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    SIFF Cinema Uptown

    3.8 (154 reviews)
    Open 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    Recommended Reviews - SIFF Cinema Uptown

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    Concession stand.
    Birdie H.

    Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! The people, stage, volunteers for the SIFF was absolutely amazing. I didn't get everyone name, BUT... I am grateful for their kind & genuine hospitality to us as visitors. We simply cannot express any more gratitude. This theater is small with 2 screens BUT SUPER BUSY!! There are so many films being shown and so many support from the local community. I am truly grateful for all of this! I absolutely LOVE THE FREEN TEA they have here. It's ona bottle and it's called GOLD PEAK brand. Delicious! Kinda of taste like Pear. Anywho, if I had to watch another show or visit here again, I would choose this place. It's nice, warm and comfy.

    Don't forget the popcorn. You'd think it being vegan would make it super healthy, but I doubt it.
    Will L.

    The Uptown Theater (now the SIFF Uptown Theater) was established in this location in 1926. It's been renovated a few times since, but still has that old movie house charm. There are three screens, and because SIFF owns the theater, you're more likely than not to see all manner of old and indie films. It's great having this theater in Seattle (especially after so many of the old theaters have been developed out of existence in recent years). Concessions: plenty of options, and some good ones too. Grab a microbrew or a cider, some popcorn (okay nothing outlandish with the popcorn, but it might be *free* (see below)), and a Street Treat Ice Cream Sandwich and you'll be set! Parking: parking for this theater is bad on good days, dismal on others. On my first foray to the Uptown there was a huge concert going on at the Seattle Center, which is not so far away. This meant most street parking was nearly gone. We did manage to find a spot, but because of the Seattle Center event, street parking was exorbitantly expensive: we spent $20! For street parking! Come early, and be prepared to search. My recommendation is to head down (west of the theater) on Republican towards 3rd. You may find parking. Careful: in some of the neighborhoods there are parking restrictions (thank you again Seattle Center). Membership: all that said, I love this theater and what it offers. I loved it enough that I joined SIFF, and go back to see movies on a regular basis. I recommend joining if you're going to go even a few times a year. The reason: as a member, you get a card for 5 free medium popcorns ($7 a bag), and you also get $5 off the regular movie price for every show (currently $14). Doing the math, and you'll see that your membership will break even at 5 movies; everything's gravy after that. Plus, SIFF's a great organization to support, and there are plenty of other benefits from membership.

    Yelp elite movie screening
    Sindu K.

    Came here for an advance screening of a movie invited by yelp. This is my first time being invited to an advance screening of a movie and it was a great experience. The outside has the retro vibe. There are some snacks that you could get from the concessions stand. The theatre is well maintained and the acoustics are great. Overall I was quite happy with this event and my first time experience at this theatre. The only problem I faced was finding parking. Looks like this area is popular and hard to find parking at. There is only just garage or street parking.

    Teresa W.

    This theater was right next to our hotel. We were actually walking to CVS when we saw it and spontaneously decided to see a movie. It's Al older theater but I love that! Reminds me of the one screen theater from my hometown. The ticket counter is outside. Once you enter there are three screens. There's a concession stand with the typical offerings plus some alcoholic options. The theaters aren't large, and the seats aren't anything to write home about as they are older but they have cup holders and were fairly comfortable. The movie sounded and looked great. The place has so much charm and I'm so glad theaters like this are still around. We were just visiting but if I lived in Seattle I would get a membership and see movies here all the time.

    Inside theater
    Willy M.

