Tower Theatre — Attraction in Sacramento

Historically significant location which generally features independent, foreign, art house or other smaller types of pictures.

This place is full of history. This theater has been here since I believe the 1930s or something? It is very old, in the classic sense of the word.

This location has only 3 individual screens/theaters, but each is massive in its design. The ceilings are easily 60-100 feet high.

I took off 1 possible star, due to the seats being who knows how old. I understand it is historic but updating the seats or even just the upholstery wouldn't go amiss. As it stands that is the worst feature as after even 30 or 40 minutes you can become severely uncomfortable and if the feature is 2 hours or more well maybe bring a sweater or pillow to avoid any additional pain.

I believe the projectors are at least fairly modern and are generally bright and clear for such a large space. The sound, while not much more than mediocre, is usually adequate.

There are minor snacks etc to choose from, the basic hot dog, nachos etc but also some surprisingly not all too bad chicken sandwich and a couple other choices for foods. They also have a beer/wine license so you can get a favorite libation with your film.

Plenty of parking in an oversized lot outside although no shade or covered spots. Even still, it can get a little crowded especially before or after a big showing.

Take your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, kids (if they are well behaved at the movies of course) and go check it out. One of the rare glimpses into the past with several modern amenities of the future.

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The no outside water policy does not take into account disabled people. The ticket man (older gentleman) practically ran after me today when he realized i had my own water with me. It was startling to say the least. He sternly informed me that he could keep my water with him up front.

Rattled and taken aback, trying to come up with the right words, I asked where I should get water, and he haphazardly motioned towards concessions (understandably so). However, I began to explain that i needed to have my personal ice water with me as i have a medical condition. Before i could finish explaining he quite literally just stormed away ??? (I’m young & dont look visibly ill right now, so im assuming he didn’t believe me) After being left slightly stunned in the lobby, I gathered myself, walked in & sat down.

Anyways, I have cancer as well as a severe chronic illness & i need my larger hydro flask of ice water to regulate my body temp…. and like not pass out lol. A standard water bottle from concessions would not have been enough for me. Im sure i am not the only one to have experienced something like this, but overall it was an extremely unsettling and anxiety inducing experience. I love tower theater but being bombarded about my water & then literally walked away from mid explanation...

I realize that there is a sign that states: NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES. I brought my special water with me and should have stuck it in my backpack 🎒. We were early for the showing of “All the Pain” so I had my bottle with me. No sooner had we sat down in front of the concession stand, that the Manager, Dave confronted me about bringing in my own drink, by harassing me and saying: “ You have to buy something from the concession stand and don’t ever bring your own drink with you again.” He was really offensive. He could have just stated in a calm and customer friendly manner that it was the policy of the theater that outside beverages were not allowed 🚫. He really let me have it. I love the movies at The Tower Theater. The selection of movies is so much better than the larger chain theater groups. There are three more movies that were part of the previews that I am definitely going to see.

One other thing that would be great is if the Tower Theater put something online asking for the community to get together to help with an upgrade to the theater. New retro carpeting, painting, new bathroom fixtures, new seating for the smaller screening rooms, etc. I’m sure that local businesses would contribute their services and there could also be a...