One of the hidden secrets about Sundance that nobody wants to reveal — because “going to Park City” just sounds more prestigious — is that Salt Lake City is a better place to experience the festival in more ways than one. Standing in line “patiently” is worth the wait when it comes to the experience that’s offered to you. Even the worst theater venue in Salt Lake City is still not the worst venue to see a film at Sundance (looking at you Yarrow Hotel Home Theater Theater). Here is a breakdown of the theaters in Salt Lake City that you can catch Sundance films at, and their pros and cons.
Rose Wagner
Credit: Dylan Moses Griffin. Pictured: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Jesse Andrews, Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke and RJ Cyler of “Me & Earl & the Dying Girl”.
This is definitely one of the best theaters to see a film at during Sundance. The seating is nice for the most part, even if you’re front and center, it’s not too inconvenient of a spot. However if you do get too far to one side, you’ll end up craning your head a bit. But this is the best theater to waitlist at. Every single time I waitlisted there, I got in. One showing I was even #59 on the waitlist (practically a guarantee of not getting in most places) and I got in as well, as did many others.
The Broadway
Credit: Salt Lake Film Society
The main hub of The Salt Lake Film Society, this is also a great place to be for Sundance. The entire space was recently renovated, and it looks fantastic and really classes up the experience. You never have a bad seat in their theaters, even if you are on the front row stuck to the far end of one side. The only caveat is that because of the small seating amount – usually around 240-250 – only a certain amount of people waitlisting have a chance of getting in. It more depends on the film for that, some I waitlisted where they ushered in 20 people, and some I waitlisted where they only got in 5.
The Grand Theater
Credit: Salt Lake Community College
This year was the first year that the Grand Theater screened films for Sundance, and you can say it succeeded in its first at-bat. It holds 1,100 seats, so this is one of the best theaters to waitlist a film for based on space alone. The seats in the theater are all pretty good whether you’re on the main floor or the balcony. Even if you’re in the front row you don’t have to lean back at all. If you’re on the far end of one side you’re not too bad off either, the picture is big enough to include that part of the theater.
Salt Lake City Library Theater
Credit: The Salt Lake City Library
Not to talk down on any of the films that play there during the festival, but the ones that do are typically not ones that everyone is declaring must-see. Because of this you’ll typically have good luck waitlisting here even despite the small seat amount of 300. The only real bad part about this theater is that if you sit too far to one side, it totally messes up the sound of the film for you. It sounds like two different tracks are playing, with one having a small delay.
The Tower
Credit: Salt Lake Film Society
The Tower Theater is an absolute dump, and I say that with nothing but love. The seats give you a backache, there is little to no legroom in the seats and the floors are sticky from who knows what. To top it all off, to get to the bathrooms you have to go down some stairs that can only fit one person at a time, and the urinal handles are covered in moss. In summary, it’s a place that only a cinephile could love. It’s got around 350 seats, so waitlisting all depends on the movie you’re seeing and how in demand it is. There isn’t a bad seat in the house regarding where you are in conjunction with the screen. The Tower may be a rundown dive of a theater, but ask anybody in Salt Lake City and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
