Clinton Street Theater

Portland is made better with the Clinton Street Theater. Concessions are inexpensive, while this theater is known for far more than just movies. The Science on Tap events are interesting. Although the stadium seating of the new millennium is way better than their narrow seating, the events more than compensate for that blunder.
It is often a pleasure to go here. An event here can often cover topics such as vaccinations. The neighborhood is a little out of the way, so chances are going downtown after might be prudent. Parts of the theater can get crowded. Exiting the seats are difficult oweing to that old style.
Clinton Street Theater brings that authentic urban experience to Portland.

So I had never been to RHPS live. And with all the hype I was super excited. The theater itself is a little run down but still holding strong.
The games lasted WAY to long and were rushed. There WAY to much content from the employees if they took some of it out it would be more fun and less rushed. The sound system needs to be improved, I could barely understand minion. Not because he didn’t have the mic in the right spot but because of the speakers. I expected to yell and have fun I did neither.
Don’t get me wrong everybody was very nice outside, but the dialogue while the movie was going could have been much better.
I think if they were to take some content out, it wouldn’t be so rushed and WAY more enjoyable. And new speakers are needed, it is nice to hear things as well.

This is more a review of their showing of Rocky Horror than the theatre itself but it’s all intertwined as I view it.
This is my second visit to the theatre, last year for Rocky on Halloween and it was an *event*. It was an anniversary and so I wrote up the pre-​show theatricals as a special thing. It was an odd night for me as I was a bit unwell so I didn’t get to stay much past the start of the much delayed show. but again, it was an anniversary so I didn’t think much of it. Lines, rowdy people, way too much focus on a pre-​show with singing, dancing, games and just stuff.
My friend and I decided to give it another go recently and the one improvement is that they now take debit cards. No ATM machines necessary. Big technological improvement considering the volume for Rocky alone.
So, we have the kooky rev the audience up stuff outside while waiting in line. Will-​Call for a midnight movie was a bit much I thought but whatever. It wasn’t an extensive crowd and I didn’t care enough to need or want a front row seat.
Doors were a tad late, and then once we all got seated… it was the same pre-​show *stuff* (stuff on stuff on stuff, ad nauseum). Rocky is about the movie and the audience participation and the cast is supposed to be the icing on the cake. Just that bit to make it an even better experience. Well, not here. Here it is all about fun and games and I know that sounds so curmudgeonly, and perhaps it is… but I came to see a show that started at Midnight and was about Rocky Horror — not dancing to Wham! songs and karaōke and ‘who’s a virgin’ games.
This time I wasn’t sick but I was just pretty ruined to the extent that the length of the pre-​show made me cranky and I just wanted to see Rocky. The more it became about the cast and the audience games, the more I got turned off. This time we both left.
I like the small things — I like the real butter on the popcorn and the friendliness of the staff at the Clinton Street Theatre and the Rocky DIY audience participation packs but the pre-​show itself? Cut it to 15 minutes, open early so the show starts on time and get over yourselves. If you want to be in vaudeville, take it elsewhere PLEASE.
I’d rather, and it sound so antithetical to the ethos of Rocky, but I’d rather go back to seeing it in a big name-​brand corporate owned theatre that allowed a cast and audience participation than to be forced to endure another minute of the ‘me-​me-​me’ cast.
Heck, do it once a month– have a slimmed down version. I’d spend my money there. Now, I’ve learned and am looking for another venue anywhere within a few hours drive that is more about the show and less long-​winded theatrics.

I am giving 3 stars because the theater isn’t half bad — but the Rocky Horror Picture Show is… and this it the one place in Portland that runs it — every single Saturday night — and has been since 1978.
Yes, it’s one of the longest running movies in the world, but that doesn’t make it any good.
Evidently, my friends all saw this show — at this theater — in high school, but since I hadn’t seen it, I put it on my Bucket List and convinced a bunch of friends, who also hadn’t had to suffer through it until now.
Needless to say, it was as campy and awful as I suspected it’d be. That suspicion came from my brother saying he saw it when he was in high school and loved it. He also loved the movie «Spaceballs» so I knew I was in for a real treat. Not!
Anyway, the movie sucked and the re-​enactors didn’t seem thrilled to be there either; not cuing us in to when to throw the rice and toast or what to do with the thong panties that the website suggest we bring.
Because the show was such a train wreck, I was too distracted to even notice if the theater seats were comfy or if the old building looked as though it were renovated or about to come crashing down.
All that said, it’s pretty cool that this theater ha been able to run this horrifically horror movie for 30+ years without facing financial ruin. I guess it’s a good thing people in Portland are keeping it weird by continually watching this weirder than weird sci-​fi cult-​followed film.

great new seats, sound system, best popcorn in town, and it’s warm in the winter now! the most diverse and eclectic selection of films in town.

Went here for Shorty Shorts, a queer short film festival. What a great gem! It’s also their 100 year anniversary, and the owner (?) got on stage and gave a little talk. It was great to hear the history. John Waters also made a video where he stated that if people didn’t support the theater, that they were «assholes». Hilarious. It’s a shame so many of these small theaters were torn down so quickly. Bonus for beer in the theater. god, I love Portland.

