Uptown Theatre

They wrecked this place in the rehab. Seriously closing up the lower level that way was a travesty against an old historic theatre. You have to get to the upstairs restrooms and bar through the darkened theatre which is lousy in my opinion. Not to mention again the tiny boxed in lower level. What is excellent are the seats, yup very best biggest most comfy seats in town. Seriously though they needed a full bar upstairs badly enough to ruin the entire original floor plan? You might not care if you don’t come from around here and remember the original theatre.

Recently, my partner took me to see a film for my birthday. It started out fine — a nice Saturday midnight showing, the echoes of drunk frat bros in the distance. We got to the theater ungodly early (11:15pm) and decided to have a small snack and a sit, along with two other customers. While waiting in the nearly-​empty lobby, a younger woman working there remarked to her coworkers that people were showing up too early, and complained about us within earshot. Cool. We were annoyed, but have both worked in customer service, so we try to be understanding.
However, around 11:30pm, we were told we’d have to wait outside in a line. Us and 4 other people. There was not enough room for us in the lobby (what?). Whatever, we bit, maybe they would let us in after the previous show let out at 11:45. Maybe there was justification for them kicking us out of a building we paid to occupy.
Nope.
We stood outside for 45 minutes in a line — a whopping, threatening 15 of us — until 12:15am, when they finally let us in. The lobby remained completely empty the entire time, with the exception of the previous show letting out 30 minutes prior. No communication from staff whatsoever.
Now, the first time we went here together, we were all allowed to wait in the lobby and it was much busier. When they told us to go outside, they didn’t even seem sure of the reasons why they were doing so. It was all unclear.
The show itself was fine — seats are comfortable, sound seemed okay, view was good. Nice shared experience with the audience. One of the men working that night (older than the other two) was very welcoming and kind. These are the only reasons I am not rating this place one star.

The service was great, and even though it is not the cheapest show in town, the atmosphere was well worth it! It is very cool inside, and I am definitely going back.

This is a very belated review but I had to make sure and give a big old 5 stars as the Uptown Theater holds a special place in my heart. I know it has changed since the renovations but the staff is still wonderful and it retains much of its historic charm.
My soon to be husband and I got engaged here and the staff and management were really wonderful in helping him to pull everything off. We went on our first date here as teenagers (as well as many more visits since for midnight movies etc) and they let him rent out the whole theater for a morning so we could have a private viewing of the movie we watched on that first date. The staff were wonderful and even gave us a bouquet of flowers and a standing ovation when we came out. It was definitely a day to remember and not without help from the uptown theater.

This is a beautiful theater equipped with comfortable /​relaxing seating. A very welcoming environment with friendly staff. Wheelchair friendly. With a private wheelchair lift to get to the main level of The Theater. A BIG Screen ideal for the Great movie experience.

A fabulous historic theater that’s a great place to see limited release or independent movies!
Your first time at Uptown Theater? Expect an updated theater that includes reserved seating and a balcony bar serving all sorts of cocktails, beers and wine! The upgraded sound system and 4k digital projection make the movies shine. And lots of comfy seating that includes sofas for a perfect date. ;-)
The expanded concessions stand is must to visit for an movie theater goer. The popcorn is always popping fresh & hot. And if you’re looking for a tasty treat, order up a side of the sweet potato tots.
Landmark Theaters did a great job updating the theater in 2012. They even managed to keep the murals in the auditorium that depict early explorers gazing at the future Minneapolis and the Father of the Waters presiding over water sprites that symbolize the lakes of the city.

This place was remodeled recently. I liked the old way better. That’s not to say I don’t like the new way. I do like it. The reason I say that is because of the assigned seating in the new way. I’d rather be able to sit in a random seat wherever, like they did with the old way.
Other than that, this is a great and convenient place to see a movie. The staff appear to do a good job at maintaining the place. Usually, they have pretty good quality movies here. The staff there is polite. As long as they’re playing a good movie, I’ll keep coming back here.

Although at first the remodel seemed a bit heavy handed — it’s actually grown on me. It can take some time getting used to choosing a specific seat when you purchase your ticket but you get the hang of it. There are few theaters that I can go and be consistently happy with the selection (of one!).

I see a lot of people complaining about the renovation, but all in all, I think this is still a great theater.
If you didn’t get a chance to experience the Uptown before it was renovated, let me tell you, it was a dump (in the best possible way). The seats were so old and uncomfortable, the film projection was cool and retro, but unreliable, and the whole place felt like it was falling apart.
Now, it’s filled with more comfortable leather seats (I’ve never noticed the squeaking noises others have mentioned), a bar upstairs, and the balcony is more expensive than the orchestra seating. I recommend sitting in the middle of the front row of the balcony, I think that view is the best, although I can understand not wanting to spend the extra $ 2 to sit up there. I haven’t sat in the orchestra since the remodel, so I can’t speak to the view from there. The new digital projection looks and sounds great.
Having The Landmark in Los Angeles as my regular movie theater for nine months out of the year, I don’t find the price increases at the Uptown to be too awful, but that’s just me.
The most important thing is the movies, and the between the Uptown, the Edina Theatre, and The Lagoon, you get the best movies that you often can’t see anywhere else in the state. That alone is worth the trip in my opinion.

