The River Oaks Theatre, a venerable Houston landmark which has been the beating heart of the city's cinematic experience since 1939, is poised to reopen its doors on Sunday, with sold-out screenings and a swell of local enthusiasm. According to a report by CultureMap Houston, the wait is over for movie buffs and nostalgia-seekers alike as the theater, under the new management of Culinary Khancepts, has undergone a swish multi-million dollar renovation that resurrects the shine of its Art Deco past while straddling the comfort and technology of the present day.
Its closure in 2021 had seemed to spell the end for the theater, but now, Houstonians can revel in the rebirth of a venue that has managed to escape the wreckage of obscurity and demolition which claimed many of its contemporaries, as Click2Houston reported. In a celebration of history and innovation, the revived River Oaks will not only host film screenings but will also serve as a lively cultural hub for live shows, music, comedians, and more with the opening night gala graced by a screening of "Joker: Folie a Deux," manifesting the theater's dedication to continuing its legacy as Houston's premier arthouse cinema venue.
Keeping with tradition, the first 800 guests passing through the grand entrance will receive a keepsake gold coin, a gesture that River Oaks Theatre's Artistic Director, Robert Saucedo, indicates will bring luck and prosperity to the establishment in the coming years, much like the early 20th-century movie palaces did, he told CultureMap Houston. The renovation maintains key elements such as the theater's iconic marquee, while adding plush seating with personal dining tables, and a sprinkle of contemporary amenities including advanced sound and projection systems, and an updated menu from Chef Tim Reading of the adjoining Leo’s River Oaks, which features an array of upscale dining options deliverable directly to theatergoers' seats.
While embracing this long-awaited transformation, Jason Ostrow, Vice President of Culinary Khancepts, has indicated the company's commitment to local roots and customer experience as they continue to fine-tune the venue: "We’re local business owners. It’s not like we’re some big company out of New York or LA — we’re here. So we take a lot of pride in what we do. So we won’t stop kind of tweaking and playing with it until it’s exactly what it needs to be. But, at some point, you've got to open," he said in a statement obtained by CultureMap Houston.
For the moviegoing crowd looking for a more continuous cinematic indulgence, River Oaks will roll out the "Cinema Savant" subscription program, offering unlimited film access for $20 per month, ensuring that the flame of this historic venue continues to burn bright as it welcomes a new generation of film lovers and culture enthusiasts, ready to etch their memories within its storied walls, just as Click2Houston emphasized the community's collective sigh of relief and excitement at the theater's revival and the promise of new stories to be shared under its Art Deco glow.
