the bay is by far my favorite theater in seattle. my first experience at the bay was a couple of years ago to see one of the new starwars movies. the theater was packed not an empty seat in the... More

the bay is by far my favorite theater in seattle. my first experience at the bay was a couple of years ago to see one of the new starwars movies. the theater was packed not an empty seat in the place. just as it came time to start the movie a gentleman walked to the front of the theater and asked for our attention please. thinking there was a problem with the movie i think everyone was a little on edge but then to find out that it was the owner taking his time to thank us all for coming to "his" theater. he preceded to give us a little history on the place and his philosophy on theaters and what they should be. his family was the former owners of longacers race track, and when the track was sold he was finally able to for fill his dream of owning a movie theater. after commenting that when he goes to movies he wants to see movies not ad (hence no ads before the movies) and telling a touching story about how he had named each of the three theaters for his children (?) he offered to go to concessions and get treats to order for everyone sitting in the front two rows (who may have to crane their necks a little). he finished by again thanking us for coming to his elttaes (seattle backwards) theater and acknowledged the fact that we have many other options as to where to see a movie. in my mind there is no other option, the bay is always my first choice.
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From the decor to the seating to the screens themselves, this locally owned and operated theatre is what every other theatre should aspire to. It's clean, it doesn't force you to sit through 10... More

From the decor to the seating to the screens themselves, this locally owned and operated theatre is what every other theatre should aspire to. It's clean, it doesn't force you to sit through 10 minutes of ads. Parking is readily available within 2 blocks north, and with all this, the prices are still less than most other theatres. There have been many times when I my thought process has been "What is the Majestic Bay playing right now?" instead of "I wonder if there are any good movies out...."
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I'm not 100% sure on the history of the theater but I do know its been around a LONG time. It was lovingly restored a few years back and it is my favorite place to see a movie. With a traditional... More

I'm not 100% sure on the history of the theater but I do know its been around a LONG time. It was lovingly restored a few years back and it is my favorite place to see a movie. With a traditional styled box office in the front of the theater to the fact that it only has three screens it shows that size is not as important as class and style. I'd recommend to anyone who hasn't seen a movie at the Majestic Bay to definitely check it out. Since there are only three screens I'd also suggest getting to your movie early. This theater is no secret and it gets busy. My only complaint is that the rows in the theater only have 1 access point. You could be sitting on the far left side of the row up against a wall - if you have to go to the bathroom prepare to have to climb over the entire row of people to get out!
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As a child, trips to the Bay were pure magic. My grandparents lived down the street and would always take me to see Disney movies there. I was thrilled to hear that the cinema was being redone to... More

As a child, trips to the Bay were pure magic. My grandparents lived down the street and would always take me to see Disney movies there. I was thrilled to hear that the cinema was being redone to celebrate the history of the theater yet represent the best of the new millennium. There's just something special about being able to go to a local movie theater and make an evening of it. I have never been a fan of the huge multi-plexes, and it's nice to know I still have an option for something special.
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The Majestic Bay Theater in Ballard is a family run operation and their pride of ownership is apparent in so many ways. The facility is clean and handsomely decorated with beautiful woodwork,... More

The Majestic Bay Theater in Ballard is a family run operation and their pride of ownership is apparent in so many ways. The facility is clean and handsomely decorated with beautiful woodwork, drapes, light fixtures, etc. Before the most recent show I went to at the Majestic Bay one of the family members stood up on the stage and gave a short talk on the history and operations of the theater. The staff is friendly and competent. It is, happily, the antithesis of the big theater chain experience with their broken chairs, sticky floors and snotty high school aged employees.
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The reviews here have ranged from largely positive-->glowing/gushing. In the interests of contributing to a hopefully useful implementation of the local-review genre of websites, I'd like to... More

