The theater lights dim and the tape starts playing through the projector. The screen radiates in the dark theater, showing the many previews. After a few minutes, the screen goes dark.
“Welcome to the Cinelounge Tiburon. We are so happy to have you here,” Christian Meoli, owner of the newly redone Cinelounge Tiburon says.
Closing for the night, the Cinelounge prepares for the next day of movies and films.
In Marin, finding a movie theater with a fun atmosphere can be difficult. The Century Northgate, Larkspur Landing and Fairfax theaters are great for just watching a movie, but they don’t offer anything special, unlike the new Cinelounge. Located in downtown Tiburon, the old Tiburon Playhouse theater has reopened under new ownership after two years. Now named the Cinelounge, the theater has a modern feel with a vintage twist, making many of its features quite unique.
Seats: 5/5
The seats at the Cinelounge Tiburon are wonderful. They feel like mini couches and are extremely comfortable. The seating is very spacious and there’s plenty of legroom. The Cinelounge also has an additional seating option called the Loveseat. The Loveseat is in between every regular seat and has enough space for two or three people. The seats are decorated with fun designs, which contribute to the theater’s retro feeling. The cozy and uniquely detailed seats can make one feel as though they are watching the movie in their own living room.
Service: 5/5
Overall, the services at the Cinelounge are great. The theater is extremely clean, partly because the staff promotes picking up after yourself and not making a mess. There are also ionizers in the air vents that prevent 99.9 percent of bacterias from spreading. Along with the theater being well-maintained, the staff is extremely friendly. Before the movie began, the owner gave a five-minute speech about how much the theater appreciates its guests. The speech made guests feel welcomed and recognized. Another fun aspect of the theater is that it shows some older movies, such as Jaws and Grease, which aren’t commonly offered at other theaters. Altogether, these features allow for a welcoming environment and enjoyable experience.
Atmosphere: 4/5
There is no other theater in Marin with a more distinguished atmosphere than the Cinelounge. Greeted with bright lights and retro decor, along with posters from the 1990s on the wall, the theater gives off plenty of old vibes. There is even a record player that plays throwback music in the lobby of the theater. Distinctive light fixtures are scattered throughout the lobby, which adds some ambiance as people walk to see their movies. The only part of the atmosphere that could use some work is the layout. Everything is spaced closely together, which led to some areas, such as the lobby, being a little cramped. Besides that, the quaint atmosphere contributes to the charm of the theater.
Food: 2/5
Dissatisfying your popcorn needs, the Cinelounge offers too many gourmet flavors in its special packaging for expensive prices.
The food at the Cinelounge is unusual. Though good, it was not what one would typically want to eat while watching a movie. The menu includes Urban Remedy salads and more complex foods such as crab cakes and sandwiches. The most popular movie food, popcorn, is served in customized bags with gourmet flavors. While this adds a fun twist, plain, buttered popcorn isn’t even offered. The bags are a generous size, but the different flavor combinations were overwhelming and unnecessary. There were also just a few candy options. The drinks are exactly what they should be, consisting of water, Red Bull, Arizona Iced Tea, soda and alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. The drinks were a highlight in a section of the theater that is less than preferable.
Prices: 1/5
The prices at the Cinelounge are far too high and contribute to the theater’s relatively low overall score. A regular, single ticket costs $20, a price way too high for most high schoolers, while the Loveseat is $40. Not only are the seats expensive, but the food is overpriced as well. A package of candy is $5, a large popcorn is $8 while a small one is $5. All of the drinks are $5 and the salads are $15. Make sure you are prepared to pay these high prices if you intend to visit the theater.
Overall Movie Experience and Theater Rating: 3/5
Overall, this movie theater experience was very enjoyable as it offers many features that aren’t found in typical theaters. The atmosphere and staff were remarkable and the services offered were also really great. However, the prices and the food itself lower the rating of the theater. The pricing was way too much for average food. If looking for a fun but expensive experience, this could be a great option, but to just watch a movie, I would suggest going to a cheaper, more reliable movie theater like one of the corporate theaters located in other parts of Marin County.