a/perture cinema

Having access to a theater like this is so important!!! Because of this theater, I’ve been able to watch films that I cannot find anywhere else and introduced to films I’ve never heard of. The dvd takeout is amazing and stocked with a diverse range of films. The snack options are nice and priced fairly. The events are awesome; I especially loved the ‘revival cinema.’ Devil in a Blue Dress became one of my favorite films, and the added history before the film started really helped contextualize it. Film studies has always been one of my hobbies and I’ve never really come in contact with a theater that prioritized film education and making movies accessible, so thank you aperture!!!

Excellent popcorn, fantastic beer choices, but even more than the concessions, a great venue for watching movies. I love that they include multiple indie, foreign, and throwback films. The staff is friendly and accommodating. I've already seen Nosferatu, A Complete Unknown, and Mickey 17 there, and will be going back again soon.

Great movie selection, but the screen placement in studio 2 was very odd, practically on the ceiling. I imagine this is because of the non-stadium seating, if so it would be nice if they could atleast tilt the screen downward so the picture isn’t distorted. Overall a nice experience but weird setup!

This is a great, intimate movie experience! They have a great mix of independent films and new movies. The theaters are pretty small, which means less people, and that’s good for a movie! They have a good amount of beer options, popcorn, and a couple other snacks to eat. The decor is very cute and this place is the ideal date night! Currently they do not have any mask or vaccine mandates.

Favorite cinema in WS/NC! Some of the staff can be a bit pretentious, but like, 7/8ths of the crew are amazingly kind and engaging. Love it there!

It's a small cinema, with four screens, the one I saw much smaller than a traditional one. It creates a much more intimate feeling, like you are in some rich persons basement screening a movie. We were also introduced to the film by an employee, so it can be really hands on. Concessions are artsy as well, you can get gourmet popcorn made in NC, etc. And the movies are going to be more artsy as well, so if that's your thing you should definetely visit. It's a beautiful building.

Really cool low key theater, with good popcorn, nice staff, with a more personal atmosphere. It feels like you are watching a movie at your home theater with friends.

My husband is a large man and often is uncomfortable sitting in chairs with arms. When we went to aperture for the first time, we asked if they might have an armless chair he could sit in, and they were able to accommodate our request! That made a positive impression on us, and was a big incentive for us to come back! The staff is friendly, and we like the small intimate theater space, not to mention the opportunity to see independent films when they first come out.

My husband and I LOVE this theater! We came across it while trying to find a showtime for Clown In A Cornfield. a/perture was the ONLY theater in NC showing it at the time. We loved having the small theater to ourselves! The snacks/drinks are a little pricey, but that's what you get with most movie theaters. This one offers some of the best snacks though! Some stuff you don't see usually. They also serve beer/wine along with sodas, and they allow you to bring in coffee from the shop they share space with. We just visited again to see Superman and we're in a bigger theater (it seated 82). Again, an awesome experience. If you haven't checked it out, you should! They don't play every movie that comes out, but it's worth the trip if they're playing something you wanna see.

I've seen a couple films here now and have enjoyed the experience. I love supporting small and local, and the location in downtown is unbeatable - next to a ton of shops and restaurants like Chill, Camino, Bookmarks etc. The theaters are small and intimate which is nice because you get a great view of the screen from any seat. They have beer, wine, and snacks for purchase. Matinee showings for $9.50 before 4pm are a nice budget friendly option too. Friendly staff and service. I would say if you're looking for an ultra comfortable, loud surround sound kind of experience, you won't really get that here. But aperture is cozy, cute, and fun nonethless. They show more Indie picks too if that's your thing. @azfitfoodfun

Aesthetic: Charming Independent movie theater with first run and indie films, movie rentals, beer and treats. Experience: This was one of the best Indie theaters we've been to in the U.S. I've always found comfort in small homey theaters, and a ton of love went into designing this atmosphere. They had a wide variety of snacks, beers, seltzers, wine, and popcorn to choose from at the concession stand. When you walk upstairs they had a small movie rental center with VHS and DVD's for rent. There are creative movie posters adorning the walls as you walk into your theater. We watched "I saw the TV Glow" and it was the perfect movie to watch at this theater, great vibes! I'm ready to visit again just to watch another film here. Conclusion: I'd highly recommend supporting this theater if you're staying in Winston Salem, it's the best!