    I love SIFF Uptown Cinema in Lower Queen Anne, this older theater has the Seattle personality that is almost long gone. Location is great in the middle of LQA, near a bunch of restaurants, convenient if you take the bus as it is right next to a major bus stop/line. Only 3 screens at this location, old school seats, not really stadium seating but more on a slope, seating is a little rickety but that's part of the character. Screen and sound has always been fine to me, no issues there. Snack bar is pretty good, they offer beer/wine, sodas, popcorn, candy, all kinds of other treats. Not as expensive as the big chain theaters but I'm ok paying a little more to support this local theater. This theater along with the Egyptian in Cap Hill and the SIFF Film Center up the street mainly show more of the independent type of films, art-house type, less known less popular type of films, international works, offer film festivals, special events with q&a from directors etc. SIFF does offer membership programs where you can receive discounts, snack offers, priority viewings, festival event access, and some other stuff if you check their website. I am so glad these types of theaters are still around, do what you can to keep them around, donations are tax deductible if that matters to you, many other ways to donate as well. I don't work for them, just enjoy having these old gems around to remind us of a little history of Seattle.

    Outside in the day time
    Stella B.

    As a huge SIFF fan, this is likely their best location in the city. Ignore old reviews talking about the quality of the theater - they just reopened winter 2021 with a new face lift and the viewing experience is fantastic. Pros: + Outstanding lineup of art house, wide release, and seasonal film fest showings courtesy of SIFF. + Comfortable viewing experience, with big theaters and nice seats. + Great sound and visual quality. + Three screens!! This is a huge advantage on SIFF terms, since their other two theaters only have one. + Bright and fun place to take your dates or Seattle guests. The marquee is stunning and perfect for photos. Cons: - Maybe a bit less charm than the SIFF Egyptian, which is grungy on the outside but iconic on the inside. Tips: * Parking cheat code: go to the Safeway parking lot around the street or the Dick's Burgers down the street for unlimited free parking (on the borderline of "allowed", but no one's checking)

    9pm film (9/2/17)
    Marie B.

    Shocked that I got free street parking after 8pm, especially with Bumbershoot and restaurant/bar action going on Saturday night in lower Queen Anne (9/2/17). I went to see the 9pm showing of "The Trip to Spain" which I missed during SIFF. While the theater was being cleaned, I noticed that beer and wine are available at the concession stand along with the usual popcorn and candy selections. Featured movie was part of a Winterbottom travel/culinary trilogy, that ended on an interesting point. Probably could have waited for the DVD via Amazon or viewed via You Tube...but nice to see this film on a large screen. Admission charged was $14 non SIFF member, $9 SIFF member. Something to consider, especially if you are a film buff. Glad SIFF retained both the Uptown and Egyptian theaters, unlike the fate of the Guild 45th. Sure miss the Neptune, but glad it was retained as a live music/entertainment venue. Or the long gone sites on Capitol Hill and Greenwood from the early-mid 1980s. I wish the main theater would undergo a seat upgrade though. The Crest up in Shoreline did, makes all the difference in comfort. When the seat springs hits your tailbone wrong, squirming during a two hour film is uncomfortable. Also, the sketchy folks at the outside parklet and the urine stench around the perimeter of the Uptown exterior...all of these observations collectively knocked off two stars.

    Inside by the poster

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    Best movies, best popcorn, great theatres , great staff and volunteers. What more could I ask for?

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - SIFF Cinema Uptown

    Review Highlights - SIFF Cinema Uptown

    SIFF Uptown is so perfect in so many ways (Dick's is also conveniently located across the street).

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Hump

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    4.2(6 reviews)
    0.2 miLower Queen Anne

    Oh, Hump!! They definitely don't have film festivals like this back home! Hump! is an annual film…read morefestival that is typically held in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The film festival has gained in popularity so much that it has been touring outside of those two cities in recent years. The Hump! film festival specializes in home movie erotica, amateur sex cinema and locally produced pornography. Typically when each film festival is held Dan Savage is the host. Now I know the description of the film festival may sound like you are going to an adult arcade where you watch poorly made and grainy sex films but that simply isn't the case here. The amateur films are arranged where you can experience a whole range of material to the humorous and the sexy to the nerve wracking and the suspenseful. The films explore mainly straight and gay material but it does journey outside of those two sexualities as well. Most of the films are very well made and highly entertaining and not just in the stereotypical way that you may think with films like this. There are indeed rules that need to be adhered during the show. You are not allowed to have your phones out during the show at all. Anyone that does you could get your phone taken away until the end of the show. Another thing is that no jeering is allowed during any of the show at all. If you are involved in such a thing you are bound to be escorted out. And of course the obvious... this film festival is not an adult arcade so doing certain other... activities involving yourself is a sure thing you won't be at the film festival for long. When I went everyone behaved themselves. Always a good thing. When Steve and I went to Hump! I enjoyed all of the films that were featured. There were two that really stuck in my mind. I mentioned some of the films could induce suspense and there was one involving flash paper that you simply couldn't tear your eyes away from. There was several others that were very sensual and steamy. I give major kudos to the film makers that contribute to Hump! for creating these daring, sexy, artful and often humorous films. I would love to go back for another showing sometime!

