Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Commodore Theatre

    4.2 (107 reviews)
    Closed 5:45 pm - 7:00 PM

    Commodore Theatre Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Commodore Theatre

    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

    Screen
    Mara M.

    Super cool experience! We saw Wicked here which was very fun. The food is nothing crazy, but if you stick to the basic items you'll be good. The decor and ambience is really something else. Service was good, but honestly the clearing tables and paying the bills during the movie portion seems like not the best move. Elphaba and Glinda were crying and singing For Good and it was a very pivotal, quiet and emotional moment and the waitress dropped an entire bowl and utensils loudly on the floor at the table next to us then was yelling about picking them up and asking people to move their chairs and help her pick stuff up and honestly it was really distracting and totally ruined the moment. So yeah maybe a better idea to just wait on picking up the dishes and paying the bill until lights are on again...

    The entrance
    Aaron F.

    The Commodore Theatre in Portsmouth, Virginia, offers a truly unique and enjoyable movie experience that sets it apart from traditional cinemas. With its charming blend of classic decor and modern amenities, the theater features dinner tables instead of typical seating, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere perfect for a night out. The dining experience is fantastic. The menu offers a variety of restaurant-quality dishes that go beyond standard theater fare. And it's priced at normal restaurant prices. The extensive drink menu, featuring a great selection of beers, wines, and mixed drinks, elevates the experience even further. It's a perfect setup for enjoying a meal while watching a film. You order your food and drinks right from your table, allowing you to settle in and enjoy the show. There's a phone on the table that connects to the kitchen. The staff is friendly and will MOSTLY stay out of the way during the actual movie. However they will go around refilling water/tea. And they'll bring out deserts ordered part way through as well as the check. So if you completely want no interruptions during a movie, this might not be what you're looking for. However, I feel this place does it as well as anyone might. This truly is about the combined experience rather than just watching a movie. Overall, the Commodore Theatre is a delightful venue that combines dining and entertainment in a relaxed setting. Whether you're on a date, out with friends, or simply looking to enjoy a film in a unique way, this theater is a must-visit. Highly recommended for both movie and food lovers alike!

    The Commodore is the best! Honestly the most gorgeous theatre I have ever been to. Super high quality movie watching experience with excellent sound/visual, comfortable seating, and yummy food. Super unique experience placing your order from the phone right at your table!

    Dinner and movie area

    Such a cool theatre! Amazing prices and just an overall great experience. Staff is super friendly and helpful. 10/10 would recommend.

    Angela L.

    I just discovered this place and we're in love. Old time meets new. The screen and sound were great. The waitstaff was polite and attentive. The atmosphere... I loved every minute of it. The food was good. Better than movie food usually is. Next time, we're going for coffee and desserts while watching! I feel like I'm going to be a regular here!

    View from across the street
    Nadine C.

    Old school movie theater with dining-in experience... My friend said that we will be going to see the "Doctor Strange" movie. I told her that I had seen it with my mom already and maybe there's something else I could watch? My friend didn't say anything. During our 20 minute drive to the theater, I asked if they will help me eat a large popcorn and if there are any refills. She smiled, turned to me and said that this is a unique, independent theater where we're going to get dinner, popcorn, and everything! Wow! Earlier on in the day, I thought it was odd that my friend's husband went to get movie tickets... while we went shopping at the mall. It turns out that the Commodore Theater only sells tickets in person on the day of the showing that you want. Each of the tickets for the table of four are a dollar less if you pay in cash ($8). ...and there's only one movie because there's only one big screen. We found free street parking on the street around the corner from the theater. When I saw the theater, I ran ahead of my friends to get a photo of the front. The ticket booth was the old fashioned type where one person sits in the small enclosed area. Stepping inside the lobby, it felt like stepping into decades past. The carpets, antique movie projectors, chandeliers, chairs, and wall murals were like well-preserved historical artifacts! The theater had soft lighting from lamps at each table - set with napkins and silverware. We read our menus and placed our food orders via the telephone on our table. Service was efficient and polite. We enjoyed our popcorn in paper buckets first. My friend pointed out the popcorn maker - stationed between the lobby and the theater. Very cool! Our meals came while the movie was playing. We aimed to arrive earlier, but my God daughter wanted us to watch "Spiderman: No Way Home" first... So we could understand Doctor Strange better. Haha! My Commodore Salad had a container of dressing in it. It was good to pour my own amount of dressing! I wished that the kale was cut up into smaller pieces. I managed to cut the leaves (with a knife) in the bowl. Overall, I liked the salad! It's a new menu item! So - the next movie will be "Maverick". There are matinees on weekends. Weekdays have a 7pm showing. Maybe I'll see you there one day at The Commodore? It's on The Registry of Historic Places!

