There’s nothing like watching the latest movie blockbuster on a giant screen while you’re munching on a tub of buttered popcorn. But if you’re looking for theaters in Rochester, MN, you might worry about what kind of precautions they’re taking to ensure a safe-movie watching experience due to COVID-19. Keep reading to learn more about these Rochester theaters and what all they’re doing to keep you safe while you enjoy watching timeless classics and the newest releases
CineMagic Hollywood 12
The CineMagic Hollywood 12 theater sits on Superior Drive NW and has been open since June. Stop into the theater on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Tuesday to catch a flick. To keep its guests safe, the theater has implemented several safety protocols. It has a limited capacity and encourages 6 feet of social distancing throughout the building. There are social distancing dots placed on the lobby floor so you know where to stand. Its movie showtimes are spaced out as well.
Sanitizer stations are available throughout the facility, and all vending machines and water fountains are not available for use. Employees undergo daily health screenings and temperature checks to ensure they’re healthy to work. They must also wear face masks.
To promote contactless payment, the theater encourages guests to preorder tickets and concessions via its app. Masks are required as long as you’re inside the facility unless you’re eating or drinking. If you want a refill on your popcorn, the concession stand will hand you a new bag. You can opt to dump the bag into your bucket if you want, otherwise, you can just eat it out of the bag. As a bonus, on Tuesdays popcorn bucket refills are free.
For seating, two empty seats must be between two groups of people to practice social distancing. When making online reservations, the reservation system automatically will enforce this. Also, employees will walk through the auditorium to make sure social distancing occurs.
Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse
Locally owned and operated, the Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse is found on 6th Avenue NW. It’s part of a converted Culligan Water facility that was opened in 2019. Its cinema space gives you an intimate and comfortable experience without the massive space of a traditional cineplex. Its blue theater seats came from a silent film building in Leominster, Massachusetts. Gray Duck bought, restored, and transported them to its theater in July 2018. During the year, the facility partners with local organizations to host special film events.
To keep its guests safe, in addition to its normal safety protocols and guidelines, the Gray Duck washes every touch point hourly and every touch point in the cinema after each show. It has also turned on the air circulator to consistently run throughout the cinema. The cinema has a limited capacity with each showing only seating 30 people. Drinks are not available in any outside containers. Guests must wear masks when watching films.
You can easily purchase tickets beforehand via its website and clicking on the Showtimes tab. Tickets are also available for purchase on-site, but you’re encouraged to purchase them before arrival to limit contact. Also, children under the age of 12 are not allowed at regular screenings unless there are special family events. This is the cinema’s policy even before COVID-19.
However, if you’re feeling unwell or uncomfortable about attending the cinema, you can take advantage of its virtual cinema. It began offering this option when Rochester theaters shut down in early spring and it continues to bring film-viewing opportunities to its patrons. Visit its website and click on Virtual Cinema to peruse what movies are available.
Rochester Cinema + IMAX
Located at the Shoppes of Maine in south Rochester, the Rochester Cinema + IMAX reopened its doors in August and welcomes back customers to see movies on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. The theater adheres to its STAR philosophy of creating a safe movie-watching experience. The STAR stands for the following:
- S: Social distancing.
- T: Thorough sanitizing and cleaning.
- A: App and website ordering for low-contact exposure.
- R: Respect for all guests and employees.
You must wear face masks at the theater unless you’re eating or drinking. Before each shift, employees undergo a wellness check and then must wear face masks and gloves when appropriate. The theater has placed plexiglass throughout high-transactional areas, and there is hand sanitizer accessible in the building. Restrooms now have touchless faucets, soap dispensers, and towel dispensers. Restroom attendants are present to ensure social distancing and clean stalls after each use.
To encourage low-contact transactions, the theater encourages guests to preorder tickets and concessions via its app or website. Once you arrive at the theater, you can head directly to the ticket stand if you preordered. If you forgot to preorder, stop at the box office or kiosk to purchase tickets. For preordered food orders, you retrieve them at a designated pickup area. You can still order food on-site either via the app or at the concession stand.
When it comes to seating, you can request for your group to sit together. However, capacity is limited, and there must be two empty seats between the groups to promote social distancing. Also, the row behind each occupied one is out of use. All seats undergo a thorough cleaning with disinfectant between shows, and tape is placed across each seat after it’s cleaned so you know that no one else has sat there.
If you do not feel well, you can receive a refund of your prepurchased ticket one hour before showtime via the app or website. If you didn’t purchase your ticket online, call the theater box office or email the theater for a refund.
Are you ready to visit one of these Rochester-area theaters to catch a flick on the big screen? Tom Kadlec Kia just gave you a list of some of the best movie theaters in Rochester, MN, to visit. Did you agree with our list, or did we miss a favorite theater of yours? If we did, please contact us so we can be sure to add it.
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