Minor Theatre — Local services in Arcata

Not only the best theater in Americia but also the oldest continuious theater in the United States of America. It is absolutely gorgous inside. There are two different screens one is in a room like theater but the other has a balcony and that old-time huge theater with high ceilings and velvety curtains. Watching a movie here is such a luxurious experience just with the atmosphere and decore, but then you add in the table service the new owners include, and wow!, does it get any better than this? Local beers/ciders/kombucha on tap, pizza slices from APD next door all delivered to your seat. The Minor has absolutely spoiled me as there is nothing that compares to this quality of a theater. Leave a poem on the old typewriter at concessions such as this: In the heart of Arcata, where the redwoods meet the sky, Lies a gem, a quaint venue, beneath the coastal tie. The Minor Theater, standing with its marquee bright, A beacon of culture, in the northern night.

Built long ago, with walls steeped in tales, Of silent films, first kisses, and cinematic veils. A place where time seems to gently bend, Merging past and present, in a timeless blend.

Here, the silver screen flickers with art and life, A refuge from the mundane, from everyday strife. Independent films and classics revived, In this little theater, their magic is contrived.

The seats, though worn, hold comfort and dreams, Of generations watching, bathed in the projector's beams. Laughter, tears, and gasps fill the air, A communal experience, so rare, so fair.

The Minor Theater, with its charm, so grand, Is more than just a building in this northern land. It's a vessel of stories, a keeper of light, A guardian of the arts, in the quiet night.

So, here's to the Minor, in its humble grace, A cornerstone of Arcata, a beloved place. May your screens never dim, your stories never end, Forever a haven, on which we all depend.

On behalf of the whole community, I would like to thank the good folks who bought this place and kept...

Excellent experience! Great atmosphere (one of the main reasons to come here) as you get to experience film in an older style setting, but with updated seats and amenities. The second reason to come here is... the beer. If you love to watch movies, but love those movies even more with a tasty beverage on hand... this is the place to go. Shoot -- they even still have a balcony!! How many new theaters today have a balcony? So... the location is great (sans parking), the staff is great, and being able to sip on a beverage is certainly an added plus and makes even the worst flicks tolerable. The one gripe I have about this place is that they don't really have any automation built into their ordering system. You basically have to fill out a large card (in the dark) stating what you want, and how much you want... and then you have to calculate the cost and insert the correct cash or a credit card. You fold the card and stick it in a slot and wait for one of the staff members to notice... and that's the problem. One night my brother-in-law and I waited for a half hour without any staff coming by, so we just made the trip downstairs ourselves. On another visit, the staff was right on top of things and spotted the cards right away. If they had a wireless "ringer" system (where you just punch a "call button" and the staff knows exactly where to go) it would run much smoother. Until then, I can handle a few hit-or-misses since this is such a great place to watch movies. Prices are great as well, which I can't say for...

This was a very pleasant surprise during a brief visit to the area. It shows a few movies at a time and has a bunch of showings, with some overlap with the McKinleyville movie theater on the first run blockbusters. It has a sort of bar table in front of the seats, and it serves food and drink at the seats, but the offerings are minimal compared to other food-serving theaters I’m used to, specifically Alamo. The drink selections were impressive, with some good options across a variety of types, a coder, and even kombucha on tap. The food was limited—popcorn and packaged goods. The cookies are local. The candy is standard movie theater candy, but I’d think they could charge more for more interesting, local candy. The service seemed to be good and quick. The theater quality was good, not super stadium, but I could see we’ll enough. There were pillars in the main theater on the ground floors, so some seats in the side back would have an obstructed view. That theater had both orchestra and balcony seating. The staff were friendly and helpful. There were maybe 10 minutes or previews, so way better than big chain theaters with 25 minutes of commercials and previews. I had no issues with street parking on a...