Absolutely love The Commodore Theater! Have been to see several films at this classy, retro establishment. When the curtains are pulled back i full expect to see Kermit the Frog and the intro to the Muppet Show!! They only show one movie at a time, and they have great food! Right now they are showing Tenet, and next month will be Wonder Woman 1984!!!

Went last night to watch Chicago. It was great! The retro interior is awesome! The service was good & the food is Great! The buns/rolls they use for their sandwiches are phenomenal! It absolutely exceeded my expectations! Would recommend!

Cool spot to see a movie for sure. Historic theater with character. The theater does need some TLC. Especially the restrooms.Wish customer service was a bit better.Website and Box office hours don’t seem to jive. This is frustrating when you have to pay a toll to and from to get there to buy tickets a head of time. Twice now we have shown up to buy tickets and the box office was closed with the website saying it was open. Even got someone on the phone while we were out front and were told to comeback at 5:45 when tickets go back on sale. Staff didn’t seem to care.Rules,rules, and more rules. Make sure you are at your table 30 minutes prior to the start time of the movie. They will sell your table if you are late.Website clearly stated that the box office was open. Not a great experience there.Food is just ok. Eat before you go and get the popcorn as a snack! Popcorn is legit.Only two beers on tap. Coors and Yuengling. They do have some bottled beer. Limits on alcohol consumption!Sound system is the real deal!

Wonderful experience. Beautiful refurbished theatre, fun lunch, good food. A great experience.

My most favorite place to relax, watch a movie, and dine, surrounded by historical murals and beautiful crystal chandeliers. Thank you for this beautiful restored theater.

Awesome old school theater ...food was just ok but the prices were so reasonable and it was so nostalgic it was worth it

An absolute must do when in Portsmouth. A beautiful, historic theater that makes you feel like a part of history. While the theater is amazing, the food options leave much to be desired. Given the amazing atmosphere and the drink options, youd hope for and want a first class dining experience... I would be willing to pay much more for great food and Im willing to wager many others would too. Bottom line, its a great and romantic place to visit time and time again.

Everything is in accordance with the covid guidelines.Entire staff from Fred, the owner, to the entire staff warm, professional and welcoming.

Go here all the time great service picture and sound quality

The Commodore is great. Ive been coming here for decades and I always enjoy myself. The prices are very reasonable for the dining experience. The food is good, but nothing incredible. For a popular or new movie you may want to buy your ticket in advance.

Great venue, definitely a lot of heart and soul poured into it. I just wish you could get drink refills during the movie.

Wonderful place, went last night with the family . Food was great, very clean, staff very professional and attentive. If you never been its definitely worth checking out. We cant wait to go again! This place is a treasure in the heart of Portsmouth, and a MUST SEE! So many food, wine, and beer choices with a wonderful staff to assist. This place meets the young, middle, and older ages by far. The rustic and modern atmosphere brings a beautiful aura to your whole experience..

Classy and good for a romantic movie date night.

My 1st visit here And I loved it I will definitely go back its beautiful in the inside. You order your food from the table from a phone they have options for everyone including vegetarians the vegetarian Burger was delicious.

The Commodore Theater is a beautiful theater with a dining experience.

Greatest place to get a real meal and a movie for a great price. Love the staff

Love the Commodore....and the sound system is awesome. Food is very tasty! Very pleasant place to spend an evening. Historic too.

Lovely theater! Made me feel like I was at an elegant 1940s/50s dinner club! We were seated at a round table with comfy club chairs and a pretty lamp on the table. Great service from their staff! Menu has great variety of selections including beer, wine, salads, pizza, wings, and popcorn! This will be the PERFECT place to see the movie Downton!

Great little historical theater! food seems a little overpriced but it was good quality (especially dessert!) & the sound & video quality of the film were great! the decor of the place is just so cute. will definitely be back!

Outstanding nostalgic theatre! The ambiance is amazing. Customer service was quick and food was delicious.