    Skyler G.

    This theater is great! The experience is one of a kind and everything is reasonably priced. This theater in comparison to others in the area is much cheaper and gives a way better experience and way cleaner. All of the food was delicious and provided many options. The only thing that was annoying was the wait staff is slow and often times forgets little things like your drinks, sauces, or sides. Our food came out about 10 minutes before our drinks and my side salad came out about 20 minutes after we already finished our food - strange but we didn't mind. Also they charged extra for ranch but never brought it out to us. The viewing we saw was sold out so I think the staff was just incredibly busy, not sure if this is a normal thing - so we didn't mind.

    Cheese sticks
    Jada G.

    The Commodore in Portsmouth was such a wonderful experience! An old school, restored motion picture theater that serves food. Very much like cinema cafe! You can't purchase tickets over the phone or online, they sell via their box office. It's encouraged to pay with cash rather than card (they give a small discount if you do this too). It's also cheaper than movie tickets at a regular theater. The theater is open at 5:45pm and movies start at 7pm. On the weekends, they have matinee viewings at 1pm (doors open at 12:30pm). They also only show one movie for a certain amount of time since it's only one theater. You can check their website or call to see what's currently playing! We parked on the street since parking is free after 6pm on weekdays! I believe there are some nearby parking lots/garages as well though. When we walked in, we came in right when they opened (highly recommend this)! We purchased our tickets and got to choose where we wanted to sit. Once we sat down, they handed us the menu. Once we knew what we wanted to order, there is a little corded telephone at the table. You dial 0 on the phone to connect to the staff and tell them your order. I thought this was cool! If you order dessert, they even ask you if you want it delivered to your table after you finish your entrees. They even have a wine and alcoholic menu. It should be noted that they stop taking orders once the movie starts, so make sure you get there early! The food was ok. It wasn't anything special. Maybe a step up from cafeteria food in my opinion. The cheese sticks were good, however the marinara it came with tasted like.. old? Kind of like there were a lot of preservatives or something. I had to finish the appetizer without it unfortunately. The chicken planks were very dry and tough. I had to eat each bite with the side of ranch it came with. The fries weren't bad. The pizza was probably the best thing. I loved the dough, it tasted the freshest out of all the dishes we tried. We ordered tiramisu as well (not pictured because it was during the movie). The tiramisu did not taste like tiramisu at all. It was definitely still frozen when it was served to us, and there was no coffee or cocoa taste at all on it. It just tasted like a vanilla cake with some whipped cream on it. I was kind of disappointed, but I'm not mad because the theater experience was wonderful. The staff was super generous and checked on us as often as they could without disrupting the movie. I would highly recommend this venue to watch movies! If I were to come again, I'd probably eat before coming and just enjoy the movie/some drinks, or maybe I'll try some different dishes next time! It's a really cute date night spot :) Oppenheimer was the perfect movie to watch here!

    Beautiful, Elegant Theater
    Jazlyn T.

    Such an amazing experience! I loved everything that made Commodore Theater what it was! Make sure to get there an hour early to get table seats and to get your food ordered before the cutoff. Dress to impress, but nothing too fancy - May look old timey, but there's class to it! 10/10

    Menu
    Ashley-Marie K.

    The Commodore is an experience and I love going whenever I have the opportunity. It's a restored theater that's been around since the 1940s. I my has a very nostalgic feel. While the inside still has the grandeur of the different styles from past years, the theatre has state of the art screen and sound. The seats are layered and spaced out and you get to choose your table at the door. On the table is a phone where you can call the kitchen and order. Get there in advance. Once the show starts you're not able to order anymore, but the menu has salads, sandwiches, chicken, shrimp, pizza, drinks, and desserts. The commodore only plays one movie at a time, but they'll put the schedule out in advance so that you know what's coming up. Definitely worth the experience.

    Paper ticket, ripped in half. Thought it was neat.

