Reviews of Senate Theater (Movie Theater)

Zackary Wojtan

As one of the organists here I can say this theater is a true gem in Detroit. It needs love but the love comes from the city. Come on down to check out the theater for a movie or organ concert!

Angles Hunt

My husband and I went there to see a Detroit-based movie called, Devin! The Theater was very nice!

Joseph Goralczyk

Hope to go soon.

Charles Cini

Wow check out the beautiful organ and music!

Mitzi Jackson

Enjoyed want to rent it out for a Will Farrell nite!!! Enjoyed, enjoyed, enjoyed!!!

Patrick Kage

A great venue for silent films, accompanied by the incredible Wurlitzer organ! A true treasure in Detroit.

Michael Moore

Love this place! It's great to see a movie here!

H Jones

the concession stands a Lil pricey, need to replace the front now showing sign, old but historic, loved the bathroom, a Lil restoration is needed, the movie lineup is good but all in all it was good....

Brian Wolff

Fun night!! Good movie and even the popcorn was fresh.

Chalet Studio Photography & Gardens

What a treat! We made our first visit to the Senate for the Wurlitzer Organ concert by Simon Gledhill, and we can not wait to come back for more events. The Senate is a Detroit gem, and should not be missed for a fine afternoon or evening out. As for the Mighty Wurlitzer, you just have to hear it to believe it. Modern Surround Sound has nothing on this beast! Mr. Gledhill took it through its paces, from beautiful, delicate subtleties, to rip roaring crescendos. The best way that I can describe it is that you feel that you are inside the instrument. Fabulous. Kudos as well to the DTOS staff who all clearly love the place, and are very happy to let you know all about it and ensure that you enjoy your stay. Hang around for the after show tour into the actual workings of the Wurlitzer, and you will be amazed. I can only imagine the amount of loving care it takes to keep this masterpiece Concert ready. All that... and, awesome Popcorn! An affordable experience for everyone. See you there!

Dave Hogg

Lovely restored theater from the 1920s that includes the original organ from the Fisher Theatre. A work in progress, with the potential to be truly special.

Jonah Laursen

An old theater that shows movies, and holds organ concerts. Very friendly volunteer staff, inexpensive, with a great selection of movies and concessions. Phenomenal classic venue with many nostalgic touches.

Dave Damitio

Very cool to sit outside and watch a movie. Great job by the volunteers.

Terence Cover

This is one of the hundreds of former movie palaces that once existed in Detroit during its boom times and one of the few currently operating now. Its primary draw is the 8th largest Wurlitzer organ in the world which originally lived in the Fischer Theater but was moved in the '60s. The organ sounds great, lobby has some history of the organ on its walls and the primary staff is very knowledgeable. Aside from the organ there is also some movie palace decor like chandeliers and old school theater seats to experience. The concession stand has a good selection for good prices and they accept credit cards. The theater is definitely still in a restoration phase and therefore has signs of work that needs done in some places (marquee and ceiling) and the auditorium walls are unadorned but these are all on the docket for future improvements I believe. Film presentation is serviceable but in keeping with the classic movie palace aesthetic. The neighborhood definitely can be intimidating for an out of towner or first time visitors but there is gated parking available. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and will certainly be back, especially if they continue the excellent programming options.

Pratima Dayal

This place had so much character!!!! It's like stepping into the 50s...one can only imagine the richness of this place!

Douglas McIntyre

So it was my first time here went to the winter wubs by Detroit filth and the ground fest fam loved the venue management was amazing staff was friendly very clean nice location we need to figure out bigger dance floor but very happy with the turn out and this new venue thanks for the wonderful memories with great people and even better friends much love to the whole staff at Senate Theater and Detroit Filth and the whole GROUNDFEST FAMILY SEE U ALL SOON

Knight of His light

Absolutely wonderful venue. Was here for a religious revival and was impressed by the building. Great place to hold gatherings.

Todd Stoney

The future home of TRIBUTESVILLE 2017....if we are both lucky.

Art Tessier

My first trip there was to see Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious. It needs some cosmetic work, but the organ alone is worth the visit and they serve freshly popped popcorn. I grew up down the street '56 - '74. It will be gratifying to see this place grow and become thriving. Not to be missed by movie buffs.

