CHICAGO CARLESS

This must be the most underrated, little known, yet longstanding cultural gem in Chicago. Four arthouse, classic, or world movies every night of the week, pristine interior, in the heart of downtown (i.e. anyone can catch a 6pm Casablanca after work should they so choose) and five buck tickets if you’re a member. 

Maybe people miss the entrance despite the big sign because there’s no huge neon or LED spectacular screaming for attention above the door. There’s a teeny little movie-times scroll inside the door and the box office is upstairs (via stairs or elevator).

But inside, two theaters, one small and one 200 seater, both state-of-the-art, neither afflicted by 10 minutes of commercials or other hype, a rapt attentive audience, and a small art gallery/cafe to boot.

When New York City groaned and mourned when Cinema Village and many others of its arthouse ilk died in the 1990s, this is exactly the type of venue our Gotham brethren were mourning. Turn anyone onto the Siskel Center, and when they get done telling you how they never ever knew it was there, they’ll go.