Clinton Street Theater

Such a supportive, loving, fantastic space, I could walk in here to any event on any night and just be so impressed with the heart and talent and creativity in this city. ✨🌈🧜‍♀️🫧❤️‍🔥💋

Classic art cinema. Great vibe. Adult beverages enhance the experience.

First off let me say that I love the Clinton Street Theater and almost everything they do is $120% top-notch. Some of you may be Rocky Horror Picture Show fans and you know how awesome it is that Clinton Street has continued this phenomenal Interactive experience for the amount of years that they have. The staff here is always been super friendly helpful generous empathetic and most of the time very very good looking on top of everything else. I personally have gone on stage in three different decades to reburst my Rocky Horror Picture Show Cherry as a virgin. To add to this they also play and host community events that are top-notch low budget big budget awesome budget no budget all kinds of things that will make your time at the Clinton Street amazing not to mention it's on the corner of an amazing part of southeast Portland that is super bike friendly and just super awesome in general. 100% recommend checking out anything that they do in supporting this venue.

Went to showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween eve..... what a fantastic job the cast is doing keeping such a show alive! 👏 been a few times now but Halloween is just extra special. Just wanted to say great job to the staff and actors and am greatful such a thing still exists!

Didn’t even watch a movie or show here but the staff were so kind! We were visiting a restaurant near by and decided to see what the theater was about. Found out about there rocky picture show streak which was cool but I was there to ask if they had any posters from this Japanese film festival for sale. And they kind worker offered to just give me a spare poster they had in the back for free! They were just so kind over all, so please do your self a favor and visit!

I go to Rocky horror every other Saturday. It's great, cast is wonderful my boyfriend is part of it. Crow has been rowdy lately and rude, but thats not the theaters fault.

The best place on earth. What is there to say. To have this and Cinemagic in the same city, let alone a few blocks apart is wonderful. The programming here has been otherworldly recently and deserves all the praise. Apparently there are some sterile moneybags down the road trying to steal their style, but great vibes cannot be replicated, all the real ones know “The Clinton” is an absolute institution

truly one of the best parts of living in portland is getting to come here on the regular! an awesome theater that shows the coolest movies and has the coolest drag events. great popcorn and awesome staff. love love love!

It's a vibe! Clinton Street Theatre has a nostalgic ambiance too it, with movie posters from the 70s/80s and a lot of history behind it. It's also well kept for being an older theatre. Service is really nice - you can tell that they really care about the place and they do a good job in keeping everything clean. The screen itself is smaller than average but you can still get a good view near the front, and seats are soft and comfortable. They serve beer, wine and cider. Popcorn is great, and loved that they have Garam masala that you can add as a topping. It may not seem like the modern theaters around but it's definitely worth the old-school Portland experience for sure.

Fabulous space with incredibly diverse and fun programming. If you're a fan of the classic small cinema experience, welcome home. The Clinton Street Theatre shows a mix of art house indie films, cult classics, and forgotten gems with the odd film festival and celebrity appearance tossed in. I was here recently for two events, a queer film festival and a special showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and both shows, with drag pre-shows, were a blast. A theater emblematic of Portland's anarchic, progressive spirit, the Clinton Street is definitely worth a stop.

I love this spot! It's been a while since I've been here but this theater is a great location for a date night. It's located by numerous bars and coffee shops. One could easily spend the day in the surround accounts building up to the movie time. Inside is a very intimate and cozy vibe. The staff is helpful and friendly. This theater supports local talent in their cinematic talent and promotes it at this theater as well as well known movies. This is a great spot to watch a very diverse set of cinematic Features. We will certainly return to this spot!

It's a rustic hole in the wall showing fun and different kinds of movies. They take care of your popcorn, sweet tooth, pop, and beer cider needs. The seating is a little old and wiggly. It's definitely more for a fun young crowd.

So glad that they made it through. We went tonight to see the Bubble and Squeeze Show. This is my second time seeing this show, but first time back post pandemic. They are doing a great job with health precautions. The owner came out and spoke and was really transparent with expectations. The show- super engaging, fun and interesting. I loved the laser bubbles and the slug accordion song. Five stars to the Amazing Bubble Man! Five stars to Clinton Street Theater!