Beautiful, historic, my absolute favorite theater in the world. Come here for a special occasion or to see the newest blockbuster opening night

Cool concept but doesnt hold up in 2020. I can get food and alcohol in most theaters. The cool thing is the seating which is in need of a refresh, the phones area also very weird and dont fit in to the total theme.For the money you can get better food and a better experience at other theaters.If you havent done it try it but skip the food. You can see the dirty kitchen from the entry into the theater, and the popcorn is also extremely expensive and coated in real butter! which means you will get a chance to see their classic bathrooms!also FLAVACOL buy it and use it on your popcorn, oh and 3 dollars for a 16 oz glass filled to the brim with ice and a splash of soda with no refills shows just how much financial trouble this theater is in.

The best place to see movies in the area. They really care about putting on a good show and use some great equipment to ensure a excellent picture on their massive screen. Additionally, they have a great sound system so your are immersed in the sound.Food and drinks are really nice. They have fantastic popcorn, not like the cheap stuff at chain theaters.Highly recommend the Commodore Theater!

I know this place is not in the best of conditions but the owner is constantly working on maintenance. He really cares about preserving this historical landmark as well as creating an inviting atmosphere for the audience. This theater only plays one movie at a time so be sure to check the website for the current one. Also, the food is fantastic, occasionally the fruit is out of season but that is common everywhere.

Atmosphere was fantastic. Food was not. Pizza was not even cooked. Half ice tea and half lemonade??? No sugar for both?? Don’t order that either. Ham sandwich and onion rings were ok. Will go back to see a movie. Just WILL NOT eat the food.

I love this theatre. Really takes you to a different time. Everything is attention to detail and quality done. I reccommend seeing a movie here anytime!

Very comfortable way to watch a movie! The theater is so beautiful and with a great sound system. Definitely recommend this historic theater.

The balcony was a wonderful place to watch the last Star Wars movie. The decor brought you back in time. Beautiful.

I always enjoy going to this wonderful historic place. The building has been well preserved. The young people are very good about making you feel comfortable. And yes, the food is very good. Its a nice break from the usual movie theater.

This is a really cool place that I always forget about. I recently went here for a movie and really enjoyed the atmosphere, totally different than a traditional movie theater. You should definitely check it out.

I fell in love with The Commodore Theatre! This is a beautiful historical building in Portsmouth, VA. The seating is fantastic. Instead of rows & rows of seats that you have to climb over other people to get to your seat, they have small tables with a phone to call the waitstaff to order food and drinks. There has never been any odors and the seats havent ever been covered with stains from food and drink spills. This theatre sets the bar high for other vintage theatres.

Wonderful theater, dinner style. Beautiful inside, a must see.

Great experience best time with the one I love!! Willing to do it again great job!! Welcoming attmasfear. Loved it for a good movie that takes you back in time!

Been going for years..have NEVER been disappointed..no theater (cinema cafe, etc..) u attend will EVER be the same after this experience

A beautiful theatre, with excellent staff!We went to see Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and enjoyed it thoroughly.My only qualm is that for $9.50, there should be a little more pizza on my table, and for $4 my small salad maybe shouldnt be so small.

Great place to watch 1st run movies. Great food and a friendly staff

Old school theater with good food, wish I could go more often

Great food and awesome service. The cinnamon roll loaf was to die for

I will never go to this movie theater again even though it is the closest one to my home and is a quality theater. The decision to show the Judy Garland movie for over a week, while not bothering to show Harriet for even one day speaks volumes. Harriet Tubman was an American hero and is the first woman of color to grace our currency, yet the Commodore could not find any reason to feature a movie celebrating her life. Not even for a day. Harriet Tubman grossed over $12million its opening weekend, so it was not a demand/financial issue. You might think its a demographic issue, but Portsmouth is over 50% African American.Whatever the excuse, it is hard to justify the absence of such an important film. I will take my dollars elsewhere.

Great date spot! Eat food and have drinks with your movie in a historic building.

The only good thing was the movie and the atmosphere. The Popcorn was stale and they claimed it was all they has and the Beef Nachos were a culinary nightmare. I asked to have them taken off of my bill and they refused saying nothing was wrong with them and they had made them correctly. Honestly I could care less if they made them correctly which correctly being whatever their approach was to making nachos and I could also care less about nothing being wrong with them according to their standards..... the nachos were terrible, nachos from 7-11 are Gourmet compared towhat they make. They need a visit from Restaurant Impossible!!