    I'd never been to the commodore theatre before and I was excited to go with a friend. There was a lot to love and a lot to...not. First impressions are fleeting and indelible. You only get one chance. The Commodore started off strong, with a genial older gent (I'm sorry I cannot remember your name) taking the money for tickets ($12 for an adult by plastic, $11 if you pony up cold hard cash). You even get a little paper ticket and are directed to stand by a beautiful old wooden...lectern? The ticket taker stands behind it and rips your ticket like in the days of yore before escorting you to your seats. The ticket seller was helpful in picking a perfect seat and was quite kind. The not so great part was being behind a larger party and waiting in a room that is very, very hot in summer without a lick of air flow (you go inside to purchase the tickets, but stand between the outside set of doors and the doors to the lobby, which does have ac.) The ambiance of the place is exceptional. The seats and tables are not packed in like sardines, with generous paths to allow traffic. The table itself was a two seater and small, but between the lamp on the table and its decently sized marble base and the phone on the table - a honkin' multiline beast, that took up a good chunk of the 'real estate' so to speak, the tabletop was only just adequate. Our escort, usher?, upon hearing it was our first time, gave very brief instructions. Basically, get your food order in before 7pm by dialing zero on the phone, after 7pm they only take refills on iced tea and water. We called in our order- I asked for an extra marinara with my mozzarella sticks and to have ketchup and a side of bbq for my (what boils down to) chicken tenders and fries. I also initially ordered a pitcher of soda (60 Oz for 10.50). When the pitcher arrived, it had ice in it - which, for me, is a bit of a no-no, I want ice in my glass, not melting into the pitcher. However, upon pouring a cup and trying it, I realized it was flat - completely and unpleasantly so. I was able to flag down a staff member and explain, could I please just get a glass of ice water and a pitcher of water? I would be happy to pay for both (they do charge a small fee of 40cents for ice water, free refills) He was nice and whisked it away. However, when he came back, it was with a single glass, saying I could call for refills. I had clearly seen another table with a carafe of water on it, not just glasses, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't give me the pitcher I asked for specifically (or a carafe, like the other table had). At that point, the movie had started, so I wasn't trying to have a long conversation and bother any other diners. The reason that water is so important is because of a confluence of events that made me super thirsty- my normal gym was unbearable due to construction so I worked out at a friend's gym - small, hot and no airflow. I had just enough time to shower and head out with her to the commodore after. Between how thirsty I was already, being on a medication that also increases thirst and eating salty foods, I spent most of my time there super thirsty. The phone was placed in such a way I had to have my friend punch zero whenever I wanted to (try) to get another glass of water. I called for multiple refills, including one they clearly forgot (and I mean for a good 15-20 minutes). I finally stopped calling, because it was such a pain and the one time I flagged down a staff member that was already on the floor and was told 'to call' before they turned and left immediately, I decided it was better to deal with being uncomfortable and thirsty than try to get another glass. They serve what seems to be standard frozen fare you fry/reheat and put together. Nothing the pair of us had was great, nor bad, it was just...meh. my extra marinara also came out with her sandwich, not with my mozzarella sticks, even though it was specified on my check, not hers. I ordered the brownie cake that came with a scoop of ice cream, like everything else it was...dazzingly....ok. not horrid, not great. Gratuity is included in your bill, and they do not do tipping. I'm not sure if that's why the majority of staff seemed to be doing the bare minimum or if they were having an off night. My friend and I both agree the atmosphere is way better at the Commodore than say, Cinema Cafe, but Cinema Cafe manages to have better food and better service. Would we go back? Yes, probably at some point. However, we won't eat there again, and I will make sure I am well hydrated before I show up so I'm not desperate for water. They do have a nice bathroom setup with an anteroom that has couches in case you're waiting for a friend to use the loo or need a moment out of the way. Overall, I think this is a great place to catch a show every now and again. Definitely worth at least one showing to say you've been and to admire the history.

    Bbq nachos. SO good!!! Nothing was soggy.

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mara M.
    750
    578
    2932

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    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

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 34
    Thanks 0
    Love this 34
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    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

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Everyone should go there atleast once in their life. It's amazing. Great food, good people. Great place to watch movies.

