Bow Tie Ziegfeld Theater

With a sad heart my wife and I attended a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on the final night at Ziegfeld Theater. They gave out free popcorn and soda, and even closed the curtain between showings. Unfortunately, there is no longer a big, single-​screen theater in all of NYC, Ziegfeld will be sorely missed :-(

New York is really becoming the New York I don’t know anymore. The iconic Ziegfeld theater has closed since late January 2016. There is such history at this theater, so many movie premieres over the years and chances to relive how it was in the old days to go to the cinema. You really don’t appreciate something’s until they are gone. Maybe I should have seen Star Wars here again, most recent one or prequels.
I remember some specific premieres held here like Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, The Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring for N.Y. premier. Most recently heard on November 23, 2015 there was N.Y. premier of The Big Short. Will miss this theater but times are changing people would rather go somewhere like AMC empire with 25 screens to choose from than breath a breath of cinemas past. RIP Ziegfeld.

The Ziegfeld was what movie-​going «used to be.» Sadly, in the truest sense of the word as this wonderful palace of cinema has now shown its final film as of last week. Plush red carpets, glittering chandeliers, and 1000+ seats to enjoy blockbuster films with tons of fellow cinephiles. Not to mention the memorabilia that lines the walls, honoring years of showbiz history tied to the Ziegfeld name. Seeing a movie here — whether a starry première or a regular screening, was always a treat.
The last night was a heartwarming and teary affair. RIP Ziegfeld, you will be missed.

My hubby and I just wanted to watch the new Star Wars moive in NYC, our friend suggested us to try this cinema theather. So we were just got to this place and grab our tickets and we returned here at rigth before the movie 35 mins before the movie starts. Because I know the movie theathe here don’t have seat resavation service, I found it kinda weird, city like this but they like to keep this way. Maybe people just like the old fashion way. We were a bit worried, so We just got here a bit earlier just in case. it turned out that we were kinda lucky, there were nobody before us. I was a bit surprice, because of movie like this, well, it was late in the middle of the week. That could be the reason.
The staff was super friendly, we talked quite abit and got some time to look around the place, the place looked quite nice actually and has been here for quite long time now. After a small while, we finally allowed to go in to the theater. The first moment, I was just wow. The theater was not only huge, but also really grand. I didn’t expected how brilliant this theater was. even they only has one theater in this cinema. I was just blow away. This was the biggest theater I have even been. and it was there many people when we were here, it kinda felt like we got the whole cinema.
If you want the some popcorn, you can get it before the entrance. The popcron was kingsize as well. I did realized a problem, if the guest sit at the seats at the back, the Screen did quite small. for 3D movie, I think the exprierence won’t as good as other. I suggest try to stay in the middle. The seat was alright. The sound system was quite great.
overall, we both enjoyed the movie and the cinema very much. Thumbs up, I will pay a visit next time when I in town again.

This is New York’s best kept secret. The theater is almost always practically empty, there is rarely a line, and if there is, once inside you still have your pick of seats. We were able to get tickets to Star Wars on Christmas day, when it is sold out at every other theater in the city with showings around the clock. The staff is very friendly and helpful, the bathrooms clean and glamorous, and the popcorn fresh and delicious.

Not well coordinated, waited in the cold outside for 30 minutes before being let into the theater.
Go to your nearest AMC if you want appropriate levels of service…

This is a genuine New York landmark that has earned my admiration for more than just its ambience, cinematic screen possibilities and historical significance. However, my loyalty came about as a result of a lovely ticket collector by the name of Rosa. For more than a decade, she has been welcoming in a manner that is inspiring. When the cold New York City winters make us seek out recreational as well as vital shelter, Rosa’s warmth reminds us that commercial institutions whose bottom line is described via statistics and data are actually buttressed by exceptional human beings.

love this theater… i Saw Cabaret here in 1972 and have been here as much as I could over the years… A GEM… Please support it