I do love that the Clinton is going strong but I genuinely always hesitate seeing films here due to the audience attending. So, if you do not mind, please go and see some great movies but others... approach with caution so you do not go and get angry like me. A lot of the shows here are interactive so that might be what sets up the audience to be a bit move oblivious that they are in a movie theater and others are trying to watch the movie. I am that back row person who just wants to sit back and enjoy the show. The other night I was really looking forward to a crazy German film. Some gal sitting a few seats over in the back spent the whole movie texting. I am not kidding - and yes, her phone brightness was way down BUT folks...STOP IT . Seriously, if you think we can't see it - no WE CAN... Leave - because in a dark room this is horrible to others - my right eye ball kept darting to the bright light so after a half hour I was pretty deep into a migraine. And for those folks out there thinking, or wanting to tell me/ask me to say something. Let me talk to you about people like me who have high functioning anxiety. I should not have to tell someone to turn their phone off - but even the thought of talking to a stranger in a dark theater to ask for something when there is a chance they will make a scene or who knows...because people are insane. But also I saw several other people checking their phones here and there so it seems like common place at this theater. Also, the space itself is pretty open with the bathrooms right there so there is constant traffic and back light here and there from that. You might be affected less if you sit closer to the front but personally I have a broken ankle on one side and torn Achilles on the other so I cannot take a chance of people needing to walks past me since people will and have stepped on me. And then upon leaving and the group standing right in front of the door with a cloud of pot smoke. I voted yes and I support you but I am also pretty allergic to it. You can do it legally anywhere you want totally - so, maybe not by the doors of things?

Clinton Street Theater is the run down neighborhood dive bar equivalent of a movie theater. In a town rife with independent movie theaters, Clinton Street Theater is the closet to a community movie theater I've ever encountered. CST is neither a first nor second run theater and while many of the other independent theaters in town can be considered quasi repertory theaters, a bulk of their showings are still current releases. I'm not sure I would call CST a repertory theater either as the offerings are often more eclectic than that, but they offer many retrospectives. CST really aims to lower the barriers to entry as much as they can. Many of their showings are on a sliding scale with no one turned away due to lack of funds. When the popcorn machine was down, they were more than happy to let you bring your own popcorn. I also have no idea where in town you can get a $3 tall boy anymore sadly.

Clinton Street Theater just cracks me up. A Portland staple and something everyone should experience at least one. I went to the RHP Show once, was pulled on stage to be the boyfriend character and one of the cast put his leather jacket on me, it stunk like a weeks worth of BO and I didn't care. Fun crowd, nice people and it is interesting to see this tradition carry on to the next generation.

This theater is what Portland cool is about: retro and cult flicks, cheap prices and a funky crowd. If you're looking for hi-marketed new releases in a sterile atmosphere this ain't the place. The theater opened during WWI, wow. And they've been showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show since 1978. Tonight it was John Carpenter's "The Thing." Although the start time indicated 7:00 p.m., it didn't start until 7:20 as there was a bit too long of an overview by a non-profit. Also, the owner seems pleasant, but there's no need for all the F-bombs when addressing the crowd. I know you're trying to connect, that you don't care what people think, and that you own the place so you can do what you want, but it makes you look small. That said, you run a great theater.

These guys curate extremely well. It seems to take a while (years/decades) for people in the hood to become aware of whats going on here. Very few of the movies they show are mainstream or current indy pop films. My brother and I chat every weekend about movies we have seen and books we have read. He can go to Landmark theaters in Denver and see a variety of Indy Pop films. But there is no way he can see an Iranian language film about vampire hookers which was made in Taft California, or a French film noir about a WWII prison escape. Both of these which were compelling. If you like well curated outside the box films, check this place out. Also, they typically offer you a sliding scale entry fee from $5to $8, plus $4 glasses of wine. They have all kinds of themes going on in any given month. Give it a try. You might develop a pleasant obsession.

Great place I love the Clinton Street and Oregon Theatre. Both neighborhood icons. I plan on going to a Rocky Horror picture show at the Clinton soon.

