Empire World Exchange Centre 7

This theatre will be closing at the end of 2013. The space may be converted to office space.

I really like this theatre. There’s not a lot downtown, and there really isn’t much downtown past about 6 o’clock on any day.
The theatre, as other reviews have said, is quite small. Which is nice, cozy and you can see a good variety of shows that come through.
The only thing that stops me from giving the theatre 5 stars is that it’s expensive. The popcorn and food is expensive and the tickets are expensive. Normally the smaller theatres and the ones that don’t quite have the full show experience, have tickets that are a bit cheaper. This was $ 13 even for a matinée.
That having been said, I like the theatre and would much rather pay a couple dollars more if I can be at a smaller theatre than have to go out to the sticks to see a movie in one of the huge monstrosities.

It is a movie theatre, ok? The only things it really has going for it is the fact it is downtown, it is well-​hidden and it has shows in the afternoon. Public service workers making an early day of it, but who don’t want to go home just yet can spend a few hours taking in a movie. Not too shabby!

Lets be honest the theatres here are somewhat older. You’re not going to get the same experience here as you do at some of the newer theatres especially the ones out in the suburbs that are built for family day.
They’re centrally located and have a handful of theatres. What this theatre lacks in a theatre experience they make up for in movie selection. They carry a lot more of the limited release movies so get your Ebert on by checking them out here.
With all theatres the food is overpriced but there is a food court in this plaza so you might want to grab a bite before the movie.

Overall a good movie viewing experience. This complex of 7 centrally located cinemas contains fairly small theaters, very accessible both by car and public transit. With onsite free parking evenings and weekends this site is great for drivers.
If the big box super cinema complexes are your speed, then you won’t like the experience at the World Exchange Center cinemas. The small snack bar has standard movie theater fare, popcorn, candy, hot-​dogs, soda and nacho’s with warm squeeze-​cheese.
I like this cinema because of it’s location, short line-​ups and proximity to pre or post movie activities such as café’s, parks, restaurants and night clubs. What could use some improving are the squeaky old seats and the odor in the back of cinema 3 (gross). If you are looking for a convenient decent priced place downtown to take in a recently released flick without the pomp and pageantry of the larger cinemas in the suburban areas this is the place for you. Just don’t expect a huge screen or a large selection of snacks!

This is a relatively smaller theater but is right in the middle of downtown at the World Exchange Plaza. The size actually makes it a bit cosier rather than the monstrosities elsewhere. The location probably encourages use by professionals etc for some reason which is a good change from seeing groups of teenagers scouring the theaters.
Being located in a commercial plaza it has a food court with a few places open till about 7:30. The snack section at the theater is basic but pretty good. One can park at the plaza underground parking for free provided you show your movie ticket when you exit.
Free parking downtown, cosy theater, clean, quiet and new movies… whats not to love!

PROS:
— Empire prices (cheaper than Cineplex)
— more of an adult/​student atmosphere so no video game lounges or ridiculous fast food lineups
— free indoor parking
— some not so blockbuster movies get screened here so your other choice would be Bytowne
CONS:
— if you get stuck on one of the smaller screens, it’s almost like watching your own TV
— the seats need refurbishing, they’re very out-​dated and uncomfortable
— slow ticketing process, when there is a queue there is a queue

Signed up for free tickets to the premier to the King’s Speech. Fantastic film and the theater was great. Smaller more intimate viewing rooms and amazing buttered popcorn. What could be better. I would definitely go back to this Empire theater located downtown at the World Exchange. I’m told the parking is free on the weekends. However real buttered popcorn is very important to the complete cinema experience.

I really like this theatre. It is conveniently downtown and has a bit of shopping in the same centre, but not so much that it makes the place crowded.
There are several theatres, unlike in the Rideau Centre and the movies shown in the Rideau Centre, these are the new and hot movies.
Sometimes the theatres can be pretty full (like when I went to see Eat, Pray, Love), but often they are not full at all. Even when there are a lot of people, you can almost always find seats together.
The food area here isn’t that big, but popcorn is popcorn! I have also brought food in before and they didn’t seem to mind.
I choose this theatre because of its location!

I actually prefer this smaller theater to the jumbo monstrosities located in the ‘burbs.
The theater is smaller but unlike some other small cinemas they get new releases the same time as the large theaters.
Located inside the World Exchange Centre on the top floor of the shopping area, Empire theater has a few theaters. It should be noted that sometimes the movies that have been out for a couple of weeks are put to the VERY small theaters which can be a real experience.
I watched a comedy in one of their small theaters and there were only about five other people in the room and it felt like you were in someone’s basement theater.
The good thing about this place is that it’s not that popular with cliques of teenaged kids. It’s good for couples who don’t like kids running around from arcade to theater.
Prices are also lower here than they are at the larger cinemas around town.

There are only three downtown cinemas in Ottawa. The ByTowne Cinema supplies indie, foreign, art house and classics. The Rideau Centre Cinemas supplies teen and horror movies for all the mall rats. And the Empire World Exchange Centre 7 usually screens mainstream movies for adults.
The theatre also has other mainstream favourites and some independent films since they have 7 screens (4 more than Rideau and 6 more than ByTowne), but the majority of their movies are aimed at the 20+ audience with a desire to see a popular movie they’ve been hearing about. Each movie has four screenings per day for the average price of $ 10 per ticket.
Side note: If you come while the food court is still open downstairs, I highly recommend you go to Muffins Plus for the best soup in Ottawa.