What a cool old theater! Cant comment on the food, because we just had dessert and beer but it seemed reasonably priced. The crowd was mostly senior citizens, but maybe thats because I went to downtown Abbey with my mom?

This place was great; movie quality, ambiance, food, were all awesome.

Such a beautiful setting to watch a movie!!! I love coming here to watch a movie!! It makes for a fun and unique night out.

Food was really good ... ordered fish and onion rings, and the brownie sundae. Service was great, very friendly and accommodating. Seats were comfortable, esp for a dining setting. Absolutely love the majestic, historic feel and look!

Lovely old theater. They offer dining or balcony seating. We have never dined there but we love watching movies from their balconey! Lots of seating room, good concession prices and always a good show. Highly recommend!

Ive enjoyed The Commodore on several occasions, and today was no different. If I could change anything, Id see some maintenance needs met. Still, its a good and comfortable experience.

The movie sound quality is surprisingly good. The food was not. The theater itself is pretty cool. The movies play in a older stage theater. Worth checking out. You have to buy tickets in person so arrive early.

Great atmosphere and the food is pretty good with a movie.

This theater has shown all of the Marvel movies... except for Black Panther. Why is that? Interesting. Not only that, the food is mediocre at best. Not worth it. Will not be returning, and will make sure to let everyone I know to skip this theater.

A local classic. Good quality movie screen and sound. Plus the food is reasonably priced and pretty good as well. I wish they accepted online reservations but otherwise I have zero complaints.

Great history best movie cafe in all Hampton Rods, Portsmouth is way to go, staff is friendly and get your tickets early pay with cash to get a discount

The best Theatre I have ever been to. A++++++++++ Audio and Visual Experience. Enough cannot be said about the Commodore Theatre and its staff. Gorgeous venue and atmosphere. Very modestly priced, delicious food and drinks and extremely comfortable. My favorite part of the experience at the Commodore was the high fidelity Audio. The audio engineering is perfect. THX and Dolby surround sound systems make the Commodore the Premiere movie going experience.

This is the way all theater should be . good food Great sound system very good service. Make sure you show up early for the show so you have time to order dinner

Love this theater, best sound in tidewater and now with a 4K projector

If you have never been here, you are missing out on one of the coolest, most unique movie viewing experiences. Absolutley love this historic, nostalgic gem in Old Town Portsmouth!

We all loved the movie it was so cute, was with a senior group and wish we could do it more often. Excellent, never got my cookie

Absolutely love this place. It can be difficult to get tickets, especially if you arent local, but so worth it if you can.

Good food. Excellent atmosphere.

A classic theater updated with top-notch audio and video equipment in an acoustically superior space complimented by a satisfying selection of food and beverage offerings delivered by congenial servers.

Beautiful theater, awesome sound and picture quality, could have a little better menu

It had been years since Id been here but Im so glad I came back. After going to Cinébistro for the last few years, Im definitely changing my theater of choice. Not only is the picture perfect but the sound is 10x better than any other theater around. And to top it off, the pure nostalgia of The Commodore itself is just incredible. Enjoy the latest box office hit while having dinner with the family. You wont regret it!

One of the best movie going experiences Ive had in a long time. A nice meal with comfy seating. The picture clarity & THX sound are amazing.

Another awesome experience thanks to Maine gate

Great atmosphere. Menu needs improvement

A lovely step into a bygone era this remodeled 1940s theater has a sit-down dining area with food, beer, wine and soft drinks and a balcony seating which serves popcorn and snacks from its dedicated concession stand. Full 7.1 THX surround sound and comfortable seats.

