Ciné

incredible charismatic intimate historic theatre. the bar is reasonable, staff are all obviously committed and the environment is so comfortable. support local nonprofits!

Cine is usually a great place to see a movie in an intimate, laid back setting. I would be careful about choosing a showing time in which there's also music in The Lab though. We recently went to see Weapons on the same evening Dub Bonanza Block Party was happening in The Lab and the music was very disruptive to the movie. The vibe is usually chill and the prices are great, so I do recommend Cine overall - hopefully the sound folks in The Lab can work out volume levels that don't interrupt the movie-goers' experience.

Wonderful little art house theater in downtown Athens. Great place to see indie films and limited releases. Consistent quality films showing. Sometimes, including discussion panels or filmmaker Q&A.

My son's band, Kaimera, got the opportunity to host a show at Ciné on 5/31/25. While I wasn't there for the movie theater experience, it seems like a great place to watch movies and hang out in the Cafe area. The room where the bands were playing was a great size and had seating and tables to place drinks/food. The stage was large enough for the bands to comfortably move around and play their instruments. Staff members were very friendly! It's so refreshing to have a venue that is willing to give a young band an opportunity to get their name out there. My son said he and Kaimera would love to do more shows there if given the opportunity!

The Lab is a fabulous room for concerts! Easy walk from most anywhere downtown and lots of parking all around. The only thing I could wish for would be a better domestic beer selection!

First time in Ciné and our experience was great!!!! This non profit cinema is amazing for the city of Athens. Great customer service and very clean. Cheaper than other movie theaters. We will definitely keep going to this amazing place!!!! A+

Great films, good service, interesting choices in beer and wine. The Ciné lab is a great space for a band to shoot videos, have a dance party, perform or any combination of all of the above.

Great small artsy cinema. Love the unusual films!

Remarkably the community has been able to preserve an old theater and continue to use it for movies and local events Food -basically movie counter fare Facility -old but preserved Parking in the street or in local business lots for events

Cool little Indie film cinema. Great drinks and coffee. Staff is super friendly and the popcorn with rings of toppings and the sodas are a great deal. Old school seating in two theaters with cult classics, independent films and just quirky movies in general. Great ambiance in a renovated historical building that used to be a tire shop I believe.

I absolutely love Ciné. It's a quiet, quaint, fun, hip, edgy little movie theater that all the cool kids are going to in Athens Georgia. They have a full bar, all of the top creature comfort's beer, and just the best service. I have never had a bad experience at Seney, but if I have it was because of the other customers that were there not the employees. Because Sanaa only has two theaters, they are able to keep themselves busy by hosting tango night events, karaoke, trivia nights, and much more. I went there for a free karaoke night after a movie and it was so fun. I also went for free tango lessons and it was a blast. The beer also makes it so much better As far as new cine goers and advice, make sure you get there with plenty of time to find a good seat and parking. Even though it is a small theater it gets very popular and very crowded. Get there with enough time to find street parking and bring enough money so you can pay for the 2+ hours he will be there if you are seeing a movie. You will also want to make sure you get a good seat.

First time at Cine and it was a pleasant surprise to find a wonder gem that i have been around for a long time and not be to once. The ambiance is great.

Came in last night for an event that was planned atleast a month in advance. The bartenders were complete assholes and unprofessional. Yelling at patrons who were ordering drinks, and complaining about a well meaning group of people. Do not book an event with these people if you can.

