How Does Cine Los Angeles Santander Operate?
Cine Los Angeles operates as a single-screen cinema in Santander’s city center, open Wednesday through Sunday with screenings at 4:30 PM and later evening shows. The theater runs two different films each week, available through box office purchases or online booking at www.cinelosangeles.com.
Operating Schedule and Hours
The cinema maintains a focused weekly schedule that differs from typical multiplex operations. The box office opens Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM, with film screenings typically starting at 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on the day.
This limited schedule serves a specific purpose. By opening five days per week instead of seven, the theater can manage operational costs while maintaining quality programming. The afternoon opening time aligns with Santander’s downtown foot traffic patterns, catching both early evening moviegoers and late-night audiences.
Special events like concerts or presentations may have extended hours, with the box office opening two hours before showtime on event days.
Film Programming Strategy
Unlike commercial multiplexes, Cine Los Angeles doesn’t screen first-run blockbusters. Instead, manager Carlos Restegui programs two different films each week, creating variety for regular attendees.
“We don’t show premieres because that would force us to keep the same film for 15 days,” explains the management philosophy behind this approach. The rotation strategy allows the cinema to screen independent films, international cinema, Spanish productions, and critically acclaimed releases that might have finished their multiplex runs.
Films are shown in both Spanish and original language versions with subtitles. The Friday evening screening often features the original version (V.O.S.E. – Versión Original Subtitulada en Español), catering to audiences who prefer authentic language presentations.
This programming flexibility has created a loyal audience base. Regular patrons check the weekly schedule to discover what’s playing, rather than expecting specific titles.
Ticket Purchase Methods
The cinema offers three ways to secure tickets, though with important limitations to understand.
Box Office Purchase: The primary method remains in-person purchases at the theater’s ticket window on Calle Rua Mayor 6. Staff can answer questions about the films and help select showtimes. The limitation: cash only. The theater doesn’t accept credit or debit cards at the box office.
Online Booking: Tickets can be purchased through www.cinelosangeles.com. This system handles both regular film screenings and special events. Online tickets can be picked up at the box office or validated directly for entry.
Phone Reservations: Call 942 03 77 03 during box office hours (Wednesday-Sunday, 4:30-10:00 PM) to reserve tickets. Phone reservations must be collected at the box office before the screening.
For special events like concerts or presentations, advance purchase is recommended. These events often sell out, particularly concerts with well-known performers that command tickets ranging from 10 to 25 euros.
Pricing Structure
The cinema maintains straightforward pricing that has remained stable compared to rising multiplex costs.
Standard admission costs 7 euros per ticket for any film screening. This single-price model simplifies transactions and keeps the experience accessible.
The most notable discount program targets seniors. Every Wednesday, adults aged 65 and over can attend any screening for just 2 euros. This long-standing tradition requires valid identification (DNI, passport, or residence card) both at ticket purchase and theater entry.
Special events operate on different pricing:
- Musical concerts: typically 25 euros
- Orchestra performances: around 10 euros
- Film presentations with post-screening discussions: standard 7 euro rate
The theater historically offered some of Spain’s lowest cinema prices. While costs have risen from the 4.80 euro rate of previous years, the current 7 euro admission remains competitive compared to modern multiplexes charging 9-12 euros.
Special Events and Cultural Programming
Beyond film screenings, Cine Los Angeles transforms into a cultural venue several times per month. The stage area accommodates live performances, making the space multi-functional.
Recent programming has included:
- Brazilian jazz concerts featuring international artists like Anna Setton
- American blues and rock performers on Spanish tours
- Local orchestras including the Agrupación Musical Albéniz, a traditional plucked-string ensemble
- Post-film discussions with directors or subject matter experts
- Documentary screenings followed by related educational talks
These events typically occur on Monday evenings or weekend afternoons when regular film screenings aren’t scheduled. Concert tickets range from 10-25 euros depending on the artist, sold through the same channels as film tickets.
The cultural programming reflects the theater’s broader mission beyond pure cinema exhibition. By hosting music, presentations, and community events, Los Angeles maintains relevance as a downtown cultural anchor.
Physical Layout and Facilities
The theater operates with a single 320-seat auditorium. This capacity represents a middle ground between the original 550 seats from 1957 and the reduced 180-seat configuration used during the 1980s video rental boom.
The venue preserves its traditional cinema atmosphere. Red seats arranged in a classic theater configuration face a large screen. The projection booth was upgraded to digital equipment in 2013, an essential modernization for screening contemporary films while maintaining the historic character.
The iconic neon sign outside—designed from founder Marcos Restegui’s handwriting of his wife’s name “Angelines”—has become a downtown landmark. Located at the corner of Calle Rua Mayor, the entrance marquee displays current programming.
The building itself holds architectural significance, designed by Francisco Cabrero Torres-Quevedo between 1955-1957. It occupies a site left vacant after Santander’s 1941 fire, featuring a modern design that maximizes the irregular plot while creating adequate screening space.
Management and Operations
Carlos Restegui, one of ten children of founder Marcos Restegui Vega, manages the cinema’s daily operations. His father pioneered cinema exhibition in Santander, operating multiple theaters including the extinct Cine Alameda, Capitol, and Cine Santander.
The management approach emphasizes entertainment value and audience satisfaction. “When I program a dance film, I love seeing people leave dancing. I’m happy when they exit content,” Carlos has stated about his programming philosophy.
The cinema operates under an agreement with the Santander City Council, which provides some financial support. This partnership helped reopen the theater in 2005 after a two-year closure (2003-2005) when financial pressures threatened permanent shutdown.
Day-to-day operations remain lean. The limited schedule and single-screen configuration mean lower staffing costs compared to multiplexes. The cash-only box office policy, while inconvenient for some patrons, simplifies accounting and reduces transaction fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay with a credit card at Cine Los Angeles?
No, the box office only accepts cash payments. If you book tickets online through www.cinelosangeles.com, you can pay digitally there, but in-person purchases require cash euros.
How can I find out what films are playing this week?
Check the cinema’s website at www.cinelosangeles.com or their blog at carteleracinelosangeles.blogspot.com. You can also call 942 03 77 03 during box office hours or follow their Facebook page for weekly programming updates.
Are films shown in English or Spanish?
Most screenings are in Spanish (either dubbed or originally Spanish-language films). However, Friday evening shows often feature original language versions with Spanish subtitles, particularly for international films.
Is Cine Los Angeles the only downtown cinema in Santander?
Yes, it’s the sole remaining traditional cinema in Santander’s city center. Other theaters closed during the 1990s and 2000s, leaving Los Angeles as the last historic venue still operating in the downtown area.
The theater’s survival for nearly seven decades speaks to its adaptability. What began as a 550-seat cinema in 1957 has evolved into a flexible cultural space that screens films four days weekly and hosts live events on others. The modest ticket prices and nostalgic atmosphere attract both longtime Santander residents and visitors discovering the city’s historic cinema.
By focusing on variety over blockbusters, maintaining accessible pricing, and expanding into cultural programming, Cine Los Angeles has found a sustainable operating model that larger multiplexes in shopping centers can’t replicate. The combination of film heritage, downtown location, and community-focused programming has allowed this family-run cinema to persist when so many others closed.