The ambiance of this 1940s theatre is amazing. The renovations are well done and it feels very quaint to kick back in a cushy rolling armchair. The tables are very small and getting two drink, two plates, and an appetizer on one can be a challenge with the phone you use for ordering and the dim lamp.The food itself is good, but not amazing. The pizzas are a good size, feeding two dainty eaters or one hungry one. The small popcorn is a good size, the cheese sticks are very yummy, though ours were served a bit cool, and after the actual meal despite being ordered first. The corn beef on rye is thick slabs of hot beef and very yummy.The only drink theyll refill once the movie starts is water or ices tea, and even then only until youve paid, after which youll never see your wait staff again. And thats why this was 4 instead of 5 stars. We asked for a box and never got it. I asked for a refill and never received it. I walked to the kitchen and it was abandoned. The staff couldnt figure out how to turn on the house lights and everyone had to exit in the dark.On a more not their fault note, keep in mind that most patrons will have to come through the tunnel, so keep an eye out for that abhorantly overpriced HRT ticket in the mail.

This place is unique, historical and not quite what you would expect. An old theatre built in the 40s, has transformed from a performance theatre, to a one show movie venue. As you walk in the man behind the ticket counter looks like has has worked at this location since its opening, complete with the attitude of that. By the way, this business thrives with all the little upcharges they tack on thinking that you wont notice. The first one is at the ticket counter, a ticket is $9 or $8 with cash. Choose a table amongst the sea of misshapen tables and brown cloth chairs riddled with garbage and broken-in cushions. To place an order, only before the movie starts, you must use a dirty phone sitting in the middle of the table and call in everything that you want. As I gaze around, massive murals painted on the walls show that at one point, this establishment was the bell of the ball, ruined now by entire planks torn from the wall. I will fast forward to the bill. Upcharge to split the check, upcharge for 2 glasses for a pitcher of beer, and the 18% automatic added gratuity is actually 20%. I know it sounds like a fuss for a few small things but they add up very fast, so, between the two parties in our group we could have paid for another ticket. The experience is interesting but I understand why a majority of tables were open and why they have to five all the little charges that they do.

Cozy spot for dinner and a movie. Friendly service.

What atmosphere!!:)

GREAT FOR DATE NITE. Ill be taking my wife here more often just dont tell my girlfriend. ;-) Food is good, service is great, portions are plenty, and the staff had that small town your family or Ive known you all my life attitude. Oh and if you want you can have a beer or glad of wine with the movie. One last thing BE REALLY . . . I recommend at least an hour, because once the movie starts they stop taking dinner orders. Just drinks and popcorn during the movie. I love that, less distractions during the movie. Go, have fun, we did.

Its a beautiful historic movie theater with a dine in set up. I enjoy the Commodore every time I go.

Beautiful theater, good food, and generally cheaper tickets.

Dinner and a first run movie in a beautifully restored theater with great sound. Love it.

This continues to be one the best movie theater experiences Ive had, hands down. The food is good and prices are very reasonable. The seating is comfortable and the staff are very careful and courteous as to not distract from your viewing experience. The sound is amazing. While the vintage feeling is part of the overall experience, the ticket purchasing experience is maybe too vintage. By now, one should be able to select seats and purchase tickets online. Otherwise, you have to go and wait in line during the day to get tickets for later in the day or that night. While that might work for those in Portsmouth, having to navigate traffic and tolls twice in one day is a bit inconvenient. But for highly-anticipated movies, it is well worth it.

The Commodore is a cool experience! The interior is lovingly restored from what once was a forgotten mess of rubbish. While its not perfect, you can tell the owner puts his profits into keeping the Commodore looking elegant and classic. The movie is really only half the experience as the atmosphere is just as good if not better than some of the movies! As mentioned by other reviewers, the food is tasty and fresh and not overpriced. The wait staff are so friendly and polite. They definitely helped the Commodore earn 5 stars!

Commodore is hands down the best place to watch a movie!!! 30 years always the best!!!!!! Wish there was a sixth star.

Old time style movie theater, with dine in eating. Mostly bar type food and sandwiches, also serving alcohol. Seating is at tables in comfortable cushioned chairs with wheels. Onion rings were delicious and priced fair. Popcorn also great (popped in coconut oil) Atmosphere is really cool. Downfalls are only 1 theater, so only show 1 movie for a period of time, with only 2 different showing times per day. Another negative was when they are busy, it can sometimes take a while to get certain things delivered to the table. I had my food delivered and almost esten before I received my water... Will definitely return again.