It is the Movie Going experience that many of us grew up with, one of a kind

How is this place not completely packed every night?! How do New Yorkers not know about this place?!! I’ve lived here for awhile now and walked past this theater more than I can count, but never thought it would be the INCREDIBLE and BEAUTIFUL theater that it is.
It’s got these chandeliers and red carpet décor that’s slightly reminiscent of a gentlemen’s club in the 1960’s. until you walk into the actual theater. It literally seats like 1000+ people and is remarkably beautiful. I know they do some premieres here, and now I can see why.
I saw a movie last week in the theater and there was maybe 10 – 15 other people in the theater. And it was only $ 15 a ticket! Why have I been paying so much for those nasty Times Square Regal Theater crowded seats when I could’ve been here?
The sound system is incredible too!
Come for date night, leave impressed and wanting more. Can’t wait to go back.

I love this theatre. It is so grand and beautiful. It is the closest one for me to go to but I can only afford to go sometimes but that works well since it only plays one movie for a few weeks on its one screen.
The popcorn is fresh and all the staff are super nice and friendly. It’s like going to a friends place.
The bathrooms are stunning — old theatre style so very beautiful.

THE MOST TRULY GORGEOUS MOVIE THEATER you are ever likely to set foot in.
Yet far too many of my lifetime-​NYer friends barely know of its existence, much less have been to the Ziegfeld.
PERFECT FOR (1) DATE NIGHTS… Impress your date. Watch their eyes get huge when they take in their unexpectedly gorgeous, ornate surroundings. A really nice way to add a touch of class to what otherwise would feel like a very «casual» date. Many a red-​carpet première has been held here. You would not feel overdressed in a suit & tie, here… even if you’re the only person wearing them.
(2) TRUE CINEPHILES… this theater was clearly designed as a labor of love, and boasts brilliant sightlines. (The slope is correctly engineered to reduce people in front of you blocking your view.) I’ve also found the acoustics to be excellent, as well.
This is NOT your standard American «shove-​as-​many-​seats-​in-​a-​box-​shaped-​room-​as-​possible» multiplex, with no regard for the quality of view.
The Ziegfeld was built by someone who clearly treasured the movie-​going experience.
Any true movie-​lover owes it to themselves to watch at least one film here — it’s a truly memorable movie house.

Just had to comment on William C’s review since I was at the same show. First of all, there were 15 minutes of trailers. When the problems began, the staff was immediately available in the lobby. After 10 to 15 minutes of the projectionist trying to correct whatever the problem was, a staff member and manager took everyone to the box office for refunds. These things happen and staff was very friendly and helpful.
I went back the next day and the show was perfect!

Usually we come here for the movie screenings. Historical and beautiful, the Ziegfeld hosted many shows, movies and events in the past. In the lobby, one can see the many archival playbills. The chandeliers decorate the hallways. We saw «The Tourist» (Angelina Jolie made an appearance), August: Osage County (Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Kings of Leon made appearances), «Orange is the New Black», «Mandela: long road to freedom». I feel very privileged to witness screenings here. To share the excitement, and glory of a new film before anyone else. You get to sit with executive producers, directors, other actors and celebrities.
During the screenings, the staff serves free soda, and popcorn.
I love this theater.

We went here for the première of the movie ‘Top Five’ and were surprised to see the size and the looks of the theater. This place is meant for red carpet events. There’s red carpet everywhere, from walls to floor to ceilings!
Clearly, this place is meant for movie premiers. The seats are not push-​back and there’s not much leg room, but the screen is one of the biggest I’ve seen in NYC. Because of it’s antiquated looks and seats, I would’t suggest this one for your weekly movies, but also suggest that you come here at-​least once to experience the old style movie experience.

