The River Oaks Theatre
Movie theater · Neartown ·
Historic Art Deco cinema, indie films, dine-in service
Information
2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019 Get directions
Historic Art Deco cinema, indie films, dine-in service
2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019 Get directions
"This Art Deco theater has been showing films since the late thirties. It might be small by today's theater standards, but it's the place to see independent and foreign language films. In addition to their regular screenings, they host midnight movie showings of cult classics like Rocky Horror Picture Show and Akira. You'll always find us there when a Miyazaki film is playing, subbed…naturally." - Curiosity and Curiosities
"For a dinner-and-a-movie date all in one, book a ticket at River Oaks Theatre. The newly renovated movie theater, which also happens to be the oldest in Houston, screens a variety of films and independent movies, and also features its own bars with cinematic-themed cocktails, and a restaurant that delivers food straight to your seat. Diners can enjoy dishes like spicy veal and pork meatballs, lobster rolls, a saucy Luv Ya Blu Burger topped with French-fried onions and gorgonzola, pretzel bites served with beer cheese sauce and honey mustard, seafood cakes, and the banh mi-style Houston Hot Dog with Sriracha mayo and jalapeños. Dessert is also on the menu, but for a true treat, dip into Leo’s River Oaks next door for its souffles. They’re truly next-level." - Brittany Britto Garley
"Houston’s oldest movie theater has officially reopened after a multi-year restoration led by Culinary Khancepts, relaunching October 3 with a sold-out screening of Joker: Folie à Deux. The 85-year-old, art-deco building retains its iconic marquee, terrazzo flooring, and auditorium statues while receiving modern infrastructure upgrades — new sound, lighting, stage systems, projectors, and refined seating — so it can host films and live events like concerts and comedy shows. The main auditorium seats 237 and features two retractable screens plus an additional 10-foot cinemascope screen; two upstairs auditoriums seat 50 each, and an upstairs VIP screening lounge with a Blu-ray-capable projector seats 20. A full dine-in experience lets patrons order from each plush seat via QR code and a light-up request button for table service; the menu curated by Justin Yoakum includes spicy veal and pork meatballs, lobster rolls, the saucy Luv Ya BluBurger topped with French-fried onions and gorgonzola, pretzel bites with beer-cheese and honey mustard, seafood cakes, a banh mi–style Houston Hot Dog with Sriracha mayo and jalapeños, and desserts like homemade-cookie ice cream sandwiches, chocolate tarts, and strawberry mascarpone cheesecake, alongside candy choices such as M&M’s and chocolate-covered almonds. Ritzy bars with velvet seating on both floors serve wine, beer, and film-inspired cocktails (for example, a vanilla vodka–Kahlúa–cream drink riffing on The Big Lebowski and a vodka/gin/blue curacao/Sprite cocktail garnished with a paper umbrella nodding to Zodiac). New incentives include subscription services, themed clubs, and the option to personalize one of 50 seats with an engraved plaque (filmmaker and actor plaques already honor supporters), and attendees are encouraged to buy tickets online as shows are quickly selling out." - Brittany Britto Garley
"A historic 1939 cinema is getting a luxury overhaul that adds three upgraded auditoriums and a private screening room, enhanced lighting, projection and sound systems, reclining luxury seating and in-theater dining, positioning the venue as a premium destination for combined cinematic and dining experiences." - Brittany Britto Garley
"Currently being renovated at 2009 West Gray Street, I note that the River Oaks Theater is slated to reopen under Culinary Khancepts' renovations and will host film screenings, events, and film festivals while offering higher-end food and beverages, and the project includes a new restaurant called Leo’s Restaurant." - Brittany Britto Garley