The Senator Theatre

Tonight was super awesome. They ran Purple Rain on the main screen it turned out to be one big sing along night. Before the show they had a live performer covering some of Princes greatest tunes. I really enjoyed my first experience here.
Only one complaint, they need curtains on the windows to the main screen. There should be no reason why the light shines through from the hall.

This is the most beautiful theater in the most beautiful town. What could be better than taking in a 3D showing of STAR WARS after all the presents are open and all the dishes are done? Nothing. This was an almost religious experience. You know the Jedi are very Christ-​like?

I enjoyed seeing Star Wars here. The prices of popcorn and candy aren’t that bad. I enjoyed how you could bring food in from Clark Burger, as well as drinks from them also. The wine is $ 7.00 and it was good quality. All around, enjoyable time. I highly recommend this theater at least once.

Love it here. The renovation only has made the main theater more beautiful, and I love the smaller side theaters because they are very tiered and I’m short so it means I can always see :)
It’s modestly priced, picks up the big flicks and some indie ones, and staff is just fine. Now they sell beer and I think you can get food from Clark Burger and eat it in theaters!
It’s clean, too. They often show old movies on the big screen in honor of holidays. Definitely come here for an afternoon at Belvedere Square and a movie if you can!

pretty inside. refreshments close really early. usually they have the big blockbusters.

It’s always a fun evening when you see a movie in a historic theatre. Recently renovated, it has a Baltimore Art-​Deco charm. Famous Baltimore natives Barry Levinson and John waters have premiered their films here, and the theatre has loved then back with stars on a «walk of Fame» on its sidewalk. The main theatre is the largest with a curtain that opens to reveal the screen with orchestra seating. The smaller adjacent theatre has stadium seating. There are also skyboxes that can be rented out for birthday parties! They show blockbusters and revive old classics, sometimes with free showings. I just wish they sold tickets online!!!

The Senator is Baltimore’s historic grand old movie house located on York Road near Belvedere Square. I used to go here pretty frequently, but haven’t had a chance since they changed hands and added the new auditoriums. My wife and I wanted to catch Ant-​Man, and it was one of the theaters that was showing it so we headed up there. The outside is much the same, with the famous marquee and the celebrated movie première memorials in the sidewalk out front. Our movie was not shown in the main auditorium, and I was a little disappointed about that. It used to be just the one screen, and that auditorium rocked. However, apparently there are tables in there now where you can eat and drink items from the bar next door (I noticed beer for sale in the lobby.) The smaller auditorium we were in was off to the side, and while smaller it was also very modern. The screen was certainly big enough, and the stadium seats were comfortable, albeit the rows are a little close together. If I crossed my legs I would have been in danger of kicking the person in front of me in the head, I have no idea what tall people do. Still, the Senator is the place to go to really enjoy a movie. I can’t wait to try out the main auditorium now.

We went with some friends to the the Marigold Hotel 2. Cute movie. We like all the renovations and changes that have been made at the Senator. They have added several extra theaters besides the large original one. We were in Theater 2 which is still a good size unlike some places where you feel like you might as well be in your living room.
We checked out some of the changes and ducked into the main theater between shows there. We had forgotten how big it is. All the seats are new and in the back there are some seats with tables. In the lobby they now have a small bar. Everything is spruced up. The lobby and foyer which had started to look seedy shine again.
Since we live nearby, having the extra theaters is nice since there is more choice and we don’t have to wait nearly as long for a movie to come through that we like.

if your looking for vintage good times with a classical feel then theatre is it

The Senator is a Baltimore institution, and it’s exactly the kind of theater you’d expect to find in Charm City… quirky and absolutely full of personality. It’s not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with generic Landmark theaters, you just won’t really even pay attention to your surroundings there. With The Senator, you’ll find yourself constantly saying or thinking ‘wow.’ You’ll say it when you see the front of the building and the sidewalk leading up to the ticket window, you’ll say it when you step into the lobby, and you’ll certainly say it when you see the massive main theater, with tables in the back for couples to sit and eat, and the giant curtain that’s pulled back as the film is about to start.
With its location across the street from Belvedere square market and the Shoo Fly Diner, this part of town is a great destination. This is where you should take friends visiting from out of town. Skip the Inner Harbor and come here!

