Nickelodeon Theater

A haven for cinephiles. Great projection, sound reproduction and seating. Well maintained facilities and wonderful staff. A favorite in the state.

Love the non mainstream art scene here. The q&a sessions with movie makers and artists always add so much more depth to the movies screened.

My husband and I have attended two screenings here in the past month and what a wonderful and unique experience! Last night’s event was so impressive, we decided to join the Nick - after seeing the names of so many friends on the preview screens, we knew we were in good company! Thank you, Nickelodeon Theater, for being such a happy space!

This is one of the local gems people in Columbia should support! Great atmosphere with vintage, nostalgic feel. The bathroom is clean too, the floor is not sticky!

I brought my family there to see Wicked, as we were visiting my grandson at U of SC. It is a quaint little theater on Main Street, conveniently located. We enjoyed the experience.

Comfortable environment! There are lounge chairs! The best choice for taking children on weekends!

I'm gonna be 100% honest here, this was my first time watching a film at the Nickelodeon. I've casually stopped by and peeked in while strolling Main Street. Here's the thing, I frequently hit Main Street and wander up/down the street and hit the shops/restaurants/museum/Tapp's but never slowed down to catch a film until yesterday. Instantly, I fell in love with warm, quaint, and welcoming atmosphere of the Nickelodeon. I didn't feel the haste or corporate overhangings of a traditional commercial theater and it felt pretty darn good. The lobby was creatively decorated, staff was beyond personable, and facilities were clean and comfortable. I've kinda gotten used to reclining/heated/cooled seats at the commercial theater but the seating here was quite comfortable without all the fuss. Screen quality and audio were great and I had the most wonderful afternoon spent with a dear friend at the Nickelodeon. I'm finding more and more amazing places in Columbia, some old and some new but all deserve our support!

PROS: Quaint lil' funky & quiet Theater. CONS: No Butter for Popcorn!!! (therefore found it overpriced & dry). They do however have a selection of powdered flavors but the Butter flavor was Extremely Salty.

I love "The Nick". It's a very intimate theatre with comfortable and clean seats. The ambience is special. The popcorn and tickets are a good deal. The movies shown are cutting edge; both artsy and top new releases. My favorite activity in the Columbia area.

First visit, saw "A Complete Unknown ". Wonderful experience! Reminded me of a downtown movie theater in the 1960s. Friendly and helpful staff. Beer and wine, and good popcorn. Looking forward to seeing lots of movies here!

Nice atmosphere. "The Nick" shows movies that don't play anywhere else in the area. The clientele appears to be mostly adults with professional backgrounds and college students. I've been to movies where adults are accompanied by their teenage children. "The Nick" isn't just a movie theater. It's a guardian of the arts. It is a force for the development and preservation of cultural literacy in this area. It's a teaching resource. It's a local treasure with the kind of value only matched by museums and libraries! And yes, I am a member.

Date night! Dinner at Pearlz, movie with wine/beers at the Nickelodeon, and a room at the Hotel Trundle!

The theatre scene in Columbia can be pretty poor at times but it that's probably an effect of the pandemic. In trying to find some new theaters, I came across the Nickelodeon which seemed to have lots of history and culture around the theatre. The options shown at the theatre seem to be pretty limited to independent or smaller showings but I heard great things about "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" and figured this was true perfect time to try out the theatre. The admission was about $9 for the matinee. The entire place was very sanitary, including the bathrooms. My whole experience was delightful here and I definitely recommend this theatre as a must go for a calm outing.

Great way to see a good movie. Seating was comfortable, price was good, popcorn was very good. Took the wife to see Little Women, and will be back when they show Midway! .....Oh, beer and wine, did I mention that!!!?

We like this local independent theater so much ch we became members this year. It's something to look into if you enjoy the independent films. I've found the popcorn to still taste better than any other theater that comes to my mind. Only wish more earlier times for the movies would become available in the future as some market goers on Saturday have expressed this opinion to me personally , but mainly it's me wanting to see a film without having to drive back downtown and to find parking. Still the best theatre in Columbia hands down !

