Catch a Flick at the Uptown Theater
The Uptown Theater in Cleveland Park
By Elisabeth Grant
At the Uptown Theater in Cleveland park (also known by its less romantic name: the AMC Loews Uptown 1) the selection is limited. Limited to one. One screen. One movie. But what the theater lacks in variety it makes up for in personality, style, and experience. Seeing a movie at the Uptown Theater means sitting in a theater (either on the first floor or in the balcony) looking at a 40 by 70 foot screen, surrounded by (potentially) 849 other movie goers.
It’s a great place to see a movie opening night, whether it be a new James Bond film or one of the Twilight movies. Ticket holders queue up outside until they’re let in right before the movie. There’s often a sense of camaraderie in line since everyone is there to see the same movie at the same theater at the same time.
To be fair, the Uptown Theater is not flawless. It’s a historic building with some beautiful accents, but its 1996 renovation is showing its age. The seats aren’t the cushiest and throughout the interior things are well worn. Restrooms are also in short supply resulting in long lines even when the audience doesn’t come near full capacity. But despite its imperfections the Uptown Theater is a D.C. landmark and worth at least a visit.
The Uptown Theater is a historic building, open since 1936.
Through this week they’re showing the Twilight movie New Moon at 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 pm. And let me tell you, teen angst is even angstier on a 40 by 70 foot screen.
…[Uptown], things’ll be great when you’re
[Uptown], no finer place for sure,
[Uptown], everything’s waiting for you
([Uptown])…