Hate to give a bad review to a place trying to even survive but just being real. We all went to see Rocky Horror last weekend...a big group of us. Its a cheap date so you can't complain too much....its all good from that perspective. But we were kind of disappointed we didn't just watch it from home. I read reviews so I guess I should participate in giving one myself to help others. First, they should invest in some proper sound. From the beginning people were shouting turn it up. Its a musical after all. This is kind of obvious so its a big miss for the theater. Whoever owns the place could simply bring in their home speakers and it would help. Second, they open the gig with a guy who self proclaims himself as an asshole. And well...yes. He was kind of dickish. Its a schtick of course. But hey, we're all adults...waay past 21. I guess you need to tell people...what again? I was actually giggling over the absurdity. Umm...did he say something? Can you please stop talking now? Is this really necessary? So either that gentleman or someone else yells out the jokes / audience participation thing from the aisles throughout the entire show. I guess that's why we're at the theater. But we all wished it was more organic - it sounded really canned. Just let the audience heckle. Its an ambiance thing. It was annoying. It just blended with our perception of the place...everything heavy handed. There were some other examples illustrating the same points, particularly of the staff, so I'll save the details. They acted as if they actually don't like people...like they were security people rather than a welcome committee. To sum, the production wasn't that good and the staff were jerky. Certainly not a recommend.

Love this place. Cheap. Beer. Snacks. It's a non-profit. Great staple of the community.

Took my sister to see cabaret at Rocky Horror Picture Show and it was unbelievable. For about two hours we were transported back to our teen years in the 70's. Hats off to the cabaret cast and volunteers. I laughed so hard.

I am reviewing the Rocky Horror Picture Show that players here every Saturday. On the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday's you can catch the show with a traditional shadow cast and raunchy call backs. The cast is a lively bunch who really make it feel like you've been invited to a big weird party. This is like stepping back in time for those of you who were Rocky Groupies in the 80's and early 90's. The shadow cast, virgin games, time warp...its all very much living pulp history. I have enjoyed every show I have been to here. The theater itself is also historical and if you take a moment to really look around at the wall decor in the tiny lobby and the details, you'll feel all that energy that transcends time. Seems like they do a lot of civic stuff too. The RHPS had a fund raiser event for homeless teens. The movie screen was advertising LGBQ resources and other local resources. Theater also plays a good assortment of other indie movies and old rare oddities. There are other live theater shows as well, keeping arts alive. I will bring my visiting guests here for sure, this little spot is so very beautifully "Portland".

This place is an institution! I have been to the CST at least twice a year for the past decade and always had a great time. The theater is a true part of the community and hosts all kinds of festivals and special events to connect the public with great art and great people. The Big Lebowski at X-Mas time is a classic and the theater holds a Guiness Book World Record for the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lots of great LGBTQPI and other non-normative films as well. Kudos!

Clinton Street Theater is an interesting, small, local venue that appears to cater to the local theater scene. In addition to screening movies, they also host local performers and performances. Admission prices are very reasonable, the seats are more comfortable than expected, but the venue is very old and isn't without its shortcomings. Chiefly among these is that there are only two TINY unisex restrooms in the entire place, which makes for long lines during performance intermissions. Available concessions on my visit consisted of popcorn and water, which while not necessarily problematic, was a bit unexpected. I'll definitely continue to patronize the establishment due to their great variety of local performers.

Great old theater Saw a musical there "Tear Down This Wall". Excellent production. I'll come back for other events.

A great time was had by all! My son the budding filmmaker just finished a documentary about my dad growing up in the depression, fighting in Korea and all that. Before taking it out into the film world, we premiered it at the Clinton Street Theater and turned it into an extended family reunion. The facility was great. The film looked terrific on the big screen and Lani Jo took care of everything we needed, even setting up tables for pizza from Atlas Pizza and a cake from Jaciva's on Hawthorne. This is definitely a great place to hold your event.

Home Theater for Monkey with a Hat On Ten Minute Play Fest that happens three times a Year. March, June and November. This incredible theater company makes it its mission to have theater accessible to the community by only charging $5.00 tickets. Each production is 9 plays and 1 live band. The quality is exceptional and entertaining for those on a budget. Each Production is a different theme that is announced on the last show night.

What an amazing Portland institution. It really is rite of passage. If you haven't been you haven't lived yet.