The renovated space looks great, but I’m not a fan of the seating system. This is much like the theater at West End. Seats are reserved and the theater is split into two sections with different prices.
For $ 10.50 you get to sit in the orchestra section where the screen is so close that even sitting in the third to last row is a pain. I found myself constantly scooting forward/​down in my seat and trying to make it recline further than it did (which wasnt much) all in the name of getting comfortable. Sadly it was to no avail. My neck was killing me pretty much the entire time.
Sitting in the balcony where the view is better would have been more comfortable; the cost for this section will cost you an extra $ 2. The seats are bigger, there are sofas in the front, its closer to the bar and restrooms.
I dont typically buy movie theater snacks at the theater so I’m not 100% sure what average cost is, but man I was shocked by the cost of a small soda.. $ 4.25, …say what? I don’t think so! Unless someone wants to treat me, I’ll skip this theater in the future.

After the renovation, this place is amazing. I’d love to see more shows here. I love that there is a bar with some amazing cocktail choices too.

The new and «improved» Uptown Theatre is a great example of good intention, bad execution. I am not a huge fan of change and felt like the old theater, while quite broken, didn’t quite need fixing like this.
First, the old. It was a dive theater. But that’s what was so appealing about it! The worst part of it were the seats. You would regularly sink waaaaayyyy down because the padding was non-​existent and if you were quite unlucky, you’d get a spring poking you through out your entire movie. The lobby was the place time (and renovating) had forgotten about but the bathrooms were always surprisingly clean and well-​maintained.
Now, the new. They updated everything. Blew it up and made it into a new «fancy» theater. Changed all the seats, which are now horrible in a different way because they feel like cheap leather and squeak like horribly-​made shoes. I hate them. You also have to have reserved seats and be escorted to where you are required to sit which seems like an extraordinary waste of staff resources.
Their food has expanded and they have paninis form Lucia’s (seems excessive), Strawberry Fanta (who cares, and why is this here???) and a bar upstairs (again, who cares, booze was snuck in all the time before).
I’m not sure why they did what they did because I much preferred the old, dingy, dive-​y, dirty theater before the remodel. It seems wrong to go to a Midnight Movie in this new space and what the hell happened to the odd murals on the wall. Nothing about the old place made any sense, but it worked. Now with the new remodeling that on the surface, made a lot of sense, it’s alllll wrong.
Oh, Uptown. I think you lost an institution here.

I have not been here since they remodeled and I like it!
We sat in the orchestra but next time, I want to sit in the balcony. Even the last row in the
Orchestra, gave me a neck headache. Ci thought I was crazy but unless you sit in the back four seats on either side of the where they take tickets, I think all of the Orchestra seating is too close to the screen.
It is a beautiful theater with amazing art work on the walls and ceiling. The screen is perfect, the seats are comfy, and the staff is friendly.
You get to pick your seats on a touch screen when you pay so your seats are reserved per se. You can also pick your seats online which is nice. The price is a little spendy but it’s a nice treat once in a while. I doubt I will be a regular but most definitely will continue watching Independent films here that more than likely will not make it to the bigger Theatre.
Concessions are way overpriced which is to be expected. They advertise «gourmet» concessions but I am not sure what items would have been considered «gourmet».
Most definitely worth checking out for a special treat. I will be back to sit upstairs!

I have been to the new Uptown Theater several times since it reopened. Maybe it is just my perception, but the screen seems bigger, the sound system seems clearer, the room seems cleaner and the space between rows is generous… AND I like being able to have an adult beverage while watching the film if I wish (I can vouch for the deliciousness of their Bloody Mary, G&T and ice cold beer) — ordered at the upstairs bar.
While the renovation seems positive in every way, there are a few challenges that continue to present themselves. The only way to get upstairs is through the theater, but you have to wait until it is clear/​clean before heading there (a staircase in the lobby would have been ideal). I ordered tix online recently (which is great), but their scanner didn’t recognize the QR code so I had to go back to the ticket counter to have the tickets printed off (which eliminated the convenience of ordering online). Lastly (and this seems like an easy fix) the new, comfortable, reclining chairs all squeak when you move — even a little bit. The plastic where the seat back meets the arms is the origin. As long as no one moves during the show it’s fine. :)
These won’t deter me from going to the Uptown, but it would be lovely if they would attend to the little things to elevate the customer experience (excellence is in the details).