Night on the town with me, myself, and I. Dinner a few blocks away at Yamas (YUM!) followed by a slice of cake at Camino, and then off to see Wicked. I do love that I parked at the start and then was able to comfortably and safely walk to all my destinations. Wicked was wonderful and I do so love a/perature for a cozy movie experience. Surprisingly the theatre was not very crowded for this show, perhaps because of the time of day. I opted for the 7:30pm show. The popcorn smelled so yummy and there is beer and wine for sale. I was stuffed from dinner and dessert so I did not partake this visit.

What a cute building. Me and my fiance came down to watch I Saw The TV Glow because it wasn't planning at any of the large theaters (such as the grand). It was so amazing! I would rather go here than to the grand any day. Tickets are good prices, and on Tuesdays they do discount tickets. They have a great snack and drink selection which are fairly priced as well. The theaters are small but I think it makes the movie feel more intimate. Seats are comfortable and the staff is super friendly! The screen and speakers are very high quality.

A/perture is so very cute. I went to see Barbie here and I had never been. They have the snacks that you can get at your regular theatre and it's much smaller which was nice. The prices were great. The seats and aisles were tiny so it wasn't the most comfy for a long movie.

What a gem this place is. We visited for the first time to see a film that wasn't being show anywhere else. It's a great location, with very friendly staff. The concessions were wonderful and the film was amazing. I'll definitely be back. It was a great experience all around.

This is a wonderful gem in downtown Winston-Salem. You can often find films that aren't shown anywhere else in the area. Tonight I watched a German movie with English subtitles that was very thought provoking. You won't find this type of film anywhere else in Winston Salem. Plus, they offer beer and wine you can enjoy during your movie. For a different type of movie experience, give this place a try!

A nice little theater in a convenient downtown location next to bars and restaurants. The films are a mix of popular first run movies and Indies. I saw the new Anthony Bourdain film which l liked very much. It's a 1 screen unique theater that is well kept up, clean and comfortable. So get your ticket on line or at boxoffice. Then come on in, get your refreshments including beer or wine and settle in your seat and escape for a while.

Will forever love the ambience but the seats are uncomfortable to me. I know that's a huge financial duty but it could really help customers. The last time I went one man was sitting on the end of a row with a fold out chair. The concessions are super affordable and I would be willing to pay a little more to make sure the cinema stays open. I appreciate this gem in the city so much, it is perfectly aligns with the arts culture of Winston Salem. I have seen wonderful films here that I would only want to see in a place such as a/perture. Come prepared to park on the street and perhaps pay during certain hours as there is no parking lot, you will find a spot however.

Cool vibe. Less theatre space than the typical theatre. Love to go on the cheap movie day. I think on Tues or Wed?

The only reason that I'm giving this 3 stars is because it was clean and it's a nonprofit. Customer service was terrible. My husband and I walked in and there were 3 ladies behind the counter and a couple ahead of us. No one greeted us. When we were finally acknowledged, it wasn't friendly and inviting. I almost felt unwelcomed the attendant was speaking low. I asked her to repeat herself twice. As we were leaving the same attendant stood behind the counter and watched as my husband and I left. No smile, no "thank you" or "have a good night"....nothing. I typically wouldn't complain about customer service at a movie theater, but seeing as how this one is a little more intimate, cost $10 per ticket and is a nonprofit, I think that customer service should be a top priority because you want people to feel welcome to come back and support. I don't!

This place is cool as hell. Nice being able to see movies that probably don't show in regular theaters.

My mom and I love this theatre. We've been here several times, but most recently went here to see CODA. Great atmosphere.

Some pros of this place are that it's walk-able if you live in downtown Winston-Salem and it's on 4th street where there are lots of dining options pre- or post- movie. It was also great that they showed The Farewell, which we had been wanting to see but wasn't playing at major movie theaters near us. However, the angle of the screen was too high and you can't rest your head back, so my neck was cramped by the end of the movie. That's probably the major con of this place.

