Kan-Kan Cinema and Bar

Kan-Kan Cinema & Brasserie was ready to open in March 2020 and because of Covid-19 opening was delayed until August 20, 2021. IndyStar reports the cinema was founded by father and son pairs, Tom and Ed Battista with Sam and Ben Sutphin, of Indianapolis Film Project, a non-profit organization.

While waiting to open indoors the cinema hosted Kan-Kan Outdoors and Virtual Movie Night, whose mix of films included first run, classic cult, independent, and locally made. Some of the films screened at that time were “Paris is Burning”, “Eraserhead” and “Shaun of the Dead". During that time the cinema was kept afloat by government Covid aid, rentals, donations, grants and memberships, which are still offered.

Jim McQuiston designed the $5 million, three-screen art house. The auditoriums recline 145, 45, and 35 with a 12-seat micro room where films are presented in 35mm, 70mm, and digital.

The Brasserie, with chef Abbi Merriss, is a stand-alone restaurant with 90 seats and 30 on the patio with no cinema ticket required.

Kan-Kan promises, “We will be following the protocols of the CinemaSafe program as well as any local and state guidelines for our opening events and daily operations.”

The name Kan-Kan is derived from Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, “Cat’s Cradle”.

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

rivest266 on December 19, 2021 at 4:44 pm

article Kan Kan cinema opening 1 06 Aug 2021, Fri The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Newspapers.com and Kan-Kan Cinema opening 2 06 Aug 2021, Fri The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Newspapers.com

ridethectrain on September 7, 2026 at 1:28 am

Please update, rename theatre to Kan-Kan Cinema and Bar as per website and total seats 225 with 3 screens

Seating Capacity:

Theatre 1 45

Theatre 2 145

Theatre 3 35

ridethectrain on September 7, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Please correct screen count to 3 screens, according to their website all 3 theatres are ADA accessible, they don’t mention a forth house (info in photos section).