LOVE: Local Historic + Independent Theatre Scene
The Kitsap peninsula has an incredible collection of historic theaters.
from intimate art house cinemas to grand restored performance venues, the Kitsap peninsula is home to the following beautiful theater spaces.
photo use courtesy of the Admiral Theatre Foundation
Admiral theatre
515 Pacific Ave, Bremerton
Year Built: 1942
Kitsap’s crown jewel of historic theaters, the Admiral Theatre is a fully restored performance and event space that draws world-class acts across the spectrum of the arts. The Admiral Theatre Foundation completed a $1.2 million dollar renovation in the summer of 2017 in time for the theatre’s 75th anniversary and now boasts a state of the art audio array. From the sidewalks of downtown Bremerton, the Admiral is grand, stately, and inviting, while the theater’s interior underwater motif lends an atmosphere of fantasy and fun.
Why we love the Admiral: big name acts + amazing atmosphere
Lynwood Theatre
4569 Lynwood Center Road NE, Bainbridge Island
Year Built: 1936
Nestled a stone’s throw from the waterfront in Bainbridge Islands Lynwood Center, the Lynwood Theatre is a Tudor-style, single-screen cinema house that offers visitors a chance to experience independent and foreign films in a historic setting.
WHY WE LOVE LYNWOOD: CHARMING AESTHETIC + UNIQUE FILM SELECTIONS
roxy theatre
270 4th St, Bremerton
Year Built: 1941
Beautifully restored, the historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Bremerton is an excellent example of the Art Deco style Streamline Moderne. Now operating at a non-profit arts foundation, the Roxy hosts first run and cult classic films as well as an eclectic range of live performances and events. The theater’s restored marquee and signage light up the sidewalk at night, casting a warm pink and blue glow down 4th St.
WHY WE LOVE THE ROXY: ‘HEART’ OF QUINCY SQUARE + INTIMATE BUT STATE-OF-THE-ART
polaris theater
822 Bay Street, Port Orchard
YEAR BUILT: 1924
Nearly 100 years old and currently closed for a complete renovation & reimagining - the Polaris Theater is the latest iteration of the oldest movie house on the Peninsula. Opened in 1924 - it was operated as the D&R Theater for years, then as Plaza Twin Cinemas and then as the Dragonfly.
Now fundraising and aiming to open in 2024, the Polaris will be both a cinema house and a live performance space featuring music, private events, DJ nights, comedy, and much more.
A Bonus Mention:
locally-owned movie houses
Tracyton movie house
1520 NE Riddell Road, Bremerton
The Tracyton Movie House is a beloved independent movie theater that is locally owned and known for its fun, welcoming atmosphere. Tracyton succeeds in bringing a VIP experience to movie-goers of all ages with new cinema releases, a dining area, food options, adult beverages, and retro arcade games - all at an affordable price. Tracyton Movie House may not be a historic cinema space but it is exactly the type of movie theater experience that you may remember as a kid - colorful, friendly, and community focused.
WHY WE LOVE TRACYTON MOVIE HOUSE: $5 TUESDAYS + FUN, RETRO FEEL
Firehouse theater
11171 NE State Hwy 104, Kingston
While not a historic theater, The Firehouse Theater is a small independent cinema house that calls a historic firehouse in downtown Kingston home. Steps from the Kingston ferry, this two-screen theater shows independent films, as well as first run showings and serves real butter on the popcorn! Patrons take pride in the charming authenticity of this locally owned theater - the Firehouse holds a special place in the heart of Kingston and theater goers appreciate the time and effort the owners put into the experience, personally announcing the movie and giving a brief synopsis before the film starts, just like ‘back in the day’. They even have a "cry room" for kids that lose their cool or just have too much energy to sit. It's well soundproofed from the theater but has a viewing window and speakers inside so you can still watch while they have some more space. Genius!
WHY WE LOVE FIREHOUSE: REAL BUTTER ON POPCORN + LOCALLY OWNED
More of what we love about the Kitsap Peninsula
We are advocates for spreading love all year long but some moments require an intentional gift or treat to show your person just how much they mean to you. An incredible floral arrangement or gourmet box of chocolates is always a good idea, no matter the time of year.