Tonight we went over to a friends house for dinner. After bocce ball by the lake, vegetarian lasagna, chilled white wine and good company, we were graced with this sunset over Lake Hiawatha.

This cotton candy sunset inspired me to take a scenic route, which inadvertently drove by this place:

The Riverview Theater! It’s time a gave a little rave about a Minneapolis landmark I hold in high esteem. It is a neighborhood theater that plays slightly older movies as well as classics late night. It’s cheap, its clean, its cute, its classic. What’s great about the Riverview?

1. The price: $3 or $2 Tuesdays and matinees.

2. The popcorn: I don’t eat a lot of butter, but when I do I’m happy to know its at least real butter, and not orange smudge from a vat. The theater also apparently sells their real-buttered popcorn to-go (good to know!)

3. The swank: The decor inside is retro, fun, and chic at the same time (hard to do!)

4. The shows: Beyond showing popular films that recently left theaters, the Riverview also has showings of classic or cult films, late night series, sporting events (The women’s World Cup coming up), political events, and movie marathons (such as Harry Potter next weekend!) I’ll take that variety any day!

5. The ‘hood: The Riverview is in a charming south Minneapolis neighborhood. There is Mother Earth, a flower shop/garden across the street, and a cafe/wine bar/ restaurant kitty corner named the Riverview Cafe. Its a neighborhood destination which draws more than just neighbors. It’s a fun place to meet friends, go on a date, take your nieces out, or just maybe even attend solo!

What are you waiting for? Go check it out!

Are there any charming movie houses near you? Do you like to go to a more quaint old fashioned movie house like this or do you like the big multiplexes? What do you do on a beautiful summer evening like tonight?

Meri