REOPENING: Admiral Theater gets ready to raise the curtain again

| Admiral Theater | Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Reopening plans have been announced by another West Seattle business that’s been totally shut down since new restrictions took effect in November. The historic Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) – West Seattle’s only movie theater – will reopen on Friday (February 5th). The movie lineup will be “News of the World,” “The Croods: A New Age,” “Marksman,” “Little Things,” and “Wonder Woman 1984.” Under Phase 2 of the “Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery” plan, which takes effect Monday for seven counties including ours, movie theaters will be allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity or 200 people maximum, whichever is fewer. The Admiral is part of a small Bainbridge Island-headquartered chain, Far Away Entertainment, that also will be able to open three other theaters, in the U-District, Stanwood, and Ocean Shores. The Admiral was able to open for several weeks last fall before the newest restrictions were announced.

P.S. New here? The Admiral has almost 80 years of backstory, as noted in our coverage of its reopening celebration 4 years ago, after completion of the remodel that turned it back into a first-run moviehouse.

ADDED MONDAY: Admiral co-proprietor Jeff Brein says in a comment, “In an effort to be responsive to folks who are hesitant to visit our Theater because people may be taking off masks to eat … we are going to introduce “Mask Mandatory” shows each day – those starting between the noon and 1:00 hour. Masks will be required at all times and concessions will NOT be sold but we encourage you to purchase on your way home after the movie to help support the Theater. The “Mask Mandatory” policy will not be in effect for our afternoon and evening performances.”

Steve January 30, 2021 (2:34 pm)

Hurray! So happy to hear this! Popcorn and a movie on the big screen sounds pretty darn good!

Bradley January 30, 2021 (3:24 pm)

Looking forward to it! We need to support them!

Anne January 30, 2021 (3:53 pm)

Popcorn/snacks-no mask while eating/drinking/ then touching seats – I’m sure many can be careful- but many perhaps not so careful & see no problem. If eating in theater was prohibited- might think differently as folks would be wearing masks entire time.look forward to supporting them sometime in the future- when it’s safer.

CAM January 30, 2021 (9:54 pm)

I know it won’t be a popular opinion but I look forward to the (temporary) days of vaccine passports so that it’s easier to enjoy these kinds of things with less fear and dread.
Emily February 1, 2021 (4:43 pm)

Hi Anne,We will be offering daily mask required shows. Each day, the first set of movies are mask required performances and we will not be selling concessions. Masks must be worn the entire time you’re in the building. These movies are indicated with *Masks required / No concessions notation. For the second two shows, masks are required at all times, unless seated at a proper distance, and actively eating or drinking.

Shell January 30, 2021 (4:29 pm)

Yay! I usually go once a week, it’s my rainy day go to…..see you soon!!!!

Justin January 30, 2021 (4:35 pm)

The Admiral “group hug” photo from the 2016 blog link makes me sad. Best of luck for 2021 Admiral Theater!

sbre January 30, 2021 (7:18 pm)

Is it conceivable to make 1/2 of the theater eating and the other half non-eating?Splitting it down the middle with a extra row or two (font-to-back) dividing the sections sounds like an equitable solution, and if possible, take into consideration the air-flow of the room to see which group would be up-breeze of the other.*** ‘Admiral Group Hug’ photo attendee here who can’t wait to SAFELY return to sit in their seats again!https://westseattleblog.com/2016/09/admiral-theater-renovation-work-finally-about-to-start/ 

Anne January 31, 2021 (8:54 am)

Oh my goodness-that sounds rather complicated & frankly unnecessary & I’m someone who isn’t on board with eating in theater -just allow eating or don’t-we’ll choose accordingly.

Rick January 30, 2021 (7:21 pm)

I remember the old single screen days when the balcony was mostly for making out.

simpler times January 30, 2021 (9:59 pm)

Remember movie dates? Sigh.

