Davis Theater, Chicago

4614 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA

Related:	davis movie theater
Address:	4614 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
Phone:	+1 773-769-3999
Site:	davistheater.com
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Joe Wilcox

I have been going to The Davis Theater since I was about 7 years old and my early memories of this theater were of how dated and uncomfortable it was. The changes that the current ownership have made to this little local neighborhood theater are about as dramatic as the changes in how movies have advanced. What was a small drab theater room has been transformed into a futuristic sound stage from the future. The clarity of the digital projection is only surpassed by the intensity of the 360* virtual reality sound system that is somehow hidden in the walls, ceiling and floors. These new theaters are beautifully decorated with royal scarlet drapes and new cushy rocking chairs. There is a private theater for private parties, live viewings (like Cubs World Series games, and corporate events that has a pass through to the fully stocked bar at Carbon Arc, the restaurant adjacent to the theater. The bathrooms went from dingy to decadent. The concession stand sells wine, beer and Carmel corn! Yes! Also got to try the food and fare at Carbon Arc. This concept of connected bar and restaurant is genius. Its not the first time I have seen this but it is by far the classiest. There is a sleek vintage style bar (like out of movie!) with a huge selection of beverages including some custom signature drinks like the Fall into Winter (my favorite). Quick eats for those who are seeing a movie (smart), and a full service menu for those who are just coming for a great dinner. We ate Tom Yum fries, eclectic tacos, flatbreads and a chocolate ice cream egg roll. The staff were on point and the bill was so reasonable compared to many of the restaurants in the area. I cant see myself wanting going to any other theater, ever.

Renato Velarde

Been coming for a long time. It was cheap and no frills, but good enough despite the weird angled screens and other caveats. Its been recently renovated so the cheap tix are gone and theres a fancy bar now which I never once wanted in a movie house. Most baffling to me is the main large theatre after all that renovating still has a good 5 ft of wasted space to accommodate some corny fake organ pipes on each side. (Or if they are the original ones they clearly dont work anymore so why preserve them and sacrifice the entire renovation by keeping a smaller screen? Put in an organ or take them out.) The number one thing to optimize an old theatre, I thought, would be to maximize the main theatre screen. Yet now its as small as it was with wider seating. So still not much larger relatively speaking than a large modern hd tv. All that money and the main screen is still inexplicably pretty small. Whos idea was that? Its a busy, hip neighborhood, I can eat and drink anywhere, just upgrade the damn screens already! Its a movie theatre not a night club.

Jason Chapman

There was a time, not so long ago (relatively speaking, mind you), when watching a movie, was an experience outside of the home. Hence, just about every neighborhood had a movie theater to call their own. Those days are long gone for the lot, but not for those who reside in/around LINCOLN SQUARE. Behold THE DAVIS, where you can see a movie for SIX DOLLARS if you can make it there before six, and if you cant, its still under ten dollars. Yes, the screens are small, but bigger than yours. The Popcorn is great. Many a Monday was spent here, where I almost had the place to myself, I am not a fan. Going to the movies should be a shared experience. Walk there, Screw Parking, Screw increasing your carbon footprint...and maybe feel less guilty about getting extra butter on that popcorn...as you can walk it off, on the way home...and hopefully discuss the movie you just watched for LESS THAN TEN DOLLARS.

Delia Kropp

Any neighborhood is lucky to have a real theater nowadays, not a corporate giga-plex. And the Davis is a real neighborhood theatre, in the best sense. Subdivided into four theatres years ago, each with eccentric angles and not always the best quality seats, I still love the Davis. This is the kind of movie theater I went to as a kid. Affordable, and close. And could there possibly be more restaurants nearby? The Davis makes this like a casual-date paradise. And they can deliver on what counts -- the shows. Theyve gone digital so sound and picture quality are superb. Almost without exception have the best new movies. A nice big lobby, sometimes with local artists works. Probably the facilities deserve a 3, but this is a precious commodity, in a great location. One of the best parts of living near Lincoln Square.

Sabina Kajtezovic

Older and smaller than most movie theaters, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up in charm. Plus, it costs less. The actual theater and the screen is small, but their surround system is very good. You can still have a quality viewing of movies in a more intimate setting. Price of ticket is under $10. It shows regular, popular movies. The concession stand is small. The theater hallway has art on display which makes it even more cool. Great place to go to after a dinner date- its pretty much steps away from at least 5 different restaurants. The outside of the building is also very charming - look up for the old school Davis Theater sign. Ill continue going to this theater, because i dont want it to close. I think its charming and beautiful and no, i dont have see every movie in 3D.

Jace Mouse

Better than ever. They did a great renovation, improving the seating, projection and decor. But best of all, they still managed to keep the same high standards of conscientious, hard-working staff. The one thing I would like the theater to do is update the maps on their ticketing system, so you know when your theater has a raised section, and what row that starts. In our last visit, row H of our theater had a high metal railing (building safety codes) that blocked the view for my elementary schooler (but totally fine for adults). The staff happily assigned us new seats, but it would be good to know this when we were originally choosing our seats. In the current system, its hard for an average customer like me to know which theater the movie is in, so its a guess.

Matthew Lubeck

Went to this recently renovated theater in Lincoln Square to see a movie with my fiance, and we loved it. It was great to get a (reasonably priced) drink before the movie in the adjacent bar, and be able to take it (plus another one...) with us into the theater. The seats are comfortable, large, and reclining. If anything I was TOO comfortable and very easily could have taken a 2 hour nap if I wasnt as excited to see the movie. The sound was great, and being in the center of the upper level of the smallest of the 3 theaters gave us a perfect view of the screen... not too close, not too far away. Highly recommend this theater for a grown-up moving-watching experience.

Eric Collins

"You get what you pay for" is pretty true about The Davis, but I mean that positively. Its is our familys go-to theater. Yes, its older and the 4 theaters are carved out of once had to have been one larger theater & balcony. The snack bar is small. And the restrooms are small and could use a coat of paint. So? Im tired of getting ripped off with unnecessary 3-D and paying to park at theaters and hyper overpriced snack bars and super-surround sound in Dolby 9.1 THX-3.0. I just want a good time at the movies without feeling ripped off. The picture is fine, the sound is good, and the $5.75 matinee until 6:01 is well worth the bargain.