Commodore Theatre

It has been 27 years since I’ve been to the Commodore Theater and WOW! There is character, space, good food, huge screen, & great acoustics. My 11yr old daughter said this is the best movie theater she’s ever been to and I agree! I don’t care for the new reclining chair type set ups that are popping up everywhere. I was totally at peace at The Commodore & would prefer watching a movie here than anywhere else.
Highlights & recommendations:
–Arrive at least 1hr/​30mins before show time depending on day & movie. No reservations. Better seat selection. 1^st come 1^st serve. Order food ahead of time.
–Food service stops about 15/​30mins into the movie
–Bill/​Check is settled about 45 mins into the movie. NOT like other places where it’s towards the end.
–20% tips are included
–2% credit card charge to purchase tickets. Bring cash.
–Speakers in the bathrooms! So cool! If one has to use the restroom during the movie, none of the sound will be missed!
–Crab & Shrimp Chowder had excellent flavor! $ 5! Hardly any seafood but, tasted really good!
-$ 3 Nachos & Cheese (says jalapeño but, wasn’t spicy… still good though)
-$ 5 Brownie Sundae! YUMMM!
–Fast service!
–9in pizza was cheesy! YUMMM!
–Bathrooms were gorgeous.
–Huge screen
–Surround sound was crisp & clear! Loved it!
Not sure what kind of food folks expect at a movie theater but, for the price and it being a movie theater, I thought everything great! Service was quick and polite! Great experience.

I may have set my expectations too high before arriving. The theater itself is very cool. Beautiful décor and a fancy feel to the place. The screen is massive and the sound system was impressive. Where I was really disappointed was the food and the HORRIBLE service. You have to order anything you want before the movie starts and the selection is that of a state fair. Hot dogs and pizza. Lol. When we tried to order wine, they were sold out. When we finally ordered food and drinks (via a phone on your table and the servers rotate so you do not keep the same person) it took about 20 mins to get a fish sandwich and our drinks (a beer and a cider) took an additional 15, so 35 mins for drinks… they informed us that they work separately (drink vs food dept) so the arrival times may vary. If you ask any of the servers on the floor for help or even just a glass of water, they look at you with disdain and tell you to use the phone to call it in. My experience here should’ve made for a great date night, but the service and food selection has insured an angry girlfriend and my promise that we do not return without having eaten first at one of the great spots on High St. Better luck to you.

I love this theater! The custom-​engineered THX movie sound system and buttered popcorn are the best within 100 miles. Orange & Root Beer floats too! You owe it to yourself to experience this place at least once in your lifetime. This is a beautiful theater… even if it does show some signs of wear.
Be aware that dinner seating arrangements are made at the box office on the day of the show. There is always plenty of balcony seating is available, but only popcorn, candy and sodas are served there. Dinner seating is the best experience. For ideal weekend seating during the first week of a movie’s run, reserve your table when the box– office is open for the matinée (12:45−3:00). Tip: check the online schedule and go towards the end of a movie’s run, then you can get great seats when the box office reopens at 5:45.
Also be aware, food orders can not be made after 7:00. So be sure to arrive and place your order early!

Love, love, love the theater and the employees! The only reason to come to Old Town Portsmouth anymore.

This is one of my favorite places! I believe the Commodore Theatre is one of the reasons downtown Portsmouth has grown into a place you actually want to visit (for those of us who were there in the 80s).
My defense of the house rules:
The mediocre reviews that whine about it not being perfect or needing repairs are seeing the worst in a beautiful place. Are YOU going to fix those repairs, because this man has worked his butt off to make the place as beautiful as possible, so I have no use for that. He does have strict rules for purchasing tickets, ordering food, arriving early or *gasp* on time. The rules have been made due to people acting like they were raised in barns, and you KNOW those type of people, so thank you if you’re not one. They’ve been adjusted & tweaked over the years as management has seen what works or what doesn’t. I’ve been coming here since they opened and yes, over the years the rules have gotten stricter, but ultimately they want you to enjoy the movie as much as possible, so NO, I don’t want some drunk jackal ordering popcorn or desert w/​in the last ten minutes of the movie and yelling into the phone. And yes, I have no problem that they add a tip in because they didn’t used to do that which means, enough jackals decided to be cheap and not tip the nice (and usually young kids) that were trying to serve them. 20% is standard, so if you have bad or less than standard service, go speak to the manager because I never have had a bad experience with the waitstaff. Also, ticket prices are cheap so don’t whine that they expect you to order food. Again, standard, you don’t want food, sit in the balcony! Ok, off my soap box.
The actual review:
Great movies, usually blockbusters or crowd pleasures. An exceptional sound system, great for movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Ticket prices are reasonable and for two people, you still make out better than going to an actual theater. Also, the experience is really lovely, sit in comfy chairs, eat and drink with your friends, and watch a (hopefully) really great movie. I have nothing but wonderful memories at this place, and I love going here when I’m home to visit my Mom. Please check it out if you haven’t done so. It’s worth the drive (and the tunnel toll if you’re coming from Va Beach/​Norfolk. I’d like to continue to see beautiful downtown Portsmouth thriving. Much love from NYC :-*