We came to see our son in the Rocky Horror Show this Saturday . For such an old theater it looked pretty good on the inside, small stage but good seats and you had a good view. The production was very well rehearsed and the actors portraying the characters gave an awesome performance. The Tim Curry actor(actress) was gorgeous! Dr Scott was our son!

Why 5 stars? Why the highest accolades to a 1 screen theater with questionable creature comforts? I'll tell you why! This theater is a community landmark. This theater does more for the people of Portland than many establishments with 3 - 4 times the budget. First of all - if you have never seen Rocky Horror live, you must go. You have not seen Rocky Horror until you have seen it with a live audience. DVD does not count. Second - Monkey with a Hat On 10 Minute Play Festivals have a home here. Monkey with a Hat On involves everyone and anyone who wants to be involved in live theater - hundreds of folks get together to create hilarious short plays for $5 a ticket. Third: Fundraisers for all manner of community groups from KBOO to Planned Parenthood and beyond. Most films won't turn anyone away for lack of funds Fourth: The Clinton Street Theater Newsletter: do yourself a favor and sign up. Lani Jo peppers the newsletter with stories and a poem, along with an epic list of events at the Clinton St. It's a nice read during a stressful week at work! Fifth: Because it's old school and radical AF. If you have to have extremo dolby XXXX sound, organic pizza experience and authentic Tap-tails to enjoy a film or event, don't come here. If you dig inexpensive entertainment, beer in cans, candy in a box, a line for the loo, progressive community support, and Dot's across the street, then check out the Clinton Street Theater today!

Definitely an old theater that caters to the Indie crowd and wide array of Indie movies. I will give him credit for cheap concessions but the place feels pretty run-down and you get what you get. Was there for a showing of the Adam Nimoy Spock documentary and it went well. Even though the seats were modern and upgraded, they weren't comfortable to me. However I was the only one that thought this so take it for what it is. The city is better to have this place but they could still improve in some areas. If they could be similar to the Hollywood Theater in the movies that they show and what they present to the community, I feel I would be going there all the time! But for now it's just strange documentaries, even stranger indie films, and the weekly showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show.

While the Clinton Street Theater doesn't have the best seats in town, they do show some pretty awesome films. Plus, they have been playing the Rocky Horror Picture Show since it was released in the 70s. You can go every weekend (if you are of age) and get rice/water/toilet paper thrown at you. A Portland tradition. Warning: Cash only!

So I had never been to RHPS live. And with all the hype I was super excited. The theater itself is a little run down but still holding strong. The games lasted WAY to long and were rushed. There WAY to much content from the employees if they took some of it out it would be more fun and less rushed. The sound system needs to be improved, I could barely understand minion. Not because he didn't have the mic in the right spot but because of the speakers. I expected to yell and have fun I did neither. Don't get me wrong everybody was very nice outside, but the dialogue while the movie was going could have been much better. I think if they were to take some content out, it wouldn't be so rushed and WAY more enjoyable. And new speakers are needed, it is nice to hear things as well.

My very conservative Mom let me watch Rocky Horror Picture Show over and over again when I was a kid. I was obsessed with the gender bending, promiscuity, fabulous outfits, and general weirdness of it all. Looking back, it is fucking weird that my mom let me do this.. But it reminded of her of her high school days, back when she was alive and free and all that shit. So thanks, Ma! Ever since those days, I have always dreamt of going to a live show of the cult classic. Dressing up, throwing rice, screaming out "Slut" and "Asshole" at the characters on the screen. I finally got my chance this Halloween, and it was pretty great. If you're a virgin, expect to be embarrassed on stage at the start of it all, but worry not for it's all in good fun! Bonus: They have Hopworks cans for sale at the front counter, tall cans for a decent price!

A little over two years ago, new ownership came to the Clinton. Amazing stuff happened like they began using the A/C in the summer and heater in the winter. The other owner didn't value comfort of his patrons, apparently. So, the owners don't take a salary. Every penny earned goes back into the theater. Recently, they bought a new sound system, new screen and are replacing their seats. They also fixed the hole in the bathroom floor (yay for not falling through the floor!) and have been updating as they can. A recent reviewer (7/2014) stated that their A/C doesn't work. Hmm.. Not true. I was JUST there several times in June and July and the cool air was flowing (not to mention cold cans of HUB lager). Also to this reviewer, paint is very expensive. That's a lot of ceiling to cover. Maybe you could volunteer some time at the Clinton rather than complain about it? Just a thought. Anyway, love the Clinton and that the ownership is dedicated to our community. In fact, Lani just came by our neighborhood association meeting and let everyone know about some upcoming free events. Thank you, Clinton for existing.

