The Harvard Exit Theatre

My favorite theatre. So upset that it is closed. Will an ugly new building take its place? Most likely. All the charm and quirks that these old theartres have is slowing disappearing.

Smaller and more of a rustic feel than modern newer theaters. Attending a prescreening of John Wick was quite fun The staff was very friendly. The concession stand had some tasty popcorn. I liked how they had so many flavor toppings to it. Adding the different kinds of sweets to the mix, this was a new experience for me.

Such a beautifully restored and charming old theater. Great architecture and surprisingly comfortable chairs too. The best part about it is you get the classic feel without the funky smell — unless of course you count the stench from the people who decided to sit near you and fart, burp and talk throughout the whole movie. Holy cow! I suppose not everyone knows about theater etiquette though it would seem like common sense. Aside from that the theater itself is a hidden gem on Capital Hill. I’ve never even been prior to attending a preview courtesy of Unilocal

I’ve never been to a theatre quite like Harvard Exit Theatre before.
If you’re like me and you’ve only ever been to the mall to see a movie– seeing a movie at the Harvard Exit Theatre is a pretty special experience.
It’s tiny, old, and has a wonderful feel about it. The seats are comfortable and the sound is great, it has a single restroom and the concessions stand sells cool snacks (fancy chocolate, frozen junior mints) — along with your typical popcorn and sodas.
If you were seeing a movie in the 50s or 60s– I imagine it would feel something like this. It’s pretty cool.

This theater is hands down one of my favorite Seattle theaters and I always come to this location gladly. Not to sound pretentious (cue sounding pretentious), but it plays all the artsy movies that mainstream theaters are afraid to show (aka there aren’t many trailers before the start of the movie). It’s true that they don’t have a large selection of typical movie theater food, and instead have nuts and fancy chocolates, but they do have popcorn that’s always freshly made and surprisingly good (I’m not usually a popcorn person, but this, I’ll eat… mostly due to a light toasty flavor and not as much reliance on butter). The theater itself is in a great location, situated on Broadway by some tasty gems and, in the grand tradition of the art house movie theater, is a historic site. The lobby is welcoming and comfortable with real couches and other remnants of its historic past. The theaters rooms themselves are pretty and have comfortable chairs (firm and in stadium format). So cute and great for dates! On another note, generally, this theater attracts a more sophisticated crowd of people, ones who are a little friendlier and more educated (and less prone to rude behaviors), making everyone’s movie experience hella nice… *end rant* … We’ve seen a ton of really great films here (Her, Under the Skin, Blue Jasmine, the Skeleton Twins, etc) and tonight was no exception!

I really loved this theater. Coming from Boston, I loved the Coolidge Corner theater and the Avon theater in Providence for their old school, classic cinema atmospheres. Harvard Exit Theatre is no different. We saw «Boyhood» (which was incredible) and we fell in love with the lobby and décor they offer. I’ll definitely be going back for some more lesser known movie releases.

There’s always at least ONE amazing movie playing at the Harvard Exit at any time :)
Great, intimate theater. Only gripe is parking on Capitol Hill.

I love this place! It’s rarely crowded, seats are comfy, staff are friendly. Only downside really is there is no elevator, so if you are unable to climb stairs you should make sure your showing is on the main floor. Whether you sit in the front or back, the sound and view is still great.

When you are in the mood for an «indy» film, a classic old fashioned two screen theater adds to the ambiance and overall experience. The interior is a little run-​down and shabby, but if you are in the proper frame of mind, this can add to the charm and set this theater apart from the high gloss cookie cutter mall multiplex theaters, which are fantastic for the blockbuster HD quality movies. Variety is the spice of life, so for every couple of big screen/​big budget motion pictures you take in, be sure to check out a smaller film and venue like this one. You’ll be glad you did.
If they upgraded the seats and interior a little I’d give this place an extra star. Just because you are a cool hipster indy joint (and I mean that affectionately), that does not mean you can’t be a little cleaner and a little more polished/​comfortable. Now if only they also served beer and wine…

The Harvard exit is my kind of theater.
Quiet, interesting and tucked away like a little wonder.
I usually come here during the week in the middle of the day to catch a film and free my mind in the quietness of it.
Super close from the office that i just walk 3 minutes and catch a movie real quick then go back to work. Yeah Don Draper styling it.

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harvard exit theater is one of those places that when you walk in, your jaw drops and a series of questions and statements starts racing through your mind. questions like:
«i can’t believe i haven’t been here before.»
«what is that over there?»
«Cool a silent movie projector!»
«Where do these stairs lead up to?»
«oh cool a balcony. «
“omg. what movies should i watch to get the most out of my experience here?»
«how old is this place?»
«I wonder if ghosts live here.»
«Can i get drinks here and just hang out in the lobby for all eternity?»
«it’s so gorgeous in here»
«How can i stay here in the comfortable lobby?»
«Wait, the theater is where?»
«omg. the theater is even more beautiful than the lobby!»
«is that original molding?»
«i wonder who sat in these seats.»
and on and on my brain raced taking in all that is the harvard exit theater.
i ended up watching «under the skin» (a superbly done film btw, that really stays with you making your mind get all bent out of shape and weirded out, then a vast nothingness that expands like a vacuum. and your emotions tries to fill it with questions and explanations but you feel like you’re being submerged.) and i don’t know the last time i had a movie going experience like the one i had at harvard exit theater.
It’s really strange because it really feels like only indie movies or artsy films will work here, not the big block busters. i’m thinking that it’s because of the venue with it’s beauty that you don’t want to cloud it with fake cgi or enhanced anything. it’s so naturally wonderful, that anything artificial will look so lackluster in it’s light.
i can’t stress how much you should go here and experience a movie here at least once. it really is uniquely seattle.
protip: arthur loveless (famous seattle architect) building is down the street. you should take a quick stroll there for it’s historic beauty.

