Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    AMC River East 21

    3.5 (784 reviews)
    ModerateCinema, Bars
    Open • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order AMC River East 21 Takeout or Delivery

    AMC River East 21 Photos

    AMC RIVER EAST 21 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - AMC River East 21

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Rikiyah M.

    Had such a good time at the Neagley advanced screening. We got to see two episodes early, plus Maria Sten came out and did a live Q&A which was really cool. Free popcorn and drinks were provided too! The whole event was a vibe and I'd definitely go to another screening like this.

    It's movie night!     Great venue for a new one we're seeing!
    Bill T.

    Seeing Sheep detective! Hope it's as good as advertised! Been a long day! Nice to have a break! The movie was a pleasant surprise! After seeing several (all) previews that were positively uninspiring; the Sheep movie started very slow, but ultimately ended up being a must see!‍. And the venue deserves 5 stars!

    karina k.

    Really not sure why Yelpers are not so kind here. In addition to all the latest movies in the USA, This theater has the most international films shown of all the AMCs in the state of Illinois. You can see films that were amazing at the Cannes Film Festival from Spain, Korea, China, Japan, India, Ukraine, Portugal, France, Germany, etc. The seats are brand new and are so comfortable for your back. It's not a dine in theater and I don't care bc I don't want to eat theater food. The only thing I would love are little tables at the seats for the popcorn. I don't like to have popcorn pieces fall over to be polite. Love AMC and the movie popcorn deal is $29 per year for 50% off popcorn as long as you buy 6 per year. Great deal. And the large version is unlimited so for $5.39 you can share w the family and enjoy the movie!

    5/24/25
    Pili S.

    Went to watch the Lilo & Stitch movie. Expected huge crowds but it was pretty empty. It was walking distance from the hotel so why not? These seats were so sift and comfortable, I thought I was going to fall asleep. Heck, with a half hour's worth of previews, you could actually do it. The 5 yo discovered that you could heat or make the seats cool if you wanted. This theatre also has a bar which seems to be the norm these days. LUCKY STRIKE BOWLING also resides in this 3 story complex.

    Seating
    Bryan S.

    Cool AMC we went to rest and watch a movie after exploring the city. The "laser" theater we saw our movie in was fully modern with not only the reclining seats, but also had heating for my sore back which was an unusual and welcome surprise. The quality of the movie projection was outstanding and the sound was comparable to AMC Dolby.

    Joani O.

    This is another nice theatre in the AMC chain in the River East area. You take escalators or the elevator up and the tickets counter is on the first level with the concessions, guest services and restrooms on the second level. They have big comfortable reclining seats and restrooms conveniently located at both ends. Parking can be pricey if you drive, but it is downtown. I use an app and park in a garage around the corner for less. There are nice restaurants in the area if you go out to eat before or after.

    Branden M.

    This cinema is amazing! Got a Cadillac margarita from the bar before going to my theater to see (Shelter). Everything is so expensive but what isn't in Chicago. The margarita was amazing and the movie was great. The theaters are very small and a little noisy but besides that it's a great cinema.

    Amy D.

    Awesome seating. I could fall asleep in those recliners. Too bad our experience was slightly soured by staff. I tried to give lost keys to the person checking tickets who refused to take them and made me go two levels back up to customer service. When I got there, there was no one even there...

    Nikhita T.

    I recently watched "It ends with us" in this AMC and I must say the experience was good. You can buy ticket online or through the Amc app. As you enter, you have to take the elevators up to where your tickets are checked in. From there you take the elevator up to the audi levels. Sometimes they ask for your ids too. There is a separate queue for A listers. You can get a combo of large popcorn and beverage in the price of medium if you are an A-lister. I was so excited for the movie, I ended booking the second row as all shows were fully booked. I absolutely loved the recliners, they are were comfortable, huge, has a heating panel. I had a good experience watching a movie here.

    Amelia B.

    Great chairs to watch the movies in. Seats can be heated and recline. Ordering my ticket was seamless. For popular movies, make sure you order early, since the theaters are not that big. Visuals and sound were great. Nice selection of concessions and access to bar.