I think this is a really neat place! You really don't see many locally owned movie theaters these days. As many have already said they have an awesome snack bar, from chocolate popcorn to beer, they have you covered! They play a variety of Indie Movies and documentaries. Sometimes they will have something playing as well that is a bit more mainstream like Chef or The Grand Budapest Hotel. The theaters are small, as you would expect, so just be prepped for that, don't expect a Grand 18 sized screen. The staff that runs the counter is really friendly. Definitely give this place a try the next time you want to head to the movies!

Awful awful place. First they mandate to be vaccinated to even go to their theater and then they don't offer a refund for my personal choice to change my mind and not go to their theater. That is stealing!!

Very nice small and clean movie theater that plays mostly high-quality and lesser-known films. Highly recommended!

Lovely people, modern Theather and exceptional movies. RBG one of my favs. Elevator available for the lower theaters. If you haven't eaten, drinks, alcohol, popcorn and snacks are available. Caffeine als in case you are bit sleepy.

I watched the worse film ever at Aperture (Tree of Life) but I will not hold it against this place. I have to blame the Rotten Tomatoes scoring for that waste of money. 84% Tomato rating??? Must have been opposite day when I looked up the review. Great little theater. Any theater where you can have beer and wine is okay in my book. In case you didn't already know from the other reviews, they primarily show indy movies.

A cozy gem in DTWS. Reminiscent of Laemmle in LA. Inexpensive sodas and popcorn, and they have beer and wine too. Love the vibe! Screening room petit a was small, but it's all part of the charm. I parked in a deck about a block away, and that was only $3.

I've never even heard of this place but decided to get tickets to see Downton Abbey for the night and check it out! The place is adorable, it's just like any other theater..popcorn, drinks (wine too!), and candy! Only one theater with no more than 30-40 seats. When we walked in we told them our name and they marked it off a list. Downton Abbey was a good movie to watch here! I'd definitely recommend coming here if you want to get away from the big screen theaters!

Ive had the opportunity to visit this cinema about half a dozen times. The list of movies they show are interesting and varied. What is special is intangible. It just plain feels good to a movie there. It feels homey and comfortable. It is not beautiful or glamorous or high fashion. It is just a nice place to see a film with a glass of wine in one hand and popcorn in the other. I have to drive 40 minutes to go there and it can be difficult to find a parking space. The nearest theater to my home is less than 10 minutes. Yet prefer the a/perture

Our Food and Brew Review: I think a/perture's description on tumblr fits them to a T, "An independent theatre in downtown Winston-Salem. Beer, wine, and a whole bunch of movies you've probably never heard of" but will absolutely love. In April during NC Beer Month, we saw Hellboy at a/perture as part of the ongoing Night Shift series (old or new, classy or cult, scary or camp- films to stay up late for). To celebrate NC Beer Month, the cinema featured three NC craft beers (Lonerider Sweet Josie - a nutty, malty brown ale, Aviator Hog Wild IPA - a piney, hopped beer with citrus peel bitterness, and Foothills Hoppyum), and each purchase came with a special commemorative cup. They also have wine. We snacked on Chad's Carolina White Cheddar Corn, fresh tasting with a nice salty cheese accent. They also had Pumpkin Pie, Dark Chocolate and Kettle Corn flavors. For our sweet fix, we selected the rich, pure indulgent Ghana Forestero Dark Chocolate bar made by It's Chocolate, manufactured from bean to bar in Winston, NC. They also carried the Ecuador dark chocolate bar. I wish they stocked the Dominican Republic with Peruvian Lemon Drop Chili Pepper because it sounds amazing. You can get traditional movie candy like Raisinetes, Junior Mints, M&M's, etc. We returned to a/perture for a romantic drama, The Lunchbox. The sign for Wolfies Gourmet Frozen Custard caught our eye. We tried the intensely peanutty Texas Peanut Butter custard with chopped peanuts. We paired our frozen custard with a diet soft drink...to zero out the calories of course! For more details on our visit, please check out our blog at http://foodandbrewreview.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/two-thumbs-up-marketplace-cinemas-and-aperture-cinema/.

