Grand Lake Theatre

Address:	3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, USA
Phone:	+1 510-452-3556
Site:	renaissancerialto.com
Rating:	4.7

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 15

Heliana Mano

One of my favorite places in Oakland. Have seen numerous movies here and love the $5 Tuesdays deal and matinees as well. Staff is friendly and helpful. Inside is just beautiful. Old school charm with tasteful decor and interior design. Its like you are transported in a different era all together once you step foot inside. Ive been to 3 different showrooms and they are pretty decent and chairs are comfortable enough. They show 2D and 3D movies here. Oh yea, and popcorn is always lovely and a must really :) Bathrooms are clean which is always a pleasant surprise! But most of all, its a neighbourhood gem so got to love the Grand Lake Theater, so close and so conveniently located!!!

Virginia Wang

Love this place. Beautiful old building showing many big name movies, with parking just down the street behind the shops in city parking lots (remember to check time limits - some spaces are only 2-hrs, look for the less common 4-hr spaces). Its down the road from Boot & Shoe Service Italian restaurant (dinner before or after a movie!). Tuesdays all movies (incl. 3D are only $5 all-day). I hate big megaplex cinemas -- the smell of fake popcorn butter makes me nauseated the moment I walk in the lobby, hoards of teenagers everywhere. Thank goodness places like Grand Lake mean I dont have to go to those big cinemas. Would rather give my $ to a community institution anyways.

Marcus Pun

Best place in the SF Bay Area to see a movie. Great prices. Seniors pay $8. Gen am $10.50 even for 3D. Tuesdays (?) Cheaper. Lg drink only $4.75, LG popcorn $5.75. The Mighty Wurlitzer is played on Saturdays. 70 mm film projection like last night for Wonder Woman!!!. Double stacked digital projection for best 3D. when needed. Great Dolby (?) Sound too. Calibrated. This is because in part Pixar artists can have a place to show their films under the best conditions. Or so the rumor goes. Parking can be a bit rough Multiple got parking available under 580 and a lot half a block down Grand Avenue. Wonderfully lt up at night.

Michael Harris

Beautiful theater, but the lack of bicycle parking and the dangerous nature of auto-centric Grand Avenue make it much less desirable to visit. I would normally give a business the benefit of the doubt regarding this as much of these planning issues are out of the managements hands. However, as the theater management has inserted themselves in the conversation via complaints regarding proposed streetscape improvements, I take that as a statement that potential customers such as myself and my friends are not wanted at the Grand Lake Theater. Oh well, they have beer at the New Parkway anyway.

Sean Guerrero McCormick

Good God. This place is incredible. Have you ever seen an organist rise up playing classic theatrical music while you wait for a movie? The interior of the theater is grandiose and ornate -- a throwback to times when the movie was the paramount expression of culture. Yes, there are some issues. There is graffiti in the dingy bathrooms and the place could use some public restoration money. However, the theater is filled with real people that enjoy movies and this is a place to visit if you live in the Bay Area or are coming for a visit and want to experience the heart of Oakland.

Marlon Evangelista

Went here to see Ant Man last night. I like how well the interior is preserved, as it made me imagine what it was like in the past when theaters were go-to places. The seats are comfy, the theater is clean, the picture on the screen is vibrant and sharp, and the sound is at a good volume where its not too overpowering. Just an FYI for people choosing the balcony seats in the front row: make sure you are tall enough to see above the railing. Also, the second floor is where the bathrooms are. If youre going up the stairs, the ladies room is to your left; the mens is to the right.

Paul Rainville

This historical theater is beautiful on the inside and out. In addition to the massive lighted sign, letter board and entry... there are antique projectors on display, a grand staircase and fun themes. They have a 70mm projector in the main theater, a dual-projector setup for 3-D screenings and the audio is top notch. The staff are wonderful, the theaters are kept clean and they have matinee and Tuesday all-day/night specials which make it affordable and fun for almost anyone.

Jeff Aguero

This is an awesome theater - especially #1 (the big, old one) - though the building itself has seen better days and isn’t in as good shape as the Castro or New Mission theaters in SF. That said, the movie-viewing experience (Alien: Covenant) was a pleasant one and the sound was high quality. I wish the snack bar would have had more options (so I didn’t have to go to CVS down the street to get the candy of my choice), but its a minor compliant. Bathrooms could use some TLC.

946 Towguy

I would like to be able to give more stars for this historic theater. They do not have parking on site, although there is an unsecured, city owned parking lot under the freeway nearby. It is not convenient for those who dont like long walks on city streets. Wheelchair accessibility is not as good as in many newer theaters. The concession area is limited and they have fewer screens. To top it off, the owner puts politically controversial messages on the marquee

Shawn Clover

Choices: Live Wurlitzer organ performance or deafening Pepsi ads? Good old popcorn or super-hydrogenated stuff soaked in yellow #7? Museum-like classic projectors display in the lobby or video games? Egyptian-themed theater or plain black paneled walls? Awesome neo-classical interior or uninspiring dull endless hallways? Polite moviegoers or obnoxious talking, texting morons? $10 or $12? Why on earth would you choose a megaplex over the Grand?

Misha Metrikin

Amazing and historic theater but sort of dirty and cruddy because of this. There is a certain regalness to sitting in this theater with the old-style seating and the nicely designed theaters. However, there is a bit of mustiness in the place along with stains and damage to the seating upholstery. The screens are also a bit simple, no IMAX here that is for certain. Still, it is a great theater for intimate movie watching experiences.

Denise Dang

Great theater with super cheap movie tickets. Matinee pricing is only $6, including 3D movies!! We picked up a pizza from Arizmendi and walked over to the theater. The staff was nice enough to let us bring it in the theater and finish in the hallway. The only downside is that the seating isnt staggered and stadium-slanted enough, so younger and shorter folks may have blocked views if someone taller sits in front.

alex garcia

Beautiful old movie theatre.Stunning lights adorn the outside while the interior retains a early 1900s feel. On Tuesday all tickets are 5 dollars all day. And on opening night the main theatre has a organ player. Must I really say more this is hands down the best movie theatre... period. If given the choice go here and support grand lake theatre it is pretty much a historical landmark.

A Private User

The theater was originally made for theater performances, so the outside looks snazzy and the inner architecture is beautiful. You can either watch movies on the main floor or on the balcony. The only problem I had was that the popcorn wasnt very good, I found myself looking for the unbuttered popcorn, which is quite the opposite of what I do. Overall it was a nice experience.

Daniel Levy

I love the organ playing on Friday and Saturday nights as well as the classical music before the movie. The theater is beautiful and makes watching a movie a joy. Even if a modern megaplex has all the amenities, it does not have any of the soul of the Grand Lake. Definitely go to this theater. It provides the real movie going experience and is a unique piece of Oakland.