I'd never been here before. You might be shocked to hear this, but I'm not the world's biggest Rocky Horror fan. I know, it's disappointing, but hopefully you can respect me some day again. The box office was, barricaded is the word. Now what? No sign, website didn't say anything. I'm looking into the lobby when someone exits and crosses the street to get one of the free papers on the corner over there. Doesn't say a word to me. Thanks, dickhead. I can see someone halfway in a hall, he must be talking to someone in whatever room he's almost coming out of, so I'll wait patiently. Okay, screw this, I'm going in. Doesn't open for twenty minutes. Alright. Cool. Information is good. When I return, Mr I Love Free Newspapers More Than Paying Customers is selling tickets. Not in the box office tho (it's still in Green Zone mode), next to the concession stand. Someone walks in with a pizza. Turns out she works here, as much as anyone seems to work here. Then I walk in to my middle school auditorium. Except my middle school replaced seats that someone thought would look better on their wall. What a dump. I mean, charming, how charming. And the movie had a legend across the screen that read: Screening copy. Not for public use. Describes more than just the movie.

Like everyone else, I have a real love/hate relationship with the Clinton. The programming is generally great; they show second runs and older films that none of the McMenamins or indie theaters have. They host fun events -- music video nights, stand up comedy, etc -- and even do the Rocky Horror thing for the dorks who require that in their life (not me). On the other hand, you can't actually SEE or HEAR the fucking film because the sound and projection is so lousy. Oh, Clinton, would it hurt you to fix those seats that have been broken for years? Or change the duct tape covering the hole in the bathroom floor? Instead of spending money on long overdue upgrades to the theater, the recent management has focused on the lounge side of the place, turning it into some sort of weird Tex-Mex bullshit with $14 pitchers of beer and rusty saw blades decorating the walls. What's going on with this place? I keep going back, hating myself for it. I imagine that's how this theater has survived this long, with self-loathing cinephiles returning to the Clinton to see an old kung fu or exploitation flick and leaving disappointed, swearing to never come back. But come back we do. Clinton Street Theater, I love you for your reliable, brazen shittiness.

If it were any other theatre I'd give it one star. But this is the Fucking Clinton Street. Never mind the bollocks. The sound makes a string section sound like a cat fight? The seats sink halfway to the floor? The one toilet has a door that doesn't close all the way? If you give a shit, go someplace else. This is the punk rock of theaters -- it doesn't care what you think. I took my jailbait neighbor to see Rocky Horror here in the 80's (hey, she LOOKED 18. ish.) and took a girlfriend for what was a second and almost last date of Taxi Driver sometime after that. Hadn't been back for years until we pedaled over there last weekend for The 400 Blows. Looks like absolutely nothing has been done to upgrade or even maintain since then. But really, I don't care. (I might care more if the movie I was watching didn't have subtitles and/or I spoke French.)

How many ways can Yelpfolks describe the abysmal sound quality of the Clinton Street Theater? Can I up the ante maybe? I dunno...Did they replace the speaker cones with mudflaps? How's this for an experiment? After watching a movie at Clinton Street, go straight home and drop the needle on your Eat Skull album....It will sound like U2's "The Joshua Tree" (the audiophile series remastered version). I've heard people complain about the sound quality at Clinton Street, but have they ever considered the benefits of missing bits of murked-up dialog? It makes the movie a whole new experience when you watch it on DVD! During my November roadtrip, my girlfriend and I saw "What We Do Is Secret"--that movie about The Germs--at the Clinton Street, and it was pretty much the perfect setting for it. Most of the dialog was so bad that it didn't deserve the ultra-sharp THX audio anyway. People were chuckling and hissing and cracking jokes throughout the movie because of the cheesy dialog. I felt like we were those little characters in the bottom corner of Mystery Science Theater 3000....only it was the punk rock docudrama version. Certainly it was value-added fun. If you go there for the first time, I sure hope that you don't expect the utmost in technology and accoutrements from Clinton Street. It's not trying to be anything more than it is...not a "theatre" with an "-re", just an honest-to-goodness theater that is like the moviehouse version of your favorite worn-out pair of sneakers. (And sometimes it kinda smells like 'em, too!)