The best way to enjoy a movie at its original intend. The giant 41 ft. film screen, latest THX certified sound system and the chandeliers to bring you back to the golden age of 1945 in American history!
The Commodore Theatre is truly a beautiful gem!

The best place to see a movie and have dinner in Hampton Roads by far! The screen and sound are unmatched. You cannot have dinner and see a movie in a more comfortable environment than this. You need to get there at least 30 minutes before the movie to order dinner and start eating before the movie starts. I recommend starting off with a fruit and cheese plate, I always enjoy the turkey and cheese sandwich with fries and I finish up with the delicious warm oatmeal raisin cookies and ice cream. Oh and if you drink soda and there are two of you, get a pitcher, it will save you money.

Love going here to watch a movie. Sears are comfortable. Only time it is wierd is if you get sit with other people at a table. Their bbq nachos are amazing. Popcorn is usually good. Definitely recommend this place for a date night.

Unique, Historic, classic old time feeling… but not a completely restored theater. Many areas are in need up repair, upkeep and cleaning and seems dingy.
–Box office opened limited times, must pay for tickets in order to pick your table.
–No reservations, same day ticket sales only.
–No children under 8-​period.
–Tickets are reasonably priced. Best seats are along center isle of theater.
–No ordering food after movie starts. (Drink refills must be requested. AHEAD of time)
–Cash is preferred method of payment, if you pay by credit theres an up charge.
–Table service is not very good, not great.
–Yes, they charge you for TAP water.
–You may be seated with strangers if at large table and your a small party.
–Food is good but not spectacular, it is reasonably priced, portions are smaller.
–There is a minimum table tab for each party at the table, so no «just watching a movie» be prepared to buy a little something or pay the charge.
–Chances are you WILL have to pay for parking in a garage, as street parking is for 2 hours only.
TICKET PRICES (July 2015)
Adult (14 through 64) admission $ 9.00
Children 8 – 13 $ 8.00 (under 8 years of age are NOT admitted!)
Seniors 65 and over $ 7.00
Balcony open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
-«THERE IS A 50 CENT CHARGE FOR EACH SEPARATE CHECK»
–11.5% TAX in Portsmouth
–20% SERVICE CHARGE (Tip fee) are included on your bill. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE TIPS ON THE TABLE OR HAND ANY TIPS TO OUR STAFF##
**This interesting fact is not openly published on the web site… its just on the menu**
–Movie was awesome, screen and sound were very, very good.
Different and unique experience, just to try this place out… but not somewhere I’d be a repeat customer for as there are too many fees, up-​charges, stipulations ext for the experience to be 100% enjoyable.

What a pleasant surprise! A beautifull 1940’s style dining movie theater that offers a truely unique (and even historic) movie viewing experience. We enjoyed it tremendously.

This is a real treat. The environment is awesome. DO NOT GO TO EAT THE FOOD. Whew I’m not going to go into how out of the bag this place is. There is one item on the menu I can recommend: the crackers fruit and cheese plate. Yes I ordered and paid for 4 different meals and did not eat until I saw the cheese and fruit plate on another patron. Why 4 stars? It’s the movie experience that is worth the trip to that building. So yes go here get popcorn and a drink. You’ll have a great time.