Been thinking how nice it would be, but I’ll be opting out until we’ve made real and sustained progress with the pandemic. Just don’t agree with congregate indoor activities, when many in our community are being hospitalized and dying from covid, and now with more contagious and possibly more harmful variants out there, just doesn’t seem responsible.

On a happier note, anyone want to share, what was your first movie date? That could be a fun thread :)

River January 30, 2021 (11:17 pm)

Feel free to stay away as long as you choose. As always, assess the situation and risk level you are personally comfortable with and take appropriate action. This applies to driving your car, flying in an airplane, walking down the street, and everything else in life.
- simpler times January 31, 2021 (5:50 am)
  
  The difference, @River, is that the activities you list usually, pre-pandemic, do not include the risk of passing on a serious and deadly virus.
  
  Everyone who gets covid on average will pass it on to more than 1 person, and for everyone you pass it to, they will pass it to others too… so, for example, you going to the movies and catching covid, could result in hundreds if not thousands of infections over 30 days, of which some will die, and some may have long term debilitating health impacts.
  
  You do not just endanger yourself when you risk catching covid. That is the difference between this risk and other risks that are truly your own to take.
  
  Don’t forget that a new more contagious covid variant has just arrived here too.
  
  In our state, the second age group with highest percentage of covid hospitalizations is 40-59, at 28%. Do you know anyone in that age group? I don’t know about you, but going to the movies to me isn’t worth possibly causing someone else to have to fight for their life on a ventilator.
  
  Now, I would really like to hear of others first movie dates. Anyone?
  - wsresident February 1, 2021 (6:22 pm)
    
    yes, so exactly as River said make you own decisions about what you’re comfortable with. No one is forcing you to the movies, or to drive a car, or to walk down the street OR fly in an airplane. And to comment on your reply – you actually COULD catch a virus on a plane and also walking down the street prior to Covid. We have the ability to make decisions about our health and what we are comfortable with. We have proven that life can be lived SAFELY if we follow all the guidelines perfectly. I work in service with people who can’t wear a mask, I’ve been at work for 7 months, I work with fluids of other humans and have not contracted Covid, nor have the patients I work with or there families. We have a pod, practice distancing and follow all guidelines – and we are ok, as are the older folks in our family that we are protecting.
  - Dan Keller February 2, 2021 (12:13 am)
    
    And that is your choice.
- N January 31, 2021 (7:01 am)
  
  Amen!!!
- Anne January 31, 2021 (8:46 am)
  
  A virus -with a new more contagious variant is just a bit different than walking down the street-but as long as eating in theaters is allowed-I will make that choice.
- William January 31, 2021 (9:10 am)
  
  It’s not about “you personally.” It’s about everyone else around you, too. Personally I think it’s a massive mistake to reopen the theater. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about their livelihood, – I love that theater (and they have the best popcorn of any theater in Seattle) but it’s just too soon.
  - Justno February 1, 2021 (6:45 pm)
    
    I love that theater but this is part of the problem. One show time with masks and the other times, covid free for all. I know they need money, set up a gofundme instead of endangering lives. To those that are saying, if you’re afraid, just stay home, it’s ignorant to say that. Anyone who promotes a group being in the same area, unmasked, yes while eating but unmasked is unmasked, is just not ok.
Smittytheclown January 31, 2021 (6:58 am)

Just curious. This entire time people have been told to trust the data and the science. To downplay the severity of the virus was to be a denier. Now that the data and the science are saying it’s ok for limited operations is everyone switching places?
- Brian January 31, 2021 (2:06 pm)
  
  The science and data actually DONT say that indoor gatherings are a good idea. In fact it’s a really bad idea.

HW January 31, 2021 (10:24 am)

We’d love to do a private theater rental for our family! AMC has a program to rent a theater for $99 (or $250 for a new movie). Obviously this is a huge expense and treat but man, my kids would flip. Admiral Theater… let us know if we could make that happen!