My very conservative Mom let me watch Rocky Horror Picture Show over and over again when I was a kid. I was obsessed with the gender bending, promiscuity, fabulous outfits, and general weirdness of it all. Looking back, it is fucking weird that my mom let me do this. But it reminded of her of her high school days, back when she was alive and free and all that shit. So thanks, Ma!
Ever since those days, I have always dreamt of going to a live show of the cult classic. Dressing up, throwing rice, screaming out «Slut» and «Asshole» at the characters on the screen. I finally got my chance this Halloween, and it was pretty great. If you’re a virgin, expect to be embarrassed on stage at the start of it all, but worry not for it’s all in good fun!
Bonus: They have Hopworks cans for sale at the front counter, tall cans for a decent price!

Went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween! I’m not a diehard RHPS fan, but I thought they put on a great show!
The theater itself is in decent shape, despite being almost 100 years old. To be honest, I thought the seats were a hell of a lot more comfortable than those in the more modern theaters.

A little over two years ago, new ownership came to the Clinton. Amazing stuff happened like they began using the A/​C in the summer and heater in the winter. The other owner didn’t value comfort of his patrons, apparently.
So, the owners don’t take a salary. Every penny earned goes back into the theater. Recently, they bought a new sound system, new screen and are replacing their seats. They also fixed the hole in the bathroom floor (yay for not falling through the floor!) and have been updating as they can.
A recent reviewer (⁷⁄₂₀₁₄) stated that their A/​C doesn’t work. Hmm. Not true. I was JUST there several times in June and July and the cool air was flowing (not to mention cold cans of HUB lager). Also to this reviewer, paint is very expensive. That’s a lot of ceiling to cover. Maybe you could volunteer some time at the Clinton rather than complain about it? Just a thought.
Anyway, love the Clinton and that the ownership is dedicated to our community. In fact, Lani just came by our neighborhood association meeting and let everyone know about some upcoming free events.
Thank you, Clinton for existing.

These guys are running a campaign to get money to renovate. I hope it happens soon. The AC wasn’t working and that’s really not OK in 2014. And, this is the second event I’ve attended there — I’m not impressed with the shabby touchups. It can’t be that expensive to paint the whole ceiling or clean up the paint job on the stage. So, yeah, really uncomfortable. I will continue to go because it’s where my events are held, but I hope that it’s a rainy day next time. And I hope they have friends to make sure they get their rehab money.

This is a local theater showing a wide range of films you won’t be able to see anywhere else. They have comfortable seats, fair prices on their snacks and beverages, and some of the best popcorn in town, made with real butter.

Clinton Street is a beautiful, historic theater that hosts live performances, concerts, and film screenings. Run by a really great crew of folks, too. Glad to have this spot in our community.

I am a sucker for small, local movie theaters. We came here to watch ’12 O’Clock Boyz’ which is a documentary about an adolescent youth in Baltimore riding dirt bikes in the streets. It was a good one but this review isn’t about the movie, it’s about the theater.
It is right in the Clinton neighborhood between Division and Powell. It’s an old theater that has been around for as long as I can remember. This was the first time I finally set foot in it. It is owned by a husband-​wife team. The front lobby is tickets and concession stand. There is one unisex bathroom outside of the theater and one inside (I spotted this one on the way out of the theater). I thought the ticket prices were reasonable.
The theater room itself is big and there is a stage so you can even watch live acts. It’s clean and doesn’t have that stale popcorn, sticky soda feel that most theaters have nor did I feel like it was a decrepit and dying building. I am hopeful that this theater continues to be a fixture in this neighborhood and in Portland. I will definitely keep an eye out for cool shows to see and maybe even the next showing of ‘The Big Lebowski’ if they do that again.

LOVE this old historic theater! It’s a cool venue with nice workers. Adult tickets are normally $ 6, but it is $ 4 for everyone on Tuesdays. They also offer free movies sometimes. They’re interesting, off-​beat films, documentaries, etc. — not your modern theater fare. That’s another reason I’m a fan.

Ok… you have to know this. This tiny 100 year old theatre has been purchased by a lovely couple whose mission is to bring socially significant films to the community. The Mrs. introduced herself before our film and told us about their dream and that made the movie even better. We saw «Girl Rising», sat in the front row, which had plenty of leg room and wasn’t so close that we had to crane our necks to see. The place was full, lots of people having purchased their tickets (like us) through «Gather» The Clinton Street Theater is one of the oldest independent theaters in the country… that in itself is reason to go… out of respect for your elders! Help keep it alive and have a go at a show!

