Red Bank’s Bow Tie Cinemas Will Reopen Under A New Name

RED BANK, NJ – Red Bank’s historic Bow Tie Cinemas will continue to uphold independent cinema under a new name, according to local non-profit The Count Basie Center for the Arts.

In a Monday news release, the performing arts organization announced that it has assumed operations of Bow Tie Cinemas on White Street, a fixture of downtown Red Bank for over 40 years.

The Count Basie Center for the Arts intends to keep the facility a hub for independent film and major releases and, in months to come, will add discussions, film festivals and workshops to its roster of events.

The new theater, slated to open in October, will also act as a secondary location for the Basie Center’s arts and education programs, such as the Basie Center Teen + College Film Festival.
Late-night showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a longstanding tradition for the theater, will also continue.

“I am very excited for the Count Basie Center for the Arts and their new opening of Basie Center Cinemas,” said Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth). “People are very eager to once again safely have an entertaining night out. This experience is a step forward in bringing normalcy back to the community, while still proceeding with health and safety as our number one priorities.”

The announcement comes just a week after Gov. Phil Murphy issued that movie theaters may reopen at a 150-person or 25 percent maximum capacity. However, The move had already been scheduled before the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

“We were set to announce the Basie Center Cinemas project in April, but we had to put everything on hold,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO of the nonprofit. “We are grateful that Gov. Murphy has allowed movie theaters to operate at a reduced capacity, which will allow us to provide a safe, socially-distanced cinema experience for patrons beginning next month.”

Patrons will be required to wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking. Seats will be sold in sets of 2 and 4, with at least 6 feet of space surrounding seats in all directions, according to a statement. The lobby will be redesigned to allow for contact-free ticketing and concessions. Theaters will be disinfected between showings and restroom occupancy will be limited to one patron at a time.

With those restrictions in place, Basie Center Cinemas’ auditoriums will hold 51 and 33 people, respectively.

“Fans of independent film can rest easy knowing that social distancing is very much possible in this complex, and that cinemas typically operate at reduced capacities to begin with,” said Izzy Sackowitz, the Basie Center’s Executive Vice President of Operations and General Manager.

“In addition to deep cleanings between each screening and again nightly, usable seats will be properly distanced, foot traffic will be relegated to one direction, and concessions and ticketing will be completely touchless. The audience for independent films is smaller than the summer blockbuster crowd, which means the Basie Center Cinemas experience can be safe and enjoyable for all.”

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