Truly wonderful atmosphere! They have clearly gone to a lot of trouble to keep everything as authentic as possible, from the old ticket machine to the delightful phone you use to order food. Theres where we come to a problem, though: The service is very bad. The food and drinks come out slowly at different times all throughout the movie, which is distracting. Also its a bummer to eat when half of your party is still waiting. Several items were cold when they finally arrived, they forgot part of our order, and the servers never refilled our iced tea. All that being said, it was still a fun time. The charm of the theatre itself outshines the rough edges. I just cant help but wonder how legendary of a place The Commodore could be with some changes.

Very nice place, definitely a great option for a date. Their team goes above and beyond to make it a great experience. I wish my hometown had a place like this.

My favorite movies. We see all ourbig here. Seating is generous. Food is reasonable and above average in quality. (Beer too!)

Always a great experience coming to the Commodore. While theaters scamper to bring people in, reclined seating and increased menu items..the draw of Commodore remains in tact. It has a wonderful sound and big screen. Dont forget the nice selections of food from the menu. The real butter on the popcorn is the best.

Visiting from Ohio with family, great service, food was excellent. Fun experience!

One of a kind place. The atmosphere decoration missing quality of the movie or top notch. The food is a pub style menu.

A great venue to watch a movie. Great sound system and one if a kind atmosphere with some real history. A must see.

Awesome place to watch a movie. Very old classy feel. Love the art work on the walls. Definitely shows its age but that is why it is so cool. History buffs paradise. Totally recommend visiting.

Amongst the many theaters that are available to watch a movie I chose this one to take my beloved wife on a date night. This was a very special night because Im a disabled veteran in a wheelchair. However, that did not deter me from enjoying a night out. We recently purchased a handicapped van to accommodate a wheelchair. This allowed us a special night out. I called ahead to see if I could actually access the theater and they assured me everything would be fine. Upon arrival everyone, including other movie goers were helpful towards my wife and I. We had a reserved table that was wheelchair accessible. The food and movie were excellent. If you want a special night out to enjoy a movie and dinner you must go and watch a movie at the Commodore Theater.

Good place to see a movie.

I dont think the food is anything special. Its affordably priced, but tastes just okay... but the atmosphere... wow! Its a one-of-a-kind experience around here. This is a historic theater equipped to show modern movies. Excellent picture and sound quality. Service is top notch always. Ive only sat in the dining portion of the theater, so I dont know what the balcony seats are like. The unique experience, atmosphere, and service make up for the just okay food in my opinion.

Old time theater price is right food served good food reasonable prices great sound system.

I love this place. It is beautiful, historical and the sound system is incredible!! You can even hear the movie in the bathroom (should you have to go). Food is really decent for theater food.

My favorite historical theater. I see all the major movies at the Commodore. Just saw the recent Fantastic beast movie, great sound quality and dining. Food is great.

I had to get tickets hours in advance of the show to get dinner area. Food was fair. Great sound and movie graphics.

Love the atmosphere and the staff is amazing!

This theatre is old just remember that and you will enjoy. The sound was great and the chicken sandwich was great. The food was a great price. The sound quality was really great. It was definitely a nice date to go on. We really love it.

My favorite theater in Hanpton Roads, the food (sandwiches, salads, appetizers, etc.) Are tasty and reasonably priced. They serve wine and beer, or bring your own bottle for $15 cooking fee. The screen is huge and the sound is terrific. Normal ticket prices are $10, discount for military and kids under 13 yo. They accept Movie Pass.

Absolutely amazing. I have never been to a theater like this. Will definitely go again. Food was awesome and the and the staff was very pleasant and efficient 5 stars from me

I give it a 5 for several reasons. The food is good. Service is good. One of the last theaters in the US where the screen is huge and it envelopes its surroundings. The Dolby sound System alone is worth watching movies there. Located in downtown Portsmouth, just a short ferry ride from Norfolk . And finally, I used to work there. One of the best jobs I ever had as a teenager. Given the opportunity, as a senior citizen, I would work there again.

Great place for a movie. The only down side was finding out they charge for a glass of water. We will return to see another movie

This theater is really cool.Anything from a fun evening with your family to a quiet and private dinner date for two. Tons of ambiance and character.Drinks, appetizers, dinner, dessert, and a first run movie!