Best Movie Theater Deals In Chicago
Movie fans who go to a theater once a month or more continue to fuel the film industry while the rest of us mistakenly believe the family room studded with a ginormous television, smelly dog and a bag of chemical popcorn is just as good. Many films just scream for the big screen, but all those admission tickets, concessions and, more often than not these days, beer, can get pretty pricey. Get ready for your closeup at any of these Chicago area theaters that lure you out of the house with deals and discounts.
Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 342-5555
thelogantheatre.com
The Adult Evening price ($8.50) at the Logan Theatre (circa 1915) is equal to a matinee elsewhere (an afternoon flick before 6 p.m. here will put you back just $6.50). Kids, students, seniors and active military enjoy a discount, too. Special events include a variety of themed throwbacks like late night sing-a-longs with films like West Side Story, Moulin Rouge and Labyrinth. Tuesday nights bring trivia contests with categories that change weekly and winning team members snag a Logan Theatre gift card. There's a bar, by the way, to loosen the neurons. Come by on the second Wednesday of the month for Flick Lit — storytellers spinning yarns inspired by their favorite flicks, live music and film debates.
ShowPlace Icon At The Roosevelt Collection
1011 S Delano Ct
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 386-7440
www.showplaceicon.com
The venue has two VIP theaters for the 21 or older crowd who have access to the bar and restaurant and seats that fully recline (select theaters downstairs also have fully reclining seats). If you become a member of the free Extras program, you get discounted movies, free upgrades to VIP any day of the week and free online ticketing. Bargain Tuesdays for Extras members offer free popcorn and refills and $6.50 movies. The Lobby Lounge boasts wienies spinning on sizzling rollers at other places with beer, wine, cocktails, appetizers, sliders, thin-crust pizzas and hand-crafted desserts.
ArcLight Cinemas
1500 N Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 637-4760
www.arclightcinemas.com
Located within NEWCITY Lincoln Park, ArcLight Hour offers an ongoing happy hour from 4-7 p.m. on weekdays, when beer and wine is $5 and cocktails are $7. Purchase a membership for $15, and get two free "ArcLight Presents" tickets (about a $28 value) to use for films from the ArcLight Presents Second City Second Wednesday series, Slamdance Cinema Club, as well as monthly programming. NEWCITY offers dining options that beat the mall theaters' eateries — how about Earl's Kitchen + Bar, Nando's Peri Peri and Yard House for pre or post movie eats? If 20 minutes of trailers and as many local ads annoy you, know that ArcLight is advertising-free and your movie actually begins a few minutes after the advertised showtime.
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Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport Ave,
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 871-6604
www.musicboxtheatre.com
If it's indie and foreign films for you, The Music Box, which opened in 1929, is your space. Although general admission for the hard-to-see-elsewhere movies is $11, there are an array of ways to cut costs. Become a Music Box Theatre Member and the rewards include a complimentary ticket for a regular-priced screening, $7 tickets discounted tickets, members-only screenings, discounts on wine and meals at partner restaurants, and more. An Individual membership is $50. If that's too steep for you, look into deals for the First Show of the Day Discount, Matinee Pricing, Midnight Shows and the Monday Special.
Brew & View
The Vic
3145 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 929-6713
www.brewview.com
The Vic was way ahead of the curve in terms of combining drinks and movies. If you're going to pay $8 for a beverage it may as well be alcoholic as opposed to a glass full of corn syrup and fizz. Choose among three bars for tallboy cans of beer, craft on draft and drinks like a hot green tea with honey and citrus vodka. Who won't love paying $5 for admission for most movies? You'll see current, classic and cult films amid the 1911 furnishings of the Vic Theater. The possibility of lubrication means you can expect a certain level of jerks to emerge occasionally such as a loudmouth proving he has memorized some of the words in scenes of Purple Rain.
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Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com..