First off paying 6$ for a movie that's on DVD is unjustifiable in my mind. Jokes on me I guess because I still did it. I often do things I can't justify logically, logical plays only a small role in my decision making. That being said I'll probably come back here pay more to watch a movie then to rent it. And don't forget cash - because that's all they take. There is something a tiny bit more classy about watching a movie in a theater and drinking then doing it at home in your Pjs. Notice a say a tiny bit, Clinton Street Theater doesn't dress itself up, It's no frills! I didn't truly realize how precious stadium seating is until a freakishly tall person sat down in front of me, it really would've come in handy. The employees are volunteers which is sweet of them, and they are very nice! They have late night Rocky Horror showings and random Skateboarding and other Xtreme sports movie opens. Not my cup of tea but it's nice that they cater to that. I had high hopes, I'm a tad let down.

We came for midnight showing of Rocky Horror picture show. It was theater night, it says starts online at 12, but it did not start until almost 1. There was shouting over almost every line in the movie. Which made it unbearable. We were sitting 4 rows from a lady that seemed to be the worst if them. The tickets were 8.00, not bad. We spent like 10.00 for a large popcorn, 2 drinks, and some sour patch kids, prices were very reasonable!

I really liked this run down, uncomfortable, cold neighborhood theater. There is something about it which just jived with me. It is not a nice theater by any means, the screen is dirty, the sound sucks, there is no leg room, but something about the place made me feel like I was in my elementary school auditorium (funny feeling). Usually when I pass the theater they are advertising movies which I have never heard of nor want to see or there is a line of Rocky Horror Picture Show junkies waiting outside; I had been wanting to see a movie here but there has been nothing to draw me in; well I finally went and I will be back. I was not sure if this was a brew-theater or not, I knew it was connected to Clinton Street Brewing, but I couldn't figure out if you could drink in the theater; well you CAN! But you can only bring in one drink at a time which sucks if you are getting a drink for yourself and date or just wanting to stock up on booze so you don't need to leave during the flick. -Cheap movies -Weird movies -Serves beer -Oddly inviting -Strange ambiance Why I loved this place I may never know, but I did!

Okay, so it's not the classiest place. Nor the most technologically advanced. In all honestly, the equipment is sort of neanderthalian. But so what? I still like the place. It's in a good location, easy to find, lots to do before or after you see a film. And they don't play the mainstream Hanna Montana crap you'll find at places like Cinema 21. They're primarily supportive of Indie film festivals and the cult scene. For example, the last film I saw there was Bike Porn 3. Where else can you go in Portland to see a film that ends with a real live man and woman stripping down until all their glorious junk is aview, singing a cover of "I've had the time of my life" (which was changed to "I've had the bike porn of my life', naturally)? Where, dammit? Tell me! That's right. Maybe nowhere else. Maybe somewhere else. Case in point, I love their film selection. And the fact that you can go partake in live screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday at midnight. Weeee.... I went dressed up with a group of friends and we had a blast. So, if you're feeling funky and don't mind a creaky chair, some dust on your shoulder, and some occasionally faltering speakers, then enter into the madness of the Clinton Street Theatre. Muah hah hah hah...

I had been going to the Clinton since the mid 1970s. It's been fixed up since then. Great theater inside and out. I rarely go to this theater 2 times in the past 3 or 4 years. In the past the theater had cult movies (you knew about) and marathons ( like a Troma one). But now there are very few movies, etc. that I have heard of. I don't go because of this.

