AMC Loews 600 North Michigan 9

Do you take student movie passes for the upcoming movie the grudge?
Please get back to me possibly in the next hour on this question at shortbody84@yahoo.com I really need to know so I can buy tickets today!

This is a pretty decent theater and it's in good shape. But then again, it is only 10 years old. I hope that Loews doesn't run it into the ground like they seem to be doing with the Esquire.

My only complaint about the 600 North is that the auditoriums are shallow (only about 10 rows deep) and wide. I feel like I'm sitting right on top of the screen! And woe be to those who have to sit in the first three rows or on the sides!

These theaters just went through a major rehab. The lobby areas are very nice and contemporary. However, the auditoriums are very shallow and like the previous poster states, you feel way too overwhelmed looking at the screen. Watching a movie here is very uncomfortable. It feels like sitting in the first few rows while watching an IMAX movie.

Per Chitown Guy's last post, theatre one is probably the best here. The auditorium is not as shallow, nor as wide.

I go to this theatre very frequently as I live close by. Every Thursday night they have free movies as part of the Loew's Fan Favorite series. Usually the films will be anywhere from 1 to 15 years old and recent offerings have included SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, THE PATRIOT, INDEPENDENCE DAY, TWISTER, LA CONFIDENTIAL, and DONNIE DARKO (which was about the worst movie I've ever seen).

The 600 North has also added a bar, which is open on weekends.

This theatre has nine screens. 3 on one floor, 4-5 on another floor, 6-7 on another, and 8-9 on next and final floor. Once operated by Cineplex Odeon, this became a Loews Cineplex in 1998. Loews remodeled it in 2004 with new seats, interior etc... This is now known as AMC Loews 600 North Michigan.

Why is this theatre so diffucult to pin-point? The theatre has 9 screens on three levels. It was designed by Cineplex Odeon, and is possibly one of the worst design models I have ever seen (20+ seat rows, the first 3 very close to the screen). The remodel is nice, the staff is improving. The fact that AMC now owns it simply gives us a choice to see film in a crazy megaplex or a poorly designed multiplex.

John,

That the 600 North occupies the top floors of a retail business probably explains its design. They probably had to wedge the auditoriums in whichever way they could. Refer to an above comment in which the author states that it's like going to an IMAX film, particularly if you are in the first few rows.

You are right though, since the remodeling, it is a nicer place.

It is interesting that back when Sony-Loews and Cineplex Odeon merged, this was one of the theatres that was to be divested. The theatre was supposed to have been sold to the ill-fated Meridien Theatres chain (which lasted about 2 years). The owners of the building didn't think that Meridien had the financial means for this property--it is in the "high-rent district" of Chicago--thus the sale was never consummated.

The United States Department of Justice did take Loews-Cineplex to court because of this failure to divest the theatre. I found the following from doing a Google search:

"In February 1999, and again in September 1999, Loews presented Meredian as the potential purchaser for this location. On both occasions, after review, the landlord concluded that the proposed assignee did not meet the criteria set forth in the lease and accordingly withheld his consent to an assignment of the lease to Meredian."--From the USDOJ website.

Oddly enough, it was fortunate that the 600 North was not divested to Meridien as that chain only lasted about 2 years. Meridien was shut down after failing to pay the city and county amusement taxes. The 600 North remained with Loews until its 2006 merger with AMC. The theatre is now a part of the latter.

I actually worked at this theatre when it first opened.
They made a terrible miscalculation on teh middle level(screen 4-5). According to the then-manager, the mid level screens would be used for rentals(free screenings,parties, ect) mostly during the week. Hence a concession stand on that floor. We rarely opened it, as 9 out of 10 customers just bought thier food at the larger main level stand, or at the 3rd floor stand where more screens were anyways. And the fabled rental biz? All in the bigger rooms(screen 1, 6-9) as studios want to pack in a big crowd for better buzz, and not many people liked paying downtown rates for parties.

When under Loews' management, this was one of a handful of that chain's cinemas which offered a free movie every Thursday night at 8pm. This was done in 2005, right before the merger with AMC, I beleive. Each month had a theme. For example, in October they showed The Excorcist, Interview with the Vampire, etc. Patrons wishing to attend did have to apply for passes on-line and each patron could bring one guest.

This plan worked for several reasons:

1) It filled seats on an otherwise lightly patronized night.
2) The rent on an older film was nominal.
3) No city or county taxes had to be paid (because the event was free).
4) And if even half the people who went bought popcorn and beverages (where the true profit is)....

This program proved to be a good idea which was very popular with movie-goers. So naturally, when the Loews-AMC merger came along, it had to be gotten rid of.

This theatre listing needs to be updated a little bit. The chain should be AMC, not Loews Cineplex.

Also the website should be http://www.amctheatres.com/

The Thursday night free-film program was discontinued because guests were taking advantage of the free film tickets but attending regular, first run films. This was revealed on nights when the free films would sell-out, yet there would be only a 20-30 seat occupation in an auditorium of over 200 seats. Sad. That is theft.

Shame on those bad people.

John,

I didn't realize that. I went to the Thursday night free film program almost every week and noticed that the auditorium was nearly full. Plus they staggered the show times so that the regular movies would not start anywhere around the 8pm starting time. The last free movie I saw there was the original "Exorcist" and so many free tickets were issued, it was played in the biggest auditorium, which was full.

I'm not doubting you though--I'll bet a few people did try to sneak into the other films.

The seating capacity for each auditorium : on the main floor-#1, 256, #2- 253, #3- 206. On the second level- auditoriums 4 and 5 each have 161 seats. On the top level, #6- 206, #7- 201, #8 was not posted, but I suspect 206 seats, and #9- 206. Approximately 1,856 seats.