Bijou Cinema
82 East Fourth Street,
New York,
NY
10003
82 East Fourth Street,
New York,
NY
10003
4 people
favorited this theater
Located in the basement of the building on the southwest corner of Second Avenue and East Fourth Street in the East Village, entrance is via a non-descript ‘discreet’ doorway (on East Fourth Street) which during the daytime when closed has a roller shutter over it. Descending a flight of stairs down to the cinema, there are movie posters in frames (although these are not usually the movie being screened inside!)
Several years ago this was a gay ‘drag’ and dance bar named ‘Club 82’. It later became known as the Film Forum, screening independent movies. It became the Bijou Cinema in around 1992, operated by the owners of the (now closed/demolished Bijou Cinema ex-Jewel/Comet, etc, at 100 Third Avenue).
The Bijou Cinema re-opened in January 2006 after it had closed in 2005 for a complete re-fit and renovation, with new decor, seating and lounge areas. It operates daily from early in the evening until around 5:00 AM in the mornings. Seating in the main auditorium is in comfortable new theatre style seats and the movies screened (via DVD digital projection) tend to be a mix of art house and fairly new ‘mainstream’ releases, with occasional ‘fill-ins’ of camp TV comedy shows such as ‘Little Britain’ or pop promo videos. I saw a couple of Japanese sub-titled movies and the latest “Star Wars” movie on recent visits.
A passageway located to the right of the auditorium and behind the main screen contains booths which screen gay porn movies on tv screens in each booth. The old bar from years ago is still there but not in use, but other facilities include a pool table and tv lounge.
Taking all aspects into consideration, this is a clean and well run establishment catering to a gay male clientel. It was closed in late December 2007 due to flooding, but this was only temporary. It had re-opened by July 2008.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
Well if nothing else, I’m glad my question started some digging around on this theater’s history. Funny… I just recently watched a very entertaining TMC documentary about Erroll Flynn. No mention of his pre-Tommy Lee antics with the 82 Club piano!
Is that what they mean by “Tinkling The Ivories”? LOL
Just to confirm the location of this theater, the NY Songlines website states the following:
“82 E. 4th Street-was the 82 Club, drag bar for tourists; now The Bijou, which shows old movies to gay patrons who aren’t watching them”.
Does anyone know if this theater is still around?
It was in November of this year, I went there, and it was indeed a nice space. I’ve heard that it has been recently closed due to flooding (it’s a basement). Would like to know more, as I had thought it would become a hangout for me.
Opening post is confusing, indicating this ‘Bijou’ was open at this location at the same time the Bijou which was on 3rd Avenue for a good many years between 12th and 13th (I believe). Says owned by same people, but I knew about the 3rd Avenue one during the 80s and 90s, not about this one. Thanks
Does anyone have the phone number for this place and also are they still open?
No phone number and it is still closed.
For sure, it is open at this date (July 11, 2008)
I have been there a couple and now is looking more neat and cleaner after certain renovations.
has any body bin by latly
The First Film Forum was at 256 west 88th Street. I am not sure when they had screenings here although I do not doubt they probably did.
http://www.filmforum.org/mission.html