Great flicks! Comfy seats, awesome sound, tasty snacks, cold brew & wine and a real bargain at the box office! Go see for yourself.

I saw an Olivier Assayas film here and absolutely loved the art house ambience it has. Recommended to anyone who loves real films instead of soulless tent pole piles of s...well you know what I'm saying. Saw Booksmart here as well. Great movie and loved having one of their craft beers too. Enjoy!

This is the best old timey theater that Ive been too!! Love the atmosphere, the customer service is superb, clean, very comfortable seating, and priced just right, food is inexpensive, they do give military members discounts! Great place to see all the independent films and old movies. I will be attending hoepfully yrs to come!! Tip: Try something different, support them.

What a great theater! It's the only totally non-profit Independent Art theatre in South Carolina and what a gem. Love the extremely comfortable seating and the available wine and beer for purchase is a bonus. We admired the location on Main Street in Columbia, lots of eating places nearby, beautiful architecture. We plan to return later this month.

We haven't been to the Nick in awhile, but it remains one of our favorite theaters in Columbia! We love being able to get beer and/or wine and how there is always a Nick employee who greets the audience with a greeting before the trailers begin. We went to see "Just Mercy," and it was a phenomenal movie. The seats were comfortable, the screen and audio quality were good as well. We plan to purchase a membership and go more often to support this amazing independent theater. One last thing! They don't butter their popcorn, they use oil. So if you are vegan, you can enjoy the popcorn! They also had vegan cheddar and nutritional yeast you can sprinkle on top of the popcorn. We'll probably check out their foreign focus films soon. Definitely check them out!

We moved here during COVID & I have been wanting to go to this theatre since day one. We finally were able to see A Quiet Place this past weekend ! The theatre is doing a great job with keeping folks comfortable with COVID precautions. Have adult beverages and snacks to choose from! Can't beat it ! We will be back

Nickelodeon is such a great spot in Columbia. It plays a wide variety of movies from newer, less mainstream to older classics! I've seen Swiss Army Man and Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind here. I wish I had time to go more! It's really affordable and they have a great concession bar with alcohol and yummy snacks! And they're always having really neat events or little craft stations or trivia games. It's perfect for date night (or even catching an eclectic film on your own!)

Great selection of movies which you wouldn't find a more mainstream theater. The team is always so friendly and the theatre has an charming old school feeling. Located on Main Street, it makes a great date night as you can enjoy numerous restaurant on that same street.

My wife and I live in Aiken. We wanted a "cultured date," so we went to Columbia for a visit to the museum, dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant, and a movie at the Nick. I am used to the art house theaters in Atlanta and Asheville (where I've lived in the past), so I had high expectations. I was definitely pleased with my experience. The Nick is at a great location downtown. The building definitely has the retro theater feel (I especially love the sign out front). The staff was polite. The concessions were cheap (I got a Blenheim's Ginger Ale and small popcorn for around $5-6). The Nick is non-profit. They show lesser known, critically acclaim films and documentaries. They host film festivals such as Blaktastic and Indie Grits. They even offer classes! I loved everything about my experience at the Nick. I just hate that it is over an hour away from my house!

Cheers to the Nick - old and new! I've been a fan of the Nickelodeon Theatre since my college days (we won't discuss exactly when that was) and my love continues on as they begin their move to their new home... still on Main Street but now on the other side of the capitol. They bring marvelous independent films and smaller budget films to Columbia. They also host one of the top 20 "coolest film festivals" in the world (Movie Maker Magazine, 2010) - Indie Grits and you can buy beer or wine at the concession stand. Tonight was the perfect way for me to say goodbye... with a showing of Rear Window. I arrived and the gentleman at the door asks me my name and hands me the ticket I purchased online days earlier (they ended up selling out) and I step inside the small lobby where I purchased a large coke and a small popcorn for less than $4. I proceeded inside to the actual theater... the one room that has been showing independent and off the beaten track films for my entire life. Yes, the Nick and I both began our time on this earth in the very same year which again... we won't discuss the exact dates. I choose a well worn seat and settle in to watch my favorite movie on the big screen. It was like stepping back in time. Watching an old movie in a much loved theater surrounded by people who appreciate movies. I smile as I notice new things about the film that I have watched at least a dozen times before. I love how a movie from 1954 can still make audiences gasp in fear for the characters or laugh at the playful banter between the two leads. Applause erupts from the crowd as the movie ends and the credits begin to roll. The Nickelodeon is a true treasure in the city of Columbia. While I'll miss the old place with all its charm and character, I am excited for the move to the new building (the renovated Fox Theater). I'm sure there will be many more opportunities for the Nick to impact the community and the art scene in Columbia. I wonder what I will go see first!

