A Review of the Roxy Theatre in Philadelphia

Showing a diverse lineup of movies, The Roxy is the best independent theater in Philadelphia where films can be enjoyed without distractions. The Roxy Theatre is located at 20^th and Sansom Street in the Center City district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This venue is one of very few movie theaters that show independent films throughout the entire city. While most do not screen first-run movies, some of these theaters have been purchased by larger "independent film" companies and have become part of a national theater chain since 2007. Today, the Roxy appears to be the only true independent theater in Philadelphia that is still in operating. I have visited the Roxy on several occasions to watch independent movies and films with limited releases such as August Rush.

Appearance: The Roxy Theatre in Philadelphia distributes those raffle-like "admit one" tickets for admission into their movie showings. The seating area does not have cup holders, which means you may need to keep beverages in your hand while watching a movie. The chairs in the theater are cushioned but old and a few of these chairs are broken. The Roxy Theater has two screens, a bathroom and a small concession stand. Fresh popcorn may not always be available at this independent theater but there are tasty treats that can be had during your visit.

The Roxy Theater does not have surround sound or stadium seating and the movie screen is slightly lacking in image quality. While the screen is large and has a satisfactory level of brightness, contrast and sharpness, it has a dark tint depending on the movie that is showing at this Philadelphia venue. I would not recommend going there to watch movies that are loaded with special effects or action sequences. Since these amenities were not my priority when visiting The Roxy to watch certain films, I do not mind the lack of surround sound and stadium seating. I was still able view the movie screen when there were people sitting in front of me, so the seating can accommodate small crowds of people regardless of their height.

Customer Service and Prices: Staff members at the Roxy Theater are friendly and the prices alone are a reason to visit this venue frequently. The Roxy Theater helped me save money on new movies on more than on occasion. It costs between $6 and $8 to watch movies at this independent theater in Philadelphia, which is a good deal compared to any local multiplex. The concessions at this movie theater are also very inexpensive, making my whole movie-going experience affordable. The popcorn and drinks are low-priced and the snacks cost nearly the same as single-serve candy bars available at gas stations. The Roxy Theater prices make it easy for me to get a movie ticket and snacks for $10 instead of paying $17 elsewhere for the same items.

Conclusion: The Roxy Theater is not for everyone, which is an attribute that select movie fans can appreciate. This independent theater is a refreshing alternative for men and women who just want to enjoy a film without the nonsense that comes with large crowds at local multiplexes. The Roxy may not be as attractive or comfortable as desired, but watching films in a peaceful environment beats having to tune out the rudeness of crying babies, cell phone conversations and fights in a glamorous, state of the art movie theater on any day. True movie fans who want to preserve this theater could likely build up a fundraising effort to renovate the seats or other aspects of The Roxy or leave a monetary tip during your visit. It's Rittenhouse Square location makes for a convenient choice of afternoon or evening fun for locals and tourists.