Sue H January 31, 2021 (1:55 pm)

I know it’s not West Seattle, but the Beacon in Columbia City is doing rentals: https://thebeacon.film/calendar/movie/rent-the-beacon

Jeff Brein February 1, 2021 (10:36 am)

Hi everybody – This is Jeff Brein, co-owner of the Admiral Theater. In an effort to be responsive to folks who are hesitant to visit our Theater because people may be taking off masks to eat … we are going to introduce “Mask Mandatory” shows each day – those starting between the noon and 1:00 hour. Masks will be required at all times and concessions will NOT be sold but we encourage you to purchase on your way home after the movie to help support the Theater. The “Mask Mandatory” policy will not be in effect for our afternoon and evening performances. Just a reminder – we are a CinemaSafe Theater – upgraded heating filters, enhanced sanitation and safety protocols – see our website for full details. Looking forward to seeing you all safely return in the coming weeks!

IAmSparticus February 1, 2021 (12:51 pm)

I speak only for myself, but I can 100% guarantee two things: I will not be going to see a movie in the middle of the day, and I will not be going to see a movie where masks are not mandatory (at least, not until it’s been shown that a majority of the population has received the vaccine). I love the Admiral Theater too, but I just don’t think this is safe during a pandemic, no matter how enhanced the safety protocols are.
sb2780 February 1, 2021 (12:51 pm)

Thank you Jeff! The last movie I saw before everything shut down was Invisible Man at the Admiral. I’ve missed movies in theaters so much this past year. Planning to try to catch Wonder Woman 1984 this weekend. That’s a movie that deserves to be seen on the big screen.
Derrick February 1, 2021 (3:57 pm)

I’d like to support our theatre, but am not totally comfortable yet. How about people coming in and just buying concessions and then returning home to watch a movie at home? I miss the popcorn of admiral theatre, such big kernels!!
- Emily February 1, 2021 (4:42 pm)
  
  DAILY MASK REQUIRED SHOWSEach day, the first set of movies are mask required performances and we will not be selling concessions. Masks must be worn the entire time you’re in the building. These movies are indicated with *Masks required / No concessions notation. For the second two shows, masks are required at all times, unless seated at a proper distance, and actively eating or drinking.
Jo1280 February 2, 2021 (8:24 am)

I appreciate your idea of mask mandatory hours but would like to see more times added from just the noon-1pm option. Honestly, I am quite surprised your plan isn’t the complete opposite of what it is currently. Meaning, there is only a limited time for non-mask wearing attendees to see movies. You’re denying people who would like to continue to be more cautious based on what, concession sales? I know the “experience” of movie going includes having popcorn but I think many people would be happy just to get out of the house, see a big screen, support their favorite local theatre, and wear a mask.
Medium February 2, 2021 (3:11 pm)

I appreciate the theater allowing a mask mandatory showing every day. It’s a great idea to allow each person to make up their own mind on what they’re comfortable with. I will be there with the whole family enjoying popcorn and sodas. I have been looking forward to this for a long time. And I have my vaccine.

Steve February 3, 2021 (2:38 pm)

Movie theaters are opening up. Must be safe.

Westside 4ever February 5, 2021 (10:17 pm)

Great news! Thank you for offering a mask free experience! This coronavirus is no longer novel, almost everyone we know has already had it, and the fear no longer has a grip on our community. Time to LIVE again instead of dying a slow, lonely death locked in our homes. See you this weekend! Viva La Admiral Theater!

CAM February 6, 2021 (11:25 am)

And this is why we can’t have any things.

A cascadian February 6, 2021 (2:10 pm)

And here folks, we see an example of experience bias. Of course if this person is out running around, its not surprising that “everyone they know” has had it. The actual facts: According to the king county database a bit over 79k people have had it. Even you assume another 79k got it and didnt bother to get a test, thats still a tiny drop in a population of 2.25 million, hardly “everyone”.

Sorry, comment time is over.