I appreciate what this theater has to offer but it's so uncomfortable I hate going there. You either get a crick in your neck from looking at a too high screen or the screen is totally in your face. Also yeah big whoop, beer and wine. If they had any sense they would invest in some high quality gourmet popcorn with some taste. Say a Black Cat or Midnight Blue? With maybe organic butter? Then maybe that would get my mind off the crick in my neck.

I would love to give this theater 5 stars, because I do really love it...but the actual theaters here aren't that nice. They're fairly small screens and have traditional seating (not stadium). That being said, they are working with the limited space they have available and they have done a great job with what they've got. They are picky about what they show, so generally if a movie is screening here it's probably good. The concessions are not just your typical stale popcorn and crappy candy. They pop it fresh and have some baked goods and other quality items you wouldn't find at most theaters. They also serve wine and beer, which is always a nice touch.

Winston has been in dire need of a art house theater to show foreign and eclectic films for many, many years and Aperture is a great two screen theater that achieves that end. Cinemas need three things to be successful; great screen, great projection and comfortable seating. Unfortunately, Aperture has only two of those three. The seating is miserable. The seats are too narrow - you can't angle yourself at all to get comfortable, they do not rock back and they are hard as hell. My wife and I try to see several movies a week and we really looked forward to the opening of Aperture, but her knees ache after a short period of time and my back simply can't take their chairs. We will continue to see these selections of films in Greensboro or other venues where we can watch a film in comfort and not be distracted by the seating that is not meant for gently aging audiences.

Winston-Salem's Best (and only?) independent movie house. Tired of the big multi-plex? Hankering for a rare art flick? Aperture is the place. Located in downtown Winston, two doors down from trendy Noma and across from Mellow Mushroom, Aperture opened in Jan 2010. Best part? You can drink a beer or glass of wine with your indy flick. -- Yes! just like John Travolta said in Pulp Fiction, "you can drink a glass of beer" at this movie house (minus the glass). Thank goodness for the peeps behind Aperture. It was a sorely needed business and we are glad you are here!

I was excited to have won tickets here since I had never been before. Ticket prices are 9.50 for adults which is a little less then the big chains. I had no issues redeeming my free tickets which was great. The two guys at the front were nice and gave great customer service. I took a few minutes looking at the drink and food options. I got a local dark chocolate popcorn and a beer from New Belgium Brewery. The total was 12.50. It was a little high but I would have spent more at a regular theater for popcorn sans dark chocolate and no beer. They had a bunch of great options for a non-soda drinker like myself. The theater was small and did not have the stadium seating most are used to. I would get there a little early to scope out a good seat. They had nice music playing and the advertising before the show started was not in your face and loud. i will definitely come see other movies here in the future.

Phenomenal Experience. A theater for true cinema lovers. While I was sitting, waiting for the previews and film to begin, I couldn't help but feel the excitement and history of American cinema: a large amount of people, with different backgrounds, in a relatively smal, [yet modern comforts] theater waiting for the feature to begin. It was a very exciting experience! Another feature I love is that they serve gourmet food items, drinks, and alcohol; this theater permits the social aspect of movie-going while at the same time allows you the liberties of home film viewing. Ultimately, Aperture Cinema is great place that every person should experience while in Winston-Salem.

I had heard about this place previously - having wanted to see a couple of films that they were showing before, but couldn't, I finally got my chance: I went to see "Margin Call", on a windy Tuesday night. I ended parking in the Cherry-Marshall parking deck, and walking down the street, ending up at a/perture. It's a nice place - with the ticket and concession at the same counter. This could be an issue for crowds, but it wasn't at least for tonight (I think one film had started already at 5:30, mine was at 6). Prices are comparable favorably with the larger cinemas - I like the fact there were a fair number of local foods available. The beer/wine selection also seemed to be pretty good, although I didn't partake of that. The staff was professional and very good - I had ordered my ticket online, and there was no problem. The theater vibe was quite good - pretty intimate, as to be expected, the sounds and film quality were very good. There were about 14-15 of us in all; a packed full house would be around 80. That leads me to why this is not five stars: the seating as a result can be cramped - the armrests are a bit wider and they're fixed, so if you're a bigger person and if it's a full crowd you are not going to be happy. Also, only one aisle, so getting out could be difficult. Leg clearance was ok for me, but as mentioned before, longer legged and/or tall people could have issues as well. The flat floor wasn't a problem, but up in the front, neck craning could be an issue. Again, our movie wasn't that full, so a lot of issues didn't happen, but it's something to be aware of. All in all, a very nice place to watch good movies that you probably aren't going to be able to see in other places, in a nice environment. If you avoid the truly packed nights (IMO), you should be quite happy. This is a place I will go to again.

