Eclectic, vintage, original, innovative: the Lyric Cinema Café in downtown Fort Collins invites me in for a movie with more flair than my couch and Netflix can offer. My husband and I took the leap one very infrequent date night in November. After a yummy dinner, a bottle of wine, and dessert downtown, we thought a walk was in order before heading home. We stumbled upon the Lyric that was showing Into the Wild at the time.

Upon entering the cozy lobby area, we were greeted by a café atmosphere. Ten or so small tables, a counter with a few friendly faces behind it, and a huge blackboard inviting customers to partake in snacks, desserts, coffees, and a wide selection of microbrew beers. I don’t even think popcorn or fountain soda at $4.50 each even entered the owners’ minds.

We had time before the film to enjoy some beverages, and even invited a few guys to sit with us so we could chat about the place and the movie with some others. We were so excited to have come upon this gem. Our new friends, also locals, were enjoying the theatre for the first time as well.

The warm feeling followed us as we entered the theatre—a vintage, narrow house with maybe two hundred seats. In the back, behind the worn, velvet seats, we found four or five aged sofas. Lounging into one, with beers in hand, we enjoyed the independent film with nostalgic comfort.

It’s rare for us to get a date night; however, our next one will definitely include the Lyric Cinema Café. I frequently check their website and am tempted by independent films of all genres and various special events. The Lyric is just another one of the many reasons that Fort Collins is such a cool place to live.

Lyric Cinema Café
[where: 300 E Mountain Ave, Ft. Collins, CO 80524]
970-493-0893
www.lyriccinemacafe.com

Photo Credit: Lyric Cinema Cafe website