Rio Theatre Reviews

The best theatre in Vancouver!!! The shows are amazing and they always have interesting stuff

Classic venue. I've seen music and live improv here and it's one of my favourite places to go! Affordable, rustic, tasty food and you can even order a drink here! Good fun :)

A very nice and comfy theatre. Love the movie selection and you can eat and drink a beer too ! Perfect place for a chill and nice evening or to watch some good old movie favorites.

Nice spacy venue. Seats are like movie theater seats

Great place to see a movie, have a bite and a beverage. Standard 2nd run and late-night / cult favourite show list.

It's an older neighborhood theatre, neither amazing or lacking. They do have a liquor license so some shows are 19+ (expect to be ID'd) and double check the listing before you head out if you're taking any youngsters.

An amazing venue. Comfortable seating, great bar service and room to dance in front.

Really pleasant event, hospitable crew, great surround sound.

Really good social distancing ! Also just is fun in general to support a local theater

With the wave of independent theaters closing down, it s refreshing to still find a place with character in Vancouver. And the Rio doesn t just have movies, they have shows and other events that really bring the community together. Go to this theater, have a good time, and support local business.

Isle of dogs was great movie, a deal on Groupon made it even better! Popcorn is huge and tastes great. Thanks

An important part of pop culture in Vancouver. And they serve Red Racer IPA - bonus!

Thankful for the indian movies you play. Hopefully the theatre could get better with the seat

Partner mistakenly bought tickets for the wrong night online. They let us in hassle-free. It's one of the reasons why we keep coming back! Can't wait until we work daytime so we can enjoy the late night weekday features again.

This is the first time I've been to the Rio Theatre and it was terrific. We came for a concert and the sound was amazing!

Beer and grilled cheese sandwiches with movies
... I can overlook at lot for that :)

Great movie options and a very cool theater. The movie I went to didn't have assigned seating so get in early if you want to have your pick! Good drink options and I would 100% recommend the toasted sandwich/grilled cheese it was great! Also make the most of the unlimited toppings for the popcorn.

I've seen two of the greatest shows ever at this theatre.

It's an amazing experience.

Amazing management, the theatre could really really use some modernization and upgrades though. The seats in particular. You make a good Tom Collins.

Excellent performances, went to see Aunty Donna live and it was spectacular. Save this theater!

This place is awesome. Fun old movies, random burlesque shows and other music. Definitely a go to!

An older building that needs a lot of love....but the seats were comfortable, the sound really good and tha atmosphere amazing.....loved it

The staff were so cool and down to earth, i purchased a Groupon and they were pretty cool we were a tad late. I will definitely come back and support this local business

Multi-Functional Neighborhood Theatre.
My family and I attended the annual LOTR triple bill marathon. We had purchased the tickets in advance from the box office a week in advance expecting it to be a sell out as it had been in previous years. The staff at the door were well organized to give out hand stamps and wristbands to allow in and out privileges between shows which was excellent. Their concession stand offers the typical popcorn drink & candy combo in addition to hot beverages, alcoholic drinks, grilled cheese sandwiches and rice crispy treats. The seats were very comfortable with plenty of leg room, retractable arm rests for holding beverages or just for snuggling closer with your mate. There were preshow games of Q&A where prizes such as candy and show passes were given to those who were brave enough or knowledgeable enough to match their wits on stage with the MC! The vibe in the theatre was very inclusive as we were all LOTR fans who gathered together for an enjoyable cinema event. A rowdy noisy customer was asked to leave by management when people complained. The staff were efficient with all their services. They offer all other types of cinema shows during the rest of the year including a burlesque show. No one is allowed entry under the age of 19 because of their liquor licence. Excellent alternative theatre for different types of events and cinema showings. They have a website where one can see their calendar of events. This is a destination type theatre that is a change from the cookie cutter shows seen at a Cineplex Odeon.

Great theater, spacious, convenient right by transit or 2hr street parking. Clean washrooms.

Good experience but the seat spacings are too small

#savetherio
The Rio is such an iconic Vancouver landmark! They do everything there, burlesques, indie movies, movie marathons, alternative movies, theatre, you name it, they do it! One of my first experiences with the Rio was a 2 full day long marathon of the entire harry potter series, they sold butter beer and had mini wizard competitions between movies and it was truly wondrous! Go onto their website, facebook or something, and go to any show and I guarantee you ll have an incredible time!

Always a wonderful experience. Great staff, great movies (did a double header), great conversations

Love their range of different films and events. And you can drink booze inside as well.

I remembered I listen/watched people saying their poems there...

This place is a symbol. All kind of shows. You love it or you don't. But you have to try it!

Cool place, cool events. Always something cool going on.

A great venue for stage and screen. Very comfortable seating

Great old time theatre....great movies and documentary's

You can drink beer while watching Shrek in a theatre, what more could could you ask for

Awesome local theatre that has comedy shows, documentaries and cult classics.

You can grab dinner, a drink and watch a show.

Hands down my favourite theatre in the city.

Easy to get to, conveniently located on Broadway/Commercial, right next to the train.