OK, first off, the seating. I went to the Aperture about 2 years ago, and while I appreciated having a small independent theater in the area, the seats were awful. There were actually 2 or 3 things screened there since then that I wanted to see, but didn't just because of my memory of those seats. There are a couple of other reviews on here roughly from about 2 years ago that address the same issue. Anyways, I don't know if they got new seats or somehow adjusted the ones they had, but that is certainly not an issue anymore, as they are now comfortable. As many others have noted, the lack of a slope can cause issues, especially if sitting behind a tall person, but just being comfortable makes this 10 times easier to deal with. Aside from that, I would mostly just repeat others, so I'll keep it short. Cool little independent theater in downtown. Good refreshments, including alcohol and hot tea. There are only two screens, and they mostly show quality films, but generally films that would be in a decent cineplex anyways. I would love it if they would do more foreign films, or retrospectives or something in that nature, but they do have a smattering of unique screenings here and there, and they have their Cineclub, which is associated with the Riverrun Film Festival (I'll put the link below) http://riverrunfilm.com/programs/cineclub Also, it is right across the street from Camino Bakery, which would be a fantastic place to go for a post-movie pastry and cup of coffee/glass of wine.

So Last night was my first time here. I do like the fact they show movies that tend to be a little less commercial than the Multi-Mega 18 screen theater complex. I love the fact that they concessions are much more sophisticated than candy, popcorn, and cokes (although that is also sold at the concessions), for those of you old enough to remember the old Cinema Pub on the north side of town off of Germanton Road, This is almost as good as a place. I enjoyed a New Castle while watching "Chef". I didn't eat anything because I had reservations for dinner right afterwards. I suppose I have been spoiled by the stadium seating at other theaters because it felt so strange (like a blast from the past). I certainly enjoyed my time watching a movie here, and will be back again.

I tend to review restaurants, but this is an exception. I love this place so much. They are a wonderful, local business. The experience at this theater is very intimate. You'll get more independents and thought-provoking films like Tree of Life or The Grand Budapest Hotel. Yet, they'll also do special screenings of Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy. So, keep an eye out on the calendar. The screen's are smaller, but it's such a better time. What also enhances the movie experience? Beer and wine! They have a fairly good selection, and it's so nice to have a drink with the popcorn. Great for a date. It can get a little expensive if you get tickets, alcohol, and popcorn. Keep that in mind. Afterwards, be sure to hit up a nearby bar or Camino's across the street for coffee. Be sure to follow Aperture's events. They show movies (documentaries too!) for free sometimes through Wake Forest or other independent functions. Parking varies. Always aim for nearby streets or lots, which will be free. Worst case scenario, use the parking garage. You'll likely end up paying $2-4 dollars. Staff is very friendly.

Good location and choice of films however very short staffed tonight. Had to wait a long time for concessions... actually ended up leaving the line because the movie was starting. Would have loved to have prosecco during it

I had been dying to check this place out since I moved to Winston-Salem and I finally convinced my girlfriend to go. It lived up to my expectations. It's in an older building, but they've done well making modern touches to it. I love the ornate crown molding. The staff was kind and asked if we were students so we could get a discount....I wish I was still a student. The ticket prices are higher than most theaters but the movies they show are so much better than your standard Hollywood movies. I do like that the regular popcorn is only 4 bucks and you can purchase beer there. Who doesn't love to drink and watch movies? Their beer selection is better than you would think as well. The screens are small projector size screens, but it doesn't take away from the quality of the movie. I could see everything just fine. I'll be back! I love the quotes on the walls and the cool little short film they show before all the movies.