It’s been renovated and now can show more movies. The new theaters are small, so get there early if you want to sit together and not too close to the front. (and please folks — let’s not sit with one empty seat on either side)…
The no longer have real butter for the popcorn — so so so sad.

Took my 14 year old to the Senator and we saw Chef. My mom marveled at the restrooms. I know I could have left her there and she’d be happy. The hubby was busy reading the sidewalk and looking at the stars that had made their imprints. We got popcorn, of course. My child smirked that the seats didn’t go back, as in the other theaters, but I shushed him with a box of Junior Mints. The hubby meandered back in the theater, my mom finally left the rest room and we sat in one of the smaller theaters. It was almost as if we had ventured into a party. I believe everyone knew each other. No, it’s just that we were greeted upon entering from the other customers, who were busy marveling at the architecture and happy just to be there.
We were too.
And by the way, the movie was amazing.
The Senator is a schlep from where we live, but worth the drive.

Thank goodness The Senator is back! Completely refurbished, The Senator has expanded and now hosts four theaters. Wow. And the SEATS! Oh, the new seats are so comfortable!

The Senator has bowl seating, (the main theater) not stadium. Please don’t assume that if you sit in front of someone that they will be able to see. Be courteous and stagger your seating. The theater is large enough so that in most cases no one should have to sit directly behind someone.
Thank you

I can’t believe the renovations in this place! It looks fantastic! The theater felt like I should have been going to see a play or a symphony. Huge, tall ceilings, ornate architectural details, fun lights and the space was enormous. The lobby and bathrooms were also very nice and clean, the attendant at the door was friendly and helpful because I didn’t know where I was going.
I’m curious as to why stadium seating wasn’t the choice after the recent renovations, they have the space for it and as a short person, stadium seating really makes a difference. I’m pretty sure tickets were more expensive than other theaters which is a bummer but concessions were pretty standard priced.
I’m really happy this theater re-​opened since it’s such a landmark in the Govans neighborhood and I’m always ready to support my neighborhood establishments!
Also, I was very excited to go see The Hobbitt 2 midnight première last night and it was cool that they showed a double feature (I only went to the second). If only I could have stayed awake to see the whole thing… darn finals week getting the best of me!

I thought the experience here was time-​traveling goodness. I went to see Mr. Smith goes to Washington during their anniversary throw back movies. I am not sure I would have enjoyed a newer movie here, but it was perfect for my 1939 movie.
The first thing you notice when you walk into the theater is that it is huge! Probably the size of three theaters. The seats are old school though. You get the pleather covered spring seats, which were still nice, and I was comfortable. The screen wasn’t wide, but was perfect for the movie I saw.
They do have popcorn and sodas. The popcorn tasted like it was an older version of a popper, like I used to have in one of those home poppers. Definitely not the super butters and salty popcorn you get at most theaters.
I loved the theater, and I look forward to visiting again.

The Senator is a classic Art Deco movie theater and Baltimore landmark. I love it because it takes you back to a time where going to the movies meant going to a theater with a single screen. I love the huge screen and how it is revealed after the golden curtains are pulled back. This theater has 800 seats plus a private room in the balcony. It has a great sound system, too.
The great thing is that is under new management (the folks at The Charles) and is in the process of being restored to its former glory. It really is a great place to see a movie première at midnight or any film that has special significance.
I give it a 4 star rating because the old soft seats just aren’t super comfy after an hour or two. It would be great if they accepted credit cards, but alas, that is just part of the experience. I can’t wait to see the final renovation!

