Dinner and a free movie at Union Station this Saturday

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Another lovely photo of the old ticketing concourse at LAUS. Photo: Rennett Stowe via Flickr Creative Commons

Another lovely photo of the old ticketing concourse at LAUS. Photo: Rennett Stowe via Flickr Creative Commons

The old ticketing concourse at Union Station is usually off-limits to the public, but it will be open this Saturday, July 20 for a free screening of Chinatown, hosted by Metro and Downtown Film Festival L.A. You’ll be able to soak in the glamorous beauty of historic Union Station while watching a movie that’s quintessentially L.A.

The screening is free but reservations are a must, and the event is currently at capacity. If you’re dying to see the movie but couldn’t RSVP in time, don’t worry. Head over to the real Chinatown for Chinatown Summer Nights, a free event that features food, music, local artists and more. It takes place the same evening from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Chinatown is accessible from Union Station off the Gold Line – or if you feel like getting some exercise, you could walk. It’s about a 10-minute walk heading north on Alameda. For more routes and connections, use Trip Planner.

Doors for the movie screening open at 8 p.m. Food is allowed and Chinatown Summer Nights is also your best option for dinner. There will be plenty of food trucks around for you to load up on, and if you show your TAP card at the info booth you’ll get a free gift.

Another dining option is Traxx Restaurant at Union Station.

This screening launches Metro Art’s new program of arts and cultural events planned for the iconic Union Station in anticipation of its 75th anniversary celebration next year.

Categories: Destination Discounts, Go Metro Weekends, Metro Lifestyle

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9 replies ›

  1. Absolutely enjoyed Chinatown Summer Nights. And for the record, we were in one of the last rows, so it’s understandable that by the time the sound waves got all the way back to us, they had been chewed up and spat out by Polanski himself. Didn’t mean to leave such a negative comment, we were just bummed to miss such a great film. Hopefully more events like this to come and I will make sure to get in line earlier next time!

    • Hi Evan,

      No worries, there’s always room to improve so feedback, positive or negative, is important. Next year being the 75th anniversary of Union Station, there will be plenty of things happening!

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

  2. The Chinatown screening was a great event in conjunction with Saturday evening’s Chinatown summer nights. The screening had an awesome turn-out — it was a full house, but was not too overwhelming. My friends and I enjoyed both events and look forward to the future cultural activities within beautiful Union Station.

  3. When I booked my tickets, the sound was my biggest concern. That room is notorious for extreme echo as well as dead sound. I sat in the center and when the movie started, I was pleasantly surprised with how clear the sound was. Even with the side doors open (with the exception of when the ambulance passed by), it worked well. I did note that their was a left and right speaker up front, another pair about six yards before center but no speakers in the back half. So, maybe four pairs of speakers would solve the problem? In this sort of situation, it’s not necessarily volume but placement and disbursement that works. There was a great buzz in the crowd where I sat and when the movie started, a sense of excitement. I had forgotten how amazing the film is. In the context of that space, it was a very special and unique experience. It felt like Film Noir was resurrected twice, once in the movie and once again in the experience of watching the movie at Union Station, across the street from Chinatown. BTW, it might be a good idea to alternate with movies with happy endings. Just saying.

  4. This was AWFUL! Left 2 minutes into the film. Could not hear a thing. Playing out of iPod speakers or something? And you guys call yourself a film festival? You’d think screening a film would be one of the things you guys have locked down.

    Forget it, Jake. Its Chinatown.

    • Hi Evan,

      Thanks for the feedback. I’ll pass it along for use in planning of future Union Station events. I’m sorry you weren’t able to enjoy the movie, hopefully you still managed to enjoy Chinatown Summer Nights?

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer