Baxter Avenue Theatres
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Historically known for its unique film programming and convenience as an indie cinema in the Highlands area. Currently, its primary 'value' proposition for parents might be its extremely convenient location and potentially empty auditoriums, but only if they are prepared to overlook significant hygiene issues, pest problems, and poor amenity quality.
Key Highlights
- ✓Convenient location for local residents, described as 'close by' and 'conveniently close to home' by multiple reviewers.
- ✓Seats recline, offering a comfort feature despite being worn.
- ✓Staff was apologetic and gracious when offering refunds for pest issues (Review 3).
- ✓Historically offered a selection of films and unique programming (though current quality is questioned by a reviewer).
Standout Features
- ⭐Local convenience and proximity for nearby residents (Review 1, 2, 4).
- ⭐Reclining seats (despite their worn condition) (Review 5).
- ⭐Historically offered unique film selection/programming (Review 4).
- ⭐Staff willingness to provide refunds for reported issues (Review 3).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Verify film programming in advance** if seeking specific genres, as Christian movies are reportedly not shown (Review 2).
- →**Avoid purchasing food or drinks from concessions** due to explicit warnings about food safety and pest sightings (Review 1).
- →**Be prepared for potential pest sightings** (rats/mice) and unclean conditions in washrooms and seating areas (Review 1, 3, 4).
- →**Inspect your seats** upon arrival, as they are described as worn down and potentially unclean (Review 1, 5).
- →**Consider requesting a refund** if you encounter significant issues, as staff have been receptive to this in the past (Review 3).
Things to Consider
- ⚠Frequent sightings of rats and mice within the theater auditoriums (mentioned in 3 out of 5 reviews, including 'rats the past couple of times' and 'several mice run around').
- ⚠Unclean washrooms and dirty/worn-down seats (Review 1, 5).
- ⚠Employees described as uncaring or disengaged ('employees couldn’t care less', 'seemed like no one wanted to be there') (Review 1, 4).
- ⚠Concessions are poorly stocked, with the 'bar' being 'essentially out of everything except liquor', having 'exactly two canned beers, and flat tonic' (Review 4).
- ⚠Significant food quality and safety issues, with a direct warning to 'avoid eating any of their food, eat at your own risk' (Review 1).
- ⚠Does not play specific film genres, such as Christian movies (Review 2).
Price & Value
No specific pricing details are provided. However, the numerous issues with cleanliness, pests, worn seating, and poor concessions strongly suggest a very low value proposition for the current condition of the theater, regardless of ticket price.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Concessions are available but described as poorly stocked (mostly liquor, limited beer, flat tonic). There is an explicit warning from a reviewer to 'avoid eating any of their food, eat at your own risk' due to pest issues and general uncleanliness.
🚗Parking Info
- •Mentioned as 'conveniently close to home' for several reviewers, implying easy access, but no specific details about parking availability (e.g., lot, street, cost) are provided.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Described as 'pretty empty' with 'no one really goes to the movies nowadays' (Review 5), suggesting low crowd levels generally.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No positive safety features are mentioned. Significant safety concerns include frequent pest sightings (rats and mice) and overall uncleanliness, which poses potential health risks, especially for children.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families sensitive to hygiene issues or pests (rats/mice).
- • Anyone looking for a well-stocked concession stand or a diverse range of beverages beyond liquor.
- • Patrons specifically seeking religious or niche film programming without prior verification.
- • If you are concerned about food safety or cleanliness for your children.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Roots So Deep (Special Screening)
October 28th @ 5:30 p.m.
Tickets sold through Eventbrite.
2 hrs 8 mins, NR
Fathom Events - Spider-man
September 26th & October 3rd
General Admission (implied)
2 hrs 6 mins, PG-13
Fathom Events - Spider-man 2.1
September 27th & October 4th
General Admission (implied)
2 hrs 7 mins, PG-13
Fathom Events - Spider-man 3
September 28th & October 5th
General Admission (implied)
2 hrs 19 mins, PG-13
Fathom Events - rocky Iv: directors cut
November 5th & 9th
General Admission (implied)
1 hr 31 mins, PG
National Theatre Live - Dr. Strangelove
Wednesday April 30th & Sunday May 4th
Live: $25 Adults, $20 Students/Children/Seniors; Pre-recorded: $20 Adults, $15 Students/Children/Seniors
Tickets available for purchase online seven days prior to broadcast. More titles coming soon!
🍎Food Policy
- • No outside food or drink is permitted inside the theatres.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All backpacks or large tote bags must be stowed in the box office.
- • Shirts and shoes are required for patrons.
- • No cameras or recording devices are permitted inside the theatres.
📅Booking Policy
- • To view upcoming show schedules, click on 'Buy Tickets' and choose the date from the pull down menu.
- • Tickets for National Theatre Live available for purchase online seven days prior to broadcast.
- • Tickets for 'Roots So Deep' are sold through Eventbrite.
Recent Reviews
Gowrish Shenoy
3 months agoI have been going to the movies for past few years. I have always enjoyed watching movies, especially because I live close by and it’s very convenient. The last 2-3 visits have been rough though. I saw rats the past couple of times I was there. Employees couldn’t care less. Washrooms aren’t clean and so are the seats. Please avoid eating any of their food, eat at your own risk. This place needs a serious change in management and possibly, its employees. I have decided to not go there anytime soon, not until things get better.
s lou
2 weeks agoThis theater is nice and conveniently close to home, but for some odd reason, they won't play Christian movies. I wanted to see The King of Kings, but now I have to drive to Springhurst.
Laura Gross
2 months agoI’ll keep it brief. There were mice in the theater we were in. We were seated in the back row and kept seeing several run around. The staff was apologetic and gracious when we asked for a refund, which is the only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1. I truly hope that they can figure out how to fix the issue. 🐁
Rob Redies
2 months agoMan I’ve always loved Baxter Ave but it’s tough to see how far downhill it’s gone. The little “bar” is essentially out of everything except liquor, they had exactly two canned beers, and flat tonic. We saw two mice running around and it just seemed like no one wanted to be there. Have always loved their selection of films, their unique programming and the convenience of having an indie cinema in the Highlands. I hope if Mid City Mall is redeveloped someone does this theater justice and puts some money into it, it wouldn’t take much to be great again ♥️.
Treyvon
in the last weekThe seats are worn down, limited seats but I mean no one really goes to the movies nowadays so it's pretty empty. But the seats 😑 they need new seats, yeah they recline but damn u can just see where people like to sit at the most