The Senator Theatre is a Baltimore landmark. The Senator is a place where I would easily recommend out-​of-​towners to take a visit to, pre-​financial issues. Hopefully, I can recommend this historic movie theater even more once renovations are completed by Spring of 2012. There is a plethora of history here at Senator Theatre; it’s apparent with the Sidewalk of Stars that lays front outside of the theater.
I came here to watch Transformers: Dark of the Moon this past weekend. I won’t comment on the actual movie, but if you wanted to come to a place where you could enjoy the movie in peace, Senator Theatre was definitely the place to do so. One thing I’ll comment on (which another Unilocaler commented on) was the life, or lack of, in the theater. I felt like I was in a deleted scene of I Am Legend. I’m pretty certain that this will change once everything is completed next year.
I would still recommend coming to Senator Theatre if you want to see a historical landmark in Baltimore. I’ll come back once all of the renovations have been completed and the rebirth has occurred.

I went here after it re-​opened to see ‘True Grit’. For obvious reasons a lot of the character this theater used to have is gone, and it honestly looked dead inside. Walls are barren of any posters, the bathroom lacked any place to sit in the ladies lounge area, and again… everyone working there had a dead, hollow look to them. I know the people who bought it know how to run a good movie theater (The Charles is pretty awesome), but they need to give this place some life. Throw some art on the walls, put up some Baltimore themed displays. Trust me, tourists and suburban types love them some Baltimore kitsch.

If you are in the market — GO SEE THE MOVIE HERE!
This place is a Golden Oldie that needs us to stay alive! The price is right and the candy is right on the mark. They even have theater pets, people friendly of course. A relaxed atmosphere that is part of Baltimore’s rich heritage.
Often they play old reels from the time lost of odd little bits of information. For example: Empire Architecture in the Brassiere — circa 1950’s shows a young woman going to a lingerie shop to be sized and fitted and have a bra made with a similar design comparison to the Empire State building. Interesting, informational and shows full frontal at no extra charge. You can’t buy this stuff! So come experience a little history with you 21^st Century movie :-)

The Senator will not die! It is just too good to ever fade away entirely into the DVD, movie-​on-​demand, watch on your iPhone world. The place holds hundreds of movie-​goers in its cavernous, tastefully restored, and lovingly maintained interior. The bathrooms are old-​school elegant with shiny surfaces, polished metals, marble, porcelain, and the like. The ticket booth is great, as are the sidewalk plaques and concrete impressions left by movie makers, stars, and local celebrities. York Road never looks as brilliant as when the crowds line up after dark for an advanced screening or opening night of something really big.
Case in point I: we attended a number of years ago a screening of «Seabiscuit» (2003) at the Senator. The place was filled to capacity, which meant tons of people, pounds of popcorn, and gallons of soda. The big screen, which fills the stage from left to right, is capable of showing large-​format, 70 mm films. Along with a THX-​quality sound system, this setup totally captured the sights and sounds of the incredible horse races and training sequences in that flick, including of course the famous 1938 race b/​t Seabiscuit versus War Admiral held at Pimlico Race Track in North Baltimore (annual site of the Preakness, for those who care about such things).
We love any movie with Chris Cooper, and the performances by Jeff Bridges, Toby McGuire, William H. Macy, and Elizabeth Banks were also great (as was the cameo/​supporting role by real-​life jockey, Chris McCarron). You cannot reproduce on your little laptop speakers (or your $ 10,000+ home theaters) the sounds of hundreds of hands clapping, mouths munching, and voices cheering, laughing, and otherwise making merry. That’s the magic of the movies, in my opinion: the symbiotic, and always unpredictable, dynamic feedback loop b/​t screen, sound, and audience. Watching «Little Miss Sunshine» (2006) at another of Baltimore’s great cinemas, the Charles, once made us laugh alongside the others so hard that tears and stomach cramps ensued. Try reproducing that experience at home!
Case in point II: one Halloween October, we attended a screening of F. W. Murnau’s silent-​cinema classic, «Nosferatu: eine Symphonie des Grauens» (1922) with live musical accompaniment by the excellent Devil Music Ensemble (
). They performed an original score composed esp. for the film, and it sounded great. The whole experience was utterly amazing, and very spooky, I must say! Silent cinema never sounded so good.
So, what are you waiting for? Go to the Senator and helped keep this treasure of North Baltimore and world culture alive and in the black!