Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse
2901 Columbia Pike,
Arlington,
VA
22204
2901 Columbia Pike,
Arlington,
VA
22204
3 people
favorited this theater
The last operating movie palace in Arlington, this theater was recently converted to a dine-in movie theater, serving food and beer with every screening.
The building is of note because it once housed the headquarters of The American Nazi Party.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
The statement that this building was once the headquarters of the American Nazi Party is incorrect. Their first headquarters was located at 6045 Wilson Boulevard across from the Dominion Hills Shopping Center (the house has been razed.) The second location for the party was at 2507 North Franklin Road in what is the now the Java Shack.
From Martin McCaffery’s website:
ARLINGTON:
The last surviving, operating theater of the Northern Virginia Neighborhood Theaters. Now a Pub and Cinema. This was the theater in which I learned to operate 35mm projectors. Simplex E-7’s with Magnarc Carbon Arc lamphouses, which most of their theaters used. It didn’t seem like such a big theater when I worked there, but theaters seem lots smaller now. There is also plenty of office space attached to this building. The American Nazi Party headquarters was once in one of the connecting shops.
December ‘99 update: Saw a movie at the Arlington. Can’t say I like the Cinema Cafe concept as a viewing experience, but it looked alive and healthy. Focus could use some work.
MPEWDC: Originally opened as the Arlington Recreation Center and had 24 lanes of bowling on the second and third floors.
Learned to operate projectors at the Arlington… As stated E-7s & Peerless Magnarcs.. Worked next door from 1976 â€" 1981.. Don’t believe the Nazis were ever in the building, they were always causing trouble in North Arlington (Wilson Blvd area)the theatre is in South Arlington.
The current name is Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse. Here is their website.
Here and here are March 2008 photos of the Arlington Theatre. The owners are expending their operation and will soon be opening another Cinema & Drafthouse on the site of the former Wheaton Cinema Seven .
Here is the Arlington in 1985.
This is a 2009 photo.
A recent night photo can be seen here.
Went to see The Town there last week. First time at a restaurant/theater…was a lot of fun! Food was a bit pricy, but food is never cheap at the movies. $5.50 to get in! Good drinks to!
Love this place! Just went to see “Social Network” there.