There's lots to love about The Clinton. It just feels like a run down warehouse that shows an odd selection of movies. But in like a good way... The first time I went, I made the mistake of going with friends to see the midnight showing of Rocky Horror that they put on every Saturday. Umm....I don't recommend this, unless you are between the ages of 14-16. Or are just a super huge Rocky nerd. Or you hate yourself. Otherwise you shall experience the sweet sweet pain of being surrounded by hundreds of angsty emo-filled teeny weenies. Most of which are drama club rejects and ready to inflict horrible pain on your eyes and ears. Too cruel? No. Trust me. I've seen many a great documentary here otherwise, and this week for example, they are showing Muppets Take Manhattan!! Whoo hoo! I'm so there. Often they will host local film festivals and double features and fun things like that. Tickets are cheap. Beers are there as well. Bring a blanket or an extra coat in the winter because it is cold as ice, bitches. Summer it is a sweat-box, so really you're getting the best of both worlds here. If you are SE, like moi, it's a pretty convenient little spot. Clinton is cool, with plenty to do after hours. Dot's is across the street with all it's amazingness, and there is a bar right next door as well. So if you are sitting through the Time Warp and you're thinking to yourself how you remembered this movie being a little better in earlier years, and you aren't hip AT ALL, because you really want people to shut up so you can actually WATCH the damn movie.... duck out early and have some adult flavored-fun (eww! dirty!) at the bar next door and wait for the Muppets. They're taking Manhattan! Didn't you hear? :)

sometimes too weird of movies playing though 'meet the feebles' was hilarious. you have to wear a HEAVY jacket, stocking cap..etc in the middle of the winter because it is soooooo cold in the theater. Cash only...bah!

I am giving 3 stars because the theater isn't half bad - but the Rocky Horror Picture Show is....and this it the one place in Portland that runs it - every single Saturday night - and has been since 1978. Yes, it's one of the longest running movies in the world, but that doesn't make it any good. Evidently, my friends all saw this show - at this theater - in high school, but since I hadn't seen it, I put it on my Bucket List and convinced a bunch of friends, who also hadn't had to suffer through it until now. Needless to say, it was as campy and awful as I suspected it'd be. That suspicion came from my brother saying he saw it when he was in high school and loved it. He also loved the movie "Spaceballs" so I knew I was in for a real treat. Not! Anyway, the movie sucked and the re-enactors didn't seem thrilled to be there either; not cuing us in to when to throw the rice and toast or what to do with the thong panties that the website suggest we bring. Because the show was such a train wreck, I was too distracted to even notice if the theater seats were comfy or if the old building looked as though it were renovated or about to come crashing down. All that said, it's pretty cool that this theater ha been able to run this horrifically horror movie for 30+ years without facing financial ruin. I guess it's a good thing people in Portland are keeping it weird by continually watching this weirder than weird sci-fi cult-followed film.

LOVE this old historic theater! It's a cool venue with nice workers. Adult tickets are normally $6, but it is $4 for everyone on Tuesdays. They also offer free movies sometimes. They're interesting, off-beat films, documentaries, etc. - not your modern theater fare. That's another reason I'm a fan.

In trying to write this review, I looked up the plot summary for The Rocky Horror Picture Show seeking some analogies, and I was all: Aliens? What?! I have no memory of that at all! While I've visited the Clinton Street Theater many times over many years, paying real money to see real shows -- including The Rocky Horror Picture Show -- I still have a generally fuzzy sense about the place, and frankly, most of the movies I've seen here, too. It's like I'm under sedation. Some of it is quite probably related to the troublesome sound system here, but whatever the reason, it leaves me feeling perpetually unqualified to review it. I'm gonna try something. Let me know if you don't follow. Say I'm Laura Ingalls Wilder and Clinton Street is Fox News. Stay with me. Although we align on ostensibly common themes **, we differ wildly in terms of aesthetics, execution and presentation. And quite possibly intent. I love that it supports things I also want to support. And I want it to be there forever, gritty and cold and bare bones and all. If there's such a thing as a dive theater, this is it. Like many of the friends whose small films I've seen here, Clinton Street and I are acquaintances, but I don't see us ever becoming tight. It's just not my lifestyle is all. But I still appreciate it, and dammit, Janet, I love that this place exists. ** Katrina/Clinton: jumps to the left, cult classics, elaborate costumes, hometown pride. Laura/Fox+: prolific documentation, family values, work ethic, playground bullies. + Poor Laura, rolling in her grave right now.

