ArcLight Cinemas - Bethesda

7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA

Related:	university mall theatres
Address:	7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
Phone:	+1 240-762-4000
Site:	arclightcinemas.com
Rating:	4.1

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Priscilla Yuen

ArcLight is a pretty nice, new(ish) theater at Montgomery Mall. It has reserved seating. Unfortunately, their medium sized seats do not recline, but the armrests can be lifted up if you want to snuggle with your companion. There is also more legroom so no need to stand up when people need to pass! Ive always had a great experience here. Its more expensive than the average AMC/Regal theater, but its also cleaner, has friendlier staff, and maybe because of the price, Ive never had to deal with rowdy teenagers when watching a movie. *No late arrivals so make sure to be on time! There are no actual kiosks to purchase tickets. You have to buy them on the computers. Its pretty straightforward, but if you need help, there are staff members standing around. If you bought online, you can use your phone to scan the ticket. Before the movie starts, they always have someone welcoming you to the theater and introducing the movie. They have a bar area that serves beer. I havent tried any of their food or drinks since the food court is a way cheaper option so I cant comment on it. The theater and bathrooms are clean for the most part. Plenty of stalls, but like someone else had mentioned, its hard to see if a stall is occupied. You kind of need to tap on the doors to see if it opens. ArcLight is located inside the mall by the food court so there is plenty of (free) parking, unless its during holiday season. If you sign up for their ArcLight membership ($15/year), you get to save $1 for each ticket you buy online. Plus, you get to rack up points for discounts on concessions or a free ticket! Membership also includes two free tickets to any Arclight Presents showing.

Michael Geoghegan

Do not, I repeat, do not be fooled by this theater. Looking at their website and reviews you expect an upscale theater environment, but what it really is, is a 15 year old theater that someone reupholstered the chairs and spent a couple thousand dollars on Ikea furniture for the lobby. The chairs are the old style chairs that recline roughly as much as airplane seats, the concessions are overpriced (They only sell expensive Italian Mineral Water at $5 for a 16 oz bottle) and the ticket prices are the same that youd pay for an actual new style theater with real reclining seats. If youre looking to overpay for the same theater you sat in when you where in high school, this is your place. If not, go somewhere else. Also, the website advertises certain features and policies. Lets review them. Reserved seating. Technically yes. We were in Row N seats 15 and 16. Which row is N? No idea, there was no indication that we could find. "Black Box" design. Not sure what that means. Theres bright pathway and seat lights that dont dim at all during the show. No late seating? ABout 25 people walked into the movie 2 minutes in and spent 10 minutes trying to figure out the lack of row indicators. Movie theater for the movie lover? Maybe if youre nostalgic for old uncomfortable seating and overpriced concessions. Id say, skip it and either go to a new theater and pay the same price, or an older theater and get the same experience and save yourself $20-30. Wish I could give it less than one star.

Guy Snowden

This is what it should be. The quality of the film watching experience is awesome. Food is good. They still need to work out some kinky at the concession stand but this is the only way to go. And they use real butter! Opening night or weekend for the movie youve been waiting for you can not get a better experience. Huge wide screen with ATMOS sound is stellar. And the seats are great not just because of the quality but because of how the person in front of you is practically undetectable. To think that this great movie going experience is the same price, or less expensive if your a rewards member, than Regal blows my mind. And the fact that you have the Mall food court right below. Parking is a breeze and right next to the theater. Some folks like iPics. Thats fine. But Ipics is way expensive and you have to deal with the running lights and waiters moving about during the film. You can keep all that. ArcLight I love you!

Elena Swan

I am very appalled by this movie experience. I was shopping at the mall and i bought candy at a candy store, and when i was buying my popcorn and drinks and my movie tickets the bag of candy was on the table where the exchange was made, but the man working at the counter did not tell me that outside food was not allowed in the theater, or that i could not get a FULL refund of my purchase. At this point of the day i didnt have much money left to buy actual food so i was going to sit in the theater and eat the popcorn, but i wasnt allowed in the theater and i could not afford actual food. I am very disappointed that the man failed to tell me that i wasnt going to be allowed in the theater before i payed them money. I am very very annoyed and i wish them goodluck without any of my friends or I going to this theater again.

A Private User

The seats are very comfortable. But the screen is small. Sound is only ok. Its a better deal before the remodeling. But with all the new seats, they charge just as much as the big theaters. Only 3 movies at a time, and most of them are PG. Its not a place for us. Went there several times with the Groupon deal ($10 with a large popcorn and a large soda). We ended up get another regular ticket and share the popcorn and soda. At the end, going to movies became a chore. It would be more attractive to us if they offer Groupon deals like $10 for two tickets. But maybe they dont care the business from people like us. They got enough kids and parents willing to pay the full price.

Jim Morrison

Dear Arclight, You need to delegate some *very basic* common sense and flexibility to your employees. I hustled over from rockville to catch a Noon movie, yes noon weekday. Place was empty. Got there at 12:05 after parking and the 20 year old girl said we dont let people in late after even admitting there are only maybe 5 people in the theater and ads are probably still running. Wouldnt let me see the movie at 12:05. I have been going to montgomery mall for 30 years. Was a potential first but definite last time customer today. Figure out some basic business common sense and get over yourselves. I wont be coming back nor will i buy gift cards for family members at this theater.

Kimberly Sienkiewicz

This theater was lovely when it opened but has really gone downhill. My seat was dirty, but the worst was the condition of the ladies restroom. Before the movie there were some stalls without toilet paper and about three with "out of order" signs. Plus there were many sinks out of soap. After the movie there were many more stalls without toilet paper and even more sinks out of soap, so the line was longer than it needed to be. Clearly the restroom had not been cleaned or replenished during that time. As I looked around to tell the manager, I didnt see a single woman working in the theater, which may have explained things but is clearly ridiculous. Shape up Arclight!