Such a pretty antique movie theater! The glittering chandeliers in the lobby and the gold handles of the sink faucets.
The theater is HUGE! Online it said that it could seat up to 1000+ people! Wow, that’s pretty darn awesome. The seats all the way in the front didn’t seem too comfortable.
But the balcony seats had a pretty good view of the movie screen although I was sitting farther from the movie screen than I had ever sat before in a movie theater.
Since it was a screening, there was free popcorn, soda and water waiting for us at the concession stand (yes there is only one). Armed with my complimentary snacks, we made our way to the balcony and tried to understand where my seat was despite the chaos that was all around me. I went up and down and up and down and up and down all of the aisles trying to find my seat. Turns out someone was sitting in our seats because someone was sitting in THEIR seats. But the usher tried to fix things, and then sort of gave up so we ended up sitting two rows behind the one we were had tickets for.
The cup holders are attached to the seat in front of the you so it was a bit uncomfortable and inconvenient to have to bend down every time you wanted to have a drink of your soda or water.
After the movie, everyone scrambled for the bathrooms. They are so pretty! The toilets are pretty clean and well stocked with toilet paper, paper towels, soap and toilet seat covers.
I would love to be able to go back soon to see another movie because I didn’t get a good shot of the gorgeous lobby.

Honestly the best movie theater I’ve been to in New York so far. It hasn’t got the flashy new lobby, high backed/​reclining chairs, or fancy projectors of the newer theaters; thus, if you’re looking for the highest picture quality of blow-​your-​mind sound, this might not be the place.
What the Ziegfeld DOES have is superb elegance (the lobby and theaters are all wood and red velvet with chandeliers), decent prices for Manhattan (a few dollars cheaper than the other brand name places, but not a major money-​saver), and very quiet, polite clientele and staff.
We recently went to see Guardians of the Galaxy in 3d, and were a.) AMAZED at the huge size of the auditorium, b.) satisfied with the picture quality, and c.) grateful to be surrounded by quiet folks who just wanted to catch a movie after work. If you go on a weeknight, there are very few young children or people on their phones, which is a big plus for me.

What an elegant movie theater! I like seeing films here, especially when it’s not too crowded.
I almost feel like I want to dress nicely when I come here, rather than wearing my Daisy Dukes and flip-​flops, paired with a baby tee.
The seats are comfortable, the décor is grand and you really feel like you’re someplace special.

Great place to catch a film.
Ziegfeld is not your father’s multiplex — it’s the kind of place your grandfather might have gone to see a movie.
Plush, luxurious old-​school charm, a single big screen, and the kind of lobby you’d expect when going to see a play or nice concert. Tons of comfortable stadium-​style seating ensuring good sightlines for all, friendly and polite staff at the concessions. Good spot for a date.

Now this is a theater!
Huge doesn’t even begin to describe the word, very fancy old school opera style theater, with seats-​galore, comfy seats, extremely clean, hard to imagine it be over crowded, and whether you decide to sit in the front, middle or back the view will always be perfect.
I never mention a bathroom in my reviews
BUT the sink has gold handles!
I’m adding this as one of my date spots, even if it’s just to use the bathroom.
TIP: use a group on or deal flicks! $ 8 per ticket I spent to watch a movie at this place. beyond worth it

Once upon a time, going to the theater was an event. You didn’t just throw on a pair of comfy jeans and a t-​shirt and get a ticket on Fandango. You dressed up, you had to get on line — or maybe you were lucky enough to have a ticket waiting for you at Will Call. The theater gave you a sense of grandiosity that was hard to match and just the sheer mention of going to see «a show at the theater» could inspire awe.
Nowadays, with the rise of the mulitplexes and old theaters bowing out of existence one by one, a theater such as the Ziegfeld is a treasure. This is the second theater to have the name, the original one built in the 20’s is long gone. Indeed, this theater almost disappeared recently as well under the management of Clearview Cinemas, but a new company «Bow Tie» has taken it over. Don’t expect many changes however, the Ziegfeld is still an experience that brings you back to another time.
The Ziegfeld is made to impress. Red and gold colors surround you, chandeliers light your way and a very friendly and professional staff takes great care of you. Even better? The theater itself is *huge* and only runs one movie at a time. No dodging crazy crowds or going up five escalators to get to your movie. There’s one main room and that’s where everyone winds up. Even before your movie begins, absorbing your surroundings is enchanting.
I’m very happy that Bow Tie has taken over this theater. Evidence of the «Clearview» name can still be found here and there, but overall the theater still feels the same. If you can see a movie (or three) here I would highly encourage you to check it out and experience movies like you won’t anywhere else in midtown!