They have a great lineup of films every month, ranging from comedies to romance to horror to SciFi to documentaries. But where the Rio really shines is in its live shows. Fantastic improv, standup, storytelling, burlesque, epic role playing fantasy games, you name it. The Rio supports local arts, and the locals support the Rio.

Also the best beer selection of any licensed theatre in Vancouver. Get the adults kid combo - small popcorn, full size candy bar, and a draft beer for less than $12.

Great place for quirky movies and concerts.. Save the Rio..

Offered alcoholic beverages which I thought was cool for a movie theatre. Also diverse movie showings. Interesting hipstery atmosphere, but a good theatre.

A fun place with lots of cool events. My only complaint is that it's difficult to see the stage from the balcony when watching live shows.

Always an excellent and eclectic set of cinema and shows. Plus booze, what could go wrong?

It's an east van institution. Went there to see the original beetlejuice. I absolutely love this place it feels like a theater should feel. I live that people dress up to go see an older movie and I love the fact that they even PLAY older movies. Always loved this place. Always will.

Old, Small yet decent place.
Transit accessible

Great single screen theatre showing limited run movies, cult classics, and is also a live music venue

It's a fantastic place that shows some really fantastic and niche films which you may not ever be able to see in a theatre again. Sure the staff sometimes smartasses you and the old guy in charge acts like he's some kind of self-important feudal lord running his own fiefdom. But it all just adds to the atmosphere in the end :p . Plus, the beer's reasonably priced.

Great price, serves bear and great movies with fun event. What more could you want.

The best of its kind in Vancouver, a must-do for any visitor or local!

Good place to see things on stage eg story slam, or films. Although sound quality could be better.

Great theatre! They're always showing different movies and having various stage shows.

My favourite place to be the best shows the best people

Only slightly haunted. But not in a poltergeisty way

The movie was great but I hate how there was no angry birds

A Commercial Drive gem. Great shows! Great community!

Monday nights are half-price movies -- $6! and be sure to get the beer combo, which is like $8 for a beer, candy, and popcorn. Cheaper than the cost of a ticket at one of the fancy theatres. Friday night late-night movies are the best, though, always a cult classic or favourite that everybody loves, and there's always a little costume contest or trivia or random burlesque show or something to go along with it. Very cool, very fun, my default choice for a cheap, fun evening out.

What a great experience. I came with a group for the gentlemen hecklers event and wasn't disappointed. Very personal and informal venue with fun staff.

Character, style, class. Popcorn. Beer. Balcony seating. This theater does it all and has it all.

wont host certain comedians because they dont support free speech.

First time here. It feels like a big family. I really enjoyed it. The only downside for me is that the popcorn is too salty.

This place is definitely worth a visit a few times a year. Great selection of repertory and odd-ball movies and unique theatrical events. We love! Muuuah!

I would give the Rio a 4 star rating for the interesting range of quality movies they show, but the staff are rude, pretentious, and arrogant when dealing with customers. I've experienced this myself and seen others receiving unprofessional or brusque treatment by the Rio staff on several occasions. The management should give the staff some guidelines on how to treat customers with respect- ie. common courtesy- when dealing with them instead of the cold, uncaring and impolite manner currently being used by the staff.

One of the last old fashion movie going experiences in town but a rocky experience more often than not.

Went to see Mandy. Show didn t start at 8:45 because they were slow to admit people. Waited in line at concession only to be turned away because they needed to make more popcorn - Couldn t get a good seat because I was waiting in said line and had to sit on a stool in the balcony which became uncomfortable during the movie.

An experience you can t download.

A wonderful theatre. I enjoy the late night movies on fridays! 12 bucks for a movie after 1130! Check the calendar for all the latest events you can even catch some neat burlesque shows as well as comedy acts

Great place, I love the fact that they show all older movies and anime that I have not seen in theaters for many many years. They have also been a venue for music or talks. I love the architecture and also the fact that they have a liquor license. Always happy when they host anything because you know that adding a beer or 2 is always helpful for making any talk or panel more interesting.

Great spot for all sorts of entertainment. A part of the neighbourhood.

Great theatre to relax, enjoy a movie and a beer. Not pretentious.

The staff is very friendly. Good measures for COVID-19.

Rio puts on the best of East Vancouver and is super affordable.

Love it here. So many great shows - film and live alike. True subculture hub. Cult classic castle!

Saw a couple of really good live shows there. (Game of Thrones Live, Rocky Horror Picture Show by the Geekenders).

I also had a not so good experience there when I saw The Princess Bride movie as there a guy yelling out the dialogue during the movie. I don't know if that is part of the culture of seeing a movie there but I and a bunch of other people had to tell the guy to shut up.

Conclusion: See the live shows. Be aware that someone is more likely to yell in this theatre than others.

Great venue with beers, popcorn and movies/love events!

Excellent service, you can drink, and the arms on the seats can be put up, which is nice if you're on a date.

The Rio is an institution in Vancouver! Double Friday feature with a slushy margarita and a grilled sandwich is my go to.