Best movie experiences of my life!! I saw Jojo Rabbit, Parasite, I Tonya, and a few others here. Best theater in the world, I think! They have San Pelegrino, wine, and even hot chocolate in the winter. You can really tell how much heart the people who run this place put into it. Shout out to Deborah! It really is worth your time. If you stop by Columbia, you GOTTA come here. My recommendation: Go to an evening show, the have dinner at COA afterwards!

I have been a member for a few years and have never been disappointed. In its new location in the heart of Main St Columbia, the Nick will bring an array of independent films and great movies. You can relax with wine or beer while enjoying your film. If you become a member you can get tickets discounts, or free popcorn on certain days of the week. As a perk if you show your student ID you get a big discount off the membership. The staff is super friendly and attentive. I'm a huge fan of supporting local and this is my number 1.

Honestly, I'm so glad this place is around to brag about and share with out-of-towners. Between the festivals (Indie Grits is coming !!!!!) and the serieses (Holly Jolly Hollywood), the Nick is a fun, unique local treasure that features many films inaccessible otherwise in Columbia. I love coming here, and my five-year-old waits for the special occasions where he gets to come to the Nick.

A wonderful little non profit theatre! Shows great selection of indie films, limited films, classics, etc. they also have a great craft beer selection, awesome food, movie, and drink prices, friendly staff, and they accept movie pass! Definitely check out this gem in the downtown columbia area!

Always enjoyed the Nickelodeon at the old location and attended movies and documentaries on a regular basis after the move and the initial remodeling. Selection of most films and documentaries have now become so skewed to represent one side of life's options and perspectives that we have not attended in over a year. Great theater that simply needs to make sure their mix of programs represent all members of our community and viewpoints. Would love to see that manifested in presenting "Created Equal: Clarence Thomas In His Own Words'".

All of the foreign and independent films that you could want! OK, it takes a while for films to hit "The Nick," but that just means that you'll have plenty of time to read reviews beforehand. And you'll have to do your homework, because a different movie shows every few days. A lot of character is packed into this one room theater, if not a lot of glamour. Sure, the guy selling tickets is usually the same guy who turns on the projector. Sure, the sound quality is on par with your old television. But you'll feel right at home. You can even have a beer, or glass of wine. Run by the non-profit "Columbia Film Society," The Nick offers memberships that include mailed schedules, and discounted tickets. Rumor has it that they're moving to a new location in the near future.

This is by far the best theater in Columbia. Great movies! Great atmosphere! Low Prices! Comfortable Seating! ...... Who could ask for more? This is a wonderful theater, that if you haven't tried, you need to try. Great prices on movie tickets. You can also buy membership or sponsorships if you'd like. Concession stand is best one in Columbia. Beer, Wine, Sodas, Hot Cocoa, Iced Tea, Hot Tea, Popcorn, Candy..... and lots of other yummy things. This is the place to come to watch the best movies out there. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

I love the Nickelodeon Theatre for how community involved it is. I've attended a few events and screenings here that really inspired me. I hope they continue the important work their doing esp giving space and financial support to artists of color. Setting an example for the community of what should be.

