The Nightlight

Awesome little theatre. Friendly employees, good selection of drinks and a cozy auditorium. I have a feeling I’ll be a frequent customer!

OUTSTANDING! I am so happy that Akron now has a venue like this for independent films. This is probably the coolest little theater I’ve discovered. There are probably 50 seats in the theater, with a row of upholstered chairs up front. Get there early if you want one of those. Staff introduce the film before it starts, which adds to the whole experience. The box office/​bar/​snack bar/​coffee shop is a nifty place to hang out with others before and after. It is just so cool to meet others who enjoy independent films. It used to be so difficult to find certain films at one of those multiplex places. Now I feel like I’ve found a new home theatre. They sell memberships to support The Nightlight, with discounted tickets as your bonus. Follow them on Twitter or email to keep up with the schedule, and buy your tickets in advance to guarantee yourself seats!

I went to The Nightlight this past Saturday as they were featuring a couple of films from the Cleveland Film Festival. Wow! Really cool, intimate, very hip theatre. Seats about 50 showing independent as well as mainstream films. Refreshments are just as cool and different as the theatre itself. Highly recommend this place. Loved it!

Love this place! Always have a blast when I come here. The films are great. It’s a great way to spend an evening.
Small, but that makes it more great! Come here for a nice evening if you love great films.

I visited the Nightlight for the private screening of an upcoming Kickstarter film. The atmosphere inside is awesome! I’d be very interested in checking this place out again sometime.

I could not have been more pleased to come across this new theatre that from what I read has only been around for a short while. The movie I went to see was the excellent «Heaven Knows What», a 2014 NYFF Official Selection. Nightlight has a terrific lobby. area with a really snazzy bench that goes from the front to the back where one can hang out before a film that instantly gives you a loungey «feeling» that you’re not just in another theater, but one that caters to clients that love to sip a drink while waiting on their feature film. The Hausu poster was a gem as well as the one for White Material. The concession stand/​box office, again, was rich in a variety of treats it was almost a chore for me to pick what I would like. And how long has it been since anyone can say they paid 8.50 to see a movie? That is the price of most VOD films released prior or at the same time as their theatrical release. Or, if you live in NYC, the member price at Lincoln Center, Film Forum, and IFC.
The real surprise was the theater itself — it’s just one, but very ample, hosting about 50 seats and two sets of love seats, one up front, one in the back. I almost chose the rear love seat, but since I was one of a few movie goers, I chose to sit right up front.
I fully wish all the best to Nightlight; I can see where they only as of yet offer at most three showings for one theater on weekend nights. Art house theaters are much in demand and I can see them scoring well with the people of Akron who don’t want to have to drive all the way to Cleveland to see what they can see closer to home. If they can secure another space for a second theater, and perhaps bring in indie directors for special events, they’ll truly come through much in style like the Quad and Angelika have done in NYC.

Excellent theater with a great bar selection and food. The theater is small but it makes up for it for the quality selection of movies it plays and the great sound quality it provides.

Contrary to another reviewer, the movie theater is NOT huge. It seats around 50. It’s a great place to watch an indie film, plus the snacks are out of the ordinary for a movie theater. Beer and mixed drinks are available. Also, Jeni’s ice cream sandwiches and scoops of fresh candy (loved the drk choc malted milk balls) and popcorn, of course. The crowd is respectful and quiet, something I’ve come to really appreciate. It has a «film fest» feel to it when the employee introduces himself and the film to the audience beforehand. Love this place. Only minus is that the films are on the loud side. Will talk to someone next time it happens.

The movie theater was huge! Over priced but then again so is every other theater. The staff was super friendly and courteous. Would love to go back.

What a great place to see a film. The reasons:
* Intimate theater with only about 50 seats.
* An audience of fellow film lovers, meaning they are quiet and respectful.
* Bright, crystal clear projection and screen.
* Locally owned and supported, by film lovers.
* Great films you won’t see anywhere within 30 miles.
* And, of course, a full bar.
This is a wonderful place.

