Holy cow this place is such a cool hidden gem! Sure, it's a little rough around the edges, but I am sure it is much much more polished today than it was even a few years ago. Going to see a picture at the Senate makes me feel like I'm one of the cool kids or in on some kind of local secret. The star of the show is the organ. Don't sleep on the pre-show organ recitals. This ain't your momma's church organ. This is an organ designed for silent movies and you can hear the difference. That might sound a bit odd, but trust me on this one. But the building is also super cool. I love the way the lobby abuts the theater. There are no doors dividing the two which is just one of many classic design elements that make you feel like you're spending the evening in a different era. Same for the concession prices! And for that matter, the ticket prices. It's hard to beat $6 to get in and $2 for a drink. Of course, for these prices you aren't getting modern sound or screen quality. And while the all volunteer organization is working on it, it's the sound quality specifically which drags the Senate down a star for me. I found it hard to make out the dialog for a classic movie to which I already knew most of the words. In that case, it was fine. But my companion found themselves confused about the plot as the dialog was compromised. That said, I'm all about going back and watching as many subtitled foreign films as I can. Plus, I might just rearrange my schedule so that I can attend the next silent film played with live organ accompaniment. I fully expect that to be a five star experience. And as the Senate gets more popular, surely the improvements to the screen, projector, and sound will be close behind. read more

What fun! Secure parking, updated interior and great refreshments. This venue was a great experience to watch a show

If the magnificent Redford Theater is five stars then surely The Senate, it's grungier cousin has to only merit four stars, right? I mean, in my heart the Senate is five stars but in my head it's four... but I'm not trying to be that killjoy knocking the Senate off it's perfect five star Yelp perch. So five it is! I'll give it on charm and sentimental value. Old school single auditorium theaters are gems to be protected and the Senate is definitely a diamond in the rough. You can see how strapped for cash they are and how they struggle to address maintenance. Heating and cooling they try their best on but if it's too hot out or too cold it might not make for the best creature comfort. In the summer they actually show some movies outside projected onto the side of the building. My friend Alan and I caught about half of The Night of the Living Dead in the Michigan Ave side yard here. (We'd both seen it before so not being able to make it for the beginning was okay.) And last weekend we watched the Clara Bow silent movie It accompanied by live pipe organ! Maybe it's the climate change version of winter Michigan has gotten this year but the theater was considerably warmer than I remember from watching a 40s movie in late November/early December maybe four years ago. The lobby is pretty epic, with parts of it reminding me of The Shining, the beautiful chandeliers especially. Tickets as of February 2023 are $12 apiece, reasonable and if you wanna chip in to fight the decay that comes with the March of time they have a donation box, too. The latest project of fixing the massive ceiling which has plaster ready to leap for it. I think it's a bit better than when I was here to see Halloween in October actually, when a couple spots in the theater were caution taped off. The large auditorium never seems to come close to getting packed anyway but they seem to draw decent crowds. Concessions are gloriously inexpensive and I'd suggest leaving a tip in the tip jar as I believe it's an all volunteer work force here doing it as a labor of love but love don't pay the bills. Bathrooms are up carpeted stairs and thankfully clean but somewhat cramped, a window into a bygone era. There's a fenced in parking lot off Gilbert or you can try to find street parking on Michigan. If you're stupid enough to leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle, I have to say you probably deserve whatever happens. I never have and have never had any problems of that nature here. Special events are a hoot here. I missed the David Bowie one but the Halloween Halloween show was a blast. I might be a little biased since I had art for sale here, but not too biased. It was right up my alley anyway. One more begrudging complaint for this five star review and I admit this is a very Larry David thing to be annoyed by - the auditorium walls are off white! I've never been to a theater with white walls before. They're supposed to be dark so they fade into the background when the movie starts! I know they're always playing catch up here - the new marquee is incredible but I hope this is something they can address eventually. The pipe organ backstage tour was the icing on the cake last Saturday. I had no idea how huge and sprawling those things are. Wow! For all its issues I love the Senate and the only way they can address them is if people come out and support them. So do! read more

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An awesome historic theatre that has been resuscitated over the last few years with special screenings, events, and more. A nice south side sister to the north side's Redford Theatre. Not quite as opulent as the Redford, but they're working on it! Films vary from classic faves like the upcoming Laurel and Hardy Festival, and screenings like "Godzilla", "Easy Rider", and kid friendly events like a screening of "Coco." They're also home to the Detroit Theatre Organ Society so they regularly have organ pops concerts featuring their beautiful Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. Popcorn is DELICIOUS. Beverages are canned sodas, so if you're hoping for a massive fountain drink that's not available at the moment. Tickets are beyond affordable and parking is easy. As others have said, seats are not exactly plush but I didn't find them any worse than other old school theatre (both movie and performing arts theatres) in the area. Worth checking out their upcoming schedule and visiting to support this amazing piece of Detroit history! read more

