Sebastiani Theatre

I love this place.
It’s an old-​timey theater, and I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of this place except for the terrifying dummy sitting in the booth at the entrance. She’s not ok. She’s bad.
I understand they have community events like plays and such here, as well. I’ll keep coming back! The location is perfect for a date night, there good bars and restaurants nearby.
P. S. the seats aren’t great, but they’re good enough for me.

This is a charming old theater. The seats are old, the carpet is worn but the place feels like it could really shine with a fresh coat of paint.
The classic feel of this place is really the best part. I love the old lights and the amazing detail around every corner.
It seems like this place should would be shut down, if not for a few people who care a whole lot it probably would have been long ago. That’s unfortunate really, most of the charming old theaters I have known in Santa Cruz and San Francisco are long gone with a few hold outs. They have been replaced my mega multi-​screen 3d Imax theaters that have everything you could possible want in the snack counter. While that environment can be nice it has no possible way of completing with the history and charm of whats happening at the Sebastiani. I attended a special showing here and the place was at capacity. I hope that they continue to thrive in the environment that is more and more a corporate big box business.

The single screen experience was worth the visit. However, I don’t think it would be my go to theater on a regular basis. The entire theater is slightly smelly and the seats start to hurt after an hour or so. I think it’s a great idea to keep open but some slight improvements are needed.

I love old historical places like these awesome place to check out a movie when you have a chance to enjoy.

A gorgeous old fashioned theater. Comfortable seats, first run movies, right on the Plaza. Sonoma is so lucky to have the Sebastiani! Check it first for a movie to see before heading out of town to the icky multiplex.

Gorgeous old style movie house. And the crew is hometown welcoming. Sound and projection is on par with any of the modern theaters. I’ll be a regular

The fact that the theatre where I was once evacuated due to an earthquake while watching Back to the Future is still around and functioning is worth 5 stars in and of itself. A historic, single-​screen theater that’s still kicking? Awesome.

This is hands down the only movie theater worth your time in this part of the Bay Area. The only wish I have is that they put new cushions in the 300 year old seats that predate General Vallejo’s barracks on the square. But other than that, the film is great and the place is very user friendly.

This is one of the few single-​screen theaters around. Sadly, all the other old school movie houses are being shut down and converted in to gyms (what’s that all about?!).
The Sebastiani Theater is located in the heart of downtown Sonoma — right in the square. The Sonoma Square has the look and feel of a Norman Rockwell painting. It’s like something out of the good ol’ 50s, but with a few modern twists. At the center of it all, is this wonderful movie theater — complete with marquis, an antique box office (with a creepy mannequin inside), and old school popcorn/​concessions stand. Aside from maybe the Castro in SF, they don’t make theaters like these anymore. And it’s a real shame, because theaters like these make the whole film-​going experience so much more fun. This isn’t some by-​the-​numbers, shopping mall multi-​plex. Theaters like the Sebastiani are what movies are all about. This place is sacred like a church.
Fortunately, the towns folks keep this theater alive and well. It was most recently used for the Sonoma International Film Festival. I caught a great documentary there recently called «Take Me To The River» — which highlighted the Memphis music scene. The house was packed; the sound system was spot-​on; and there was even a great Q & A session with the filmmakers after the show.
Sonoma is very lucky to have a treasure like the Sebastiani Theater. Here’s hoping it continues to survive the test of time so that future generations can see movies there.

I love this old theatre. I’ve been going for years because it’s such a treasure. Some where in this theatre on the back of one of the seats is my name, bought for me from my mom to support the arts. She gets free tickets every year so I take advantage of that.
The movies are always good, as they are hand picked and always off the grid. The special shows are always worth it, ranging from flamenco music and dancing, comedy, old movies, to getting to see John McCutcheon every January play folk music on a hammer dulcimer.
Sebastiani Theatre never disappoints. You get to see Roger the owner collect your tickets at the door or even John Lassiter present his latest Pixar film. It’s all part of the small time charm of Sonoma.

