Did we mention it comes with a 3-4 course meal and unlimited drinks?
Oakland’s iconic New Parkway Theater might fly under the radar for most San Franciscans, but it makes quite the statement. Under normal circumstances, Bay Area residents pile onto big squashy couches, bean bags, and vintage chairs to watch everything from cult classics to the Super Bowl. Their café serves local beers and wines, house-made comfort food on a rotating menu, and more.
At the moment, New Parkway Theater is closed due to current COVID-19 restrictions, but you can actually rent out one of their 2 large screening rooms for private viewings. Meaning that you’ll have access to an enormous theater with HD digital projection and surround sound, plenty of cozy seating, and first-class treatment for 3 hours to watch whatever you want!
These “Very Private Rentals” are available either for a couple ($500) or up to 6 people from the same household ($750). At the moment they are not opening private screenings to bubbles or pods from multiple households. Viewers must wear face coverings when entering, exiting, and anywhere outside of the screening room.
New Parkway Theater’s chef will prepare a 3-4 course meal especially for your party, and you’ll be served “all the drinks you can drink.” Menu items usually feature locally-sourced comfort food that’s free of high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and palm oil products. They also have plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The theater has 12 rotating taps featuring local beers, wines, and ciders.
If you want to try the New Parkway food without committing to a private screening, they also offer delicious food crates, which are delivered to your door or available for pickup. All food arrives already prepared, you simply have to heat it up and serve!
This iconic theater is highly sustainable and forward-thinking. The theater pays their amazing staff a living wage and uses a profit sharing business model. They also use completely reusable materials (popcorn is served in bowls, not bags), and are active in local nonprofit communities.
Before Covid, you could also visit this exciting Oakland spot for trivia nights, Bingo, crafting, karaoke, and more. Be sure to check out New Parkway Theater for private rentals, and keep an eye on their calendar for when things start to open back up!
[Featured image: @thenewparkway via Instagram]