Basic Information for Manor Theatre
Address: 1729 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Hours: Opens 30 minutes before show and closes after final show
Website: manorpgh.com
Admission: $
Weekday Adults $9.50
Weekend Adults $10.00
Matinee $7.50
Transportation: Bus, car (street parking), bike (street lock site), and walking
Access: No stairs, seats on ramp
About the Manor Theatre
The Manor Theatre first opened its doors in 1922, making it one of the oldest theatres still operating in the country, but don't let its age fool you. This theatre is much more than just an old relic. Despite modern renovations, the charm of the original theatre has not been lost. Instead, the theatre's mix of old and new has been incorporated into a contemporary theatre. At first, this lavish theatre played only silent films in its large one room auditorium. Walking into the Manor today, you will now find four new theatres with state of the art projectors. The current owner, Rick Stern, took control over the the theatre after his father passed away, and decided to renovate the theatre in 2010, creating the atmosphere that truly embodies the original idea that movie theatres should be palaces.
Although, the decor may transport you to yesteryear, the concession stand is sure to bring you into the future, equipped with a large selection of “bites,” ranging from zucchini fries to pork and napa cabbage pot stickers, but don't worry, it still has all the popcorn you can get your fill of. One of the greatest additions of the renovations was the Mbar, situated quietly off to the side of the lobby, where you can purchase a wide array of alcohol. There is even a collection of signature cocktails named after famous films. The "Pulp Fiction" in particular is a fan favorite.
As you walk around the lobby, the beautiful motifs of navy blue and chocolate browns will put you at ease as they are washed over with the warm light from the ornate chandelier. The theatre is known for its eclectic selection of films ranging from hit blockbusters to art-house independent films along with the occasional foreign film. One truly great thing about the Manor is its status as an independent theatre, which allows it to show any film it wants. Plus, they get to decide how many trailers they show. They usually keep the trailers to around five minutes, so try to be on time! The Manor has also been hosting the Jewish Film Festival for the last five years consecutively, which includes films about Jewish people or created by them. The theatre's independence allows them to be able to work with Jfilm and organizations like them to have many special events, which always include an exciting array of films. Next time you are in the mood to see a move, why not go independent and have a really special experience?
A Stroll About Squirrel Hill
Given that I work at the Manor you hear a lot of stories from customers about how the place used to be. One day, as I was waiting for my shift to start, when a coworker began telling me a story, that a customer had just told him of his very first date, at the age of 14, that had happened at my beloved theatre. The customer, who was in his eighties (I forget his exact age), said that there was a girl in his class, that he very much liked, and wanted to ask her out to the movies.