The Nick is one of Columbia's crown jewels. A small movie theatre showing various smaller/indie films as well as hosting an array of curated material. One of the curated sets that's out in 2016 is called "First Friday Lowbrow Cinema Explosion", in which on the first Friday of the month they show super-tacky films such as the Vanilla Ice classic "Cool As Ice". Just a fun and quirky place to catch some great films. As far as refreshments they have very reasonably priced popcorn/beer/wine, which makes for a great beginning or ending to a date night. The Nick also offers a membership program, which you'd be silly not to get if you find yourself coming back for entertainment. They also host the Indie Grits Film Festival, which just celebrated it's 10th year. This was the first year I've gone, and it was great fun. From films to events, it was a great time, would definitely recommend checking out the lineup when it's going on, and checking out some of the events they host during it.

you won't find nice stadium seats or huge screens. but it's def a cool place...old school fo sho...catch all the independent films here! I've only been here once back in 2008...can't remember what movie we went to go see, but there was some technical difficulty so they ended up having to show a diff movie instead but told us we can come back for the 2nd showing of the movie we wanted to see...so we got to see two movies for the price of one...the freebie was pretty good too...too bad i can't remember the names of them... AAANNNDD...they serve beer there...it was pretty cheap and we got a bucket...maybe that's why i can't remember the names of the movies...

Such a fun place! Definitely has character- an intimate movie theater that plays interesting movies, independent films that you usually don't see at other theaters. You can get a bucket of beer and popcorn for the show, can't beat that! They're fundraising to move to a nicer, bigger place on Main St on the other side of the capital. I'm excited to see how they make it bigger/better/more high tech and still keep its charm- I know they will!

Full disclosure: I am in intern at the Nick. That being said, I love the Nickelodeon. They always have something interesting to watch and are very reasonably priced (good luck going to a multi-plex and getting $1.50 popcorn and $2 beers). The theater is old but very intimate. They are currently working on moving to a beautiful new theater down on Main street which looks like it will be amazing. I recommend checking out their website and seeing if any of the previews look interesting and giving it a try.

Old Skool Kool! This place is cool! Definitely old school, very intimate! The theater sits about 60 people. The staff are very friendly, one of them introduced herself and welcomed everyone to the show, explained a little bit about the venue and the movie... Places like this will not always be around- its got real character! Tickets are cheap, popcorn for a buck fifty! and you can get a PBR for two bucks! try to do that at the mall! Worth a visit!!

I can't say enough good things about the Nick! I recently moved away from Columbia and honestly the thing I miss most is going to see movies at the Nick. I only went to their old location once, but I went to their new location probably close to 10 times in the 8 months that I lived in Columbia. I love their concession stand - the popcorn is delicious and there's just something about drinking beer while watching a movie in a theater that I absolutely love. Their new theater has really comfy seats, the screen is great, and their selection of movies is awesome. They have a good mix of both old favorites and new independent films. I saw Hitchcock there and it seriously changed my life, I loved it so much. Also, an added bonus of the Nick: I worked at a local nonprofit in Columbia, City Year, and they had a partnership with CY that allowed us to see movies for free. I love that the Nick supports other nonprofits in the area. That's a big selling point for me. Even though I did get in for free, I would've supported them even if I had to pay (their prices weren't too expensive at all - definitely comparable to "normal" movie theaters in the area). Anyway, Nickelodeon Theatre, I miss you greatly, and if I ever visit Columbia again, you'll be first on my list.

I am just now getting around to writing a review of The Nickelodeon Theatre. I have been to both the old and new locations. I was skeptical of the new location of The Nick - there was just something about the old location that made it unique (the mismatched seats, musty smell, location), but have been impressed with the new location so far. I am glad that they are expanding on what they offer to the public (classes, etc.) I like where you purchase tickets (just like what I have seen in movies from the good old days - and my one complaint from the old location - you purchased tickets and concessions at the same spot and the lobby area was just not that big). Prices are comparable, too. I have been to a couple of movies that have also been playing at the main stream theaters around town - and ticket prices are cheaper than what you can get at the main stream places. Concession prices are reasonable as well - and where else can you buy beer or wine at the movies?

Always something interesting here to see. I could easily be satisfied watching 99% of the stuff that comes out of their small, big screen. This is a fantastic venue next to a great little coffee house, Imac. They sell beer and wine and the other usuals to munch on. Rather small seating area but this makes it feel like you're in a living room- close and friendly. Please try it out, support small films and small, local companies. Check out the Hunter Gatherer Brewery and Ale House across the street when you are done. Great vegeatarian selections. The tofu masala is quite delicious.