First visit since the renovation; and what a renovation it is! Ticket price now $ 10.50 (unless matinée show).
Lobby is so different. No longer feels like an «old theater».
Buy your tickets and select your seats on a computer screen and your selected seat numbers get printed on your tickets. Then, once inside the viewing room, an usher shows you to your seats.
Seats on main floor are large, high-​backed, and comfortable. Great leg room, too.
Wonderful new screen and great sound system.

«Couches» on balcony are extremely uncomfortable. More like leather covered church benches. These are not Parkway couches! I would recommend not sitting in the balcony – cheaper and more comfortable on the main floor.
The inside of the lobby is an excruciating orange color that makes me want to wear sunglasses leaving and entering the theatre.
Overall, the atmosphere is no longer the comfy, indie theatre with kind of scruffy movie buff kids working there. It’s all mainstreamed up and that’s a bit sad.
On the pro side, the bathrooms are really big, clean and the stall doors are full length and actually shut completely – whoa! They also kept the 2 murals on either side of the theatre inside. Oh, and there is a full bar.
I wish they had done a full on historical renovation instead of just keeping bits and pieces. For a more authentic indie movie experience, I would head to one of the other actual independent theaters in town.

The Uptown Theatre took the summer off to get a face lift. It’s always been an iconic spot, just a bit grungy similar to how Uptown used to be. However Uptown is no longer that grungy spot… it’s now a homogenized and squeaky clean spot filled with corporate chain stores and bro bars. Great. So now the Uptown Theatre been updated… Does it match its surroundings? How did they do?
The seats are no longer crusty but they are now loud as hell. SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK «What did that guy say?» SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK «Did he just say he’s Luke’s father? I couldn’t tell because someone just shifted their ass in their seat.»
I don’t know if it would have been possible to have stadium seating in a formerly flat theater. But that’s about the only thing I actually desired. Unfortunately for all short people everywhere the renovation didn’t bring that change. Instead you can now drink. Umm ok. I guess that’s fine. Instead of sneaking airline sized booze in via your pocket, you can now get a $ 10 cocktail, beer, glass of wine, or whatever.
Another big issue with the old theater is there would always be huge ass lines for the newest showings that went out the door. So you got to freeze you balls off in the winter waiting in line. With the new ticketing system, I guess the lines seemed shorter. You can pre-​pay your ticket and show up right before it starts. But the only problem is they have to individually escort EVERY SINGLE PERSON to their seat. Is this really necessary? Are people too dumb to figure out the seating system? Apparently they think so.
More things to bitch about: the new bathroom system. Before getting up to the bathroom from the lobby was easy. You just go up the stairs and there they are, simple right? Not anymore. If you really gotta go, now you have to wait your way through the ticket line (there’s a bathroom downstairs but apparently it’s so tiny there’s always a long line, I think it’s single person or something). Guys, can’t there be a way to bypass that? God forbid it should be easy to take a leak. This seems minor, but in certain situations it’s a huge deal.
What else? OK how about this one… no more film showing? They have a new digital projector. But a film shot in 35 mm was meant to be shown in 35 mm. Not digitally scanned and projected through a digital projector. Not only should they have a 35 mm projector, but they should also have a 70 mm projector for films like The Master. Digital 4K projector is great if the film was shot that way. Not very film connoisseur of them. I know I sound like a huge film snob… and that would be a very accurate observation!
Hopefully in a few months the seats will squeak less, people can figure out where they sit quicker, and a good time will be had by all.

Avoid if you are claustrophobic.
We went on reopening night for Sleep Walk With Me.
Positives —
The lobby is bright
The restrooms are great
They have a bar with some pretty decent choices
The popcorn was tasty
The seats are comfortable and big.
You can reserve seats on-​line
Courteous staff members
Cons —
The ushers — The first time I walked in, he showed me to the seats in row 4, when I specifically reserved balcony. We did make it to the correct seats after stopping for some drinks.
The 2 bartenders — this may have just been since it was reopening night and crazy busy, but the line was pretty long and the area cramped.
Getting in and out of the theater is a giant CF. Cramped and crowded.
The rude person sitting next to us. My movie companion had his drink in the cup holder and when got to her seat and sat down, he said, «I’ll move this.» She said, «whatever, I’m so over you.» I still can’t figure that one out…
It was super busy and I’m sure they were still working out the kinks, so when I go back I’m sure the rating will improve.
Check it out, it’s pretty darn nice.

