Mike L.
Yelp
You know, I'd say I have a love-hate relationship with AMC Bay Street, but I'd be lying if I said I ever loved this place. Sure, I thought this was a pretty good theater when it first opened and I definitely didn't have the same issues with coming here back then as I do now. However, at this point, let's just say my reasons for coming here have far more to do with circumstances and convenience than anything close to preference. So, so much more...sigh.
Maybe it's just me, but for whatever reason, it's hard to believe that AMC Bay Street has been around for almost twenty years now. Yet, despite its age, it has most of the modern amenities you'd expect to see in newer megaplexes - reserved ticket system, stadium-style seating, an IMAX screen, Dolby audio, and a "bar" for adult beverages (sadly, no reclining seats). Most importantly, though, they'll typically have every major release with multiple showtimes throughout the day/night (I still remember having to check if a new movie would end up showing here or at the now-shuttered Emery Bay nearby).
All of that having been said, AMC Bay Street is not without its flaws...and they are notable. Whether it be the bathrooms, the hallways, or the theaters themselves, this place isn't as consistently clean as it used to be. Granted, it's not the worst I've seen, but more recently, it feels like there's always some combination of chock full garbage cans, food stained seats, spilled drinks on the floor, or bathrooms being dirty. What's more, the staff, while generally friendly, can't seemed to be bothered, including with questions about how the complex's relatively new parking system works (unless "I don't know - just download the app" is what they're told to say). Of course, that's to say nothing of how awful it is.
While I agree that it sucks to have to pay for parking, I'd gladly pay twice as much if it meant bringing back the old paper ticket system. Whether you're paying at the self-service kiosks (which seem to be a bit buggy) or through the app (I have to download an app and give out my info just to pay?), the whole process just isn't intuitive. For example, I'm supposed to pay when I first park, but I can get my parking validated/discounted AFTER I watch the movie, and thus, have already paid for parking? Maybe it's not an issue paying via the app, but what if I paid at the kiosk?
In spite of my issues with the parking though (my gripe is with Bay Street as a whole rather than AMC), I have no doubt that I'll keep coming back when I'm in the East Bay and a movie is on the agenda. In part because some of my friends are AMC subscribers, but mostly because there just aren't many alternatives in the area, let alone better ones. Otherwise, if there was, there's a decent chance I'd look to go there instead.