Not all moviegoing experiences are created equal—and that’s the point. Across the (585) area code, independent cinemas, art houses, and drive-ins keep film culture alive in ways that go far beyond the standard multiplex. Some are historic landmarks with deep community roots, others. are reinvented spaces with dinner-and-a-movie flair, and still others celebrate the nostalgia of outdoor screenings under the stars. Together, they show that within the (585), the love of cinema isn’t just about the latest blockbuster—it’s about distinctive venues that make “going to the movies” feel like an event.
Community anchor: The Little Theatre
Since 1929, the Little has been the (585)’s flagship art house. Its neon marquee and restored art deco details signal that movies here are about more than ticket sales—they’re about culture and community. Now operated by WXXI, the Little is a multiscreen hub for independent, foreign, and documentary films, with curated series that run year-round.
The theater also doubles as a cultural hub. The Little Café offers live music and locally sourced food, while the gallery space features rotating exhibitions by talented local artists. The Little also transforms into a launchpad for conversation and creativity by hosting community events such as the High Falls Film Festival, which celebrates women in film. Recent preservation work earned the Little a statewide historic preservation award, proving that a landmark can evolve without losing its soul. thelittle.org
Film history preserved: Dryden Theatre
If the Little is a community hub, the Dryden is a temple to film purity. Part of the George Eastman Museum, it opened in 1951 with a mission to show films in their original formats. That tradition continues: the Dryden is one of the few theaters worldwide that is equipped to project nitrate film stock, the famously flammable medium of Hollywood’s early decades.
Each year, the Nitrate Picture Show draws cinephiles from across the country—and beyond—to the (585). Between festivals, the Dryden’s calendar ranges across 35mm, 16mm, archival prints, and carefully curated series spanning silents, international classics, and under-the-radar treasures. With nearly 500 seats, it feels grand without being impersonal—a place where the moving image is treated as art. eastman.org/dryden-theatre
Reinvented classic: ROC Cinema
At the corner of South Clinton and Goodman Street in Rochester, the building now called ROC Cinema has been showing films since 1914. For decades it was known simply as “The Cinema,” a beloved neighborhood spot famous for double features and the cats that roamed its aisles.
After closing during the pandemic, the theater was reborn in 2022 as ROC Cinema, a dine-in concept led by the team behind the Mad Hatter Restaurant. The new setup swaps traditional rows for rolling executive chairs at bar-height tables, each with a small lamp and a QR code for ordering. Cocktails, flatbreads, desserts, and local beers arrive while the film plays.
While the film lineup centers on first-run blockbusters, themed events—including open mic comedy nights—add a playful, interactive twist, offering a vibe that is unmistakably different from a multiplex. It’s equal parts dinner, night out, and movie—social cinema that adds a new flavor to the (585) mix. roccinema.com
Small-town tradition: Brockport Strand
On Main Street in Brockport, the Strand keeps alive the tradition of the locally owned single screen. Open since the 1940s, it has weathered television, mall multiplexes, and streaming. Today it still offers first-run films at small-town prices, with personal service and a community-first feel.
For Brockport residents—and anyone willing to make the short drive—it’s less about spectacle and more about continuity: the feeling that going to the movies can still be a Main Street ritual. Independent ownership, not just programming, is what defines this indie experience. rochestertheatermanagement.com/brockport-strand-theater
Summer nostalgia: Vintage Drive-In
A quick trip south of Rochester in Avon, the Vintage opened in 1997 and has grown into a four-screen complex that brings classic drive-in energy into the present. On warm nights, families roll in with radios tuned, kids spread out their blankets with snacks in hand, and the field takes on a festival vibe.
The Vintage leans into nostalgia with double features, concession-stand staples, and retro-themed evenings. With several screens running simultaneously, it’s a cherished summer tradition for locals and an unforgettable experience for first-time visitors to the (585). vintagedrivein.com
Destination experience: Silver Lake Twin Drive-In
An hour southwest in Perry, the Silver Lake Twin has been lighting up two giant screens since 1949. Part of its appeal is the Charcoal Corral—a full-blown family entertainment complex. Before the movie, you can grab pizza or BBQ, get ice cream, play arcade games and mini-golf, or catch a concert; by showtime you’ve already made a night of it.
Whether it’s a blockbuster or a family double feature, the Silver Lake Twin turns moviegoing into an outing. For regional residents willing to make the scenic drive, it’s a reminder that cinema can anchor an entire summer evening. charcoalcorral.com/silver-lake-twin-drive-in
Why we keep going back
The (585)’s screens cover the spectrum: a curated art-house (The Little), an archival powerhouse (the Dryden), a reinvented dine-in (ROC Cinema), a hometown single screen (Brockport Strand), and two drive-ins that keep starry-night magic alive (Vintage and Silver Lake Twin). Combine them and you see how independent spirit survives—through ownership, programming, and community.
When “going to the movies” can mean scrolling a couch menu, these places offer something streaming can’t: a shared experience in distinctive spaces—an art deco auditorium, a museum-grade cinema, a table with a cocktail, or an open field under open skies. We may not have the biggest theaters, but it has some of the most memorable, and they’re ours.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of (585).
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