Chris Miles

Cool nostalgic theater, but the seats are terribly uncomfortable. I hear they show silent movies here, which sounds neat and probably a good experience. As a performance venue, it was pretty bad.

Jestine Robinson

Great show

john Villareal

I love ❤️ what they doing for Southwest Detroit ????

luka mining

Love Annie and love Frosty the Snowman love it when they have kids movies

Carmen Dozier

ThrowBack Theater featuring ThrowBack Movies???? Great Parking, Safe Area, Delightful Staff, Nostalgic Experience !!! #SaveTheSenate #SupportTheSenate

Christine Marquardt

Great experience, beautiful old movie theatre and organ. Will deffinatly be back.

Derrick Thomas

I think the theater is a great place to go and it's in the community and I think it's a great place to go I just don't know if it's open or not

Blue Blue

(Translated) I love this place (Original) Amo este lugar

Erik Callaway

This place is a jewel. It's a little rough around the edges, but it is loved by the people who take care of it!! You should go and support this gem.

Angie G

Lovely little theater filled with history, including that gorgeous theater organ from the late 1920s. Fun, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic crew. A lot of work is put into making the experience really happen here. After the silent film, The Man Who Laughs, we got a Q&A with the amazing organist, Lance Luce, who created and provided an entire score for the movie. The audience members also got to view the intricate organ chamber behind the stage. The concessions weren't over priced, either. I highly recommend checking this place out and donating to them to make sure they're able to put on this amazing experience for years to come.

Lopeca

(Translated) Excellent!!!! (Original) Excelent!!!!

Bishop Herman Starks

Great Place.. Nostalgic atmosphere!

Damien Williams

Thanks Rick!

Zoraida Gutierrez

Nice place

Gaye Shreve Leviska

Beautiful theater & beautiful organ music!!

Sarah Weingarden

My father and I saw the movie "They Live" tonight. This theater is fabulous. A hiddem gem of Detroit history that is a must see. The organ concert before the movie was mind blowing. Don't miss it. And since I'm leaving this review during COVID-19 I also want to add that social distancing and mask wearing is enforced. All patrons must fill out a brief health questionnaire that includes contact info. And they check your temp at the door. Plus, the crowd tonight was maybe 25 people in a theater that seats 800. I highly recommend seeing a movie or a concert here asap.

K Walid

Nice venue, the staff provided great service.

Ann M.

Such a cool historic theater and awesome movie selections. You can’t beat the price either and the popcorn for some reason is better than anywhere else. Can’t say enough about how much fun we have had here.

Rat

We went and saw greece cool because it was like the original one with all the cool commercials. Plus the theater was super old and nice. It was very lovely. Also you should donate to them cause they are volunteers and need donations and there just super nice great people. So help them out.

Michelle Leppek

The Senate Theater has been showing more movies lately, and the experience is great! It's a very unique building with lots of details to discover. There is a classic concession, and the feature typically has an intermission to stretch your legs and take in the sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer. The Senate's gem is this pipe organ. Seeing a show at The Senate Theater should be on everyone's Detroit bucket list.

Callan Eschenburg

Great theatre, warm and friendly staff and volunteers, fantastic shows, amazing history.... what else can you ask for.

Janissie Drain

Never been

William Rushlow

Southwest Detroit's Neighborhood Movie Theater has been around since 1927 and is home of The Mighty Wurlitzer the original theater organ of the Fisher Theatre before renovations in 1960 which called for its removal. The Detroit Theater Organ Society purchased the Senate Theater in the early 1960s as their new home for organ concerts. The rest they say is history.

K L

Took my mother to see, "Wings", a silent movie, and the FIRST Academy Award winning picture. Sitting in this theatre, accompanied by the original music score, sent me back to an era that is, unfortunately, long gone.

Queen “NuEarth” Cooper

nostalgic!

Steven Glick

Great to see that old time theaters like this one are being put to good use by a community of volunteers.

