Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Opening Night At The New Quad Cinema: An In-Depth Report
By
Scott Lynch
Published Apr 16, 2017
Modified Apr 16, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photo by Scott Lynch/Gothamist
View all 14
By
Scott Lynch
Published Apr 16, 2017
Modified Apr 16, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As you may have heard, Greenwich Village's Quad Cinema, the independent movie house and the city's first multiplex, reopened last week after a much needed, nearly two-year renovation. We know from a sneak preview that the design of the place, punctuated throughout by Paula Scher's branding and signage, is both elegant and playful. But is the new Quad also a comfortable venue to see a movie? Last night, which was the official Grand Opening, I bought a ticket and saw the Maurizio Cattelan documentary Be Right Back to find out. A few notes:
• The new seats look great—love those armrests—and, most important, they're a totally pleasant place on which to put your butt for two-plus hours. These are not the mall-ish, faux-VIP recliners that the big chains and overpriced boutique theaters seem to think New Yorkers want and need; rather, the Quad gives you comfortable utility, with plenty of leg room, cushion, and support for sitting up straight and watching the movie like the goddamn grown-ass adult that you are.
• That said, the footprint of the four theaters (which are now called Theaters Q, U, A, and D) has not changed, so the screens are still disappointingly small, and the incline is not nearly steep enough to qualify as "stadium seating." If someone super tall sits in front of you, you are going to want to move.
• The concessions have been a given a major upgrade in the sweets department, featuring Li-Lac chocolates, Milk and Cookies blondies, and cups of Ample Hills Ooey Gooey Butter Cake ice cream. There's also boxes of M&M's and buckets of popcorn for those of you who like to eat noisy food during the movies. And according to the manager, The Quad Bar, located in a new room adjacent to the lobby (it used to be lamp store, maybe?), will be open in May.
• Again, the basic layout is the same as before, so the lobby remains long and awkwardly narrow. Last night we weren't seated until ten minutes before the show, which forces more milling-around time than is ideal, but the benches along the wall provide some relief and structure to the space.
• The bathrooms are new and bright and clean and totally fine.
• There are no reserved seats, which is good and democratizing. The staffers are numerous, helpful, and friendly.
Overall, it's great to have the Quad back in action, and the renovation, while considerable, is refreshingly low-key, without a lot of dumb "luxury" features. The Quad is located at 34 West 13th Street, between Fifth Avenue and University Place.
Tagged
greenwich village
quad cinema
original
Scott Lynch
Photojournalist, food writer, preschool receptionist. Love NYC.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.
A new film focuses on the strange career of a location scout in New York City.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Sep 26, 2026
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.
By
Hannah Frishberg
How a Harry Styles pop-up in the East Village led to a nearby bookstore owner's arrest
By
Sonia Rao
NYC’s creative workers are increasingly self-employed, report says
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .