|
Seattle
Guide
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Restaurants
| Nightlife
| Tours | Shopping
| Sports |
Art
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| Art/Enterteinment |
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| Movie
Theater |
Extra
Time? Enjoy foreign and independent films as well as
Seattle art
galleries... |
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Big
Picture
Get your schmooze on
at El Gaucho's cinematic downstairs neighbor, where corporate functions
collide with casual drinkers.
 |
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2505
1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
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Phone
(206) 256-0566
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The
Scene
The crown jewel of this boutique meeting space-cum-chi chi
watering hole is a 10-by-20-foot digital movie screen. Equally
suited to Monday Night Football viewing and venture
capital-snaring PowerPoint presentations, the 100-seat theater
is flanked by a bevy of private rooms and a bar at the entrance.
On weekends, the crowd is mostly moneyed overflow from the
red-meat Mecca upstairs, who recline in rooms resplendent with
animal print and antiques, or watch "The Matrix" while
sipping cosmos (drinks prices average $5). Microsoft, Boeing and
other corporations hold meetings here, but the bar is open to
the public when bigwigs aren't convening.
The Chaser
Cruise back to the movie theater for free shows most
evenings--just hope the DVD doesn't shut off mid-flick. |
|
|
Big
Picture
Get your schmooze on
at El Gaucho's cinematic downstairs neighbor, where corporate functions
collide with casual drinkers.
|
|
2505
1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
|
Phone
(206) 256-0566
|
|
|
|
|
The
Scene
The crown jewel of this boutique meeting space-cum-chi chi
watering hole is a 10-by-20-foot digital movie screen. Equally
suited to Monday Night Football viewing and venture
capital-snaring PowerPoint presentations, the 100-seat theater
is flanked by a bevy of private rooms and a bar at the entrance.
On weekends, the crowd is mostly moneyed overflow from the
red-meat Mecca upstairs, who recline in rooms resplendent with
animal print and antiques, or watch "The Matrix" while
sipping cosmos (drinks prices average $5). Microsoft, Boeing and
other corporations hold meetings here, but the bar is open to
the public when bigwigs aren't convening.
The Chaser
Cruise back to the movie theater for free shows most
evenings--just hope the DVD doesn't shut off mid-flick. |
|
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Guild
on 45th
Check out
Wallingford's laid-back theater twin for something a little left of
mainstream.
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2115
N 45th St
Seattle, WA 98103
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Phone
(206) 633-3353
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Tech
Specs
The Guild's two screens have the same sound capability (Dolby
stereo), but in the smaller of the two theaters, the seats are
more comfortable: They're high-backed and deeply cushioned, and
the steep angle of the auditorium eliminates the challenge of
seeing over the heads of other theater-goers. In the larger
auditorium, the seats are older, and the more level floor means
your sight line will probably include the back of the head of
the person in front of you.
The Crowd
Wallingford natives; neighborhood shoppers drawn in for a
spontaneous matinee by the marquee.
What's Showing
The two theaters often play tag with each other--one generally
houses a mainstream feature while the other screens something on
the fringe of populism. For example, "Erin Brockovich"
might be paired with "Buena Vista Social Club," or
"What Lies Beneath" could be paired with "Saving
Grace." |
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Seven
Gables Theatre
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911
NE 50th
Seattle, WA 98105
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Phone
(206) 632-8820
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A
charming, smaller neighborhood theater in the University
District, the Seven Gables is just off Interstate 5 at Northeast
50th Street (corner of Roosevelt Avenue Northeast). The
historic, gabled building looks like a 1920s private
residence--save for the restaurant and bookstore operating
beneath the theater on the Roosevelt street level. Occasionally
a line forms outside on the sidewalk to the corner to buy
tickets at the foyer box office, reached atop a rather steep
flight of entrance steps.
Be prepared if it's raining--the theater offers little
protection from the elements to those queuing up. Inside, the
auditorium is small and the seats are old (though the angle
provides most with decent sightlines). The auditorium's most
prominent feature--aside from the sweeping curtains on the walls
and the light fixtures that recede into the ceiling as the house
darkens--is the medieval fantasy mural that curtains the screen,
rolling its prince, princess and distant castle upward as the
movie begins.
The concession stand is small, but it does serve espresso
drinks. A caution: The bathrooms are located down a steep and
narrow flight of stairs. --David Schulz |
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