Great arthouse theater! They show a perfect combination of Oscar contenders and movies you would have never heard of otherwise. Comfortable seating, decent prices, good popcorn and snack selection, alcohol available...

Seriously, one of the BEST parts of Columbia. Period. So cute and different from pretty much everything else in the city. Very cool vibe. Very great films shown.

The Nick is absolutely the coolest theater in Columbia! They have a very decent wine and beer selection, nice employees, and a clean, comfortable building. They show a lot of films here that aren't available at mainstream theaters, which I really appreciate. The Nick also has really good Popcorn and fancy chocolate treats! We always enjoy going to Main Street, having supper at one of the fabulous restaurants, then catching a movie here! If you haven't been, go!

Interesting place. Really great for Columbia and the school. While living in Columbia I went here a few times. The theater was good, for what it is. The show a wide variety of movies. I would not recommend the French ones.... ...but would recommend documentaries and comedies.

The best theater in town!!! Unique beer selection and popcorn without butter Awesome upstairs theater.

Excellent theatre with great popcorn & staff very cheerful helpful & courteous! Love the different categories of the movies shown here. Different atmosphere too than regular movie theaters.

Best theater in Columbia S.C. Movie, snacks and beer or wine.

I love the Nick, and try to go here to see independent films when I can. The space is gorgeous and comfortable, and I love their selection of sodas and drinks. It makes me feel happy and glamorous to be there. The staff is always friendly and informative, and they always have something neat going on as far as community offerings, and are a vital part of our arts community. Everytime I come to the Nick, I see other people I know and it's always a wonderful experience.

Small theater, but it's new and the seats are comfy. The picture and sound quality are also good. I went to the Wednesday matinee showing of Anna Karenina. I thought not many people would be there, but there were actually quite a few people there (mostly retirees). They have a nice concession stand and I think I even saw some beer and wine for sale. Awesome. The movies played here aren't always recent, box office hits, but they are always good movies worth seeing. Highly recommend this place.

I'm so happy Columbia has kept an indie theater open for so long. I loved the old location, but the new one is ridiculously great. There is nothing better than supporting the arts in Columbia while drinking beer. I love independent cinema, so the Nickelodeon is the best.

Saw "Boyhood" here while stopping through the area. Besides being a fantastic film that...frankly made me tear up....I was impressed with the Nickelodeon as well. It seems to be an old-fashioned theater that despite me being far too lazy to research its history, I'm sure that once upon a time catered to a once much more vibrant downtown Columbia. It only has one screen and it seems to show Indy films appealing to the Indy crowd for a reasonable price. So what more could you want? Comfortable theater, clean setting, and all the typical movie snacks plus booze if you're so inclined. We need more places like this in the world.

THE place to watch good movies in Columbia. Popcorn, drinks and semi-comfy chairs. There is not a huge screen and the sound system isn't the best but you are not going there for CGI effects and THX sound effects. You are going there for good stories, good characters and good acting. I have been a member for years and I would recommend it to anyone who has a netflix queue that is not limited to I am Legend, Chronicles of Narnia and [Insert Hollywood crap here].

Whenever I am in town I make sure to come here. I enjoy how they have great movies that are hard to find. I love that they have craft beer and are not charging you an arm and leg like other places. Such a great small independent theater.

I can't say enough about this place. Sure, it gets movies a little bit later than other cities do... but, at least they bring the indie's to Columbia at all! Oh it is so nice to go to a movie here and not pay $15 for a ticket and popcorn. Just do this.... go to the Nick and pick up a calendar, stick it on your fridge, and when you see a movie that tickles your fancy grab the coolest girl you know and take her there for a lovely night of cinema. You can get two tix, beer, and candy and be outta there for less than $20. Parking is free.. oh, and the seats in the back are more comfortable. (they only show one movie at a time and only for a week so keep your eyes open)

The best. Top quality programming, cheappppppp tickets, good not-overpriced snackkers, friendly & earnest staff, beer & wine served.

Awesome Theatre! Downtown Columbia is a better place for having the Nickelodeon.