    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 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M B.
    0
    18
    42

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Love the setup of the theatre. The food was not the greatest. The sound equipment was great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    We had a great time watching Christmas Vacation and enjoying our meal. The ambience here is phenomenal!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Best Movie theater ever, From seating to food and experience. I am surprised this place isn't packed every single day!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Angie N.
    206
    122
    146

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Commodore Theatre

    Review Highlights - Commodore Theatre

    It turns out that the Commodore Theater only sells tickets in person on the day of the showing that you want.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Cinema Cafe - Front patio

    Cinema Cafe

    4.0(260 reviews)
    13.1 mi

    This is by far the best Cinema Cafe location I've been to in Hampton Roads…read more The theaters are clean, the service is quick, and they consistently have a great selection of new movies playing. My husband and I love a dinner-and-a-movie date night, so having everything in one place is perfect for us. The reclining chairs are super comfortable, especially once you've eaten and can just settle back and relax during the movie. The menu is pretty basic, but that's expected for a movie theater, and it still has some solid options. Some of my favorites are the coconut shrimp and the hot honey pizza. Overall, this is my go-to spot for seeing a movie. Always an easy, enjoyable experience, and I'll definitely be back again soon.

    Clean theaters, great seats, and excellent service!…read more We had never been to a cinema cafe before, but are very happy with our first experience! The seats and theaters are clean, everything felt very new. Our waiter (I believe his name is Evan) was so nice, quick, and helpful! We were in row 3, which was a little bit too close to the screen for our taste, however the seats recline so your view is not obstructed. We didn't mind row 3, but next time we will go further back. The food and tickets were decently priced, we were very happy with that. The food quality was a little bit better than regular concession food. Our food was lukewarm, but very large portions. They have all the condiments and utensils right there for you! Very nice place, we will be back!

    Photos
    Cinema Cafe - Brownie sundae

    Brownie sundae

    Cinema Cafe - Fireplace on front patio

    Fireplace on front patio

    Cinema Cafe - Back row

    See all

    Back row

    AMC Lynnhaven 18

    AMC Lynnhaven 18

    3.1(249 reviews)
    12.7 mi

    My daughter and I decided to see Avatar: Fire & Ash the day after Christmas. It seems like everyone…read morehad the same idea because the theater was packed. Our movie started at 3:30pm and since I bought tix online, we were able to walk right in and have our tix scanned. The concession line was ridiculously long so we decided to return a little later, hoping it would die down a bit. After about an hour, my daughter went out to grab popcorn and drinks and she mentioned that the lines were much less crowded. The popcorn was very fresh and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Thankfully, the seats were comfortable because the movie was over 3 hours long; the sound and movie quality in the theater was great as well. I don't frequent this location often but you can never go wrong seeing a movie here. I highly recommend ordering concessions in advance to avoid the long lines. I also love that this location has restaurants right outside of the theater as well. I'll definitely be back.

    If you've ever wondered what it's like to watch a movie inside a time capsule from 2007, boy do I…read morehave the place for you. AMC Lynnhaven 18 is the ultimate cinematic adventure if the adventure you're seeking involves sticky floors, confused teenagers running concessions, and chairs that feel like they're judging your life choices. First, the ticket machine. I don't know who programmed it, but I'm convinced it's sentient and hates happiness. It stared at me for a full five seconds before deciding to freeze probably because I chose a matinee. Eventually I got my ticket, which felt like winning a tiny, meaningless battle in the grand war against outdated technology. Now the concessions line... ah yes. A spiritual journey. I had enough time waiting to contemplate my childhood, my future, and what I'd do if I ever escaped this line alive. After 20 minutes, I received a popcorn that tasted like it had been prepared three Marvel phases ago and a soda so flat it needed emotional support. The seat reclined, but only on the left side, which meant I watched the entire movie at a 30-degree gangster lean. Immersive, I guess? The sound system? Incredible. Every five minutes someone's phone would ring with crystal-clear clarity, and there was a symphony of crinkling wrappers that should honestly win a Grammy. On the bright side, the movie technically played. All the way through. Would I go back? ...Probably, because I make bad decisions and AMC Lynnhaven knows it. Two stars for the nostalgia, the chaos, and the fact that somehow, against all odds, the place still exists.

    Photos
    AMC Lynnhaven 18
    AMC Lynnhaven 18
    AMC Lynnhaven 18

    See all

    Commodore Theatre - movietheaters - Updated May 2026

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