Light House Studio at Vinegar Hill Theatre

The 219-seat Vinegar Hill Theatre opened on February 15, 1976. Classic American movies and new foreign films were usually shown here. The Vinegar Hill Theatre was closed on August 4, 2013. Light House reopened the Vinegar Hill Theatre in June 2016, using it as a film center in this highly visible, convenient location on the downtown mall, which serves as a movie lot for their young film-makers. Lighthouse chose to keep the theatre’s original name and to operate as a community theatre that explores important topics and brings people together. In 2016 it was used for the Virginia Film Festival.

Vinegar Hill Theatre serves the community in unique and powerful ways by (1) providing a versatile, 183-seat for film screenings and discussions and (2) offering discounted or free rental fees for schools, organizations and small businesses and (3)screening city funded student films created by the local youth.

Vinegar Hill Theatre is culturally significant, operating as the headquarters for the only youth media center in Virginia.

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

aarfeld on April 17, 2008 at 8:43 pm

One of the nicest theater experiences in Charlottesville, or anywhere. No herky-jerky starts to the films; the projector operator actually appears to understand how to operate the machine and delivers a smooth, professional performance.

Don Lewis on May 11, 2011 at 12:12 pm

A couple of images of the Vinegar Hill Theatre in Charlottesville.

Mike Rogers on May 11, 2011 at 3:46 pm

Looks like a single wide trailer.

LNewnam on August 28, 2011 at 10:08 pm

They were out in front with art films and independent cinema in the early 1980s. What a great, great, movie house it was back then. If you wanted to see Picnic at Hanging Rock – you had to go to Vinegar Hill. I remember having my mind blown by Ridley Scott’s “The Duellists” here.

Giles on November 5, 2012 at 8:18 am

was there this last past weekend for the annual Virginia Film Festival – and it looks like they are attempting to change over to digital: selling t-shirts, tote bags and coffee mugs

Mike Richardson on November 12, 2013 at 2:45 pm

Closed 9:20 PM August 4th, 2013

Giles on October 26, 2015 at 8:03 pm

a few movies will be shown here for next month’s Virginia Film Festival – but not reopening as a full on theater (as far as I can tell).

rdimucci on October 16, 2016 at 12:55 pm

Showings are also scheduled at Vinegar Hill for the 2016 Virginia Film festival, to be held November 3-6.

rivest266 on June 26, 2023 at 2:32 pm

Opened February 15th, 1976. Grand opening ad posted.