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Sundance Kabuki Cinemas

Sundance Kabuki Cinemas

(Now Closed)
Movie Theater and Indie Movie Theater
Japantown, San Francisco
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    The experts at SF Weekly and SFist recommend this place
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  • _heart icon on user image
    _August 2, 2014
    Must buy tickets and select your seats in advance. You can bring alcohol (beer was $13) and food in. They also offer Humphry's Slocombe ice cream there for $6 for a half pint.
  • Alexander W.heart icon on user image
    Alexander WinterJuly 3, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    The best cinema in SF. Why? Because it is beautifully designed, has comfortable chairs, more legroom, serves alcohol, and good soda alternatives. Other cinemas can learn from this place.
  • SFist
    SFistAugust 3, 2014
    The seats are mad comfy, with drink holders and sometimes little table surfaces in between, because they serve food too! And there are cocktails and beer. Need we say more? Read more
  • Jeffrey B.heart icon on user image
    Jeffrey BarrettNovember 15, 2014
    Love that seats are reserved in advance. Real butter on the popcorn is also key. Lastly, a bar in the balcony for drinks during the movie? Might be the best theater in San Francisco.
  • Dale T.
    Dale TegmanJune 1, 2012
    The extra $ you spend for selecting/reserving your seat are worth it. Come early to lounge at the mezzanine wine bar or enjoy the adjacent restaurant. Fancy chocolate and gourmet treat snack counter!
  • Bre L.
    Bre LambertJuly 1, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    Never watch a movie sober again. Reserve seats in the balcony and enjoy beer, wine & cocktails during the feature. Food's ok, but splurge for tots on weekends. (Just remember to wear a bib.)
  • Stephanie L.heart icon on user image
    Stephanie LayOctober 22, 2014
    My fav theater in SF. Sadly it's not near a train line. There's parking nearby at the hotel. Popcorn is decent, alcohol is served at many showings. The balconies are the place to sit. Assigned seats.
  • Luke B.heart icon on user image
    Luke BornheimerAugust 19, 2013
    The front row, though better than other theaters, is still too close to the screen to comfortably enjoy your movie. If there's only front row seats left, opt for another showing or movie.
  • Donna T.
    Donna TamDecember 9, 2012
    Clean venue, friendly staff. Watched a movie in the 21+ balcony. Enjoyed the assigned seating and built in tables with cupholders. Held my mediterranean platter and beer nicely.
  • Reno
    RenoApril 7, 2012
    Like Mario says "sneak in either a bottle of champagne tucked in back of trousers, bottle of whiskey (mix with diet coke) and a carton of bbq chow mein' - also good to do at the Castro theatre
  • Catriona H.
    Catriona HunterJune 30, 2016
    The movie starts exactly at the time stated, the trailers come before that time. So don't be late! Alcohol and food served in the top-floor bar.
  • Ben C.heart icon on user image
    Ben ChenSeptember 11, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Great place for dates! Balcony seating is designed to be enjoyed in pairs and there's an enjoyable assortment of wine and food :)
  • Kenley G.
    Kenley GaffkeDecember 9, 2013
    Have a drink in the theater, cocktail, wine or bar. Comfy seats in a small theater setting. Classiest theater in San Francisco. Worth a visit!
  • Reesa K.heart icon on user image
    Reesa KashukJanuary 15, 2015
    The best theater with the most comfortable seats. Feels like an elevated movie-going experience. Perfect theater for a date night.
  • Lizheart icon on user image
    LizFebruary 21, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    If you buy your drinks at the 3rd floor bar and your movie is on the 2nd floor for a 21+ show, take the elevator. You can't bring your drinks through the front at the 2nd floor.
  • Ashley M.
    Ashley MillerNovember 24, 2014
    The 21+ cinema is a super fun way to unwind and sip some cocktails while you watch your movie.
  • Bennett W W.heart icon on user image
    Bennett W WongNovember 6, 2014
    Bonus points because they brew coffee beans by Peet's Coffee. Definitely a good to know when in need of coffee to substitute soda.
  • Allison Y.heart icon on user image
    Allison YuJuly 11, 2015
    Love the comfy seats. Get tix early to reserve the best ones (aka not the ones all the way to the left)
  • Khoa M.heart icon on user image
    Khoa MaJanuary 11, 2015
    The only theater you should see a movie at in San Francisco. Pick your own seat and get a drink dilivered to you!
  • Matt J.heart icon on user image
    Matt JoachimAugust 10, 2014
    Best movie theater in San Francisco when you consider the seat quality / layout, bar options and medium sized crowds.
  • Avaheart icon on user image
    AvaJanuary 5, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    chairs are super comfortable! one of the theaters is 21+ and you can take your drinks into the film with you
  • M.G. S.heart icon on user image
    M.G. SieglerJuly 28, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    Best movie theater in San Francisco, without question. They also now serve tater tots every day!
  • Morgan M.
    Morgan MJuly 27, 2011
    Definitely the best movie theater for a date in the city, choose reserved seats at the 21 + balcony ahead of time, and arrive early for a drink or appies.