I went to Ciné for an event hosted for my girlfriend's end of year celebration and had a great time in spite of the venue. My girlfriend wanted to get a drink but was engaged in the celebration, so I said that I would get one for her. When I went to the bar to order the drinks, they stopped making it and started to accuse me of purchasing a drink for an underage person. I tried to calmly explain to them that she was just busy and I was trying to do something nice. I told them I could get her ID or bring her to the bar, but all 3 bartenders proceeded to continue to yell at me about how "They knew what I was doing". I then got my girlfriend after the meeting to have her show her ID to obtain the drink, and instead of receiving an apology for being accused of committing a crime I received a dismissive comment from one of the bartenders about how "It's part of the job" and the rest pretended I didn't exist. I never received an apology for being yelled at and accused of committing a crime. I understand asking for proof of an ID with the person there, but this simply isn't how this went down. They jumped to accusing me and insulting me. The staff was objectively horrible the rest of the night to all of the other people at the event too, despite the fact that we cleaned up after ourselves and left early. If I wanted to watch a 3 hour black and white film of a cigarette slowly burning to the nub while smooth jazz plays in the background or at least if I looked like the person who would enjoy such a thing I suppose maybe I would've been treated better. If you think you'd enjoy that, then please attend this theater! If you are a person who expects to be treated with common decency, then maybe attend another theater or stream at home. I understand this place is important to the artistic integrity of this city as a place for short film artists and lesser known directors to showcase their work. I only wish they could present their art somewhere decent where anyone who wanted to come could appreciate it. Overall, a mediocre place with mediocre staff.

At long last, Athens has its own art house theatre! Cine is wonderful. A converted tire recap plant, the building is a wonderful example of how historical restoration can transform those monolithic, empty, seemingly useless buildings downtown into thriving centers of activity. Much of the recap plant's original look is there, which makes Cine quite unlike any movie theatre you're used to. The owner of the theatre and her staff are all well versed in film studies and make sure that every film screened is high in artistic merit and entertainment value--this makes for a thoughtful selection of films that change each week. The lobby is really quite charming. A long booth--or "banquette," as creator/artist Didi Dunphe would have you call it, runs along one side of the bar/cafe in the lobby. The warm turquoise of the banquette invites you to sit down and snack on the typical and not-so-typical movie theatre snacks. There's the requisite candy, of course, but also offerings from local eateries. (Wasabi peas and cashews while I watch my movie? Don't mind if I do!) You can also order beer, coffee, or wine instead of a soda if you so choose--that's a fun way to mix it up. And the seats inside the small-to-medium-sized theatres (there are two) have cup holders just the right size for any drink you might purchase! The seats themselves aren't as plush and magnificent as I'd hoped. That's the venue's one downfall--I feel like they came from a late-80s movie theatre, before the companies realized that people wanted to sit in luxury and style. But that's a minor complaint that sits up against an army of praises. Congratulations to Cine and its staff for having such a vision! See athenscine.com to find out what they're up to next.

Such an incredible place. I love offbeat movies and I can always count on this place to show them. Additionally, the summer throwback series is too good. Even beyond the movies, they're snacks are actually reasonably priced. They've got glass bottle Cheerwine and $1 popcorns. Need I say more?

A really nice spot in downtown. This place reflects the vibe of Athens. Small theatre that shows unique and usually not your normal Hollywood productions. Very nice selection of beer, wine, liquor, along with normal movie concessions. They hold probably 300 or less people so if you are really interested in a movie look to buy tickets online. Great way to finish a night in downtown Athens.

I am a HUGE fan of Cine. It is SO wonderful to have an alternative, thoughtful cinema in Athens. This is how movie-going use to be (in my mind) before video. We went to the movies! Together! And then talked about it (over drinks) afterward. Moreover the price of popcorn is extremely reasonable, at $1 a bag. I wait for movies to appear at Cine so that I can enjoy being at my favorite place in life. UPDATE: It is three years later and I still feel the same way!!

I was driving down the road one night with my boyfriend and saw "Let the Right One In" listed on the marquee I literally made him stop the car & put it in reverse so we could go back and check the showtimes. I have been long awaiting this movies premiere in the U.S. and was delighted that Cine was showing it! The next night we showed up around 7pm the doorman whisked us in without a wait. Artwork plastered the walls and the smell of fresh popcorn & hot coffee greeted us as we came in from the cold. I ordered a glass of wine & my boyfriend got a beer. Alcohol in hand, we settled into the moderately sized theater and enjoyed our movie (which was absolutely wonderful might I add...go see it!) Anyway, I will definitely be returning to this venue soon! If you haven't already you should stop by too and catch a movie.

Love the space from the moment you walk in. Love that they have a cafe from where you can take food and drinks into the theater. Had the house coffee, 1000 faces, which was strong without being bitter - it is rare to find coffee so well made in the USA. The staff was very friendly. The restroom is so stylish and feels like an European film set.