Great old (and I do mean old) theater. Don’t go in expecting the size, comfort or sound quality of the mega-​cinemas. Do expect a wonderful, single screen, older seats, aging dame of a theater. I love that they play indie films and unique movies you don’t find anywhere else. Keep it up. One request to other patrons, though. Be on time, get your popcorn and hit the loo before the movie starts. This is an old theater — there isn’t the massive aisle room between the rows of seats. People can’t simply swing their legs sideways for you to pass.

The Harvard Exit is a Landmark theater much better maintained than it’s cousin the 45^th Guild. The area is great for catching dinner or drinks both pre and post movies.
The place has old age charm without the mold and dust. The chairs aren’t a couch but I didn’t find them that uncomfortable. I was excited they show the Oscars shorts and I only wish they’d also show the short documentaries.

While I may knock middle of the road theaters for not being nice enough, big enough, etc. there is a special place in my heart for old skool theaters like these. These theaters know what they are and who goes there. They play their smaller, independent movies and give you that smaller more intimate setting. I love that. From the older, smaller theaters to the smaller, more familiar concessions counter this place seems like a neighborhood joint.
So far I’ve only seen one movie here. I’m looking forward to seeing more.

I really love this theater. It’s older and they show great indie movies. I usually see movies downtown at Pacific Place or the Meridian, so I definitely appreciate a place with some character. It’s easy to miss since it’s tucked off the corner of Broadway and Roy (behind the DeLuxe), but I think they usually have a sandwich board on the sidewalk.
I’ve never purchased concessions here, but I looked at the prices last time and they seem to be a little cheaper than a mainstream theater. They also have an employee come in to introduce the movie before it starts, so that’s a nice personal touch.
I just really find the atmosphere here more conducive to movie watching than being in a chain with stadium seating. It’s small, it’s comfy and you can catch movies with a more limited release schedule. It’s not close to where I live but I’ll gladly keep coming here for a nice, relaxing day at the movies.

This cute, housey little theater is across the street from Roy Street Café located at the end of Broadway. It’s cute, spacious, smells overwhelmingly of popcorn and has semi-​stadium seating. They have a good variety of indie and popular flicks. The screens are huge, sound system is great, and the lobby fireplace and piano are a nice touch.
Comfy and cozy. Will be back!

This theater is like going to a friend’s house. A nice, old house which happens to smell like popcorn, have really neat old-​fashioned décor, and a small commercial theater/​large personal theater.
Getting here/​parking here is a pain. There isn’t a parking lot and the street parking fills up fast. We spent at least 15 minutes combing the streets before finding a spot that was a few blocks away (but it was at least not up/​downhill from the theater).
The concessions are good here. Tasty popcorn, soda, and candy. The line doesn’t move too fast — there’s only room for one cash register.
Seating isn’t plentiful but the seats are staged so that it’s not too bad to be upfront. The seats aren’t the most comfortable and the cup holders are in the seat ahead of you which is a little weird.
Seating aside, this is a really fun, cozy, and historic place to see a movie.

They use REAL butter on the popcorn. Not the artificial goop at the big cineplexes. They also have popcorn seasoning here for free. Not like at Cinemark where you have to buy/​bring your own bottle. Yay! Also cups for water! Shocking. It’s like they actually care about you.
I’ve been coming here for basically as long as I can drive. While it’s not the biggest or fanciest theater, it’s like home. The seats are a little uncomfortable. The A/​C is not great and doesn’t clear out some people’s BO. But it all adds to the ambiance of an independent theater.

Searching for a great old movie house to watch classic features and independent films? Look no further than The Harvard Exit Theater which is located just around the corner from the north end of the Broadway shopping district on Capitol Hill and is a throwback to the kind of classic movie theaters you just don’t see any more. This is an older building and it does show its age a little bit, but the seats are still comfortable and nothing looks to be falling apart so not a big deal.
There are two screens and each auditorium is actually a lot bigger than you might expect from walking in as the exterior makes the building look much smaller than it is. The staff here is always very friendly and they take the time to make sure everything is up to a higher quality standard than you might find elsewhere. This theater is part of the Landmark chain which also includes The Egyptian Theatre which is another Capitol Hill favorite. You won’t see the latest blockbusters here, but you will find movies that are most likely not playing anywhere else and they are probably better than what the other places are offering.
This is not the biggest, best, or most most high tech of movie theaters, but you will have a good experience here and is well worth a visit.

I love movies.
I love weird, sad, old and odd movies.
I love to sit alone in a theater, and have a one on one with the screen.
Just me and the movie. Especially in the middle of the day, it’s pure luxury to slink into the theater, buy some delicious goodness from the polite but ever-​so-​slightly apathetic and always attractive employees, find my seat near the front in the middle and sit and be taken in.
This is the theater for this. You can feel the history when you walk in the door, you are charmed and delighted to think of all the times those floors have been stomped on, the walls reverberated with laughter.
She’s a grand ol’ dame, the Harvard Exit she is, and I love her.
(Oh, high quality candy is here as well as a million sprinkle toppings for your popcorn, the first show of the day is discounted and you can get a punch card for 5 movies for $ 35 I believe)