It’s the bright glow radiating from the marquee that first invites you into The Prewitt, transporting you into a building that has lived many lives. Not only was it once a movie theater in Hollywood’s golden age, transporting audiences into imaginative stories, but now the elaborate storytelling of The Prewitt is told through the conversations shared over a scratch-made meal and specialty cocktails that have been intricately crafted and filled with the allure of its history.
With a history of almost a century, dating back to 1927, when it first opened its doors as a grand movie theater, The Prewitt was always destined to be a place of memories and experiences in Plainfield.
After closing in the early 2000s, the historic building sat empty for years until it was rejuvenated in 2021 with a transformation that sparked new life into The Prewitt.
When The Prewitt was renovated, there was so much attention to detail to ensure the historic character of the theater remained. Preserving this character included keeping the original brick walls, keeping the original theater’s marquee and name, The Prewitt, and introducing design features like the three different levels in the dining room, purposefully designed to be representative of the sloped floor of the old theater, which also gives guests a great view of the screen or stage.
“We wanted to keep the movie theater experience alive, which is why we have a screen in the main dining room where we can show movies. We wanted to create something new without losing what made the original theater so special. The Prewitt was designed to feel historic and modern at the same time, with plenty of nods to old Hollywood and the 1920s. Throughout the restaurant, you’ll find black-and-white photos of old Hollywood that help bring that vintage feel to the space. Upstairs in the Parlor Dining Room, there is a large wall mural featuring a scene from No Place To Go, the first movie ever shown at the theater in 1927. Photos of the film’s main actors are also displayed throughout the room, adding another piece of the building’s history to the space. There is also a small private dining room called the Chef ’s Study. This room features the original fireplace from the previous building, along with beautiful stained-glass windows overlooking downtown Plainfield. When the weather is nice, guests can head up to our rooftop patio, which is a great spot to enjoy dinner and drinks outdoors. Each of these spaces has its own personality and can also be rented for private parties and special events, giving guests a few different ways to experience The Prewitt,” says Lauren Harlan, marketing manager of Marquee Hospitality Group.
The Prewitt’s menu includes perfectly crafted shareables like crispy burrata, parlor fries, Wagyu corn dogs, short rib nachos and short rib egg rolls; soups and salads; artisan-crafted flatbreads; handheld options, including burger sliders, a chicken sandwich, birria tacos and artichoke grilled cheese; as well as signature entrée dishes of steak frites, ribeye and filet, mushroom Alfredo and lobster mac and cheese pastas, chicken piccata, swordfish, pork chops and more.
The Prewitt also has a specialty-crafted bar menu and a happy hour menu that is available in the lounge Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. It includes discounted drinks and bar bites, including a burger slider and mac and cheese.
“The Prewitt’s cocktail menu was created with the movie theater’s history in mind. We wanted to bring that cinematic theme into the drinks, so many of our cocktails are inspired by films, with names like Pretty in Pink, Maid in Manhattan, The Gatsby, Castaway, Sleepless in Seattle and more. We also introduce seasonal cocktails and menu items throughout the year to keep things fresh and exciting,” says Harlan.
The guest experience is very important at The Prewitt.
“From the moment you walk through the door, our team is here to make you feel welcome. Our hosts greet you with a smile, and our servers go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience,” says Harlan.
The Prewitt offers unique guest entertainment, like hosting weekly live music, Hambone’s Trivia on the first Tuesday of every month and Music Bingo with DJ Crazy B on select Wednesdays throughout the month, along with seasonal special events and entertainment.
“During the winter, guests can cozy up in one of our rooftop igloos, catch a late-night comedy show or concert, enjoy holiday movie nights, and try our seasonal cocktails and menu offerings. As the weather warms up, our rooftop patio comes alive with weekly live music, BBQ + Bourbon events, Wine Dinners and more opportunities to enjoy food, drinks and entertainment outdoors. Fall brings some of our favorite events, including our Halloween Movie Series in October, featuring spooky classics and new favorites on the big screen, along with our Murder Mystery Dinner Series, which runs from October through February,” says Harlan.
The Prewitt’s theater, dining room, parlor dining room, Chef ’s Study and rooftop patio are also available to be reserved for events and gatherings.
The Prewitt is part of Marquee Hospitality Group, a collection of unique hospitality destinations in downtown Plainfield, Indiana, that also includes Oasis Diner, Roots Market & Eatery and The Eyrie Event Space.
The Prewitt is located at 121 W. Main St. and is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more details regarding The Prewitt’s menu and special events, or to make a reservation, visit its website at prewittdining.com.
“Whether you’re sipping a craft cocktail under the glow of the marquee or on our rooftop patio, enjoying a locally inspired meal in the dining room, or listening to live music in the lounge, The Prewitt invites you to slow down, connect and savor the moment. We’re proud to honor our roots while creating new memories for the next generation,” says Harlan.
