Entry No. 67 — the Fort Collins file — filed under: after-dark
The Lyric Cinema (Outdoor Lawn Screen & Cult Nights)
An indie movie house and arts hub with three small indoor theaters plus a towering outdoor screen on the lawn, where warm nights bring cult classics and repertory favorites under the Colorado sky. The on-site cafe and full bar pour craft beer, cocktails and wine alongside snacks, and you can settle in on a couch indoors or out on the grass for a screening. The calendar swings between live music, concerts and after-dark film nights, including a recurring cult-film series.
The story
Head up North College Avenue past the usual commercial sprawl, and you’ll hit an indie screen that aggressively rejects multiplex norms. The Lyric operates as a hybrid movie house, neighborhood living room, and late-night art refuge. Inside, instead of rigid stadium rows, three small auditoriums are decked out with worn couches where you can sit with a craft beer or a cocktail ordered straight from the lobby bar.
Outside behind the building is where the venue really breaks away from traditional cinema. A towering screen overlooks a wide expanse of lawn that converts into an open-air amphitheater on warm Colorado evenings. On any given week, the schedule toggles between obscure indie releases, live music, and after-dark cult film nights projected under the open sky.
What it's like
You'll enter through the cafe and bar area, where you can order cocktails, craft beer, wine, and snacks to carry into the theater. For indoor films, head into one of the three micro-theaters early to snag a couch spot before they fill up. If you're attending an outdoor lawn screening, bring your own blanket or camp chair to set up on the grass—and keep a jacket handy, as temperatures drop fast on North College once the sun dips.
The move: Grab a beer and a blanket spot on the lawn for a cult-classic screening under the stars, or split a couch inside for a film that won't play anywhere else in town.
📍 Before you go Outdoor lawn screenings are weather- and season-dependent; check the current calendar for which nights are cult/outdoor films.
- 📍 Fort Collins (North College)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 1209 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House — Pair an afternoon of coffee and independent letterpress publishing in the River District with a cult movie on the lawn down North College.
- Speak Cheesy Lounge — Start with a drink in a hidden subterranean basement lounge beneath Slyce Pizza before heading north for a couch-seated indie screening.
- Old Town Putt — Play a quick nine holes of indoor mini-golf with a cocktail at The Exchange before catching an evening film.
Good to know
Where is The Lyric located?
The venue is located at 1209 N College Ave in Fort Collins, Colorado.
What kind of food and drink options are available?
The Lyric has an on-site cafe and full bar pouring craft beer, cocktails, and wine alongside snacks that you can take into the indoor theaters or out onto the lawn.
How does seating work for indoor and outdoor movies?
Indoor auditoriums feature lounge couches rather than traditional cinema seats. Outdoor screenings take place on the grass lawn, where seating is open and visitors bring their own blankets or chairs.
Are outdoor lawn movies shown year-round?
No, outdoor lawn screenings are seasonal and weather-dependent. Check their current calendar before heading out to confirm outdoor and cult-film showtimes.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Yelp · Tripadvisor · Official site · visitftcollins.com · thegroupinc.com
last checked: 2026-06-23