Living Room Theaters

Doesn't Recommend

Tbone407

Joined 2 years ago

This used to be one of my faves in the Pdx area. Since they've switched to reserved seating I can't stand it. It causes confusion EVERY time I've been there since the change. During every movie an employee comes in and starts telling people to move around because people aren't in their assigned seats. Epic fail!!! And don't even try meeting someone else there, or god forbid a group of people...you'll never get to sit next to one another. Please, if you want my business ever again then go back to general admittance seating like every other theater out there.

Recommends

gonzoboy

Joined 8 years ago

It's Not Always About The Movie Any More. Normally you wouldn't think of a movie theater for live music, but Friday night we were at the Living Room Theaters, 10th and Burnside downtown, to hear a marvelous jazz trio.

An evening of complex, tightly woven patterns of rhythm, melody and beat that manages to remain full of breathing room for all three threads of gorgeous, three dimensional sound.

Original compositions and old favorites in exciting new ways, the guitar work of Eric Skye, the mandolin of Tim Connell and the vibrant, all encompassing bass of Brian Casey will make your head, and the rest of your body, feel good.

One of the best, if not the best, live jazz performances I've heard in my five years in Portland.

The staff is fast, friendly and attentive, and the beverage selection was excellent, and reasonably priced

Oh, and they have food and movies too ! ! !

Doesn't Recommend

lucythomas

Joined 6 years ago

Typically Pearl District. Perhaps I came here on the worst night in the history of the Living Room Theatre, or maybe it was my age (middle), or my attire (not Pearly), but prior to attending a screening of 'Broken Embraces', I sat at a table in the restaurant for fifteen minutes and no waiter or waitress ever appeared. My friend had been waiting longer than this. She had initially been able, with some difficulty, to snag a drink from a flip and distracted passing waitress, but no one ever returned to our table after my arrival, and my friend could not get anyone to take her money. Finally, five minutes before the film was to begin, my friend just left a wad of money on the table, and we went in, drinkless and foodless (we had meant to order dinner and drinks for the film). As it turns out, not having been able to do so was a good thing. There were no tables in the cinema, just little plastic armrests/cup holders. Aside from the film, the most entertaining thing about our evening at the Living Room was watching egregiously trendy patrons balancing their dinners on their laps and dropping their silver on the floor, all through the movie, like socialites at a rubber chicken benefit buffet. As social comedy, this place works. As a cinema/restaurant, it fails miserably. McMenamin's cinemas offer comfortable seating with substantial wooden tables, and in-cinema table service. Too bad they show such crappy films. There are few places in Portland that screen foreign films, but since most of the films screened at the Living Room are already available on DVD, I will just stay home. The decor is more comfortable and elegant, and there is none of that bothersome Portland 1970s plastic/aluminium/cheap layered wood aesthetic.

Recommends

Ashley Gartland

Joined 5 years ago

Theater concept turns a landmark into an indie moviehouse.. A dramatic sculptural cedar wall and shiny, sharp-edged bar back the sleek, light-filled lounge at this polished theater. Downtown creative types and wannabe film critics gathers on clusters of cushy couches for post-work cocktails and pre-movie plates of pulled pork sliders and spicy tuna hand rolls before moving their eating and imbibing into the tiny theaters located behind the lounge. Here, they settle into plush recliners--with private tables and footstools to match--and view indie and foreign films with their beverage of choice in hand.

Recommends

finallyjd

Joined 5 years ago

Interesting experience. Clearly upscale establishment, but the price for the movie and the food was a bit over the top ($9 movie, $4 for questionable popcorn, $12.00 for turkey panini). Great for the snobs of society. I really enjoyed the atmosphere (no kids) and having a martini with my movie, and the staff was very attentive, but I will go there only when I feel the need to spend a wee bit foolishly. A light dinner for 2, a couple of drinks per person, movie and popcorn set us back $79.00!!!

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sandradeterman

Joined 4 years ago

The best place to hang and catch a movie in PDX. I am so happy to have found the Living Room, it's right across from Ace Hotel, and nearby my favorite watering hole, Henry's. What an awesome place, as I am a snob and can't find that many cool spots in Portland since moving out here from NYC.

The guys who owns this joint knows what upscale people want, tasteful music, food, drinks and movies in one spot-plus I can eat dinner WHILE I watch my movie! How cool is that! I think I love this place! I won't forget to mention that the people that frequent this place tend to be better looking and fashionable, which is always a plus (beautiful people, here I come)!

That's about all I can say-catch dinner at the Ace around 8-, head for the Living Room after that for drinks and tasty snacks while you catch your flick...then it's on to Henry's for a drink...ahhhh...quite possibly the perfect evening!

Recommends

MovieLover97221

Joined 5 years ago

Unremarkable. In the realm of awesome independent movie theaters in the Portland area, this one really doesn't stick out. I was surprised when I did not receive an actual ticket stub. While this matters not to most people, I get a lot of enjoyment collecting movie stubs over the years...I have a ton. I was also very surprised that they did not offer decent popcorn!! What I was given was a very tiny little "dish" with stale, awful popcorn. I think it was $4. And I'm sure this varies with employees, but the one I was speaking to was less than friendly. If this movie theater is playing something I really want to see, I'll come here again. Otherwise, there are much better theaters I want to spend time at and spend my money on.

Recommends

akrs7

Joined 5 years ago

Highly Recommended. Happy New Year! I have been going to Living Room for almost a year. I can see they have made loads of changes in their independent theater concept, since they opened. I am an optimistic individual, I am sure being new in the Portland Independent Theater market they must have had their share of challenges, but as the year passed by I have seen numerous changes in their service and movie selection. Yes, it is slight over priced for drinks and food, but it?s same everywhere. Where can you enjoy watching ?Casablanca? on a big screen with a glass of red wine? Oregonians, who are independent movie lovers like me give this place a chance, it will grow on you. Don?t take my word for it, experience it yourself.

Recommends

azcanyondreamer

Joined 6 years ago

A bit overrated. After placing a drink order we wanted to go and watch a movie but the bartender would not let us keep the tab open. Seems like a bad policy and discourages people to eat or drink during a movie. The seats are comfortable, but the back row is not as nice. I don't think that I like the digital movie watching compared to regular film movies. We come back if a particular movie is showing there, not for the quality.

Doesn't Recommend

pdxmoviefan

Joined 6 years ago

Second rate movies available on DVD now playing, however, it is a beautiful space.. I find it hard to believe that this place is charging $9 for movies I can rent on DVD down the street for $1.50 to $3.00!!! They are NOT running first run independent or foreign films, they are second rate movies at best.

The architecture is absolutely stunning, the bar is great and the staff is relatively friendly even though at times they are not knowlegable about the movies playing.

Food portions are indeed small yet very tasty.

Frankly, go and enjoy a quick coffee and a small bite and skip the $9 movie.