Cecilia Poynter

The theater is clean and the volunteers are friendly. I was disappointed with the sound quality during the film.

donata montgomery

Very nice, reminds me of the theatre houses of my youth

DeAnna Denise

The organ and volunteers were amazing. The building has a nice history. I hope the best for this place

Keith Gerard

Awesome venue

Dennis Smith

Rich history , I love this place

Carmensita Buentello

Excellent historical theatre showing classic and silent films along with live organ music in the heart of southwest Detroit $5 shows $10 for silent films, concession stands available..

Michael Laughner

Beautiful theater

Eileen Vernor

Fantastic organ, one of a kind from the Fisher Theatre in Detroit pre-1962 during its Mayan motif days.

Bud Nusly

Great organ accompanying last night.

Victoria Person

Fun fundraiser for the Senate!

Barbara Troy

Amazing place.

sapphire Lynn

Seriously my fav place.

Anthony Spencer

Loved the organ tunes! Its an impressive space that you have there and I'll be back to visit again. Thanks!

Bleek Gilliam

Excellent place to see classic movies. I enjoy the organ concert during intermission. There are not many theaters that have live organ performances.

jarmar Taylor

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Rob B

An Undiscovered gem in Detroit. Old Time movie house. Home of the Motor City Theater organ Club. Periodic showing of old movies and silent movies with an organ prelude prior to the movie. Recently saw David Bowie Ziggy Stardust from 1982 excellent movie excellent print excellent sound system

Janet “Miss Plum” Simmer

The theater is kept up, nice and clean. No handicap restroom.

Gay Eskew

Holiday Concert with Pierre Fracalanza on the 8th largest Wurlitzer organ. Talented child prodigy, now an adult, skillfully played the 4 manual instrument. In between pieces, he entertained us with stories and information about the composers, singers, and history about what he played. Pierre combined modern technology with the older practice of organ accompaniment to silent movies. Thoroughly enjoyed the program.

Therese Stasik

Nice and Clean

marygemma couilston

Great nostalgic theatre that makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Sean Leppek

A special venue with a great community that cares about this historic theater. I've seen some fantastic organ performances and vintage films here. I would recommend to anyone that wants a unique cultural and artistic experience to visit The Senate.

Roland Renaud

Great shows here alot of people are missing. Great entertainment

MARSHALL WEINGARDEN

Wonderful classic neighborhood movie house. Organ concerts with every movie on the amazing Art Deco organ from the Fisher Theater. Great variety of old movies. Nice, reasonably priced refreshment counter. Great volunteer staff!

Andrew Neubecker

Mexican dance troop Christmas show. Awesome

Don Keehn

Piece of history. Wurlitzer organ in great shape (with attached grand piano!). Young organist combined the organ with electronic sounds. Great concert. Best seats front row center.

James Clary

Really cool place. But needs funding to matain.

david merte

Secure parking. Great concert today!

Mariko Hayashi

Awesome old timey theater! I just went for an out door showing of a black n white film on the lot right next to it, but it was great! They had graffiti's the walls with cool murals. But the inside is straight out of the 50's! Light bulb studded ceiling in entrance way, chandeliers lining the way through the lobby, waiting room attached to the ladies bathroom, retro red velvet couches, the works! I hope they never update it - it's quite a classic gem!

Sandra Kibler

Always a grrrreat time had by all

Cindi Brody

The volunteers do a wonderful job. Great old films, concessions, and special events.

Neil David

I had an absolutely Wonderful time at the Senate! A very beautiful theatre with a pipe organ that dates way back! I highly recommend the Senate theatre! ????????

Joe Brown

Still alive and well

Stephanie

Great place to visit. Clean.

Mark Price

Nostalgic, watched Northville Cemetery Massacre with the Star Tony Dimmini

Felicia Johnson

Wonderful, good Coffee ☕, The Best Popcorn ???? Will go again and join the movement to stay open!!!

Chris Casteel

A diamond in the rough. Could you use your love. Come to see and support the restoration of this beautiful space. It will be 5 stars with our help.

Lisa Levy

Beautiful place, classic films, and a live organ show!

Andrea Henson

Nostalgic & quaint! Love the organ & the pop corn was delish!

Tina Smith

Enjoyed the show