Reserved our seats earlier in the day for late nite showing. Chose our table, center and middle. It was great choice. 6.00 minimum purchase per person at table, gratuity is already added in to your food order. Not keen about that, but our server was good and prompt so not a huge issue.
Great for special occasions, date night. The atmosphere is very 20’s.
More $$ than cinema café and food is «ok» and is more like bar food. Decent wine and beer selection. If you want to be unique for out of town guests or wow the kids, this is a must see and experience place. (At least once, just to say you did)

Does it help to mention that I’ve been coming here since my much, much younger days?
The commodore theatre is truly a beautiful gem. It is basically an old theatre that has been remodeled but kept much of it’s old charm. The movies they have been playing lately are movies that one would find popular – for example we saw Jurassic World.
You come in, present your ticket and then you are escorted to your table. After looking over the menu, pick up the phone and dial «0» and wait for someone to pick up and place your order. There may be a bit of a wait, and it is recommended to place your order on one phone call. I believe sometime after the movie starts they stop taking orders.
The food is alright, nothing on the menu screams out to write to mom and dad about. Pretty standard. But I haven’t come across anything that is disgusting. I often get a simple sandwich or the fried shrimp which are ok. They serve different beverages and select beers and wines as well. The wait staff are friendly and will grab anything that you ask for (i.e. condiments, extra napkins). It is a gratuity added automatically to your bill at the end, so be mindful of that.
Depending on the movie playing at the time it is a great place for families or a great date night.

This theater was definitely an experience. I don’t know that I would go back.
We went for a 2 pm Saturday matinée. We had followed the website’s directions and arrived at 12:35 pm to see if there was a line. There was an earlier private event and there was a crowd of people hanging out on the sidewalk. We went to the museum across the street and checked back at 1 pm. We didn’t see a line but decided to walk up. The line was inside. It was long and flow moving because people had to pick there seats/​table at the box office. They prefer cash and give a $ 1 discount for cash. When we got to register the owner was sitting there with a cash drawer and a gun in a holster on his hip. It was a little surreal.
Water is 30c and there are no refills on sodas. Orders are made by phone on your table and I had to hold for bit to get thru.
The picture and sound were surprisingly good.
The chair was comfortable for me as I’m 5’3″ but the backs are low and might not be comfortable for taller people.

You will Live and Die with an «American Sniper» The Commodore was a great Movie House to see this fantastic movie. All tables were taken. Food was delicious as expected. See You Next Go Around.

The movie theater is a fun place to watch a movie with the best sound system in the area. The original sloping floor has been «terraced» to provide levels for tables with telephones. The telephone is used to order from the menu which offers snacks and full meals in addition to popcorn and typical movie fare. What could be better than watching a good movie on a huge screen with a superb sound system, sitting in a upholstered easy chair while you eat good, reasonably-​priced food? Balcony seats, without table service are also available.

This theater is always a treat to go to! The food is very casual, but the experience on a whole feels a bit more classic — a step in time and I love it. Last time I was here I ordered the Hawaiian Pizza and want to go back just for it!

The Commodore is my favorite local theater. They have a very large screen and a first rate sound system. The interior is beautiful and the location is near nice restaurants.
The food is basic pub food-​nothing special but not bad either. It is fairly priced. The staff are very good– better than many restaurants.
We go with family, friends, or as a couple.

While I love the Commodore it does have some major pitfalls that prevent me from seeing it more often. Firsts and foremost I know I am nostalgic when I say this. I have seen many great movies here. I saw all three of the 20^th anniversary re-​releases for each of the original Star Wars movies, all three of the Lord of the Rings films and Man of Steel.
The food is great, the inside is great, the prices are great, I can’t even begin to complain about the staff they are all wonderful. At work I heard people complaining that the out side had become a bit of an eye sore and that all the movies playing are more artsy not the kind of movies people would spend that kind of money to go see.
Have to say they are right.
While I never minded the original «cash only» policy for tickets I was delighted to find you had started taking cards, but understand the price is slightly higher when you pay for tickets using your card.
This used to be the place to go on date night. We went and saw a boring movie just for the heck of it but it wasn’t the same. Even the wait staff agreed it looks better on the inside then the outside & the movie selection can be drab. The picture on your webpage is clearly dated.
Do yourself a favor & the city of Portsmouth. Spruce things up a bit and get some more main stream summer «Blockbuster Movies» to draw in the crowds. I’d have loved to have seen «X-​men Days of Future Past» there over any other place.

Best theater I’ve ever been to.
Full service dinner and drinks. It’s like watching a movie in a restaurant. I saw Lone Survivor in the balcony. Very clean and great prices. I will check out the full service restaurant in the future down below. Thumbs up from this critic.