The reviews here have ranged from largely positive-->glowing/gushing. In the interests of contributing to a hopefully useful implementation of the local-review genre of websites, I'd like to respond while trying to avoid the aggressive bipolarity present on most such sites. With that in mind, please season yr. reading of this review with a few grains of salt: a) I don't much like mainstream movies, b) I usually arrive late to avoid prescreening ads and such, c) I know not one whit about the original theater. d) The MB may well hold an important position in the local business/charitable community of which I am not apprised. First, I appreciate very much the lack of prescreening ads. Very Much. Although I'm very much in favor of 'neighborhood' theaters, I'm not sure why one would characterize the Bay as a neighborhood theater except for the fact that it occupies space within a neighborhood. Similarly, I don't understand the MB to be local, except to the extent that it is close to my own abode. Here, I have two disclaimers. First, I understand that the theater is just now establishing itself, and has much to do to become a Ballard 'institution.' Second, as noted above, I have no sense of the institutionality of its prior incarnation. However, the best examples, to me, of neighborhood theaters, would be places like the Harvard Exit, the Guild (on 45th), or the Neptune. Each of these is entrenched within its respective community and, to an extent, has a super-theatrical meaning beyond mere historical resonance. I don't hold this against the theater, and certainly (happily) observe that it is not owned by a conglomerate. With that said, does anyone else know of another local/neighborhood theater that Elttaes has actually started? While I usually prefer small theaters as opposed to large, and theaters with personality as opposed to those without, I question both aspects with reference to the MB. First, a small theater is the perfect place to present movies outside the mainstream/blockbuster range. Screening an independent film in such a theater makes sense because they appeal, by nature, to an audience seeking a more personalized and intimate (vis-a-vis other viewers) experience. Screening a mainstream film invites a crowd which does not generally enjoy the experience of film-as-film, but instead only of film-as-leisure or film-as-entertainment. The size of the theater notwithstanding, even small theaters should have two aisles (another disclaimer--I've only sat in one room, and the others may actually have aisles). In itself, the design may echo the other 'retro' attributes of the earlier, or other earlier theaters. I'm not sure. But it would seem to me that one could buld a 'retro' theater while at the same time minimizing those design defects. I would expect this problem to be particular chronic, given that the theater shows mainstream movies. Thus, although one is not subject to prescreening ads, one is functionally led to going early, anyway. Interestingly, I would have expected the seating arrangments to reflect a particularly mercenary advertising mechanism. Another plus (or lack of a minus) for the MB. The retro-design: I'll admit that the exterior is interesting, if not compelling (by which I mean only that the design is not an independent reason to see a movie there). The interior, though, seems fairly ordinary. The curtain-thing is nice, but would hardly be out of place at any (less-than) slick-stripmallish chain theater. Rather than add to the effect, I wonder why folks would consider such snug quarters as retro (space and property used to be cheap, luxury omnipresent as a fantasy-element). The screensize and audiotech, I think, is a function of the size of the screening rooms and is, as such, just fine. But it is no more impressive, really, than someone with a $10,000 gift certificate at a big-box electronics store could pull off. Given the money oozing around Seattle, and after P. Allen's extravagance, the MB hardly seems anywhere near state-of-the-art circa '93. This long communique/diatribe should not be read as suggesting that I in anyway hate/dissaprove of the theater. It is convenient, fine, OK, free of monopolistic taint, and etc... But to rate it as 'Great' seems to me an overstatement.
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This is a nice, small, local theater. The "old theater" ambiance makes it a very nice place to see a movie. However, if you are used to the comforts of a brand-new multiplex, this might not be the... More

This is a nice, small, local theater. The "old theater" ambiance makes it a very nice place to see a movie. However, if you are used to the comforts of a brand-new multiplex, this might not be the place for you. The seats are sometimes uncomfortable (it's hit and miss if you will get a good one) but the sound is good and the screen is fairly large. Not the best popcorn ever, but the concession stand prices are a little cheaper than those at big chain theaters. It's also nice because they show "blockbuster" movies -- most small theaters stick to independant films so this is a good chance to see a "Hollywood" movie at a unique theater.
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Located in Ballard, on NW Market St, it is near everything you might need- a place to have something to eat before or after the movie, or do some shopping, or take a walk enjoying the feel of a... More

Located in Ballard, on NW Market St, it is near everything you might need- a place to have something to eat before or after the movie, or do some shopping, or take a walk enjoying the feel of a small city. (which is actually just Ballard, part of Seattle, but - as so many very nice neighborhoods of Seattle- has the personality of an individual village). The Majestic Bay Theater has only 3 auditoriums, nice staff, and it is clean - only the feeling is of an old theater, the technical features are very much modern (was remodeled not long ago).
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This is a locally owned theater in Ballard that is beautifully designed. Each aspect has been well thought out and the entire place is impeccably clean. The BEST part about the theater though has... More

This is a locally owned theater in Ballard that is beautifully designed. Each aspect has been well thought out and the entire place is impeccably clean. The BEST part about the theater though has got to be the waterfall curtain that lowers and then pulls back up between the trailers and the feature. Seeing a movie here feels like what going to the movies should be.
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This is my very favorite theatre, everyone gets excited about the larger Cinerama, but Beautifully renovated. Retro charm. Great sound system. The best things about the Majestic Bay are the... More

This is my very favorite theatre, everyone gets excited about the larger Cinerama, but Beautifully renovated. Retro charm. Great sound system. The best things about the Majestic Bay are the what they don't do: They don't play commercials (besides film trailers, of course) before the movie. They don't play annoying pop music before the start of the movie (they play film scores -- nice). They don't do that lame slideshow of ads on the screen before the movie starts. Have some cupcakes at Cupcake Royale next door, show up early, get good seats, relax, and enjoy the show.
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