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Even movie lovers who don’t follow the Oscars race can still celebrate the lead-up — the months in late fall and early winter when Hollywood fills theaters with its best films for grownups.
Even better, the Bay Area offers exceptional ways to enjoy these awards-season selections — beautiful arthouse or independent theaters in picturesque neighborhoods with cool bars, cafes or restaurants nearby. On a rainy afternoon or crisp winter night, you can duck into one of these theaters to watch a good drama, a smart comedy or an uplifting epic. Then pair that experience with coffee or drinks with friends, or a romantic pre- or post-film lunch or dinner.
Here’s a baker’s dozen of Bay Area theaters, neighborhoods and eateries offering premiere movie-going experiences.
See them first
1 Downtown Berkeley: Shattuck Cinemas typically lands Oscar-bait independent features an entire week before most other Bay Area venues. The theater’s at 2230 Shattuck Ave. Check out the movie lineup at www.landmarktheatres.com. A cosmopolitan selection of dining options is nearby, including super popular Cal-Mexican restaurant Comal and its taqueria spin-off, Comal Next Door, 2020 and 2024 Shattuck Ave.; www.comalberkeley.com.
2 San Francisco: The intimate Embarcadero Center Cinema also lands independent Oscar-bait features ahead of other theaters, www.landmarktheatres.com. The theater’s Financial District location puts it within walking distance of the Ferry Building Marketplace’s many foodie attractions, including the renowned Slanted Door, the Vietnamese eatery at One Ferry Building, No. 3; www.slanteddoor.com.
Location, location
3 Berkeley: The charming Rialto Cinemas Elmwood theater along lively College Avenue screens a diverse mix of independent and foreign films at 2966 College Ave., www.rialtocinemas.com. Two blocks down, Baker and Commons serves coffee, pastries, lunch and dinner, with live music on Saturday nights, at 2900 College Ave.; www.bakerandcommons.com.
4 Oakland: Built in 1926, the historic Grand Lake Theater boasts $6 matinee tickets daily at 3200 Grand Ave; www.renaissancerialto.com. The convivial hangout Sidebar, across from Lake Merritt, is known for its delicious burgers and creative cocktails. Find it at 542 Grand Ave., http://sidebar-oaktown.com.
5 San Jose: The CineArts Santana Row multiplex is in the heart of of San Jose’s upscale retail and dining district at 3088 Olsen Drive, www.cinemark.com. The EMC Seafood & Raw Bar encourages conversation with shareable Asian-inspired plates, including sushi, noodles and oysters at 378 Santana Row, Suite 1100; www.emcseafood.com.
6 Oakland: The cozy Piedmont Theatre multiplex along Oakland’s bustling Piedmont Avenue screens independent and foreign films at 4186 Piedmont Ave., www.landmarktheatres.com. The nearby Fenton’s Creamery is a retro destination for classic burgers, grilled sandwiches and, of course, elaborate ice cream concoctions at 4226 Piedmont Ave.; www.fentonscreamery.com..
Vintage redux
7 Los Gatos: The century-old Los Gatos Theatre reopened in 2014 with new digital technology at 41 N. Santa Cruz Ave.; www.losgatostheatre.com. Catch a movie, then grab drinks and a bite at Lexington House at 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave.; www.thelexlg.com.
8 Menlo Park: The Landmark’s Guild Theatre is a single-screen theater in a renovated 1926 building at 949 El Camino Real; www.landmarktheatres.com. Over on Santa Cruz Avenue, Camper is a new casual, farm-driven restaurant from culinary heavy-hitters, 898 Santa Cruz Ave., https://campermp.com.
9 Alameda: The renovated 1932 Alameda Theatre palace screens first-run Oscar contenders and hosts classic movie nights. And the Cinema Grill next door serves casual entrees and cocktails — on trays you can take into the theater — and hosts live music nights as well, at 2301 and 2317 Central Ave., www.alamedatheatres.com.
10 Orinda: The independently owned, art deco Orinda Theatre screens first-run films and hosts classic movie nights, too, in Orinda Square; http://lamorindatheatres.com. The adjacent Cine Cuvee wine bar serves wine, beer, cocktails and delicious bar snacks. www.cinecuvee.com.
11 Livermore: Billing itself as “a date night wrapped into one,” the Vine Cinema and Alehouse downtown features sofa seating and a fairly extensive lunch, dinner and bar and wine menu, delivered by the Zephyr Grill and Bar next door. 1722 First St.; www.vinecinema.com
Cinema sleek
12 Palo Alto: The recently renovated Landmark Aquarius Theatre near Stanford University features luxury seating, expanded concession choices and beer and wine at 430 Emerson St., www.landmarktheatres.com. Ramen Nagi, a Japanese chain beloved for its fusion take on noodles and broth, opened its first U.S. outpost a few blocks away at 541 Bryant St., http://ramennagiusa.com.
13 Campbell: The new Pruneyard Cinemas exemplifies the new generation of movie palaces that offer luxury seating and a full-service menu for in-theater dining. If you’re a purist and don’t like to eat while you watch, you can fuel up before or after at the theater’s Cedar Room bar next door. 1875 S. Bascom Ave., www.pruneyardcinemas.com.
