The Senator Theatre
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Senator Theatre offers a unique, nostalgic, and historic movie-going experience, setting it apart from modern multiplexes. It provides a 'classic movie magic' ambiance, often at a more affordable price point than competitors like AMC, focusing on the charm of older cinema.
Key Highlights
- ✓Nostalgic atmosphere with historic architecture and a beautiful classic aesthetic.
- ✓Main large screen provides an impressive viewing experience with 'awesome booming sound'.
- ✓Concession booth offers nostalgic candy and buttery popcorn, enhancing the vintage feel.
- ✓Restrooms feature a unique 'waiting room' design with couches, which can be a point of fascination for children.
- ✓Often a viable option for matinee showings on busy weekends (e.g., opening weekends) when other theaters are sold out.
Standout Features
- ⭐Historic architecture and classic movie aesthetic.
- ⭐Large main screen with 'awesome booming sound'.
- ⭐Nostalgic candy selection at the concession booth.
- ⭐Restrooms with a 'waiting room' and couches that can fascinate children.
- ⭐Bonus bar available for patrons 21+.
- ⭐Located within walking distance of Belvedere Square, ideal for a dinner-and-a-movie outing.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Arrive well before showtime (e.g., 30+ minutes) to allow time to safely navigate the poorly lit theater interior and find seats.
- →Set expectations for seating comfort and legroom, as seats can be tight and uncomfortable.
- →Consider combining your visit with a meal or snacks from nearby Belvedere Square before or after the movie.
- →If visiting with a a child, point out the historic details like the dome or unique restrooms to enhance their experience and spark curiosity.
- →Ticket prices are generally lower than modern chains; check matinee times for potentially even better deals.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Seats can be uncomfortable and tight with limited legroom, especially for larger individuals.
- ⚠Interior lighting in the actual theater is significantly lacking, making it difficult to see and find seats even 25-30 minutes before a movie starts.
- ⚠The parking lot is described as being in 'serious need of repair'.
- ⚠The historical context of the theater's 'heyday' might raise concerns about past racial segregation for some visitors.
- ⚠A door labeled 'Lounge' was found locked, indicating some advertised areas might not always be accessible.
Price & Value
Night tickets are $16 per person, and a medium popcorn is about $7. It is described as 'not as pricey as AMC' and offering 'decent ticket prices' for matinees, providing good value for a unique, historic experience.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews.
- •Tight and uncomfortable seats with limited legroom may pose challenges for individuals needing more space or with mobility issues.
- •Lacking interior lighting could make navigation difficult for those with visual impairments.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •A concession booth is available offering popcorn and nostalgic candy.
- •No explicit policy on outside food is stated; one reviewer chose not to get food there as they had eaten at Belvedere Square, which implies outside food might not be permitted or is not common practice.
🚗Parking Info
- •A parking lot is available, but it is described as being in 'serious need of repair'.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not crowded on a Sunday evening.
- •Accessible for a Saturday afternoon matinee even when other theaters were sold out, suggesting it can be a less crowded alternative to other venues during peak times.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features are mentioned in the reviews beyond general cleanliness.
- •Poor lighting inside the theater could be a minor safety concern for navigation in the dark.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families with individuals requiring ample legroom or very comfortable, spacious seating.
- • Those sensitive to very dark environments or needing clear visibility to navigate inside a theater.
- • Parents expecting a brand-new, modern, or fully renovated facility.
- • Individuals for whom the historical context of potential past segregation might be a significant concern.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
One Battle After Another
September 29 - October 2, 2025
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
September 29 - October 2, 2025
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
September 29 - October 2, 2025
High and Low
September 29 - September 30, 2025
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
September 29 - October 5, 2025 (and possibly beyond)
The Smashing Machine
September 29 - October 2, 2025
The Tale of Princess Kaguya
September 29 - October 4, 2025
The Exorcist: The Version You’ve Never Seen
September 29 - October 5, 2025 (and possibly beyond)
Goldfinger
October 1 - October 6, 2025 (and possibly beyond)
Tron: Ares
October 3 - October 6, 2025 (and possibly beyond)
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 8 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Anne Guanzon
a week agoWhat a cool theater! Brings nostalgia when you watch here. How movie theaters used to be was actually pretty. Price per ticket at night $16 pp and popcorn for a medium was about $7. It's not as pricey as AMC.
Layla
5 months agoToday was my first time going, a matinee on a Saturday afternoon for a decent price when all the other theaters were sold out (Wicked’s opening weekend.) The history of the theater is evident, but makes me feel like Black ppl were probably banned from going in like the 1950’s when this place was in its heyday. The seats were clean enough, but somewhat uncomfortable. I’m a thick madame and they were a lil tight. The sitting area in the ladies’ bathroom is cool. I didn’t get any food as I had just come from Belvedere Square. I tried to go through the door labeled “Lounge,” but it was locked. Cool sidewalk out front. The parking lot is in serious need of repair.
Katie Dimka
3 months agoLove the historic vibe of the theater, especially the main large screen
Sunny P
a year agoBrings me back to the simple days!! My son and I have date nights every Friday and he chose to go to the movies on his Friday to pick. We just moved to the area so finding this little gem was truly a dream come true bc The Senator offers Al the magic of going to the movies. From the box office to the nostalgic candy at the concession booth, The Senator was a hidden secret in Baltmore’s Belvedere district. The location was within walking distant of Belvedere so this is an ideal spot for a date night with dinner and a movie. The theatre itself boasts historical architecture and kept the classic aesthetic of movie theatre’s from better days. The nostalgic appeal mustered up some wonderful memories for me and it was incredible to share this experience with my son who is growing up in a modern age. Walking in, you find yourself marveling at the dome of the common space before following your nose to the mouth watering scent of buttery popcorn at the concession booth. The bonus bar in the corner was a pleasant treat for movie goers 21+ to relax and enjoy a movie with an adult beverage. My son was most fascinated by the restrooms that kept a waiting room with couches. I told him this is how most facilities were designed back in the day. Seeing the wonder and excitement in his eyes and expressions reminded me of how we as a society have become so hyper focused on ourselves that we will miss out on the magic right in front of us. The Senator Theatre is another charm in the Charm City!
Delphine Phelps
10 months agoThe Senator is A Baltimore Treasure. Historic. An older theater. Took my brother there for this bday to see Bad Boys Ride or Die. Myself and a lot of others had a hard time seeing coming into the actual theater bec lighting was very lacking inside. Hard to see in the dark and find your seats. This was 25-30 min before the movie started. Clean Inside. Very Retro aesthetic. Not much space to stretch your legs out. Nice big screen and awesome booming sound. Decent ticket prices. Staff made the best of having to work on a Sunday evening. Not crowded. Had a nice time. Thanks!✌️👍