Tavernier Cinema 5

dallasmovietheaters on September 12, 2022 at 4:44 pm

The Tavernier Twin Cinema launched in 1980 just a year after the shopping center housing the venue was established as the Tavernier Towne Mall. The complex, however, was most commonly referred to as a “shopping center” and its genesis was as a shopping center in 1976. The venue operated from 1980 to 2000, assuming, on a 20-year lease as the Tavernier Twin Cinema and then as the Tavernier Towne Cinemas from 2000 into 2002 when it closed to expand on July, 2002 by operators - then Sam and Ayman Nekhaila.

After its almost 22 years as a twin cinema, the venue re-emerged in July of 2003 as a five-screen operation retaining the Tavernier Towne Cinemas moniker. On December 13, 2014, it was called the B&B Tavernier Cinema 5 operated by the B&B Circuit.

B&B closed it and the rest of its operation on March 16, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened but purportedly did not ever reconnect with its audience closing at the end of its showtime schedule on February 20, 2022. It soon continued as an independent thereafter taken on by Sean and Sam Nekhaila who returned to the venue. They reopened on March 1, 2022 as the Tavernier Cinema 5.

ridethectrain on July 16, 2026 at 10:22 pm

Tavernier Cinema 5 to open after renovations JILL ZIMA BORSKI Special to The Citizen Oct 11, 2025

The Upper Keys’ only movie theater reopened briefly last month during renovations to feature a movie showcasing a few local and part-time residents in the background scenes of the movie “Looking Through Water” based upon the book written by Islamorada homeowner Bob Rich.

After that successful venture, Tavernier Cinema 5 closed to finish renovations, such as installing new seating and replacing curtains adorning the walls of the five different theaters, so it can be ready for the typically busy winter season.

Upon entering the revamped cinema in Tavernier Towne Shopping Center near Mile Marker 91.3, bayside, guests may spy colorful carpeting, which is brand new, and the snack bar right inside the front doors. The theater’s color scheme is highlighted by sky-blue paint on the trim and in the halls. The theaters’ seating is now comfortable blue leather recliners with drink holders and a small sturdy tabletop on which to place a meal, drink or snack.

The Thai and sushi restaurant J-Dao, located a few storefronts away from the cinema, delivers to the snack bar. Customers may order via a special QR code and are alerted when their orders are ready for pickup inside the cinema.

Among the concession’s adult beverage choices are beer, wine, wine coolers and BeatBoxes, which typically have an alcohol content of 11.1% by volume — comparable to a few beers or a bottle of wine.

The cinema’s general manager, John Clouse, is a Coral Shores High School graduate who has worked at the cinema since 2013 while still attending CSHS. It was known as B&B Theatre then, he said, and a few design features of the former theater remain, such as the mural of film reels over the concession stand.

During the pandemic, Clouse was offered the opportunity to become shift leader, and his next promotion came four months later. While the B&B owner wanted to entice Clouse to work at a theater in Georgia after he sold the business, Clouse chose to stay put at the popular Keys’ theater and kept rising through the ranks to GM.

Expected movie ticket prices are to be in the $14 to $16 range, and the theater will continue its $5 Tuesday special, which usually shows movies at 4 and 7 p.m. Clouse said the theater often sells out on Tuesdays, and he expects Tuesdays’ popularity to continue after the reopening.

Sam Nekhaila of Islamorada owned the cinema from 1991 to 2001 as a two-theater complex, and then took about 18 months to expand to five theaters in 2001. He then sold the cinema to the franchise operator B&B because his other Keys enterprises were requiring additional time. He circled back to the entertainment business, and with the renovated movie house, Nekhaila continues to offer residents the opportunity to enjoy big-city opportunities with Keys flare and comfort.

To see what’s playing, visit taverniercinema5.com.