Manlius Cinema — Local services in Town of Manlius

The citizens of Manlius I have discovered are deeply supportive of their art house. I cooled my heels at the counter at Ironwood and mentioned to the bar tender, "I'm cooling my heels waiting for the show to start next door". Two patrons drew me into conversation, wanting to know if Boy Erased was still screening. It was. I had a ticket as proof. The two wanted me to mentally prepare for the sad and topical story.

It happened again as I stepped out of the theater to look for an after screening beer. A couple going into Ironwood wanted to know what I thought of the movie. I told them what I thought. "Well, maybe you'll want to chase that film by binge watching the Hallmark Channel", the woman in the couple suggested.

The theater is narrow and the decor is spare. However, it is adequate and film buffs might like it because nothing modern distracts from the screening, no reclining leather chairs and the like.

One of the two owners has a Borscht Belt humor that is worth enjoying as he sits outside his theater on a city bench nearby the entrance.

The roof of the little shed that marks the entrance could seriously use...

This is a 100 year old movie theater that specializes in art movies.

While the seats are not uncomfortable, don't expect modern seats. It is a 100 year old cinema. Older style is part of the experience for some if us.

Mostly the movies are art films. Don't expect blockbuster movies here unless an art movie happened to be a blockbuster. (It happens.)

Before each show, one of the owners briefly speaks to the audience about the movie and about future shows. Nice human touch that we otherwise see so little of in today's world.

When I last visited in June 2019, tickets were $10 with a $1 discount for seniors, students and military with ID.

They are CASH ONLY. No credit cards. They do have an ATM machine on site.

Concessions are mostly "old style" featuring popcorn, candy and soft drinks. However they also have tea ($2.25). I don't remember what other drink options they have but don't expect to order a hot dog or nachos.

If you think and want "historic art theater" then you should be satisfied. If you want the latest Spiderman, or whatever, not the...

This funky little place is a true labor of love for Eileen and Nat, the owners, whom you'll regularly see behind the counter, unless it's one of their cool, interesting staff. Their love of good cinema and their evangelical spirit on the topic manifests in Nat's short introductions to the evening shows of new fils, when he also discusses coming attractions. Ask about their loyalty card: free movies! Words to the wise: 1) Don't bring in outside food or drink. Wouldn't you rather have an actual can of soda, or a tea or hot chocolate? Support this tiny theater. It ain't some giant profit-turning Regal Cinema. 2) Please do NOT engage in disruptive shenanigans with your mouth or your cell phone. This place is small--EVERYONE will be disturbed... and annoyed with you....