Connecticut’s Oldest Movie Theater Is In A Barn And It’s Incredible

Everyone loves a good movie. There’s nothing quite like being hypnotized by the action on the big screen while gobbling down a warm bucket of theater popcorn. Many people don’t know that Connecticut’s oldest continuously operated movie house is actually in a barn. If you’ve never attended a screening in this historic spot, you’ll definitely want to plan a visit to this incredibly cool movie theater barn.

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The Bantam Cinema originally opened in 1927 under the name "The Rivoli." Patrons watched silent movies on the screen accompanied by the sweet sound of a Wurlitzer organ. Times have progressed and the theater has changed hands a few times but it still remains a hidden historic gem and a great place to catch a flick. Enjoy traditional movie seating under the roof of this historic barn.

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Grab a snack at the small but more than adequate concession stand. Popcorn with extra butter and a drink will do the trick. The Bantam Cinema has two theatres with a state of the art digital system. The old-school 1930s film projectors were replaced in 2013!

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Catch a wide variety of shows including family friendly-films, dramas, retro throwbacks, classics, and more. Pick a picture for a romantic date or a family outing, everyone loves this unique movie-going spot.

The theater is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but you can find a variety of showtimes including night screenings and matinees during the rest of the week. Visit this cozy movie house for a night out in the oldest continuously running movie theater in Connecticut. Learn more and check out the film schedule by visiting their website. Find this movie theater barn at 115 Bantam Lake Rd., Bantam, CT 06750.

Have you ever caught a show at this long-standing barn? If you prefer books over movies then you need to take a trip to this haunted bookshop where you can browse for hours.