Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center

I LOVE this place. It's a very cool pub, with some outstanding performing arts! Including rare and super interesting movies! The venue is very laid back, with a neighborhood feel and it caters to everyone. Whether your a "good ole boy" or a "hipster", you will have fun! They have top shelf alcohol that's reasonably priced. The owner, René, is super nice and loves to chat. The bartenders are the same and are not stingy with their pours. Another great thing about this place is even though they sell alcohol, the theater is separate from the bar, so kids are welcome to come watch a good movie! PET FRIENDLY! Plenty of parking! You NEED to give this place a try!

Look, I get it. The projection capabilities in my office are better than the setup they have here. The sound could be better. The building is freezing, all the time. The proprietor (Rene) can be a bit of a grump. They only show two movies at any given time. Maybe three, if they're on the short side. You can't get decent or even mediocre popcorn. So why the 5 star review? There simply isn't anywhere in this fine city of ours that does what Zeitgeist does. It's the only true arthouse theatre here, so if you want to see the latest Disney or Marvel film then there's a 16 screen theatre on the West Bank waiting for you. I've been coming here for a decade now (which isn't even half as long as they've been open - Zeitgeist has been a New Orleans institution since 1986!) and I don't think I've ever seen something here that one of the major/mainstream theaters has picked up. Not to say that only garbage films are screened here. Rene has great taste! I have seen everything from Australian horror to Korean romance to Turkish drama with all of the offbeat documentaries and quirky no-budget comedies in between. Apart from the normal screenings every night there are special one-off screenings (like getting to see the restored 1926 version of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde with a live orchestral accompaniment) and events that cater to both the neighborhood and the greater community. I've seen bands play on the stage and attended the NAASN conference that Rene graciously hosted a few years ago. There are cross-promotional deals to be had with other businesses on the street, usually in the ballpark of a few dollars off your movie ticket with your receipt from Primitivo or if you're the sort to movie first and eat second, a free glass of wine at Primitivo with your Zeitgeist receipt. Ticket prices are cheap - 8$ a movie and if you get tickets to both screenings in a night they're only 5$ each. Plus discounts if you're a student, senior citizen, or a supporting member.

Art house films have always had a transformative ability to shape our thoughts and dreams. To illustrate I want you to think about a magazine stand in a metropolitan area. You might see magazines about every conceivable discipline. Art, history, science, architecture, music, travel and obscure sub-genres galore! Hundreds of choices. Now... travel to any small town in Louisiana and go to the mini-mart magazine rack. What are your choices? Cars and boobs. Hardly food for thought. Hardly inspiring. Zeitgeist gives our local community a shot at enlightenment... there can be no fire without a spark, and art house films are that speckle of light in the obsidian night. Even if you never step through their doors, consider donating to their efforts. This city is nothing without art and the people that inspire it.

This place ups my cool points as I walk in the door. I still get chills--the good kind, the Grease kind--when I think about my very first meeting with Zeitgeist. Me, a starry-eyed art historian. Zeitgeist, a multidisciplinary art space showing silent films on Thursday nights. Mmmmmm. Weirdos welcome, etc. Accessibility notes: Narrow door but no step up. All the chairs can be moved to accommodate accessibility devices. Low counter. No CC on movies for hard-of-hearing users. No braille signage.

Rene is the only person bringing in truly independent cinema to New Orleans now. Period.The Zeitgeist is nice, big and allows for all sorts of functions from film screenings to art shows to live performances. A great place for someone who is truly passionate about cinema to go. Rene, the owner, also has a passion and is damn knowledgeable about film in general.More people should go to screenings here. New Orleans would seriously be hurt, culturally, if Zeitgeist were to ever close. I know Canal Place brings independent movies in, but not the kind of independent film you'll see at Zeitgeist. We're talking underground stuff here people, which is definitely a refreshing change from the Big Mama movies of the world.

I've been to a bunch of different types of events at Zeitgeist over the years, both at their old location, just half a block or so away, and their current location. Some people seem to shy away from this neighborhood, but the truth is I've always felt safe and welcome there, even at night for film screenings. They have a neighborhood patrol so it's as safe as any place else in this city, and it's a cool little area of town.This is the main place in town to see way-way off the radar underground and indie films. They also host a variety of other events, including the new OCH Art Market, which now happens the 2nd Saturday of each month. It's really big and spacious, and from what I know it's way more affordable to rent than a lot of other similarly sized spaces in town, so if I was looking to hold a conference or similar event, I might consider checking into Zeitgeist as a venue.

WARNING - SERIOUS ISSUES WITH MANAGEMENT AT THIS PLACE.I was here for the New Orleans Film Festival and had a few minutes so struck up a conversation with the Mgr - Rene (?). He mentioned his Mid East Film Fest and I asked about Israeli Films. Rene stated that they have some but not made by Israeli Jews as they boycott ALL Israeli money, products, films, etc etc. I asked if had ever been to Israel which (of course) he had not (but he is an American so you know he is an EXPERT!). Unless you are anti-semitic don't waste your money on this - Go to Prytania or Canal Place.

I went to a showing of the silent film "Metropolis" here, last summer. I had never been before. You can get a membership, so that you can be key up to date for different events.Although I have never had the opportunity to attend, I know that the Brown! improv comedy troupe also performs here frequently. They have books for sale about local art and films. This is a great little art space and I look forward to going back.

The new space on St. Claude in Arabi is so great! Nice lounge area and a bar with a great selection of alcohol and many different types of beer. There are even a few "specialty cocktails" to choose from. Despite the bar, the place is family friendly (no kids at the bar please) and there are plenty of really interesting and offbeat films for kids as well as adults. you can see a movie in the theatre or just stop by and have a drink and listen to some music up front in the lounge. I can't wait to go back!

Zeitgeist is one of the best arthouse theaters in the country and the only one in the New Orleans area. On any given night, you can see a wonderful foreign film or a documentary that is not showing anywhere else in the vicinity. The owner, Rene, is an acclaimed filmmaker. He carefully curates the films that Zeitgeist screens. As well, the concessions are unique, like cookies from Lebanon, Japanese seaweed, and Indian snacks. The bar is well stocked with diverse wines and spirits. The Lounge is large and comfortable and has hosted music, comedy, and poetry events. It is also available for rentals. In an area, New Orleans, famous for culture, Zeitgeist shines.