Grandview Theater and Drafthouse
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Grandview Theater and Drafthouse offers a unique, nostalgic 'small town Midwest cinema' experience, prioritizing quality service, an excellent selection of craft beverages (beers, drafts, stouts), and highly-rated food (especially popcorn and pizza). It's known for its friendly staff and fun special movie events. However, based on the provided reviews, it appears to cater more to an adult audience seeking a sophisticated movie-going experience, with an explicit contrast to environments 'full of screaming children.' While it's a movie theater that may show general release films, it does not present itself with dedicated 'kids theater' amenities or specific child-focused programming.
Key Highlights
- ✓Incredible and amazing staff who provide excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere (even giving a pregnant patron a baby onesie at an adult event).
- ✓Outstanding movie selection and fun special movie events (e.g., 'Mean Girls beer tasting').
- ✓Amazing popcorn (described as the 'best ever') and good pizza (described as 'bangin'').
- ✓Extensive and amazing selection of draft choices, beer, and delicious stouts, which are also well-priced.
- ✓Maintains a unique, unadulterated charm and the feel of an emblematic small town Midwest cinema of old.
- ✓Offers a social atmosphere, including a patio for sipping drinks before a showing.
Standout Features
- ⭐Exceptional, friendly, and accommodating staff.
- ⭐High-quality food options, particularly the popcorn and pizza.
- ⭐Wide and well-priced selection of craft beers and stouts.
- ⭐Unique special movie events and themed tastings.
- ⭐Nostalgic, charming, and intimate theater atmosphere distinct from large multiplexes.
- ⭐A gathering place that fosters a sense of community.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Arrive early for popular showings, as tickets often sell out.
- →Avoid the 'Hot Honey Pizza' if you are looking for a sweet and savory experience, as it's reported to be just spicy.
- →Consider this venue for a unique movie night experience, especially if you appreciate craft beverages and a nostalgic ambiance.
- →If bringing children, ensure they are old enough and well-behaved to appreciate a quieter, adult-leaning environment.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The 'Hot Honey Pizza' is reported to be spicy with no discernible honey flavor, so it's best to avoid if expecting sweetness.
- ⚠Showings often sell out, indicating popular events and limited seating.
- ⚠Lacks in size and number of screens compared to 16-screen multiplexes.
- ⚠One review explicitly contrasts the venue's preferred atmosphere with 'screaming children' found at multiplexes, suggesting it might not be the most welcoming environment for very young or noisy kids.
Price & Value
Beer is well-priced, and the highly-rated popcorn and pizza suggest good value for the quality of food and drinks. While no specific movie ticket prices are mentioned, the overall positive sentiment implies that the unique atmosphere and quality offerings justify the cost. No hidden costs were mentioned.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific information about wheelchair access, sensory-friendly hours, or other special needs accommodations was mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •The venue offers an extensive menu of food (pizza, amazing popcorn) and beverages (drafts, stouts, beer). There is no explicit mention of an outside food policy, but with their own highly-rated food and drink options, outside food is likely not encouraged or permitted.
- •Features a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including craft beers and stouts.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific information about parking availability or cost was mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Showings often sell out, indicating that the venue can get quite busy, especially for popular movies or special events. Suggests high demand for its limited screens/seating.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific information regarding safety measures such as staff monitoring, wristband systems, first aid, or locked entries was mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Parents specifically looking for a 'kids theater' with dedicated child-focused programming, play areas, or amenities for very young children.
- • Families with toddlers or young children who may be prone to making noise, as the venue's atmosphere is contrasted with 'screaming children.'
- • If you require a large multiplex with multiple screen options for simultaneous family viewing choices.
- • If you strictly avoid venues that heavily feature alcohol consumption during general hours.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 6 reviews)
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Michael Crichton
5 months agoThankful to spend time here. Staff is incredible. Great food and draft choices. Mr. Pickles is a cool dude.
Monique Spellman
a month agoThe movie theayre is great. The popcorn is amazing! Best popcorn I've ever had. The stouts are delicious, and the pizza is good. Don't get the hot honey pizza. There's no honey, and it's just spicy, lol.
Tori Kisamore
a year agoThis place is amazing. I’m currently at the Mean Girls beer tasting but I’ve been going to this theater for about 6 years now. I’m pretty regular here and let me tell you; this staff treats you amazingly, the beer is well-priced, and they have some of the most fun events that I have ever been to in the Columbus area. They even gave me a baby onesie when I showed up to a beer tasting when pregnant in 2021. (And no, I didn’t drink at that specific beer tasting lol). ALSO THE PIZZA? Bangin’. Support local, they’re great people here. Also, if you don’t know the Guy on a Buffalo then who even are you?
David
9 months agoThis is by far my favorite theater to visit out of any theater I have been to. The beer selection is amazing. The movies they show are outstanding, and the special movie events they have are so fun! Can't wait to come back.
Darren Baldwin
9 months agoIn a city of 2 million plus, Grandview Theater (and its slightly more punk-rock sister, Studio 35) somehow manages to maintain the feel and atmosphere of the emblematic small town Midwest cinema of old. What it lacks in size and number of screens it makes up for in quality of service, food & beverage options, and unadulterated charm. Showings often sell out, but the experience of sipping a pint of 'Gansett on the patio among the fireflies, laughing with friends (both old and new) as you wait for the next showing is something you can’t get at 16-screen multiplexes full of screaming children and apathetic, underpaid teenagers. Come early, get your tickets, and just hang out in the moment. Grandview Theater is a piece of history, a place of gathering, a shrine to the lost art of killing time with something new and fun at every visit. Consider it the next time you feel like a night at the movies — I promise Nicole Kidman will forgive you.