If I could give the Nightlight a huge hug and/​or limitless high fives just for existing, I would. When their Kickstarter campaign to open a cinema for independent films in downtown Akron was released, I could not have been more excited. They were doing ME a favor, after all, bringing the more obscure cinematic releases to this part of northeast Ohio.
In execution they have exceeded my expectations. They feature films that even the Cleveland Cinemas (Cedar Lee, Capitol Theatre) often have not released and (lucky me!) they are a much closer drive from my neck of the woods.
The first film I saw there was Under the Skin where I was blown away by the sound quality. Serioudly, the sound system will ROCK your socks off! Every showing since has been a great experience including Zero Theorem and A Girl Walks Alone at Night (probably my fave of the year).
I like their recycled theater seating plus the two comfy chairs down front (*shakes fist* I’ll snag you some day!). It is such an intimate theater and so fun when a group of people truly excited about a film are assembled together. For example, the atmosphere for Zero Theorem in a room of Terry Gilliam fans made my experience just that much better.
Their staff is super nice and you can just tell how much they care about the cinema. I enjoy the personal intro given at each showing which adds a special touch. My recent visit, they didn’t have any popcorn available when I picked up my tickets and the movie was starting so they brought some freshly popped in to me. It does not get any better than that, folks! Plus you can try a craft brew while you watch, featuring bottles from locals Thirsty Dog, Fat Heads, Great Lakes and more!

Fine addition to the Main & Market & Maiden Lane block downtown. Theatre really designed for hanging out before and after as much as screening the movie. Was never one for much food and drink at a movie, but they have plenty of craft brews and cupcakes if you’re so inclined.
The projection is top shelf on an oversized screen. It almost has the feel of a mini-​IMAX system. But two drawbacks are limited leg space and limited seating. It’s also a bit dark even with the house lights, so made for cautious moves when exiting.
On street parking is no problem, and great restaurants and music right around the corner.
It may take a few movies longer to arrive from either coast, but the Nighlight looks to offer as good a selection as found in the Village or West Hollywood.
Overall, a classy return to the first legit cinema downtown in– wha? – nearly 50 years?

Found this theater a few months after moving to the area from Los Angeles and it filled a void that I’d been missing big time.
The drinks are fun, the beers are delicious, the movies are wonderful and after each movie I’ve seen here, the conversation with the employees afterwards completes the experience perfectly.
One of our favorite date spots for sure!

The Nightlight is a great addition to the downtown Akron corridor. Films are affordable and diverse in subject matter. The staff is very friendly and helpful in making a drink selection to complement your feature (a wide variety of cocktails and beer, as well as non-​alcoholic selections, including house-​made butterbeer). The bartenders will even help you decide which flavor of Jeni’s ice cream will suit your palate and compliment your beverage. The theater itself is not over-​crowded and I cannot imagine a bad seat in the house. It’s intimate and cozy, including a few oversized chairs in the front row.
The films are introduced by a staff member, giving you insight into the background of the film, which I thought was a nice touch.
This place is definitely something that has been missing in the growing culture of downtown, and I certainly hope to see it grow and thrive for years to come.

The Nightlight fills a serious void in the Akron area! I’m so glad there’s an arthouse/​indie film cinema in the area now that serves excellent local beers and old school cocktails. The selection of local, Ohio-​made snacks (Jeni’s ice cream… Blue Door pastries…) is really great too! Can’t wait to go back.

Went to see Stop Making Sense last evening and was really impressed with the space. I dug the raw look of the lobby. Nice comfortable seating, outstanding sound system. The Nightlight also had a bar/​café serving little more upscale beer and latte’s. No pBR here. I’m hoping they show House around Halloween. Anyone who loves indie and art house films owes it go themselves to pay the Nightlight a visit! I’ve lived in Chicago and Minneapolis and feel lucky enough to have this establishment here in Akron

The Nightlight is a wonderful addition to the Akron entertainment scene as it offers a cozy, intimate setting where you can catch a good indie movie. There is a single theater that holds about 40 people complete with a bar in the lobby stocked with reasonably priced espresso, liquor, beer from great local breweries, and desserts.
The movie was prefaced with a short intro by one of the employees and then followed by only 2 trailers of the other movies the theater is currently playing. My girlfriend and I saw Under the Skin, which was amazing (but a whole other review in itself), and had a great time!
TLDR:
The staff was very friendly, the environment was comfy, and the experience was great. I would recommend the Nightlight to anyone who has an interest in film, indie flicks, and local gems.
I would, however, advise that you check the movie times and buy tickets ahead of time as the theater fills up fast and has limited seating and show times.