Waiting for movie to start
Grand lake theater
Outside
Live old school songs to kick off the movie experience ...
Halloween month
Summer of Soul @ Grand Lake Theatre
Food & drink menu
Outside
"All citizens must be allowed to vote! Without passage of the Voting Rights Bills our Democracy will die!"
David P.
Dec 9, 2024
This is my favorite LOCAL theatre. The location is great, being next to the lake with a bunch of shopping options nearby. The theater seating is spacious with a lot of leg room. They have little historical artifacts all around, which is a nice touch.
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Tracy R.
Feb 3, 2025
This was, and still is, a beautiful theater. I understand that maintaining something like this costs a fortune and so some of the slight tatty rundown vibe comes with the territory. Although I will say when compared with the theater in Alameda, the Alameda Theatre is doing a much better job. I think my biggest issue was with the concessions... That's where theaters make all their money and I'm always happy to spend mine to support a locally own theater like this. But they had a very bare minimum offering, and it's just not keeping up with the times. Invest in the concession experience and try to spruce the place up a little bit. All of the upscale theaters now sell beer and wine at a minimum. I couldn't even get a bottle of water because they were out. Some guy was trying to order a hotdog and they were out of that too. Ridiculous.I'll give them points for ambience and movie choices (we saw Casablanca, which was amazing!). But I'm dinging them a point on the concessions and overall general feel of a slow decline into neglect.
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Nataly N.
Feb 3, 2025
It's a bit run-down, but a very cool experience! I was in theater 3 and loved the Egyptian theme and starry ceiling. The seats were pretty comfortable, and I didn't have a hard time finding one with a good view (tip: ground floor has better seats than balcony). Not to mention, the Large Popcorn was great. I kept eating it, yet there was still so much left!
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Andrew J.
Feb 17, 2025
My mother loved the Grand Lake Theater in the 1950s, and I started in the 1980s. It is the classic old-time theater experience, with a modern touch when necessary.
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Andrew M.
Feb 13, 2025
Hard to believe the greatest still operating movie palace in the country is not in New York or Los Angeles, but it's true. Stepping into the Grand Lake Theatre is like stepping back into the past to a time when going to the cinema was an EVENT. It almost doesn't matter what's on screen, if you're seeing it here, you're having a nice night out. Can not be beat.
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Taylor W.
Sep 11, 2024
I visited the Theatre for the first time this week and I loved every moment. It is such a beautiful space (I wish I took more photos of the interior), and wish I had visited here sooner. I was there for the BraveMaker Film Festival for a screening of Punk Kids. The theater itself was very large inside was many seats. The screen was big as well. The snack counter was cute and classic. Recommend for a standard, nostalgic movie experience.
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Vic F.
Dec 15, 2024
Great old time movie house. Been coming here for 40+ years. Great deal on matinees. The popcorn is fresh and the craft soda are reasonable compared to the mega plexes. I usually find parking the neighborhood across the street by the freeway.
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Yih R.
Sep 8, 2024
What a beautiful place. We came here for the queer flex film festival . It was a great experience. The staff here was so friendly and welcoming. I will definitely come back here.
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Lois B.
Oct 9, 2024
I love the Grand Lake Theatre! I lived in the Lake Merritt for more than 10 years. The theatre has retained its original elegance and charm. I appreciate the theatre serving popcorn with real butter. AND I love the political messages often posted on the marquee.
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Janet W.
Feb 17, 2025
This continues to be the best theater in the East Bay, as well as a beautiful historical landmark. It has great sound, comfortable seats, and amazing decor. Admission and refreshments are very reasonably priced. It is also one of the very few theaters which is actually a locally-owned business. When you patronize it, you're giving back to the community!
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