Really amazing old theater house that is home to the Detroit Theater Organ Society. They took up residence there in 1964, and have been there ever since. The star of the show is the original Wurlitzer organ saved from the Fisher Theater in the Fisher Building. Restored in the original Mayan style, this organ was originally intended for 2100 seats and packs quite a punch at this 800 seat venue​. They put on concerts rather frequently, and occasionally will accompany a silent film. I attended to see Metropolis in January of 2017. By coming in twenties fashion to match the film, I was able to get a free popcorn and entry into a drawing. They also had a 50-50 raffle, and some bloke went home with $92. Parking was easy, we parked right out front. If you are concerned about your car, there is a guarded lot in the back. My only complaint about this theater is that the seats are incredibly uncomfortable and I fidgeted all the way through the film. Next time I will bring a cushion, haha. The only other thing of note is that the bathrooms are upstairs, I don't believe they have one yet at floor level for ADA access. Tldr version: cheap, fun, unique Detroit gem. GREAT movie night for film buff dates. Go ASAP. read more

Senate Theater - Cinema Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Amazing old theater with so much history it's like stepping back in time. I think once they show some more recent films on the weekends for younger families maybe Disney style cartoons it will be a happy medium. The trick is meshing with old and new , something like a Dora cartoon that would invite the local neighborhood. To get everyone involved to save a place like this !! It takes a village ! Sometimes you have to do other things that are not part of the original plan, all while respecting what you are saving and that money will help restore theater . Adapt and overcome . Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to to get the results you need . That being said we went there for a black and white movie. I felt like I could see my lady in Victory curls and pearls and I was wearing a fedora it would so make perfect sense LOL. You can almost feel ancestors in that building, going to the Senate sweet shop next door and then catching a show. it has a certain Ambiance about it. It was a little warm that night and my better half tolerated my Indulgence like a saint, and I think she might have even had a decent time LOL . One of the curators even took us back after the show to show us the organ room and a small organ concert LOL to say this individual had a passion is a gross understatement!! and his talent was breathtaking!!! Thank you, I hope his enthusiasm and fervor rubs off on every volunteer and the public too .so that this place stays alive. It needs some TLC but it seems like it is coming along quite well. so pick a weekend night grab your Dame and catch a flick you won't be disappointed. read more

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This is a cool old theater. It's home to the original Wurlitzer organ from the Fisher Theater. It's a lot of fun to come see the old silent films played with actual organ accompaniment as they were intended to be seen. They offered a tour of the organ after the movie. These things were a engineering marvel of their time. I highly recommend going to see a movie here. read more

Senate Theater - Cinema Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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An old-school theater, somewhat similar to Redford Theatre, but not nearly as decorative or as popular. You won't have to park a block away and wait in line for concessions at the Senate. I've seen 'Nosferatu' and a few pops concerts here. The Wurlitzer organ is enormous and well worth the price of admission just for that. As Dil said, they take you on a tour of the backstage area so you can see all of the organ pipes and inner workings, truly a sight to behold. read more

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silent films with organ, organ concerts, amazing popcorn, cheap sodas. This place is incredible. I saw a series of silent shorts projected onto a large screen (Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, a Betty Boop cartoon), with a live organ laying down the soundtrack. The theater itself is absolutely gorgeous (inclined ramp seating, early 20th century Mayan revival decorated organ, glass chandeliers, nightly tours of the backstage organ room, old timey concession booths and drinking fountain), and they sell the world's best popcorn, plus cans of soda for a buck (they'll pour it into a cup and give you a straw). This might be the only theater in the country that isn't nickle and dime'ing you for light refreshments and snacks... With the sole exception of the Detroit Derby Girls, this might be the most eclectic crowd I've seen for any event in the city. All ages, all sorts... you owe it to yourself to check out the programming and take in a movie or a concert... www.dtos.org awesome time! can't recommend it enough... read more

This is one of those "hidden jewels of detroit" that everyone's been ranting about, but not actually frequenting. In fact, not even the hipster crowd has discovered it, i think. Or more likely, if they have, I think it might be too ironic even for them. The Senate is upkept by the Detroit Theater Organ Society (dtos.org) who are a volunteer nonprofit if i'm not mistaken, and they moved the old Wurlitzer from the Fisher Theater here and reinstalled it for performances. I've been here many times in the past several years, and i would join the DTOS as a member, but their dues are kinda steep if i recall correctly. The interior is clean and maintained, but they are raising money for a much needed restoration. If going to see a theater organ performance is too obscure or creepily old-timey for you, you might enjoy it more when they actually use the organ to accompany silent films, which they have been doing more of. other than that i would say live a little and try something new. though the crowd has been thin in the past i think more people are attending as time goes on, despite the fact that you can get almost the same thing as this at the Old Redford Theater. if you're one who is liable to be sketched-out by the neighborhood, never fear; they have gated, guarded parking in the rear. read more

This place is amazing. Make sure to enjoy the organ play before the movie!