The Clinton Street Theater and Rocky Horror Picture Show is deserving of a 1 star rating simply because the building is historical and is still in use. However, It's an absolute shame that this beautiful theater with its comfy seats is being used to encourage Portland youth to dress, speak, and behave inappropriately. I didn't expect a Regal Cinema, but I also didn't expect such a disgusting, trashy representation of who Portlanders are. It would be great if PPS could rescue this beautiful theater and put it to good use educating Portland youth on proper theater and drama. After all, there should be limits on the motto, "Keep Portland Weird."

I am going on a theater tour of Portland in 2011. No I'm not. It sounded good, but then I realized I had nowhere else to go with this review. The Clinton Street Theater is a dive theater. It is as simple as that. When you go to see a documentary on Lemmy Kilmister, this type of venue is the best venue for such a feature. Here is the main reason why it gets 3 stars instead of 4 or 5. Our movie was slated to begin at 9. The previous showing was supposed to start at 7. It must've started late because we walked into the theater not once, not twice, but three times to see that the previous showing was still on. Now you might be asking yourselves why would one go into a theater once, twice, three times a lady....oops I thought I was at karaoke there for a second. We went in because we had no guidance. Nobody told us not to go in. Nobody mentioned that the previous showing was still on. Maybe I'm just spoiled. I like my 10 or so minutes inside the theater before the show starts. I'm weird that way. Anyway, not really a big deal. The great part is that there were zero previews. Lights down, movie on. That I can get behind.

Before last night, I had never seen Rocky Horror. Not even the movie. After last night, I still don't fully believe I had seen it because the cast spent so long shouting unfunny dated jokes over every line. I was told it would be a fun, incredible experience with costumes and a lively cast, but what I got was similar to an anime convention where a bunch of teens show up in their pajamas and make rape jokes. No one was in costume. It was not funny, it was boring and I couldn't hear myself think.

Where else can you get a personal audience with Bill Plympton, Crispin Glover, Harry Shearer, Steve Vai and David Arquette? Oh.... and those sound issues people gripe about have been fixed.

A group of us watched the Rocky Horror Picture show this last weekend. We were so excited to see it for it had been since the 80's we last saw it. The Theatre, and the location is fantastic! The problem we had was a participant who was from the original show viewing it, and he wouldn't shut up the entire time. He filled in every non-written, self absorbed, over rehearsed, forced non-humor lines the entire movie, which made it extremely un-enjoyable. We plan on buying the movie and viewing it ourselves. The Music is fantastic!

The people leaving negative review don't seem to understand where they were going. This place is funky old Portland. It is not fancy or pretentious. It is not state of the art or main stream. I love it. It's unique. You are not going to a Regal Cinema. I've gone to the Rocky Horror show on Halloween and recently to a movie screening about Iroquois lacrosse hosted by a nonprofit. Always a fun time. You are going for an experience, not just a movie. If the movie doesn't start on time... go get a beer. The popcorn is also very good. I will keep coming back.

I am a sucker for small, local movie theaters. We came here to watch '12 O'Clock Boyz' which is a documentary about an adolescent youth in Baltimore riding dirt bikes in the streets. It was a good one but this review isn't about the movie, it's about the theater. It is right in the Clinton neighborhood between Division and Powell. It's an old theater that has been around for as long as I can remember. This was the first time I finally set foot in it. It is owned by a husband-wife team. The front lobby is tickets and concession stand. There is one unisex bathroom outside of the theater and one inside (I spotted this one on the way out of the theater). I thought the ticket prices were reasonable. The theater room itself is big and there is a stage so you can even watch live acts. It's clean and doesn't have that stale popcorn, sticky soda feel that most theaters have nor did I feel like it was a decrepit and dying building. I am hopeful that this theater continues to be a fixture in this neighborhood and in Portland. I will definitely keep an eye out for cool shows to see and maybe even the next showing of 'The Big Lebowski' if they do that again.

Wanted to see the midnight showing of rocky horror while i was in portland and was really looking forward to it till i got there. The doors opened at 11:40 The movie didnt start till close to 1. There was a group of theatre kids who wasted time with stupid audience participation games before the movie which were sexual in nature that might have been ok if there wasnt kids as young as 8 in the audience and participating. Creepy. And im guessing borderline illegal. Then when the movie started they acted out the scenes which was lame and they did it in front of the screen so you couldnt see the movie anyway. Lame. Save your money.