In trying to write this review, I looked up the plot summary for The Rocky Horror Picture Show seeking some analogies, and I was all: Aliens? What?! I have no memory of that at all!
While I’ve visited the Clinton Street Theater many times over many years, paying real money to see real shows — including The Rocky Horror Picture Show — I still have a generally fuzzy sense about the place, and frankly, most of the movies I’ve seen here, too. It’s like I’m under sedation.
Some of it is quite probably related to the troublesome sound system here, but whatever the reason, it leaves me feeling perpetually unqualified to review it.
I’m gonna try something. Let me know if you don’t follow.
Say I’m Laura Ingalls Wilder and Clinton Street is Fox News. Stay with me. Although we align on ostensibly common themes **, we differ wildly in terms of aesthetics, execution and presentation. And quite possibly intent.
I love that it supports things I also want to support. And I want it to be there forever, gritty and cold and bare bones and all. If there’s such a thing as a dive theater, this is it.
Like many of the friends whose small films I’ve seen here, Clinton Street and I are acquaintances, but I don’t see us ever becoming tight. It’s just not my lifestyle is all. But I still appreciate it, and dammit, Janet, I love that this place exists.
** Katrina/​Clinton: jumps to the left, cult classics, elaborate costumes, hometown pride.
Laura/​Fox+: prolific documentation, family values, work ethic, playground bullies.
+ Poor Laura, rolling in her grave right now.

I am going on a theater tour of Portland in 2011. No I’m not. It sounded good, but then I realized I had nowhere else to go with this review.
The Clinton Street Theater is a dive theater. It is as simple as that. When you go to see a documentary on Lemmy Kilmister, this type of venue is the best venue for such a feature.
Here is the main reason why it gets 3 stars instead of 4 or 5. Our movie was slated to begin at 9. The previous showing was supposed to start at 7. It must’ve started late because we walked into the theater not once, not twice, but three times to see that the previous showing was still on. Now you might be asking yourselves why would one go into a theater once, twice, three times a lady… oops I thought I was at karaōke there for a second. We went in because we had no guidance. Nobody told us not to go in. Nobody mentioned that the previous showing was still on. Maybe I’m just spoiled. I like my 10 or so minutes inside the theater before the show starts. I’m weird that way. Anyway, not really a big deal.
The great part is that there were zero previews. Lights down, movie on. That I can get behind.

First off paying 6 $ for a movie that’s on DVD is unjustifiable in my mind. Jokes on me I guess because I still did it. I often do things I can’t justify logically, logical plays only a small role in my decision making. That being said I’ll probably come back here pay more to watch a movie then to rent it. And don’t forget cash — because that’s all they take. There is something a tiny bit more classy about watching a movie in a theater and drinking then doing it at home in your Pjs. Notice a say a tiny bit, Clinton Street Theater doesn’t dress itself up, It’s no frills! I didn’t truly realize how precious stadium seating is until a freakishly tall person sat down in front of me, it really would’ve come in handy.
The employees are volunteers which is sweet of them, and they are very nice! They have late night Rocky Horror showings and random Skateboarding and other Xtreme sports movie opens. Not my cup of tea but it’s nice that they cater to that.
I had high hopes, I’m a tad let down.

Okay, so it’s not the classiest place. Nor the most technologically advanced. In all honestly, the equipment is sort of neanderthalian. But so what? I still like the place.
It’s in a good location, easy to find, lots to do before or after you see a film. And they don’t play the mainstream Hanna Montana crap you’ll find at places like Cinema 21. They’re primarily supportive of Indie film festivals and the cult scene.
For example, the last film I saw there was Bike Porn 3. Where else can you go in Portland to see a film that ends with a real live man and woman stripping down until all their glorious junk is aview, singing a cover of «I’ve had the time of my life» (which was changed to «I’ve had the bike porn of my life’, naturally)? Where, dammit? Tell me!
That’s right. Maybe nowhere else. Maybe somewhere else. Case in point, I love their film selection.
And the fact that you can go partake in live screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday at midnight. Weeee… I went dressed up with a group of friends and we had a blast.
So, if you’re feeling funky and don’t mind a creaky chair, some dust on your shoulder, and some occasionally faltering speakers, then enter into the madness of the Clinton Street Theatre.
Muah hah hah hah…

I’d never been here before. You might be shocked to hear this, but I’m not the world’s biggest Rocky Horror fan. I know, it’s disappointing, but hopefully you can respect me some day again.
The box office was, barricaded is the word. Now what? No sign, website didn’t say anything.
I’m looking into the lobby when someone exits and crosses the street to get one of the free papers on the corner over there. Doesn’t say a word to me. Thanks, dickhead. I can see someone halfway in a hall, he must be talking to someone in whatever room he’s almost coming out of, so I’ll wait patiently.
Okay, screw this, I’m going in. Doesn’t open for twenty minutes. Alright. Cool. Information is good.
When I return, Mr I Love Free Newspapers More Than Paying Customers is selling tickets. Not in the box office tho (it’s still in Green Zone mode), next to the concession stand. Someone walks in with a pizza. Turns out she works here, as much as anyone seems to work here.
Then I walk in to my middle school auditorium. Except my middle school replaced seats that someone thought would look better on their wall.
What a dump. I mean, charming, how charming.
And the movie had a legend across the screen that read:
Screening copy. Not for public use.
Describes more than just the movie.