    If you film it, someone will come…read more Bravo to the Stranger, purveyors of the strange and kinky, for thinking this up and making it happen. While I thought it would be more awkward than fun, it wasn't at all. Not even going with a group of friends that included someone I barely knew and a couple. Good to know: Tickets sell out SO FAST so if you're in any way interested, grab them immediately. There are 'themes' for the year this time packing peanuts was one of them, heh. You can drink in the lobby but not the theater other than the shots they sold on stage at the opening monologue (by none other than Dan Savage) It's 'get em in, get 'em out' so you're waiting in the lobby, rush to your seat, watch 20 or so 5 min and under amateur porn movies, fill out your voting card for 'Sex' 'Kink' and "Humor' as well as 'Best in Show'. Oh, and plan for some uncomfortable moments no matter what your comfort level is, mine were of the slightly disassociated straight couple sex set to Massive Attack. Yuck.

    SIFF Film Center

    SIFF Film Center

    3.7(20 reviews)
    0.2 miLower Queen Anne

    Love it here! The staff is fabulous and the movies are great. Highly recommend this hidden gemread more

    Read this review if you're lost finding the theater! Ignore Google/Apple Maps which will land you…read moreat the wrong end of the park. Go to the corner of Republican Street and Warren Ave N (use directions for the restaurant "Taylor Shellfish" at 124 Republican St and you're there). Walk into the park from this entrance (August Wilson Way), and after a minute of walking your first right will be the SIFF building. It's tucked away and once you see it through the window, you have to make another left to get inside. Now for the review...I'm obsessed with SIFF and every cinephile in Seattle should support them, but I really recommend you visit their Egyptian theater in Capitol Hill or their Uptown theater in Queen Anne over this location. If the movie you want to see is only showing at the Film Center, be prepared for less comfortable seating and plan to show up early to find the theater. Google Maps takes you to the wrong spot (unless you follow the directions above) and there's no signage. Pros: + An impressive slate of art house, wide release, and seasonal film fest picks in line with SIFF's overall line up. Often there will be SIFF films that are only show here. + Many in person/virtual film appreciation one-night class opportunities. I took an awesome week night session analyzing The Shining that was pretty cheap and reminded me of college film courses! + No noticeable issues with the screen or sound. I've enjoyed every movie I've seen here...once I got there. Cons: - Hard to find location, with no signs directing you where to go. Google Maps will take you to the Space Needle, this is not where the theater is. During my first visit, I found myself wandering through the park in the dark for 15 minutes with no signs for SIFF in sight. This is like that college class that you can't find on the map your first day of a new semester. - Very small theater that's less charming than other ones hosted by SIFF. Following this college theme, the Film Center feels like an old school stadium style lecture hall. - Uncomfortable, creaky old chairs with no cup holders. Tips: * Punch in the address for the restaurant "Taylor Shellfish" which is at the corner of Warren Ave N into your maps app to park in the right spot. Cross the street to enter the park, SIFF should be one of the first turns on the right. * I've heard anecdotally that they don't let people in 15 minutes after the movie starts.

    Photos
    SIFF Film Center - Directions, so you don't get lost in the park!

    Directions, so you don't get lost in the park!

    SIFF Film Center
    SIFF Film Center

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    SIFF Cinema Uptown - movietheaters - Updated May 2026

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