Rialto Cinemas Cerrito — Attraction in El Cerrito

The Rialto Theatre is, without a doubt, the most archaic, rundown, and utterly miserable excuse for a movie theater I have ever had the misfortune to set foot in. From the moment I dared to step inside, I could feel the overwhelming weight of regret crashing down on me—an immediate sign that I had made a colossal mistake. This place looks like it hasn’t been touched, cleaned, or updated since the early 1900s—except not in a charming, nostalgic way, but in a grotesquely depressing, "should-have been condemned decades ago" nightmare of neglect and filth. Let’s talk about the seats—oh, the seats! Whoever brown-nosed the architects into designing these hellish devices clearly thought more about medieval torture chambers than audience comfort. They are lumpy, rock-hard, and covered in suspicious stains that have matured over decades. Sitting here felt like being assaulted by a device meant to inflict pain, not provide a place to watch a film. I spent half the time shifting, squirming, desperately trying to find some position that didn't make my spine scream for mercy. What kind of sick joke is this? And the smell? It’s like walking into an attic that’s been sealed tight for fifty years—an assault of mildew, stale popcorn, and the foul stench of neglect so overwhelming it almost made me gag. At one point, I had to breathe through my sleeve just to avoid inhaling the putrid air that clung like a thick fog around me. Air circulation? Clearly, the Rialto Theatre hasn't heard of such a thing—maybe because it’s been closed off to fresh air since the dawn of the last century! Now, onto the screen and sound—what a catastrophe! The screen was dim, unevenly lit, and had a grainy quality that made me question if I had wandered into some derelict museum of ancient cinema technology. The sound? An absolute mess—muffled, crackling, like someone forgot to tune an old radio station, turning every line of dialogue into indecipherable nonsense. Explosions and action scenes sounded like distant bubble wrap popping in a haunted house. I had to rely on subtitles, which were partially cut off by the poorly calibrated screen—how do you mess up something so basic? And the atmosphere—don’t get me started. It’s eerily silent, not in a peaceful way, but in a "we haven’t had a real audience here since 1985" kind of way. The staff? They might as well have been mannequins—lifeless, uninterested, moving with the sluggishness of someone who’s long given up. Not a hint of enthusiasm, not a whisper of customer service—just blank stares that practically yelled, "I don’t care, and I definitely don’t get paid enough to care." And the prices? Outrageous! I paid the same exorbitant amount I’d fork over at a decent theater, only to be subjected to an experience so terrible it felt more like wandering through a haunted house. Where is this money going? Certainly not into renovation or upkeep! I left feeling like I had escaped a time warp—back to an era when basic comfort, technology, and hygiene were considered optional. If this theater isn’t shut down immediately for health and safety reasons, then what’s the point? I wouldn’t set foot here again if they paid me—this place is a disgrace waiting to happen, a shameful relic that’s long past its...

Literally a historical landmark with a friendly small family vibe where people can actually comfortably enjoy the entertainment of the cinematic experience they came to see. Ran by a group of all differently interesting personalites so insync with eachother that they effortlessly seem to manage and maintain ship to provide you the smooth stress free experience you expect to have on an special outing event like going out to the Movie theater used to and should still be. Their kitchen staff offers and skillfully provides an interesting array of food choices prepared with many varieties of classic and rarely used luxury ingridents cooked to delicious downhome perfection. The quaint cozy little side Bar area called The Scene has a classic relaxing fancy lounge atmosphere, with wine options served in real stemware. Most usually bar is tended by a distintly uniqe guy that gives the place a slight OG sportsbar edge as he draws you a nice full pint of different draft or lauger beers of choice. The scene menu even offers a small array of thoughtfully unique d'oeuvres like ricotta stuffed mushrooms or sauteed brussell sprots with prosciutto. So regardless if your alone, on a date or with family, the Rialto Cinemas is...

Was my favorite theater, until last night. -Mainly b/c food and drinks may be ordered and enjoyed during the movie, plus its a good location. Spent +$100 taking a couple of friends see Dune. Great movie but the food had issues. One of the chicken tenders was still frozen at the end so I decided to leave the rest of the meal and return it at the end of the show (no way I was missing 5-10 min. of Dune), the chicken tender was literally still cold as ice at one end and remained that way until after the show was over. I talked to the manager and he said that he refunded meals all the time, but since I didn't bring it up immediately he could not do it. The chicken was STILL icey-cold to the touch, and he refused. I didn't mention to him that the quesadilla was too salty to eat, threw it out. Someone was at the counter complaining about the exact same issue with their food right before me. My friend told him he was surprised he didn't at least offer a credit for something free in the future, while I was in the bathroom, but this kid did not care. This manager clearly has no concern about the customer from our...