  • Adrian P.heart icon on user image
    Adrian PhillipsDecember 7, 2015
    Really comfortable seats and a great selection of films that you won't find at the average Cineplex.
  • Karina v.heart icon on user image
    Karina van SchaardenburgJuly 13, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    The chicken fingers come with crudités, which are SUPER AWKWARD to eat during a movie. Avoid. Oh also, drink the movie themed cocktails!
  • Sherry L.
    Sherry Lin-BrownNovember 9, 2010
    Row D is best in theater 2 - it looks super close to the screen on the seating chart but it's actually not. Lots of leg room and perfect view. And seats at the end of the rows are totally fine.
  • Caroline
    CarolineMay 28, 2012
    Been here 25+ times
    Favorite movie theater in the city. Generally good movie selection and 21+ theaters, which means you can drink wine and don't have to worry about pesky teenagers.
  • Tiffany B.heart icon on user image
    Tiffany ByrdOctober 16, 2013
    Seats are comfortable, there's a bar and food.....can't go wrong!
  • Fiona S.heart icon on user image
    Fiona StripeJuly 18, 2016
    Great a drink at the balcony bar before watching a film. There's a nice atmosphere in the big atrium.
  • Ilana I.heart icon on user image
    Ilana IsraelMay 26, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Only see movies here from now on. Best theater in the city by far. Worth the extra money!
  • Denaya D.
    Denaya DaileyApril 15, 2012
    The only movie theater I will go to. Sit in auditorium1... Great seeting and they serve good bottles of wine and beer!
  • Kimberly H.heart icon on user image
    Kimberly HowardMarch 8, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Leave time to park if going by car. There's a garage under Sundance and another one block east (or get lucky with street parking).
  • Dmitri S.heart icon on user image
    Dmitri SkjorshammerAugust 28, 2014
    Great customer service. The theater has comfortable seats. There's a balcony section that allows alcohol.
  • Jarrod B.heart icon on user image
    Jarrod BallouAugust 23, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    Ask for your popcorn layered- they'll put butter in the middle and then more on the top.
  • Rollan E.
    Rollan EspinoJuly 15, 2010
    Mexican coke, bar, 21&over balcony bar seating, reserved seating, Peet's, and the suburban wannabe gangsta-attendance is minimized all for only a $2 amenities fee. Love this theatre!
  • ViatorStaff
    ViatorStaffAugust 13, 2010
    Been here 10+ times
    The tickets are a couple bucks more, but reserved seats, delightful concessions, over 21 theaters w/ drinks & considerate movie going crowd make this one of our favorite places to catch a movie in SF.
  • Scott R.heart icon on user image
    Scott RoseOctober 24, 2015
    A few extra dollars for a more comfortable experience than most, with reserved seating. Cocktails.
  • Eric W.
    Eric WheelerAugust 31, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Best place to see movies in the city. Grab a beer and a balcony seat.
  • Chris C.
    Chris CatapanoJuly 4, 2011
    Best movie theatre in the city. Better chairs, reserved seating...but try to reserve well in advance...avid movie goers flick here & know to reserve seats ONLINE...
  • Myke M.
    Myke MansbergerMay 24, 2014
    Don't sit in the front row of the balcony. There's a bar, but not the drinking kind.
  • Ashley L.
    Ashley LDecember 4, 2010
    Like that you can reserve seats ahead of time esp for new release movies but beware of teens trying to steal your seats. Also they have red velvet and cupcakes here!
  • Kim D.
    Kim De GuzmanApril 23, 2017
    No longer the Sundance Kabuki. It's now owned by AMC, and they no longer validate parking if you park in Japantown. ☹️ they play ads before movies, and service isn't as good as before.
  • Zachary R.heart icon on user image
    Zachary Reiss-DavisJanuary 16, 2013
    Get a coffee from the main area and a shot of whiskey from the bar; instant do-it-yourself Irish Coffee.
  • kev/nullheart icon on user image
    kev/nullAugust 13, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    A place you can get alcohol and assigned seats. Don't forget your ID though!
  • Valentine's Day Movie
    Valentine's Day MovieFebruary 2, 2010
    If you can, see a movie in Auditorium #1 and sit in the balcony. It's 21+ and you have direct access to the balcony bar. Plus, the seats are perfect for getting cozy. #vday
  • Josh K.heart icon on user image
    Josh KowaleskiOctober 22, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Reserved seating, 21+, great beer selection - this is the ULTIMATE movie theatre going experience!
  • Gillian M.
    Gillian M.April 30, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Best tots. Ever. Grab some wine & tots and take it in for a delightful movie experience
  • Joshua H.heart icon on user image
    Joshua HaftelJanuary 7, 2016
    Good food (for a movie theater), cocktails, and no kids makes for a fun movie going experience.
  • Colin B.heart icon on user image
    Colin BrownDecember 30, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    The balcony seating is the best because your can buy alcohol.
  • George K.
    George KellyDecember 29, 2013
    You can order Irish coffee at the bar, or you could get coffee at the refreshment counter and a shot of whiskey at the bar: your move
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