    Remodeled theater with nice leather recliners

    See all

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill T.
    407
    319
    1187

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ali B.
    802
    1815
    2683

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom N.
    0
    21
    6

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of AMC Theatres

    AMC Theatres

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of AMC Theatres

    AMC Theatres

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marvin G.
    143
    16
    0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of AMC Theatres

    AMC Theatres

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E G.
    0
    6
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jada C.
    291
    682
    5283

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Terry R.
    36
    39
    47

    11 months ago

    This Theatre is amazing, amazing sound and projection. The staff is wonderful, restrooms are clean.. easy Parking.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark W.
    135
    149
    16

    1 year ago

    I had two hot dogs and pretzel bites. They were fine 4/5. Also saw Life of Chuck. that was a 4.5/5

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe C.
    354
    1056
    14383

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of AMC Theatres

    AMC Theatres

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of vernon c.
    77
    246
    40

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - AMC River East 21

    Was this indeed trash asf?

    Not in my experience. And have been to the McVickers. 3 movies for $1.50

    Is there cheap parking around there?

    Its possible.

    How is the parking situation there?

    Paid garage, paid lots, paid street parking.

    How is parking option? Are there validated parking? Streets?

    There is vadilated parking just go the main desk with parking ticket. Street parking is difficult.

    Do they check bags?

    My bag has never been checked unless it's for a special advanced screening--then they will check back and take cell phones as Kenneth H mentioned above!

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - AMC River East 21

    “It's massive, always has all hottest films and also those that are in limited release, and Lucky Strike is attached which is awesome!”

    Mentioned in 57 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    the Albert - Mussels

    the Albert

    4.1(365 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Near North Side, River East
    •$$$

    A Mother's Day Feast! A spectacular display of food that was fresh and platter pleasing. A LIVE…read moreJazz band was playing (not pictured) only during this special day. The wait staff was helpful, the decor was unique and fun. Inside the EMC hotel, this gem was a nice getaway from the usual. Reservations were required and main courses of either Lamb Chops, Salmon, or Prime Rib was the perfect dishes to any meal.

    So I took myself to a place that was on my "must go to" list. Called The Albert. Menu online is…read morewell designed and great looking food. Advertises as $100+ pricing so I'm like ok this is gonna be a nice dinner. What you don't see unless you're looking closely - It's in a medium end Marriott - not mad at that but it's not a stand alone restaurant. The menu looked absolutely nothing like they show on the restaurant website. It was cheap looking. Same food options as website. The ambiance was well designed but - hotel restaurant vibes. Ordered the tuna crudo. Nothing to write home about. The mussels - I'm maybe gonna wake up with food poisoning tomorrow. The bucatini pesto pasta looked like regurgitated peas baby food and overcooked pasta. I sent it back kindly. And the chicken thighs were cooked. Like, that's all I can say. So I paid, still hungry. Cause the chicken thighs had basically no meat. Crudo is naturally so small and the mussels equally. Left and am now at Hampton Social eating a delicious lobster roll and tomato bisque. The highlight! The people sitting next to me asked me if o was a good critic! Haha - best compliment ever! But disappointment of a restaurant.

    Photos
    the Albert - Breakfast time at Albert

    Breakfast time at Albert

    the Albert - Smoked Duck

    Smoked Duck

    the Albert - Beautiful decoration and artwork

    See all

    Beautiful decoration and artwork

    Z Bar - Gin(Cadenhead's Old Raj Dry Gin) & tonic

    Z Bar

    3.9(242 reviews)
    0.5 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    A large group of us met up here one weeknight for after dinner cocktails... We sat outside and they…read moregave us a nice, corner spot which was private and tucked away. Our server was great! She kept an eye on us and even brought a blanket, as it was a little chilly out and I was wearing shorts that evening. The drinks were great too.. but the vibe is really what we enjoyed. Definitely worth stopping in for a visit!

    A coworker and I came here. This has a bit of a corporate environment. They have mocktails here…read moretoo. The check came. Once I put my card down I used the restroom, then my friend used the restroom. The check came and that was space to add tip and calculate your total. I filled the tax and tip, then we left. As we were leaving, we were on the ground floor. A serious man in a suit came and stopped us. He was holding a bill in his hand and said we didn't swipe our card. I immediately offered my card to him a few times. He was stoic, so serious. He was absolutely not apologetic or friendly. We took an awkward elevator ride up together and then he took me to the counter to get my card swiped. Not a single person was friendly here. I regret adding any tip! This deserved 0. My card was sitting at that table for 10-15 mins and the waiter never came to get it. My friend and I felt really bad and felt like criminals. If you look at our bill we had even added tip and calculated the total. Does it look like we weren't trying to pay? Usually your card is swiped and then you get the receipt where you fill out your tip and add on the total. The fact that we had to stand at the bar to pay was weird too. They were not kind. If I could go back in time I'd discuss this with them and pay 0 tip. My friend was here a night before and will not be going again. I deeply regret coming here. Drinks are watery and for this price...the world is your oyster. Go elsewhere!

