Five Best Movie Theaters in Richmond, Virginia

Virginia's capital city, Richmond, has grown exponentially in recent years. Home to several colleges and universities, as well as a large community of young business men and women, Richmond has several movie theaters located around the city to appeal to everyone.

As a fan of movies, I've visited all of Richmond's cinematic offerings at one time or another. Listed below are five of my favorite movie theaters, which I hope will appeal to you, as well!

Byrd Theatre
2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
http://www.byrdtheatre.com

Located in Richmond's Carytown, the Byrd is the best cinema in town. For just $1.99 a ticket, it shows popular movies that have just left the box office but haven't quite yet made it to DVD. With only one screen, the Byrd usually shows two "second-run" movies each day, one around seven in the evening and one around nine or nine-thirty, but on weekends they will also add a matinee around four. The first show (and matinee) are family-oriented, with more adult-themed films shown later. There are no previews, but on Saturdays Bob Gulledge plays the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, which is probably the Byrd's most recognizable feature. It fits in well with the historical interior of the building, which first opened to the public in the late 1920's. Recent improvements include restored seating in the cantilevered balcony (open during select shows), upgraded Dolby Digital surround sound, and relamped Dome Cove chandelier.

In addition to showing "second-run" films, the Byrd hosts special occasions such as the annual Virginia Commonwealth University's French Film Festival. They also sometimes show midnight movies, highlight such cult classics as The Goonies, Gremlins, or The Wizard of Oz. For many Generation Xer's, this is the first time in years we've seen films on the big screen which we loved in our childhood. These special events carry a higher price tag than the usual fare -- midnight movies, for example, run $5 a ticket -- but the additional cost goes to the Byrd Theatre Foundation, which seeks to restore the cinema to its former glory.

The concessions are slim -- popcorn, candy, and a limited selection of drinks -- but the prices are fair. While the theatre takes cash only, they have recently installed a credit-only ATM which patrons can use to charge the cost of tickets to a credit or debit card. Though there is no parking lot exclusive to the Byrd, plenty of parking can be found along Cary Street or nearby. And there are plenty of niche restaurants and cafés to appeal to those moviegoers who wish to dine before hand.

A night at the Byrd Theatre is much more than simply "going to the movies." It's a Richmond experience in and of itself, one I enjoy as often as I can. Whenever a new movie is out that I want to see but don't want to pay full price for, I wait for it to come to the Byrd. Movies I've missed when they first came out, or movies I saw and loved and want to see again, are worth a trip to Carytown.

Bow Tie Movieland at Boulevard Square
1301 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230
http://www.bowtiecinemas.com/movieland-blvdsq.html

Richmond's newest movie theater is the Bow Tie Cinemas, housed in a former manufacturing warehouse that stood abandoned on the Boulevard for as long as I can remember. The site of a 19th-century locomotive assembly plant, the cinema retains much of its industrialized charm -- the original brick facade has been retained, and the lobby is stark with exposed beams and brick. The concrete floor adds to the experience, as do two large color renderings of trains that frame the concession stand.

With seventeen screens, there is something for everyone at the Bow Tie. Parking is plentiful, and I've never had to deal with long lines or sold-out pictures, even on busy Friday nights. The individual theaters vary in size -- the one where I saw Milk was small and cozy, while Knowing was in a much larger space the weekend it opened. Regardless, you'll have no trouble viewing the screen, as each theater has stadium seating. The seats are roomy and large, very comfortable, and rock back slightly for additional comfort without hindering the patron behind you. Also, I noticed more handicap-accessible seating areas at the Bow Tie than I've seen elsewhere in a long while.

Concessions at the Bow Tie are a pleasant change from your standard movie going fare. Yes, they have the popcorn and soda everyone else has, but they also have an extensive hot foods selection, including nachos, personal pizzas, chicken tenders, and mozzarella sticks. There is also a wine and beer café for patrons over the age of 21.

Ticket prices are $9.75 for adults, $6.75 for children and seniors. Only the adult price is reduced for matinees, lowered to $7.00 for all shows before 3:00 PM. There is a frequent visitor club to join, which will earn you discounts and free concessions or tickets, as well as access to members-only events.

Two fun features to note are the "Movies and Mimosas" and "Insomnia Theater," which run each weekend at the Bow Tie. "Movies and Mimosas" shows classic films on Sundays at 11 AM, and include such favorites as The Birds, The Godfather, and Casablanca. "Insomnia Theater" is the Bow Tie's answer to midnight movies, showing cult favorites Friday and Saturday evenings at 11:30 PM. Every other Saturday night, the film is Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with a live cast. For these two features, tickets are reduced to $5.50 per person ($7.50 for Rocky Horror). Complete listings of upcoming shows can be found on the cinema's website.

Westhampton Theatre 2
5706 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226

Located near the Fan District, the Westhampton is Richmond's answer to independent cinema. Movies found here are usually limited in release, including independent, foreign, or critically acclaimed first-run movies. Brokeback Mountain was shown here before it came elsewhere in Richmond, as was Milk, The Whale Rider, Slumdog Millionaire, and Bend it Like Beckham.

The Westhampton is small, with only two screens. Their prices arecompetitive: adult tickets cost $9.00, with matinees before 3 PM priced at $7.25. There is a concession stand with the staples -- popcorn, candy, soda -- at reasonable prices. The theaters are roomy with comfortable, traditional seating (no stadium seats here); the sound quality is good and sometimes it's nice to have an alternative to the Hollywood heavy-hitters. Overall a very good choice if you're in the mood for something different. Be sure to come early and stroll along the nearby shops, which are an eclectic mix of locally owned boutiques similar to those found in Carytown.

Virginia Center 20
10091 Jeb Stuart Pkwy, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Another Regal cinema, the theater at Virginia Center Commons is easily accessible from all points, located just off Route 1 where Interstates 95 and 295 intersect. Located inside a covered shopping mall, Virginia Center has twenty screens that show a variety of first-run Hollywood movies. Tickets can be bought online, at the ticket booth, or at ticket-dispensing kiosks, which is handy for those who don't like to wait in long lines. With a full concession stand and stadium seating, as well as competitive pricing (adult tickets are $9.75, with the matinee price set at $7.25), Virginia Center is a great place to take in the latest feature film.

Some of the highlights at Virginia Center include Digital 3D movies and live broadcasts of concerts and shows. Recently the Metropolitan Opera has been featured at Virginia Center, showing several performances of their current season at prices more accessible to the average moviegoer than ticket prices for a night at the opera. Other special events include the upcoming Drum Corps International 2009: The Countdown, while past shows have included concerts by Jimmy Buffett and the Jonas Brothers.

West Tower 10
8998 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294

With ten screens, the cinema at West Tower is readily available to those of us in Richmond's West End. Because it's close to where I live, I prefer going to West Tower over the busier, heavily trafficked Short Pump cinemas. The prices are comparable ($9.00 for adult tickets, $7.25 for matinee shows) and the concessions reasonably priced. The seating is traditional (i.e., not stadium), and new shows have a tendency to sell out, so my advice if you choose to attend a popular film on opening weekend is to buy the tickets online in advance to ensure your seat.

Other venues for movie lovers in the Richmond area include the West End's Short Pump 14, the Virginia Science Museum's Ethyl IMAX Dome & Planetarium, South Side's Chesterfield Town Center,Commonwealth 20, and Carmike 10 cinemas, and Colonial Height's new Southpark Mall Stadium 16. With such a varied selection, it's easy to find a variety of new releases and old favorites any day of the week. The hardest choice is deciding which theater to attend!