Cute/cool independent movie theatre. The audience l/people watching can be as interesting as the movie. Seems like a lot of people like to get their drink on while seeing movies. One lady brought her dog in in a sling.

Great film selection. Friendly staff. Comfortable, clean screening rooms. Cool design in the lobby area. You can get anything from softdrinks to wine to coffee to beer to mixed drinks to satisfy your thirst during the movie. I suggest "double fisting" so you don't have to get up in the middle of the film to get a refill. The selection of snacks is small but diverse. You can rent the screening rooms or the "Lab" for special events. The National will cater!

Cool atmosphere but some problems. Went to a 1:30 showing today (Sunday). The doors were supposed to open at one but they didn't open them until 1:15 which left me and my 2 kids outside in the cold waiting. Then I went to the cafe register to order and was told rather rudely " we won't be ready for 30 minutes"...the movie was starting in 15 so I stated that and she ignored me completely. Some help arrived and after waiting for a while and we were able to order but the service wasn't friendly to say the least. The theater was sufficient but there wasn't sound for the first 1 1/2 previews and it was so cold in the theater. I really think this whole thing was just because it was the first showing of the day and I will give it another try but I'm definitely disappointed after reading such stellar reviews. 2 things to note: meter parking was free on Sunday and no alcohol is sold on Sundays.

WHAT an excellent place. We saw a movie in the lab and it was a little weird at first, but in the end I really liked it. Awesome concessions and seating in the lobby, but kind of weird seating in the lab "theater" (still doable). I rather wish that we could have seen the screen theater rooms so my review could be more helpful... My husband and my friends and I came all the way from Nashville, TN (307 miles, or six hours, one-way) in an un-airconditioned conversion van for Bad Movie Night. They did not disappoint. The venue was quirky and fun and the movie was horrible. I loved that they had intermission! The staff were friendly and efficient. I would go back, even in the heat, again!

This is a local gem! Cine always plays highly-acclaimed movies that usually lead to Academy Award and Indie-Film recognition. They show classic movies, as well as documentaries, and are extremely supportive of the community. My wife and I are so happy to have the art house as a part of our great community!

Every movie I've watched here has been great, the staff are super friendly, the architecture and atmosphere are unique and the seats, though antiquated, is very cozy and comfortable. The seating is designed such that the viewing is excellent from any seat unless the person in front of you is exceptionally tall (over 6'6"?) and you are very short.

First run movies one would expect at an "art house," a small screen theater with uncomfortable seating are everywhere elsewhere in the country. But at Cine you get the same movies you can see at a large screen theater with comfortable seats and free parking through out the week. So why would you spend the same and more for a lesser theater?

If Cine were nothing more than our very own art house, it would have my vote. The two screens are comfy and cozy, the films are first-rate, and you can grab a glass of beer or wine from the bar to enjoy with your film. What makes Cine especially attractive for me is the Monday night jazz jam session in the Cine Lab across the lobby from the screens. House band Sonny Got Blue sets up at around 6 pm, and the session lasts until about 8:30 pm. You can sit in. It's all very informal. Or you can grab something from the bar and enjoy the music. No cover.

I like Cine. They show movies that are otherwise hard to find screenings of, and do so at non-exorbitant prices. Parking can be a pain. The theaters themselves are pretty basic but functional.

Really good coffee and really nice people... I just had a regular cup of Iowans it was only $3 but it was so good I had to have two. If you are in downtown Athens and need a little caffeine in ya, don't be an idiot and check it out.

Cine is the best place to see a movie in Athens, hands down. And you'll probably be seeing the best movies playing in Athens! The concessions are reasonable ($1 popcorn!) and include a full bar (yes!). When I retire, I hope to get the "all the movies you care to see" membership.

Great local theater! Good mix of films and film festivals, and great Tuesday night dinner + movie special with The National next door.

I love this place. They show a lot of cool, indie movies, and also have a lot of cool events. The staff is incredibly friendly, and this is a great date nite spot.

Fantastic arts theatre. A great venue and a classic slot in Athens! I've been here multiple times and never had a bad experience.