Went to A/perture for the first time on Sunday with a couple of friends. Definitely a cool ambiance. Tickets were fairly priced ($6.50 for a Sunday Matinee). While I didn't partake, it looked like they had a good selection of concessions including "Cake Pops" which I will have to try next time I go. The theaters are smaller (obviously) but once the lights go out you don't really realize that you aren't in a mega-theater. As a previous reviewer mentioned the seating is uncomfortable. I'm 6'4" and could not wait to get out of there after the movie so that I could stretch my legs. The seats are pretty narrow and there is little to no "slope" to the theater so I even felt bad sitting straight up because I felt like I was blocking the few of the folks behind me. The movies that A/perture is bringing to Winston-Salem are awesome and I love the fact that we have this theater available to us. I will definitely go back and maybe just try to sit on the aisle to have extra room for my legs.

Nice little venue for screenings and group outings. Recently visited with a professional group for a viewing with a forum. The pre-sale tickets, via the web, was great.I didn't really care for the snack options, but tried the prepages popcorn. It was okay. The film options are awesome if you have time to go downtown to view them. I will return for another film, but I will eat dinner or get a snack prior to going. The staff was great and the venue was super clean and well kept.

I had never been to an independent theater, so was not sure what to expect. It was small, but classy and clean. There are different sized theaters depending on the film you are seeing. We were in a very small theater, smaller than I would imagine, it was more like being in someone's house :) But, it was fun. They have alcoholic drinks and specials, which is nice. They also have the traditional movie snacks available. If you save your ticket, you get 10% off at Camino and Black Mountain Chocolate Factory, which is a plus, and a great way to enjoy local business! The ticket prices are a little higher than regular theaters, but I understand why. The place was cool, and I would probably go see another film there!

Very cool local movie theatre. They play old school cult classics as well as indie films you can't find anywhere else in NC! I love checking their schedule to see what they have lined up next. Also, serving up a great beer selection only adds to the fun movie going experience!

Good place for small film. Beer & wine available and most theater candies. Throwback showings are my favorite. No frills, just simple cinema. Try if you like indy film and relaxed environment.

Indies? Check. Smaller mainstream? Check. Best place to watch a new movie. Only downtown cinema. Near to eats and drinks. Staff is amazing.

Extremely charming little non-profit arthouse, sure the seats arent quite as nice as the recliners at the big chains but the big chains don't show Cold War or the Handmaiden or American Honey or anything thats going to average less $$ per screen than a big Disney/ Marvel /Star Wars release outside of December/ January oscar pushes.

I promise three stars is not bad, this is quite a cute theater. You can get your tickets online, parking on the street or the garage around the corner. Grab dinner and drinks before beforehand or after across the street, they give a discount with your ticket stub. Small selection of independent films, and it seems like they have a pretty good rotation of movies. If you are like most Americans the seats may be a tad uncomfortable. Just more incentive to stick to the resolutions in 2016 ;)

I have always had a positive experience here. The staff is very friendly. Nice, intimate setting to catch an independent film... This is my first year missing the RiverRun Festival. Did I mention it's also nice to enjoy an adult beverage with your popcorn too?!

So, this theatre has some pretty cool things about it, beer and wine being at the top of the list, but those things don't quite make up for the uncomfortable viewing experience. The seats are just too small and cramped, and the viewing angle just isn't there. Unfortunately, you just loose a lot of what makes going out to a movie different from watching a movie at home on a well put together entertainment system. Also, if you take the time to look, you can find many of the indie movies they screen already have a DVD or Blue-ray release, though often it's rather limited. Really, what you end up getting is just the opportunity to drink while out at the movies with your friends. Only, a movie theatre isn't a great place to hold a conversation, which is what most people who go out for drinks do. Still, it's unique in Winston-Salem, and will fit the right crowd just right.

Great place to see a movie downtown! They show independent films, so there's always something different to see. The staff was nice and friendly, and the popcorn was good. The theaters and restrooms are always nice and clean.

I love how I can get a hot tea just as easily as I may get a Diet Coke at any other theater. It's also a fantastic local theatre and has many, what I consider, lesser known films.

It's a wonderful, small cinema with a wealth of excellent movies on rotation.