Some of my favorite places I find incredibly difficult to describe. There is an unidentifiable feeling in the air that makes these places so special to me. It is exactly this mystery and unwillingness to be easily classified that is what I love about these places and there are few better examples of this than The Lyric. Easily the funkiest place in Fort Collins, the Lyric is a movie theater, music venue, event space, community hangout spot, and more.
What is the Lyric?
Describing the Lyric by what they offer doesn’t feel like doing it justice. It’s more than just a place to go and watch things, it’s a museum in itself. The large area behind the Lyric, which is used for outdoor movies and other events during the summer months, has the largest selection of sculptures in town since the Swetsville Zoo closed. Art made out of old bicycles, a funky school bus, an arch made of hubcaps, woven hammocks, you get the picture. Inside the main lobby is much of the same in-your-face strangeness that epitomizes the Lyric.
It’s not all for show either. The Lyric is just about the only place within a 100-mile radius where you can watch a movie that was released 50 years ago. The Lyric is usually showing at least one new movie. But really, they show whatever the hell they want. Most of these movies are part of the theater’s “retrospectives.” These are groups of movies connected by a common theme and shown over the course of several weeks. Themes cab include specific genres, actors, time periods, or some other connecting thread. More obscure movies are shown on occasion but the Lyric is no stranger to a crowd pleaser. Pulp Fiction and Fargo will be playing in February as part of their retrospective of Academy Award Best Picture Snubs.
Why the Lyric is different, and better for it.
I’m not the only one who has complained about the quality of food at movie theaters. My fellow haters will be pleased to learn that the Lyric is actively seeking to change this frequent shortcoming. Just a few months ago in they brought in some fresh culinary perspective to completely overhaul their food options. There are plenty of elevated snacks and full entrees to be had. Just be sure to arrive for your movie early.
My dad was always the type to arrive a full 45 minutes before the movie when I was young. I’m certain I’m not the only kid with memories of sitting in anempty theater, watching the same commercials on repeat. The Lyric actually provides a reason for you to show up early. Between the new food menu and a substantial liquor and beer selection, you can get your buzz on instead of browsing Twitter for movie reviews. But then again, how else are you supposed to know what to think?
The Lyric offers just about everything and there is truly nothing else like it in the entire state of Colorado. Fans of music, movies, and art should absolutely have this place on their radar if they are anywhere in Northern Colorado.