The trendy neighborhoods of Greenwich Village and the West Village are home to some of the best movie theaters in New York City, particularly those screening independent and foreign films. Nope, you won’t find any stadium-style multiplexes here. Instead, true film buffs and arts and culture aficionados can find some of the city’s most noteworthy small theaters showing the latest indie films. Below are our top picks for best theaters and playhouses in the West Village and Greenwich Village.
We're going to kick off the list with one of the neighborhood's most-loved movie theaters, the fantastic IFC Center, which never fails to have interesting and cutting-edge programming. The folks at IFC are always hosting special events to accompany the screenings – this means lots of Q&A sessions with cast and crew members in addition to special screenings. We're not the only die-hard fans of IFC, either. NYC.com gave the theater rave reviews, proclaiming, “the IFC Center [is] the ultimate entertainment space for New Yorkers seeking out the best in independent film.” The theater itself is also conveniently located steps away from the West 4th Street subway station, so it's easily accessible even for those who don't live in the Village or its surrounds.
Warning: in typical indie theater fashion, the screening rooms are definitely smaller and more intimate. But we promise that the quality of the carefully-selected films showcased at IFC will make you forget the cramped quarters. One Yelp reviewer summed it up best: “[IFC] is in a good 'hood, plays good films, and has good events on a regular basis.” Too easy. Insider's tip: if you’re hungry, you can snack on organic (yes, organic!) popcorn. How can you pass that up?
There’s a good chance you’ve walked past one of West Village's hidden gems without even realizing it. Though the Quad Cinema is painfully nondescript (read: there is no flashy marquee or long lines clogging the lobby of this family-owned cinema) they take film viewing seriously by maintaining an intimate, hip atmosphere. Oh, and choosing the highest-quality indies, documentaries, underground, and foreign films to screen. And we mean the best.
The theater was recenty described on Yelp as the go-to theater for quality programming, with reviewers raving: “I'm a sucker for theaters that show artsy films, and the Quad Cinema never lets me down when I'm in the Village and longing to see a film with more subtitles than gratuitous explosions.” Cinema Treasures was equally impressed with Quad Cinema, rhapsodizing that the space is a truly vibrant center for art house films. We love, and we recommend.
The MCC Theater is housed at The Lucille Lortel Theater on Christopher Street, and is super intimate with a friendly staff running the productions. The theater consistently puts on great productions, and is your go-to place for celeb sightings in the Village: they always have a high-profile star on the bill. Why they make our list? "This space is considered one of the best Off-Broadway theaters in New York. It often houses shows that eventually move on to Broadway," explains Theater Mania.
I first visited The Lucille Lortel Theater to check out a performance of The Pride with Ben Whishaw and Hugh Dancy in the winter of 2010. I was able to score tickets for a discounted price thanks to their "$20 Under 30" program, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience there. The production was great, the staff and my fellow theater attendees were enjoyable to converse with during intermission. There are also reduced-price student rush tickets for $20 that are available 20 minutes before the show begins (cash only and a valid student ID must be shown to purchase a ticket). Overall, the theater received four stars from Yelp users for their experiences there, and a thumbs up from yours truly.
Another Greenwich Village staple is the Manhattan Theatre Source. This venue, housed in a converted brownstone, is much more than just a space for theatrical production, it is also “a community center in miniature with a wi-fi-equipped café, a makeshift gallery, and an upstairs bookstore, raves New York Magazine. Manhattan Theatre Source also landed a spot on NY Mag’s list of "Top 5 Off-Off Broadway Theaters." It has the feel of a cozy living room, full of comfort and creativity. There is a constant flow of productions by some of the city’s best up and coming talent. The Travel Channel was equally as impressed by the work of the Manhattan Theatre Source, adding, “a non-profit arts service provider, Manhattan Theatre Source strives to aid the off-off Broadway community.”
The New School's Tishman Auditorium
The Village is home to some of the city’s top academic institutions that host a selection of theatrical and film events on any given day. The best of them, in our opinion, is The New School’s Tishman Auditorium – a 500-seat, art deco style architectural wonder. There are screenings held there in conjunction with university events and theater productions, and is big enough to hold a large crowd, but yet retains a unique sense of intimacy.
New York University also has many outstanding venues for film screenings and performances. The Skirball Center is an 850-seat state-of-the-art theater and film screening space that hosts a large array of events and performances. Yelp reviews describe The Skirball Center as “an excellent, modern venue with exciting acts from all over the world” and also state that "the whole building is gorgeous, and I agree that Skirball doesn't have a bad seat in the whole theater."
The Best Theaters in the West Village and Greenwich Village:
IFC Center: 323 6th Ave. at W. 3rd St.
Quad Cinema: 34 W. 13th St. between 5th & 6th Aves.
Lucille Lortel Theater: 121 Christopher St., near Hudson St.
Manhattan Theatre Source: 177 MacDougal St., at W. 8th St.
Tishman Auditorium: 66 W. 12th St., between 5th & 6th Aves.
The Skirball Center: 566 LaGuardia Pl., at Washington Sq. S.