Vintage small town theater with much charm that works hard to aesthetically remain unchanged. This works very well until you get to the seats. Yes, nice as it is to have the old seats with the original foundations & re-​upholstered cushions & backrests, it would be nicer to have feeling below my tailbone while I’m watching a feature so I’m not squirming around trying to regain circulation
At one point in time, this was Sonoma’s only movie theater that used to show all the latest blockbusters. I’ve seen Return Of The Jedi, Back To The Future, & Jurassic Park at this theater long ago. Ever since the nine screen theater that shows more mainstream movies was built, Sebastiani went down the art house road showing movies like Woody Allen’s Pending Final Movie, Michael Moore Pissed About Whatever, Drama In A Foreign Language, & Pixar’s Latest Cash Grab Since John Lassiter Has A House In Sonoma. Every once in a while, they’ll show really old films from the 1940’s to 1950’s. I’m a sucker for old films, and it’s good to have the more «dignified» films of the 40’s & 50’s at this theater in contrast to the schlocky 70’s to 80’s double features in Santa Rosa.
The snack bar is very warm & inviting with a hipster or theater student waiting to sell you theater cuisine. I order a large popcorn, & notice it’s not as large as most of the multiplexes that are dotted around Sonoma county. I’m a guy who believes good popcorn stands alone without the help of butter, & I thought the popcorn was lacking something. I couldn’t tell if it was the oil or a lack of salt, but it was certainly different.
I noticed the theater has upgraded to a good grade digital projector, and a good size screen in the back of a tall, fairly big stage for musical acts, & plays so there’s no being smunched up too close to the screen if you’re watching a movie.
I believe with the older clientele, this place could make a wine & film program & make a shiny new dime. (It already has the Sebastiani name, if that’s not already an endorsement, I don’t know what is.) That being said, if you’re like me & like a drink with a movie, there’s a bar immediately next door where you can have a drink or two before your movie starts and three more if you walk out of a terrible movie in disgust.
3.7 stars. I like this theater, it’s like watching a movie in a time capsule. You get a firm idea about what old small-​town single screen theaters used to be like before 18 screen mega theaters threw their weight around. It shows movies that are trying to put an academy award in it’s pocket than the mindless summer popcorn movies. The popcorn could be better, but that’s really not that big of a deal. The uncomfortable seats are the only thing keeping this from a 4 star review. I have no qualms giving them my money, but it’s got to be something I really have to be interested enough to fight through butt apnea.

THE CUTEST. That’s really all you can say about this historic theater that plays movies … sometimes (aka. whenever it feels like it). I went to see Silver Linings Playbook here last week with my family, and while the seats were tight (people from the 1930s were SKINNY) and there were heads in my way (stadium seating didn’t exist until something like the 1990s, right?), I found that the Sebastiani had more than enough to offer in exchange, including infinite charm, a fully stocked concession stand, and NO (yes, I said NO) coming attractions.

We are so luck to have this place in our community and to have it run by such wonderful people. Its a great old fashion theater and absolutely transports me to my childhood. Its everything a great theater experience should be.

We saw two Pixar movies (Toy Story 3 and Cars 2) at the Sebastiani.
It’s a small theater with a little movie screen on the stage. There were no high tech digital sounds and stadium seating. But we love the old-​fashioned theater experience which we don’t really have living in the city.

Historic theater — love it.

I love the theater, but all for the experience. They only show one movie at a time and on weekdays it is at 7. However, the movies that they do play are usually great movies! They only take cash or local checks, but I don’t think they like doing it. I love seeing movies that I have never heard of and this is the place to do it. They start popping the popcorn as soon as they open the doors so it is guaranteed fresh. I have been going to this theater for 16 years and will never stop! I love the ticket booth at the entrance too! I believe that the auditorium has 300 seats and on Tuesdays it is $ 6 every other day I am pretty sure it is $ 10. Not sure on the exact price on regular days.

Don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re keepign the old girl going running flicks, but it’s really a sorta run-​down theatre that has obviously seen better days. With the Stanford being so magnificently kept-​up (with the big Packard Fund dollars behind it) and the California being almost ultra-​modern with the old-​timey, it’s hard for the Sabastiani to keep up.
That said, I’ve never had a bad experience, but I’m never very comfortable. As a venue for the Film Festival, it’s great. A signature venue, but when you compare it to seeing a flick at the California during Cinequest or the Castro during any of a dozen fests that include it, it doesn’t quite measure up.
I did love bringing The Little One there to see a film and explain how the old-​timers used to do things.

This theater has seen some bad days, some rockin days, some chic days and shabby days.
Thank the town that so many people love it and won’t let it go. It’s the quintessential small town old theater. I remember when it was Sonoma’s ONLY theater. I saw The Fugitive here, Good Will Hunting, Snow White (my first trip to the theater) and The Man Who Walked Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain — the worst piece of shit complete with nagging younger cousin forever inquiring «is it over yet?»
It houses the High School’s plays and musicals, the annual Witchy Poo Halloween celebration and the cutest ballet shows you will ever see from the children that live here.
These memories only make me love this place more — but for those of you that don’t have them, stop by and make some of your own. It’s a one screen theater with old wooden chairs, classic concession stand, beautiful interior and such an ambiance that it makes any movie seem special.
Support your local gems, and when you’re out of town, support that town’s as well.
We’re just such good supporters. Raise your hand if your a supporter! Claps for the supporter! (you can put your hands down).

If you like the movie going experience as much as you value the movie, I suggest you head here. There are only a few movie times (6:30 and 8 on Fridays and Saturdays?) and there is only one movie playing at a time.
Entering the Theatre your greeted by a stuffed witch sitting at the old school ticket counter. It only gets better.
The movie is shown on a stage, the seats are the type found in old play houses. The large popcorns do NOT feed a small village and they actually offer licorice.
An A+ experience.

Good old-​fashioned, movie theater. Licorice 5cents a piece.
Historical theater house on the square. Indie movie features and special screenings. In my youth there was a club on the upper level. It’s purpose has changed over the years, but it’s heart is still the same.