    Photos
    Z Bar - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Z Bar - B. E. A. Utiful

    B. E. A. Utiful

    Z Bar - Burrata

    See all

    Burrata

    101 Sky Terrace - French 75 and Gin

    101 Sky Terrace

    4.1(18 reviews)
    0.4 mi•Near North Side

    Let me start by saying that the views were 5 star and the place has a cool vibe - although the…read morehouse music they were playing was a bit loud for the small number of people eating when I was up there. That said, this place just completely disappointed. The food was just not good. I had the burger sliders and for $9 a piece you expect them to be something special. They were not. Overcooked with a little sauce and two pickles slapped on the bun with a tiny little dab of fake cheese - it was like a bad and way more expensive version of McDonald's. The onion rings were the frozen crumbly kind not the fresh beer battered kind and so that's a big "no!" for me. The dipping sauce was okay. Service was friendly and I think the guy was new but it wasn't good enough for a place like that at the top of the building. There were two servers so I'm guessing one was training maybe. They didn't make it to my table to check to see if everything was okay while I was eating and it even took them a while to notice that I was done eating. It's was slow so I don't think they were stressing with too many tables. That kind of place should knock your socks off - but it was on the low end of mediocre. I wouldn't go there again for food. Maybe it's a decent place to go to the bar but since I don't drink I can't help much on that end.

    Great food, drinks, and view. We came on a Sunday and ordered some drinks to start, as well as…read moreBrussels sprouts. There were a small portion but delicious. Not too crispy but still tasty. We also shared the half chicken and Ceasar salad with shrimp. There were only 3 pieces of shrimp for the extra money we spent; but otherwise the food was delicious. Definitely on the pricier side because of the rooftop and area.

    Photos
    101 Sky Terrace
    101 Sky Terrace
    101 Sky Terrace

    See all

    Crushed by Giants - Neon Werewolf Hazy

    Crushed by Giants

    4.4(299 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    Was craving a burger and a beer and with such a cool name, how could I not check this place out! I…read moresat at the bar around 5pm and it wasn't very busy. They played good music and wasn't too loud. You could easily carry on a conversation or , like me, continue listening to a podcast. By the time I finished, the place was completely full and a bit noisy, but not bad. I started out with a 10oz Birds of Prey Pilsner. It was very nice. Light and crisp and very easy to drink. I followed that up with Melodious Maibock and ordered the CBG burger with fries. I didn't have lunch so I dove right in and forgot to snap a photo. It was a very good smash burger. It was cooked well and I really liked the combination of pickled onion and caramelized onion. I didn't see it until later but you can add bacon. As much as I loved this burger, bacon would totally take it up a notch! I started chatting with the bartender about their different beers and decided to have the Super Melodious Jalapeño Maibock with the burger. It's soooo different, but in a good way. It paired so well with the burger. You get green bell pepper on the nose and a hint of it on the palate. When you swallow you get a little heat at the back of the throat. It was so good! Great bar. Great food. Great beer. Go check them out!

    --Location/Parking-- Located in the heart of River North on…read morethe 2nd floor below the AMC theater. Parking is in nearby street parking on parking structures. --Ambience-- Cool middle bar setup with vinyl glossy wood tables. Great bar set up, but we chose the dining room table. --Service/Staff-- Bartenders were quick in getting the drinks out. Our server was great in letting us know what was on tap and when last calls was. --Products-- Got the neon on tap and my friends got the flight of beers. Good selection of beers to choose from --Capacity-- Inside the dining room can hold about 40-50 people and the bar area can hold about 25 people. --Overall-- Looking forward to return to try out their other items on tap.

    Photos
    Crushed by Giants - Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun

    Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun

    Crushed by Giants - Interior bar

    Interior bar

    Crushed by Giants - Ginger beer

    See all

    Ginger beer

    AMC River East 21 - movietheaters - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...