Nothing was learned from the «The Brick» debacle in Minneapolis apparently.
NEWLY RENOVATED UPTOWN THEATER — here we go…
This theater is a MUST for cinephiles in Minneapolis. Almost every film it gets is an exclusive in Minneapolis — meaning no other theater in the area (likely in the state) will be screening whatever particular film is showing there. So God bless the Uptown and the other two Landmark Cinemas (Edina and Lagoon) in this city for showing stuff you’ll never see in the multi-​plexes. For The Uptown, this is good and bad (as I shall point out) because while they show movies you won’t be able to see anywhere else, you’re forced to go here if you really want to see the movie showing.
First of all, the staff here is awesome. They’re fun and likable and friendly. Even if it doesn’t look like it, they work their asses off to make this place run as best as it can. Also, they had almost no say in the renovations. That was all done by corporate decision makers (who obviously have never actually been to a movie) so placing the blame on these people for making things work as best they can more or less on the fly is unacceptable. If you have complaints about the actual layout or technical aspects of the facility, contact corporate. That being said, this place is a disaster in almost all respects regarding the layout of a good theater.
Really the only things that needed to be fixed in the old layout was sound and better seats. Neither have been fixed and an argument can be made (as I will) that the seats are actually worse!
BIGGEST PROBLEMS:
— The sound has not been fixed. It’s still as echo-​y as ever. Dialogue is difficult to make out on occasion and sound effects can seem muddled. It’s probably the worst sounding theater in the area.
— Lines of sight are HORRIBLE! If you’re not in the middle section in AT LEAST the 4^th row back (there’s only about ten rows total), you’re too close and it’s obtrusive. If you’re on the side seats, it’s a weird angle. — Basically there are only about 40 seats that I would consider «optimum». Make sure to sit on the main floor as close to the middle as you can and only in the back three or four rows.
— The first row in the balcony has the two-​person «love seats» and they are ridiculously uncomfortable. It’s like sitting on a bus stop bench sitting perfectly straight up. It’s awful. EDIT: These have been upgraded, but still not very good.
— Entrances to the auditorium have been cut down from 4 to 2, and both of those lead to the same small (5’x5’) entrance hall which makes for an immediate bottleneck when entering. Once your tickets are torn, some people are going right, others going left, they’re crossing over each other. It’s crowded, chaotic and annoying. Especially if you’re carrying concessions.
— Stairs INSIDE the auditorium. This is the dumbest thing ever.
Before the film, you can’t go upstairs to the bar/​lounge because you can’t enter the auditorium while the previous screening is still going on. So the bartender is up there doing nothing while customers just have to stand around in the lobby. Customers also can’t go to the bathroom because of this. After the movie, if you have to use the rest room, you have to exit the theater into the upstairs lobby and use the bathroom. Then GO BACK into the auditorium, downstairs and then back out. This is RETARDED in the true sense of the word!
SMALLER ISSUES:
— The seats are all leather on leather; comfortable. But it means anytime anyone moves slightly, there’s a loud squeaking sound of leather rubbing on leather. It’s like they decided to keep the annoying squeaky chairs from the old version of the theater.
— Assigned seating. Fine (kinda), except if you’ve got tickets and then a friend decides they’re coming along, you probably won’t be able to get seats for them that are next to you. Also if someone smells or is loud or rude, you can’t move.
— The lobby is technically great. But an eye sore of the worst kind.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE:
— The new seats are comfortable (except for the first row balcony).
— There’s a full bar.
— Bathrooms are now actually really nice, spacious and clean.
— The digital projection is gorgeous (too bad the sound is atrocious and you can only see the screen properly in a very few select seats).
— Aesthetically it looks extremely nice inside the auditorium.
Basically, all of the charm is gone and it’s now a corporate, poorly designed monstrosity. They should close again and redo it properly.

I used to love the Uptown, and I’m hoping the new remodel rekindles my fondness for this theater.
Primarily I only go here for the Saturday midnight showings. For a while things were good. I saw the shining, jaws, back to the future, ghostbusters, Evil Dead, Return of the living dead 2. A lot of great classic films that are perfect for a rambunctious audience, popcorn throwing, and a divey dump of a theater.
But then… they started running the freakin’ rocky horror picture show. EVERY. SINGLE. MONTH. I get that there’s a certain population segment that wants to relive this movie. But it can’t be very large. and it certainly can’t want to see it monthly. I’m definitely not a fan of this film. Oh, and then things got better (sarcastic) and they started showing «the room» also EVERY MONTH. Then they added friday shows but kept these two films in rotation.
There is so much gold out there in classic films people would love to see again. Why do you hamstring yourselves and block out 50% of your screenings with repeated showings of these two terrible films?
The theater is a dump, the concessions are expensive, the bathrooms are outdated and dirty, and now the midnight showings aren’t even fun anymore. Wau to ruin something great for me!
Maybe things will turn around with the remodel. It could really be a beautiful place, or a really fun place. But so far they don’t seem to be interested in that.