Rialto Cinemas Cerrito

I have not been here for over 15 years plus. I remember late nights with the girls, wine, food and oversized couches with legs stretched and wrapped in blankets we brought. Today, I brought my girls out to experience legs stretched for a new release. The entry is still the same. No one is at the front "ticket booth" you just enter the building and buy your tickets and snacks at the snack counter.We attended matinee, $13.00 for adults & $12.75 per child. You save $1.50 per ticket purchasing in person versus paying online service fee per ticket. For 1 adult, 2 kids, a medium popcorn, 2 movie candies, and 2 apple juices I paid $69.00. Seriously! For a matinee - 12:45p - that's pretty expensive. Walked into the theater and to my surprise no more couches - boo! We they reopened, following COVID, per regulations the couches were not considered sanitary but cloth theater seats are...whatever! The girls enjoyed! They had the entire theatre to themselves and got to sit where ever while snacking and "watching" the film. The staff was friendly, theatre clean and well maintained. The restrooms were clean and well stocked. For the room we occupied to watch the film, the restroom was right outside - super convenient with 5 year olds. Not sure I would return, the couches is what made it special to me. I would recommend a visit for a different vibe - not sure how late nights are anymore. To support a community business is always a good thing. I'm glad they are still around.

Love this cozy theatre! Gives a nice break from the commercialized experience at a typical chain cinema. The staff is friendly and the food is actually quite delicious. Prices were fair the last time I went and movie/ sound quality is great. Also- great selection for spirits. They used to have couches before the pandemic which was fantastic but the seats are still comfortable.The cinema is clean and overall would recommend the Rialto to everyone!

Went to a screening hosted by Berkeley for Anora and the director, Sean Baker, came for Q&A afterwards--lovely experience, theater was clean and staff was very nice

I've been coming to the Cerrito Theater since it was converted back into a theater from a furniture store. It's become a centerpiece of the El Cerrito landscape for obvious entertainment, but also food and community events/fundraisers. For popular shows you should arrive early since the theaters are small (1 downstairs and a smaller one upstairs). Entry can be a little confusing if you don't want to order food. You still need to stand in line and pay at the counter. Order food on your way in and it'll probably arrive within 20ish minutes (maybe longer if it's busy). Or just get popcorn, beer/wine/freshly squeezed lemonade and have them at the start. Seats are comfy. Small tables or counters for your food. Billions of bonus points for floors that are NOT STICKY!!

The food ordered came in about the time expected. It was okay for a movie theater and make for a fantastic outing with three of my grand children.

So a year later I came back to try the nachos and boy was I surprised. The nachos looked better than they tasted. Perhaps it was my fault for not paying close enough attention, but I did not know that I would need to be on the lookout for olives in my nachos. The darkness of the movie room did not help, I couldn't tell the difference between beans and olives, as well as cheese, chicken, or rice. I don't think that there was rice on the nachos, but I said what I said.As before, still love the ambience of this smaller movie theater. Enjoyed an adult beverage with my popcorn. The popcorn was consistent. Will return to avoid the crowds elsewhere, but will stick to popcorn.

Love this classic Hollywood era theatre! Went to see A Complete Unknown w Rez on Christmas Eve Day to sold out crowd. Wonderful staff and snacks- our last & only movie theatre in Berkeley. Fab location to eat at Bakers & Common or La Mediterranee before or after movie. Let's support it, folks!!

Lovely little theater with good buttered popcorn and ginger beer/Izze's available to purchase. Love that they play films harder to find. I watched All of Us Strangers. The sound in the theater wasn't quite as good as I imagine it would be if we sat towards the middle of the theater(we sat in the back) but it wasn't a problem. Coming from three North Bay, it's nice to see these theaters really. Parking is tough. Most of the parking nearby have meters that to up to 3gHrs

This is a great, very clean, vintage neighborhood theater with excellent food and service.

Ah, they updated seats and tables since I wrote this, and it's much cleaner and easier to find seats. They also have a better way of checking tickets purchased online. Great beer on tap and pizza that's tasty and easy to eat in the dark. It's a solid 5-star!