactly that every city (or town, Ã la Arcata) needs. Beer and film just go together- it's a no brainer. Old films and beer especially go together, especially when the venue itself is set up with tables, seats, and even waiter service. The prices are cheap and often the film marathons themselves keep going late. It was not that long ago that this gem of an old building was more or less slated for, shall we say, bad things. The front had been boarded up and for a long time the only ornament the facade could lay claim to was a chain link fence and a couple signs hastily pasted on the front- a potentially tragic end to a once beloved venue which used to host, among other things, one of the largest Rocky Horror Picture Show gatherings I've ever seen. Now the doors have been opened once more to an interior which has seem some restoration/restoration since its previous incarnation as a traditional movie theatre.
Don't get me wrong; the chairs are the $14 type you can find at Walmart- or at a thrift store, and the tables are not made for holding anything weighing more than a pizza and a pitcher of beer (no Rocky Horror reenactments on the furniture for the moment, at least). The sound had some predictably rough moments, which only added to the campy quality of the overall experience. But the admission is cheap (I came in late and the ticket price was waved so long as I bought a beer), the bar itself has a delightfully retro feel, and perhaps most importantly, the theatre itself has a surprisingly varied lineup, showing everything from popular documentaries ("The Cove" on Ocean Night) to more entertaining fare (all-you-can-eat-chili-night coupled with "Blazing Saddles"). Oddly enough, there's also free wifi, so you can engage in such nerdy practices as yelping the biz while chowing down on your beer and pizza.
With corporations buying out all of the local businesses and launching ticket prices up into the $20 zone, there could be no better time to patronize such an establishment- perhaps with the (vain?) hope that other theatres will take a much needed cue and work to reintroduce some agency and originality back into their own practice.
It would be very hard to live up to anyones expectations following eight years of undergoing renovations and many rumors that it was over for good. Â Nontheless, it's a little hard to be surrounded by that much pink and red. Â Also, the food is pretty good - not amazing - and the menu seems limited, but i've heard it is going to expand so that's good news. Â
what it comes down to is this: every town that aspires to hipness needs a movie theater / bar combo, and the Arcata Theater Lounge satisfies that to a Portland-esque quality. Â One of the funnest nights of my LIFE was here for the Film Slam, in which audience participants got drunk and shouted at the screen demonstrating their approval or disapproval of independent short films. Â I sadly missed the Halloween scary independent film fest, but just knowing that it was happening made my heart smile. Â Stop Making Sense was danceriffic - though I missed the midnight showing which i hear was off the hook!! Â
ultimately, i thank the owners of this venue for holding on to what must have been the longest and most nightmarish renovations in history. Â The end result, though a bit too pink-red, is the hippest venue in town and a much needed addition to the Arcata night life. Â I encourage everyone looking for something to do or somewhere to go to drop by this place and give it a whirl.
Ok, I officially have a favorite new place when I'm down in Arcata! Â I remember back in the day when this was simply the Arcata Theater...a big hangar of a venue for watching movies---equipped with the most uncomfortable chairs known to man. Â But they did have midnight & $1 movies! Â I remember seeing Pulp Fiction here for the first time.
....and then they shut it down.  It was closed  for years.
But in the last few months, like a fiery phoenix, the Arcata Theater is back! Â My sis and bro in law have gone a few times, and told me about it, and I was envious. Â Stories of food service, a bar in the theater, a lounge-y place to chill, and cool movies??? Â I was intrigued, and then....
I experienced it for myself.
The Arcata Theater Lounge is the BOMB. Â We walked in and then I ordered a hot dog, and some fries. Â We then walked into the theater--it was dark...and it was silent movie night.
Oh wait, we first went to the bar (Mmmm hmm, dat's right).  They had several local microbrews to choose from.  I believe I had an Anderson Valley Brewing Co. ale.  The bartender was very cool, and I recognized her.  She's from Renata's Creperie (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/renatas-creperie-arcata#hrid:QxkYU6bO1Nu-ryfobyh95w">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>).  She was even wearing her cool apron (which she makes/sells). Â
With beverages in hand, we went to our table and started watching some flicks. Â So, for Silent Movie Nights, they have a huge list of silent films and you can watch as many as you want (they ranged from a few minutes long to one which was over an hour). Â The movies were cool and accompanied by an organ (not live). Â I remember Snow White was one of the movies we watched.
The fries and sausage were tasty. Â What a perfect way to enjoy a meal in good ole Arcata. Â Oh, and they have free wifi, too! Â Man, I can't wait until I can check it out again!
This venue is just what Arcata needs, a cute place that shows films and music artists. Â I just saw a showing of Donnie Darko: Director's Cut, $7 for the 8pm showing. Â The new renovations look great, to my untrained eye. Â The theater is full of small tables with chairs, but neither of the two types of chairs were comfortable enough to watch a full-length movie in again. The bar includes draft beer (3.75 for a glass of Guinness) but I don't know what else. Â The 'kitchen' includes warm snack things like tasty-smelling fries and grilled ham and cheese, but not a full restaurant. Sadly I couldn't try the sweet potato fries because the kitchen closed when orders slowed down, about an hour into the film. Â Now that I know the kitchen closes, I'll definitely come back and get snacks early.
Review Source:
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