Bytowne Cinema

Here for the Ottawa international animation festival and this cinema is definitely down with the old school vibe. I’m a big fan of the balcony seating, you can still see everything and you feel all fancy sitting above everyone. Note: popcorn is just dece but this place is great to catch some animation shorts!

Here’s the thing — you are not going to the Bytowne for the latest and greatest in theatre technology. You are going to the Bytowne to see quality non-​mainstream movies. Overall the theatre is fine. The seats are comfortable, the sounds system is good, and the picture quality is fine. For the prices you are getting good value for your dollar.
The theatre is also accessible for people in wheelchairs, and they have a FM Audio Assist system for those who are hard of hearing. If you are driving, there is no dedicated parking lot, but there is street parking.
Tickets are $ 10 for adult non-​members, and $ 7 for seniors/​members. Bring cash as there is no debit/​credit. If you know people who love movies, the Bytowne has gift certificates available.
There are lots of places to eat around the Bytowne and it isn’t too far from the ByWard Market. You can definitely make an afternoon/​evening of it.
I’m not a huge film fan, so I won’t be going here often. However, during those times when I find a movie that I want to see and the big theatres don’t carry it, I’ll definitely remember the Bytowne.

À l’époque où j’habitais à Ottawa, le choix de films de répertoire était limité. Peut-​être est-​ce moi qui avait vu beaucoup de films, à plusieurs reprises. Mais le rapport qualité/​prix reste intéressanté

One of the best things about living in Sandy Hill is being walking distance from the Bytowne (Rideau between Nelson & King Edward).
The programming (a mix of indie, international, Canadian and classic «Must-​See Cinema») is varied and always high-​quality. Think going to Sundance without the price of a plane ticket. Robert Fontaine, film reviewer on CBC radio, consistently highlights the Bytowne’s offerings on his Thursday afternoon All-​in-​a-​Day reviews. I recommend signing up for the Bytowne’s weekly emails highlighting and reviewing the movies for the week ahead.
The popcorn is also fantastic (and served with real butter).
The tickets are now $ 10 or $ 7 with membership or for seniors, cash only.
I wonder if the owners have been reading Unilocal reviews from 2008, because a lot of the complaints in those reviews have been addressed. For example, there are brand-​new seats (spring 2013) downstairs… but my feet don’t reach the floor so I have switched to the balcony. The balcony seats have also been replaced with refurbished chairs.
There is also now a digital projector since film companies don’t actually produce film any more … so the same excellent picture quality you’d get at a big-​box theatre.
The construction on Rideau is nearly finished so even if you don’t live walking distance yourself, you can easily drive or take OC Transpo and have a lovely night out. For dinner-​and-​a-​movie, try Alirang (around the corner on Nelson) or Horn of Africa (across the street and up a block).

Not snooty, just eclectic. I think some people might be turned off by the fact that this seems likes a place that shows «films» (pronounced with two syllables), and not just movies. Yes there are a lot of foreign and independent movies, but that doesn’t mean high-​brow or inaccessible. In fact, these movies have to work harder to find a North American commercial audience. The only difference is there is a lot less Adam Sandler. How could that be a bad thing?
Try this. Instead of looking at the big print calendar — which tends to be a bit overwhelming — just try to find an odd time of the week, say Sunday afternoon at 3 or Wednesday at 5 when you are free and the place won’t have many fill-​um types. Just show up, attend the first thing that’s playing, and I guarantee you will have a good time. Also, regular admission is cheaper than the name-​brand places and the seats are comfortable.
Come back and yell at me if I’m wrong.

I wish I could show the same love for this theater everyone else has… it’s a very old theater that’s never been updated. You’re reminded of the 70s and 80s in here as the chairs are old, the style of theater is that of an old one and so is the audio and video equipment.
Don’t get me wrong, I come by for the chance of watching throwback classics as they play old movies and independent movies. It’s fun to watch movies you grew up to on the big screen but the movie experience isn’t the greatest. For newer independent movies in a newer theater, the World Exchange usually gets some. Either case, those theaters are far from sitting in TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. For more throwback movies you can check out the new Mayfair that opened in Orleans or the newly renovated Mayfair on Bank St which I believe are much better theaters.
Coliseum recently had a throwback movie month and played classics on their modern screen with modern audio and video and that was amazing.
The nostalgia is great here but honestly with the Mayfair that opened in Orleans and the renovation of the Mayfair on Bank St I really hope the Bytowne follows their lead.

I actually don’t believe that going to the movies is a great date… the reason is because most cinema complexes now are just full of young teens and fast food joints and the place is way over priced.
But the Bytowne is hardly your typical movie theater. It’s pretty much the spitting image of the theater that used to exist in my small hometown of about 2,000 people. But the Bytowne is located right downtown on Ottawa’s Rideau Street.
You can become a «member» but I’m not really sure what that entails but I know a friend I went with recently paid perhaps a bit less than I did.
The snacks are super cheap and the popcorn is in an old pop corn maker. The seats are probably the most comfortable movie seats you’ll sit in and you can even grab boosters on your way in. All of the regulars knew to grab those and they used them. I’m not really sure what the deal is with them.
And of course the Bytowne is geared toward more independent, foreign or docs.
There is something charming about being in an old theater waiting for the show to start when the man running the film reel above you yells out «Be a couple of minutes folks, they didn’t rewind this one properly» and no one yells back at him or seems to care.
Everyone is civil and the regulars seem to really care about this Rideau Street icon.

If you’re smarter than the average bear, a pseudo-​intellectual, or trying to impress your date with your memorized repertoire of French new-​wave cinema, then this is the place for you!
Actually, the Bytowne is a wonderful place that’s always a fun experience.
Things I love about this cienema:
1. It’s not in a box store complex
2. It’s an actual old-​school movie theatre
3. It shows films done by people who care about fimmaking
4. It shows foreign language films
5. It’s super affordable!
Honestly guys, what’s not to love?

Tired of the mega-​hit-​movies playing at your local multiplex? If I see another action movie featuring the hero slowly walking towards the camera as something explodes behind him I will explode! Looking for something deeper or smaller and more real in scope? Bytowne is the cinema for you. It is an original old-​school theatre (no cup holders, no debit or credit card transactions!) that plays new independent films and documentaries, plus it turns back time and shows old classics (Psycho! Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!). You can also find films that finished their major release. And, you won’t break the bank watching this top notch entertainment. Non-​members pay only $ 9 and members pay only $ 6! My wife and I discovered this treat one Sunday afternoon as we wandered around outside the Byward Market district. At first I feared it was some cheesy adult theatre. But, I was delighted to note it was an independent cinema. Where else in the city could you find Religulous playiing?

This is the best theatre in Ottawa if you’re looking for independent and classic films. The ByTowne screens three movies on weekdays and four on the weekend. They carry films that usually don’t go to the multiplexes and some of the titles that the Mayfair takes a while longer to screen. Most of the films they carry are new independent movies, but they also screen one classic/​cult movie a week and often help host the occasional small film festival. The prices are reasonable, especially for members. It’s $ 9 for nonmembers, $ 6 for members (plus $ 10 for year long membership).
If you’re a movie buff living in Ottawa, there’s no way you don’t know about this theatre. If you’re new to town or visiting, I’d definitely suggest you choose the ByTowne (or Mayfair) if you’re looking for a great movie experience.