My favorite place to see movies! Such a neat spot & a great atmosphere. Great selection of movies/documentaries to choose from. Wonderful place for a date! Support your local movie theatre!

Nice facility, but really snooty attitude. Not worth bothering with. There's a rule in business that a happy customer will tell three people and an unhappy one will tell twenty people. In today's age when a person may have a Myspace account, a Facebook profile, a Live Journal and their own blog, that number may actually range in the high hundreds and beyond. As a result, it's imperative for a business, especially for a new, struggling business to really take care to avoid offending their few customers. Friday night I was taking in a show at Cine. I had brought a friend with me. This 195 pound gentleman leaned back in his chair and the chair snapped. This caused him to flail a bit, accidently kicking the table that my drink was on, knocking over my drink. Okay, no big deal. I went out to the counter. I figured that since their chair snapped under reasonable and ordinary use that they would take responsibility for it and be eager to solve the problem, to see that my night got back on track and that I have a wonderful time. Not the case. Instead, after explaining what happened and that I'd like my drink replaced the person I spoke to replied that he'd have to kick it up to the manager. The manager took on the air of a schoolteacher disciplining an unruly schoolkid. First she spits out "How did this happen"? I explained to her that my friend leaned back on the chair and it broke. Then she goes into her rant about how now they're out of the cost of the chair, they're going to have to replace the chair and then she actually says to me "Let me see if I've got this straight, first you break our chair, then you expect me to give you a free drink?" As soon as those words came out of her mouth I very calmly said "nevermind". I figured, okay, I'm obviously dealing with someone totally not worth talking to. I came out to have a good time, I don't really care about the cost of a drink. Then she actually kept on lecturing me. It's not enough for her to win, she also has to belittle me. Okay, I say "nevermind" again. She finally stops and I go back to my seat. A friend who asked about it later said the manager thought it was the height of audacity for me to ask for a drink when they're out the cost of a chair. Okay, let's assume that she was right. Even though it was her chair that broke under normal use. What did she win? She saved a buck (what it would have cost to pop me another beer), and she had the pleasure of grinding some fool under her heel. Good job. Unfortunately, after she went out of her way to talk to me like a child and make me feel two feet tall, now she's created an enemy for her establishment and a world of bad press. Yes, I did spend the night talking about my experience, using words that I won't repeat here, and totally repeating the idea that "Cine's a snooty arthouse and they think they're better than you". I feel bad for the owner of the place, I know that they're struggling. While the owner is out spending good money on advertising, trying to get people to think that's they might have a nice time going there, the manager that the owner is paying is going out of her way to belittle their customers, to remind them that "we're a fancy arthouse and we're better than you" Make that former customers. That's a recipe for failure. My conclusion: "Cine is doomed to Fail". PS I later tried to figure out who owned the place so I could bring their lousy manager to their attention. I saw a picture of the owner, it's a woman who was so nasty to me! Evidently she's a genius in movies but a moron in customer service. I'm remembering the "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld.

I saw Upstream Color here, which was preceded by a brief talk from a UGA professor on parasites and followed by a talk from an entrepreneur who sells edible bug dishes (and had some available for sample - we didn't take advantage ;)). That alone was pretty cool, but the whole space and atmosphere is wonderful. Cine is exactly what an art house movie theater should be. The cinemas are well kept, the staff is friendly and they have a large assortment of beverages and snacks, some traditional movie fare, some not. I had a wonderful time here and would definitely return!

This place is fantastic! Great date night destination. They show movies you might not get to see otherwise. Prices are comparable to other theaters but the popcorn is inexpensive and tastes so much better than other movie theaters' popcorn. The atmosphere is great. I just cannot say enough good about it. The people are very friendly and helpful. Everything is clean.

Charming theater w/ many many cool bookings. The movie theater downtown Athens needed, the movie theater downtown Athens deserved.

Cine is a part of what makes downtown Athens so unique! Always such a fun treat to have a few drinks and enjoy a great film!

great architecture, events space, art house movies plus full bar--what's not to love?

Great space with good snacks and atmosphere. Good place to see both studio and less known movies. Also has the lab space that's available for other events. A great part of the community.