Stuart Street Playhouse

Went to see True Grit with my boyfriend here a few days ago (it was the only place in town still showing it) — what a lovely theater! This place is seriously a hidden gem, I’m really sad that it doesn’t have more people going to it.
We wanted to get there early to get good seats (and leave room for getting lost trying to find the place) but when we got there 35 minutes before the showing, it was all locked up. Came back 10 minutes later, got in fine, what a lovely lobby! I hope that piano gets used sometimes. :/​
It seemed like there was only one guy running the whole theater when we got there. Ticket prices were unusually reasonable ($ 8 for an evening student ticket), the snack bar prices were on the less pricey side of ridiculous, but considering that’s a big part of how theaters make their money, I would have gladly bought some overpriced popcorn from them.
We realized we were the only ones in the whole place as so had our pick of seats. I asked the lone ranger working which seats he recommended for the best experience and he showed us to the center floor seats with a smile. It was a much larger place than we thought. Big screen, lots of seats, good sound.
Though the seats weren’t as comfy as Boston Commons, they weren’t terrible. Cushioned, good for your back and posture, perhaps! Cup holders, at least. Also worth noting: I usually freeze in movie theaters, but this one was air conditioned just the right amount.
A few other people wandered in before the show started, 8 people in all. What a shame!
I really want this to be a more well-​known place to see films. It’s just a couple blocks from the AMC and it’s so charming, support independent cinemas!

This is a cool place to see independent films. Nice lobby. We went here for an Irish film festival-​sponsored screening of Ondine in June. I’ve been here a few times, and it’s usually not as packed. The BUFF event brought in a lot of people, too. However, it’s tricky to find unless you know what you’re looking for. They should advertise more, because unless people know that they exist, they may not be in business too long. In a land of mega-​ultra-​blammo cineplexes, that would be a damn, dirty shame.

Just saw ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ here. AWESOME movie.
The Stuart Street Playhouse has a cool lobby. I wish someone was playing the piano they had there.
Unfortunately the seats were quite uncomfortable and creaky, maybe I’ll sit further back next time.
Will be back again soon to see ‘Mid-​August Lunch’
Love the movie selection here.
This place has a lot of potential.

The Stuart Street Playhouse (
) is the best place to see a movie in Boston.
The space — until recently a live theater — has been reconverted to a neighborhood independent cinema showing hand-​picked films from the U.S. and overseas.
Several films rotate playing times during the week; check the link above or local listings.
The theater itself is immensely comfortable, sporting a terrific screen; brand-​new seats along wide aisles; a large and elegant lobby with cozy chairs; and a well-​stocked snack bar (all the standards — plus green tea).
It’s a bit tricky to find the entrance for first-​timers (pass through the hotel lobby or parking lot) — but well worth it.
Please, support this independent cinema. It’s cleaner than the Kendall; closer than the Coolidge; and right near parking, public transportation, restaurants and anywhere you’d like to walk from downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Chinatown or the South End.
I have nothing to do with the theater owners — I just want this place to succeed (and it deserves to). A new independent theater in downtown Boston is a gift to the city — let’s keep it going by patronizing it often and spreading the word.

Walking home from dinner at Tantric we discovered that the old Sack 57 Theater is once more, a movie theater. But better still, the new schedule of movies at the Stuart Street Playhouse signals a return of art house movies to downtown.
We decided to take a look, and as we approached the door we were happy to see posters for AMREEKA, Bright Star, and COCO before Chanel. YAY! Much as I love the proximity of Lowes Boston Common the selection there is decidedly block buster, usually requiring a trip to Coolidge Corner or Kendall Square to see smaller or foreign films.
So, we arrived too late, but next Friday we’re there. And I will write an update report on the comfort of the theater.